Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 03/26
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports –
The forecast includes a chance for light rain in the Keweenaw and warmer temps again for a few days. Trails are still holding up well for late season riding, however getting in and out of any towns become increasingly more difficult as the roads are bare. It is very difficult to pass through Houghton/Hancock.
Jay Piotrowski and family spent the day riding trails in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and this is the report he gave of the trails they were on……
“Riding was great today only bad spot was 134 spur to High Rock. Looks like groomer may have gotten stuck up at high rock last time they groomed. Other than that 134 was flat and fast. 3 from Vansville to Copper was great ….there was still enough snow and water in Copper Harbor for my scratchers to throw and keep me cool getting into town. 124 was great. Around 7pm trails were getting pretty loose. Saw a groomer crossing 41 southbound in Ahmeek. Fingers crossed rain doesn’t hit hard and temps stay down.”
Thanks Jay for taking the time to update us with a trail report. If anyone else is out riding the area please feel free to share a report on conditions and/or photos!
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Conditions as of March 25, 2019:
Most snowmobile trails from Twin Lakes to Copper Harbor are in spring condition. The edges on the trails are soft, please use caution. Trail 122 has several flooded areas and will be closed for the rest of the season. The west and east Lac La Belle Loops (132) will not be groomed, due to some icy stretches on hills that have made it unsafe to operate a groomer on. Those trails are still open to snowmobile traffic. As the season works towards a close, the grooming operations will be adjusted on a daily basis to accommodate the safety of our groomer operators, so riders should expect varying conditions on the trails.
Trail 120 and 121 that goes around Freda is closed for the season and will not be reopened, as well as Trail 3 from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden. You can still get to Dollar Bay by way of Hancock and to Lake Linden by way of Calumet. Trail 133 is closed for the season for logging.
Please stay on the trails, STAY OFF THE ICE, respect private property, do not drink and drive, and above all else, drive safely. The signs on the trails are there for rider’s safety so please DO NOT remove or destroy them.
Snowfall & Weather:
Snowfall in the Keweenaw Peninsula: No new snow with 35 inches of snow on the ground, 262 inches have fallen to date as of 3/26/2019.
Today’s forecast: Cloudy, high 41, low 32
Wednesday’s forecast: Cloudy, high 48, low 35
Thursday’s forecast: Cloudy, high 39 low 26
Friday’s forecast: Cloudy, high 37, low 23
Saturday’s forecast: Cloudy, high 27, low 20
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
"I quit trapping when I trapped my husband..."
Jingo Viitala Vachon filmed on location in Toivola, Michigan. She was a fantastic story-teller and author/illustrator. A wonderful Finnish woman with a great sense of humor....as you'll see here in this excerpt from the 1983 documentary "Tradition Bearers" by Michael Luokinen.
youtu.be/w1eSj4rp0AU
Jingo's cousin was none other than "Finnish-American Princess," Viola Turpeinen. Viola had a very successful recording career, becoming a pioneer "crossover" artist; seamlessly blending traditional Finnish folk music with the popular contemporary sounds of the day. She recorded over 50 records for Victor and Columbia record labels. She performed across the country including local venues, the Calumet Theatre and the Whirl-I-Gig in L'Anse.
These two remarkable Finnish-American women broke down barriers, and achieved so much in their lives with that stoic determination...sisu.
Sources:
Library of Congress
bit.ly/2GfFhEc
Archives
#finnish #heritage #coppercountry
Established in 1844, Fort Wilkins State Park is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula. In 1993, following archaeological digging and research this inscription was uncovered on the original jailhouse door. It reads: "Frank D. Pratt The Jailbird". So, who was this jailbird and what crime did he commit?
Private Pratt (E Co. 43rd Infantry)was locked in the holding cell for 45 days in 1868 due to "drunkenness while on guard duty". A serious offense. Other offenses that got select individuals a few overnight stays include theft and "general worthlessness". (thank you for the reminder, Mark H.)
When you visit Fort Wilkins, named after the Secretary of War at the time, William Wilkins, try and look for this carving.
The hospital building is setup just like it was in the 1840s when there was a mystery illness (the New York Journal of Medicine published an article by the fort Dr. calling it an "epidemic"). The symptoms included horrific stomach pains that could not be relieved with the medicine available at the time. The Dr. tried everything from opium to blood-letting. A last-resort measure he tried with the most severely afflicted was soaking a rag in alcohol, laying it across the patient's stomach and lighting it on fire. This ended up blistering and providing some relief. Unfortunately, this young soldier died. Around 13 people came down with this unknown illness. Was it due to bad food? Contaminated water? If you come to the fort during the reenactments (days/hours on website) you may just run into the fort Dr. Don't be afraid to ask questions---they will stay in character and are highly knowledgeable!
