Re/Discover Huron County: A Place I Never Knew Existed Until Now
What comes to mind when you think of a sanctuary?
At first thought, perhaps you think of a place of protection and safety or maybe it lends itself to a more spiritual meaning. Regardless, finding this term in the title of a place I never knew existed left me intrigued. One minute I am working at my computer logging info into a database about beaches and parks on the Forgotten Coast, and the next minute my attention is so gripped by this new mysterious location that I suddenly had this impulsive urge to see it for myself.
Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary is an untouched parcel of wood and marshland that hugs the Lake Huron Shoreline, and more intimately, Whiskey Harbor, approximately 3 miles north of Port Hope at the end of Pochert Road. I must have driven by this road hundreds of times, and still, it remained unknown to me. There is no sign at the intersection of M-25 and Pochert road to distinguish its existence. That sign can only be found if you drive down the dead-end road and see it for yourself.
Until now, I never had a reason to drive down this road. Without the mystery of a nature sanctuary, it was simply just another road. Curious I took the fifteen-minute drive to the road less traveled, and where it led to was more than just a nature sanctuary, it was a place of adventure, a place of peace and solace, and in my experience, a place where one can truly be alone with nature in its most untouched form.
Setting out having only briefly read about the area on the Michigan Nature Association website and a single Google review, I was mostly unaware of what to expect. To help future adventurers on the Forgotten Coast, I am sharing my experience in hopes of giving others a greater understanding of what to expect when they themselves decide to make the trek.
Information About Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary
When you get to the end of Pochert Road there is a space just to the right to park one, maybe two vehicles. If you have never visited a nature sanctuary that is a part of the Michigan Nature Association, I would advise reading the sign. There is some information that will prove helpful to you along the way. Take a look at the blue trail marker that is posted on the sign as you will need to pay attention to those as the trail itself is not maintained. Take note that this hike is certainly not for everyone, and before setting out I highly encourage wearing hiking boots or shoes you can get wet, as some areas in the marsh are saturated. You might also want to wear long pants and bug spray.
When you are ready to set off on your adventure, take a left past the sign and cross the wooden bridge.
The half-mile trail is in and of itself an adventure. You will likely find yourself weaving over and under fallen trees and through thick brush and marsh grass. Keep a lookout for the blue trail markers as some places along the trail are almost incomprehensible due to the vegetation. Some of the trees which are marked have fallen. You can, however, distinguish the path if you take your time. The trail is mostly level aside from the fallen trees and debris. Approximately ¾ of the way there you will meet a natural bridge across a creek bed made of moderate-sized rocks you can use to step across and continue on the trail. It is really quite beautiful. Not long thereafter you will see a “trail ends” sign before the trail opens up to an absolutely breathtaking view of Whiskey Harbor.
This is truly the prize for making it to the end of the trail. There are approximately 75 yards of beach hugging the south side of the harbor for you to explore. You can find all kinds of stones, shells, and beach glass among the other debris on the beach. This is also an excellent place to see migrating birds and wildlife, or simply just watch the waves roll in.
Reflection
Could there really be a place I haven’t been to in this county, let alone a place so close to my very own backyard, and yet still be so naive to its very existence? The answer to this question has me pondering what else I have been so blind to for all these years. I was born and raised here, I have lived most of my adult life here, and still, there are new adventures that await just beyond my door.
The discovery of the Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary and my adventure therein have ignited an insatiable desire within me to rediscover Huron County and the greater Forgotten Coast with my daughter in tow. I look forward to our next adventure and the opportunity to share it with you. I hope you too will take an adventure on the Forgotten Coast and re/discover natural wonders not yet seen or known.
What to know before you go:
It is unfortunate, but there are no pets allowed in order to keep the area as untouched and protected as possible, which is understandable in my opinion.
Wear hiking boots or waterproof boots/shoes and long pants. Bug spray might be a good idea also.
Read the sign before taking the hike.
Take your time and take it all in. Do your best to follow the blue trail markers. Overall, the hike takes about an hour and a half depending on how long you explore the trail and beach.
This place has remained untouched for centuries, let’s ensure this place remains this way well into the future by leaving only footsteps.
For more information about Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary or others like it, visit Michigan Nature Association.
