Gold Wing Touring Association

 

Western Upper Peninsula

Some of the best riding in the Upper Peninsula (o.k. the U.P.) is found in the Western Upper Peninsula.  There are several entry points coming from the state of Wisconsin.  Some favorites sight seeing destinations are:

 

1  -  Porcupine Mountain State Park

 

On the shores of Lake Superior accessed via state highway M-107 is a vast wilderness area know as Porcupine Mountain State Park.  It offers camping and hiking opportunities including ‘out back’ camping areas you can hike into.  A favorite site in the park is the Lake of the Clouds.  This beautiful lake is sunken into the wilderness just a short hike from the blacktop parking area.  It’s natural beauty is unsurpassed by the fact the lake is in a wilderness area and it’s shores are free of cottages and human habitation.  Be sure to ride the curves of South Boundary Road out to the Porcupine Mountain West  (or Presque Isle) campground where you can hike along the banks of the Presque Isle River and observe some small waterfalls flowing into Lake Superior. 

 

2  -  Houghton/Hancock

 

This is the gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula, also known as the Copper Country.  While the western U.P. is known for it’s vast iron ranges, the Copper Country is known for it copper mines from the mid 1800’s.  These twin cities host a large number of old buildings from the copper era and the banks of Portage Lake and the Portage Lake Shipping Channel separate the two cities.  There is a beautiful scenic lookout at the top of Quincy Hill on highway US-41.  Also nearby is the Quincy Mine which offers below ground tours of the mine and exhibits a large steam engine hoist.

 

3  -  Keweenaw County

 

Keweenaw County is Michigan’s least populated county and is the heart of the Copper Country.  It is easy to spend an entire day riding throughout this small county, enjoying the wilderness along with the views of the lakes and towns that dot the landscape.  Taking highway US-41 north out of Hancock,  you will pass through several small towns.  Years ago when mining was king in this area, these were all company mine towns.  North of Mohawk you will find a roadside park with a large thermometer painted on a sign board.  This measures the snowfall totals the area receives with the large amounts of lake effect snow off Lake Superior.  At Phoenix make a left turn and follow state highway M-26 into Eagle River for a view of Lake Superior.  Highway M-26 will continue through tight curves along the Lake Superior shore into Eagle Harbor.  North of Eagle Harbor stay to the right and go up and over Brockway Mountain on the scenic drive.  Be sure to stop at the top and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Superior about 1400 feet below.  From there you can proceed down into Copper Harbor, a small community at the end of US-41.  There are a few restaurants and gift shops and a small amount of lodging and camping.  Fort Wilkins State Park boasts camping and a fort/museum of historic times from its usage to protect the copper mines in the area.  Copper Harbor also has a lighthouse with tours available, however it is only assessable by taking a tour boat across the harbor from the state boat dock.  A great place to eat is the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (lodging is available in rental cabins) a PWA project from the Depression Era.  Be sure to follow US-41 north past the state park to it’s dead end or beginning once you head south, which will take you to Miami, Florida about 1900 plus miles to the south.  Return to Houghton/Hancock via highway US-41 which is a scenic highway through a tunnel of trees for about 15 miles south of Copper Harbor.  If you have time venture off towards Lac La Belle and ride along Lake Superior on the South Shore of the Keweenaw to the town of Gay.  Be sure to check out the bar, yup, the Gay Bar in this small community.  Another fun loop to ride is state highway M-203 from Hancock to Calumet, continuing on state highway M-26 from Calumet through Lake Linden and Hubbell before returning back to Hancock.