The Dune Point

 

 In just a few days, shelf ice has begun to form along the shore of Lake Michigan. This year, the ice formed when the lake wasn't as rough, so the shelf ice didn't form large mounds along the beach. This makes it a bit more dangerous for visitors because the ice looks like the beach when you're walking along unless you look for some subtle clues. I can easily see how someone could just dash out all the way to the edge of the ice thinking they are safe - especially if they have never visited the area before. When the ice mounds up, it's a lot easier to tell where the beach ends and the ice begins. It still doesn't matter to some who are either unfamiliar with the danger, or just think they're bulletproof.

 
I suspect in a few more days the ice will form almost as far as the eye can see; it's so interesting to visit in the winter to see these changes. The lake looks more like the Arctic Ocean when it freezes up.

   

 From the higher elevations on the dunes, one can see the extent of the ice much easier. Viewing areas are very limited now that much of the dune areas are closed or off limits, but there are a few left such as Mt. Baldy, and Central Beach. You can always put your camera on a kite and fly it high above for photo, because drones are not allowed in the park. 

Some older trails lead harmlessly to some dune overlooks. Many old homes were razed over the past few years, and the sand and weed covered asphalt roads still exist. Most locals know these trails, visitors would never find them. 

 Along the stream you can see the trail leading off to the old roads. It would be a great thing for the park service to mark these and perhaps make a viewing deck in this area, but they've all but closed off the dunes. As I've believed for a long time, and today's approval to charge admission to the park proves, the park service wishes to put more effort into keeping the public out of the park than providing a natural experience for visitors.