Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
LEAVES TAKE on fall color, as shown in this Sunday photo taken at the Sylvania Wilderness in Watersmeet Township. To access the site, take County Road 535, which is off from U.S. 2, about four miles west of U.S. 45.
GOGEBIC RANGE - As the crisp fall air arrives, Michiganders flock to the best color viewing spots, and many of those are located alongside U.P. county roads. Now is the ideal time to enjoy an afternoon drive while taking in the splendor of fall leaves.
"The County Road Association of Michigan encourages Michiganders to explore the beauty of the Upper Peninsula this fall," said Denise Donohue, CEO of CRA. "We all know Michigan has a lot to offer, and the changing leaves are just one of the state's admirable qualities."
The County Road Association of Michigan has worked with the state's 83 county road agencies to develop a list of the best county roads in the state for fall color. The list is located on CRA's website at micountyroads.org/mibackgroads.
This following list of fall color drives reflects the best suggestions from county road agencies in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties. Peak viewing conditions for the Upper Peninsula are expected from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.
Gogebic County
Black River Road to Black River Harbor
Lake Road from Ironwood to Little Girl's Point and Superior Falls
Black River Road from Bessemer to Copper Peak and Black River Harbor
Wolf Mountain Road from U.S. 2 to Wolf Mountain
County Road 519 N. from Wakefield to the mouth of the Big Presque Isle River and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Thousand Island Lake Road from U.S. 2 to Sylvania Wilderness Park
Ontonagon County
South Boundary Road from Presque Isle to Ontonagon
Iron County
Ironcountywi.com notes that Iron County hardwood forests feature "spectacular color with many opportunities to view beautiful vistas, lakes and waterfalls."
It continues, "Iron County's varied terrain offers hilly vistas along the Penokee Range from Hurley to Mellen, views of Lake Superior and hundreds of lakes, including the mighty Turtle Flambeau and Gile flowages. The suggested routes are all on blacktop roads, but adventurers will find many side roads that get you off the beaten path for an extended color show."
The website suggests getting the "Iron County Color Tour Map" at either the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce or the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce.
ORV trails or ski hill chairlift rides offer more viewing options in much of the Gogebic Range.
