SUMMER OCCUPANCY at LTC begins at 4 p.m. Saturday and continues until you checkout at 9 a.m. the following Saturday. Our cabins are situated along a wooded drive that connects County Road 550 with our lakefront. As you walk downhill from the highway toward the lake, the cabins are on your left. As the land falls gently toward the lake, so do occupancy levels and weekly/daily rates. First on your left is:
SPRUCE       6 people (2 dbl, 3 S)       $525/week     closest to County Road 550. Next is...
PINE             4 people (1 dbl, 3 S)         495/week       then you come to...
OAK             NOT AVAILABLE                               and finally...
MAPLE        NOT AVAILABLE                               From here, its a short walk down
hill
Please add $59 per week for an extra guest!                                  to
the lake.
Our cabins all have electricity, hot and cold running water, modern showers, flush toilets, and refrigerators with freezers. Propane fuels our water heaters, kitchen stoves and space heaters to warm the cabin on cool north woods mornings. In the kitchen you will find pots and pans, table service, mixing bowls, cutting board and knives, and miscellaneous utensils. We provide kitchen linens, toasters, coffee makers, and  microwave ovens. Sheets, blankets, pillows and bedspreads are provided for your sleeping comfort. We provide one towel per guest for your stay. (Please bring your own beach towels.) Outside each cabin there is a fire ring and picnic table. A 12 foot aluminum row boat (no motor) is included in the price of each cabin.
Our summer waterfront includes a 60 foot dock on the south end of our 200’ beach. The beach is sandy, though the lake bottom here is a combination of sand and rocks (I wear beach shoes for my comfort, children don’t seem to notice...). We provide a fish cleaning table, with electric and water, and a boat livery. Picnic tables and beach chairs are here for your lakefront use. The walleye hole is directly out front about 300 feet offshore.
Wildlife viewers can watch the early morning fishing habits of a bald eagle, the antics of an osprey, the playful habits of a river otter, the domestic behavior of a beaver while hearing the ancient call of a loon. Kingfishers, mallards, blue herons and whooping cranes are also here for you to enjoy.
We have a beautiful location that we would love to share with you. Secluded cabin sites, picnic areas, campfire zones, grassy places where children may play, the beach, the lake, and the unpredictable weather are all part of a summer symphony that you can experience and take home with you.
Family pets are welcome BY ARRANGEMENT ONLY.

