1985 Map of Tie Lake

About this map

The Hiawatha National Forest landscape within the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is defined by its dense density of glacial kettle lakes and a complex network of transportation corridors. This 1985 survey captures a transitional wilderness being managed for both resource extraction and recreation, evidenced by the proximity of the Old RR Grade and Nahma Grade to modern developments like the Snowmobile Trail. The hydrography is notably diverse, ranging from the central Tie Lake and McComb Lake to smaller, clustered waters such as Skeels Pond and Council Lake. The presence of Forest Highway 13 provides the primary north-south artery through this lake-rich territory, which straddles the boundary between Alger and Delta counties. Researchers can find evidence of the region's logging history in the numerous rail grades that still crisscross the forest floor, connecting former timber tracts to the larger watersheds.