Michigan · Hiking · McCormick Wilderness · Near Ishpeming

Upper Baraga Lake

Upper Baraga LakePhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
0.5 mi
round trip
26 ft
climb
1,733 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Upper Baraga Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ottawa National Forest. It doesn't name Upper Baraga Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Ottawa National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Upper Baraga Lake is a short, out-and-back hike of about 0.46 miles in the McCormick Wilderness, part of the Kenton Ranger District of the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail lies within designated wilderness. The route is rated hard, and it's a short walk with a small climb. The trail starts at about 1,722 feet and reaches a high point of 1,733 feet, with a total gain of 26 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.06 miles in, with a 5% grade. The trail is natural-surfaced and not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 77°F in July and August, with lows in the low 50s. Winters are severe, with January highs near 23°F. Lower Baraga Lake is about 1.4 miles away, and White Deer Lake is about 1.8 miles away. Paddlers can head to the Peshekee River, about 3.3 miles off, and Craig Lake State Park is about 8.4 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Michigamme Shores Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 9.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    B-Dogs

    Fast food

    On your way back · 10 mi
  • If it rainsAndrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum

    Museum

    In town

    Former mine, now a museum in Ishpeming, Michigan, USA

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Ishpeming
  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Upper Baraga Lake

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      23° / 2°

    2. Feb

      26° / -1°

    3. Mar

      38° / 9°

    4. Apr

      50° / 23°

    5. May

      66° / 35°

    6. Jun

      75° / 45°

    7. Jul

      77° / 51°

    8. Aug

      77° / 49°

    9. Sep

      69° / 43°

    10. Oct

      54° / 31°

    11. Nov

      39° / 20°

    12. Dec

      26° / 9°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Champion Van Riper Pk, MI, 11 mi away at 1,599 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

WHITE DEER LAKEPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

WHITE DEER LAKE

~3 min drive

5.84-mile out-and-back trail to White Deer Lake in Michigan with 1,281 ft elevation gain.

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - HemlockPhoto: On the White Line, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - Hemlock

~46 min drive

0.85-mile out-and-back trail in Michigan with 22 ft elevation gain.

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake TrailsPhoto: On the White Line, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails

~46 min drive

12.81-mile out-and-back trail in Michigan with 661 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Craig Lake State Park

~14 min drive

7.71-mile out-and-back trail in Craig Lake State Park, Michigan with 530 ft elevation gain.

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - Harlow CreekPhoto: eoz_15, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - Harlow Creek

~46 min drive

0.67-mile out-and-back trail at Harlow Creek, Little Presque Isle.

HIKE

Yellow Dog Falls

~9 min drive

Out-and-back hike to a scenic waterfall in Michigan's UP.

HIKE

Copper Country State Forest

~48 min drive

5.94-mile out-and-back trail in Copper Country State Forest, Michigan.

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - The JediPhoto: On the White Line, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Trails - The Jedi

~46 min drive

2.72-mile out-and-back trail in Michigan with 528 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Pelkie Creek Hunter

~51 min drive

Remote 13.18-mile out-and-back creek trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

HIKE

Nct

~55 min drive

5.17-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 1,375 ft elevation gain/loss.