COMING SOON: Keweenaw Historic GeoTrail!
This twenty cache trail will lead you on an adventure through Keweenaw National Historical Park and many of its partner Heritage Sites. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sights as you explore the copper mining history, connect with the people involved, and discover the unique geology that made it possible. Don't forget to record the portion of the cypher key hidden in this cache. Click or scan the QR code to download the Keweenaw Historic GeoTrail Passport, or click here to learn more.
Discover your connection to Upper Michigan’s Copper Country through heritage centers, museums, and outstanding recreational areas in this geo-trail developed by the Copper Country Trail National Byway. The Copper Country Trail National Byway is a 47-mile stretch of US-41 from Houghton to Copper Harbor in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan that follows the underground copper lode that is basis of our exciting and turbulent history.
Geocaches have been hidden at 17 participating sites throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula. All of the sites on this geo-trail represent the rich cultural and natural mosaic that the Copper Country is. The first 300 participants to locate at least 13 geocaches will receive a custom Copper Country Geo-Trail lapel pin.
To receive a lapel pin, participants must download the Copper Country Geo-Trail Passport and follow the directions.
Quincy Smelting Works
The Quincy Smelting Works is the last remaining 19th century smelting works in the United States. Her presence on the shores of the Keweenaw Waterway is a reminder of what the shoreline used looked like during the days when copper was king. Smelting is the process of using heat to remove any remaining impurities, which in this case, was copper. The final step of the process involved pouring the refined copper into ingots or lake cakes for shipment.
When it was operational, the Quincy Smelting Works would smelt copper from the Quincy Mine, as well as other local mines. The smelter closed in 1931 as the copper mining industry in the Keweenaw was declining, but it did re-open in 1948 to smelt small amounts of copper. It officially closed its doors in 1971. Today, the Quincy Smelter Association gives tours of the facility during the summer months.
1923-Image from across the Portage showing a barren Quincy Hill and Ripley.
There is an interpretive sign on site that explains more about the buildings history and its role in the copper mining industry. Please be considerate of fences and other signs about public use of the property.
Continue Exploring!