NH SUgarmaker heads to the UP for summer vacation!

[PerryW]

Still in the thick of things her in NH with 1-2 feet of snow and about 50% Maple Crop with 57 gallons to date; BUT starting to think of summer vacation. Me and the wife are headed to the UP and probably all the way to Duluth and maybe around Lake Superior. We plan on doing some camping, hiking, mountain biking and may do some canoeing. We've been through before on the way back from Colorado and enjoyed the beaches on LK Michigan and the Superior shores. We plan on checking out the locks, the Pictured Rocks, the Porcipines and up to Copper Harbor. Maybe also head to Duluth and NE up toward Thunder Bay ON.

Wondering if you locals have any favorite places you could tell a fellow sugarmaker about?

Sorry for the wrong category, but figgured this was the best way to get some local info.

THanks, Perry

[Kev]

Wakefield Mi. Stock and mod outboard nationals the week of aug 8th.
I will be there and have some illini gold for you to sample along with some fresh roasted by kev coffee :)
I would like to go to the UP sometime and just get "lost" up there for several months, beautifull country

[Maplehobbyist]

I'm not a local but we were up there last year and the Shipwreck Museum near Whitefish Point is pretty interesting. And the Tahquamenon Falls are in the same area. The falls will probably make you nostalgic because the water looks like boiling syrup. (Lots of iron in the water.) Pretty nice state park, too, though I've been told the system used for making a reservation at a state park is a total PITA. And if you plan to go swimming, don't forget to pack an insulated wetsuit. The water temps peak at around 55 in Lake Superior, although I've heard you can possibly find some localized temps that are warmer.

[PerryW]

Great Keep the idea's coming. Thanks again.

Oh, I'm used to swimming in mountain streams so Superior in August is like bath water! Here's me swimming near Octonagon MI (SP?) a couple summers ago....

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/perryW/PerrySwimLakeSuperiorMI.jpg

Here's a nice shot I took of L'Anse on the way to Mt Arvon (highest point in MI):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/perryW/BaragaLakeSuperior_Moon.jpg

[fishman]

I live about 30 miles from Tahquamenon Falls. The dark water in the river is actually from the tannic acid that is found in all of the conifers in the area. Must see if you're in the area. Most of the literature likens it to rootbeer, I never thought about syrup. Another is the Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising. If you hit it on a sunny, CALM day it is really worth while. I haven't been out there in about 8 years but I think it's about $30 per person. If you make it to the Keweenaw Peninsula north of Houghton, go up to Mount Brockaway near Copper Harbor. It overlooks Lake Superior and the surrounding area. Lake of the Clouds at Porcupine Mountain State Park is really good but it's a lot better in the fall. Try some of the waterfalls on the Black River north of Ironwood. Especially good after recent rains because it's
mostly runoff and not a groundwater river. The circle tour around Lake Superior is really cool. Plan on about 4 days. The eastern half with all of the waterfalls is great especially if there has been any recent rains. I do that tour about every 5 years and I go through much of that area fishing every other year.

[Tweegs]

Golden lake, in the central to western part of the UP, is a quiet little primative campground (outhouses, no running water or pumps) close to several good trout streams.

If you enjoy sleeping, avoid at all cost the State park campground in Ishpeming. No such thing as quiet hours there. If, however, you'd like to party the night away with the locals, this is the place for you.

The Ontonagon river in the western part is loaded with fat little brook trout.
A royal coachman fished wet will slay them. Large loose rocks make for unsure footing. (in fact, most of the rivers up there have tricky footing. I've floated my hat on several of them.) Access is largely by two-track...a 4x4 will get you down them, but a mule would be better and easier on the kidneys.

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

Camp ground at soo st. marie AUNNE OSBORN city park is right on the river lake freighter traffic viewing is awesome, also visit the locks
you wont be disappointed

[PerryW]

Thanks for the info. I'm really jonesin' for a pasty now.

[Forrest hunters]

If you like Light Houses check out Crisp Point up there West of Tahquamenon Falls and East/North East of Newberry. One of my all time favorites but the trip back there is slow. If you like rock hunting I have had the best luck here searching for Agates, but still looking for that big 3-4 pound laker. The whole coastline from Whitefish point to Munasing in great for Agate huinting and the up in the Keweenaw Peninsula on the West side is pretty good. Grand Marais is a cool little sleepy town on Lake Superior just to the east side of the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. Take H58 out of Grand Marais and it follows the lake shore all the way to Munasing and goes through the Pictured Rock National Lake Shore Park. Too bad its paved now. 12 mile beach was a camp ground we stayed at every year as I was growing up, changed a bit but still beautiful campground.

