From Huron Shores Coastal Trails
Route: OSSINEKE TO ALPENA
Distance: 9.5 Miles
Access Sites: 04-04 (Ossineke State Forest Campground) & 04-08 (Mich-e-ke-wis Park)
Shoreline Land Use: Residential and wetlands
Points of Interest: Squaw Bay, Sulphur Island, Partridge Point, Grass Island and Bare Point
Rest Stops: Partridge Point DNR Public Access (04-07)
Hazards & Cautions: High winds from the east push water into the shallow and creates large waves.
Comments: Influenced by bedrock deposits, the southern part of the bay is shallow. Combined with low lakes levels, exposed bottom lands, intermittent wetlands and Great Lakes marshes are common, especially in Squaw Bay. Great area for birding from watercraft.
Route: PARTRIDGE POINT TOUR
Distance: 4.5 Miles
Access Sites: 04-08 (Mich-e-ke-wis Park) & 04-07 (DNR access Partridge Point)
Shoreline Land Use: Residential and wetlands
Points of Interest: Squaw Bay, Grass Island, Sulphur Island, Bare Point and Partridge Point
Rest Stops: No rest stops between Alpena and Partridge Point
Hazards & Cautions: High winds from the east push water into the shallow and creates large waves.
Comments: The entrance road off Partridge Point Road to the DNR public access site is very rough and sometimes has large puddles. Influenced by bedrock, the southern part of the bay is shallow. Combined with low lakes levels, exposed bottom lands, intermittent wetlands and Great Lakes marshes are common, especially in Squaw Bay. Great area for birding from watercraft.
Route: ALPENA WATERFRONT
Distance: 3 Miles
Access Sites: 04-08, 04-10, 04-11, 04-13 & 04-14
Shoreline Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial and parks,
Points of Interest: Numerous parks, marina, industrial facilities
Rest Stops: Numerous city parks
Hazards & Cautions: Recreational boat traffic particularly near the City Marina and the Thunder Bay River
Comments: Provides an interesting paddle along the city’s waterfront, views of residences, businesses, beaches, parks, wetlands, large ships and industries.
Route: THUNDER BAY RIVER
Distance: 1.2 Miles
Access Sites: 04-13 & 04-14
Shoreline Land Use: Urban built-up
Points of Interest: Thunder Bay Maritime Heritage Center, 9th Street Dam, 2nd Street Bridge and Island Foot Bridge
Rest Stops: No rest stops
Hazards & Cautions: Recreational boat traffic
Comments: Paddle up to 9th Street Dam and Maritime Heritage Center
Route: ALPENA TO THUNDER BAY ISLAND
Distance: 12.5 Miles
Access Sites: 04-13 OR 04-14
Shoreline Land Use: Mostly Undeveloped
Points of Interest: Shallow shipwrecks, North Point, Thunder Bay Island, Sugar Island, Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse
Rest Stops: No rest stops
Hazards & Cautions: The segment is a long paddle across open water. Only recommended for groups of expert paddlers.
Comments: Camping is not allowed on Thunder Bay Island. This trip would require a round trip paddle or paddle onto to El Cajon Bay. Note it is a long portage to car parking through the Alpena Township Nature Preserve or the State Forest Land on El Cajon Bay.
Route: EL CAJON BAY TO THUNDER BAY ISLAND
Distance: 6 Miles
Access Sites: 04-16, 04-17
Shoreline Land Use: Coastal wetlands and cedar forests
Points of Interest: Coastal marshes, Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse, shipwrecks, Crooked Island, Round Island, Gull Island and Sugar Island.
Rest Stops: No designated rest stops between island and mainland.
Hazards & Cautions: Misery Bay has shallow areas and shoals that create difficulties in heavy waves. Only recommended for groups of expert paddlers.
Comments: Access to El Cajon Bay to launch a kayak requires a long portage. Access off Misery Bay Road through the Alpena Township Nature Preserve is a 0.8 mile hike and access through the State Forest property is a 0.5 hike. Camping is NOT allowed in the Nature Preserve. Camping is not allowed on Thunder Bay Island.
Route: ALPENA TO EL CAJON BAY
Distance: 15 Miles
Access Sites: 04-16, 04-17
Shoreline Land Use: Mostly undeveloped
Points of Interest: Coastal marshes, Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse, Crooked Island, Round Island, Gull Island and Sugar Island.
Rest Stops: There are no designated rest stops
Hazards & Cautions: Misery Bay has shallow areas and shoals that create difficulties in heavy waves. Only recommended for groups of expert paddlers.
Comments: Access to El Cajon Bay to launch a kayak requires a long portage. Access off Misery Bay Road through the Alpena Township Nature Preserve is a 0.8 mile hike and access through the State Forest property is a 0.5 hike. Camping is NOT allowed in the Nature Preserve. Camping is not allowed on Thunder Bay Island.
Route: EL CAJON BAY TO ROCKPORT
Distance: 12 Miles
Access Sites: 04-16, 04-17 to 04-18
Shoreline Land Use: Low desnity waterfront residential, private ownership between El Cajon and Rockport
Points of Interest: Underwater sinkhole in El Cajon Bay, numerous small bays and points. Alpena Township Nature Preserve on El Cajon Bay.
Rest Stops: There are no rest stops between Rockport and El Cajon Bay.
Hazards & Cautions: When lake levels are low it's not possible to paddle the outlet from Ej Cajon Bay. A short Portage is necessary.
Comments: Access to El Cajon Bay to launch a kayak requires a long portage. Access off Misery Bay Road through the Alpena Township Nature Preserve is a 0.8 mile hike and access through the State Forest property is a 0.5 hike. Camping is NOT allowed in the Nature Preserve.
Route: MIDDLE ISLAND
Distance: 2.5 Miles
Access Sites: 04-18
Shoreline Land Use: Open water
Points of Interest: Middle Island Lighthouse
Rest Stops: Rest Stop on State Land of Middle Island
Hazards & Cautions: All Open water paddling. Only recommended for groups of expert paddlers.
Comments: Most of the island along with the lighthouse is privately owned. Respect the private owners and only stop at the state owned parcel on the northwest point of Middle Island.
Alpena Blueway Assets
Contact: NEMCOG