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The warm days and cool nights of the summer season afford unparalleled recreational experiences to outdoor enthusiasts as well as families. In Gogebic County one can experience the famous Lake Superior sunsets, as well as the timeless visual sensations of the Northern Lights, which dance most brilliantly in our northern skies. Our area hosts over a million acres of unspoiled Northwoods accented by over 50 breathtaking waterfalls. Over 80 percent of the County’s acreage is within the boundaries of the Ottawa National Forest, and most of the land is open to the public. The Ottawa National Forest encompasses over 953,000 acres of unspoiled hardwood forests. It’s a great place for adventure. Camping, hiking, biking and walking trails to scenic overlooks are among some of the activities enjoyed there. ONTONAGON COUNTY Ontonagon County was organized in 1843 by James K. Paul. Ontonagon is the oldest permanent settlement on the south shore of Lake Superior. The port was used extensively by the copper and silver mining industries until the turn of the century. The famous Ontonagon Copper Boulder was removed by James K. Paul and is now at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
Lake Superior makes a powerful statement wherever she brushes up against the land, and Ontonagon County is no exception. During the winter the lake is responsible not only for the abundance of powdery whiteness which blankets the area, but also offers mild temperatures near the lake as compared to just a few miles inland. As a matter of fact, gardens and fruit trees grow well along the shores of Superior. During the summer, visitors can wander Superior's beaches in search of agates or simply rest and gaze across her rough expanse to glorious red and orange sunsets. The lumbering industry was a major employer of in the early 1900's with the Diamond Match Company located at Ontonagon being one of the more well known. The Lewis Genson Company of Ewen became one of the biggest users of hardwood in Ontonagon County. During that time, Ontonagon County's population was more then 12,000. Some of the county attractions include Old Victoria Restoration Site, Ewen Load of Logs, Bond Falls Flowage, Agate Falls and the Ontonagon Harbor, Lighthouse and Marina. It also has two 9 hole golf courses, the Big Spruce in Bruce Crossing and the Ontonagon Golf Course in Ontonagon with daily and seasonal memberships. UNION MINE TRAIL: EARLY COPPER MINESThe Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers an interpretive guide along the Union Mine Trail. Established in May of 1846, the Union Mine was on the leading edge of our nations first mining rush. Along this 45 minute trail you will have occasion to visit the site of the historic mine. As you walk along the trail, you need to draw upon your imagination. Picture yourself as one of the early miners in this rugged and remote land to working for $40 per month in dangerous conditions. Your breakfast would have been bread and pork with home made corn coffee. From the corner of the cabin you would retrieve your pick and shovel and head down to put in a shift at the "diggins" Like most claims in the Porkies, the miners who worked the Union excavated numerous shafts and pits in their search for copper. There were crude ways of excavating for copper like a wooden dam and water wheel. Early in 1848, the Union mine was abandoned along with a large amount of machinery. Hundreds of tons of rock had been removed from the mine, but little copper was discovered. The property lay idle until 1864, when record Civil War copper prices inspired new owners to reopen. The old number 1 & 2 shafts were enlarged and two more shafts begun. Some shafts were dug quite deep. All work underground was done by hand labor using pick, shovel, sledge, steel drills and black powder. Ore was hoisted up to the surface in large buckets called "kibbles". Most travel was done by foot, but oxen were used to transport wagon loads of supplies and machinery.. A stamp mill, blacksmith shop and pine dwellings were also located nearby. There was also a boat landing on Lake Superior. It was no accident that many early mines were located alongside a river or stream. In the rugged land, miners quickly learned that the exposed rock of a riverbed made for easier prospecting. Once a copper vein was located, the flowing waters would prove valuable for power and washing the ore. There were 40 copper claims made in the Porcupine Mountains, but only a handful commenced serious mining work. They were the LaFayette 1845, Union 1846, Carp Lake 1858,Cuyahoga 1859, Porcupine Mt. 1860, Lone Rock 1859, Miscowabic 1859, Nonesuch 1867, Halliwell 1985 and White Pine Extension 1914. None of these ventures however profited on the small deposits of copper flakes and grains they found in their Porcupine Mountain Mines. SKIING The Porcupine Mountains Ski Area features one of the highest vertical drops in the Midwest. Uncrowded slopes and a spectacular view of Lake Superior make skiing the "Porkies" an unforgettable experience. Nordic skiing through incomparable forests and a variety of terrain can be enjoyed along the 23 miles of groomed trails. LAKE
