Pre-conference Adventure Schedule
A Flight of Possibilities
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Your adventurous journey from the lower peninsula to Marquette will most likely take place Thursday, October 2, 2025. We have organized a flight of experiences you are welcome to join and tease your palate with a taste of the U.P. Feel free to stop at any of the “flights” approximately timed for you to make them all if you wish. Or just drive to Marquette. The rest is up to you! No registration necessary but be on time if you want the full experience.
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. A Flight of Hawks: Hawk Migration Viewing near the Mackinaw Bridge
Join Kara and Josh Haas from Michigan Raptor Migration Teaching Network to experience raptor migration across the Straits and learn how educators are teaching about this phenomenon across the state! Ed Pike and Sarah Reding from Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch will be there to greet you and help you scan the skies for migrating hawks, eagles and more!
DIRECTIONS: The hawk count site is west of the Mackinac Bridge in Saint Ignace, on Point LaBarbe. From US 2, turn south onto Boulevard Drive and drive 0.7 miles. Turn right onto Densmore Ave and go 0.6 miles until it reconnects with Boulevard Drive. Turn right onto Boulevard, which is a dirt road, often muddy, but passable. Enjoy a slow and scenic drive for approximately 1 mile. The hawk counters are on the north side of the road. https://www.mackinacraptorwatch.org/count-sites/ (use the pin on the Google map on this website to navigate)
1:00 – 2:15 p.m. A Flight of Loons, Swans and Osprey Oh My! (Seney National Wildlife Refuge - 90 Minutes from the Mackinaw Bridge)
Leave the Mackinaw Bridge area promptly at 11:30 a.m. and you are sure to make the next “flight” at Seney! Meet Refuge Manager Sara Siekierski for an overview of the 95,000 acre refuge. Walk the one mile+ trail by the temporary visitor center or spend an hour on the Marshland Wildlife Drive. You don’t even need to leave your car. The choice is yours!
DIRECTIONS: Seney NWR has a temporary Visitor Center on River Road. Leaving the St Ignace area on HWY 2 west, travel about an hour (65 miles) to M-77 and turn north. In about 7-8 miles look for River road and signs to Seney temporary Visitor Center. Travel west on river road 2 miles to the VC (1986 River Road, Germfask) Sara will direct you to the Marshland Tour after her introduction to Seney.
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. A Flight of Picture Rocks (75 minutes from Seney)
Travel back into the geologic past of Pictured Rocks! Join a National Park Service Ranger to learn about the rocks that give the park its name. Walk a half-mile roundtrip from the upper viewing platform to the lower viewing area of Miners Castle. Terrain includes stairs and climbing up and down a steep paved path. Meet at Miners Castle on the wooden pavilion.
DIRECTIONS: Miners Castle, Picture Rocks National lakeshore After leaving Seney head north on M-77 to M-28 (about 10 miles) Head west on M-28 to Shingleton (25 miles). From Shingleton you will take H-15 or Shingleton Road North. In about five miles, you'll pop out on H-58 in Van Meer next to the Bear Trap Inn (Don’t be tempted to stop). You'll take a left or go west for about 4 miles and turn north on Miners Castle Road. The brown sign telling you to turn is pretty faded but a good way point to start slowing down is seeing a wetland on both sides of the road. It's a straight shot North to Miners Castle.
4:00 p.m. Depart Picture Rocks for Marquette (about one hour)
DIRECTIONS: To Marquette, travel to Munising and head on Hwy 28 west through town. Continue west on 28 for nearly 40 miles tracing the Lake Superior shoreline. Take 41 North into Marquette and locate your lodging.
5:00 p.m. Dinner on your Own
6:30-8:30 p.m. MAEOE Migration Mixer at Presque Isle Park Pavillion
Celebrate a safe journey with beverages, chips and friends. $15 (Pay at the door)
