Get Out is your monthly guide to what's great in the great outdoors, written by columnist Allison Kay Bannister.
Whether you’re lamenting summer’s end or embracing scented pine cone season, one thing’s for sure: Things are changing. Like brisker air, darker mornings, and shifting hues all around us. If you enjoy a little leaf peeping this time of year, you can take a color tour in your car, but what better vantage point is there than from high above?
Crystal Mountain is one of the closer locations that offers scenic chairlift rides that carry you up to the top of their ski hills in the off season, which is weekends, June through October. It’s still not really nearby, though, clocking in at about a two-hour drive from GR. But, if you make a day of it—or a weekend—it’s definitely worth it.
A group of us went last year and we orchestrated the entire excursion. It started with lunch at Rosie’s Country Café in Thompsonville, who were happy to accommodate our pack of 13; I just messaged them on their socials ahead of time. (I don’t think they usually take reservations, but I can be pretty persuasive when the need arises.) It’s not a big place, so take that into consideration as you make your plans. Everyone agreed the food was excellent, and the pumpkin pancakes and hash browns did not disappoint!
We made a prior reservation for the chairlift ride, too, which they strongly recommend in October. Especially when the colors are peaking. That is always a bit of a moving target, however, and we Michiganders know that “false fall” and “second summer” often come first. When any of this occurs is a surprise. The Pure Michigan website does its best to help with forecasting, and you can go to michigan.org/fallcolormap to use their interactive tool and see what’s expected in each region.
When we went on our trip in 2024, it was a little too early. It was the first week of October, but the second probably would have put on more of a show. It was still a picturesque view as we ascended the slope, and when we got to the top we were able to take in 360 degrees of treetops, valleys, and pops of orange, red, rust, and yellow amid the green. It was really kind of exhilarating to stand that tall and breathe in the autumn air and follow the stray clouds as they wafted by.
The ride was the shortest part of the whole adventure, but we did extend our visit at the resort by stopping by the spa and doing a little shopping and rest stopping. And, that’s really when I thought staying overnight was probably a better call for the future. In addition to the spa, there’s golfing available at two courses, dining and shops on site, and tons of other amenities. And, a huge variety of sleeping accommodations. Oh, and chairlift rides are complimentary for resort guests. Ah, well. Another time!
The next leg was a hike at the Betsie River Pathway in the Pere Marquette State Forest. It’s a beautiful spot, and it’s great for mountain biking, too, and cross-country skiing as it gets cold and snowy. There are two main loops, and we took the western loop so we could have part of our trek alongside the Betsie River. This route is more wooded, with tall pines and hardwoods looming overhead. The wayfinding maps and distance markers were a plus, and unlike some places we’ve been, they were actually straightforward and easy to follow. Not getting lost on a hike is always a priority, but not always the outcome!
And, just like that, we emerged from the woods, loaded ourselves into our cars, and headed home. The perfect October day!
If you’re ready to organize your trip, go to the Events & Activities tab at crystalmountain.com to learn more and reserve your time slot.
