Going Wild in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula
Take a walk on the wild side this summer in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
That’s where local organizations and businesses have united with their downstate peers and statewide groups as Keep the U.P. Wild to propose new Wilderness protections in four treasured areas of the Ottawa National Forest: the Ehlco area, Trap Hills, Norwich Plains, and Sturgeon River Gorge addition.
Map of proposed Wilderness Areas
Coalition members are encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to hike and explore these last great natural places in Houghton and Ontonagon counties, which are almost entirely roadless, defined by dense boreal and northern hardwood forests, rare plants, rolling hills, lichen-encrusted cliffs, open plains, cedar swamps, wide rivers, and stunning waterfalls. Read on to learn more about the proposed U.P. Wilderness areas, find tips for staying safe on the trail, and see suggestions for where to hike in the Trap Hills and Sturgeon River Gorge.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Trap Hills are “comprised of large tracts of undisturbed forest, rugged slopes and ridges, streams, waterfalls and ponds, [and they offer] solitude and [a] sense of remoteness that is unique in the Great Lakes area.” In addition, the highest sheer cliff in Michigan is found in the Trap Hills, boasting visibility of up to 40 miles and views of some of Michigan’s most spectacular scenery.
Trap Hills looking towards Norwich Plains
A Win for Wildlife, Recreation, and Jobs
A Wilderness designation by Congress would safeguard a nearly contiguous 50,000-acre expanse of Ottawa National Forest adjoining the beloved Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness State Park and add about 2,000 acres of Ottawa National Forest land to the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness. By designating the four key areas, we can ensure that these rare and beautiful places in the Upper Peninsula stay pristine for our use, enjoyment, and spiritual rejuvenation — both today and for generations to come.
The Keep the U.P. Wild initiative would protect bald eagles, peregrine falcons, gray wolves, moose, wood turtles, and other wildlife; preserve mature and old growth forests; promote hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing; and boost tourism and local jobs in the booming outdoor recreation industry.
Michigan boasts more than 7,000 outdoor recreation industry companies, ranging from manufacturing, service providers, and facilitators to local retailers and wholesalers. The state’s outdoor recreation economy contributed $12.4 billion in value-add in 2022, supporting 119,000 jobs and providing $5.6 billion in compensation to employee households.
Check out what Keep the UP Wild members have to say:
Austin Gongos (at left) and Nathan Ackerman, co-founders, Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear in Hancock, in the Western U.P.
“The expansion and protection of Wilderness lands is of great importance to our business and the economy of the local area. The U.P. specifically relies on tourism for much of its economy, and people come from all over the country to experience our ‘Pure Michigan.” As more places around the world are developed, there will be less pristine Wilderness, which makes what is saved more and more valuable. Keeping our wild places wild provides a unique, long-term draw to the U.P. for years to come,“ said Nathan Ackerman, who co-founded Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear in Hancock with fellow Michigan Tech University engineering graduate Austin Gongos
Gabriel Ahrendt, a co-founder of Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action.
“Our organization has been reaching out to different Keep the U.P. Wild coalition members in the U.P. over the past couple months to ask about their support for the campaign. What we hear again and again is the benefit from tourism that small businesses draw in when people from all over the world visit to see the raw beauty of the area,” said Gabriel Ahrendt, a co-founder of Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action.
More than anything though, Ahrendt said that members of Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action and locals in the Keweenaw Peninsula and across the Upper Peninsula want to see Congress pass these Wilderness designations because of “our innate love of the land.”
“Students attend Michigan Tech because of its proximity to Wilderness, locals name their businesses after the immortal features of the land, and every single person here is proud to live among one of the most unique landscapes found anywhere on Earth,” Ahrendt said.