The UP North Experience

“THE UP NORTH EXPERIENCE”
A weekend of seeing, hearing, touching and experiencing nature

The first annual “UP North Experience” Weekend will be held August 8 & 9. This “mini” Event, with guided trips and ‘experiences’ will be the start of bigger events to come. This first year will include:

*BAT AND MINE ADVENTURE PROGRAM...Friday August 8, Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vulcan. This event is first come first serve...Cost is $10/person, trips every hour from 4-8pm.

Underground tours of this iron mine will showcase the mining history of the Upper Peninsula. Special to this event will, Bats & Mines Specialist Bill Scullon from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will guide underground walking tours featuring discussion species of bats that call this mine home. There will be exciting opportunity to see live bats in this critical habitat and learn more about these beneficial and very unique wildlife species that call the Upper Peninsula home. Come and learn more about these creatures of the night, experience the thrill of being underground and experience living history. Temperatures in the mine is about 50 degrees so appropriate dress is recommended.

*LaSalle Falls Hike Saturday August 9
Stu Boren, WI DNR forester and wild river historian, will lead this unforgettable hike into LaSalle Falls on the Pine River. As the river drops dramatically over a 22-foot chasm between rock outcroppings, you’ll be mesmerized by the power of the river. The 1-mile hike into the falls will cross Florence County Forest and the Pine-Popple Wild Rivers Property. Stu will talk about the history of the area and some of the forestry practices in the area. This hike will be from 8-12 on Saturday August 9. Hikers will meet at the Florence Natural Resource Center at 8 am.


*Skulls and Furs Florence Natural Resource Center, Saturday August 9, 1 to 2:30 PM.
At one point or another, everyone has found an animal skull while walking through a field or forest. Have you ever wondered what it was? Nathan Ruble, an avid skull collector, will show participants how to look for clues to determine what animal it came from. Nathan will have his skull collection on hand that includes some of the smallest (pygmy shrew) and largest mammals (bison and moose) in North America, and many in between. The Wisconsin DNR fur collection will be on hand for participants to see some of the local animal furs. This program is typically done for elementary school children, but people of all ages can enjoy it.

*Guided Nature Interpretive Paddle Northwoods Wilderness Outfitters. Saturday August 9. Meet at the Northwoods Wilderness Outfitter shop on US-2 (west of Iron Mountain) at 2 PM (CST) and leave for the launch site by 2:30 PM (CST). Plan to be on the water for 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the paddle tour. By reservation only!

Enjoy a guided trip on one of the real "wild" places in the local area - our favorite body of scenic and wild water bounded by woods and rock. Wildlife abounds.

$10 per watercraft if you bring your own kayak or canoe. $20 per watercraft if a rental is needed (a limited number of rental kayaks or canoes are available through Northwoods Wilderness Outfitters - reserve early) Limit to about 15 watercraft (kayaks or canoes only).
Some paddling experience is required. Age limit for paddlers is 14 years old. Age limit for passengers is 6 years old. All participants must wear PFD (life jackets). Bring water to drink and a light snack. Call Northwood Wilderness Outfitters for reservations: 1-800-530-8859


For More information: Dickinson Area Partnership 1-800-236-2447