Laurie Bashaw and her hubby Edward spent some time camping in the Copper Harbor area with an adventure hiking in the Estivant Pines, checking out some of the largest and oldest giant white pine trees, growing more than 125 feet tall and as old as 300 years. There are two hiking trails, which intersect and combining them you can complete a 2.5 mile hike through groves of large pine, maple and oak trees. One pine was determined to have germinated around 1695 after a wildfire in the area. Pretty amazing when you think about how long it has been growing in these woods.

The Devil’s Washtub was another stop Laurie and Ed made on M26, about 2 miles west of Copper Harbor. Dapple Gray Bed & Breakfast and Antiques is across the road from the path to the Washtub and they own the property, so be mindful and courteous if you stop to check it out. MTU Keweenaw Geoheritage describes the Washtub as a wonderful example of a blowhole within the Copper Harbor Conglomerate. When Lake Superior is calm, it’s a fun place to swim, jumping in on the Lake side you can then pass through a natural formed arch of conglomerate, into the actual “washtub”. Be mindful of water levels if swimming here, as there are times the water is shallow or even none in there at all, depending on the water levels of Lake Superior each year.

Explore Your World and Tom take us on a short hike into the Estivant Pines, with plenty of history about the Wilderness Nature Sanctuary.

The Estivant Pines are a beautiful place to explore. I would note the trails are quite easy with virtually no elevation change and small sections that can become wet have simple boardwalks.

I tried to experiment with the panorama feature on the camera by I turning it sideways and the result was interesting:



I would also add that the big Lake's level can change quickly & substantially, albeit very infrequently, due to a Seiche. They are caused by large differences in atmospheric pressure and the result looks like a tidal change but a bit faster moving.

What great pictures. Those trees are so big.
What an adventure they had.

D. A., I love what you did with that
picture. So cool.

I love the devil's washtub also, but have
never been there when it's calm so I have
never jumped in. On one of our trips up
there years ago, our youngest son nearly
jumped in. Scared the tar out of us. He was
our daredevil and so I don't doubt he'd do
it now, waves or no waves.

Beautiful area and amazing trees! Thanks Laurie for taking us there!

D. A. (Midwested) your photo really gives a perspective of how tall that tree is - and gives me an idea of how to use that feature on my camera. Thanks!

The Devil's Washtub is spectacular when there's a sea running, but I wouldn't swim there even if it's calm.

When it's windy and rough there's a lot of spray on the rocks. If you slipped and fell in, I don't think there's any way you could get back on shore.

It's a great natural phenomenon, but be super careful walking out there.