High Rock Bay Route — Northwoods Overland Adventure

Описание: Stretching roughly 240 miles from Crandon, Wisconsin to Copper Harbor, Michigan, the High Rock Bay Route — also known as the 7 Hour Plane Crash on some maps — is a rugged overlanding route built for high-clearance 4x4s, side-by-sides, and adventure bikes. Expect a mix of gravel, dirt, forest service roads, ruts, and water crossings, some over a foot deep.

Despite the name, there’s no actual plane crash site. The name comes from Baja-style racing slang for long, punishing routes — and “7 Hour” refers to the estimated nonstop drive time when the trail was first created. Rated about a 3/10 in difficulty on onX Offroad, it’s not overly technical but can be remote and unpredictable, so solid prep and recovery gear are essential.

Our journey begins at the very tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula — High Rock Bay, where rugged two-tracks meet the endless expanse of Lake Superior. After camping at Trails End Campground, we wake to thick fog rolling in off the lake, blanketing the forest as we climb the ridge above Copper Harbor. What should’ve been an incredible view is hidden in the mist — but that’s the beauty of adventure: you never know what the trail will give you.

As we make our way south, the fog begins to lift and we explore some of the Keweenaw’s most iconic spots. We stop at The Jampot, a small, rustic bakery run by monks serving up some of the best treats in the U.P. Nearby, we take in the rushing Jacob’s Falls, followed by the stunning Eagle River Falls and Bridge. And we stumble upon the remains of an old copper mine — reminders of the area’s wild and historic landscape.

Our plan to camp along the river at Sturgeon River Campground doesn’t go as planned — every waterfront site is taken — so we press deeper into the forest and find the perfect reward: a quiet, peaceful camp beside Lake Saint Kathryn. A calm lake, a crackling fire, and the soft sounds of the woods — the perfect way to end another day on the trail.

GPX route files can be found on Gaia and OnX.

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