There are many other buildings to explore and interactive exhibits. There is a gift shop (that serves ice cream), picnic areas, walking trails, and camping sites. Check their website for fun reenactments/event dates/times.
www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/fort-wilkins-state-historic-park/
#keweenaw #puremichigan #history
Joslyne Viquez
Visited a couple summers ago and put our teenagers in prison there 😁
Good thing general worthlessness isn’t a thing nowadays,the jails would be packed!! 🙈
Just there today - awesome park!
Theodore Barss
Frank Dewey Pratt discharged due to disability May 10, 1869 from Ft. Wilkins - born in Connecticut Sept. 1,1847 and died January 2, 1911 in Massachusetts - buried Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford County, CT. Married Anna Maria Lawrence, August 30, 1879 - later divorced. Spent time in the Veterans Home in Dayton, Ohio due to disability.
Enjoyed going to Ft. Wilkins. Jail was pretty bleak!
Jacklyn next time we are there. We have to look for this.
David...another possibility
We have seen this and have to say the cell is a pretty bleak place. Another soldier spent some time in there for "general worthlessness" according to other information you can find at the fort.
May you find moments that make you smile on this beautiful Wednesday.
Today's Forecast? High 70s. Sunshine. A few visiting clouds.
#keweenaw #puremichigan #goodmorning #summer
(Part II) Visit the Birthplace of Professional Hockey and The History of Hockey Exhibit, located in The Kenner Ruohonen Memorial History Room at the Dee Stadium in Houghton, Michigan. The museum is open during the summer Mon-Fri from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Check out photographs, vintage hockey skates/& equipment, an Olympic medal, and more.
History of the Hockey Helmet
Do you know how many years a helmet is good for before it "expires"? When did helmets become mandatory? Houghton's David Sproule talks history of the hockey helmet.
youtu.be/TadRNna7I9E
Museum info: www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/history-of-hockey-museum/
Photo Source: David Sproule/early helmet tests
#birthplaceofprofessionalhockey #hockeyville #krafthockeyville2019
Abbie Tollefson we should go
Suzanne Taylor Corey Taylor maybe worth a visit while you’re up here? 🤷♀️
Ken was related to me
Tough being a member of the sales staff !!
Very cool!!
Copper Country Ghost Towns
Welcome to Mandan
Where is Mandan? Mandan is a ghost town located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, between Delaware and Copper Harbor. The name "Mandan" is said to be the name of a tribe of Indians that resided in the area when settlers first arrived in the 1850s. When copper was found in the 1860s the Mandan Mining Company was created.
At its peak the town had 300 citizens. There was a school, a store, a train depot, and numerous boarding houses. As many as 25 men would occupy a single boarding house. Food and lodging (no laundry) was usually provided for $20/month. Bathing would be done during the winter months with a bucket of water, a bench to sit on, and a community towel. During the summer months bathing would be done outside using a barrel. There was not really much variety in meals due to lack of shipments in the winter. Food would come by ship in November and have to last until May. Fish, potatoes, cabbage, and salted pork were staples. For sweets they liked their brown sugar. The sugar would come inside a hog's head cask. Once the sugar was emptied from the cask, the cask would be tossed outside where neighborhood kids would excitedly lick out the remnants. 😝
There was one incident recorded of men growing a little stir crazy in the middle of winter and were fed up eating ham bone broth. They snuck some blasting powder out of the mine and when the Mrs. of the boardinghouse wasn't looking, they stuffed it inside the ham bone. There's no record of anyone being killed or seriously injured but there was a blast...and they also likely didn't have ham bone broth for dinner that evening.
The majority of the population left Mandan before 1920. Mining efforts were just not successful. Today, a handful of buildings still stand and some crumbling foundations. It still is a quiet little place to visit and imagine the bustling town that was once there.
www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/mandan-the-ghost-town/
Sources:
@Connie Martin
MTU Archives
All About Mandan, Michigan by Clarence Monette
#ghosttowns #keweenaw #puremichigan
keweenaw.info
A sign on US-41, approximately 4 miles north of Delaware, marks the trail road that leads to the once thriving community of Mandan. In 1910 there was a population of 300 with a Keweenaw Central Ra ...
My Grandmother on my Mom's side was born in Mandan in 1908
Our family had a cottage on Lake Medora just past Mandan. Went to Mandan lots of times as a kid.
Brendon Hortemiller
Easy to pass w/out seeing the 'Mandan' sign. I've cycled by it numerous times along that gorgeous section of 41!
They should have this on discovery channel show mysteries of the abandoned ...
I know this house. It immediately captured my attention—who lived there, worked where, what great stories can they tell me!
