[fotbr]

I've also been there. I love camping in the U.P., and "discovered" the rocket range about 15 years ago. I didn't drive out there though, I walked. No one I talked to knew what condition the road "out to the very end of the peninsula" was in, so I decided not to risk it. It wasn't a bad walk, really. Good boots, and as mentioned, industrial-strength mosquito spray, are necessary. No one mentioned the old rocket range, so that was just a happy bonus.

I've not been back for 8 or so years, but I can't imagine the road has gotten any better, but I'd make the hike again.

On your way up to Copper Harbor, stop just north of Houghton at the Quincy Copper Mine. Even if you don't take the underground tour, take the tour of the hoist house; it was (still is?) the world largest steam hoist, and it is in remarkable condition as a relic of the steam age.

[pasbesoin]

Going to or coming from Copper Harbor, you can also take the Brockway Mountain Drive for some elevated views. The final leg descending to Copper Harbor is also fairly scenic, so I'd probably recommend taking it eastbound, on your way in. Although there's a wayside you can stop at, for a few back over Copper Harbor, when you're heading the other way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockway_Mountain_Drive

[bluejellybean]

I love seeing my old stomping grounds show up on HN. The Yoop is a lovely area with loads of history and extremely kind people. It is also sadly filled with crushing poverty and brutal winters. I grew up in a small town very close to Houghton, visiting copper harbor frequently, I didn't realize this site even existed. Another interesting location is the abandoned Calumet Air Force radar station [1][2].

The copper mine is absolutely worth checking out and the tour is pretty great if you are into mining or anything historic. I've taken the tour a few times, you only get to go down a few levels due to the rest of the mine being flooded but it is still very interesting. This mine was a big one but the entire area was dedicated to copper and was extremely rich with the stuff. The mine, and others, actually closed down in 1933 due to low copper prices but reopened a couple shafts in 1937. I forget when they closed back down but I want to say it was in the mid 50s.

Michigan Tech claims that from Quincy alone, up to 756 million pounds of copper were produced from 1856 to 1925 [3]. The mine, with 90 levels, went to a final depth of 6,225 feet with a finial shaft length of 9,260 feet [4]. I'm not sure how reliable it is, I've only ever had my eyes on the Quincy Mining Company financials, but the national park services claim that over 10 billion pounds of copper were produced from the area [5].

Just this summer I was talking to an old timer who worked with the local mines pulling core samples and doing general geologic work. According to him there is still a massive amount of copper in the ground but with regulations and the completely dilapidated infrastructure, there hasn't been development for decades. With the rise in copper prices I have heard rumors of a few people buying up mineral rights in the last year or so but nothing too interesting beyond that. Personally I would love some deep pockets to come into the area to reopen the mines and revitalize the area, not sure I'll ever see that in my lifetime though.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbYbO-my46I

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calumet_Air_Force_Station

[3] http://www.mg.mtu.edu/MINE_SHAFTS/shaft5zd.htm

[4] https://www.uh.edu/engines/mineno2shaftcrosssection.jpg

[5] https://www.nps.gov/kewe/learn/historyculture/copper-mining-...