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U.P. MICHIGAN REGION
Calendar U.P. Michigan Region
Oct. 7 Ironwood – Plaidurday Celebration Oct. 8 Crystal Falls – Haunted Nights Oct. 14 L’Anse – Boo on the Bay Oct. 22 Hurley – Spooky Halloween Trail Walk Oct. 31 Marenisco – Halloween Hayride & Trunk or Treat Nov. 17 Ironwood – Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 17-Jan. 28 Ironwood and Area – Jack Frost Festival Nov. 19 Crystal Falls – Buck Fest Nov. 19 Ewen/Trout Creek – Christmas Bazaar Nov. 19 Iron River – Holiday Art, Craft, Bake Sale Nov. 26-Dec. 4 Caspian – Christmas Tree Galleria
Plan a Color Tour in Iron County
IRON COUNTY, MI – Fall leaf colors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan should still be at their peak the first week or so of October, and there’s no better place to see them than in Iron County. Iron County boasts an abundance of tree species that participate in the smooth transition of color, so traveling anywhere in the county during a color tour can provide breath-taking scenery. Historically, the color tour seasons starts mid-September and runs for almost three weeks – putting the first week or so of October in the window of opportunity. Even when the majority of leaves fade, there will still be pockets of color to enjoy. Contact the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance in Iron River (888-TRY-IRON or e-mail info@iron.org) as you plan a leaf-peeping trip there. With above-average temperatures predicted this fall for the northern tier of the continental U.S. the foliage change may be delayed. Book your getaway accommodations and to get your started on your journey, here are a few suggestions from the local chamber: Head west over the rolling hills of US-2 or travel north on either Forest Highway 16 or US-141. Those stretches feature some of the more “mountainous” regions of the county, for views of reds, oranges, and yellows in the valleys and hills. Taking the main road east will bring travelers to some of the highest spots in Iron County. The zenith of the 4-lane of US-2 between Iron River and Crystal Falls will provide an expansive picture that covers miles of territory. US-2 east, M-189 south and M-73 south all provide their unique opportunities for a color tour supreme. Whether you want to see color up-close — or prefer a panoramic color — the highways will offer you a view to behold. Also, consider a trip to the county courthouse, which, from the upper levels, offers a breathtaking view of the landscape. It’s located in Crystal Falls.
Christmas Tree Galleria
Later in the season, come back for the 33rd annual Christmas Tree Galleria set for Saturday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Iron County Historical Museum in Caspian. The galleria will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily offerings throughout the galleria will include a display of more than 40 decked-out themed Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and groups, a gift basket raffle, and complimentary treats. For more details on the event and to purchase gift basket raffle tickets, go to ironcountymuseum.org/galleria, the museum’s Facebook page, e-mail info@ironcountymuseum.org or call 906-265-2617.
The Iron County Museum is one of the largest outdoor museum complexes in the U.P. and is the designated “Log Cabin Capital of Michigan” with more historic log structures than any place in the state. Some of the most popular exhibits include: Carrie Jacobs-Bond House, Stager Depot, St. Mary’s Church, Toti’s Tavern, Pioneer School House, Giovanelli Studio and Gallery, Lee LeBlanc Memorial Art Gallery.
It’s (Still) a Good Day to Ride
PAULDING AND BESSEMER – Locals know that the first week or so of October offers the best fall colors in the Upper Peninsula. There means lots of good days to twist the throttle on your bike and explore the attractions and biker-friendly places of the Upper Peninsula. You will easily fill your day with straightaways and twisting turns on low-traveled roads in the UP. We found a couple of recommended tours for you. The first option is tied to the beautiful waterfalls north of Bessemer and Watersmeet. Start the ride where US 2 and M-45 intersect in Watersmeet. Take M-45 north to Paulding. Look for the Bond Falls sign, turn right and take in this 50-foot beauty of rushing water. Parking is available both above and below the falls. (Fee for parking below.) As you return south and go west on US 2 look for the Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort sign. Turn into the entrance, follow the road to the t-intersection and take a left onto Black River Road. Along the way you will see the massive Copper Peak flying ski jump. Then along the nearly 14-mile-long Black River Scenic Byway stop to see five amazing waterfalls — Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone and Rainbow. At Black River Harbor on Lake Superior there’s a suspension bridge (foot traffic only) that spans the mouth of the Black River. It takes you to a beach that is popular place for “pretty rock” hunting. There is a $5 per vehicle day-use fee for the picnic area. IRONWOOD -- Another great ride takes you on a 50-mile tour north and west of Ironwood. You begin in Ironwood at the intersection of US 2 and Lake Road (the Holiday Gas Station is there). Take Lake Road north for about 15 miles. At this point you will enter the Gogebic County Forest to begin your gentle descent to the south shore of Lake Superior. As you continue on Lake Road (513) you will come to Little Girls Point. Take some time to walk the beach and listen to the waves of the Big Lake. This stretch of land was the site of Indian villages and resting points for the Jesuit missionaries, most notably Father Jacques Marquette, as they traveled from St. Ignace to Madeline Island in 1669.
