Great Lakes Trip 2017

[Max Rockatansky]

Alright, so I'm looking at a trip out to the Great Lakes early next June.  I have three National Parks I haven't been to in the lower 48 states with Voyaguers and Isle Royale among them.  I think that I fleshed out the UP of Michigan and Lake Superior in general but I would like some input on Wisconsin, Illinois, in addition to possibly Indiana.  I used to live in Chicago for a couple years about twenty something years back and haven't been back aside from layovers...I'm figuring Navy Pier is in close proximity enough to the US 66 stuff to be worth while.  So with that all in mind, here is what I planned out so far:


Day 1
Start:  Howell, MI
End:  Suttons Bay, MI
Route:  US 23, I-75, US 10, M115, CR 677, CR 608 CR 679, M22, M201, M22, M72, and US 31
Distance:   316 Miles
Drive Time:   6 Hours
Site Time:   6 Hours
Site List:
-   Sleeping Bear Dunes
-    M22
-   Leelanau State Park
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Howell,+MI/Sleeping+Bear+Dunes,+Glen+Arbor+Township,+MI/Leelanau+State+Park,+North+Lighthouse+Point+Road,+Northport,+MI/Traverse+City,+MI/@43.8790653,-87.2408991,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x882338a0d5194e27:0xb9f7f1a0701ac614!2m2!1d-83.9293952!2d42.6072552!1m5!1m1!1s0x881e1cf0d6890045:0x2142425b063717da!2m2!1d-86.0584273!2d44.8833286!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d4b20796de924ad:0x77ea3465e288786a!2m2!1d-85.5454263!2d45.2079848!1m5!1m1!1s0x881e32b2d7da29dd:0x47bfdc3f3f745621!2m2!1d-85.6206317!2d44.7630567!3e0?hl=en


Day 2
Start:  Traverse City, MI
End:  St. Ignace, MI
Route:  US 31/M72, M72, US 131, Alba Highway, M32, and I-75
Distance:   124 miles
Drive Time:   2.5 hours
Site Time:   6 Hours
Site List:
-   Mackinac Bridge
-    Run M185 on Mackinac Island
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Traverse+City,+MI/St+Ignace,+MI/@45.3050761,-86.2225294,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x881e32b2d7da29dd:0x47bfdc3f3f745621!2m2!1d-85.6206317!2d44.7630567!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d35f61a4f9ef2d5:0x764d3e7b305b4020!2m2!1d-84.7322959!2d45.8755685!3e0?hl=e4


Day 3
Start:  St. Ignace, MI
End:  Copper Harbor, MI
Route:   I-75, M123, M28, US 41/M28, US 41
Distance:   348 Miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   5 Hours
Site List:
-   Tahquamenon Falls State Park
-   Keweenaw National Historic Park
-       A crap ton of mine and ghost town related stuff
-   US 41 North Terminus
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/St+Ignace,+MI/Tahquamenon+Falls+State+Park,+West+M+123,+Paradise,+MI/Copper+Harbor,+MI/@47.4080477,-88.1775932,11z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d35f61a4f9ef2d5:0x764d3e7b305b4020!2m2!1d-84.7322959!2d45.8755685!1m15!1m1!1s0x4d49ba83da5f2177:0x1305ac725c8585bd!2m2!1d-85.1933249!2d46.6015005!3m4!1m2!1d-85.4266028!2d46.5082819!3s0x4d49095ab21058bb:0xc1f61c4f6b50f15d!3m4!1m2!1d-86.8880926!2d46.4491323!3s0x4d4e67c6fbefb3e7:0xff3d970087046368!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3e0?hl=en


Day 4

Isle Royale National Park


Day 5
Start:  Copper Harbor, MI
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   M26, US 41/M26, M26, M38, M64, M28, US 2, WI 13, and US 2
Distance:   312 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   3 Hours
Site List:
-   Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
-       More mine and ghost town stuff
-   US 45 North Terminus in Ontonagon.
-   Apostle Islands National Seashore in Wisconsin
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Copper+Harbor,+MI/Ontonagon,+MI/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/@46.6677151,-92.1601308,10z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3m4!1m2!1d-88.2144766!2d47.449362!3s0x4d5a77929c0f42bf:0x859cbfc9c9245ad2!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d56dddbc89ac40f:0x92edcb3417d9d951!2m2!1d-89.3140302!2d46.8710525!3m4!1m2!1d-90.8041895!2d46.8603815!3s0x52a8fd2aebbe6993:0xe410ecc5a79c727e!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

