Awesome Spring Hikes!
As much as we love winter in the Keweenaw, we welcome the transition back to warmer weather as it presents an even broader range of opportunities for exploring the ubiquitous natural beauty we enjoy throughout the region! Toward this end, we started the week by performing trail maintenance on the North Country Trail. Julie and our friends Jennifer and Sue recently adopted the segment of the NCT between US 45 and O Kun de Kun Falls. Our hiking group would be hiking to the falls on this day, so we drove down an hour ahead of the start time so we would be able to join up with the group along the way. We did not find any trees over the trail, so our work was primarily focused on removing excess leaves from boardwalks and nipping the large number of saplings beginning to grow along the edge of the trail and the overhead branches reaching over the trail.
Upon reaching the Baltimore River, we enjoyed a stop at Konteka Falls. You will also hear this waterfall referred to as the Upper Falls as well as Peanut Butter Falls. That latter name likely stems from the Ontonagon Valley clay which gives the river its rich brown color.
A short distance downstream is the more impressive O Kun de Kun Falls. Below the falls you can cross a suspension bridge and hike back upstream for a closer examination of the falls.
The cool thing about these falls is your ability climb into the grotto behind the falls where fern and lichen grace the sandstone walls. On a warmer day with less water flow, this is also a nice place to take a swim.
You can check out my GoPro video from this hike on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
On Monday morning, the Chassell Historical Organization Curator Mat Moore, Chassell Township Planning Commission Chair Brian Waters, and Chassell Township Planning Commission member Steve Spahn, and I erected the trailhead sign for the Chassell Historic Trail on the south end of Centennial Park near the 4th Street entrance to the south of the pavilion.
The bases for the remaining signs are still being welded and will need to be powder coated. Industrial Graphics is indicating that we are a couple of weeks away from having those completed.
Monday evening we had a Chassell Historical Organization board meeting. A lot of our discussion centered on getting the Heritage Center ready for the summer and getting volunteers in place for our Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday hours during July and August. If you would have an interest in learning more about Chassell’s history and meeting people, we would welcome you to volunteer! Drop me a note at dmeyers77@yahoo.com and we can pair you up with an experienced volunteer!
Tuesday, I put in a 5-mile run on the rail trail at an 8:39/mile pace. It seemed like a good time to start increasing the distance in my rehab process. Tuesday evening was our annual meeting for the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club at the Orpheum in Hancock. The membership formally approved changing the by-laws to become a 4-season club and we formally changed our name to the Hancock Trails Club.
Wednesday, Julie and I swam at MTU’s SDC. It was my first time back after their spring maintenance and I put in 2,000 yards of lap swimming. Wednesday evening we were back at the SDC for the Keweenaw Running Group run. I decided to test my leg on the trails. I needed to stop to stretch it a few times on the last climb up Outer Limits, but it felt good!
The rest of the week was spent cutting grass, turning over the Airbnb, and following up on township related business. I also got in another 2,000 yard swim at the SDC on Friday morning.
Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather and drove down into the Ottawa National Forest to hike into the Sturgeon River Gorge at Sturgeon Falls. On the way there we noted quite a log jam on the upstream side of the bridge over the Sturgeon River.
Aside from a few gnats, there were no mosquitoes or black flies to detract from what was a really awesome spring hike!
You can check out my GoPro videos from the hike on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel with the shorter one at this link:
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com and learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.