Hop back on the bike and head west to Superior Falls and the mouth of the Montreal River. This is another good spot to explore. As you cross the Montreal River you will enter Wisconsin. Shortly after this, watch for the Saxon Harbor signs. This place is part of the Old Flambeau Trail serving the Chippewa from LaPointe to Lac du Flambeau. As you return to the main road you will come to Hwy. 2, turn left and return to Ironwood. Stop for a bite to eat, and look for a motel to continue your adventures the next day. U.P. Michigan Region
U.P.’s Split Rock Trails Include Scenic Overlooks
WAKEFIELD – The Split Rock Trails near Wakefield offer a beautiful forest tour, which includes scenic overlooks, wild flowers including apple blossoms in the spring, lilacs and lupines, various rock formations and remnants of a once thriving U.P. mining town. The trail system offers a fun outing for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners (and snowshoers when winter arrives). The trails are mapped and color-coded for different skill levels. But even the “difficult” and “expert” sections are only about one-third mile in length. Trail users will find the rest of the 2.8 miles of trails to be easy. The trail system gets its moniker from the actual splitting of rock that occurred years ago in relation to the now defunct Sunday Lake Mine, which operated in the region from 1885 to 1961, according to the local newspaper. Directions: From Wakefield, follow Putnam Street to Castile Road. Turn left onto Sunday Lake Mine Road and follow sign to the right directing visitors to the trailhead parking in the warmer months. Trail maps are available at the Wakefield Visitors and Information Center.
And Away We Go Mountain Bikers!
IRONWOOD – Be among the first to ride the new, professionally built mountain biking trails in Ironwood’s Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park this fall. Depending on when you read this, the new seven miles of machine-built mountain bike trail should be ready, or nearly so, to welcome riders sometime in October. (Check travelironwood. com for updates.) Designed and constructed by Flowtrack Mountain Bike Trails, LLC, these single-track trails will include a beginner trail, as well as intermediate-rated trails. In addition, a new trailhead parking lot at the Ayer/Bonnie Road intersection allows easy access to the park trails, as well as to picnic tables, a bike fix-it station and outdoor grill. Three more miles of trail, with a special skills course, will be completed in the spring of 2023. The project calls for several trailheads around the park, as well as a link and trailhead on the Iron Belle Trail north of the site. You can now visit downtown Ironwood, hop on your bike and in minutes enjoy some great riding on these trails. The 167-acre park, located in the center of the city, was once the location of numerous historical mining operations. The park this past summer hosted “Art in the Park,” a created art/nature event that was part of Ironwood’s Emberlight Festival. With the completion of the new bike trails, Miner’s Park offers not only miles of hiking/snowshoeing trails, but a completely new outdoor biking recreational experience. Whether you are a mountain biker (just learning or very experienced), hiker, or snowshoe devote, you won’t want to miss the Miner Park experience -- one that is available year-round.
Jack Frost Festival Welcomes the Holiday Season with Fun Activities
IRONWOOD – The Jack Frost Festival in Ironwood is a multiweek celebration of winter sports, outdoor recreation and holiday excitement. As a community Christmas present like no other, Jack Frost Festival events begin Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. with the Jack Frost Festival tree lighting ceremony in Ironwood’s Depot Park. The festival ends with the “Light Up the Night” Christmas tree burning ceremony on the last Saturday of January. Along the way, visitors and locals can marvel at the offerings: Concerts, Christmas movies at the Historic Ironwood Theatre, Pro-Vintage snowmobile races, SISU Ski Fest, craft fairs and the much-anticipated Jack Frost Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 in downtown Ironwood. Be sure to check out the Northern Elves Holiday Market. Santa and Mrs. Claus have marked their calendar to visit children at this festival. Take a chance on the chamber’s $10,000 Jack Frost raffle. Top prize with all 200 tickets sold is a cool $5,000! As noted, the parade takes place on Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., in downtown Ironwood. But before it gets underway, there’s the 5:30 p.m. Santa Dash, where participants in paper Santa costumes and fake beards will race from the Ironwood Carnegie Library, down Aurora Street, to City Square. Then the brightly lit parade units (more than 40 last year) will begin their march. And no Jack Frost Parade would be complete without the Precision Snow Shovel Drill Team displaying intricate group marching maneuvers and amazing snow shovel techniques! Yep, we’re Yoopers and our blood type runs a bit crazy! The full schedule of events, including times, is posted on the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce website: ironwoodchamber. org/jack-frost-festival/.
Th e U.P. of Michigan is fi lled with adventures waiting for you!
Area Events!
10/1 Lake Gogebic Lobster Boil & Fall Colorama 10/7 Ironwood First Friday Plaidurday 10/31 Marenisco Halloween Hayride & Trunk or Treat 11/17 Ironwood Jack Frost Festival Tree Lighting 11/19 Ewen/Trout Creek School Christmas Bazaar PLUS: incredible Fall Colors on the trails and Lake Superior Shore
Ironwood Chamber of Commerce
Lake Gogebic Chamber of Commerce
ironwoodchamber.org
facebook.com/IronwoodChamber/ PO Box 114 Bergland, Michigan 49910 1-888-464-3242 info@lakegogebicarea.com
lakegogebicarea.com
facebook.com/lakegogebicarea
Wakefi eld Chamber of Commerce
M-28 at US-2 Wakefi eld, Michigan 49968 PO Box 93 1-906-224-2222 chamber@wakefi eldmi.org wakefi eldmi.org
Travel Ironwood
213 Marquette St. Ironwood, Michigan 49938 1-906-932-5050 info@travelironwood.com travelironwood.com