LAKE INDEPENDENCE
Lake Independence has long been recognized as one of Michigan’s finest fishing lakes. About 1 and 1/2 miles wide and 3 miles long (1840 acres), it is known for walleye, northern pike, jumbo perch and small-mouth bass. The Yellow Dog River which empties into the southeast end of the lake is a fine trout stream. Alder Creek flows in on the southwest side of the lake. The Iron River is its only outlet; so named when the Yellow Dog was dammed in the 1940’s. The lake is shallow (30 feet deep) with a sandy bottom and gravel beds for spawning. Resident summer wildlife include moose, bear, and white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, bald eagles, osprey,  loons, king fishers, mallards, blue herons, and whooping cranes.
Recreational opportunities include fishing, canoeing, boating, kaying, sailing, wildlife viewing, birding, and recreational rentals (Big Bay Outfitters). Enjoy a nice float down the Iron River with your binoculars and fishing pole. Eat a delicious lunch on a sandy Lake Superior beach at the mouth of the river, swim, and then paddle home. Local outfitters will spot you and can provide lunch.
LTC is located on the “quiet end” of Lake Independence at the mouth of Alder Creek Bay. The Yellow Dog River swamp and Alder Creek wetlands abound with birds and other wildlife. Due to the fragile nature of a lake ecosystem, we encourage you to use people-powered crafts such as canoes, kayaks and bicycles when possible. Row our 12 foot boat, bring your own small motor, or rent the 16’ deep-V fishing boat from Big Bay Outfitters.
BIG BAY AND VICINITY
Little Tree Cabins is located two miles south of Big Bay, a small village nestled in the foothills of the ancient Huron Mountains. Hungry Hollow Cafe, Cram’s General Store, a laundromat, the Lumberjack Inn, the Thunder Bay Inn (also known as “the hotel”), two gift shops showcasing local products, a custom woodworking shop, Big Bay Outfitters and Red Town Rentals, two churches, and a public school (K-8) make up this unique community. The Big Bay Lighthouse is open to the public for limited hours weekly.
Big Bay is located at the end of a paved road, 25 miles north of Marquette. One-half million acres of state and privately owned timberlands are open for public use due west of Big Bay. The unique geological uplift in the area provides scenic views and fine hiking trails along picturesque lakes, streams, and high bluffs. Many waterfalls tumble over the granite escarpment within a several mile radius. For the adventurous mountain biker, hiker or skier, a vast network of unpaved roads and trails takes you west across wild country to Huron Bay. Ask about where you can walk amongst the “big trees!”
MARQUETTE AND LAKE SUPERIOR
Marquette is 23 miles to the south of LTC, a University town of 20,000. Many recreational activities along with shopping, art galleries and fine eating places can be found there. Pick up a FREE COPY of Marquette Monthly at most retail outlets for a listing of local and area events during your stay.
Between Marquette and Little Tree Cabins, along County Road 550, the Lake Superior shoreline is surprisingly varied. Rocky coves, wide sandy beaches, sheer granite outcrops, black lava flows, and sandstone bluffs with majestic Michigan white pines perched a top are there to explore. Some of the finest public beaches on the south shore of Lake Superior await the adventurous hiker, snorkeler, skier or snowshoer. Two miles of beach frontage and the surrounding hill country are reserved for you in the Escanaba River State Forest 16 miles south of LTC. There, many miles of hiking/skiing trails are provided by the North Country Trail Association (see Family Guide Service below).
THE FAMILY GUIDE SERVICE
The Family Guide Service is our way of making guided tours affordable for families who want to explore our area. We tailor guided tours to your family’s individual needs, considering age and abilities. Our Share-the-Load Program is a unique hiking opportunity for families with infants and toddlers. We willingly assist with carrying your infant using our baby backpacks. If you prefer to venture out alone, we provide Map Consultations and advise you on trail conditions. Local hiking trail maps and Lake Independence maps available on request.

FIVE STAR HIKES
A. Alder Creek Falls
Alder Creek drains the granite highlands to the south and west of Lake Independence. The Falls are situated amongst an old growth forest of white pine, hemlocks and cedars. The creek shows evidence of old earthquake activity common to the region a few million years ago. This trail circles around the falls, requires 2 stream crossings and takes you back to your starting point through a rocky canyon above the creek. A walking stick is suggested for the stream crossings. Wear sturdy shoes. 1 mile from the trailhead, 2.5 miles if you start from your cabin. Total hiking time 1 to 2 hours depending on starting location. Difficulty: medium (1 steep downhill to the falls and some rock scrambling)

B. Hills Falls, Yellow Dog River (AKA Yellow Dog River Falls)
Take County Road 550 north (towards Big Bay) 3/4 mile. Turn left onto an improved dirt road. This is County Road 510. You will travel this road for approximately 6 miles, first in a westerly then in a south easterly direction. You will cross the Yellow Dog River (a good-sized bridge), park on the south side of the bridge and follow any of a number of hiking trails, which branch off, and head downstream about 1/2 + mile. Take your swimsuit and a camera. Hiking distance: 1+ mile. Total hiking time: 1 hour. Difficulty: easy

C. Pinnacle Falls (See Map Insert)
Pinnacle Falls is also on the Yellow Dog River. The Yellow Dog River flows into Lake Independence on the Southeast end, near “the stumps”.
Please note that the map to Pinnacle Falls is a cartoon (a scale of miles is not used and roads are drawn without regard for directions except for strict adherence to right and left turns) and of little use unless you keep track of mileage. The logging companies are constantly cutting in that area, roads change, trees used for markers get cut down. The BIG TREE on the map is still there!
The falls is located in a remote valley, accessed by a steep, slippery, eroded trail. Take your swimming suit. Hiking distance 1 mile. Hiking time: 1.5 hrs. Difficulty: medium to difficult.

