from Mack Lake
camp ground on a
foggy morning in
late 1970's. See
the leaning Pine
Tree in the
background is
still standing at
Benedetti Pines
Today.
Forest fire that engulfs Mack Lake's
pristine surroundings and wildlife.
was so intense, it releases 3 trillion
BTU (British Thermal Units) into the
Earth's atmosphere. Pine trees
exploded and towers of billowing
black smoke could be seen from as
far as 70 miles away.
the forest service, of 200 acres goes
terribly wrong and 24,000 acres and
44 homes on Mack Lake are
destroyed and 1 person is lost to the
fire.
burn was to polinate and reproduce
Jackpine trees that had grown too tall
to be considered effective nesting
grounds for the Kirtland Warblers.
The only way a jackpine's tiny
pinecone releases it's seeds is during
a forest fire, and this is the only kind
of tree the KW will nest under.
endangered species and currently
has only 1000 mating pair of birds
left in existance. These birds nest
on the ground under the shade of the
Jackpine tree and life is a real
struggle.
August it is unlawful to enter
Portions of the Huron National
Forest that have been designated
Kirtland Warbler Management
Areas. -As not to disturb the
nesting birds. In August all the
Kirtland Warblers migrate down
to the Bahamas for the cold
winter months.- Smart Birds!!!
Lake is a popular off roading trail
head site known as Bull Gap (or Bull
Hill). Many off-roaders stay at the
Mack Lake Camp gound and access
the many miles of ORV &
snowmobile trails that wind through
the Huron National Forest.
Remember to tread lightly and stay
on the trails, as we are just visitors
and want to see the trails kept open
for our children to enjoy.
