Porcupine Mountain Wilderness, UP Michig an

“Confirmed:
Spirit Coyote
jflotsom
spalpeen (99%)
Jimmy San
spalpeen (just added)

Unconfirmed:
mountainrunner

Out:
Sunshine”

“The original route is cool with me. What was the route again? :)”

“I am all for the original route if you dnn't mind jimmysan”

“what was the original route? and are you guys going to bring a shovel to bury me with?”

“We have to be able to park at Lake of the Clouds overlook to make the original trip work. I'll check at the ranger station tomorrow. If the roads are open and the rangers will let us park there it might work. I was concerned about one of the trail segments that passes through a marsh, which I'll ask about as well.”

“we could backtrack to the correction line or take little carp it the marsh on the cross is impassable. I have visions of Humphrey Bogart in African Queen! too cool I'm set”

“Friday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs around 54. Lows around 37.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs around 54. Lows around 37.

Saturday...Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs around 55. Lows around 37.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs around 55. Lows around 37.

Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs around 59”

“I would have liked to continue on to the Little Carp so I could have seen as much of it as possible and specifically Trappers Falls. Like I said, the reroute came from the last call to the ranger station where I was told we would have to park near the entrance of the park and that the road would be closed to Lake of the Clouds viewing area. I'll call tomorrow to update my information since it's about 3 weeks old now.”

“thanks for the leg work”

“I got this from Eric Hansen on another thread from "The Other Side"

Re: Trip to the Porkies (end of April)
Posted: Apr 15, 2006 1:01 PM

MHH,

One caution. I've heard some vigorous warnings from staff up there about the LOC rd. and the S. Bdy. Rd. early in the spring. Cuz snowmos run those roads seems there's a fair amount of snowmo tread studs leftover -- and word is they are a surefire, and bad, tire puncture. Their advice was drive slow, eyeball continuously. Eric”

“Hehe, I thought Eric wrote books and magazine articles for a living? ;)

I want to be Eric if I grow up.

Thanks for posting that, mata. When I called three weeks ago I wasn't given a vigorous warning that's for sure, but they insisted about where I had to park and the road closures.

I'll ask today when I call for a final update before we all head out.”

“...I have been calling the park all morning and all I get is a busy signal. Sigh.”

“I will give it a try to, Do we have the same lunchtime?”

“No, they are on Eastern time. I'll try again a few more times.”

“BTW, I have been watching the radar and we might get really lucky on the weather. It's still too soon to tell.”

“I am always lucky”

“I got through... talking to them now.”

“OMG I cant wait. Im packed! all I need is to pick up some heet and a poncho :) My pack feels pretty heavy with my bear canister and all teh extras im taking this time-

camera, chair, ground pad, journal, stove and cook pot....

hubby doesnt think it doesnt weight more then 25 # (with food but no water in bottles) but I think it does!”

“M-107 remains closed and the closest we can park is Whitetail Cabin parking area. No motor vehicle permit is required to park here.

The Park Headquarters closes at 4:30 pm on Friday. Self registration is possible if we arrive later than this. The fee for camping remains unchanged from that quoted on the trip page.

Bear canisters and hanging food from designated bear poles are both effective and acceptable. Your choice.

Trail conditions: Snow pack remains on some of the higher trails, there remains a fair amount of runoff. This combined with the pending rain will make for wet and muddy trail conditions. The park recommends bringing good rain gear and dressing in layers for this weekend.

Sunset time is 8 pm local time.

I'll be sending out a logistics post and email this afternoon. I think we should stick with the route that is posted on the trip page since we can't park at Lake of the Clouds parking area.
last edited: 4/19/06 12:00:06 PM”

“These instructions will also be sent via email update.

Confirmed attendees: Spirit Coyote, jflotsom, spalpeen, Jimmy San, and spalpeen.

Note: All times are in Eastern Time. Sunset is at 8pm!

PLEASE let me know if you plan to attend and have not told me so. Also, PLEASE let me know if you are going to no-show since this will drive up the cost of the backcountry camping permit. Even a cell phone call/voice mail on the day of the hike will work prior to 3 pm.

Rendezvous details:

We will be departing at 4:00 pm from the Whitetail cabin parking area.

Take M-107 west. You will pass the Silver Sands Motor Lodge on your left (you can buy gas, maps, basic supplies, and other goodies at their gas station/general store). Drive into the park and past the left-turn to the Visitors Center. Continue West down M-107 past the right-turn to the Union Bay camp site. The next right turn should lead to the parking area for the Whitetail Cabin. Look at the map on the trip page or the link to the larger map for details.

If you arrive after 4:00 pm on Friday:

The group will be hiking West on the Escarpment Trail heading to the first nights camp site. The camp site is located at Lake of the Clouds and can be seen on the map for the trip page. If this camp site is taken we may have to improvise somewhat. There are lots of camp sites around the Lake of the Clouds area.

