MBCKC Paddle Reports

Point Aux Barques Paddle Report, August 31, 2008

My son Tom and I (Jerry Inman)launched our kayaks at the base of the break wall pier at Port Austin on Lake Huron taken August 31. We had driven form my Tom’s Cottage located on M-25 just 8 miles southwest of Port Austin. Our paddling destination being the shoreline caves that Tom had seen in a movie highlighting remote scenic places in Michigan.
The Lake was flat nearly undisturbed by the light wind from the north east. The only chop experienced, were wakes from boats leaving and entering the Port Austin Harbor. As we paddled out along the break wall Tom mentioned that we may be headed in the wrong direction, that the caves may be to the South and not North. We agreed that it would be a good paddle even if we didn’t see any caves. In the distance we could see the Port Austin Lighthouse that marked the end of the Port Austin reef and the mouth of Saginaw Bay to the south. The Reef was about two miles off and we hoped that we could find a way through without having to paddle out and around the end. Fortunately we did, and that cut off an extra mile of paddling. Once to the north of the reef, we were encouraged by high shoreline cliffs that came into view and were likely to support caves. In only a few minutes a first shallow cave came into view. Soon thereafter, others were seen, with some deep enough to paddle within. The caves were formed from the eroding action of the waves against the soft sandstone and shale that make up this section of the Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay eastern shoreline. The view and geography reminded us of the Pictured Rocks at Munising in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
We hung around this area for a while paddling in and around the caves. Tom, while positioning his kayak in one of the caves for a photo opportunity commented about some frogs sitting on a ledge. Looking further, he was startled by a large snake positioned close by and ready for a frog lunch. With our picture taking complete, we paddled out and around a cliff face and made another discovery.
The rock shape ahead was somewhat familiar as it has adorned postcards depicting the thumb shoreline area and is sketched as a logo on the front page of an area weekly newspaper. We had discovered “Turnip Rock” that stands alone, 30 yards out from the shoreline and stands about 35 feet high, 40 wide. Continuing on, we discovered a series of cement and stone pilings that at one time supported a pier or break water that extended at least 500’ out from a road ending.
This mile section of the Saginaw Bay Shoreline remains remote and inaccessible from the land, as the property is privately owned, gated, and guarded. The only access is by water and even that can be difficult, as 100 yards out from the shore the water is rock laden and very shallow.
The time had come for our return paddle, and as we approached the Port Austin Reef we could see water extending between the shoreline and high parts of the reef. If we could paddle through there we would cut off significant distance and paddle time. With slow and careful maneuvering we were able to pick our way through into the deeper waters on the southern side of the reef. Not more than three more long scratches were added to the bottom of my kayak. As Tom says, “a scratched kayak is a loved kayak”.
As we paddled the two miles back to the Port Austin Harbor we made a third discovery. Through the clear water we saw the remnants of a shipwreck. The main beam timbers were clearly visible as were many other planks. We took a couple of pictures, marked it with our GPS and then paddled on. We would save the exploration of the shipwreck for another time.