Porcupine Mountains

Hike Name: Porcupine Mountains Location: northwest MI Length: 27 mile loop Submitted by: MD Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Michigan trail reviews Michigan national parks Michigan state parks
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Description
I've been to the Porkies 4 times now and hiked over half the trails. I think this hike is a good one for average backpackers who want to see the highlights of the park on a 3 or maybe 4 day trip.
Day 1: Start at the Lake of the Clouds Overlook and hike the Big Carp River Trail to Shining Cloud Falls campsite(about 8.5 miles). This is an easy hike, mostly downhill with well marked blazers. There is no access to water the first 5 miles, so make sure to take a full canteen from the start. There are terrific views of Lake of the Clouds and the Big Carp River valley for the first half of the hike. The second half goes through some of the best Hemlock forest in the park and ends at the best waterfall IMO. There is one river crossing along the way where you may get wet. You can get down to the waterfall from the campsite and take a little swim if you can brave the cool waters. If the campsite happens to be taken, don't worry. There are many sites available down on the lake which is just over a mile away. If spending the night on the lake sounds more appealing than right by the waterfall, you may want to hike the extra distance anyway.

Day 2: If you have an extra 4th day, make camp on the lake this day, explore the lakefront and then continue with the rest of this hike. Finish the Big Carp River Trail to Lake Superior and travel West about a mile on Lake Superior Trail to the Little Carp River Trail. Be sure to spend a litle time enjoying the lake. Take the Litle Carp Trail to Greenstone Falls campsite. (about 9 miles) Along the way you'll see two more waterfalls before Greenstone which are very nice and have 2 river crossings where you will get wet. This trail is less traveled than the Big Carp Trail and is an easy uphill stroll.

Day 3: From Greenstone, finish the Little Carp Trail to Mirror Lake. Along the way, you'll visit the Lilly Pond which has a nice bench to look out on and possibly the biggest Pine Tree I've ever seen. You'll know it when you see it. It really is a beautiful sight. Mirror Lake is very nice and a good spot for lunch as you're slightly more than halfway done. Take the North Mirror Lake Trail back to the Lake of the Cloud Overlook. (9.5 miles) You get to visit the Lake that you saw back at the beginning of day 1. This last day is by far the hardest day with dramatic elevation changes, but coming at it this way is easier than the reverse. There isn't any place that feels dangerous, but you will need to take care as it is very rocky at parts - a very enjoyable challenging hike.

Take good stiff boots, an extra pair of dry socks, bug spray, and a camera. I recommend going in mid to late August or early September which is when the bugs are at a minimum and the weather is still nice. Be sure to get the free backcountry map which is in much better detail than the map they give the general tourists.

Directions to Hike
From Marquette, Michigan tavel M28 West. Turn right on M64 North. Turn Left on M107. Follow signs to Visitor Center to register and get park info.

Park map and other info- http://www.exploringthenorth.com/porkiesum/info.html

Contact Information
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
412 South Boundary Rd
Ontonagon, MI 49953
phone: (906) 885-5275

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