If you head south out of Negaunee on M35, at about the halfway point on your way to Palmer, you'll come across a scenic view of Goose Lake. It'll give you quite the vista, showing the vivid display of the changing scenery this time of year. Never having been to this lake myself, I don't have many particulars on this beautiful spot, captured by Jean Paquette. From the research I did, it seems the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was right nearby, probably built when the Empire Mine was in operation. Anyone have any information to add on the lake, the area or the railroad? Feel free...

Great shot!

Great picture! What does it look like in the Porkies!

That's pretty early for Mary Drew to be working on her computer. 2:54am on a weekday? Wow. I missed out on fall colors in the U.P. this year and now my camera is depressed. Actually, my camera is depressed because I was wearing it when I fell out of a Kayak last weekend, but that's another story.

I've never been to Vermont for fall colors, but I'm told it is too crowded for someone who prefers to avoid crowds. I almost went to Vermont once to color watch, but after hearing about the bumper to bumper traffic, I happily return to the U.P. most years.

I was listening to Norm and John Dee's weather report yesterday, and John just got married (congrats!!) and had out-of-town company that said they've traveled all over for autumn colors, but the Keweenaw is by far..the most beautiful...Like we didn't know that, huh?

Enjoy!

Beautiful picture! 2:54 am, Mary - wow! Have a great day everyone.

Tim, my camera is depressed too because it hasn't taken any pictures of the beautiful color in the U.P. I see you're also from St. Clair Shores. Maybe we can find a two-for-one special for a camera therapist to help them get through this hard time. What a beautiful picture today!

Hard to beat 2:45 a.m.! Great shot! The best I can remember the Chicago & Northwestern had passenger cars as well as other loads. Grandpa and Daddy worked for the RR.

Jeez, I thought I get up early to get to work! 2:54 a.m. That's 1:54 a.m. down here. Later, Skylar.

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. Beautiful picture this morning. Wish I could be up there to see the colors in person. Have a great day everyone!

The drive up 35 from Gwinn to Palmer to 41 at the western edge of Marquette traditionally has the best color, especially around Goose Lake. I think because it is high there. But then, why doesn't Calumet? Maybe our scientist friends can offer some ideas on color change. I don't mean that around Calumet isn't awesome, but for some reason it is earlier around Goose Lake.

I am told that the overburden piles at the Empire Mine site are the highest point in the UP. True?

where do you LISTEN to John Dee's weather reports?

Great Picture! Love the colors in the UP! I was at Gaylord yesterday and the colors are out Full! Wife and I were in Copper Harbor a week ago Monday, more green then red/yellow/orange, but it was still great place to be! My question is...is there oxygen enough to breath at 1:54am? My alarm goes off at 6:45 unless my dog has to go outside first!

In the Houghton/Hancock area, John Dee is on 97.7FM WOLV periodically during the day. I usually catch him at 6:55am. I think he is on 102.3 KBear throughout the day too.

Thinking about the beautiful fall colors in the UP makes me feel an aching longing in my heart..
Cindy, in St.Clair - I lived in Minnesota for a year, but went to the UP many times, and I think i'd like to put it this way according the "cameras' depression": The colors and scenery were so amazing, and made me feel so humble,and i thought i'd never ever be able to manage to get a picture taken which would show only a small part of HOW beautiful it really is. I just realized that there was no use even trying to get a good picture of it all, so I just let my friends drive, and I could sit back and just enjoy the scenery and be thankful to God for creating such a beautiful world. Now, of course, I'm sad for not having a good picture of all the colors and wonderful nature...but, the sights and everything I adventured in the USA will live forever in my heart and soul. THANX TO Uncle Sam for letting me live in the country for a year. Too bad I couldn't make it last for a longer period...
To all in the UP - Have a great day!
Best wishes from the northernmost part of Norway,Europe - where we've already gotten the first snow... :-)

Used to be the C&NW, it is now owned by the Canadian National after they bought it from the Wisconsin Central, its called the Ore Sub and it is used to haul iron ore from the mines to Escanaba and further to the Soo, Ontario...

