A view of fall color splendor from the ski hill at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. (Photo courtesy of John Pepin)
Fall colors will start to warm up as temperatures begin to cool down across the Keweenaw Peninsula. During the fall many enjoy taking in the sights and the forest’s transition from dark green to bright reds, oranges and yellows. One of the best ways to see the widest view of the Copper Country is at the top of one of the many peaks along the ridge. Copper Harbor’s Brockway Mountain drive draws many visitors each year. And some might join the Keweenaw County Historical Society to make apple cider at the Central Mine.
While others will take a ride on Mont Ripley’s chair lifts. The annual tradition has opened officially. This past weekend included the first rides during homecoming weekend. The Mont Ripley fall color chair lift rides continue through the season, with the last rides on October 12th. During several chair lift rides families can even meet Blizzard. Learn more about fall color viewing opportunities in the Keweenaw peninsula here.
While taking a chairlift to the top of a peak or driving up Brockway Mountain are great ways to see the Keweenaw’s fall color display. This weekend’s annual copper country color tour joins the Michigan Tech Copper Country Cycling Club for a 60-kilometer ride to Calumet. Or even a 210-kilometer ride to Copper Harbor. During the route the pack will stop at several bites to eat to stay nourished during the ride. Learn more about the Copper Country Color Tour on Saturday online.
The Visit Keweenaw Fall Color Tracker has been updated. South of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge colors have started to pop around Toivola and Tapiola. Areas around the Portage Canal and north will still need a little more time for leaves to change. Lower temperatures signal trees to slow their production of chlorophyl. As the chlorophyl breaks down leaves lose their green coloration. Leaving other pigments to show different colors. Yellow and orange leaves are the result of Carotenoids left behind, while Anthocyanin pigments highlight reds and sometimes purple leaves.
Keep track of the Copper Country’s fall color change with Visit Keweenaw here.
As the Region enters October more events are set to bring the community together. The Canal Colors Festival will combine the fun the Keweenaw has had in recent years, bringing the Houghton Fall Fest, Brewstreet, Plaidurday, and the Keweenaw Color Run together over the first weekend of the month. South Range will bring a little Bavarian fun to the community with the Annual Oktoberfest celebration. Then Halloween events pick up with treat street, Boo on the Bay in L’Anse on October 10th, corn mazes and haunted houses.
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