Vanessa McCaffrey this was one of the spots we didn't make it to on our Keweenaw adventure. Maybe a future visit...
Seth Dodge
Hmm. How cool! Now that I bought a house in Mohawk I will have another new place to explore during the fall!
Greg Anderson
Rich, Amy, Ed, Greg, Linda we should put this on the list of sights.
Very interesting!
Deborah Masters
I think I may have recorded this house for an architectural history class while getting my masters degree at Tech. That was 20 years ago though so the memory is sketchy.
Nick Reardon
I love that woodsy OLD town😍
Jack Morrow
Mike
I’ve driven past the little Mandan Loop sign a couple of times wishing I had more time to drive in there and explore. Maybe next time. I have read about the little ‘ghost town’ before. There was a show on last night called Mysteries of the Abandoned and the episode focused on Ghost Towns of the world. I bet none of the U.P. ones made it.
My grandfather and grandmother were married in Mandan in the early 1900’s
Roseann Olson
Think my grandfather worked here once upon a long time ago!
I need to visit this piece of history.
Jesse E. Garrow, interesting. I can’t believe there was that many that lived there.
Any ghost hunters in this vicinity??
Load more
"I quit trapping when I trapped my husband..."
Jingo Viitala Vachon filmed on location in Toivola, Michigan. She was a fantastic story-teller and author/illustrator. A wonderful Finnish woman with a great sense of humor....as you'll see here in this excerpt from the 1983 documentary "Tradition Bearers" by Michael Luokinen.
youtu.be/w1eSj4rp0AU
Jingo's cousin was none other than "Finnish-American Princess," Viola Turpeinen. Viola had a very successful recording career, becoming a pioneer "crossover" artist; seamlessly blending traditional Finnish folk music with the popular contemporary sounds of the day. She recorded over 50 records for Victor and Columbia record labels. She performed across the country including local venues, the Calumet Theatre and the Whirl-I-Gig in L'Anse.
These two remarkable Finnish-American women broke down barriers, and achieved so much in their lives with that stoic determination...sisu.
Sources:
Library of Congress
bit.ly/2GfFhEc
Archives
#finnish #heritage #coppercountry
Established in 1844, Fort Wilkins State Park is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula. In 1993, following archaeological digging and research this inscription was uncovered on the original jailhouse door. It reads: "Frank D. Pratt The Jailbird". So, who was this jailbird and what crime did he commit?
Private Pratt (E Co. 43rd Infantry)was locked in the holding cell for 45 days in 1868 due to "drunkenness while on guard duty". A serious offense. Other offenses that got select individuals a few overnight stays include theft and "general worthlessness". (thank you for the reminder, Mark H.)
When you visit Fort Wilkins, named after the Secretary of War at the time, William Wilkins, try and look for this carving.
The hospital building is setup just like it was in the 1840s when there was a mystery illness (the New York Journal of Medicine published an article by the fort Dr. calling it an "epidemic"). The symptoms included horrific stomach pains that could not be relieved with the medicine available at the time. The Dr. tried everything from opium to blood-letting. A last-resort measure he tried with the most severely afflicted was soaking a rag in alcohol, laying it across the patient's stomach and lighting it on fire. This ended up blistering and providing some relief. Unfortunately, this young soldier died. Around 13 people came down with this unknown illness. Was it due to bad food? Contaminated water? If you come to the fort during the reenactments (days/hours on website) you may just run into the fort Dr. Don't be afraid to ask questions---they will stay in character and are highly knowledgeable!
There are many other buildings to explore and interactive exhibits. There is a gift shop (that serves ice cream), picnic areas, walking trails, and camping sites. Check their website for fun reenactments/event dates/times.
www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/fort-wilkins-state-historic-park/
#keweenaw #puremichigan #history
Joslyne Viquez
Visited a couple summers ago and put our teenagers in prison there 😁
Good thing general worthlessness isn’t a thing nowadays,the jails would be packed!! 🙈
Just there today - awesome park!
Theodore Barss
Frank Dewey Pratt discharged due to disability May 10, 1869 from Ft. Wilkins - born in Connecticut Sept. 1,1847 and died January 2, 1911 in Massachusetts - buried Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford County, CT. Married Anna Maria Lawrence, August 30, 1879 - later divorced. Spent time in the Veterans Home in Dayton, Ohio due to disability.
Enjoyed going to Ft. Wilkins. Jail was pretty bleak!
Jacklyn next time we are there. We have to look for this.
David...another possibility
We have seen this and have to say the cell is a pretty bleak place. Another soldier spent some time in there for "general worthlessness" according to other information you can find at the fort.
