Good non sea kayaking Twin Lakes- Keeweenaw ?
- Thread starter chunk06
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Midwest Player
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For those that don't know Lake Roland and Lake Gerald are connected by a small water passage. It is no problem for a kayak to pass thru as bigger motor boats pass thru. Sailboats can't get thru as there is a road bridge over passage waterway.
The passage way is located in the northeast corner of Lake Roland and then goes into little Lake Gerald and then into big Lake Gerald. In my youth I swam across Lake Roland, my friend swam the length of Lake Roland.
Here in the picture you can see the passage way going from Lake Roland to Lake Gerald.
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Midwest Player
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There are many lakes to kayak on in the Keweenaw. I have been on only a few of them. However, I would consider how far you want to travel to get there, and what accommodations are nearby that are available.
Of all the lakes listed my first choice would be Twin Lakes. I have never been on a kayak at Twin Lakes but have been on a rowboat, sailboat, and motor boats. I've done water skiing and fishing there on both lakes. I have seen eagles hunting the shoreline for fish to scoop up. There are many types of accommodations there. They range from camping at the state park, to cabins at Krupps and Omer's, to motel rooms at Parkview. Food is available at Krupp's mini-mart and Parkview and Omers have restaurants.
There is a boat launch at the park, and I believe there is a free boat launch behind the fire station at Twin Lakes. If staying at Krupp's just carry your kayak down to the lake.
Of all the lakes listed my first choice would be Twin Lakes. I have never been on a kayak at Twin Lakes but have been on a rowboat, sailboat, and motor boats. I've done water skiing and fishing there on both lakes. I have seen eagles hunting the shoreline for fish to scoop up. There are many types of accommodations there. They range from camping at the state park, to cabins at Krupps and Omer's, to motel rooms at Parkview. Food is available at Krupp's mini-mart and Parkview and Omers have restaurants.
There is a boat launch at the park, and I believe there is a free boat launch behind the fire station at Twin Lakes. If staying at Krupp's just carry your kayak down to the lake.
Midwest Player
Member
A few notes about the Keweenaw waterway and Portage Lake.
Of course there are a lot of accommodations for food and lodging in the Houghton Hancock area. You actually have 25 miles of waterway to kayak if you want. I imagine it would take awhile to do, but if Clancy Kalmer could swim it, you could kayak it.
Speaking of Clancy Kalmer, I remember when he accomplished the 25 mile swim. I think it took him several tries to do it. I actually went down to the Portage Lake lift bridge to cheer him on as he swam under it.
https://longswims.com/p/clancy-kalmer/
Anyway, I don't have much experience boating on Portage Lake. I did some sailboat racing on big Portage on a friends sailboat a couple of times
from the Onigaming Supper Club. https://www.onigaming.org/about-us
I also rafted from sunshine beach on portage lake down to the pilgrim river and attempted to paddle up the river only to have our cheap paddle snap in half at about the half way point between the highway and the lake. I still can hear my son curse me out for suggesting such an idea. I figured there was no way to make it back to sunshine beach with only one paddle so we got out into the rough brush along the river and took the raft with us. We slowly made our way up the river to the railroad tracks. Now remember it was rough walking with no shoes on and when we got to the tracks had to step on the railroad ties to avoid all the rocks. Had about a half mile walk back to sunshine beach.
For those that don't know Sunshine Beach was the Houghton City owned beach across from the MTU golf course before the Kestner waterfront park was built. Sunshine beach was better than the existing beach because the water was much warmer, The Kestner park seemed to have much colder water. I spent many hours at sunshine beach swimming laps from shore out to the wooden raft. The beach was sold when Kestner park was built.
Of course there are a lot of accommodations for food and lodging in the Houghton Hancock area. You actually have 25 miles of waterway to kayak if you want. I imagine it would take awhile to do, but if Clancy Kalmer could swim it, you could kayak it.
Speaking of Clancy Kalmer, I remember when he accomplished the 25 mile swim. I think it took him several tries to do it. I actually went down to the Portage Lake lift bridge to cheer him on as he swam under it.
https://longswims.com/p/clancy-kalmer/
Anyway, I don't have much experience boating on Portage Lake. I did some sailboat racing on big Portage on a friends sailboat a couple of times
from the Onigaming Supper Club. https://www.onigaming.org/about-us
I also rafted from sunshine beach on portage lake down to the pilgrim river and attempted to paddle up the river only to have our cheap paddle snap in half at about the half way point between the highway and the lake. I still can hear my son curse me out for suggesting such an idea. I figured there was no way to make it back to sunshine beach with only one paddle so we got out into the rough brush along the river and took the raft with us. We slowly made our way up the river to the railroad tracks. Now remember it was rough walking with no shoes on and when we got to the tracks had to step on the railroad ties to avoid all the rocks. Had about a half mile walk back to sunshine beach.
For those that don't know Sunshine Beach was the Houghton City owned beach across from the MTU golf course before the Kestner waterfront park was built. Sunshine beach was better than the existing beach because the water was much warmer, The Kestner park seemed to have much colder water. I spent many hours at sunshine beach swimming laps from shore out to the wooden raft. The beach was sold when Kestner park was built.
Speaking of sailing on Portage Lake, they had an unusual visitor there last week. See Pasty Cam …
(click→) Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2020: September: Sep 02-20, quoted here in part:
(click→) Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2020: September: Sep 02-20, quoted here in part:
See the link above, photos, trip itinerary and more.