Day 6
Start:  Duluth, MN
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   US 53, MN1, MN61
Distance:   368 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   4 Hours
Site List:
-   Voyaguers National Park
-   Minnesota Mining Town
-   Split Rock Lighthouse
-   Gooseberry Falls State Park
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/Voyageurs+National+Park,+Orr,+MN/Silver+Bay,+MN/Split+Rock+Lighthouse,+Two+Harbors,+MN/Gooseberry+Falls+State+Park,+Minnesota+61,+Two+Harbors,+MN/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN/@47.1089674,-93.1435267,8z/data=!4m43!4m42!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!1m10!1m1!1s0x52bb4becb0e72fe5:0xcf1e492616009dec!2m2!1d-92.8465541!2d48.4268554!3m4!1m2!1d-92.1080714!2d47.847867!3s0x52a50ecbfbd71ee1:0xa834b4c8d62404f3!1m5!1m1!1s0x52a8ad7b84aacb8d:0xbf43b29014d8efd!2m2!1d-91.257386!2d47.2943647!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af4958ddf5c5bd:0x76eb8a39bcab80bc!2m2!1d-91.3669878!2d47.1999773!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af480aea874371:0x9a4d15e7d27d1446!2m2!1d-91.4636921!2d47.1391604!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

Day 7
Start:  Duluth, MN
End:  Waukegan, IL
Route:   US 53, I-94, I-90/I-94, I-94, I-41, I-43, I-94, US 41, and IL 132
Distance:   449 Miles   
Drive Time:   7 Hours      
Site Time:   None   
Site List:   
-   Mill Bluff State Park; a bunch of sand stone bluffs.
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/Mill+Bluff+State+Park,+Funnel+Road,+Camp+Douglas,+WI/North+Green+Bay+Road,+Waukegan,+IL+60085/@44.5044382,-94.5197413,6z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!1m5!1m1!1s0x87fe6d44cd76538f:0x32ca7730c22204e2!2m2!1d-90.3188791!2d43.9563826!1m5!1m1!1s0x880f8d68b098b3ff:0x12de31d7222785f3!2m2!1d-87.8822184!2d42.3718465!3e0?hl=en

Day 8
Start:  Waukegan, IL
End:  Howell, MI
Route:   IL 120, I-94,  Old US 66 to Navy Pier, US 41/Lake Shore Drive, I-90, I-94, IN 49, I-94, I-69, and I-96
Distance:   315 Miles
Drive Time:   6 hours
Site Time:   6 hours
Site List:   
-   US 66 end points at Jackson Steet/Michigan Ave and Jackson Street/Lake Shore Drive.
-   Navy Pier
-   Indiana Dunes National Seashore
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/630+N+Green+Bay+Rd,+Waukegan,+IL+60085/Navy+Pier,+East+Grand+Avenue,+Chicago,+IL/Indiana+Dunes+National+Lakeshore,+IN/Howell,+Michigan/@41.7973269,-87.880962,10z/data=!4m36!4m35!1m5!1m1!1s0x880f929c7f3d0439:0xe89d1e73c913542!2m2!1d-87.8817452!2d42.3695767!1m15!1m1!1s0x880e2b4dbcea30b5:0x5d2c08792453c6a1!2m2!1d-87.6072911!2d41.8916201!3m4!1m2!1d-87.6174861!2d41.8814297!3s0x880e2b58ed3e40e3:0x7a576fbfc7283d41!3m4!1m2!1d-87.5833022!2d41.8050529!3s0x880e2979f840a201:0x5b81740116f167e3!1m5!1m1!1s0x8811bc9e930fac1b:0xe01006b0f1f5180e!2m2!1d-87.0524338!2d41.6532678!1m5!1m1!1s0x882338a0d5194e27:0xb9f7f1a0701ac614!2m2!1d-83.9293952!2d42.6072552!3e0?hl=en


Some of the stuff I'm looking for would include:

-  Alternate routes that aren't a total slog that dodge Interstates.  I might take US 12 back to the Detroit area but would like to find something through Wisconsin that might be worth while.
-  Old road alignments, in driving condition or otherwise.
-  Old rail alignments or grades
-  Historic districts or ghost towns.
-  Mining district.
-  Historic road end points aside from the ones I listed above.