The Canadian Nat'l rr goes across a causeway visible in the right upper part of the lake. Mostly iron pellets southbound with some limestone and occassional mdse northbound

Beautiful shot! It's no wonder why this is my favorite time of year!

I drove from near Oskar to Lake Linden, up to Gay, then LacLaBelle, up 41 to Copper Harbor, Brockway (1 freighter in view) down M-26 to Eagle River, then 5-Mile Point Rd. thru Ahmeek, down to Calumet, and 41 back home. The most color, ie,
yellow, orange and red with some rust mixed in, is from Ripley to Lake Linden, Lake Linden to Gay, roadside brush from Gay to Lac LaBelle. Most of the rest of the color is muted, lots of yellows and rusts, and still a fair amount (maybe 15% of green. Hazy on Brockway, lots of yellow, but still beautiful. Loggers--please don't cut down all the maple and oak--we want those reds!

Last week I spent a little time at Craig Lake - wilderness area S.P. and the colors and the eagles were outstanding...

Enjoy the color, white is next.

Skylar, WI -- Checking out my son's lighthouse photo on Monday's pasty.com I came across your note re the platbook. I got mine from the Houghton/Keweenaw County 4H Council. 482-6200. And I'm not sure, but I think the latest edition was for 2003, and it is for "The Keweenaw," Houghton & Keweenaw counties. On another note, I forgot to mention that the Houghton Canal Road out to Freda is gorgeous!

Speaking of trains.....can someone identify all the train routes that now cover the U.P.??? Years ago I travelled from Houghton to Cleveland by train and still see sections of tracks as I pass by Manistique, Trout Lake, Seney and Munising.

Good Morning from Houston!

Loggers most often do selective cutting. Despite what you hear from the uninformed, you'll never lose your fall colors. Logging has gone on for hundreds of years, and when you go up in a plane what do you see? All trees.

morning all. Looks like a squirrel is enjoying the bird seed this morn. Love the color.

I would be loving the view...but he's a hungry little guy.

I'm coming up to the U.P. this weekend... will the colors be past peak by then, or will they still be beautiful?

answering a bunch of questions from my weekend trip:

Nope fishing wasn't very good.

Those who read the picture titles now know where the lake is ;-)

someone asked about Moose. on the way down on
thursday afternoon I saw a moose in hickey creek
just off of us41 just east of the 141 cutoff.

On the way in to the campground that night (King
Lake State forest campground) a Bull stepped out
in front of my wife and kids and ran down the road for 1/4 mile in front of them about 1/2 mile off of us 41 as they drove in.

Colors are beautiful, but with the forcast for high winds rain and snow starting this afternoon,
not sure how much will be left by the weekend.

It depends on where you're going, Sarah. We were in the Keweenaw, Porkies, etc. last weekend & saw a lot of peak colors. Some spots weren't peak yet, but getting close. Closer to the Mackinac Bridge there was very little color.

Tim,
Living in Connecticut I try to go to Vermont or New Hampshire to get my not-very-good-substitute of the UP in Autumn. As far as being too crowded, it really depends on where you go. I'm like you in that I don't like crowds whem I'm observing nature. If you stick to the main roads it sure will be but if you take to the back roads you get to see some really nice stuff all by yourself. Most of the color tourists won't go down a bumpy, twisty country road in their expensive SUV's. Vermont and New Hampshire are like the UP in that there are tons of great spots that aren't on the maps so most non-local people won't know about them. I've gotten lost and found a few by pure luck.
There are fewer birches and more pines out here so the color isn't as varied but it can still make you pause and think of how wonderful life is away from the cities.

Good morning from Vegas!

Going to the Keweenaw this weekend for my Dad's funeral. Sad, sad event, but lovely time for a memorial.

Thanks so much for all the good wishes that have been sent my way.

JJ, I never heard of Craig Lake until this year and spent some time there last August trying to find a moose. What a well-kept secret! It's really beautiful there.

Bob, I'm so jealous that you saw moose on your trip. We looked in that area for them, but no luck. I think it just has to happen when you're not expecting them.

