new box - "Superior View"

1 messages in this thread | Started on 2002-07-07

new box - "Superior View"

From: Stephen Pope (cancun55@famvid.com) | Date: 2002-07-07 09:08:07 UTC-05:00

"Superior View"

Placed July 4, 2002

Located in Fort Wilkins State Park

Keweenaw County

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Terrain: Easy

Difficulty: Easy, family orientated.

Fort Wilkins is a historic site located at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior. The park is located just north of the small town of Copper Harbor, which has a nice sampling of restaurants and small shops. There is a lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor, which is owned by the State Park. The land leading to the lighthouse is private property, access to it is done via a tour boat which leaves from the marina south of the town. A ferry to Isle Royale National Park departs from here every morning and returns every evening. Copper was discovered and mined here beginning in the 1840's creating a rush and mining boom on the peninsula for the next 100 years. A fort was built near the tip of the peninsula in the 1850's. Fort Wilkins is located between Lake Superior and Lake Fannie Hooe, a two-mile long inland lake. The Fort is restored and operated by the Michigan State Park Commission. Copper Harbor is a wonderful spot to visit. The country is rugged, the forest pristine and a visit in the fall would be breath-taking. The flora and fauna is exceptional. A side trip hiking the nearby forest sanctuary of Estivant Pines is well worth it. The sanctuary holds stands of huge native white pine trees over 500 years old that were spared from being logged off. "Bring warm clothes" is a saying that fits, along with bug spray as both cool temperatures and black flies can be a concern at times. The drive up to Copper Harbor on M-26 is gorgeous, departing via Brockway Mountain Drive is a must. The lookouts from the Drive and the view from the top is magnificent. Be on the look out for ore boats on Lake Superior heading to and from Duluth, Minnesota. The area is abundant with a native plant, the thimbleberry. Local people make the berry into a delicious jam. The price may scare you off, but a jar does give you a piece of the Keweenaw for weeks to come when you get home. We buy one every trip. A great place to stop for jam is the Jam Pot located on M-26 before Copper Harbor. The shop is run by monks who also sell fruitcakes and wonderful bakery products. There is a waterfall near the shop that also helps make the stop worthwhile. If you miss the Jam Pot, jam is also available in the shops in town. Enjoy the drive!

To find the box -

(At the time of submission, daily user fee for the park is $4.00, sold at the main entrance to the Park, which should be purchased before parking in the parking lots of the Park.)

Before the main entrance to Fort Wilkins State Park there is a parking lot called "Lighthouse Overlook" on the north side of the road. Park in this lot and begin at the trail leading from the lot down to the lake. Enjoy the view from the deck.

There is an information kiosk behind the deck. As you turn and face the kiosk, the trail continues off to the left. Take the trail and follow along the shoreline of the lake, while observing the set of rocks that jut the farthest out into the bay. Head down the trail towards those rocks.

You will pass the main entrance to the park above the trail on your right. Soon afterwards the trail passes by a grove of cedar trees, also at the right of the trail. Continue on until the trail reaches the side path which goes off out to the large set of rocks, but stay on the main trail.

With that side path at your left begin pacing. Take 10 paces on the main trail. Turn right and face four cedar trees. Go through the door they form and walk straight ahead 20 paces. Find the box.