This Jaw-Dropping U.P. Sunrise Phenomenon Only Happens Twice a Year

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is beautiful. There are so many things to see from waterfalls to mountains to wildlife.

But there's one spectacular sight in the U.P. that you can only witness twice every year.

⬇️24 Bridges to The U.P. That AREN'T the Mackinac Bridge⬇️

The phenomenon known to many as "Orehenge" occurs when the sunrise lines up perfectly and illuminates through the middle of the Lower Harbor Ore Dock in Marquette. And if you want to see it, you're going to want to bundle up because it only occurs in November and January.

Marquette, Michigan's Giant Ore Dock

The ore dock itself is really a sight to be seen. Standing 86 feet tall and spanning 969 feet, it's massive and hard to miss. The dock, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

While it hasn't actually functioned as an ore dock since the early 1970s, the dock has become a defining landmark of Marquette and the U.P., in general. Back in the heydays of mining, the ore dock was bustling with activity, and over its years of operation, it helped with the shipping of 24 million tons of iron ore.

READ MORE: Get to Know The U.P. From A to Z 

How to View Marquette, Michigan's Orehenge

As stated earlier, the only two times that this astronomical phenomenon occurs are in November and January ever year. According to experts, the date can vary, but it happens 30 days on either side of the winter solstice. You'll want to get there early if you want to have a good view (and potentially snag some great photos.) 8 a.m. seems to be the time that most suggest people show up to view Orehenge, with the actual spectacle beginning around 8:25 a.m.

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If you don't think you'll ever make it up to see Orehenge in person, that's okay, check out this video to get just a taste of its beauty.

Want to take a trip up but are dreading the idea of driving across the Mackinac Bridge? Here are some other options.