by

Thomas E. Foye

Aerial Photos of the McCormick Tract!

The McCormick Tract wilderness area is a Federally protected wilderness area comprising about 17,000 acres of rugged wilderness in northern Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Originally owned by the McCormick family of Chicago as a vacation hid-a-way, this tract is rich in history and today offers the wilderness adventurer a rare backpacking or hiking opportunity.  This site contains information, history, current photos, historic photos and maps of the McCormick Tract.  What makes this area so interesting is its history (besides being the site of the McCormick Grand Camps, it was the beginning of the Bentley trail which ran from Whitedeer Lake within the McCormick Tract to the Huron Mountains on Lake Superior, 34 miles to the northeast), its topography ( it contains the headwaters of the Dead River, Huron River, Peshekee River and Yellow Dog Rivers as well as many cliffs and waterfalls ) and its remote wilderness characteristics.  The information is maintained by Tom Foye, who can be reached by clicking on the Author link above.

NOTE:  There are only two maintained trails into this remote area.  The Bentley trail is not maintained.  Backpacking or hiking to the many waterfalls and interior lakes must be done by hiking through the woods and navigating with a compass or GPS.  These navigating skills are essential if you plan to venture off trail within the McCormick Tract.