Huron Mountains
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The Huron Mountains are in the U.S. state of Michigan, located mostly in Powell Township, Marquette County overlooking Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula.
The region is characterized by the boreal vegetation and unusually diverse habitats. The mountains are the largest remnant of substantially undisturbed old-growth forest in the upper Great Lakes region. Forests on the uplands are dominated by hemlock and northern hardwoods. Forests on the steep slopes and mountain ridges are dominated by pine-oak stands.
The area has been preserved largely due to the influence of the highly exclusive Huron Mountain Club (HMC), which owns a large tract of land in the mountains, including a portion of the Salmon Trout River. The club reportedly commissioned noted naturalist Aldo Leopold to create a preservation plan for the area. However, the private club zealously restricts access to its property, which is unfortunate for white water rafting enthusiasts since the Salmon Trout is rumored to be one of the best rafting rivers in Michigan. According to some versions of a story, the exclusive club even put Henry Ford on a waiting list. Reportedly, in order to gain favor with the club, Ford blocked the construction of a planned extention of Michigan State Highway 35 through the mountains. After gaining membership, Ford commissioned noted architect Albert Kahn in 1929 to build a $100,000 cabin for his use.
In the late 1950s, the Huron Mountains were a candidate for becoming a national park. However, the HMC was influential in undermining the proposal.
External links
- Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation (http://www.hmwf.org/)
- About the highly exclusive Huron Mountain club (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2620/)
- NPS history about efforts to create National Park in Huron Mountains (http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/slbe/adhi_2b.htm)
- M-35: The Highway Henry Ford Stopped (http://www.michiganhighways.org/indepth/M-35_huronmtns.html)