UP advice

[ShawnP]

Last two years the AA folks have given me great routes in WV and PA for fall trips. So any folks have any road suggestions for the UP and Fall Foliage. I am estimating the last week of September for peak and going thru Michigan on the way up from Indiana and Wisconsin on the way back (gonna hit Green Bay and Madison also). Does anyone know if the old AFB base in open? Thanks in advance folks.........

[texaskdog]

US 45 Lake of the Clouds, Keweenaw Peninsula US 41/M 26, Pictured Rocks near Munising.  Cut down to Manistique to avoid Seney/Shingleton and take US 2 down to St Ignace

[bulldog1979]

The former K.I. Sawyer AFB is accessible; the county airport was moved back there in 1999. (Side note, Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer has been credited for the first rural highway centerline in the US; he was the county road commissioner that started the first county airport on the site of the base.) M-94 runs across the base area and connects M-553 with US 41. You can still see the former gatehouse on the west side. The other road to access the property is Kelly Johnson Memorial Drive (named for the Lockheed engineer that helped develop the SR-71 Blackbird) that is the airport access road from M-553 on the north side of the runway.

if you're looking for fall colors on the way up, I wouldn't take texas' route up from the Bridge though. I would take either I-75 up to M-123 to M-28 or US 2 only as far as M-117. With that first route, you can either go up and around through the Tahquamenon Falls area or take M-28 between Strongs Corners and Newberry. The second route would take you across the Cut River Bridge and the Cut River Gorge on US 2. (You're better off to stop at the road side parks and explore the gorge a bit though; there's not much to see from the road in your vehicle.)

Other good places to go are up US 41 into the Copper Country. Stop at the Canyon Falls rest area, which is on US 41 north of the US 141 and M-28 junction in Covington. I recommend driving up Quincy Hill in Hancock and stopping at the rest area at the top for a great view of Portage Lake, Portage Canal and the lift bridge. When you get up into Keweenaw County, take either M-26 or US 41 from the split near Phoenix. While in Copper Harbor, make the side trip to Brockway Mountain Drive; if it's a clear enough day, you can see Isle Royale from the summit.

I also recommend taking H-58 through the Pictured Rocks NL (it's fully paved now) and the former M-107 out to Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. I don't recommend staying on US 2 on the eastern end too much because the road hugs the lake, and while there are trees, there aren't as many as along M-28. The Seney Stretch, while boring, is part of the culture up here and something that should be experienced once. (It crosses the northern end of the Great Manistique Swamp, but it's not entirely devoid of trees.)

As for timing, watch forecasts. The Keweenaw Peninsula can peak for fall color in mid-September. If you wait too late in the month, you'll miss it.

[Brandon]

Last two years the AA folks have given me great routes in WV and PA for fall trips. So any folks have any road suggestions for the UP and Fall Foliage. I am estimating the last week of September for peak and going thru Michigan on the way up from Indiana and Wisconsin on the way back (gonna hit Green Bay and Madison also). Does anyone know if the old AFB base in open? Thanks in advance folks.........

Air Force Base?  If you mean K. I. Sawyer, then it is K. I. Sawyer International Airport.  The usual airport restriction apply.
Bulldog's got some great suggestions.  Personally, I would suggest going up the east side of Brockway Mountain Drive, and then going back down the same from the summit to drive M-26, Lakeshore Drive.  Use US-41 up to Copper Harbor for the tunnel of trees.

Roadwise, check out the "Yooper Loop" in Houghton, and keep in mid that there are no permanent traffic signals in Keweenaw County.  The last one is in Calumet-Laurium.  If you have time, check out the Gay Bar (Gay, MI). 

[hobsini2]

There is always the Lake Michigan Circle route you could take.

[mgk920]

In Wisconsin, US 41 and 141 north of Green Bay are pretty blah from a scenery standpoint, use lesser roads farther west (ie, WI 55) for your southbound drive and then cross east to Green Bay on WI 29.  Door County is very scenic and offers great fall color.  Do the WI 42/WI 57 loop north of Sturgeon Bay.  The WI 42 side is the 'hoity-toity' vacationland for Chicagolanders, the WI 57 side is moreso the 'classic' old Door County.  (Note, the 'family/blue-collar' vacationland for Chcagolanders is the Wisconsin Dells area.)  Keep in mind the NFL schedule and avoid the Green Bay area on the days of Packers' home games.  Lambeau Field is located a few blocks east of US 41 on Lombardi Ave.

WATCH OUT FOR DEER!  They are EVERYWHERE and Da YuPee and northern Wisconsin are famous for them!

*TRAFFIC ALERT* - US 41 and WI 29 in the Green Bay area are heavily under construction - WisDOT is upgrading the US 41 freeway from four to six and more lanes with major interchange upgrades at WI 29 and 2012 is the first of the really 'big shovel' years for this work.  It is construction geek heaven and lane reductions and traffic delays are to be expected!

