Fall Drive up the Keweenaw Peninsula

 When we decided to make the UP Trip two days, we decided to drive up the Keweenaw Peninsula to Copper Harbor before heading home. This way I could get a few National Park Stamps and see the fall colors at the same time.

We left from Marquette and headed west along US 41. We passed Three Lakes. The colors of the trees reflecting on the water was stunning.

Our first stop was the Isle Royale Visitor Center in Houghton. Isle Royale is one of the least visited National Parks since you can only get there by boat or sea plane about 6 months out of the year and boats only run about once a day from a couple of boats. It is about a 6 hour boat ride from Houghton or 3 from Grand Marias, MN. It is one of those National Parks I don't think I'll ever get to but I wanted my passport stamp. Maybe one day we will actually visit. The hubby did ask a lot of questions so you never know.

Back on the road we headed up to Eagle Harbor Lighthouse but first we had to stop at the World's Largest Thermometer. It measures the snowfall in Keweenaw County. The hubby was not happy that I made him stop as it came up quickly and I was like pull in there. He survived though. I got my picture and we could continue on our way.

As we continued our way to the lighthouse taking the scenic route, we stumbled upon Jacob's Falls, a waterfall literally on the side of the road. When they say there are waterfalls on the side of the road, they mean literally. Some do require a bit of hiking to see others like Jacob's are literally on the side of the road. This is a must stop since the Jampot is right next it and they come highly recommended except closed Sundays and Mondays.

Finally we arrived at Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. It didn't open until 10 but I just wanted to take a few pictures, admire the view, and keep on heading north. It is a nice stop and if we had more time, the lighthouse would be worth checking out.

Decision time -- Take the Lakeshore Road or take the Brockway Mountain Road. I was hesitant to mention the mountain road to the hubby because they said steep drops. However he decided we should take the Brockway Mountain Road. I am so glad we did. Like everyone recommended the drive was scenic and gorgeous -- not scary at all. 

Once you get to the top, the view are amazing. There is a nice parking lot that explains the history of the area. There are also a few trails it looks like if you want to wander a little further from the car. We just admired the views.

Our final destination was the starting point of US 41 which is at the tip of Copper Harbor. We actually drove through Fort Wilson Historic State Park to get to it (another state park for the year). Since we were driving through and not going into the actual park, we didn't have to pay the entrance fee. Besides that state park, Copper Harbor didn't seem to have much to do in October. 

The drive back to Houghton along 41 was just as stunning with the fall colors as Brockway Mountain.

We also passed through the Keweenaw National Historic Park on our way up and back. We didn't stop at any of the Copper Mines. We thought about while planning the trip but opted not to. The hubby says that we might want to look more into a mine tour in the future.

I don't know a better way to spend a Monday than driving through Northern Michigan and seeing the fall colors. USA Today ranks the Keweenaw Peninsula as the best place to see fall colors and I don't disagree. It was a gorgeous, relaxing drive. 

The hubby said he would love to do this again. The weather was gorgeous and so were the leaves. We may not get so lucky next time but there is still plenty to see since we have not hit a copper mine or the historic park. Next time though I'll have to find more waterfalls. Definitely put a drive through the Keweenaw Peninsula in the fall on your bucket list.