It’s pretty common for Keweenaw waterfalls to have varying flow rates, but Copper Adit Falls takes the cake. During the spring thaw, Owl Creek crashes down the hill in a thrilling rush of whitewater — but just a month later, the waterfall is little more than a trickle. (Albeit a very picturesque one.)
Copper Adit Falls is worth a visit, even when the water isn’t flowing fast. It’s one of the easier waterfall hikes in the Keweenaw — no bushwhacking required — and it’s surrounded by traces of Keweenaw mining history.
Getting to Copper Adit Falls
Copper Adit Falls is located off an old two-track road southwest of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. There are a few ways to get to the waterfall.
Directions to Copper Adit Falls
There are three different ways to get to the top of the waterfall:
- Fastest route. Park on the side of the Eagle Harbor Cut-Off Road near GPS coordinates 47.432269, -88.193783. Walk .51 miles down the rocky snowmobile/ATV trail to reach the falls. This is the shortest route, but it’s all uphill on the way back. Don’t try to drive down; even a high-clearance SUV will bottom out.
- Easiest route. Drive west on Pine Street away from Eagle Harbor, and follow it as it turns into a very well-maintained gravel road. (See photo below; it’s accessible even for low-slung sedans.) Watch for ATVs! You can drive until GPS coordinates 47.443083, -88.181722 — after that, the road is only open to ATVs and side by sides. Leave your car on the shoulder (there’s plenty of room) and walk 0.8 miles up to the waterfall. There’s also a small trailhead parking area nearby.
- Best hike. Leave your car at the Eagle Harbor Trails trailhead on Pine Street (GPS coordinates 47.452778, -88.171361). Take Shadow’s Shortcut trail to the Dorothy & Fritz Carlton Loop trail. Go left, and follow the southern side of the loop along Long Lake. At the end of the loop, walk through the trees to rejoin the snowmobile/ATV trail. It’s the longest route (about 1.75 miles one way), but the trails are beautiful and the walk is pleasant.
Once you get close to Copper Adit Falls — around GPS coordinates 47.437102, -88.195969 — head downhill on the rocky two-track road closest to Owl Creek. It travels down a steep hill to the stamp sands (which are private property). Take a left at the bottom and skirt the edge of the stamp sands. The waterfall is just through the trees at GPS coordinates 47.437705, -88.196277.
Technically, you can drive to the top of the waterfall on the snowmobile trail with an ATV or side by side. However, the route is extremely rough and rocky — especially when you’re coming from the Eagle Harbor Cut-Off Road. Make sure you have plenty of clearance.
How hard is the hike?
The hike to Copper Adit Falls isn’t all that challenging, but the ground is extremely uneven and covered in rocks. Watch your step on the snowmobile trail to avoid rolling an ankle. For a nicer hike, take the Eagle Harbor Trails; the trails are well-maintained.
The hill from the snowmobile trail down to the waterfall is steep and covered in loose rocks. There’s no avoiding this section, so walk carefully. This hike is not recommended for people who struggle with balance or mobility.
When to visit Copper Adit Falls
Copper Adit Falls is most impressive when the snow starts to melt — usually, in late April or early May. If there’s still a lot of snow on the trails, bring snowshoes and watch out for snowmobiles. By June, the waterfall is barely there, but the banks of Owl Creek practically glow with bright green ferns and moss. In the fall, the route is awash in brilliant colors.
It took two tries for me to get to the falls — the first time, we turned around when gunshots started ringing through the woods. They weren’t shooting at us, but it seemed prudent not to walk toward gunfire. (Pretty sure it was someone doing target practice on the stamp sands.)
What’s Nearby
If you still have energy after your visit to Copper Adit Falls, drive down the Eagle Harbor Cut-Off Road and take a short hike to Arnold Mine Falls.