Park Rangers Urge Visitors To Avoid This Dangerous Mistake At Sleeping Bear Dunes
A trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan can be one full of beautiful lakeside views, the best places to see Northern Lights, and scenic hiking trails. But if you're not careful, it can just as easily turn into the most exhausting hike of your life. This is all due to the infamous Dune Climb at stop No. 9 overlooking Lake Michigan. The climb involves descending a steep dune towards the lake shore, and then turning around to hike back up the 450 foot hill. From the top of the dune, the walk to the shoreline doesn't look far — but the steepness of the hill is an optical illusion. When climbers start their way down, they immediately realize the shore is not as close as they thought.
@spencerdiamond3 $3K to get rescued at The dreaded Sleeping Bear Dunes Hike #beardunes #michigan #lakemichigan
A TikTok by @spencerdiamond3 shows just how steep the dune is, as well as the exhausted climbers making their way up the hill on all fours. People underestimate the difficulty of this hike daily, but suddenly realize their mistake as their feet start sinking in the sand and the sun is beating down on them as they climb. Watching this, you may wonder why anyone is still trying to make it back up. Wouldn't it be easier to just call the park rescue service to pick you up? Well, once you go down, the $3,000 rescue fee usually convinces hikers to just deal with the struggle up the dune.
Follow park ranger's advice while hiking the Dune Climb
If you are planning to hike along Lake Michigan's dunes, be sure to adequately prepare yourself by following the park ranger's hiking safety tips provided on the National Park Service website. While the climb is treacherous, taking these simple precautions can ensure that you make it back up the hill safely (and with a new achievement to brag about to your friends). It may seem smart to leave your shoes behind on the climb, but actually, park rangers recommend otherwise. Especially on hot days, the sand can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, so going barefoot could lead to some battle scars on your feet.
The Dune Climb can take up to three hours, depending on your climbing skills. You'll want to make sure that you have water and a few snacks to continue fueling your body on the way up. The most common reason people need to be rescued from the dune is heat exhaustion, which can be caused by dehydration. It's also important to stay close and make sure you have eyes on the people in your group, especially if you have children. The climb can be disorienting, so be sure that you stay close to your group to ensure no one gets lost or left behind.