I just read on The Mining Journal that the northeast turret of Miners Castle at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore broke off and fell into Lake Superior last week. Evidently, the annual freezing and thawing had taken its toll on the crumbling layers sandstone and led to its ultimate demise.

Miners Castle is probably the formation that most people remember when they think of their visits to Pictured Rocks. It is one of the most photographed formations as well.

I remember it from a family vacation from quite a while back. I snuck over the railing and leaned over the edge of the sandstone cliffs staring straight down the 90 foot drop into Lake Superior’s icy blue waters. Pictured Rocks are probably one of the most picturesque spots in Michigan.

I’ll be posting a photograph from flickr.com of what Miners Castle looked like with both turrets standing so you can refresh your memory of what Miners Castle looks (or looked) like.