Also I should add that I'm from Detroit originally.  I checked out the Packard Plant recently before it was sold so that's off the list and I have some other sites I plan on visiting.  Anything automotive related suggestion wise would be welcome as well.

[Brandon]

Alright, so I'm looking at a trip out to the Great Lakes early next June.  I have three National Parks I haven't been to in the lower 48 states with Voyaguers and Isle Royale among them.  I think that I fleshed out the UP of Michigan and Lake Superior in general but I would like some input on Wisconsin, Illinois, in addition to possibly Indiana.  I used to live in Chicago for a couple years about twenty something years back and haven't been back aside from layovers...I'm figuring Navy Pier is in close proximity enough to the US 66 stuff to be worth while.  So with that all in mind, here is what I planned out so far:


Day 3
Start:  St. Ignace, MI
End:  Copper Harbor, MI
Route:   I-75, M123, M28, US 41/M28, US 41
Distance:   348 Miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   5 Hours
Site List:
-   Tahquamenon Falls State Park
-   Keweenaw National Historic Park
-       A crap ton of mine and ghost town related stuff
-   US 41 North Terminus
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/St+Ignace,+MI/Tahquamenon+Falls+State+Park,+West+M+123,+Paradise,+MI/Copper+Harbor,+MI/@47.4080477,-88.1775932,11z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d35f61a4f9ef2d5:0x764d3e7b305b4020!2m2!1d-84.7322959!2d45.8755685!1m15!1m1!1s0x4d49ba83da5f2177:0x1305ac725c8585bd!2m2!1d-85.1933249!2d46.6015005!3m4!1m2!1d-85.4266028!2d46.5082819!3s0x4d49095ab21058bb:0xc1f61c4f6b50f15d!3m4!1m2!1d-86.8880926!2d46.4491323!3s0x4d4e67c6fbefb3e7:0xff3d970087046368!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3e0?hl=en

There's not a lot of lodging up in Copper Harbor itself.  I'd suggest booking early and being prepared to pay for it.

On the way up, I'd suggest:

Enjoy the tunnel of trees along US-41.  Get there during daylight so you can enjoy the drive as well as be on the lookout for deer.
Stop at the Quincy Mine.
Stop at the AE Seaman Mineral Museum.
Fort Wilkins is worth the stop as well.
If you have the time, also take the boat out to the Copper Harbor lighthouse.

Day 4

Isle Royale National Park

Been to the Windigo end of the island.  It's worth it, really worth it.

Day 5
Start:  Copper Harbor, MI
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   M26, US 41/M26, M26, M38, M64, M28, US 2, WI 13, and US 2
Distance:   312 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   3 Hours
Site List:
-   Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
-       More mine and ghost town stuff
-   US 45 North Terminus in Ontonagon.
-   Apostle Islands National Seashore in Wisconsin
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Copper+Harbor,+MI/Ontonagon,+MI/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/@46.6677151,-92.1601308,10z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3m4!1m2!1d-88.2144766!2d47.449362!3s0x4d5a77929c0f42bf:0x859cbfc9c9245ad2!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d56dddbc89ac40f:0x92edcb3417d9d951!2m2!1d-89.3140302!2d46.8710525!3m4!1m2!1d-90.8041895!2d46.8603815!3s0x52a8fd2aebbe6993:0xe410ecc5a79c727e!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

On the way back through, stop in Houghton for a Finnish breakfast or lunch at the Suomi Bakery (54 Huron Street).  I find it better than The Library.
Of course, take time to view the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
I also recommend going up the eastern end of Mount Brockway to the top, and then going back down the eastern side to drive along M-26 along Lake Superior.
You can also clinch M-203, but taking M-26 through Lake Linden and Hubbell is more fun, IMHO.

