We're going on another exploring tour with Capt. Paul and Dr. Nat (a.k.a. Paul and Nathalie Brandes). This time they are taking us with them on their trip around the Mandan Loop. Paul sent me the following narrative, along with the photos….enjoy!

Attached are some photos from our trip around the Mandan Loop. We started from the Copper Harbor side on a picture perfect day and as you can see, the road was in very good shape for travel. As D.A. mentioned from my Huron Mtn. photos, he ran across a sign stating “Closed, active logging”, but when we were there, no active logging was taking place and didn’t appear to have been for quite some time, so we continued on our way (I wonder if these were older signs that were left behind?). Along the way, we met several other vehicles of all designs including another Wrangler Hard Rock like ours in silver. They had come from the Mandan side and after chatting for a few minutes, we both continued on our way. One thing that really struck me was that everyone we ran into was just leisurely enjoying the Loop and in fact many stopped to chat for a couple minutes. There was no flying down the road or “hot-dogging” along the way, just very peaceful driving. Very reassuring to know that there are still folks out there that can enjoy the beauty of the Keweenaw without tearing it to shreds!

Below is a description of each photo:

Photo #1: The end of the road, or the beginning, depending on your view.
Photo #2 : Typical view along the Loop. The road was in great shape as you can see.
Photo #3: A very unique feature along the way. These are glacial grooves in the basalt bedrock. These are formed when glacial ice entrained with rocks/boulders slide across the bedrock. As they move across, they scratch or “groove” the bedrock, leaving the feature you see here. There are others in the Keweenaw to see, the best being behind Calumet High School on Mine St.
Photo #4: Montreal River crossing. I saw some decent sized fish (likely Brook Trout) so I decided to rig up my fly rod and give it a try, but the only thing biting were the mosquitoes, so we moved on.
Photo #5: The other reason we traveled the Loop. Along it are several old mining locations that date back to the early 1850s. The site featured here is the Mandan Mine which began in 1863 and operated on and off until 1909 when it closed for good. There are many more mine sites along the way, but Mother Nature is doing a good job of reclaiming the land where these operations stood.

Very cool. Thanks for sharing with us Paul and
Nat!!

As soon as i saw these pictures i knew who took them! Very interesting tour!

Capt & Dr, have you ever checked out the glacial groves on Kelleys Island in Ohio?

Is the Montreal River crossing the eastern or
western bridge? I'm guessing the eastern one, but
then I've only ever seen the western crossing. So
many bucket list items in the Keweenaw.

Kelley’s Island has some amazing glacial grooves. I have unfortunately not yet visited there, but I think Paul did long before we were married. Glaciers can make some spectacular and beautiful landforms and landscapes. Some of my favourite places on earth (the Keweenaw, Norway, Scotland) have been shaped by the awesome power of ice.

Kelley’s Island has some amazing glacial grooves. I have unfortunately not yet visited there, but I think Paul did long before we were married. Glaciers can make some spectacular and beautiful landforms and landscapes. Some of my favourite places on earth (the Keweenaw, Norway, Scotland) have been shaped by the awesome power of ice.

Why did that post twice? I only clicked the button once!

FANTASTIC~!!! Thank you~!!

FANTASTIC~!!! Thank you~!!

Another very interesting piece of geography and geology right next door to Kelley's Island that the same glacial period helped form is Point Pelee, Ontario. The first time I saw it which was from an airplane I assumed it was man-made.

I almost posted twice Dr. Nat. Things running very slow this evening.

I lived in the Maritimes, so I spent a lot more time exploring that area and I’m not as familiar with places in other provinces. I think Point Pelée is a spit of till extending into Lake Erie, but I’m not sure about the exact geology. Now I have an addition to my list of interesting places to visit and learn about. That’s what I love about PastyCam. I find out about so many fascinating things here.

Like all the photos. They each offer a different array of something.

Like all the photos. They each offer a different array of something.

Great pics. We attempted the Loop from Copper Harbor last summer but ran into ruts that a pickup couldn't navigate. Its still on my bucket list. Someday.