This is Au Sable Lighthouse from the Log Slide which is west of Grand Marais. It is between Sable Falls and the lighthouse.
Looking west from the top of the Log Slide.
The Log Slide get its name from it's use when the timber industry was in full swing. Logs would be brought to the top of the hill. A wooden chute led to to the lake below. Logs would be sent down the chute to be gathered below and towed by tug to a mill for processing. Because of the friction from the trees sliding down the chute, small fires would occasionally start. Men equipped with shovels would toss sand from the dune onto the fire to put it out. There used to be an interpretive sign at the top with all this information, but I haven't seen it there the last couple of times I've been there. There is, however, a small lumbering exhibit.
I was first there in the mid to late 80s. At that time, and even into the early 90s, the road was not paved. If the road wasn't sand, it sure seemed like it. The turnoff to the log slide was a little sandy road and let almost to the top of it. Today, the road is paved and there is a nice parking lot a ways back from the top of the hill which requires a short walk to get to. The slide itself is very steep. You can get to the bottom in less than a minute. Climbing back up can take much longer. Depending on your condition, it may take as long as an hour, though I've done it in as little as 20 minutes.
Grand Sable Lake, a short distance inland from Lake Superior.
This is Au Sable Lighthouse from the Log Slide which is west of Grand Marais. It is between Sable Falls and the lighthouse.
Looking west from the top of the Log Slide. 
The Log Slide get its name from it's use when the timber industry was in full swing. Logs would be brought to the top of the hill. A wooden chute led to to the lake below. Logs would be sent down the chute to be gathered below and towed by tug to a mill for processing. Because of the friction from the trees sliding down the chute, small fires would occasionally start. Men equipped with shovels would toss sand from the dune onto the fire to put it out. There used to be an interpretive sign at the top with all this information, but I haven't seen it there the last couple of times I've been there. There is, however, a small lumbering exhibit. 
I was first there in the mid to late 80s. At that time, and even into the early 90s, the road was not paved. If the road wasn't sand, it sure seemed like it. The turnoff to the log slide was a little sandy road and let almost to the top of it. Today, the road is paved and there is a nice parking lot a ways back from the top of the hill which requires a short walk to get to. The slide itself is very steep. You can get to the bottom in less than a minute. Climbing back up can take much longer. Depending on your condition, it may take as long as an hour, though I've done it in as little as 20 minutes.
Grand Sable Lake, a short distance inland from Lake Superior.
I like that first shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is one of the rare times I have used the digital zoom function on my camera.
ReplyDeleteI really need a new camera.