Hike from Fish Cove to Montreal Falls
The last week has been somewhat of a blur due to the Chassell Strawberry Festival, but it started out with a really great hike along Lake Superior from Fish Cove to Montreal Falls. Getting to the trailhead was half the adventure as we met up with our hiking group at the end of US 41 and traveled the rugged Mandan Road past the East Bluff, High Rock Bay, and Schlatter Lake before making our way down to Fish Cove via an even more challenging road.
It is just a short hike from the parking area to Fish Cove on Lake Superior.
Lake Superior was incredibly calm on this day which added to the place’s already idyllic appearance.
The rocky shore required careful foot placements, but was easy enough to traverse.
Delicate flowers clung to soil-filled cracks in the rhyolite.
Beautiful reflections on the still lake greeted us throughout the hike!
The hike westward along Lake Superior was probably around a mile in length to Montreal Falls. Historically, we have hiked into this waterfall from the end of the Smith Fisheries Road, but the gating of this private road now requires access from Fish Cove. Interestingly, I would say the view of the falls is actually much better from this side of the river.
You also can enjoy a commanding view down the the coast toward Bare Bluff and Bete Grise.
While there are additional waterfalls upstream, our group elected to enjoy just the lower falls on Lake Superior on this visit.
You can see my GoPro video from this adventure on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
We would start Monday with a swim at the MTU SDC. A late start would only allow me to squeeze in 1,300 yards. Afterwards I would meet up with Arlyn Aronson, Steve Spahn, Mat Moore, and Liam at the Chassell Heritage Center at 9:00 a.m. The five of us would spend over three hours weedwhacking the Chassell Trails. Just as we have seen thick underbrush growth this summer on the North Country Trails, the Chassell Trails were thick with underbrush growth. Many thanks to Arlyn for leading this effort!
Monday evening I would attend the Chassell Township Recreation Committee meeting and the Chassell Township Planning Commission meeting. The highlight would be rolling out the Blight Mitigation Fund that we have partnered on with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and to discuss the promotion of the program at the Planning Commission booth at the Chassell Strawberry Festival.
Tuesday, I would start the day weedwhacking again on the Chassell Trails with Arlyn, Mat, and Liam before heading into Houghton for the Team Peninsula meeting. I would cut the grass that afternoon before Julie and I would head back into Houghton to enjoy a Sky Sushi dinner on the waterfront to celebrate my birthday! Our friend Mark joined us after he had spent the day on some North Country Trail work toward the western end of the Peter Wolfe Chapter.
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! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.