Also, WI 26 and US 151 between the Fox Valley and Madison is one of my least favorite drives in the state, it is very boring.  The highways pass though typical eastern Wisconsin farm scenery, but it gets boring rather quickly.  Although longer, if you have the time, US 10 west from Appleton and then I-39 south from US 10 at Stevens Point to Madison is an infinitely better and more scenic drive, even though it is four or more lanes the whole way.  US 10 west from Appleton is one of my favorite drives in the state, along with I-39 north of Madison.

Enjoy!



Mike

[ShawnP]

Stoping in Green Bay to see this unknown team called the Packers.

[JREwing78]

The guys here hit a ton of high points; I'll share some less advertised spots:

- US 45 south of the junction at M-26 near Ontonagon, MI starts out as pretty blah, but then descends into a canyon and has some spectacular views. It's a pretty quick drive - maybe 6-7 miles from the junction until you've climbed back out of the canyon - certainly worth the side trip.

- The Gay-Lac La Belle Rd along the Keweenaw's eastern shore is another lesser-known gem. Bonus points if you take the side trip to Bete Gris.

- Head west on S Boundary Rd from the eastern end of the Porcupine Mountains State Park. There's a spectacular view from a observation tower about halfway across. At the western end, there's a gorgeous set of waterfalls through a canyon to the Lake Superior shoreline.

- County Road 505 (Lake Rd) north of Ironwood leads you to Little Girls Point, Legion County Park, and Superior Falls on the Wisconsin border. It is not a heavily visited area, and the scenery is beautiful.

- If you have the time, visiting the Apostle Islands in WI has been on my bucket list for quite a while now. Maybe it'll happen this year? The Panorimo pictures on Google Maps (grab the man for a street-view, and the pictures will show as dots) are stunning.

[hobsini2]

Stoping in Green Bay to see this unknown team called the Packers.

Seriously though, if you got time and are a big sports fan, take the tour of Lambeau Field and the Packer Hall of Fame. The combo is $19 for adults. Discounts for seniors, military with ID, student with ID, and kids.  We did it during the off season (April or so). It was about an hour long tour of Lambeau itself and we went everywhere but the Packers Clubhouse. Also, we went to Brett Favre's steakhouse (couple blocks east of Lambeau, 1004 Favre Pass) and the Prime Rib was so worth it but get the early bird special because it is a pricey steak otherwise.

Another favorite restaurant of the family is "Fin N Feather" in Winneconne (10 miles NW of Oshkosh) on Hwy 116 at the Wolf River Bridge. Good fish and ribs and very reasonable.

A little side note about Winneconne from wikipedia: In 1967, as a result of the town name being inadvertently left off the official Wisconsin road map, a secret committee formulated a plan to secede from Wisconsin, set up toll gates on local roads, begin annexation of nearby communities (starting with the city of Oshkosh) to form a Sovereign State of Winneconne, and declare war on the United States. As an alternative plan, annexation by another state, preferably one with better weather, was sought. The deadline for secession was July 21, 1967. A proclamation was issued, naming village president "James Coughlin to be president of the new state of Winneconne; Vera Kitchen to be prime minister and custodian of Vera's Kitchen Cabinet". Wisconsin Governor Warren P. Knowles entered into negotiations with the former village officials; as a result, Winneconne rejoined the State of Wisconsin at 12:01 AM on July 22, 1967. An annual Sovereign State Days celebration commemorates the event.

Other favorite restaurants in central Wiscosnin for us are:
Norton's in Green Lake (Seafood) on Bus Wis 23
George's Gaslight Inn in Oshkosh at 1903 N Harrison St
Fratello's (Fox River Brewery) in Oshkosh on Wis 21 at the Fox River Bridge. (They have a "sampler" which inc all their homemade beers.)
Robin's in Oshkosh on Wis 21 just east of US 41.
Nappy's Bar and Grill in Neshkoro on Wis 73 (used to have the best Friday night Walleye Fish Fry but not as good last time)

[texaskdog]

- County Road 505 (Lake Rd) north of Ironwood leads you to Little Girls Point

Don't even want to know why this is an attraction

[triplemultiplex]

I've spent more time in the western UP than the area you'll be traveling, but I would echo other advice to make your east-west transit of the UP closer to Lake Superior as there is a lot more cool things to see up there.  The Lake Michigan coast is mostly sandy and flat, while Lake Superior is craggy and sometimes mountainous with more places for long vistas.  Taquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point...  Pictured Rocks has a few places where one can take a short hike to 19th century shipwrecks on the shore if you're looking to stretch the legs a little.  Another vote for H-58 between Grand Marais and Munising.

