Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail - Dune Climb to Glen Arbor, MI

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

On Tuesday we left Muskegon, MI and drove 128 miles north to Dune Climb, MI.  We began our ride on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail at Dune Climb and rode toward Glen Arbor.

Bikes at the base of Dune Climb

The trail at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a favorite for bikers and hikers alike.

The trikes are a novelty to many along the trail so we stop to talk about them quite often.  The hikers we stopped to talk with were glad to take our picture.  We took their family picture as well.

We rode along with other bikers for awhile.

The scenic trail

The trail winds through a plush forest along the east side of the dunes.  It's amazing how well the foliage grows near the dunes on the east side.  If you go to the west side of the dunes, which receive the winds off Lake Michigan, there is hardly any foliage.

Glen Haven

On the way to Glen Arbor is the little town of Glen Haven.  Only a few buildings remain here.  The canning company pictured was not in business.

Debbie Looking over the clear waters of Lake Michigan

The beach at Glen Haven is worth checking out.

Trail between Glen Haven and Glen Arbor

Campground near Glen Arbor

The trail passes through a campground near Glen Arbor.  This campground is great for tents but would not work for large motorhomes.

Wildflowers along the way

Sleeping Bear Sweets

We arrived at Glen Arbor to discover a bike-friendly little town full of visitors, many on bikes.  We ate at Boondocks which offered outdoor seating as well as dining under a huge gazebo.  We split a pulled pork sandwich then walked over to Sleeping Bear Sweets and indulged in a scoop of ice cream.  Perfect!

Trail returning to Dune Climb

The ride from Dune Climb to Glen Arbor was 4.5 miles of beautiful scenery.  Round trip made a 9 mile ride.

Chris at the base of the Dune

Why climb a sand mountain?  Because it's there.  Kids and families were having a ball.

Chris at the top of the dune, so we thought.

I presumed I would see Lake Michigan from the top.  I just wasn't at the top, or even close.  I was only about a third of the way up.

The next rise from the 1st climb

Partially up the second rise

At the top of the 2nd rise

I could see a bit of Lake Michigan off to the north.  I would have had to hike further up to see where Lake Michigan meets the dune.  Debbie was already wondering where her husband was.  She called.  Thank goodness for cell phones.

After my descent, we drove to Traverse City to spend the night at a Bed and Breakfast.  A B&B is generally more economical that a hotel and will always have a better breakfast. This is the Oviatt House front entrance. The home was built in the early 1900s.

Oviatt House Side

Living room of B&B

Breakfast Table

We had Belgian waffles, eggs, fruit, yogurt, granola, and sausage to get ready for a bike ride up the Leelanau Trail to Suttons Bay.