Mulligan Pines Preserve
Drone Imagery by Lone Pine Images/Dirk Ruff
Mulligan Pines Preserve
The Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy (UPLC) is thrilled to announce the permanent protection of the 80-acre Mulligan Pines Preserve located in Champion Township. Mulligan Pines is a place where unique wetland ecology, cultural history, and shared stewardship come together along the banks of Mulligan Creek. At its heart stands a restored dovetail log cabin, originally built as a sauna on a Finnish farm in the Keweenaw Peninsula. The Saaris rescued the deteriorating structure, carefully dismantling, transporting, and reassembling it by hand, finding its permanent home along the Mulligan Creek. Today the cabin still stands proudly, commemorating the Saaris’ and the Upper Peninsula’s Scandinavian heritage.
What began as Jon and Christine Saari’s vision for their land and family camp, affectionately known as “Fish Camp”, evolved into a multi-partner conservation success story. Through collaboration with the Saari family, North Country Trail Association (NCTA), and Lyme Great Lakes Timberlands LLC (Lyme), the Saari’s cherished property and the surrounding landscape are now preserved in perpetuity.
North Country Trail Association Partnership
The preserve is home to a mosaic of old-growth forests and rich conifer swamps that store carbon, filter water, and keep wildlife corridors intact. Mulligan Creek and its tributaries carry cold, clear water that provides habitat for trout and flows to the Dead River, connecting the preserve to UPLC’s other protected lands in the watershed.
Looking ahead, UPLC is grateful to partner with the North Country Trail Association and its Marquette Area Chapter, who will steward a spur trail leading to the old-growth pine stand. Plans also include collective stewardship of the historic cabin as a simple overnight option for North Country Trail through-hikers.
The Saaris desire to share their feeling of gratitude serves as a simple and sweet reminder that land protection often begins here – in awe of nature and in want of giving something back
Visiting Mulligan Pines
Though the preserve is immediately open to the public for non-motorized activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking, we ask you please be respectful of the infrastructure and land as the team works on initial establishment needs such as signage, access route improvements, and cabin maintenance.
Access to the preserve is currently by foot along the NCT due to needed road maintenance along access route. The walk is roughly 2 miles to the preserve. Please park at the DNR's Silver Lake Boat Access Area, follow road southeast down the hill until you intersect with the North Country National Scenic Trail. Proceed north along the NCT for approximately 1.8 miles until you reach the Mulligan Creek Truck Trail. Turn south on road until you reach a sandy logging road through the pine plantation (46.670967, -87.813425). Continue on road until you reach the SW corner of the Preserve Boundary. See map provided.
We have already had some productive collaboritve volunteer days with NCTA summer 2026. Please stay tuned to UPLC's outreach and NCTA Marquette Area Chapter for details to come including updated maps showing roads, trails, ecological features, and more!
Support Land Protection
UPLC’s mission to protect Land Today for Life Tomorrow is vital to ensuring our region remains resilient in the face of climate change. The recent protection of Mulligan Pines Preserve and our growing acquisitions safeguard vital riparian areas, forestlands, and wildlife corridors, supporting a healthy ecosystem and community. Please consider donating at the link below to support projects like Mulligan Pines protection and preserve establishment at UPLC.
