Huron Mountain Club
- Thread starter Skidoo87
- Start date
Nothing much more than a private country club or other private club where only members are allowed (or guests when accompanied by a member). No deep dark secrets or anything. They just happen to own a lot more land than most private clubs do.
Have been invited to go out there, but just have not been able to coordinate a time when I am free and the member will be there.
-John
Have been invited to go out there, but just have not been able to coordinate a time when I am free and the member will be there.
-John
Good luck becoming a member. Fifty grand a year dues . Awesome area . The huron mountains are great for us backwwods guys. My favorite place to ride never see anyone. Some times at the end of season no snow in Ishpeming and four feet up in the mountains . Rode there before at 55 degrees and four feet of snow close to Mt.avron.
heckler56
Active member
Well according to thier 2010 tax return:
THE ORGANIZATON HAS TWO CLASSES OF MEMBERS REGULAR MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
REGULAR MEMBERS ARE LIMITED TO 50 PERSONS, THEY HAVE EXCLUSIVE VOTING RIGHTS AND SHARE
EQUALLY IN OWNERSHIP OF THE ORGANIZATON'S PROPERTY ASSOCIATE MEMBERS HAVE NO VOTING
RIGHTS AND HAVE NO RIGHTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF ITS DISSOLUTION
Here are a few links relating to the Huron Mountain Club:
1. Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2002: September: Sep 05-02. Scroll down; you'll find some facts, possibly some fiction.
2. Michigan Highways — M-35: The Highway Henry Ford Stopped.
3. Superior Heartland: A Backwoods History, by C. Fred Rydholm (2 volume set, hardcover, pricey!).
Superior Heartland, Marquette, MI — perhaps a better source for Superior Heartland: A Backwoods History, by C. Fred Rydholm (still pricey!).
1. Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2002: September: Sep 05-02. Scroll down; you'll find some facts, possibly some fiction.
2. Michigan Highways — M-35: The Highway Henry Ford Stopped.
3. Superior Heartland: A Backwoods History, by C. Fred Rydholm (2 volume set, hardcover, pricey!).
Superior Heartland, Marquette, MI — perhaps a better source for Superior Heartland: A Backwoods History, by C. Fred Rydholm (still pricey!).
Last edited:
anonomoose
New member
Actually the "blind 35" which begins off th 510 road traveling north was very well built road complete with bridges over creeks and post and cable typical of the 40-50 era. Much of the 510 road was built at this time with the same construction techniques...you need to go slowly in the summer or spring to see this evidence, but it is still there.
This is a nice ride for sleds, with many logging roads intersecting the "road"....
The M-35 ended at the north edge at the huron mt club property complete with guard shack and foot bridge spanning the salmon trout river which is the river that is so very coveted by the purist trout fisherman. Many of the feeder creeks there produce some nice brook trout fishing. Cabins dot the road in places but much of the land leading up to the club property is owned by paper companies or timber companies. Many of the trails spiring off to the northwest go many miles twisting and turning many just ending requiring back tracking...so sledders need to have good fuel reserve before exploring them.
The Huron Mountain Club today comprises little more than an exclusive retreat that owns about 95% of the salmon trout river beginning at the head waters that run under the triple A road very near the new mining operations by Kennecott...and ending in salmon trout bay to the north and west of Big Bay.
Big Bay thrives in winter on sled traffic and is a great place to base from for a long weekend of sledding with many cottages for rent mainly around lake independence which freezes over nicely in winter for sled traffic, and if you time a visit at the end of February, they have a fairly large antique sled show and ride that goes well up into the yellow dog area off the northwest road going thru old logging camps and some very pretty scenery...well worth the trip up there. Both restaurants and motels cater toward sledders in winter. You can sled from Big Bay to Skanee, and back and never travel the same route. Watch for logging operations and mining traffic if you do decide to explore the area...it is still some of the most remote inland forest that Michigan has to offer.
This is a nice ride for sleds, with many logging roads intersecting the "road"....
The M-35 ended at the north edge at the huron mt club property complete with guard shack and foot bridge spanning the salmon trout river which is the river that is so very coveted by the purist trout fisherman. Many of the feeder creeks there produce some nice brook trout fishing. Cabins dot the road in places but much of the land leading up to the club property is owned by paper companies or timber companies. Many of the trails spiring off to the northwest go many miles twisting and turning many just ending requiring back tracking...so sledders need to have good fuel reserve before exploring them.
The Huron Mountain Club today comprises little more than an exclusive retreat that owns about 95% of the salmon trout river beginning at the head waters that run under the triple A road very near the new mining operations by Kennecott...and ending in salmon trout bay to the north and west of Big Bay.
