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The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and Dune Climb within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Lakeshore) have partially reopened to the public. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail has been cleared from Glen Haven to Empire, and this section is now open to the public. These areas were closed after a windstorm on Sunday, August 2 caused severe damage in the area. Leelanau County is still recovering from this emergency. The National Park Service and Glen Lake Fire Department have very limited availability to respond to medical emergencies and rescues occurring in the park at this time. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is open, but descent from the Lake Michigan Overlook area toward Lake Michigan is prohibited because of the frequent emergency calls generated there. The Lakeshore and Glen Lake Fire Department are asking that visitors on the drive help them through this brief period and do not attempt to go down that overlook. In the meantime, visitors can still enjoy the incredible views over Lake Michigan and the dune plateau from the platform at Stops 3, 9 and 11 on the Scenic Drive. Similarly, the Dune Climb is open, but the Dunes Trail to Lake Michigan is closed because of the frequent emergency calls it generates. The Lakeshore is asking that visitors enjoy the Climb, but do not go beyond the closure signs. The Dune Trail will also be reopened after emergency response capability is restored. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from Glen Haven south to Empire, and from Glen Arbor north to Port Oneida, has been cleared by trail crews from the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The hardest hit section –- between Glen Arbor and Glen Haven -- remains closed until further notice. |
Last updated: August 8, 2015