Rolling to steep slopes characterize much of this subsection.
End moraines are the dominant landform.
The underlying topography was formed by the Rainy Lobe. It was later overridden by the St. Louis sublobe of the last glaciation period. Northern hardwoods were common in the southern portion of the region, south of Grand Rapids. North of Grand Rapids, white pine, sugar maple, basswood, and balsam fir were common tree species. Presently, forestry and tourism are the major landuses.