View from top of the Helmut and Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy.
Summit of Mt. Baldy View from top of the Helmut and Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy. © Jason Whalen/Big Foot Media

Places We Protect

Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy

Michigan

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Mt. Baldy is the largest and least disturbed of only a handful of balds remaining in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Why Is This Preserve Significant?

Northern bald communities are extremely rare in Michigan and only occur around the Keweenaw from Isle Royale to Gogebic County. Mt. Baldy is unique because it harbors a variety of plant life at its peak, where treeless openings result in rare plant species scattered amongst wind-contorted white cedar and juniper. It also accommodates an amazing array of bird species that pass over the site during their annual migration.

What Can I See Here?

Towering 730 feet above Lake Superior in northern Keweenaw County near Eagle Harbor and Lake Bailey, the mountain offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula.

With a watchful eye and binoculars, you may spot local inhabitants such the black bear, snowshoe hare, peregrine falcon, ruffed grouse, golden-crowned kinglet, black-throated green warbler and yellow-rumped warbler.

From the parking area along the Eagle Harbor Shortcut Road, the hike up Mt. Baldy is a steady, uphill 3-mile climb. It can take 2 hours to reach the summit, but the views of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula are well worth it. Because of the thin soils, which cause shallow rooting, and harsh conditions, vegetation can be extremely slow to recover or reestablish following excessive trampling. Please stay on the trail.

The Nature Conservancy allows hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets. All hunters are required to receive a permit from TNC as well as a Michigan deer hunting license. Additionally, hunters must report any deer taken from the preserve.

If you plan to visit, take Brockway Mountain Drive between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor; there is a little turn-off on the side of the road, right next to a preserve sign that offers a spectacular view of Mt. Baldy.

Permitted Activities

  • Hiking, skiing and snowshoeing
  • Bird watching, nature study and photography
  • Research projects and educational studies with approved permit
  • Hunting with a TNC-issued permit for whitetail deer

Prohibited Activities

  • No motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including bicycles
  • No building of new trails
  • No pets
  • No hunting or trapping without a TNC-issued permit
  • No removal of plants or animals (alive or dead)
  • No removal of rocks, water, or other non-organic materials
  • No camping, bonfires, fireworks or other fires
  • No firewood collecting
  • No littering
Nature Spotlight: Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve Can't visit the Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve in person? Take a virtual tour with this short video!

In 2006 TNC dedicated the main ridge trail as a memorial to Nicole Bloom. Nicole was a Michigan Tech student who was active in many environmental issues but sadly died in a mountain climbing accident the summer after she graduated.

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