Twin Lakes State Park Campground at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula is a nice park and a good base camp for heading up to Copper Harbor and also getting over to Porcupine Mountains State Park.

Plenty of Light Houses and small towns to stop in and brouse. Making me think about maybe going up there this summer for vacation instead of taking the family to Kentucky/Tennessee.

[RileySugarbush]

When you are in the Keweenaw, make sure to hike up Jacob's creek by Eagle River. It's easy up the along the sides of the ravine but much more fun right up the creek if you don't mind the possibility of wet feet. When you get back down, stop by the Jam Pot and buy some amazing muffins and jan from the Monks there. Kind of expensive but they financed their monastery selling it!
Hungarian Falls in Hubble is worth a look. And my favorite is the Natural Wall just outside of Lake Linden. It is formed where a small creek cut through the Keweenaw fold and looks like giants laid a brick wall across the ravine and nicked it down in a fit. It used to be pictured on postcards but is not on any maps or guides anymore. Let me know and I can give directions. The Quincy steam hoist is amazing. Those guys knew how to make steam back then!

If you are on top of Brockway in early august, look out over the lake and wave. I am racing the Trans Superior on an Express 37 this year!

[PerryW]

wow, this is great! I'm making up a document file with the suggestions from this thread. Thanks guys.

Here's a couple more pics from last summer and the summer before of the UP:

lake superior - near Octonagon:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/perryW/LakeSuperior_MI_Beach.jpg

Saint Ignace:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/perryW/St_IgnaceView.jpg


Highest Point in MI:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/perryW/MtAvron_MI.jpg

[firetech]

Don't forget fudge at the Machinaw Bridge, Wildwood resterant pasties in Brevort, smoked fish at Gustfison Brevort. Lunch at the Cut River bridge (best white fish ever). Wood fired brick oven bread on 123 north of Newberry at the North Star Bakery. A trip out to the Two Hearted River Mouth, and Campground Our favorite place. Lots of fun agate hunting here too cable walk bridge from the campground to the dunes. M-28 west of Newberry BORING 2 lanes and swamp. Cheap hotles in Iron Mountain area. Ashalnd Wi is cool though we never stop. Iron River on 2 in Wi there is Winter Wizard Winery, kick butt Meads try the Bluberry,Apple and just plain Honey. Then on to Dulth Take 61 north and just enjoy the ride. Slow down for this part of the trip. Agate shop in Two Harbor is nice but pricey. Another agate shop in Beaver Bay run by some freinds. Spent a week last year in Grand Marius Mn. Check out the maple producer up that way marketing Caribou Cream (maple syrup) nice place runs a 3x10 Ro cool selfserve shop. Lots of great eatries here. Gun Flint Tavern was good lots of micro brews and great walleye diner. Just love Lake Superior,agate hunting,and eating as you can tell. We will be up that way mid July headed to Moose Lake Mn for the agate festival. Safe travels

[forester1]

If you are in Marquette on Saturday, stop and see me at the Farmers market there and I can direct you to some mountain bike trails and local scenic areas. Marquette was rated one of the top 5 areas for mountain biking by Bicycling magazine.

[PerryW]

If you are in Marquette on Saturday, stop and see me at the Farmers market there and I can direct you to some mountain bike trails and local scenic areas. Marquette was rated one of the top 5 areas for mountain biking by Bicycling magazine.

Thanks Jerry,
We will have our mountain bikes with us. Should I just look for the guy selling syrup? When we were in Escanaba last summer we heard a guy playing guitar and another guy on Bass that were reaaly good who were from Marquette. He played a lot of stuff, but I remember, "I'm a U.P Boy"

Big Bay? I think I remember a sign that said "Big Bay" when we were on some dirt roads our way from Skanee to hike up Mt. Arvon. I was wondering if the road was passable with my ford escort?

And thanks to everyone else. I have all the maps up on my wall and I'm marking them up with all the advice.

[Jigs]

2 of my favorite spots in the up are in the western marquette county area. they are Craig lake Wilderness area and McCormick Wilderness area.

Craig Lake area has great camping and mountain biking opportunities, and has the North Country Trail running thru it. A very relaxing place in the summer. And a couple rusic cabins are availble for rent, but sigh up early if interested

McCormick also has the north Country trail running thru it, and has the beutifull White Deer lake and environs. You would need to do wilderness camping there.

These 2 are off the beaten path and offer a true UP experience. Back in the 1990's I worked as a vollunteer helping to build trail segments thru these parks. They are worth going out of your way a little.

Hope you have a great time next summer.