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West End Update – GINCC

Ultimate West End color tour

Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

ISHPEMING — It’s time to load up the car, truck, SUV or side-by-side for a West End color tour.

With autumn color at its peak, now is the time to check out the west end of Marquette County and mix in a few stops along the way.

It’s pretty hard to make a bad decision on where to take in the color. Just driving along Teal Lake on U.S. 41 offers a great view.

But to properly start your ultimate color tour pick-up a pasty or two, or maybe a cudighi sandwich and hit the road. Irontown Pasties in Negaunee or Lawry’s Pasties in West Ishpeming are right along the highway for a quick in and out to keep you on your route. Lawry’s also has a great cudighi sandwich.

After that head west out to Michigamme or Republic, both communities are nestled along scenic water bodies with a great mix of hardwood, poplar and conifer forest.

If you skipped packing a lunch and are looking for a nice sit-down meal stop at the historic Mount Shasta Restaurant in Michigamme.

Then head over to Republic for one of the best overlooks from the observation deck at the Republic Mine. The reclamation of the open pit mine has been transformed into a man-made lake that supports an abundance of wildlife and is flanked by tiered walls crowned with trees.

Just looking for a quick drive out and back from town? There are several locations within 15-minutes to get your color fix. Take a drive north of Ishpeming on Deer Lake Road to the boat ramp. The drive will take you along the Deer Lake reservoir which is one of the most visually appealing 20-minute drives you’ll ever experience.

Another iconic color destination is the County Road 510 bridge in Negaunee Township. About 5-miles north on 510, the high-rise bridge towers over the Dead River and overlooks the valley in both directions. Looking east is the old steel truss bridge originally installed in 1921 and retired in 2010 when the new bridge was completed.

Maybe a short hike is in order? No problem. Al Quaal Recreation are in Ishpeming and Old Town in Negaunee both have a network of trails that are easy to hike and bring you right in the heart of color country. There is a very easy hike around Baby Lake, aka Voelker Lake, in Al Quaal can be done by most any family member.

One unique autumn activity taking place this weekend is the UP200 Dryland Dash hosted by the U.P. Sled Dog Association at the Negaunee Township Recreation Area behind the township hall just off U.S. 41 on M-35. According to organizers this event has, “All the excitement of sled dog racing but without the snow.” Races will be taking place today and Sunday starting at 10 a.m.

For more ideas on fall color tour and activities checkout Travel Marquette’s website: www.travelmarquette.com.

Check out our website at www.gincc.org or call 906-486-1111 To learn more give us a call 906-486-1111 or go to our website www.gincc.org. Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front of Jubilee Foods & Fuel.

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