Big Bay thrives in winter on sled traffic and is a great place to base from for a long weekend of sledding with many cottages for rent mainly around lake independence which freezes over nicely in winter for sled traffic, and if you time a visit at the end of February, they have a fairly large antique sled show and ride that goes well up into the yellow dog area off the northwest road going thru old logging camps and some very pretty scenery...well worth the trip up there. Both restaurants and motels cater toward sledders in winter. You can sled from Big Bay to Skanee, and back and never travel the same route. Watch for logging operations and mining traffic if you do decide to explore the area...it is still some of the most remote inland forest that Michigan has to offer.
Im a 5th gen member. Club founded ~1880 by wealthy chicago/detroit families for hunting/fishing.
Now most are conservationists and the club is a rustic country club for family summer vacations. Still lots of money. Correct with the primary membership being 50K (cabin owners - 50 cabins only). Lesser mebership is $1K-10K based on age so the 21-25 demographic wont drop out.
I only know 2 families who became members who didnt inherit membership. They were good friends/neighbors of members, and another family (cabin owner) wanted out - so they bought in. This is very rare as if one family wants out, the other families are so big (after generations of coming to the club) , that if someone can afford it, they jump on this opportunity - so a couple of families have 2 cabins, one has 3 I think.
Im actually going up there on Wednesday.
The south shore of lake superior is my favorite place in the world - im thankful my chicago ancestors decided to get in on it 130 years ago.
Invites happen often. Most guests are family members of part-time HMC staff. If you are heavily involved with the Kennecott Mine Opposition, you could probably get an invite. NMU and Michigan Tech does some research there as well. There is also some logging.
If you have any other HMC questions let me know.
Now most are conservationists and the club is a rustic country club for family summer vacations. Still lots of money. Correct with the primary membership being 50K (cabin owners - 50 cabins only). Lesser mebership is $1K-10K based on age so the 21-25 demographic wont drop out.
I only know 2 families who became members who didnt inherit membership. They were good friends/neighbors of members, and another family (cabin owner) wanted out - so they bought in. This is very rare as if one family wants out, the other families are so big (after generations of coming to the club) , that if someone can afford it, they jump on this opportunity - so a couple of families have 2 cabins, one has 3 I think.
Im actually going up there on Wednesday.
The south shore of lake superior is my favorite place in the world - im thankful my chicago ancestors decided to get in on it 130 years ago.
Invites happen often. Most guests are family members of part-time HMC staff. If you are heavily involved with the Kennecott Mine Opposition, you could probably get an invite. NMU and Michigan Tech does some research there as well. There is also some logging.
If you have any other HMC questions let me know.
groomerdave
New member
Couple of pics from inside the "compound". Worked there early this summer and snapped a few. Wish I would have taken more pics, was a really old cool place.
Think Snow!
Dave
Think Snow!
Dave
groomerdave
New member
few more...
wisyooper1
Member
I've heard that the HMC was a popular hangout for Chicago and Detroit gangsters when the fuzz turned up the heat....
Cool! Thanks for sharing, if you have time to post up some pics of the place that would be awesome.
booondocker
New member
True of False>?
All cabins must adhere to naturalistic exterior materials, such as unstained wood and TV sets are NOT allowed?
A large building along the shore was built and is still maintained for club members to enjoy meals?
There are zero members who hunt the property?
Fishing on the Salmon Trout River is restricted to artificial bait only?
Everyone in the club can partake in the use of the cabin at Ives Lake?
The Gagnon Lumber Company used to own the property at the mouth of the Salmon Trout River?
Trails are cleared maintained and guarded by club employees so that members have easy passage to fish the river?
Timber was once floated down the Salmon Trout to Lake Superior?
There is a monument to lumber jacks that lost their lives by drowning keeping the logs flowing down the river?
Snowmobiles are NOT allowed on HMC property for any reason other than safety?
Salmon Trout Bay is the prettiest bay on Lake Superior, with sugar sand, and virgin pines and eagle nests along it's shoreline?
HMC still has a full time boat builder on the payroll?
Big Bay is the only access point to the club?
There is a full time guard shack guarding the entrance to the club?
Michigan's lone wolf pack lived in this region in the late 1960's and was studied by Professor Robertson out of NMU?
There is actually no fish in the Salmon Trout River?
The Salmon Trout River is fully navigable?
Nobody in Big Bay has ever really seen any club members because there really is no such thing?
A fairly complete history of the HMC including founding membership info can be purchased locally in Big Bay?
Gaaastra is a new John Dee member and lives in Tennessee?
I'm not heavily 'involved' with the opposition, but I am 100% totally against it. My work has been to post various things on Facebook and of course John Dee. I have a cabin in Wetmore so you're in my neck of the woods and I feel your pain. Unreal about this mine and the people that are actually for it imo.
Winterrules
New member
Nice pictures, it would be cool to see the place in person. Thanks for sharing! Looks like I need to pickup a copy of Superior Heartland.