Day 6
Start:  Duluth, MN
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   US 53, MN1, MN61
Distance:   368 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   4 Hours
Site List:
-   Voyaguers National Park
-   Minnesota Mining Town
-   Split Rock Lighthouse
-   Gooseberry Falls State Park
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/Voyageurs+National+Park,+Orr,+MN/Silver+Bay,+MN/Split+Rock+Lighthouse,+Two+Harbors,+MN/Gooseberry+Falls+State+Park,+Minnesota+61,+Two+Harbors,+MN/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN/@47.1089674,-93.1435267,8z/data=!4m43!4m42!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!1m10!1m1!1s0x52bb4becb0e72fe5:0xcf1e492616009dec!2m2!1d-92.8465541!2d48.4268554!3m4!1m2!1d-92.1080714!2d47.847867!3s0x52a50ecbfbd71ee1:0xa834b4c8d62404f3!1m5!1m1!1s0x52a8ad7b84aacb8d:0xbf43b29014d8efd!2m2!1d-91.257386!2d47.2943647!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af4958ddf5c5bd:0x76eb8a39bcab80bc!2m2!1d-91.3669878!2d47.1999773!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af480aea874371:0x9a4d15e7d27d1446!2m2!1d-91.4636921!2d47.1391604!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

Gooseberry Falls is a great stop.  We did this last summer for the Duluth Road Meet.
You can also access Isle Royale from Grand Portage, MN, up near the border.
There's also an old border crossing near there we got to for the Duluth Meet (Thanks, Patrick!).

[GaryV]

As an alternative to M72 on Day 2, you could continue on US-31 north of Torch Lake.  Then take C48 across - the section from 31 to 131 is called the "Breezeway".  At the east end of C48 you get to Old 27; take that north and join I-75 at Wolverine.

Incidentally, the dirt/sand road that goes straight up the hill north from C48 is an old-old incarnation of US-27.

[Max Rockatansky]

As an alternative to M72 on Day 2, you could continue on US-31 north of Torch Lake.  Then take C48 across - the section from 31 to 131 is called the "Breezeway".  At the east end of C48 you get to Old 27; take that north and join I-75 at Wolverine.

Incidentally, the dirt/sand road that goes straight up the hill north from C48 is an old-old incarnation of US-27.

That Dunham Road you're talking about?  Seems like a worth while side detour on a short day to me.

Alright, so I'm looking at a trip out to the Great Lakes early next June.  I have three National Parks I haven't been to in the lower 48 states with Voyaguers and Isle Royale among them.  I think that I fleshed out the UP of Michigan and Lake Superior in general but I would like some input on Wisconsin, Illinois, in addition to possibly Indiana.  I used to live in Chicago for a couple years about twenty something years back and haven't been back aside from layovers...I'm figuring Navy Pier is in close proximity enough to the US 66 stuff to be worth while.  So with that all in mind, here is what I planned out so far:


Day 3
Start:  St. Ignace, MI
End:  Copper Harbor, MI
Route:   I-75, M123, M28, US 41/M28, US 41
Distance:   348 Miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   5 Hours
Site List:
-   Tahquamenon Falls State Park
-   Keweenaw National Historic Park
-       A crap ton of mine and ghost town related stuff
-   US 41 North Terminus
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/St+Ignace,+MI/Tahquamenon+Falls+State+Park,+West+M+123,+Paradise,+MI/Copper+Harbor,+MI/@47.4080477,-88.1775932,11z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d35f61a4f9ef2d5:0x764d3e7b305b4020!2m2!1d-84.7322959!2d45.8755685!1m15!1m1!1s0x4d49ba83da5f2177:0x1305ac725c8585bd!2m2!1d-85.1933249!2d46.6015005!3m4!1m2!1d-85.4266028!2d46.5082819!3s0x4d49095ab21058bb:0xc1f61c4f6b50f15d!3m4!1m2!1d-86.8880926!2d46.4491323!3s0x4d4e67c6fbefb3e7:0xff3d970087046368!1m5!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3e0?hl=en

There's not a lot of lodging up in Copper Harbor itself.  I'd suggest booking early and being prepared to pay for it.

On the way up, I'd suggest:

Enjoy the tunnel of trees along US-41.  Get there during daylight so you can enjoy the drive as well as be on the lookout for deer.
Stop at the Quincy Mine.
Stop at the AE Seaman Mineral Museum.
Fort Wilkins is worth the stop as well.
If you have the time, also take the boat out to the Copper Harbor lighthouse.

