The Nucleus of the Copper Harbor Hiking/Biking Trails 

Originating as a part of the same WPA project that built the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (KML) and Golf Course during the Great Depression; "nature trails" were also constructed on the adjoining County property for the guests staying at the Mountain Lodge to enjoy. Several of these original trails still exist today as a part of the greater Copper Harbor Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail System. These trails can be accessed by KML guests and visitors right from their cabin door! 

"Keweenaw Mountain Trails"
Since 1997 the Copper Harbor Mountain Bike Club (CHMBC), a dedicated group of local riders have volunteered their time to enhance and expand the non-motorized trail network. With its key location in proximity to Copper Harbor, the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has progressively grown to become the nucleus of the trail network. There are currently four main trail-heads located on its property. The CHMBC built a four-mile, inter-connecting looped network of trails, now known as the "Keweenaw Mountain Trails" in the 2006 season. 

The Landscape
The Keweenaw Mountain Trails wind over gradual contours, through deciduous oak and maple forests along with coniferous groves of gigantic white pine trees. The Keweenaw Mountain Trails provide access with the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and also link to the greater Copper Harbor trail network. These trails are designated as "easy" and "intermediate" rated trails and are great for families and novice trail users. 

In total, the Copper Harbor Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail network consists of over 24 miles of designated, mapped and marked trails that continue to grow more each season.  During the 2005 and 2006 season over 8 miles of new ""single-track" trails were built. (FYI: It takes up to 200 man- hours to build one mile of new single-track!) None of which would be possible with out the dedication of the CHMBC volunteers. 

The Garden Brook Trail
In addition to the Keweenaw Mountain Trails, the "Garden Brook Trail" was extended to connect with the existing "Blue Trail" in 2005. When linked together, this intermediate-rated trail is nearly 3 miles long with 500 vertical feet of elevation from the KML to the village of Copper Harbor or vice-versa. This trail winds across terraced over-looks of the Garden Brook in the Brockway Mountain Valley and through an old growth forest located within the Michigan Nature Association’s "James Rooks Memorial" Sanctuary.    

The Dancing Bear Trail
The new "Dancing Bear Trail" is an intimidate-rated trail that bypasses the original Dancing Bear Trail, which was closed due to logging operations. A critical link to the greater Copper Harbor Trail System, the new Dancing Bear is masterfully cut into the hillside of a hidden valley and eventually summits atop a spiny, rock ridge. The trailhead is located along the southern boundary of the County property and its trailhead is located on the southwest side of the 4^th fairway, along Keweenaw Mountain Golf Course.

The Red Trail
The "grandfather" of the Copper Harbor Trails is indeed the "Red Trail".  This was one of the original trails built by the WPA that is still being utilized today.  The trailhead is located just east of the 5^th Tee Box and ultimately descends about 300 vertical feet to Lake Manganese, almost 2 miles away.  From there, trail users may choose one of several options to head into Copper Harbor, another mile and 200 vertical feet below. While this trail is rated as "Most Difficult/Advanced", especially for mountain biking, its unique out-cropping’s of exposed bedrock, rugged rock bluffs, scenic viewpoints and extensive bridgework is sure to be a trail to be remembered. Trail users may opt to utilize the "Upper Red Trail" and then link into the "Berries Trail" to the south and then connect with the "Dancing Bear Trail" back to the Mountain Lodge for a 3-mile loop.  

Current Construction
Another new trail, yet to be named, is under construction as of Fall 2006 and is expected to be open for use by the summer of 2007. This trail will consist of 23 relatively gradual switch-backs, linking off of the "Middle Loop" of the Keweenaw Mountain Trails.  It will drop over 400 vertical feet to the village of Copper Harbor, over the course of about 1.5 miles. One of the highlights of this trail will be the spectacular views along the ridge looking down across the harbor, Hunter’s Point, Porter’s Island and Lake Superior. It will ultimately link into the village on the top of 4^th street, adjacent to "Grandpa’s Barn Bookstore". With the exception of one very steep hill known as "Clyde’s Slide", this trail will be rated as intermediate.