Theresa Colorado Tim S.C.S. U.P. is the best but have been to Vermont and there are gorgeous colors there also.. We did not get into any major traffic while there... Our kids are in UpState New York so get back East for the colors.. But the last four years were spent in the U.P. and I am really missing it this year....

maijaMI,

You have my condolence. May God be with you in the coming days and weeks. Have a safe trip.

Eric.

happy birthday to Gal in Kalamazoo. A quarter of a century old today. Are you getting nervous for the wedding in 17 days. have a wonderful day and see you tonight.

Yooper Joe and Gal in Kalamazoo,will we get to see your wedding picture like we saw John and Nora Dee's? Congratulations by the way!

Great pic! When I first saw it, I thought it was the view from the over-look at 'Brockway's Nose' at the end of Brockway Mountain, viewing Lake Fanny Hooe. Had a nice visit this past weekend to Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor! Nice colors! Had a great meal at both the Harbor Haus and Eagle Harbor Inn.

When we were zooming home Sunday, I saw a dark spot in my peripheral vision about where you saw the moose, but I assumed it wasn't a moose and didn't insist that my husband turn around! Bet it was your moose.

Maija, my sympathies are with you, but what a fantastic time of year for the memorial. You'll remember how beautiful it was always. It was nice meeting you this summer at the Pasty Reunion!

Its raining here in Houston and I miss Michigan. Boo Hoo

Eric and Marsha,
Thanks so much for your thoughts and in advance for any others. I need to get going and will not be checking in for a while.

What a wonderful place this site is!!

Be safe Maija

Gloomy weather approaching late this afternoon, but early AM was beautiful.

Great picture of Fall colors and Goose Lake. Thank
you for sharing it with us trolls.

From a new admirer Wed. Oct 13th I just found out about this site. It is real interesting to read all the letters from everyone. The fall colors from the fall leaves are a very interesting and pretty site in Michigan. Thanks for telling me about this Sue!! Let me know if you happen to read this.

Rose-
That picture is heartbreaking its so gorgeous!

Maija-
God Bless you in your loss.

We enjoyed colors as we drove North to Copper Harbor and had a great meal at the Harbor Haus. Weather was fantastic. Up on the Brockway Mountain Drive, the colors were so fantastic and the best I have ever seen there. I agree that driving in this splendor, you feel like you are in a cathedral and remain quiet, for the beauty has to last for a whole year till you see it again. The snow is coming, so get out the shovels!

I agree with your thoughts on elevation having an affect on the colors. Have you ever been up to the old Gartiot lake Radar Base (Academy)? The colors from up there are wonderful. I beleive that is the highest place on the Keweenaw.

Maija: My deepest condolonces in the loss of your father. It is wonderful that you had this recent time together with him. I am sure that will be a source of comfort to you in the future, as so many of us who have lost parents have found out. Our prayers are with you.

One of the most wonderful experiences you can have in a convertible is to have someone else drive while you look straight up on a fall day as you drive through the "Tunnel of Trees" on U.S. 41. The rods and cones in your eyes will get quite a workout as you take in the browns, reds and retina burning yellows. If this doesn't sooth your soul, nothing will. However, you will need to have a designated driver so you can repeat this activity in the future.

Mary Drew - How do you get to Montreal Falls without going through Smith Fisheries? I heard that route was now closed to us tourists. The Keweenaw Visitor's center said something about a new road in from the Mandan Road to be built next year, but access this year was by boat alone. Did you go by boat?

Steve, IL. We were at the Falls of the Montreal during the week of Sept 19 to the 25th, no problem. The road isn't the greatest, but with a high clearance vehicle it is driveable.

Reply for ED/MI

There are not many RR's left and there are people that would be able to give you the scoop better than me but here is an answer for you. If my memory serves me correct there is: (1) The LS&I witch runs from the Empire & Tilden Mine area to Marquette. Mostly ore traffic. They used to go out to Republic but I don't know if they have done that for a while. (2) Canadian National which purchased Wisconsin Central (TOO BAD) They have the most trackage. They own what can be seen in the photo above. Another message gives a good descripton of what the railroad's subdivison name is now called. They also operate the lines you spoke of near Manistique, Trout Lake and Munising. The tracks no longer go into Marquette he east. (3) Union Pacific which may still operate from Wisconsin into Michigan to a paper mill near Quinnesec. The line may be that which comes over from Pembine, WI to Hermansville then over to Quinnesec. However, I am not sure if they still operate this line or if it has been abandoned. This used to be C&NW trackage. (4) The Escanaba & Lake Superior operates around the Escanaba area. They also operate from Channing south through I.M. then to Green Bay. Also from Channing over to Ontonagon. I would say that if you had the opportunity to travel from Houghton to Cleveland by train than you are a very lucky individual. That would have been one heck of a trip.