There is a cool spot on the US 2 corridor just west of Manistique; Palm Book State Park.  It's on the end of M-149 and features this really deep spring pond with a little raft you can shuttle out over the crystal-clear water in.  You can see like 40 feet straight down where these big ol' rainbow trout hang out.  (sorry, no fishing)

Don't forget to stop somewhere and try a Pastie!

If you take Mike's WI 26 to US 151 route to Madison, watch your speed in Rosendale, Wisconsin's most notorious revenue-generating operation.  If it wasn't for all the cool new freeway reconstruction around Oshkosh, which is a nice attraction for road-folk, I'd recommend going around the east side of Lake Winnebago and check out some views atop the Niagara Escarpment.  Such a big lake, yet so shallow.

[bulldog1979]

- County Road 505 (Lake Rd) north of Ironwood leads you to Little Girls Point

Don't even want to know why this is an attraction

Little Girl's Point is the westernmost point in the state where the Montreal River empties into Lake Superior. While we normally think of Ironwood as the far western part of the UP, it's a few miles upstream from the mouth of the river yet.

[ShawnP]

Going to Green Bay obviously for Lambeau and then onto the shipyard building Navy LCS's. Then from there to Madison (does this Communist place require a passport?).

[NE2]

Then from there to Madison (does this Communist place require a passport?).

Only if you're a capitalist pig.

[SEWIGuy]

Also, WI 26 and US 151 between the Fox Valley and Madison is one of my least favorite drives in the state, it is very boring.  The highways pass though typical eastern Wisconsin farm scenery, but it gets boring rather quickly.  Although longer, if you have the time, US 10 west from Appleton and then I-39 south from US 10 at Stevens Point to Madison is an infinitely better and more scenic drive, even though it is four or more lanes the whole way.  US 10 west from Appleton is one of my favorite drives in the state, along with I-39 north of Madison.

Or, if you decide to make the Door County Loop, take WI-42 to Manitowoc, east on US-151 and then south on WI-67 through the Kettle Morraine.  At Mayville, I would take WI-28 which skirts the Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge to Horicon.  Then WI-33 west to Beaver Dam and US-151 back down to Madison.

[texaskdog]

M-35 thru the Huron Mountains.  Oh wait, never mind

[mgk920]

Going to Green Bay obviously for Lambeau and then onto the shipyard building Navy LCS's. Then from there to Madison (does this Communist place require a passport?).

The Navy's LCSes are being built at Marinette Marine, located just east of the US 41 interstate bridge in Marinette.  The shipyard is easily visible from the bridge.

Well, the campaign season will be well underway by the time that you will be here and Wisconsin is a 'Ground Zero™' state this year, not just for the presidential election, but we also will have a hotly-contested open USSenate seat (incumbant Herb Kohl, a Democrat, is retiring), such that the 'entertainment' will be going on in all of its full splendor and glory, 24/7.



Also keep in mind the Badgers' football season when making plans, Camp Randall Stadium is on the west edge of the UWCampus (city's near west side), and parking will be non-existent anywhere in the central part of the city on gamedays.  The Wisconsin State Capitol is a true gem and, assuming that it isn't overrun with protesters while you are there, is a MUST SEE in Madison.

Mike

[rawmustard]

The Wisconsin State Capitol is a true gem and, assuming that it isn't overrun with protesters while you are there, is a MUST SEE in Madison.

If it's not overrun with protestors, it could be overrun by the Dane County Farmers Market. At least that was the case on the Saturday morning I was there. (Yes, it picked up once 7am rolled around). If you are in town during breakfast time, Marigold (118 S Pinckney) was my place of choice.

Also, if you're any sort of mustard fan, a visit to the Mustard Museum in downtown Middleton (just west of Madison) is a must! As for UP sights, I think the posts above have it mostly covered, but if you have time, a visit to Sault Ste. Marie (especially the Soo Locks) is something to see at least once.

[hobsini2]

Going to Green Bay obviously for Lambeau and then onto the shipyard building Navy LCS's. Then from there to Madison (does this Communist place require a passport?).

The Navy's LCSes are being built at Marinette Marine, located just east of the US 41 interstate bridge in Marinette.  The shipyard is easily visible from the bridge.

Well, the campaign season will be well underway by the time that you will be here and Wisconsin is a 'Ground Zero™' state this year, not just for the presidential election, but we also will have a hotly-contested open USSenate seat (incumbant Herb Kohl, a Democrat, is retiring), such that the 'entertainment' will be going on in all of its full splendor and glory, 24/7.



Also keep in mind the Badgers' football season when making plans, Camp Randall Stadium is on the west edge of the UWCampus (city's near west side), and parking will be non-existent anywhere in the central part of the city on gamedays.  The Wisconsin State Capitol is a true gem and, assuming that it isn't overrun with protesters while you are there, is a MUST SEE in Madison.

Mike

If i am going to Madison during a Badgers game, i can always find parking in the parking garage on Broome St south of State St and next to the Great Dane by the Capital.