National Forests in Michigan

LIKE THE MARQUETTE NATIONAL FOREST, the Hiawatha National Forest lies in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan between the great Lakes Superior and Michigan. It embraces approximately 822,000 acres in the counties of Alger, Schoolcraft, and Delta.

HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST (click on image for a PDF version)

No area in Michigan has a richer background of Indian lore than this forest, named for the hero of Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. Its northern boundary is washed by Lake Superior, the "Gitche Gumee" or "Shining Big-Sea-Water" of the Ojibwas, and it was over this largest of inland seas that Hiawatha paddled his canoe into the sunset. South of Superior were the hunting grounds and fishing waters of numerous tribes. According to legend, the wigwams of Nokomis and Hiawatha stood on the present site of the city of Munising, and the west wind, Paupakeewis, found a haven in "the Pictured Rocks of sandstone."

HIAWATHA'S GITCHE GUMEE. F—295318

TIMBERED SLOPES AROUND PERCH LAKE. F—362407

Timber Management.

The days of widespread logging operations on this area are gone, and only two large companies now operate on holdings within the forest. From scattered stands of mature and second-growth timber on Forest Service lands, sales are made by the Forest Service to small local operators. It is expected that the volume of sales will gradually Increase as the stands develop.

The Civilian Conservation Corps program has helped restock burned-over areas, and about 35,000 acres of plantations have been established. Stretches of verdant green now meet the eye in stands where a few years ago there were only fire-scarred stumps and fallen timber. It is expected that the first important product of the reforested areas will be pulpwood.

There are still some 70,000 acres within the forest in need of planting for the production of future timber and cover suitable for wildlife. To supply the planting stock for the reforestation program, a large tree nursery has been developed at the junction of the Indian and Manistique Rivers on the outskirts of Manistique. Here 20 million tree seedlings are produced annually. The public is cordially invited to visit the nursery and view the first step in the program of reforestation.

Game and Fish.

Important game species abundant enough to provide good hunting with gun and camera are deer, bear, partridge, and snowshoe hare. Mink, beaver, weasel, and muskrat are fairly abundant, and the more ambitious forest visitor can visit his natural haunts and observe this forest engineer at work. Local hunters and trappers derive some income from the bounty on coyotes, wolves, and bobcats, but these predators, like the fox, are seldom seen.

The forest is not located on a main migratory fly-way, but duck hunting is excellent on many of the larger inland lakes and on the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

Numerous lakes and streams make the Hiawatha particularly attractive to fishermen. Within the forest 135 lakes offer good fishing for wall-eyed pike, black bass, perch, bluegills, northern pike, sunfish, rock bass, and bullheads. In recent years lake trout fishing in Lake Superior and smelt fishing in the mouth of streams flowing into Lake Michigan have become popular. Thirty-seven fast streams support brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Several lakes fed by cold springs are also inhabited by trout.

THE FOREST YIELDS HEALTH—WEALTH—SECURITY EVERYBODY LOSES WHEN TIMBER BURNS BE SURE YOUR FIRE IS OUT DEAD OUT

Recreation.

A cool, tempered climate, ideal for outdoor vacationing, invites thousands of visitors from the large centers of population in Lower Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Many of the picturesque areas on the Hiawatha are preserved in their natural condition, and there are many places of outstanding interest within or near the forest, The famed "Pictured Rocks," the high bluffs of rain-colored sandstone which have been molded and shaped since the recession of the ice cap, are a particularly beautiful sight and are located about 4 miles west of Munising and 6 miles north of State Highway M—94.

THERE ABE TROUT BELOW THE AU TRAIN FALLS. F—384472

Kitchitikipi, or the Mirror of Heaven, a big spring resembling a huge bowl of ice-cold, bubbling water, lies on the west side of Indian Lake 3 miles west of Manistique. The spring is 400 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 60 feet in depth. The surrounding area has been developed as a State park.

Many beautiful waterfalls may be seen on streams flowing into Lake Superior. Wagner, Munising, Au Train, Tannery, and Miners Falls can be easily reached by paths leading from the main highways. A large State fish hatchery is located at Thompson, 1-1/2 miles east of the forest boundary. At Nahma on the Stonington Peninsula visitors may see a typical lumbering community.

Pleasant drives may be taken through the forest along heavily wooded roads past numerous lakes and streams. A particularly lovely drive is that along Lake Superior west of Munising.

Ten of the most desirable picnicking and camping sites have been developed for public use. Detailed information concerning them can be obtained at the forest supervisor's headquarters in the post-office building at Escanaba, or from the rangers at Manistique, Munising, and Rapid River.

Forest camps are provided within the forest for such groups as under privileged children, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4—H Clubs, and various civic organizations. The camps are available at a nominal cost per individual.

Ideal snow and weather conditions permit winter sports for 4 or 5 months each year. In Munising a fine ski jump is available, and throughout the forest are numerous hills suitable for skiing and tobogganing.

SKIING HAS A PERFECT SETTING. F—375218

The lakes, streams, and woods of the Hiawatha National Forest are for everyone who wishes to enjoy them, but to preserve them the forest user is asked to abide by the following rules:

1. Use extreme care with campfires, matches, and "smokes."

2. Use the campgrounds and picnic areas, but leave them clean and unspoiled.

3. Avoid unnecessary destruction of forest cover and wildlife.

4. Abide by the State fish and game laws.