We welcome
your comments
experiences &
corrections.

E-mail us

Hunts' Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA

Home

Search

U.P. Maps

Regions

Towns

Restaurants

Lodgings

Campgrounds

Points of Interest

Fun for kids

Waterfalls

Wayne Premo's Waterfalls

Beaches

Canoeing & Kayaking

Hikes

Lighthouses

Walks

Mountain Biking

Notable U.P. Shops

Specialty foods

Maritime

U.P. History

Useful Information

Links

About us

UP Travel Map

IRONWOOD
POINTS
OF INTEREST

Little Girl's Point and vicinity. On a high Lake Superior bluff, a tucked-away park with swimming beach, camping, boat launch, and long views to the Porcupine Mountains and Apostle Islands. ... more

Bald Mountain and Lake Superior Overlooks. Little-known spots with nice views for motorists and mountain bikers ... more

Little Girl's Point Honey and gardens. At two Dutch immigrants' honey shop, paths wind through colorful gardens to a duck pond. Chat with nonfiction author Amy Van Oyen and hear stories about moving from Grand Rapids with nine children. ... more

Superior Falls. Little publicized, this thundering 40-foot waterfall in a deep gorge of the Montreal River settles into a quiet pool ... more

Interstate Falls. A couple miles northwest of Ironwood the wide Montreal River plunges 25 feet ... more

Saxon Falls. One of Gogebic's outstanding waterfalls 12 miles north of Ironwood ... more

Guided Kayak Excursions along Lake Superior. Interesting shoreline trips for beginners and experienced kayakers alike give a fresh perspective of the region ... more

Ottawa National Forest Supervisor's Office and Book Shop. The place to get good individualized info on this vast forest (almost one million acres) dotted with lakes, rivers, wonderful waterfalls, stretching Champion, Baraga, and Iron River west to Ironwood. ... more

Mount Zion Scenic Overlook. This rock overlook close to Ironwood gives a fine view of surrounding hills, forests, and farms ... more

Depot Antiques & Gifts. In an old railroad warehouse, this unusually appealing shop offer a variety of items old and new, from gourmet foods to vintage toys ... more

Nature's Picks Rock Shop. Owned and run by a seasoned local rockhound, this shop carries rocks and minerals from all over. And you can get advice on where to look locally for interesting rocks ... more

Black Bear Sports. A veteran guide runs this well-stocked outdoors shop, with fishing gear and good advice ... more

Central Ironwood. Downtown is a shadow of itself during the mining and lumber booms. But visitors can find interesting spots, including the fabulous 1928 Ironwood Theater; the depot museum; a good quilt shop, antiques mall, and food co-op; impressive churches and Victorian homes; and good pizza, pasties, and Italian food. ... more

Ironwood Memorial Building. A lavish Beaux Arts civic building, recently restored, features stained glass, murals, original light fixtures, and interesting local history exhibits ... more

Scenic back road to Ramsay. A pleasant ride on a country lane through hills and overarching trees and a fine vista ... more

World's Tallest Indian. What did they do to pump up the economy when the mines gave out in the 1960s? Attract tourists by building an 8-ton, 53-foot-high Indian chief and calling him Hiawatha, the "World's Tallest Indian" (actually Maine has a taller one) ... more

Norrie Park. Picturesque 1920s park along the Montreal River with paths through wooded areas and meadows, a fine picnic spot with playground ... more

Mountain biking in Gogebic and Iron counties. One of the country's great mountain biking regions, here's an overview of the vast number of trails in the area ... more

ABR Trails (Active Backwoods Retreat). 600 acres of meticulously groomed ski trails with lodgings, a warming cabin, sauna, and ski shop ... more

Wolverine Nordic Trails. Loops for serious cross-country skiers and mountain bikers from 3k to 7k ... more

IRONWOOD

Bald Mountain and Lake Superior Overlooks

These high points overlooking Lake Superior in the Gogebic County Forest south of Little Girl's Point are little-known destinations for motorists and mountain bikers on Gogebic County Forest land. Powers Road, part paved and part gravel, goes through mixed hardwoods for a tunnel of trees effect. The Bald Mountain Overlook, reached by a trail of 8/10 of a mile or so, gives a view to Copper Peak to the east and the ski hills near Hurley to the west. Lake Superior is not visible from it, but it is seen beyond the trees from the Lake Superior Overlook right by the roadside parking area just to the west. These are favorite local destinations in fall color season.

In the 1930s Gogebic County became one of the few in Michigan to create county forests by talking advantage of the Public Act 217, passed in 1931. Neighboring Iron County in Wisconsin had pioneered this concept. Normally, land with unpaid property taxes reverted to the states, but the act permitted counties to acquire cutover land if they adopted a forestry program for it that passed muster. Gogebic County acquired 50,000 acres of cutover land to reforest for its own forest system. The county saw it as an opportunity to keep important land in local control, to protect headwaters of trout streams and manage deer for hunting, and to provide for future jobs in logging and recreation. They've done an excellent job of managing a quality forest for multiple uses with sustainable logging, according to a local man who loves trees and often gets out on the county's back-country trails.

Today the 20-mile POWERS TRAIL SYSTEM here off of Powers Road on Gogebic County Forest land is becoming a favorite destination for mountain bikers. Volunteers clearly mark the mown, easy-to-medium trail. On the west it includes the Montreal River Gorge Trail. Bald Mountain is its midpoint. Part of it is the gravel road used by motorists and includes its two overlooks. The eastern trailhead is on CR 505/Lake Superior Road at Triplett Creek, some five miles east of Little Girl's point. See www.gogebic.org/powersmap or pick up the "Pines and Mines" mountain-biking map at state visitor centers or local bike ships. (906) 932-5858.

(906) 663-4687. From Ironwood, take CR 505/Lake Superior Road from U.S. 2 at toward Little Girl's Point (see directions above). But in 13 miles, at Powers Road, watch on the left for the Gogebic County Forest "Lloyd Leppanen Tract" sign. Take Powers west for about 3 miles to a parking area on the left. There's the .8 mile trail to Bald Mountain Overlook. The Lake Superior vista, just beyond it, may also be reached by continuing on the road.

From Wisconsin, take CR 122 from Saxon across the river (the spectacular Montreal Falls is here) to CR 505. Look for a standard green road to Powers Road on the right. Take it a mile or two to Lake Superior Vista, and from there to Bald Mountain on the same .8 mile trail reached from the east. Handicapped people can enjoy the Lake Superior Overlook from the car.

Return to Ironwood