Sugarloaf Mountain might just be the most iconic hike in Marquette, and it’s one that almost everyone can handle. A hike of around a mile leads to amazing views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area from several viewing platforms atop the 470 foot tall mountain. We first wrote about this awesome adventure in 2016 and had most recently visited in early 2020. A return visit this summer found a second and much larger parking lot had been added and new trail signs had been placed to provide information for visitors. Let’s look at everything you need to know before you visit Sugarloaf Mountain:

The parking area for Sugarloaf Mountain can be found off of CR-550, six miles north of Marquette. There used to be one smaller parking area here that quickly filled up (causing dangers for pedestrians) so the newer south parking lot (big enough for buses and RVs) was added in the fall of 2020. Today we look at the hike starting from that new parking lot, where a couple new signs welcome visitors shortly after they hop on the trail.

The first sign here shows a trail map and talks about Marquette County’s size (bigger than Rhode Island!) and population. It also shows historical photos of Sugarloaf from the 1920s to present day.

The trail is wide and well-maintained, with stairs in place to help people with the more intense uphill sections. A good portion of the hike here is uphill, so make sure to pace yourself if that isn’t something you’re used to.

Along the way, you will pass a few more of the new informational signs. They tell about the flora and fauna you might see on Sugarloaf Mountain, the history of the acquisition of Sugarloaf Mountain, how the mountain got its name, the early history of the mountain, details about the two types of aspen trees you will see on this hike, how the mountain was formed, and the purpose of the Bart King monument at the top.

Once you’ve reached the top there are multiple viewing platforms for you to check out the views from. One looks back to Marquette, and you should be able to spot landmarks like the Superior Dome, Presque Isle Park, and the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse.

Another platform looks north to Big Bay and the Keweenaw Peninsula. From here you can see Little Presque Isle and even catch a glimpse of the Granite Island Lighthouse out in Lake Superior (you might need binoculars or a zoom lens).

This platform is also home to a stone obelisk. This is the Bart King Monument and it was constructed in 1921. A sign near the base of the mountain notes that it honors Alanson Bartlett King, an assistant scout master who was killed in France during World War I. His mother could see the monument from their home in Marquette. It is 12 feet tall and has been repaired several times over the years by local Boy Scout troops.

Another viewing platform on the other side of the mountain looks west at Hogback Mountain, which is slightly taller than Sugarloaf but has much more rustic trails involved in reaching the summit.

When people ask for things to do in Marquette, this hike is always one of the first things I mention. The views from the top are awesome, and it’s fun to go back and see Sugarloaf in different seasons. The addition of more parking and new trail signs definitely makes this place even more of an asset to the Marquette community, and should help the more than 60,000 people that make the climb each year enjoy their visits!