Over the years, many people have expressed concern for the future of this landmark, encouraging the Conservancy to work toward the preservation of the property. There seems to be a special quality to this particular place. In the spring, fingers of fog move up the deep ravines in the western face of the hill. Most people have never set foot on the property, but many look up at Whaleback from Lake Michigan or across Lake Leelanau, and they want to think it will stay pretty much the way it looks right now. Named for its whalelike silhouette, Whaleback is a point of focus for anyone looking out over Lake Michigan, from any high vantage point in the northern half of Leelanau County, as well as from many Lake Michigan beaches.
Sailors use it as a point of reference.
Encompassing 117 acres and 3700 feet of lakeshore, Whaleback's towering bluffs rise 300 feet above Lake Michigan and yield spectacular views. May. A partition plan has been drafted and agreed to by the owners of the property. To preserve the visual character of the bluff, both close-up and as viewed from a distance. Protect a significant natural habitat for rare and endangered species, such as bald eagles and barred owls. It is home to a unique assemblage of plants adapted for life on this windswept bluff.