1/4. Then, we will load the bus and drive to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, eating lunch on the bus (bag lunch) on the way up. Close. Spring, Summer and Fall activities. A consistently beautiful, challenging loop around the Porcupine Mountains. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Porcupine Mountains Loop is a 31.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Ontonagon, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Porcupine Mountains 2015, Day 5: Section 17 to Little Carp River trailhead Last Time: Big Carp to Section 17 Cabin I woke in that dark hour just before the first light of dawn appears. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, known as the Porkies, along Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a must-visit for a Midwesterner. You start high up on the Escarpment Trail looking down over Lake of the Clouds and the entire route. Reservations are available six months in advance and up to 72 hours before arriving at midnrreservations.com or 1-800-44PARKS. The Superior Loop, located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula, is one of several trails that make up the mountain biking and cross-country ski trail system in the park. Map of the Porkies . Day 1: Arrive at the Porcupine Mountains State Park by 2 PM the latest. Although some of the trails are more difficult than others, there are plenty of easy trails to choose from, and you can link together various trails to create hiking loops of different lengths. Last week, my wife generously allowed me 5 days out, and I made the most of it with a trip to the Porcupine Mountains in the westernmost portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan. It is only 656 feet up from the pass to the summit of the peak. It covers 60,000 acres and is Michigan's largest state park. Lodging. During the remainder of the year Oct. 16 through May 14, … What routes highlight the best of the park? Too excited to sleep, I woke up at 2:30 am, grabbed my backpack, and began the 11 hour drive. 6. Camping backpacking and rustic cabins in the 59,000 acres of rivers, lakes and forest. Porcupine Mountains Park Hiking Trail Map Overview. Here you can check trail conditions, register for backpacking, purchase fi shing/hunting licenses, get directions to scenic sites and more. Porcupine Mountains, MI- early September 2020. Backpacking the Porcupine Mountains is a thing, and instead of making it a day hike, you can also make it an overnight trip on the Escarpment Trail! Permits are issued upon arrival to the park, at the visitor center. The Superior Loop is a short, 1.5-mile loop connected to the Deer Yard Trail. Backpacking in the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness of Michigan is great for beginners and families. Along the way, you get several additional glimpses of the whole route as it's unfolding. This should be your fi rst stop when visiting the Porcupine Mountains. Unwind at charming lakeside cabins, full-service hotels and off-the-beaten path resorts. At just over 20-miles, this loop is best tackled as a multiday backpack with one to two nights at backcountry campsites (be sure to reserve your site in advance). On the other side of the pass sits Wilson Peak (13060), Utah's 17th highest peak. A subreddit dedicated to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell … Press J to jump to the feed. The elevation of Summit Peak is 1,958 ft. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Fabulous Backcountry Camping Loop - See 592 traveler reviews, 559 candid photos, and great deals for Ontonagon, MI, at Tripadvisor. The Porcupine Mountains might not be actual mountains, but they’re still one of the best spots for backpacking in the Upper Midwest. Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Overview. Your guide will have already arranged whether the group will meet at the visitor center or the Lake of the Clouds parking lot. Porcupine Mountains Hiking. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Group sizes are limited to no more than 6 persons. BACKPACKING INFORMATION. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Upper Midwestern United States isn't home to many vast swaths of wilderness so the Porkies are a real gem. Porcupine Mountains Photo Gallery. The guide(s) then checks to make sure that everyone has brought appropriate gear, and is not bringing too little (extremely rare) or more than they need (more likely). Porcupine Mountain sits due south of Porcupine Pass (12236) which is one of the high passes reached via the Highline Trail which runs in a generally east/west direction through the Uinta Mountains of Utah. