2023 Lake Superior Rally at Houghton-Hancock
Please register now!
’23 Lake Superior Rally
August 4th through 6th
You are in for a treat. We are trying something new. For the first time, the Lake Superior Rally will be held at Houghton-Hancock, Mich. (S-200) on the spectacular Keweenaw Peninsula, Mich. (S-199). This location was only recently made possible by a major harbor improvement project of Houghton’s City Dock.
If you haven’t cruised the Keweenaw before, we strongly encourage you to also visit some of the area’s other enticing harbors and anchorages after the Rally, such as Copper Harbor (S-207). It should also be noted that the peninsula is an ideal jumping off point for visiting Isle Royale and the Canadian North Shore.
The Keweenaw Peninsula is geologically very similar to Isle Royale, and has plenty of beauty to match. However, while it indeed has stunning nature, this is not a wilderness area. Instead, there are charming towns, developed harbors, and historical sites, as well as plenty of exciting opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. It’s another must-see Lake Superior sector to explore, and Houghton-Hancock is its gateway.
Please register online here or view a printable registration form here. Cost: $58 USD/pp. No refunds after 7/24/23. As always, guests and non-members are welcome to attend and can register via the links above.
LAKE SUPERIOR RALLY PROGRAM
Please fly your GLCC burgee. Dressing ship is encouraged.
Friday, Aug. 4th
1600-1800 Rally Registration at the Houghton City Dock.
1700-1900 Informal gathering & boat visits dockside at Houghton City Dock. Meet your cruising friends and make new ones.
1900-2100 Dinner on your own. (Downtown recommendations will be provided).
Saturday, Aug. 5th
0800 VHF Rally Announcements
0800-0830 Rally Registration at the Houghton City Dock.
0830-0930 Breakfast at the Copper Range Depot Restaurant. The provided menu is two eggs, meat, hash browns, toast, and coffee.
1000- Suggested Optional Activity: Quincy Mine Tour. The historic copper mine and huge steam hoist are must-see local attractions. For further details and ticket information please go to https://quincymine.com/tours/
1200-1300 Lunch on your own. (Downtown recommendations will be provided).
1500-1600 Cruising the Keweenaw. A group discussion about many favorite harbors, sights, and anchorages on the peninsula.
1600-1700 Port Captains’ meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.
1700-1830 Informal gathering dockside & boat visits at the Houghton City Dock. Meet your cruising friends and make new ones.
1900-2130 Dinner at the Copper Range Depot Restaurant. The menu is salad, whitefish (broiled or fired) or vegetarian pasta, mashed potatoes, desert, and coffee. Wine and beer are available for individual purchase.
Following the meal, the evening presentation will be “Restoring the Balance: what wolves tell us about our relationship with nature.”
Join renowned biologist and author, Professor John Vucetich as he shares from his more than a quarter-century of studying wolves and their prey in the boreal forest of Isle Royale National Park. John will share his perspectives o as he reads from his recent book, "Restoring the Balance."
Sunday, Aug. 6th
0700-1300 Breakfast at the Copper Range Depot Restaurant on your own time schedule. Order off the menu. A $10/person coupon towards your morning meal will be provided.
0800 VHF Rally Announcements (Ch. 72)
0830-1200 Departures.
NOTE: It may be possible to arrange for optional rally activities for the Rally attendees, who may wish to arrive earlier and/or stay longer at Houghton-Hancock. Any such activities will be announced at a later date.
Please register online here or view a printable registration form here. Cost: $58 USD/pp. No refunds after 7/24/23. As always, guests and non-members are welcome to attend and can register via the links above.
Copper Range Depot Restaurant Directions: 301 W Lakeshore Drive, Houghton. It is located just west of the Lift Bridge across the street from the Houghton City Dock. We meet in its back room.
Portage Canal Lift Bridge Openings:
This past summer, the Portal Lake Areal Lift Bridge opened for recreational traffic at the bottom and top of the hour during weekdays, but there wasn’t a set schedule for the weekends. It is expected this practice will continue.
Available Dockage:
Note that the rally activities are being planned for the Houghton side of the waterway.
Houghton City Dock: available on a first-come-first-served basis. The wharf has a large capacity with the option of rafting up. Electric service is installed at the plaza and along the library frontage, but there is no water service available. The dock rates for ’23 have not yet been established.
Houghton County Marina: transient dockage, diesel/gas, pump-out, and water service on the Hancock side of the waterway. The Rally activities on the Houghton side are only a short dinghy ride across the canal.
There are several boat ramps available in the area, if you wish to trailer a boat to the Rally.
For more information, please contact: Treasurer Niels R. Jensen at 612-799-8039 / jense063@umn.edu