In 2019, I bought a home in Trout Creek, Michigan, and it turned out to be the best $17,000 I think I could’ve ever spent.
Although groceries in the area are sparse and overpriced, the house itself is priceless in value. Why? The surrounding attractions are a major reason.
1. Trees
The Ottawa National Forest is one of two located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is approximately 10.5 million acres and has about 54 species of trees. Paper birch trees are probably one of my favorites. Cedars, maples and spruce are also common. Apples trees are a lot of fun, too. I never appreciated berries or apples the way I do now that I live in the U.P. They’re also very attractive for picture-taking, too.
2. Local Events
Trout Creek is so tiny that there isn’t even a year-round grocery store. Aside from the occasional VFW pancake breakfast and the Independence Day Lawn Mower Parade, that’s generally where Bruce Crossing comes in. For local events, Bruce Crossing can be a sight. The Fourth of July celebration is especially fun. They bring in food trucks for Halloween.
3. Old Buildings
As a “living ghost town,” U.P. towns like Trout Creek are super cool to explore because they have a unique and (mostly) charming history that involves a lot of interesting buildings that are mostly abandoned now. No one is encouraging property intrusion, but there are still so many standing structures that can be appreciated from a (dilapidated) public sidewalk like the old Trout Creek High School. (Trout Critters get bussed to Ewen these days.)
4. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the most visually pleasing natural things to capture because they come in so many different shapes, sizes, colors and textures. If you visit the western U.P. between July and October, you will be amazed by the abundance of mushroom sightings.
5. Sunrises
Sometimes, the sun just looks awesome. Trout Creek can be a great place for capturing sunrises, especially when they’re coming from behind the water tower. Fall and summer are generally best for this. Wintertime is mostly cold and gray; no one wants to go outside earlier than necessary anyway.
6. Northern Lights
Imagine walking out your front door at 2 a.m. and seeing the Northern Lights in the sky above. I’ve literally done that before!!! I was born in Arizona. To me, this natural phenomenon is still such a unique and fascinating occurrence. Like… how?! What even?! They’re so cool. I’ll secretly admit though… the extravagant coloration in photos can usually be attributed to fancy modern camera phone technologies (but who’s complaining, right? Just a disclosure.).
7. Snow
As I write this article, the outside temperature is (truly) -12 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold here is nearly unbearable. Nearly. However, the snow is beautiful. When you’re driving along the backroads like 16, where the trees get thick and the plows don’t arrive until later in the day, the fresh snow caps on the evergreens are a sight to see.
8. Farmland
Getting up close and personal with pigs and chickens is a new experience for me. I still don’t fully understand the hay bailing process. Nonetheless, the Trout Creek area is also home to a lot of farmland and gorgeous landscapes that are perfect for creating beautiful images. This is especially true in the early A.M. around autumn. The morning mist is an ideal contrast.
9. Lakes
Everyone knows we’re in the Great Lake State, but there are so many underrated small lakes that it really makes me question Minnesota’s slogan. Water offers photographers a great opportunity to play with light and movement in a variety of ways. The Trout Creek area is also home to countless water holes where you can swim, ice fish and take beautiful pictures.
If you want to go rustic camping or just simply slow down, Trout Creek is the place to go. From Bond Falls to Sparrow Rapids and everywhere around and in-between, Ontonagon County and the Ottawa National Forest make the perfect spot for capturing the moment.