D. Escanaba River State Forest: Little Presque Isle Tract
The Escanaba River State Forest is located south of LTC about 17 miles, between here and Marquette. Two miles of Lake Superior frontage trails wind in and out of granite rock, lava flows, and sandstone bays, with sand beaches, pebble beaches and rocky cliffs the reward of the adventurous hiker. Don’t miss crossing the narrow stretch of lake that separates the mainland from Presque Isle Island. Sandstone coves and rocky inlets abound! Take your berry bucket. Sugarloaf Mountain anchors the southern end of this public tract and the Presque Isle River the northern end. Numerous miles of inland trails wind around lakes, ponds, bogs and hill country (with views). Take your fishing pole, sunscreen, your swimsuit and spend the day. Difficulty: easy to difficult.

E. Upper Yellow Dog River: McCormack Tract
            Access this part of the Yellow Dog River from the Triple A road (further along than Pinnacle Falls). Hiking with a GPS or compass is preferred. Amble along the river through old growth forest, pines, hemlocks, and cedars until reaching the Upper Falls. Some trees take the arms of two people to encircle. Quiet except for the sound of the river. Hiking distance: 1.5 miles. Hiking time: 2 hours. Difficulty: easy but challenging to find and rewarding when you do. Bug repellent important in some seasons…some will wear a headnet.

 

RESERVATION AND PAYMENT
If you haven’t already confirmed a tentative date with us, call us now at 906-345-9535, or email us at: mlbush@gmail.com. We require a $100 deposit (personal checks are fine) for each cabin per week. The balance of your payment is due upon your arrival. We confirm by email or snail mail.
WE still DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS!

PET RESERVATION POLICY

            We like family pets. We have Isis a 13 year old Malamute “puppy”, Trucker a mature male cat and two kittens: Springer and Posy, both just 5 months old. In addition, we have baby Phoebes, Mallard ducklings, goslings, a wood chuck, numerous chipmunks and squirrels, and a fawn in the yard.

            Because we manage a resort that caters to the needs and interests of many different people and creatures, we have established guidelines for guests who plan to bring their family pets. Occupancy of our cabins requires your adherence to these few courtesy rules.

1. Please do not bring dogs that bark constantly or otherwise physically disturb our guests or
resident wildlife. We will report complaints to you in writing. Disruption of other guests or chasing
wildlife will be cause for us to ask you and your pet to leave. No refund will be offered!

2. Pets must be under your control at all times. Outside your cabin, a leash is required for all dogs.

3. We request that pets be accompanied to the wooded area behind your cabin for their daily duty.

4. Please do not leave your pet unattended in the cabin, unless confined to a travel pen.
5. Pet owners pay a $10 per night charge. We request that you perform the following “good pet owner” duties:

            attention to the places in which your pet slept, ate and used a litter box;

6. And finally, please report any damage you know about to us.

            Your attention to these details will allow us to happily accommodate you and your family’s creature members while continuing to offer a clean cabin and grounds to all our guests.
Thank you!

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
We have no satellite access, no TV cable comes north of Marquette and free broadcast TV via roof top antennas went out when HD TV came in. DVD players may be in our future, however, when Cram’s General Store upgraded to DVD several years ago we acquired 100+ of their classic movies on VHS.
Each cabin is equipped with a VCR and TV screen for movie viewing on those cool rainy days.  (We assume that most of you are interested in the unique features our resort has to offer, rather than the every day pleasures of staying at home.) A radio is available upon request, or you might want to bring your own…public radio (and many other stations) have clear broadcast signals in many locations.
Internet Access is available, if you have a wireless card, at the lake front or on the deck of LTC’s Office, or in the front room of the Office (on a rainy day). You have to request an access code. There is also an Internet Café 2 miles away.
Cell phone reception is spotty on County Road 550. However, once here at LTC, there is pretty even coverage in the immediate vicinity. You should not count on your cell phone once you leave the populated areas of the lake or the town; there are too many hills in the way to guarantee good reception. Though there are many places where you can get a signal in the wilds, it is simply unpredictable.