Keweenaw Adventure Company & Harbor Kayak Paddle

The "Agate Harbor Paddle," an $110 half-day kayak tour in an area of the Keweenaw closely resembling the shoreline of it's sister rock, Isle Royale. Paddlers explore a chain of barrier islands, the "arch rock", finger bays and view the spiny ridgelines that parallel the peninsula.

Staff, landscape, gear, promotion—Sam Raymond, a lifelong summer resident of Copper Harbor, has pulled together all these elements to create a fine summer adventure company based on kayaking and mountain biking.
For kayaking, Keweenaw Adventure Company has instruction for beginners, guided tours and rentals, and outfitting and intermediate to advanced tours on Isle Royale.

As for mountain biking, Sam's #1 passion, he has started Copper Harbor's first bike shop, offering rentals (full-suspension and front shock mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes, cruisers, and kids' bikes), repairs, and accessories.

Mary Hunt

Sam Raymond in front of his shop.

An enthusiastic, savvy promoter, Sam has created the Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival each Labor Day weekend to showcase the area. It's paid off: the IMBA has designated the Copper Harbor Ride as an "epic ride", one of only 48 in the world.

As for kayaking, Sam and his friendly, committed ACA certified crew give kayak lessons ($60 for three hours) that include the Eskimo roll. Tours include basic instruction. All outings are weather-dependent, and all tours are by reservation. Kayaking experience isn't necessary to go on the tours.

Beginners usually choose the $35 fe Porter's Island Padde at 9:30, 1, and 7:30 (at 7 after August 1). It's a beautiful 2 1/2-hour tour with sea kayaks into Copper Harbor's protected and scenic harbor, first to the uninhabited Porter's Island that buffers the harbor from Lake Superior, then past the picturesque lighthouse on a rocky point.

Half-day and all-day kayak tours, all by reservation, go to the spectacular rocks and cliffs east of Copper Harbor around Keweenaw Point, the wild land acquired by the state of Michigan. Difficult for outsiders to reach by vehicle, this scenery is the equal and geological mirror of Isle Royale's more dramatic spots across Lake Superior. The full-day Horseshoe Harbor Paddle ($110, lunch included) goes to a Nature Conservancy preserve with unusual rock formations. The half-day Agate Harbor Paddle ($85, lunch included) leaves at 10 a.m. Wed & Sun (or by reservation) and goes along a chain of uninhabited islands to sheltered bays and Arch Rock. For well-conditioned paddlers, the Bare Bluff Paddle ($110, lunch included, leaves at 9 a.m. Tues & Sat or by reservation) goes 14 miles and back to the sea caves, waterfall, and fishery at Keystone Point and near the Montreal River mouth. It's $120 with ones own bike or $155 with rental of a dual suspension mountain mike. The "surf and turf" adventure combines biking and kayaking.

Kayaking on Isle Royale is a whole different level of adventure, one for which going with an experienced guide is a really good idea. The cost (starting at $699 for 4 days in June) is a good deal considering how expensive it is just to arrive at the island, let alone getting equipment and food. See the web site for other overnight trips on Isle Royale and around the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Keweenaw Adventures rents kayaks and canoes to qualified users. The shop sells paddling gear, dried food, sunscreens, maps, and more. Ask about the Keweenaw Water Trail map that helps paddlers plan and camp on a trip around the peninsula in six to eight days.

There's now a handy 15-passenger van for shuttle service across the Keweenaw. Saturdays and Sundays a trailer hauls mountain bikes up to the legendary Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, from which bikers can make the downhill tour back to Copper Harbor.

On U.S. 41 in the center of Copper Harbor, across from the Pines. (906) 289-4303. Open daily 9-8 in summer. Call for spring and fall hours. Wheelchair access: yes for shop; call for tours.
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