Bald Mountain, Lake Superior Overlook, and the Powers Trail System
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These high points overlook Lake Superior in the Gogebic County Forest south of Little Girl's Point. Powers Road, part paved and part gravel, heads off in a southwesterly direction from Lake Superior Road, which comes north from Ironwood. Powers Road goes through mixed hardwoods for a tunnel-of-trees effect. Part of the system is the gravel road used by motorists going to the Bald Mountain and Lake Superior overlooks. The eastern trailhead is on CR 505/Lake Superior Road at Triplett Creek, some five miles east of Little Girl's Point. In about five miles the road comes to the trail system's midpoint, the trailhead of the Bald Mountain Overlook, a hiking trail of 8/10 of a mile or so leading up to the overlook. The overlook gives a view to Copper Peak to the east and to the ski hills and the Penokee Range near Hurley to the west. Interpretive markers identify species of the important hardwood stands of the Western U.P.
Lake Superior is not visible from Bald Mountain. But the big lake is seen beyond the trees from the Lake Superior Overlook by the roadside parking area just west of the Bald Mountain trailhead. These are favorite destinations in fall color season.
Today the 20-mile Powers Trail System along Powers Road is becoming a popular destination for mountain bikers and ATVs, sometimes shared with other vehicles and hikers. It's on Gogebic County Forest land. Volunteers clearly mark the mown, easy-to-medium trail. On the west the trail becomes the much steeper Montreal River Gorge Trail descending south to the river.
From Ironwood, take CR 505/Lake Superior Road from U.S. 2 at toward Little Girl's Point (see directions above). But in 13 miles, at Powers Rd., watch on the left for the Gogebic County Forest "Lloyd Leppanen Tract" sign. Take Powers west for about 3 miles to a parking area on the left. There's the .8 mile trail to Bald Mountain Overlook. The Lake Superior vista, just beyond it, is reached by continuing on the road. (906) 663-4687.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
Dan's Antique Mall . Colorful, rich assortment of interesting things. One of U.P. top antique shops ... more
Fabric Patch. A paradise for quilters, with eclectic selection of fabrics for many tastes ... more
Little Girl's Point and vicinity. On a high Lake Superior bluff, a tucked-away park with swimming beach, camping, boat launch, and long views to the Porcupine Mountains and Apostle Islands. ... more
Stormy Kromer store & tour. Stormy Kromer hats, designed for cold, blowy U.P. days, have become legendary. Here's the company store and how to tour the manufacturing plant ... more
Bald Mountain, Lake Superior Overlook, and the Powers Trail System. Little-known spots with nice views for motorists and mountain bikers ... more
Superior Falls. Little publicized, this thundering 40-foot waterfall in a deep gorge of the Montreal River settles into a quiet pool ... more
Interstate Falls. A couple miles northwest of Ironwood the wide Montreal River plunges 25 feet ... more
Saxon Falls. One of Gogebic's outstanding waterfalls 12 miles north of Ironwood ... more
Whitecap Kayak Company, Steep Creek Outfitters, and Steep Creek Cafe. Interesting shoreline trips for beginners and experienced kayakers alike give a fresh perspective of the region ... more
Ottawa National Forest Supervisor's Office and Book Shop. The place to get good individualized info on this vast forest (almost one million acres) dotted with lakes, rivers, wonderful waterfalls, stretching Champion, Baraga, and Iron River west to Ironwood. ... more
Mount Zion Scenic Overlook. This rock overlook close to Ironwood gives a fine view of surrounding hills, forests, and farms ... more
Depot Antiques & Gifts. In an old railroad warehouse, this unusually appealing shop offer a variety of items old and new, from gourmet foods to vintage toys ... more
Nature's Picks Rock Shop. Owned and run by a seasoned local rockhound, this shop carries rocks and minerals from all over. And you can get advice on where to look locally for interesting rocks ... more
Black Bear Sports. A veteran guide runs this well-stocked outdoors shop, with fishing gear and good advice ... more
Ironwood Memorial Building. A lavish Beaux Arts civic building, recently restored, features stained glass, murals, original light fixtures, and interesting local history exhibits ... more
Scenic back road to Ramsay. A pleasant ride on a country lane through hills and overarching trees and a fine vista ... more
World's Tallest Indian. What did they do to pump up the economy when the mines gave out in the 1960s? Attract tourists by building an 8-ton, 53-foot-high Indian chief and calling him Hiawatha, the "World's Tallest Indian" (actually Maine has a taller one) ... more
Norrie Park. Picturesque 1920s park along the Montreal River with paths through wooded areas and meadows, a fine picnic spot with playground ... more
Mountain biking in Gogebic and Iron counties. One of the country's great mountain biking regions, here's an overview of the vast number of trails in the area ... more
ABR Trails (Active Backwoods Retreat). 600 acres of meticulously groomed ski trails with lodgings, a warming cabin, sauna, and ski shop ... more
Wolverine Nordic Trails. Loops for serious cross-country skiers and mountain bikers from 3k to 7k ... more
Ironwood Wi-fi Hotspot. Ironwood Carnegie Library has wi-fi & public computers (limit ˝ hour use). 235 East Aurora ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
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