• Friday-What'sUP September 30 - 11:37 am

Up on the tip of the Keweenaw is a monument which, other than the concrete pad it rests on, is all that's left of the Keweenaw Rocket Range. These three shots from Roger Peterson give you a visual of the site, including a closeup of the monument so you can read all about it and even the GPS coordinates, should you venture up that way yourself! When you stop and think about the history of this spot and what took place here, it's pretty amazing that Michigan's first rocket fired into space was sent up from this very spot in the Keweenaw. Perhaps the most amazing part of it, though, is that it was launched on January 29, 1971, in the middle of the winter here UP North!

Here's a map from the archives that shows you where the rocket range is located.

WOW! That is very cool.

Great spot, nice 4 wheelin ride.

That is a cool location. Last time I was there I also saw a bear cub, and heard his Mom... I'm glad I didn't see her!

The wife and I and our two dogs (Bear and Kismet) leave MN tomorrow at 6:00am For a cabin near Gay MI. Will be on the beach for a week waited all year about ready to burst.

I've got a picture of the monument there before somebody just had to take a chunk out of the top of it where the gps unit is resting. You can still read the degree marks on the curved rail that they used to aim the rocket and the pivot point is in that rockpile/fire pit in the center. Anybody know any stories of the rumor I heard that the buildings left behind "disappeared" after the gov't pulled out?

This is great. Now I know a bit of Michigan history that took place on my first birthday! Roger, thanks for the pic's : ) I plan to visit this area my next trip across the bridge.

Notroll- the damage to the top of the monument is thought to have been made by a snowmobile. It very well could have been unintentional as there are no signs of anything being there when it is covered by snow. As to the missing buildings, see the web site
Keewnaw Rocket Range

KJ - Dale's directions are accurate and easy to follow, they are on the web site above.

Hey KJ--Brock and Deb are in Copper Harbor today, though I doubt they'll make it to the launch site it looks like a fun adventure for future trips up there :)

Thanks Roger, for the input on directions.

Hi Nate, I haven't had a chance to talk with Brock & Deb much this week. Cell service is "iffy" and the new house phone doesn't seem to be working quite yet! Please see "hi" for me when they return. Good luck next week training Debra. They should really check out the rocket launch site!

Wow! I love visiting pasty.com, I'm always learning something new. Thanks.

What a great place to camp. Freighters pass by very close. You can see the moon rise and set. However it really is a problem if you have an emergency. I had to bring someone to the hospital on saturday night two weeks ago from there. What a horrible feeling trying to get out of there as fast as possible. I wanted to drive 80 MPH but I had to creep out of there for a half an hour before even hitting the main road!

This is an awesome bit of history. I never knew that there was a rocket launch pad way up there. And, to think that they launched in the dead of winter is incredible! Thank you for the info!

Rog1,
Thanks for the site. A fun read and neat old pictures.

That is a really neat place. I've been there several times during summer months. Even have a couple of the pictures in my guest gallery. I hope to get back there sometime in the next few years because there is a shipwreck a few hundred feet off shore that my wife and I want to dive.

Was it the Iron River High School class launching rockets this week on TV6? I thought about the launch pad in the Keweenaw when they were talking about them being the first rocket launches in the UP. :o) Should get more of the Yooper teachers looking at the pastycam, 'eh?

You're right, Kenjamimi!

I agree with Jeremy that this is a beautiful place to camp. I will always remember this beach as the 1st time I sleep under the stars...literally.