The Minden Bog
This is a destination for nature lovers
who like rough. About mid-way up the “thumb” of Michigan and
a bit inland from Lake Huron is a very unusual area known as
the Minden Bog. If you visit in an early morning mist or at
dusk when the fireflies emerge, it is easy to imagine the
ghosts of lost adventurers wandering across the wind swept
heath. This is a giant wetland of around 5,000 acres. At one
time the Minden Bog may have covered 30 square miles and is
still so large that it shows up as a dark area on satellite
photographs of Michigan.
The Minden Bog is a raised bog which gives it a dome shape
with the top being about 200 feet above Lake Huron. This
feature is not very evident when you are there but that
doesn't diminish the experience. About a third of this
peat-land is within the Minden State Game Area and this is
also the headlands of the Cass and Black Rivers. This
is a wonderful hike but it is remote and there are no
facilities of any kind. There are paths created by animals,
a wide variety of wild flowers and shrubs, there is ample
evidence of a beaver population. After hiking just a short
way into the bog it is easy to lose your sense of direction.
When you get far enough in, every direction looks the same.
There are no buildings, few trees and fewer landmarks. It is
not recommended that you enter this area alone. There are
holes in the ground, ditches, water and no facilities.
This is a stunning place at any time of day. At dawn or dusk
it will simply take your breath away. There just isn't any
other place like this in the “thumb”.
The Minden Bog is southwest of Minden City and west of
Palms. From route 25 between Port Sanilac and Forestville,
take the road to Palms. Pass through Palms heading west and
after a mile or so the paved road will curve to the north.
Continue west on the dirt road for a couple of miles and you
will reach a dead end. You can park there. A small path
leads west to a foot bridge across a canal and into the bog.
The path going west runs along the south edge of a deep
irrigation ditch. In just a couple of hundred yards you will
enter a different world.
For lodging choices check www.backroadslodging.com