Fall Road Trip in the Upper Peninsula (UP) Michigan
We left Traverse City on September 30 for a 4 day road trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (the UP). It was a little early for peak fall color, but the UP is beautiful in every season. The UP feels like you have entered another country. It’s hard to imagine this remote area surrounded by Lake Superior is actually part of the state of Michigan.
We were heading for the Keweenaw Peninsula, the farthest point north. The destination was well worth the trip, but the stops we made along the way there and back were just as amazing.
The best part of road trips is often taking the time to stop and smell the roses – or like we did, enjoy the whitefish and parmesan potatoes at the Weathervane Restaurant along the water in Charlevoix, stopping to stretch our legs along the beach shores of Lake Michigan, and spotting wildlife along the 7 mile loop of Seney Wildlife Nature Refuge.
With these views of Lake Michigan along US2, how can you not stop occasionally to stretch your legs on the beach?
There is a turn off to Seney National Wildlife Refuge along M77 just before you reach M28. On the way up we drove the 7 mile loop in the Refuge which takes about an hour. On the way back we hiked about 1 1/2 miles around the lake. Stop into the visitor center for maps and details. It is a quiet, peaceful setting and you never know what wildlife you might see.
These beavers were huge and the big one on the right needed some lessons in sharing as he chased his neighbor away.
Can anyone tell me what kind of duck this is?
Struggling with my animals here – is this a muskrat?
muskrat?
Cute Bird
We spent one night in Marquette at The Hampton Inn before continuing on to the Keweenaw Peninsula. Marquette is a thriving community and a great place to stay with plenty of choices for good food. Some of our favorite restaurants are The Chop House for a great lunch or upscale dinner, Java Bay for great coffee & breakfast, and Sweet Water Cafe for locally grown, tasty food. There’s also The Marquette Food Co-op to pickup trail mix, drinks and healthy food choices for traveling, hiking, or fixing your own meals.
Before breakfast, we enjoyed a nice hike among the chattering chipmunks at Sugarloaf Mountain, about seven miles north of downtown Marquette on CR550. You can choose an easy trail or more difficult trail for a 20-30 minute hike which opens up to panoramic views of Lake Superior, Marquette, and Hogback Mountain.
What kind of duck is this one?
Trumpeter Swans
We spent one night in Marquette at The Hampton Inn before continuing on to the Keweenaw Peninsula. Marquette is a thriving community and a great place to stay with plenty of choices for good food. Some of our favorite restaurants are The Chop House for a great lunch or upscale dinner, Java Bay for great coffee & breakfast, and Sweet Water Cafe for locally grown, tasty food. There’s also The Marquette Food Co-op to pickup trail mix, drinks and healthy food choices for traveling, hiking, or fixing your own meals.
Before breakfast, we enjoyed a nice hike among the chattering chipmunks at Sugarloaf Mountain, about seven miles north of downtown Marquette on CR550. You can choose an easy trail or more difficult trail for a 20-30 minute hike which opens up to panoramic views of Lake Superior, Marquette, and Hogback Mountain.
Part of the Easy Trail at Sugarloaf Mountain. Most of the trail is similar to this along with around 300 stairs – not sure exactly how many because we lost count.
Before leaving Marquette we took a little drive through Presque Isle Park – another great spot for hiking, walks in nature and great views of Lake Superior.
View from Presque Isle Park Marquette, MI
Driving north along US-41 there’s a fun roadside park next to this towering snow gauge in Mohawk, MI. It’s an overwhelming visual of how much snow falls in this part of the UP. Check it out from my 5 feet, 5 inches and imagine almost 30 feet of snow towering over me at the top.
The top shows the record 390.4 inches in 1978-79 and a red arrow for last winter which is over 28 feet – yowzers!
There are two options for continuing north. Going up we chose the scenic highway M-26 & coming back we enjoyed the sights along US-41. There is a must stop location along M-26 called Jam Pot. This little hut in the trees near Eagle Harbor is run by monks of the Society of St. John where they make and sell the most deliciously decadent breads, muffins, cookies, and jams imaginable. There are not enough adjectives to describe how yummy the peanut butter and chocolate chip brownie with strawberry jam and carrot cake muffins tasted. If you are anywhere near this location, you have to stop and splurge – then go for a hike to work it off! I would love to return sometime and attend Sunday services in the monastery located across the street from the bakery along the shores of Lake Superior
We made one more stop at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse before reaching our final destination for the night in Copper Harbor. The first lighthouse in Eagle Harbor was built in 1851. It has a 44-foot-high tower. In 1980 after a succession fo 21 lightouhouse keepers the light was automated. The Coast Guard maintains the light, and the Keweenaw County Historical society maintains the buildings and grounds.
The roadside parks in Michigan are just amazing, making a road trip within the state more than just a rush to get to your destination. After a beautiful time in the Keweenaw Peninsula, we were completely surprised by more beauty on the return trip home. We pulled off at a Roadside scenic area just off US-41 near Baraga County for a quick potty break and little walk around. We had seen the sign at this stop for Canyon Falls many times when passing through on our way to and from the UP, but had no idea what we were missing by not stopping to check it out. As you follow the river trail back to Canyon Falls the views are spectacular, and just when you think you’re at the end of the trail it continues on to the Gorge area and river rapids. Make time for this stop – it is so worth it!
Is it really possible that Big Foot was here?
The time we spent in the Keweenaw Peninsula was magical. The weather was perfect and the views breathtaking, but more about that in next week’s blog. The color is just beginning so there’s still time to get up to the UP in time to enjoy the splendor of nature in the fall. We really encourage you to just get in your car and go!
