Find the eye and enjoy the view

A short but challenging hike will take you to a beautiful lookout above the Upper Peninsula’s largest lake. You can see for miles on this hike, across and beyond Lake Gogebic. The Alligator Eye trail is easy to miss, but it’s a treasure worth discovering. It’s a hike where you can experience a beautiful stretch of forest and be rewarded with a spectacular vista at the trail’s end. The trail is not a secret, but many people pass the trailhead, unaware of the amazing hike they just passed.

Here’s how you can find the trail:

Off of Highway 64, you’ll see a simple post that marks the trailhead. Hike into the hardwood forest about half a mile up a rocky and rooted trail and you’ll encounter a clearing with a spectacular view of Lake Gogebic. The Alligator Eye is a bluff that’s the remnant of an ancient mountain range that is today covered with glacial till. From the water, some say it looks like an alligator’s eye. You may have to use your imagination a bit to see the eye but this trail provides an inspiring view and an introduction to the wild forests surrounding Lake Gogebic. The trail is spectacular when the fall colors are out. To get to the trail from the Land O’ Lakes Town Hall, head east on Highway B to Highway 45 north. In 8.2 miles, head west on U.S. Highway 2. In approximately 22 miles turn north on Highway 64. In approximately 7 miles the trail access steps are across from fire N9146.

Keep your eyes open – the trail is easy to miss – look for a modest post with a small hiker logo. There is a small parking area just south of the steps leading to the trail on the west side of the road. But once you’re deep in the forest, you’ll discover that some trails are worth looking for.

Hours
Open spring, summer, fall seasons; closed in winter.

Contact
Phone: 906-932-1330
Address: E23979 U.S. Highway 2 East, Watersmeet, MI 49969
Website: www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa