Cliff Lookout Trail

The Cliff Range is probably one of the most prolific sites to be found across the Keweenaw, second only to the great lake herself. Here on Explorer we’ve featured these towering cliffs at least a dozen times, and have taken at least 5 panoramic images of it or from its high perches along the way. The cliffs can be seen from almost any point along the peninsula, and we have identified its classic silhouette from atop almost every rock pile we have climbed.

It is also by far my favorite area to explore in all the Copper Country. It was here that I first discovered the beauty and mystery of the Keweenaw. It was these cliffs that fascinated me on my first Copper Country Cruisin’ trip, viewing them through my windshield as they rose up high above the trees. It was at the base of these cliffs that I felt like the first human to stumbled upon a ancient smokestack made of rock which still stood tall after a hundred years. The Cliff Range may not be where mining started in the Keweenaw, but its where it started for me.

But it wasn’t until recently that I managed to make my way up to the top of these monuments, and look out across the land from their skyward perch. While our first attempt found us scaling the poor rock pile at the Cliff Mine, we later found a more easily scaled route, what we call the Cliff Lookout trail.

Trail Conditions

The trail is in fact an old road, that makes its way from Cliff drive up towards the summit through a narrow pass in the range. The trail is well used, for even in the winter the amount of snowshoe tracks along it made it possible to walk it without them. And although it rises over 200 feet into the air, it makes a very gradual rise through the pass. (But it’s still a good hill to climb)

Soon after the trail head the road crosses the West Branch of the Eagle River, which is more like a stream here then a river. It would also be more accurate to say that the stream crosses the road, since there is no bridge here. A good jump is required to cross it, although in the spring it might in fact be impassible.

After following the road to the top, your greeted by the first of many forks in the road (at this one take a right). Soon after the first turn the terrain levels out and is moderately easy until the second fork (make another right), but after this you have to climb another hill until you reach the third fork (yet another right) Here the trail takes a turn for the worse, and begins to rise sharply up another hill. Soon you’ll notice a large hill in front of you where the trail take a turn to the left to skirt its base. Its this hill you have to climb to get to the lookout, and there should be a relatively marked trail that does this by means of a zig zag along the hills face.

Be very cautious here! These cliffs are over 200 feet high, and the amount of tree and brush growth on its rim means you might not notice it until you step off of it! The trail makes a final steep climb to the top and the brush and trees will clear out. Here you will find yourself on a large rock outcropping - welcome to the lookout.

Scenery

The forest along the trail has been logged in the past quite heavily, and is pretty open and free from underbrush. Near the cliff edge however (where logging has not been going on ) the brush is rather thick and makes it hard to see the cliff edge. (Caution again!) The view from the lookout, however, is awesome. The lookout sits on a rock outcropping that extends a good dozen feet from the cliffs themselves. From that vantage point you can look up and down the entire length of the range with an almost unobstructed view (save one tree a few feet away). Below your feet, if you dare to look down, you can see beaver ponds, cliff drive, poor rock piles, and even an ancient smokestack or two poking up out of the trees.

Ruins

As already mentioned, there is an old boiler house and smokestack ruin sitting just off the main trail at the base of the cliff. Be very careful looking around this area for ruins however, as there are uncapped vertical shafts in the area which are very dangerous. So keep a sharp eye on where you are walking. While there are no ruins at the top of the cliffs near the lookout, walking further along the rim to the north will bring you to the North Cliff Mine with a collection of poor rock piles, old foundations, and a smokestack of its own. There is also a nearby shaft at the Cliff mine that sits right at the cliff’s edge, so keep an eye out there as well.

Our Recommendation

The Cliff Lookout is one of the best views in the Keweenaw. The trail to the top is relatively easy and makes the view accessible to most anyone in reasonable health. Be very careful at the lookout and near the top of the cliffs, since the drop off is very sudden and hard to see until your right on top of it. The lookout itself is a flat piece of rock that extends out over the valley and can be slippery and the edges may be unstable. The sum it up, great view but be very careful while on top.

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