Adolph LaMuth Collection

The miners picnic 1907 (click photo for a larger version)

The Copper Country Trail leads visitors through the rough and tumble of the mining heyday to the serenity of last night's Lake Superior sunset.

Starting in Hancock and heading north, you'll pass "Old Reliable," the Quincy Mine Company's shaft that was the last area mine to close.

When you reach Calumet, the epicenter of mining activity, the Keweenaw National Historical Park and its many privately-owned cooperating sites provide a feel for the life led by miners and their families.

If you prefer the present day, short side trips lead to Lake Superior beaches -- you can hunt for agates on Eagle River's rocky shore or sunbathe on the sand at Eagle Harbor or Bete Gris. Winter brings its own beauty to the beach, with large ice formations and, early in the season, huge sprays generated by Lake Superior storms.

Those who prefer an active lifestyle will run across outstanding recreational opportunities, including cycling, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming and some of the most consistent cross country skiing in the country.