Editor's note: This blog post originally appeared on the Things To Do In The Upper Peninsula blog, which is just getting started but is already showcasing some great things to do in the U.P. From time to time, with permission from Things To Do In The Upper Peninsula, U.P. Second Wave will be republishing some of the blog's posts. This week's post can be found in original form here.
Hiking up the 400 or so concrete stairs that ascend Pine Mountain is a definitely a test of your physical ability.
Your legs will burn. Your lungs will heave. You will have to stop, probably more than once, to catch your breath. And when you get to the top, you'll be rewarded with this view.
Never mind that you could just drive to the scenic lookout and skip the stairs entirely. You wouldn't do that, would you? (Okay, you probably would and quite frankly so do I most of the time. I won't tell anybody if you don't.)
I walked the steps a few weeks ago in place of my normal cardio routine and my legs were still sore days later. And now I'm hooked! I've been back a few times since and last weekend I even kept going, all the way up to the top of the ski jump.
There's just something about climbing 400 concrete steps, especially when you have the time to do it a few times in a row that begets a feeling of accomplishment.
"I climbed 400 concrete steps today," you could say to your friends. What have you done?"
"Uhh… We ate at McDonalds…"
Exactly.
That said, I'd recommend that anyone with a health condition abstain from climbing these stairs. They're pretty steep and could be dangerous if you're not in decent shape.
However, there's a beautiful pavilion at the top of the hill as well as the wonderful U.P. Veteran's Memorial where those who opt out can relax while you tear it up on the stairs.
Also, the steps are in pretty rough shape. When I was climbing them the other day I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be great if someone could re-do all of this?
And as it turns out, someone is already on it!
The Kiwanis Ski Club and YMCA of Dickinson County have a "Pine Mountain 500" program going to replace all the steps, add a few benches, and generally just improve what is already a fantastic Upper Peninsula experience.
If you donate $200 you'll get your name on a step. And with hundreds of people lingering on these steps each winter to watch the Pine Mountain ski jumps, not to mention all the people who climb them in the summer, your name/company/etc. will definitely get some decent exposure.
Bottom Line: Climbing the stairs at Pine Mountain is a great thing to do if you're in the Iron Mountain area and want a good outdoor workout that just happens to include an awesome view.
Time required: 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending how many ascents you choose to do.
How to get to Top of the stairs / scenic lookout: From downtown Iron Mountain, travel North (West) on US 2 and turn left onto Kent St. by the Pine Mountain sign. After a few blocks, turn right on Forest St., then a quick left onto Walker St., then veer right onto Kramer Dr. Kramer dead ends into the parking lot.
How to get to Bottom of the stairs / Pine Mountain Lodge / Famers Bar and Grill: Go to N3332 Pine Mountain Road, Iron Mountain. Park in the parking lot (near the bottom of the ski jump), or drive up the unmarked dirt road that leads to the bottom of the ski jump and park at the bottom of the stairs.
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