OF THE CLOUDS An observation area 300 feet above the lake is at the end of highway M-107. A State Park motor vehicle permit is required, but the view is easily worth a few times the price of admission. Take some time to appreciate the ancient volcanic escarpment that borders the lake, the vast carpet of virgin timber, and the dramatic view of Lake of the Clouds in its many moods. STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER The center has exhibits and a high tech multi image slide program that tells of the attractions and the history of the Porcupine Mountains. Take an "armchair adventure" at the Visitor Center, 1/2 mile south of the M-107 intersection on the South Boundary Road. SUMMIT PEAK TOWER An observation tower sits atop one of the highest points in Michigan. Most of the Porcupine Mountains can be seen from this promontory, as well as Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. Another observation deck along the way to the tower offers a splendid view of the Little Carp River valley and the beaver meadows along it. The walk to Summit Peak is a bit of a climb, but a short one, and well worth the view. The parking area can be found 13 miles from the M-107 intersection down the South Boundary Road. LITTLE UNION GORGE SCENIC AREA This is a gem of a place where time stands still. An interpretive trail leads through virgin hemlock forest along the cascades of the Little Union River and tells the story of mining efforts of days gone by. This very special place can be found 2 1/2 miles south of M-107 on South Boundary Road. NONSUCH LOCATION Only a ghost town remains of the efforts of 1890's miners and their families. Ruins of exquisitely hewn masonry of the mine buildings remain on the banks of the Little Iron River. Located about 4 1/2 miles south of M-107 on the South Boundary Road and best found with the aid of a State Park map. The area is slated for future development. At this time it is safer to walk the road into the area rather than drive due to poor road conditions. UNION BAY Highway M-107 winds along the Lake Superior shore at Union Bay. Miles of beach provide an area for swimming, sunsets, and agate hunting. Inquire locally to find out just what an agate looks like. Copper specimens can also be found among the pebbles, broken from rock brought in to prevent erosion of the highway. SANDY BEACH About one mile east of Silver City, just past the Mineral River, on Highway M-64 is the best sandy beach for swimming and sun bathing. A shipwreck poking just above water level can be seen from here. BIG IRON RIVER Interesting shale formations make the Big Iron River one of the most scenic in the area. There are rapids and waterfalls in higher water. The Big Iron is a favorite with salmon fishermen in the fall. A boat launch and picnic area is located at the mouth, at the intersection of highways M-107 and M-64 in Silver City. PRESQUE ISLE FALLS With truly unique rock formations and set in virgin timber, these falls are really something special. On the west edge of Porcupine Mountains State Park, 26 miles down South Boundary Road. SILVER CITY In case you are wondering how it got it's name, here's the story. Between 1876 and 1877 there was much ado about a little bit of sliver. Lots of effort and money were invested in starting mines and building mills to process the sliver, but the dividends were few. The town has had three names in its history, Iron River, then Silver City, then Beaser, and today back again to Silver City. In some sense of the word, Silver City is a ghost town. Please take some time to visit the stores, taverns, motels and restaurants in this friendly ghost town. WHITE PINE Site of the world's second largest underground copper mine. The mine doesn't give tours, but the town of White Pine offers a shopping mall with a variety of shops. White Pine also has restaurants, lodging, churches and a convenience store. To see information of the areas many waterfalls. Lake
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Gogebic
County
Lake
Gogebic lies between two counties, Gogebic County and
Ontonagon County, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Lake
Gogebic area has long been known for the wide variety of
things it has to offer vacation visitor. Snowmobiling,
fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, sightseeing and camping are
among some of the things Lake Gogebic has to offer.
Gogebic
County is Michigan’s Western Gateway. There are twelve
hundred miles of rivers and streams, over 300 inland lakes and
miles of woods and wilderness. It offers thrills for anglers,
fun for swimmers and boating enthusiasts, quiet adventures for
canoeists, excitement for the hunter and enchanting scenery
for everyone. It’s also the ski capital of the Midwest with
four ski areas in Michigan and one in near by Wisconsin.
Ontonagon
is a paradise for nature lovers and offers opportunities for
hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. More than 90
percent of the county is forested. Parts of the Ottawa
National Forest take up large chunks of the country's acreage,
and other sections go to make up the Copper Country State
Forest. About half of Lake Gogebic also lies in Ontonagon
County, with the other half in Gogebic County.
