FAQ

Age Limits:

• For our 2.5 hour, Porter’s Island/Sunset Paddle, there is no age limit, but participants must meet minimum weight limit of 80lbs and a maximum of 280lbs.
• For Half and Full Day Tours we recommend a minimum age of 13 years-old. If your child is younger and an experienced paddler, we may make an exception to this recommendation – please call to discuss prior to booking.
• Additionally, youth 15 years and younger are required to paddle in a tandem kayak for all our tours. NOTE: Youth rates are priced to reflect this requirement.

Weight/Size Limits:

• There is a minimum of ~75lbs and a maximum of ~280lbs. Kayaks can be size discriminate and having a safe fit is largely dependent upon height and body shape, too. Our largest cockpits are 17 x 33 inches in size and elongated, so one must be able to comfortably fit into this space to have the freedom to get in and out of the cockpit.

To ensure your sea kayak adventure is a good experience, we suggest that you bring the items listed below with you. NOTE: Wetsuits will be provided, and use is mandatory because of Lake Superior’s cold water and we provide them for all of our clients.

• A synthetic top such as polyester, polypropylene or capaline. Fleece is great for cooler days or evenings. These materials are highly recommended to wear underneath your wetsuit as they dry quickly and have an insulating value even if they get wet. Cotton should be avoided.
• Shorts or a swimsuit that a wetsuit can be slipped over.
• Water-shoes or sandals. Participants can go barefoot if they do not have the appropriate footwear. Shoes with laces are not allowed!
• Hat – for shade when it’s sunny. Cap – for warmth if it’s cool, especially in the Spring & Fall.
• Sunglasses and Sunscreen
• Drinking Water – at least 1 quart or more on ½ day & full day trips per person. A pint is sufficient for most people on the Porter’s Island Paddle.
• Camera – take advantage of the many photo opportunities while on ‘da Big Lake! We do have drybags available for your use, however participants assume their own risk for damaged or lost cameras.

Yes, we rent both touring sea kayaks and recreational sit-on-top kayaks. However, for sea kayak self-guided rentals, participants need to meet one of the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete our Fundamental Water Safety Course.
2. Exhibit experience with a “Test Out”, which successfully demonstrates a Wet-Exit, T-Rescue and Paddle-Float re-entry.
3. Provide a documentation, signed by an American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructor, of having successfully completed a similar water safety course matching our course curriculum in the past 3 years.

The alternative to these requirements is to simply go on a guided tour where none of the aforementioned would apply. NOTE: Recreational sit-on-top kayak use is restricted to the area’s inland lakes with no prerequisites needed prior.

Check out the Isle Royale packing list here

Our canoes are recreational-type models and are rented for use on the inland lakes of the mainland and inside a restricted area within Copper Harbor. We do not rent canoes for use on Isle Royale, however, we do rent sea kayaks for adventurers seeking a coastal Island experience.

About 75% of the Copper Harbor Trails system is rated Intermediate and about 10% as Easy — the remaining percent being Advanced and Expert.

That said, there are a plenty of two-track dirt roads, old logging roads and gravel pathways not part of the single-track trail system, which make for great novice level mountain biking. There are crushed gravel trails out to Hunter’s Point, Lake Fanny Hooe, and Fort Wilkins State Park, and short, easy single-track trails that connect to more advanced trails in the network.  Premier destinations in the area that are local favorites include Horseshoe Harbor, Estivant Pines and Manganese Falls — all of which are accessible by a series of paved and/or dirt roads.

Again, about 3/4 of our trails are intermediate level trails.  Considering the elevation gain of the area, about 700ft vertical, they are a little more advanced than flat land intermediate trail networks.

There are two high points in the trails network: Brockway Mountain Drive and Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.  Trails stemming from the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge are the original, hand-built trails that contain more bedrock and roots providing for a rugged riding experience.  Trails stemming from Brockway Mountain Drive are machine built trails that are smoother and have more flow than others.  If planning on riding to either summit, it is recommended to ride the two-way trails up to the top and NOT ride the roads.  Brockway Mountain Drive has a very steep grade and sharp hairpin turns and US 41 does not have a shoulder to provide much protection from traffic.

We would certainly be happy to look at a map with you upon arrival so as to guide you in the best direction for your level of riding!

There is no charge to ride the trails. If you ride the trails and enjoy your experience, donations to support their maintenance and development by the non-profit Copper Harbor Trails Club are appreciated! Maps of the trail system are also sold as a revenue source to support the trails.

Directly across the street, not too far at all!

The trails are sustainably built on rocky terrain and soils that drain well. There are numerous boardwalks, bridges and armored sections that address any areas of concern. The trails have seldom ever closed during wet conditions and are open most all of the time when raining and/or after the spring thaw and trails have been declared open-for-the-season. Riders should, however, exercise extreme caution on boardwalks and exposed bedrock, as they do become slippery when wet. That all said, our Mountain Bike Shuttle service runs rain or shine!

The best time to ride is relative to every rider who visits.  The fact that we are so far north, provides cool weather most of the summer with temperatures topping out at 80^oF in July.  Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day are the most popular weekends in Copper Harbor and also on the trails.  The first week or two before Memorial day is quiet and cool; the weeks following Memorial Day are also quite quiet and a little warmer.  June usually proves to be mild in temperature.  July and August tend to be the most popular months in Copper Harbor because temperatures peak and Lake Superior is warm enough to swim in.  After Labor Day, the town becomes relatively quiet again with the exception of weekends.  Then the temperature starts to drop and the chances of rain increase.  The first half of October is when the Fall colors are in their prime.  Riding through orange, red, and yellow forest is a real treat!

Our Mountain Bike Shuttle has scheduled service times throughout the season although we have a daily cap on the shuttle and STRONGLY encourage you to reserve online to guarantee availability.

• During non-scheduled shuttle times, we offer a “Schedule Your Own Shuttle” option. Runs during non-scheduled times are most often available to walk-ins, though you may request to reserve by giving us a call, 906-289-4303. Please visit our  Mountain Bike Shuttle webpage for more information.

Please see: www.keweenawtrails.com/biking

FYI: May and early to mid-June has the least amount of road traffic.

• E-bikes are not allowed on the majority of Copper Harbor single-track trails due to the Club’s land use agreements with the land owners that together compose the greater Trail System.  The newly created East Bluff Park does allow e-bikes however.

• Also, there are a plenty of two-track dirt roads and old logging roads not part of the single-track trail system, which are e-bike friendly. Additional premier destinations in the area that are local favorites include Horseshoe Harbor, Estivant Pines and Manganese Falls, all of which are accessible by a series of paved and dirt roads.