Last week we reported the positive recommendation concerning grant money for the purchase of the Keweenaw tip. This week Michele Anderson sheds some more light on this process in Keweenaw Issues' Land Use Forum.

Quite a view from up here... Maybe Jeff Buckett will clue us in on the exact spot where it was snapped.

Jeff told me he took this photo of the Keweenaw Point shoreline and inland area from Bear (also called Bare) Bluff. I'm waiting for Jim Ekdahl of the DNR to indicate how much of what we see in the photo is part of the potential state land purchase.

Bear Bluff it is, Charlie. One of the most beautiful spots in the Keweenaw with a loop trail running to it and back just past Bear Creek along the Smith Fisheries Road.
I highly recommend the whole round-trip to experienced hikers but make sure to go clockwise once you reach the loop trailhead or you might lose track of the path.
On another charitable topic, please give what you can:

Jim Ekdahl of the DNR said Jeff's photo appears to show the Smith Fishery and a good deal of the shoreline that would be acquired if the deal goes through.

Where is Bear Bluff in relation to Mt. Bohemia? How far to the east?

Who's PAYING for all this land??
Hopefully not the tax payers.

Obviously GC/New York missed being able to see something. That is, the BEAUTY of what s/he is looking at. It will be there for all to treasure and hopefully in a natural, unspoiled manner. Hopefully the tax payers and everyone else can truly appreciate what has been given (created) for us. Much better than blowing the money on politics or some other special interest.

I agree with you TB.

I agree. Bear Bluff is one of the most beautiful places on the Keweenaw. I often think of the views from there - from the bright stars at night to the endless, magnificent lake. Thanks for the picture.

As the crow flies, it is just under 4 miles from the top of Mt Bohemia to this spot, almost exactly due east.

You can see Smith's, the clearing behind it is the mouth of the Montreal River, behind that is Fish Cove. You can't actually see the tip of the Keweenaw, but you can see Manitou Island in the upper left.

This dramatically shows the "rabbit's ear" part of the UP, as we were all taught in school.

GC-

Don't worry, from what I understand, not a dime of tax payers money is being used for the purchase. At least definately not a dime of NY taxpayers!

The money is coming from a trust that was created by revenue coming from oil drilling in the state.

-John

GC/New York certainly should reconsider...Lake Superior is the largest fresh water source and beyond the beauty of the area the idea of protecting this resource should be worth paying for. I am sure other parts of this country i.e. Dallas, who is trying desperately to buy lake water from OK., would be happy to pay.

how are the different colors in the water explained?

Early ice.

I'm curious about the exact extent of the purchase. Is there a map of what the grant proposes to purchase available? Thanks!

One explanation of the diff. colors could be reflections from clouds, but based on the
distance from which this pic. was taken that's not likely. A more likely one would be
varying depths of water such as sand bars would create the lighter color

I'm so pleased to hear that something is going to be done to protect this nearly pristine acreage. I have had the privilege of hiking in to the Smith Fishery and on to the Montreal River and back. It is rugged and gorgeous, and deserves to be preserved.

On the different colors--as I recall this was caused by the play of the wind at the surface of the water. If I'd taken the shot a minute(or even perhaps a few seconds) later there would have been a completely different pattern of lighter blue patches. It's always been remarkable to me on viewing the Big Lake from higher ground just how many different shades of blue, green, purple etc that are reflected off the surface on any given day.

Please feel free to spend my tax money on this!

I agree with you, Jeff, MN on why you see the different colors on the water. I had the privilege of growing up in Copper Harbor, at the tip of the Keweenaw Penninsula. My father built boats as a hobby (using no plans, but just making a to-scale model) and he did fishing charters on Lake Superior for many years. I love this area so much and have been anxiously awaiting news of the DNR purchase. I needed some good news in the wake of this past week. Thanks! Thanks also for the wonderful picture. I was able to hike to Bear Bluff with my father when he was about 78 years old. It is quite a hike, but well worth it! I wouldn't have known how to get there but my father knew! He was born in the house at the end of the road by the canal across from Mendota Lighthouse at Bete Gris in 1913, and was a life-long resident of Keweenaw, so he knew the area well. He would be pleased to hear of the efforts to preserve the Keweenaw Penninsula's unequaled beauty.

I hope those of you who put forth the super max were kidding thinking maybe of the remoteness of
Alcatraz. There are placed needed for that type of detention, as the past couple of weeks have brought to notice, but also there have to been places on this earth untouched by humans as much as possible. This summer I revisited Isle Royale, where the effort is to let us enjoy wilderness with as little as possible. I have never, as many as times I have been to Fort Wilkins and beyond in 50+ years, gone to the end of the peninsula. This will be a goal of my now.

The water color is due to the wind and thermalclines(water temp. variations).
For anyone who has not made this hike! I highly recommend it, this is not the only spectacular view.....

I'll gladly spend some of my tax money on preserving the beauty of the Keweenaw. It's a worthwhile investment, to keep out developers who are in business only for the almighty dollar. We need to preserve the few beautiful, wild areas that are left. Count me in!