May you find moments that make you smile on this beautiful Wednesday.
Today's Forecast? High 70s. Sunshine. A few visiting clouds.
#keweenaw #puremichigan #goodmorning #summer
(Part II) Visit the Birthplace of Professional Hockey and The History of Hockey Exhibit, located in The Kenner Ruohonen Memorial History Room at the Dee Stadium in Houghton, Michigan. The museum is open during the summer Mon-Fri from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Check out photographs, vintage hockey skates/& equipment, an Olympic medal, and more.
History of the Hockey Helmet
Do you know how many years a helmet is good for before it "expires"? When did helmets become mandatory? Houghton's David Sproule talks history of the hockey helmet.
youtu.be/TadRNna7I9E
Museum info: www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/history-of-hockey-museum/
Photo Source: David Sproule/early helmet tests
#birthplaceofprofessionalhockey #hockeyville #krafthockeyville2019
Abbie Tollefson we should go
Suzanne Taylor Corey Taylor maybe worth a visit while you’re up here? 🤷♀️
Ken was related to me
Tough being a member of the sales staff !!
Very cool!!
Copper Country Ghost Towns
Welcome to Mandan
Where is Mandan? Mandan is a ghost town located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, between Delaware and Copper Harbor. The name "Mandan" is said to be the name of a tribe of Indians that resided in the area when settlers first arrived in the 1850s. When copper was found in the 1860s the Mandan Mining Company was created.
At its peak the town had 300 citizens. There was a school, a store, a train depot, and numerous boarding houses. As many as 25 men would occupy a single boarding house. Food and lodging (no laundry) was usually provided for $20/month. Bathing would be done during the winter months with a bucket of water, a bench to sit on, and a community towel. During the summer months bathing would be done outside using a barrel. There was not really much variety in meals due to lack of shipments in the winter. Food would come by ship in November and have to last until May. Fish, potatoes, cabbage, and salted pork were staples. For sweets they liked their brown sugar. The sugar would come inside a hog's head cask. Once the sugar was emptied from the cask, the cask would be tossed outside where neighborhood kids would excitedly lick out the remnants. 😝
There was one incident recorded of men growing a little stir crazy in the middle of winter and were fed up eating ham bone broth. They snuck some blasting powder out of the mine and when the Mrs. of the boardinghouse wasn't looking, they stuffed it inside the ham bone. There's no record of anyone being killed or seriously injured but there was a blast...and they also likely didn't have ham bone broth for dinner that evening.
The majority of the population left Mandan before 1920. Mining efforts were just not successful. Today, a handful of buildings still stand and some crumbling foundations. It still is a quiet little place to visit and imagine the bustling town that was once there.
www.keweenaw.info/member-detail/mandan-the-ghost-town/
Sources:
@Connie Martin
MTU Archives
All About Mandan, Michigan by Clarence Monette
#ghosttowns #keweenaw #puremichigan
keweenaw.info
A sign on US-41, approximately 4 miles north of Delaware, marks the trail road that leads to the once thriving community of Mandan. In 1910 there was a population of 300 with a Keweenaw Central Ra ...
My Grandmother on my Mom's side was born in Mandan in 1908
Our family had a cottage on Lake Medora just past Mandan. Went to Mandan lots of times as a kid.
Brendon Hortemiller
Easy to pass w/out seeing the 'Mandan' sign. I've cycled by it numerous times along that gorgeous section of 41!
They should have this on discovery channel show mysteries of the abandoned ...
I know this house. It immediately captured my attention—who lived there, worked where, what great stories can they tell me!
Vanessa McCaffrey this was one of the spots we didn't make it to on our Keweenaw adventure. Maybe a future visit...
Seth Dodge
Hmm. How cool! Now that I bought a house in Mohawk I will have another new place to explore during the fall!
Greg Anderson
Rich, Amy, Ed, Greg, Linda we should put this on the list of sights.
Very interesting!
Deborah Masters
I think I may have recorded this house for an architectural history class while getting my masters degree at Tech. That was 20 years ago though so the memory is sketchy.
Nick Reardon
I love that woodsy OLD town😍
Jack Morrow
Mike
I’ve driven past the little Mandan Loop sign a couple of times wishing I had more time to drive in there and explore. Maybe next time. I have read about the little ‘ghost town’ before. There was a show on last night called Mysteries of the Abandoned and the episode focused on Ghost Towns of the world. I bet none of the U.P. ones made it.
My grandfather and grandmother were married in Mandan in the early 1900’s
Roseann Olson
Think my grandfather worked here once upon a long time ago!
I need to visit this piece of history.
Jesse E. Garrow, interesting. I can’t believe there was that many that lived there.
Any ghost hunters in this vicinity??
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