Virtual Adventures
Although nothing can compare to an actual experience of the unique and wondrous sensations found in the Keweenaw, we offer these media presentations to encourage you to visit.
Peninsula Map
Use this interactive map of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula to find amenities, landmarks, roads and trails.
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Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are frequently seen in the Keweenaw night sky and are best viewed on nights when there is little moonlight. A green hue is the most common color, but red highlights are considered to be an extraordinary experience. The south shore of a calm lake affords superb viewing with the aurora reflecting on the water. It is difficult to describe the aurora because no two are alike. Some take your breath away with overwhelming movement, others astound you with vivid colors unexpected in the night sky.
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Waterfalls
The dramatic difference in elevations found in the Keweenaw and the large amount of rivers and streams set the stage for some spectacular falling water. Uncounted waterfalls are located in the peninsula, some can be viewed from the window of an automobile. Others require a hike, but then one is rewarded with a view little changed since the first settlers arrived. From small moss-draped trickles, to crashing torrents, the Keweenaw offers days of adventure in searching out these jewels of dynamic beauty.
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Fall Colors
Late September to mid-October is an excellent time to tour the Keweenaw and enjoy the roads that wind through the colorful landscape. Highly recommended is Brockway Mountain Drive with a view from one of the highest points in the Keweenaw.
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Portage Lift Bridge
The present Portage Lake Lift bridge is the widest and heaviest double decked vertical lift bridge in the world. The center span "lifts" to allow 100 ft. of clearance for passing ships. Since rail traffic was discontinued in the Keweenaw, the lower deck is used to accommodate snowmobile traffic in the winter. As the only land based link between the northern and southern portions of the peninsula, it remains as crucial to the Keweenaw as its 2 predecessors.
Prior to the construction of the first bridge, ferries were used to transport people and supplies between the boom towns of Houghton and Hancock. Increased shipping and activity on the waterway eventually created the need for a bridge.
In 1875, a wooden swing bridge was built with a pivoting center span to allow ships to pass. Soon after it opened for traffic, a slide of the Quincy stamp mill sands carried away a portion of the north end closing the bridge for another year. Due to its wooden construction and the ever increasing size of Great Lakes ships, the bridge eventually became obsolete and dangerous.
In 1901, a steel bridge with a wooden swing span replaced the old bridge. In 1905, a steamer struck the bridge and toppled the center span into the lake. Once again the ferries were called into service while repairs were made. The use of two different building materials with varying expansion properties caused the operation of this bridge to be hampered in warm weather, while ice plagued it in cold.
As automobile traffic increased, the slow operation of the swing span became unacceptable and the present lift bridge replaced it in 1959.
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Keweenaw Web Cams
Check out these Web Cams to see how Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula looks today!
Bridge Cam
View a current picture of the Portage Canal Lift Bridge, which connects Houghton and Hancock, Michigan. This bridge provides the only road to the portion of the Keweenaw Peninsula that lies north of Portage Lake. The Bridge Cam points southeast from Hancock and also shows a portion of the Houghton waterfront across the canal.
Copper Harbor Cam
A view from the field almost live from Copper Harbor. The camera points almost due west from Copper Harbor and refreshes every 15 minutes.
Michigan Tech Live Cam
This is a "Still-Cam" view of College Avenue & The Portage Lift Bridge from the ME-EM Building on the Michigan Tech campus.This site also provides links to several other views of the Tech campus.
Eagle Harbor cam
This webcam of the beautiful Lake Superior shoreline is located along M-26 west of Eagle Harbor and brought to you courtesy of Cable America. The camera updates approximately every 10 minutes from sunrise to sunset.
Lake Fanny Hooe Cam
This almost-live cam is located at the west end of Lake Fanny Hooe in Copper Harbor.
Lac La Belle Cam
The Lac La Belle Cam is brought to you by the Lac La Belle Lodge and is updated every 15 minutes.
Pasty Cam
A daily visual journal in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Click each day's photo to join the online conversation. Share your memories, contact old friends, make some new ones.
Downtown Calumet
The webcam, located at 5th & Portland Streets in historic downtown Calumet, updates every 5 minutes.
Ripley Cam
This still image of Mont Ripley, up close, is courtesy of Michigan Tech University.
Michigan Tech Nordic Training Center
These motion or still image cams of the trails in the recreational forest next to the Michigan Tech University campus in Houghton are courtesy of the university.
Houghton County Airport
This page, courtesy of the Houghton County Airport, refreshes every 5 minutes automatically.
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