Copper Harbor and Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula

[Colliemom]

Many of you know that I just returned from another U.P. excursion, this time up to the "Copper Country" as it's called, the Keweenaw Peninsula. That finger sticking out from the western U.P. for those who aren't familiar with MI. This is a rugged and beautiful land and as far north as you can go. Think the road ends about 7 miles north of Copper Harbor. Wanted to share some of the pictures I took of the area with you. Copper Harbor is a small community of about 100 year around residents. Few small shops selling art work, photography, pottery and other handcrafts made by the local people there plus few motels, eating establishments and one lone gas station. There are two campgrounds, Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground and Ft. Wilkins State Park. This little town is the last outpost so to speak.

This is the Ft. Wilkins State Park campground where I stayed. Had a nice view of Lake Fanny Hooe through the trees behind me.



This is Lake Fanny Hooe. It's a wilderness lake. The only buildings on it's shores are Ft. Wilkins and the Lodge of the Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground. It's a really neat lake and just begs for kayaking for those who have one or want to rent one in Copper Harbor.


Maganese Falls, not too far from the park. If I had gone down the slope about another 20 feet I could probably have gotten beyond the bushes and such in my way, but the rocks and the roots were wet and slippery from the recent rains, so decided not to try it.


One of the biggest and most popular spots in the Keweenaw is Brockway Mt. right outside of Copper Harbor. A 4 mile narrow, hard topped road takes you to the summit and the spectacular views it offers. Unfortunately it wasn't the best photography day when I was up there. Having driven this road on previous trips, I wouldn't recommend that you attempt it in an RV. It can be tight especially on the curves if you meet another vehicle.
The first stop is the Copper Harbor overlook. Lake Superior is to the left and Lake Fanny Hooe to the right


Then come the views from the top








Wildflowers were all over the place too


Silver River Fallls



Fanny Hooe Creek Falls


The Copper Harbor State Harbor and the Copper Harbor Lighthouse. The lighthouse is out on an island and you can take a boat tour out to see it and the keepers quarters.



Some of the spectacular scenery along the highway up in that area from Eagle Harbor north to Copper Harbor



Copper Harbor is also the beginning of U.S. 41 from there all the way to FL
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Fort Wilkins which is the namesake for the state park is a small fort established in 1842 and was abandoned about two years later. It was used again in the 1860's for a brief period. The forts buildings are all restored and contain many displays and artifacts of life in the fort. It was very tough o the soldiers and others there. 300 inches of snow and sever cold in winter months, plus the isolation of being so far north. The picture of the fort doesn't show all the building such as the Sutler's store, guard house, ice house, powder house etc. There is just too much to show here. But if anybody is interested I will be glad to do a separate thread on that subject.




These pictures are only the tip of the iceberg up here. There is much more to explore. Old copper mines, mining towns and other historical areas including the Keweenaw National Historic Park at Calumet, lighthouses etc. I will be making a return trip next summer to do some more exploring in this region. Hope you ejoyed the short tour and have an idea of what there is up in that neck of the woods. Soory some of the pic are large. I haven't downsized them as I have some I want to enlarge for myself.

[chalet05]

I so enjoyed that area, Sue! Thanks for the photos!

[MelissaD]

Thanks, the UP is on our list to explore.

[JudyJB]

Got to go there next summer. I have fond memories as a child going on that drive and up to Copper Harbor. Nice photos, Sue.

For those of you who are not familiar with the area, copper was found in that area in chunks and was mined for millennia by the Native Americans. In fact, most of the ancient elemental copper in the U.S. came from that area. And it was the Cornish miners who brought pasties from the U.K. to Michigan.

[Rufflesgurl]

Great photos Sue. Thanks for sharing.

Linda

[snowball]

so pretty!!! today we have seen some of the beauty's of this great land
would love to visit that area
sheila

[bluepinecones]

Great photos, Sue. Even tho I didn't get to see all of it am so glad I went on up to the UP when I was in MI last summer. You certainly live in a beautiful area.

[longdog2]

Great pictures Sue. All good scenery but I especially liked the one of your RV, Truck, and dog.

[MandysMom]

Another reminder of how many beautiful places there are to see in our country . Thanks for sharing your trip.
Velda

[Oma]

Very nice. I must plan a trip up that way. Thanks for sharing.
Oma/Vicki

[Wings]

Simply breathtaking! I was almost there but I will get there next year. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Claudia and co pilot Howdy