The “Donut” Mounds

of Forest LakeWhat are these Stone Rings in Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

Have a look at what we have found.Images Compiled by Judy M Johnson

AAPS-Ancient Artifact Preservation Society

The “Donut” Mounds

of Forest Lake

The rings are nearly invisible, even in the early spring with no foliage.It’s quite a challenge to find them in full foliage during the summer!

A friend and his dog standing on the top of the east side of rocks piled around north ring.

Red willow outlines one of the rings

Mound in early spring, with water in center. This northern one is about 160 Mound in early spring, with water in center. This northern one is about 160 ft. across. In July this ring was dry. At that time we were unable to find the ft. across. In July this ring was dry. At that time we were unable to find the

other two in the deep, lush foliage of summer.other two in the deep, lush foliage of summer.

The outer rings reveal large stones of The outer rings reveal large stones of limestone slabs, and granite boulders. limestone slabs, and granite boulders.

This is the northernmost ring.This is the northernmost ring.

The stones are not very visible on the inside of the rings. They are quite visible on the outer edges of the rings.

The second, central ring. Might this one be older, as it’s stone ring

Is nearly obliterated by leaves and grass?It’s about 130 ft across.

Center ring assembled from 4 photos,Center ring assembled from 4 photos,has some water in early spring. has some water in early spring.

3 pieced-together photos of Southern smaller ring, with no water.The outer ring does not have much exposed rock.

This one is about 125 ft across.

The West side of the southernmost smaller ring. This one had no water in it in early spring.

Standing on the inside edge of south ring. It’s damp and puddly, but walkable.

Satellite photoShowing roadsfor driving directions to the mounds

3 Land 3 Land rings to rings to the West the West of the of the lake, as lake, as seen with seen with Google Google Earth, Earth, early early summer, summer, with no with no water in water in centers.centers.

Left: Rings on Islands in Lake,North of the underwater rings

seen in second photo to the lower right.

Stack of stonesStack of stoneswe made in thewe made in theclearing aboutclearing about300 ft. north of300 ft. north ofthe northernmostthe northernmostring, to help usring, to help usfind the stonefind the stonecircles at a later circles at a later

time. (However time. (However they didn’t help they didn’t help much when it was much when it was lush in the late lush in the late spring.spring.

There’s There’s another another mystery mystery nearby:nearby:An earthAn earthmound on 23 mound on 23 Road,Road,partially partially surrounded surrounded by stones. It’s by stones. It’s about 20-25 ft about 20-25 ft high and 250 high and 250 ft wide.ft wide.1.4 miles (as 1.4 miles (as the crow flies) the crow flies) to the circle to the circle mounds.mounds.

TreeTreecovered covered mound a mound a couple 100 couple 100 ft north of ft north of 23 Road, 23 Road, Limestone, Limestone, Michigan. Michigan. A house is A house is built on the built on the south side south side today.today.

The north end of The north end of the waterway is the waterway is the AuTrain River the AuTrain River which flows north which flows north into Lake into Lake Superior. Superior. There is a place There is a place about 1/3 of the about 1/3 of the way south, way south, where the flow where the flow divides, and the divides, and the lower half of the lower half of the Whitefish River, Whitefish River, flows south to flows south to Bay de Noc.This Bay de Noc.This is the shortest is the shortest route from Lk route from Lk Superior to Lk Superior to Lk MichiganMichigan

What were these What were these stone circles used for? stone circles used for?

* Foundations for lodges for river travelers?* Foundations for lodges for river travelers?* Simple reservoirs for water?* Simple reservoirs for water?* What do you think?* What do you think?

Research, Photos and DesignResearch, Photos and Design

by Judy M Johnsonby Judy M JohnsonSkandia, MichiganSkandia, Michigan

AAPS/Ancient Artifact Preservation SocietyAAPS/Ancient Artifact Preservation Societywww.aaapf.orgwww.aaapf.org