Many years ago I use to take a train ride from
Calumet to L'Anse, what a scenic route that was,
especially around the Christmas Holidays.

To PEH, yes Houghton, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago to transfer, Toledo and then Cleveland. I did this to catch the SS CRISPIN OGLEBAY in 1957 to the fit out of that freighter.

Made 4 trips up past Goose Lake in the last week. Two funerals, my aunt Lempi Jolgren in Pelkie, and Toni Tikkanen's service in Houghton. The Suomi Kutsuu (Finland Calling) dance and our Suomen Luokka (Finnish language class). The color is really nice around Cornell on cr 426 and on the way up cr 557 to M35. Hei, Donn De Y. the color is really nice around Carrol's Corner, too. I know you get up there every once in a while. Have you seen the Paul Bunyan 'slingshot' there?

Anyone have an answer for MaijaMI's question? Is Mount Arvon the highest point in da UP, or da piles at the Empire mine?

Seems like alot of people want to know about the fall colors. Was in the Keweenaw last weekend, and it was absolutely gorgeous!!!! Brockway mountain drive was stunning. Never seen anything like it in my life. Cliff drive was also outstanding. I would say last weekend it was just about peek. Hope everyone can realize how good we all have it, and enjoy life and the keweenaw. Take a minute while you are taking up the colors, and think of the one's in the middle east for letting us do this, and defending our freedom.

Hi all,
Does anybody know of any wineries in the U.P. that make choke cherry wine? As a matter of fact. Are there any wineries in the U.P.?

Maija,
Mt. Arvon is the highest Point in the state.

looking for some info from someone living in the lower mich. detroit area most likely, that has gone to the woodward dream cruise and can e mail me and let me know something about it. i plan on going next year and represent the copper country and would like to know a little more about it. any help appreciated, thanks

Hey, it's 35 degrees here. I know I'm in the Panhandle, but thought it'd be warmer until the end of the month.

Hey Foghorn! I'm jealous! You're making me homesick! Enjoy!

All I know about the Dream Cruise is that it's so crowded the cars hardly move and since most of them are old, it smells bad.

The Dream Cruise is a great experiance, living a block away, I love it.... Calumet check your email. :)

Calumet,
Check out the Book store at www.free.com as they have a book on the cruise on Woodward.

That mine rock pile will be the highest point in the state at some time if it isn't already.

Calument:
You can also go to www.clickondetroit.com and in the search type in dream cruise and several items pop up to let you view past dream cruises and also contact names. Been to all the cruises in 10 years and frankly, we who live near Woodward its getting "old" for some us but exciting to those who have never been. Come on down and have some fun. If you see a '73 Black Nova cruising, thats me and my guy!!!

I rode a train once from Grand Rapids to Chassell in Dec of 65. We were going to my g'ma's funeral. (Somewhere she was on the train too). Left us off right behind my grandfather's house. We rode the train all the time as kids from Chassell to Calumet. Now the depot is gone. Nice memory.
My daughter is going backpacking this weekend at Pictured Rocks. I have read a high winds advisory. Is she going to have fun?

To ED/MI

You really peaked my interest because you mentioned the Crispin Olgebay. I am really into that stuff as well. In 1959 my cousin fitted out the Eugene P. Thomas in Monroe, MI. He may have fit out 1 time in Toledo... Mostly Columbia Boats in Toledo even today... Most of his fit outs wound up in Milwaukee, or Duluth etc since he used to work for US Steel. 1960 - 1980.. Thanks for the reply... Hope you go back to look at these and find this reply.