First Big Road Trip: Michigan Upper Peninsula to Copper Harbor & Isle Royale

[BroncoRick]

We returned to Copper Harbor a couple of days later. We drove the Bronco up and down M26 to see the coastline and hit some of the local spots. I'd have to say 26 is one of the favorite roads I've ever driven... the scenery is amazing and the Bronco just soaks up the hills and curves. This road is where I really fell in love with the powertrain and suspension dynamics of the Bronco.

There are lots of places to stop along M26. The geology in this area is volcanic--a Precambrian lava flow created it, supposedly the largest such lava flow that ever happened anywhere on earth. It makes for a very unexpected experience if you haven't ever been up here before.

The Minnetonka in Copper Harbor is a nice close place to stay if you're taking the Isle Royale ferry, and they will let you park for free while you're over at Isle Royale. There's a good gift shop there (and at several other spots in town) for souvenirs.

The Eagle Harbor Inn had good food and a good vibe. The pie here was really good too and you can get it to go. There are several really good restaurants in Copper Harbor as well.

This place had great food too and was out in the middle of nowhere. Needed a reservation but it had an unimpeded 180 degree view from our table of Lake Superior.

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[BroncoRick]

We wrapped up the trip with a few days back in Copper Harbor at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. This place is really great for a couple of reasons. One, it has an awesome historical lodge and cabins. Two, it is right at the start of a number of the mountain biking trails in Copper Harbor--a lot of professionally built trails. We spent 3 days up here mountain biking and it was really great.

 

[shoelessjoe]

Get any Thimbleberry Jam?

 

[BroncoRick]

On the way out we left Copper Harbor out the Brockway Mountain drive, a scenic drive which takes you way up above Copper Harbor. In retrospect I wish we had come up here when we first made it to Copper Harbor, because it gives you a real sense of where you are in relation to Lake Superior and the surrounding Peninsula.

The clearing you can see on the hill just above the Bronco's hood is the course for the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, where we were just at.

We came back home down through Wisconsin, a 10 hour drive back, all in one day. That completed the loop and our Grand Tour around the Lake, through the U.P. and back.

Our total stats for the entire trip, 19.4 mpg across 1800+ miles, with the 2.7L, 4.70 ring gear, 35's is not bad at all! Stunned actually! I will take it. It's comfortable to tour in, fun to drive, and pretty efficient at hauling a bunch of people and stuff around.

We'll be back again, the U.P. is great.

 

[BroncoRick]

I am really loving that Bronco you've got there! We have a BL in that color coming very soon (I hope). The UP is some of the most beautiful countryside anywhere and the beaches on the West coast of Michigan and along both sides of the UP are some of the best in the world (and shark-free to boot!). Sounds like a fantastic trip.
Are you going to check out Pictured Rocks?

You will love it! And I agree with you about the U.P., it's amazing country. We did spend time in Pictured Rocks!

 

[BroncoRick]

We are going to UP the first two weeks in October. Leaving from Texas so it will be a 20hr drive. Thanks for the write up.

Totally worth the drive! Have a great time!

 

[BroncoRick]

Had mine up there at Brockway Mountain end of October last year. My daughter is a student at Michigan Tech in Houghton....

Wow awesome! Looks like I need to pay a visit back up there when the colors change! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[BroncoRick]

Get any Thimbleberry Jam?

We did not but now you've given me something to search for next time! Thanks!

 

[shoelessjoe]

We did not but now you've given me something to search for next time! Thanks!

Jampot made by monks.

 

[BroncoRick]

Jampot made by monks.

Ah. We did see one of the monestaries on the coast up there...

 

[AlpineDescent]

There is an island in a lake on Isle Royal (Ryan Island) that has the distinction of being the largest island in the largest lake in the largest island in the largest lake in the world.

 

[BroncoRick]

There is an island in a lake on Isle Royal (Ryan Island) that has the distinction of being the largest island in the largest lake in the largest island in the largest lake in the world.

It blew my mind how much there is to do and see out there. It really is spectacular.

 

[Seatmandan]

few more pictures

 

[BroncoRick]

few more pictures

Stunning!

 

[Stangcrazy66]

Damn, really making me miss michigan

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