MOUNTAIN LODGE LOCATED AS THE NUCLEUS OF THE OF COPPER HARBOR TRAIL SYSTEM

Originating as a part of the same WPA project that built the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (KML) and the golf course during the Great Depression, "nature trails" were opened on the adjoining County property for the guests of the Lodge to enjoy. Several of these original trails still exist today as a part of the greater Copper Harbor Human-Powered Trail System and include both the Red Trail and the Blue Trail. Today, guests staying at the Mountain Lodge may access a number of trails that vary in distance and difficulty literally right out their back door.

Although hiking is still one of the primary uses of these trails, mountain biking and trail running have evolved more recently as significant user groups. Due primarily to the efforts of the volunteer based, non-profit Copper Harbor Trails Club (CHTC), a dedicated group of local riders have been working diligently since 1997 to enhance and expand the non-motorized trail network. The Mountain Lodge and its key location in proximity to Copper Harbor has progressively grown to become the nucleus of the trail network, with a central trail-head located on its property.

The CHTC built a four-mile, inter-connecting looped network of trails, now known as the Keweenaw Mountain Trails in the 2006 season. These trails wind over gradual contours, through deciduous oak and maple forests and coniferous groves of gigantic white pine trees and include trails named Dee Deet, Simeh and Dza Beet…the Outer Loop was developed most specifically as an XC ski trail and has been designated as hiking only for summer use. The Keweenaw Mountain Trails provide access with the Mountain Lodge and also link to the greater trail network. These trails are designated as "easy" and "intermediate" rated trails and are great for families and novice trail users.

In total, the Copper Harbor human-powered Trails consist of over 25 miles of designated, mapped and marked trails and continue to grow more each season. In fact, over 12 miles of new "singletrack" trails were built between 2005-2007 alone. The Copper Harbor Trails Club has an ambitious agenda set forth to build another 8 miles of singletrack trails in 2008, including new trail development on the County property west of US Hwy 41, along the side of Brockway Mountain. The Club has grand visions and realistically expects to double the distance of the existing trail network within the next 3-5 years, including a non-motorized loop around Keweenaw Point and a Ridge-line trail to Eagle Harbor, both with direct access to the Mountain Lodge and existing trail system. Plans also include a new trail that will link the existing trail network to Hunter's Point Park, up and over both sides of Brockway Mountain.

In addition to the Keweenaw Mountain Trails, the Garden Brook Trail was extended to connect with the existing Blue Trail in 2005. When linked together, this intermediate-rated trail is nearly 3 miles and over 500 vertical feet of elevation from the KML to the village of Copper Harbor or vice-versa. This trail winds across terraced over-looks of the Garden Brook in the Brockway Mountain Valley and through an old growth forest located within the Michigan Nature Association's James Rooks Memorial Sanctuary.

The "new" Dancing Bear Trail is an intermediate-rated trail that bypasses the original Dancing Bear Trail, which was closed due to logging operations. An important link to the greater Copper Harbor Trail System, the new Dancing Bear is masterfully cut into the hillside of a hidden valley and eventually summits atop a spiny, rocky ridge. The trail is located along the southern boundary of the County property and its trailhead is located on the southwest side of the 4th hole fairway, along the golf course.

The "grandfather" of the Copper Harbor Trails is indeed the Red Trail…this was one of the original trails built by the WPA that is still being utilized today. The trailhead is located just east of the 5th hole T-off and ultimately descends about 300 vertical feet to Lake Manganese, almost 2 miles away. From there, trail users may choose one of several options to head into Copper Harbor, another mile and 200 vertical feet below or can loop back into the trail network. While this trail is rated as "Most Difficult/Advanced", especially for mountain biking, its unique out-croppings of exposed bedrock, rugged rock bluffs, scenic viewpoints and extensive bridgework is sure to be a trail to be remembered. Trail users may opt to utilize the Upper Red Trail and then link into the Berries Trail to the south and then connect with the Dancing Bear Trail back to the Mountain Lodge for a 3-mile loop. A new trail planned for early in the 2008 season will be the Manganese Creek Trail, that will allow trail users to access the Ma Maki Trail from the lower Red Trail and eventually back up to the Keweenaw Mountain Trails via several different trail options.

One of several new trails opened in 2007 include Here We Go. This epic trail consists of 23 relatively gradual switchbacks, linking off of the Dza Beet Trail of the Keweenaw Mountain Trails. It drops over 400 vertical feet to the village of Copper Harbor, over the course of about 1.5 miles. One of the highlights of this trail is the spectacular views along the ridge looking down across the harbor, Hunter's Point, Porter's Island and Lake Superior. It links into the village via the Stairway To Heaven Trail and ultimately to the Copper Harbor Welcome Center and central trailhead within the village, adjacent to Grandpa's Barn Bookstore. While built at sustainable trail grades, users need to be cautious of the extensive boardwalks as part of the Stairway to Heaven before making the final descent into Copper Harbor…be aware that this is a two way trail and be prepared to yield to other trail users.

Another great two-way trail built in 2007 is Say Hello. This trail is south of and basically runs parallel to Here We Go and connects with the Ma Maki Trail and the Keweenaw Mountain Trails on each end and opens up many possibilities for a variety of loops. There We Went also built in 2007 with extensive jack-hammer and bridge works, runs along the top of a hidden conglomerate gorge…while the hazards are well-marked, trail users need to be aware that there are several sections which are very near the edge of cliffs up to 80' high.

Easy rated loops are located in the village of Copper Harbor at the Fort Wilkins Gardens, located in the field behind the Copper Harbor Welcome Center and Grandpa's Barn Bookstore, and offer some relatively flat terrain and scenic views in a meadow and around a pond. Another easy rated loop connects the village with Fort Wilkins State Park, via the Powerline Trail and Lake Fanny Hooe Trail. Bicycles are prohibited within the historic section of the Park, however, are allowed access throughout the rest of the property, including both campgrounds and the Lighthouse Overlook Trail, along Lake Superior. Hunter's Point Park, at Copper Harbor's west end adjacent to the Marina, is open for hiking only and offers access to Lake Superior beaches and shoreline on a figure 8 loop, on both the inner and outer sides of Copper Harbor.

For more info on the trails, please inquire at the front desk and/or contact Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor (the local trail experts). Mountain Bike rentals, including a drop-off/pick-up service to the Mountain Lodge, service, guided tours and trail maps are also available at the Keweenaw Adventure Company. www.keweenawadventure.com (906) 289-4303. More info on the Copper Harbor Trails Club, upcoming events and how you can support the trails at www.copperharbortrails.org.