Menominee
Location: Border of northeastern Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula (about 190 miles north of Milwaukee; about 270 miles north of Chicago).
Length of trip: Four miles in three or four hours.
Season: April through September. Dams control the water level.
Weather: Temperatures range from 45° to 70°F in April and May, from 60° to 90° from June through September. In summer you may encounter mosquitoes and horseflies on shore, so bring insect repellent.
Lodging: Wide range of accommodations near Iron Mountain, Michigan.
Boats: Paddle rafts.
Rapids: Class II to V. Cool, clear water warms up to 75° in summer.
Special features:
- A powerful river running between high, tree-lined granite bluffs.
- Hiking trails along the river.
- Spring wildflowers.
- Lovely autumn color.
- Good fishing (smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, panfish).
- Minks, river otters, beavers, porcupines, white-tailed deer, great blue herons, bald eagles, ospreys.
- Solitude.
- Suitable for river runners of all levels, as well as families. Check with your outfitter about age limits for children.
Nearby excursions:
- Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vulcan, Michigan.
- Menominee Range Historical Museum in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
- Long Slide Falls, near Pembine, Wisconsin.
- Peshtigo Fire Museum in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
For a list of outfitters and more information:
- Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 123 West Washington Avenue, Box 7606, Madison, Wisconsin 53703; +1 608 266 2161 or 800 432 8747. Try to book at least four to five weeks in advance for weekend trips, a week or two in advance for weekday trips.
- Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association, P.O. Box 400, Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801; +1 906 774 5480 or 800 562 7134, fax +1 906 774 5190. Try to book at least four to five weeks in advance for weekend trips, a week or two in advance for weekday trips.
For more information:
- Upper Peninsula story in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, March/April 1991.
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