Day 4

Isle Royale National Park

Been to the Windigo end of the island.  It's worth it, really worth it.

Day 5
Start:  Copper Harbor, MI
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   M26, US 41/M26, M26, M38, M64, M28, US 2, WI 13, and US 2
Distance:   312 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   3 Hours
Site List:
-   Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
-       More mine and ghost town stuff
-   US 45 North Terminus in Ontonagon.
-   Apostle Islands National Seashore in Wisconsin
Map Link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Copper+Harbor,+MI/Ontonagon,+MI/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/@46.6677151,-92.1601308,10z/data=!4m30!4m29!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d5a83ab442ba0eb:0xca056ee77d4c790c!2m2!1d-87.8903203!2d47.4683113!3m4!1m2!1d-88.2144766!2d47.449362!3s0x4d5a77929c0f42bf:0x859cbfc9c9245ad2!1m10!1m1!1s0x4d56dddbc89ac40f:0x92edcb3417d9d951!2m2!1d-89.3140302!2d46.8710525!3m4!1m2!1d-90.8041895!2d46.8603815!3s0x52a8fd2aebbe6993:0xe410ecc5a79c727e!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

On the way back through, stop in Houghton for a Finnish breakfast or lunch at the Suomi Bakery (54 Huron Street).  I find it better than The Library.
Of course, take time to view the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
I also recommend going up the eastern end of Mount Brockway to the top, and then going back down the eastern side to drive along M-26 along Lake Superior.
You can also clinch M-203, but taking M-26 through Lake Linden and Hubbell is more fun, IMHO.

Day 6
Start:  Duluth, MN
End:  Duluth, MN
Route:   US 53, MN1, MN61
Distance:   368 miles
Drive Time:   7 Hours
Site Time:   4 Hours
Site List:
-   Voyaguers National Park
-   Minnesota Mining Town
-   Split Rock Lighthouse
-   Gooseberry Falls State Park
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN+55811/Voyageurs+National+Park,+Orr,+MN/Silver+Bay,+MN/Split+Rock+Lighthouse,+Two+Harbors,+MN/Gooseberry+Falls+State+Park,+Minnesota+61,+Two+Harbors,+MN/4197+Haines+Road,+Duluth,+MN/@47.1089674,-93.1435267,8z/data=!4m43!4m42!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!1m10!1m1!1s0x52bb4becb0e72fe5:0xcf1e492616009dec!2m2!1d-92.8465541!2d48.4268554!3m4!1m2!1d-92.1080714!2d47.847867!3s0x52a50ecbfbd71ee1:0xa834b4c8d62404f3!1m5!1m1!1s0x52a8ad7b84aacb8d:0xbf43b29014d8efd!2m2!1d-91.257386!2d47.2943647!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af4958ddf5c5bd:0x76eb8a39bcab80bc!2m2!1d-91.3669878!2d47.1999773!1m5!1m1!1s0x52af480aea874371:0x9a4d15e7d27d1446!2m2!1d-91.4636921!2d47.1391604!1m5!1m1!1s0x52afb339e4170197:0xb1c2410974badb06!2m2!1d-92.1765581!2d46.8146506!3e0?hl=en

Gooseberry Falls is a great stop.  We did this last summer for the Duluth Road Meet.
You can also access Isle Royale from Grand Portage, MN, up near the border.
There's also an old border crossing near there we got to for the Duluth Meet (Thanks, Patrick!).

Day 3/Day 4

-  I have something picked out in Copper Harbor that I'm planning to book about 3-4 months out.  I definitely want use the boat from Copper Harbor to get to Isle Royale.
-  I'm mapping out as much mine stuff as I can, some logging stuff too.  There is a surprisingly large number of ghost towns on or near M28 and M123.

Day 5

-  Yeah I definitely want to stay on the lake as much as possible as this day.  I figured that WI 13 was a much better bet than taking US 2 to Duluth.  Really 300 something miles isn't much by my standards, usually I knock out 400-550 on these trips no problem even with sight seeing.

Day 6

-  I'm debating going all the way to Grand Portage to clinch the National Monument...but that would be probably something I decide on at the time.  I haven't been up to that part of Superior in ages when I had cousins in Duluth, I definitely want to knock out as much as possible.