Little Girl's Point and vicinity

It's like going off to the edge of the world and back in time to visit this simple, well-maintained Gogebic County Park. It extends well over half a mile along Lake Superior. Its long cobble beach is a magnet for rock-pickers of all ages. Here you can look southwest to the Apostle Islands and northeast to the Porcupine Mountains. The views are riveting, especially at sunset. And the beach is fine for swimming, if you don't mind rocks and cold water.

Up on the bluff is the picnic area with pavilion, picnic tables and grills, shaded by maples that are brilliant in fall color season. The picturesque stone buildings, rail fence, and colonial caretaker's house give the park its timeless look. Across a wooded valley is the park's hidden secret—a beautiful stone and log lodge with dorm-style sleeping for 40, and a covered BBQ shelter. It is rentable, reservable up to a year in advance.

Visit http//Xgogebic.org/forestryandparks for park photos and layout. 32 campsites, many along the lake with lake views, have electricity and no water. Here's the park in a nutshell. The picnic area and bluff are on the east. Midway there's a stairway to the beach and a flush restroom between campsite areas. At the west end, almost at lake level, are a restroom and a small boat launch near the beach.

Other nearby beauty spots, all on CR 505, fit right in with the simplicity of Little Girl's Point: the Bald Mountain hike/bike forest trail (8 miles southeast), and Superior Falls (about 5 miles west). The route from Hurley via U.S. 2 and W-122 seems even more beautiful.

The park goes back to the early 1900s, when the county acquired this choice place and saved it from private development. By the 1990s the park needed major renovation, starting with infrastructure. The Gogebic County Forestry department took over operations because it could fund improvements by timber sales. It borrowed $250,000 to do the job. Erosion of the shoreline banks is the next plan that needs to be tackled. That big cement block out in the water, where kids like to dive even though prohibited, is the pump house and used to be on shore.

About 12 minutes northwest of Ironwood via Hemlock/Vanderhagen Rd, which becomes CR 505. From U.S. 2 on the west side of town, turn north onto Hemlock at the corner where Auto Body Glass is. Or from the east take Lake St./CR 505 from U.S. 2 Look for the Holiday station and Walgreen's. (906) 932-1913; in off-season (906) 663-4518. $2 daily use fee for nonresidents; $10 annual fee. Handicap access: call.
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IRONWOOD
POINTS OF INTEREST

Central Ironwood. Downtown is a shadow of itself during the mining and lumber booms. But visitors can find interesting spots, including the fabulous 1928 Ironwood Theater; the depot museum; a good quilt shop, antiques mall, and food co-op; impressive churches and Victorian homes; and good pizza, pasties, and Italian food. ... more

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 ½ hour use). 235 East Aurora ... more

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