Art in rocks

Rocks come in all shapes and sizes and are a common sight in the Upper Peninsula, whether underfoot, underwater, or towering above the shores of Lake Superior.

It’s fun to rock hunt in search of the specimens with the eye-catching colors or patterns. In some cases, you might even spot a hidden quartz crystal, as in the rock below. Its familiar pointed, hexagonal prism is topped by a pyramid shape.

In the clear waters of Lake Superior, rocks are stunningly beautiful, mostly washed smooth by the continual motion of the waves. Hunting for agates (ag-gets), a form of quartz, is popular. Agates can be naturally polished or by machine and are often used in jewelry pieces.

Many areas along Lake Superior feature stunning rock walls and cliffs, like those shown between Chassell and Baraga, really viewable only by boat or kayak. Up close, the walls may look unremarkable but from a distance the coloring almost looks like a painting or petroglyph.

The large rock is one unearthed on the hill leading to the cabins when new Internet lines were being laid in 2023. Its heft, unique shape, and subtly textured face remind us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.