Sugarloaf Mountain
To me, Sugarloaf Mountain has always seemed like the little brother of Hogback Mountain. Although Hogback is just under 200 feet higher than Sugarloaf, the road to get there feels much more like you’re climbing a mountain. With this already ingrained into my mind, I was a bit surprised the first time we climbed the stairs to the observation decks atop Sugarloaf Mountain.
The view was absolutely stupendous, offering views of just about everything that Marquette County offers. To the north, you can see Little Presque Isle trying to stay afloat as Lake Superior tries to wash it away, and to the south, Presque Isle stands tall, protecting Marquette, which is peaking out in the distance. Turning away from the water towards the Huron Mountain Range, Hogback Mountain is prominent against the wooded landscape. It almost appears to beckon those who thought the trail to the top of Sugarloaf was too easy, urging them to come and give its summit their best shot.
To reach the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, there are two trails, both of which I would classify as easy. The easier of the two veers to the right from the parking lot, whereas the harder veers left. They meet before the summit, so you could take one up and the other down. If you choose that route, the loop would end up being just over a mile. Sugarloaf Mountain is a great stop for both hiking enthusiasts and casual visitors who just want to get a nice view of the Marquette area. If you visit in the winter, be sure to bring snowshoes or spikes!
