13 FALL 2020 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 02 SNOWGOER . COM
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THE ULTIMATE U . P . TRAVEL GUIDE
EXPERIENCE THE KEWEENAW
No trip to the western half of the U . P . is complete without a trip up to Copper Harbor in the Keewenaw , Peninsula . If you truly want to make a day of it , however , start south of what locals call “ the bridge ” – though it should never be confused with Mackinac .
Start the day near Twin Lakes and head north on Trail 3 toward the Houghton-Hancock area . Tall trestle crossings take riders over sunken ravines that decorate the area , and a quick twist on the south and north Freda trails ( 120 and 121 ) can add to the interest level .
Crossing the two-level Portage Lake Lift Bridge that separates Houghton on the south from Hancock on the north is worth the trip all on its own – sleds travel on the snow-covered and packed lower level while cars and trucks make the crossing directly overhead . Once north , the trail quickly leads riders out of the city of Hancock and back into rural areas .
A trip up the west side of the long peninsula on Trail 3 will get you to the tip of the Keweenaw fast – it ’ s a rail trail that turns into the super-scenic Brockway Mountain Trail up at the top and leads into Copper Harbor . It offers breathtaking Superior views and a really neat overlook of the city of Copper Harbor once you get close .
Grab a meal in Copper Harbor , then consider a quick but worthwhile side venture up Trail 136 which dead ends at High Rock Bay , where the ice often freezes crystal clear . The return trip back toward the bridge is even more interesting if you go down the east side of the peninsula – expect travel time to more than double , but the adventure is worth it .