• Thursday-What'sUP April 14 - 11:32 pm

It isn't very often we get a view of freighters this time of year from the top of Brockway Mountain. Sure you can get up the mountain in the winter via snowmobile, but then the freighters are in dry dock. So in order to get these two shots from atop the hill, Paul Roberts (silhouetted in the second photo) had to do some hiking. He sent me a report of the event:

"I hiked up the Copper Harbor side of Brockway Mountain and was able to go right up the road, with it being pretty bare. The trek was actually a pretty easy walk, but much quicker and easier going back down than the uphill climb. It took 2 ½ hours on the way up and less than an hour on the return trip. Although, I must say I was quite exhausted at the end, it was well worth the effort. In addition to seeing five freighters, I saw several deer who weren't shy. One looked upset (it was stomping it's foot at me) but I was able to get some good shots of deer really close up and they weren't running across M26 or US41. I was visiting them in their backyard. Quite impressive!"

What a view! And from my favorite place in the UP too!!
Thanks!!!

That was probably the best way to enjoy Brockway because there are no cars, no snowmobiles and the only people up there would have to be hearty souls willing to make that demanding hike. He was able to have probably the most beautiful spot in the U.P. all to himself on a sunny clear day.

Great shot! I hope to see it, in person, in a couple of months.

That's truly a heavenly shot. Makes my day as
I prepare to take my shower and leave for
school.

Hey Paul Great pictures!!! Please post the Pictures of the deer in your gallery

looks like one boat and one ship!

Great shots. Wish I could have done it myself.

Great shot Barney! I'm really missing Brockway. Are the eagles and hawks circling yet?

Absolutely beautiful photos! What a way to enjoy a beautiful, sunny, spring day! Can't wait to return this summer!

Niin kaunis on maa
ja korkea taivas
aava on meri
rauhattomat rannat
ikuisten haaveiden
aallokko kohisee.. .

So beautiful is land
and high heaven
extensive is sea
unsettled shores
etrenal dreamys
surf noise.. .

Is that Phil Sladek's little cabin in the first shot?

Brockway is one of my favorite places on this earth. Speaking of which, you can actually see the curvature of the earth from there on the horizon. Always loved to let the car coast on the down side, and go over what my Great Grandma called "Tickle Belly Hill" feeling.

Great shot from the Mountain again..We took our 7 grandkids there 3 summers ago and they still talk about the trip/views. And yes they did get an earfull about my exploits aboard 3 different freighters, "back in the old days in 1950's". Nice but cool day here in the Monroe area today..

Speaking of Brockway, how long is the window of opportunity to see eagles and other birds migrating through there? Roudy, I'm sure you have an answer for that, and it'll be in feet instead of weeks!

Ah, yes. Brockway Mountain. I remember many a clear night up there during my days at Da Tech. It's one of the few places I know where you're far enough away from light pollution that it's possible to read a newspaper by starlight. I also remember some spectacular sunsets, and some pretty intense thunderstorms from atop the ole mountain.

Paul, the picture is absolutely breathtaking. Thank you!

That cabin has got to have one of the best locations/views.

I can see my new home on lake Medora from up there, great place for a tail gate party.

Thanks for the beautiful pictures Paul. I can just imagine the peacefulness up on top looking down at the great lake!

Morning All. My sweetie and I Honeymooned there in Sept. 1998. Stayed at the Mountain Lodge and generally had a great time just poking around the Copper Harbor area. Soon we will be coming home to the UP to stay.

WOW! Desk top background pics for the next 305 days. Thanks for the fantastic photos, Paul!

I really miss the bridge cam, anyone know when it will be fixed.

What nice photos! Sure would like to live in the little cabin. It would be so peaceful and quiet and of course, what a view!

Joe,

THe picutes of the deer are being uploaded to my gallery as I write this. I've got a lot more pictures from the hike to upload so check back again!

XUPER,

From what I understand there is an eagle's nest on Cliff drive. A guy I work with tells me he sees them every day. So I suppose the eagles are out now. I think I've seen one myself but not the day I went up Brockway. What a hike that was! I'll be doing it again next year. Hopefully earlier and on snowshoes. Have a good day!

More pics and a video of the launching of the New Mackinaw. Enjoy :)

http://www.boatnerd.com/

Sooo.... How many fathoms in a furlong? Did see Blue birds passing through in early June. They worked over the insect population while in town. Real bunch of transients.Spent a couple days and bugged out.

When is the bridge cam going to be back in service ?

We have located the problem with the Bridge Cam, and we are preparing the replacement components to bring it back online. By this weekend for sure.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH It looks like spring for sure here!!!!! Should we dare dream??????

Phil Sladek ...... may he rest in peace

mike of hartland itried to send a email to you inanswer to bridge but it wont't go thru . Could you send correct adress to my e_mail?

It is an almost ethereal place when one is alone...peace, quiet, solitude....

Super picture Paul!!! Now that I've just retired, it will be great coming home more than once a year.

I love the picture, there is nothing so blue and peaceful as the great lakes on their good days. I can say that since I have lived in MI and now live in WA and see the ocean, which I also so love. Brings fond memories - thanks for the smile.

people missing the bridge cam should check out MI Tech's live web cams. Hope someone more technosavvy than I am will post a link.

Boy, do I miss the U.P. Can't wait to come back this summer for a visit! Brockway Mt. was the best place to go as a family.

Click ® MTU WebCams

John in New Hampshire - unfortunately Phil Sladek passed away this week.

There used to be a ski race up and over Brockway
Mountain. Perhaps there still is. That's a beautiful, but
tough course.

Wow! what a sight to these eyes. My favorite; seeing the big freighters out there. My 86 year old mother-in-law loves this spot!We have to take her there each time we visit and Esrey Park. One year, we took our youngest grandson with us to the C.C. We all went to Brockway and we saw a bear. We also saw ducks and an eagle. He had never seen anything like that since he has grown up in the city. It is still his favorite memory of that trip there and of course, great grandma had to take pictures of everything. I still miss home...

Fascinating article on some biological research --- being done at Portage Lake! I immediately thought of Pasty.com!

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/DyeHard/story?id=666435&page=1

well said well said japei

every one i am sorry to inform you all, but it is his brother Ken Sladek that owns that little cabin on the mountain. Phil just went up there alot, and visited because he loved it so much.

The cabin with its majestic veiw and peaceful location belonged to (the family of) a man named Phil Sladek...a loving family member and wonderful friend! He will be greatly missed by those of us that were lucky enough to have known him. Rest in peace dear Phil....know we all miss you.

Barry Seymour: fascinating. Thanks for the link.

brockway mountain has its guardian angel now. we miss you, phil.

Phil Sladek was not only one of my best friends when I lived in Lake Linden from 1981 to 1988, but he was like a big brother to me. He was a fun, hardworking guy, who gave to everyone he met. He was a pioneer who moved from Milwaukee to stake his claim in the Keweenaw in his auto body shop in Laurium and lived in Calumet. Brockway was his refuge and place of peace. Phil was a good man and I miss him a lot. I am honored to have known Phil and to know his family. It is rare to know such giving and caring people. May God bless his family and friends.