Kona Hills at Michigan Ice Fest 2026: From Showing Up to Building What’s Next
What if world-class ice and mixed climbing didn’t require a long approach into the backcountry? At the Harvey Quarry in Marquette, climbers are experiencing rare, accessible conditions—and Kona Hills in partnership with Cryoculture is helping shape what comes next.
Native American Garden in Marquette: Gichi-namebini Ziibing Near Kona Hills
Map from Gidakiiminaan: An Anishinaabe Atlas of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Harvey Quarry: From Industrial Site to Climbing and Ice Farming Destination
Nestled just south of Marquette, Michigan, along US-41, the Harvey Quarry stands as a silent testament to the region's rich geological and industrial past. Beyond its striking rock formations, the quarry is intrinsically linked to the ambitious endeavors of Charles T. Harvey — a visionary engineer whose ideas helped shape the Upper Peninsula's development.
Tapping into the Sands Plain Aquifer: The Water Source at Kona Hills
One of the biggest challenges of developing Kona Hills Campground on a massive rock outcropping was securing a reliable water source. Through careful research and by following the path of a nearby abandoned well, we selected a drilling location. What we tapped into wasn’t just any water source—it was a confined aquifer connected to the Sands Plain Aquifer, one of the most important groundwater resources in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.