Whether you are a visitor to the Keweenaw for a few days, or a year around resident, the Estivant Tract is a must see. Large acreage of old growth timber which has never seen the radical altering brought on by logging, has become rare in the Great Lakes area.

The Estivant Pines Sanctuary is truly a natural wonder that has become the “jewel” of the Keweenaw. Three hundred and seventy seven acres of virgin northern hardwoods, interspersed with groves of eastern white pine, give the visitor a glimpse of Michigan before man changed most of our natural ecosystems.

Three trail loop combinations give the hiker a choice of 1 mile, 1.2 mile, or 2.5 mile loops over rugged terrain. The trails are some of the best in Keweenaw with most of the wet areas covered with boardwalks. Hikers should wear good boots, long sleeves, a hat and insect repellent in summer. Foot traffic only is permitted, horses, pets, fires, and camping are not allowed in the sanctuary. Bring a lunch, but please pack out all litter. Also, there is an outdoor privy located near the parking lot.

The Cathedral Grove Loop is a one mile trail where you will gaze in awe at the old giants, and imagine how Michigan once appeared. Only a fraction of the big pine can be seen from the trails as most are tucked away in hard to reach places.

The Cathedral Grove holds some of the biggest and oldest pine, measuring over four feet in diameter, they are 125 feet tall and 500 years old. All sizes of pine are present, from tiny seedlings to aboriginal giants.

The Memorial Grove Loop is 1.2 miles long and takes you through a large grove of younger, 200 year old pine which was seeded in after a hot fire cleared the competing hardwoods and exposed the thin mineral soil. Along this trail you will pass red oak over 40 inches in diameter. Yellow birch up to 48 inches in diameter are also found in this region.

The main trail into the two loops is an old mining road dating back to the 1850s. Several small copper mine explorations were started near this region, and you can see scars left by wagons on the base of the trees. Trees laid across the road, called corduroy are still evident along this trail.

The dense, old growth create a protective canopy over the forest floor, providing the perfect habitat for over a dozen different species of orchids and the perfect nesting sanctuary for over 85 species of song birds.

THE HISTORY
The Estivant Pines got their name from their pioneer owner Edward A. J. Estivant of Paris, France. Mssr. Estivant bought 2,400 acres south of Copper Harbor in 1861, during the boom days of early copper mining in the region. The land remained in the Estivant family until 1947 when it was purchased by Calumet and Hecla Mining Co.

By 1900 only 750 acres of virgin Estivant timber remained. But in 1970, over 300 acres were cut by the new owners, Universal Oil Co. A movement by local citizens, backed by the Michigan Nature Association, to save the remaining virgin remnant was successful in stopping the cutting. After a three year fund drive, raising $57,000 from all parts of Michigan, a 160 acre sanctuary was established.

Again in 1987 loggers encroached on the sanctuary and cut 24 big trees. This trespass helped the local Estivant Pines organization realize how important it is to have a protective buffer of acreage around the old growth stand. Adjourning landowners manage their land as commercial forest. This fact requires that the MNA continues to purchase land around the old growth tract to protect it.

Located in the Estivant sanctuary is an eight acre grove named the Lauri Leskinen Memorial Grove. Lauri was a member of the original “Save the Pines Committee” and was instrumental in motivating people to form a citizen group and call for the preservation of a remnant of this old pine forest. Lauri was our inspiration in those early days.

Camping or fires are not allowed in the wilderness sanctuary in order to keep human impact to a minimum. Visitation is heavy in certain seasons, so please stay on the trails, do not bring pets into the sanctuary and be aware of your groups noise level.

In the village of Copper Harbor (on the corner lawn of the community/fire hall) the Michigan Nature Association has erected a kiosk which houses information on the sanctuary. It also displays a memorial list of families and individuals who are honored by their friends, through a donation to the memorial fund.

Membership in the Michigan Nature Association is obtainable by writing the Michigan Nature Association: P.O. Box 102, Avoca, MI 48006 or go to:
www.michigannature.org