Pictured Rocks: Colorful Cliffs of Lake Superior
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was absolutely incredible! The rock formations in this park are the work of centuries of weather, wind and water.
❓Did you know that the colors come from different minerals in the groundwater that are deposited on the rock as the groundwater seeps out and travels on the surface of the rock?
Iron creates red and orange, copper creates blue and green, manganese creates brown and black, and limonite creates white. All these can be seen at various points along the 15 miles of lakeshore that make up the national park (blue/green is the most uncommon, but still there).
The lakeshore is ever changing. We saw the fallout of a massive rock slide from a few summers back and learned that while the weather and water slowly erode the cliffs, every few years a portion of the face falls into the lake.
⛴ The best view of the cliffs is from a boat on the icy waters of Lake Superior. The park service offers a water tour, for a fee . On the advice of some good friends, we took a sunset cruise to see the lakeshore. The golden light from the sunset really makes the colors on the rocks POP!
Is this on your bucket list? It definitely should be!