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers some of the best hiking and backpacking trails in the upper Midwest (ranked #2 by Silent Sports Magazine). The loop may be limited in mileage but features two of the three rental cabins White Birch and Whitetail that can be accessed on a mountain bike. Backpackers must register at the Visitor Center before entering the interior of the park. PICS. With 60,000 acres of stunning forests, secluded lakes and scenic rivers, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Look for campsites marked ES-1 and ES-2 on the backcountry campsite map (pdf). We stayed at campsite 18 at the end of a loop hike (Lake of the Clouds, west 8 miles on the Big Carp River trail, east 9 miles on Lake Superior trail). User account menu. We will go through our gear and pack the backpacks with personal and group gear. Harvey and I set out to Porcupine Mountains in the upper peninsula of Michigan with the goal of doing 3 nights on a 25-30ish mile loop. Some popular day hike trails . Big Carp River Trail: Backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains. With more than 90 trails, there are many options to get out and explore. Turn-by-turn From the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area parking lot. - See 4 traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Ontonagon, MI, at Tripadvisor. If you're … 1 year ago. Sign up for the Porcupine Mountains E-newsletter! Your guess is as good as mine!). Deer Yard and Superior loops can be combined for a 3.5-mile ride that will be gentle on the mind and easy on the cardiovascular system. Summit Peak. Porcupine Mountains, MI- early September 2020. So, to get in the mood for my spring trip to my favorite mountains, I present this severely overdue trip log. Background: I am a big fan of the cabin program at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This is considered a high point in Michigan! Obviously, weather will be a factor. COVID-19: Information … Ontonagon, Michigan. 2) Turn left onto the River Trail. STAY IN THE LOOP. 1) Head downhill from the lot’s east end on the Nonesuch Trail. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Great for Backpacking - See 595 traveler reviews, 559 candid photos, and great deals for Ontonagon, MI, at Tripadvisor. 2 comments. Our site was also beautiful, and very secluded, with a large shoreline, fire pit area, and ample tent area a walk away from the main trail. Step a few yards off the path for a better view of the water. Wait -- I mean, in that dark hour just after the light of dawn tries to appears, only to be completely snuffed out by tall hemlocks, high ridges, and a good thick layer of clouds. Porcupine Mountains Visitor The Wilderness Visitor Center is located along South Boundary Road, one quarter mile from the M-107 Junction. 6. The size and variety of the park allow you to choose your level of immersion in nature, and your level of difficulty on the 90-plus miles of hiking trails. This loop hike is a strenuous but rewarding outing that highlights some of the best views, memorable scenery and challenging terrain that the Porcupine Mountains have to offer. My first time backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains It's the middle of winter, and the days are still short. This is the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains. I'm looking for suggestions on how to get the best out of a two night backpacking trip in the Porcupine Mountains in mid-December. Backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains is $15 per night for groups of 1 to 6 persons. Posted by 2 hours ago. I've been spending the dark evenings sorting through old photos, and I came across a few from the first time I went backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains -- in 2012. … Loop trips are nice for logistics, but trips that utilize a shuttle are ok as well. 18 could be good for an overnight trip, as the hike in from Lake Superior trailhead isn't bad. Discover the boundless natural beauty in the Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula | Lodging | Recreation | Attractions. With an excellent balance of high rocky ridges, low wooded riverways, gorgeous inland lakes, and the weathered shores of the Great Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains State Park is a runners dream. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park ROAD HWY 107 Union Bay Lake Superior Union Bay Area Park Headquarters Wilderness Visitor Center Kaug Wudjoo Lodge Manido Falls Nawadaha Falls Manabezho Falls 519 Lake Superior Presque Isle Scenic Area W e s t R i v e T r a i l E a s t R i v e r T r a i l ROAD Union Bay Campground Wilderness Visitor Center LS-4 LS-5 LS-6 LS-7 LS-8 LS-9. Near Ontonagon, Michigan. You will only see this message once. What I like most about Porcupine Mountain State Park is that you can enjoy the beauty of the area whether you are limited on time or have all the time in the world. PREPARATION: Preparation is the key to a successful Porkies visit. Click here to read more about Porcupine Mountains Backpacking. Log in sign up. Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trip Itinerary August 25-29, 2014 13-16 year olds Monday, August 25 – Drop off at Monona Campus (See you Friday!!) 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