Lake Superior Overlook with Grand Portal Point

This image looks out onto Lake Superior and the Grand Portal Point from the east side of Grand Portal Point. You can access the trail to get to this location at the Mosquito/Chapel Area. From Munising, travel east on H-58 for about 11 miles. Turn left onto Chapel Drive (there will be gravel roads from here until you arrive at the trail head) just after passing through Melstrand. Signs will indicate the Mosquito/Chapel Area. Follow the signs for about 4 miles until you arrive at the Mosquito/Chapel trail head. This view is 4-6 miles into the hike, depending on how you choose to hike it. There are several ways you can hike the loop, and this loop is closer to the Chapel Beach end. To get to the spot where I took the photo, follow the GPS coordinates.

Fall color usually peaks on the lakeshore here in late-September to mid-October.

The angle of lighting to see the color on Lake Superior is best morning through mid-day. Also, this is a long hike, and you may not want to be at this spot in late-afternoon in the fall, as you might have to hike back in the dark.

Shooting wide with an aperture of f/8 or greater will keep the cliff you're standing on, Lake Superior, and the Grand Portal Point arch in the distance, all in focus.

As you set up your composition, aim to put the foreground sandstone in the bottom third, and the horizon as the top third of your image.

Be sure to turn your polarizer so that you can best see the fall color and the water color.

If you want a cruise boat in your photo for perspective, just hang around for a bit. If the water on the lake isn't too choppy, cruises come by regularly.

A Pictured Rocks cruise is a good way to round out a trip to this area; see the same places from a few different views. I definitely recommend hiking the loop in a way to include both Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls. Muldoon's pasties make a great trail lunch!