The entrance of the Escarpment Trail/Government Peak Trail is West of the Whitetail Cabin parking area on the left (South) side of M-107. Hike from the Whitetail Cabin parking area to this entrance. The Escarpment Trail runs West from here. There is a sign posted that makes it very clear which way to go. Do not take the Government Peak Trail South. We will be taking this trail out on Sunday.

If for some reason people arrive late and can’t safely close the distance to the first days camp at Lake of the Clouds there is a camping area on the Escarpment Trail right on the ridge. Look at the map on the trip page or the link to the larger map for details. The camp site is right on the ridge, almost impossible to miss.

Costs:

The current group of five (5) confirmed hikers will cost $56 for two nights in the backcountry. We can add three (3) more hikers at no additional cost since the camping permits are good for up to four (4) people.

I will pay this fee and you can reimburse me for your share of the cost at a later time. Spirit Coyote and I are planning to arrive at the Camp Headquarters (in the same area as the Visitors Center which is closed this time of year) at 3:00 pm. We’ll get the permit and any last-minute guidance from the park staff. We’ll then proceed to the rendezvous at the Whitetail Cabin parking area and prepare to start hiking at 4:00 pm sharp.

Please let me know if you are going to no-show on this trip. If we go down to four or fewer hikers the cost will be $28 for the group (not $56). If you no-show and don’t let me know before I pay for the permit I would ask that you still pay your share of the permit and recognize that you will make the trip more expensive for the rest of us.

I verified with the park that if we park at the Whitetail Cabin parking area that we do NOT have to pay the motor vehicle permit fee.

Contact Info:

I will email my cell phone number to the group. If you have a cell phone and are willing to share the number with me that would be great. I will keep the information private. Just send me an email. I don’t know how well my phone will work in this part of the country. The phone number for the Park Headquarters is (906) 885-5275 and please note the office closes at 4:30 pm Eastern Time on Friday.

Other Comments:

I called the Park Headquarters on 4/19.

There is still snowpack on the higher elevation trails. Rain is expected through the weekend. The runoff from the snowmelt and the rain will produce very wet and muddy conditions. Bring good raingear and dress in layers.

Bear canisters and hanging food from designated bear poles are both approved an effective ways to keep the bears out of your food.”

“WOHOO!!!! Jimmy, I will need to pick up a map somewnere when we get there.”

“You can print the one from the trip page if you want to. It's not a topo map but it's good enough. I have a really good topo map of the area I had printed out on waterproof paper that I will have with me that has all the trails on it.”

“I want a topo...just in case I get lost LMAO....”

“I sent you an e-mail, Jimmy san. There are only four of you. Spalpeen's name is listed twice.

Parking is easy to find. Follow M107 to the bright orange barricade. You will see parking to the immediate right.

Cell phones won't work out there.

Sure wish I was going. :(

Have a great time! Take lots of pictures. I can't wait to hear the trail reports.”

“I messed up and put spalpeen's name down twice. So there are four of us. That means the permit will be $28 for camping and won't change if people no-show. Still, please let me know if you aren't going to show up so I won't wonder if you were just late or something. Thanks sunshine for pointing this out...
last edited: 4/19/06 2:21:39 PM”

“I can send you a jpg of a TOPO if you want. 900K file. Color, shaded. You would have to print it out somehow.”

“isnt mountainrunner going to make it?”

“Jim...thats teh problem. My printer is broke LOL! Thats ok, I think I can wing it if the trails are marked well.”

“no word from mountainrunner... and I have no email address either. I am hoping that my email I sent out with logistics will trigger a response of some kind.

Guess I could post a "hey mountainrunner" thread but I figured he would get his email as easily.”

“I just dont want anyone to have to wait for me at intersectiosn etc....im a slow ass hiker :P”

“It will all be goodness once we get there and start hiking... :)”

“HELL YEAH!!!! Is it friday yet????”

“Tomorrow night: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Thunder is possible early. Low 41F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Friday: Rain showers in the morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon. High 56F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Saturday: Showers possible. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the low 40s.

Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s.”

“Friday...Cooler. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs around 55. Light winds becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph by late morning.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows around 37. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday...A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Highs around 55.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows around 37.

Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs around 59.

Remember this is a regional forcast.

http://www.findlocalweather.com/forecast/mi/ontonagon.html”

“Friday...Warmer. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of sun. Highs around 75. Light winds becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph by late morning.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 0% percent chance of showers. Lows around 47. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday...A 0% percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Highs around 75.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy with a 0 percent chance of showers. Lows around 47.

Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs around 89.



I like my forcast better :P”

“and jflotsam weighs in at 31 lbs...

All packed and ready to go!”

“I have no idea what mine weights- I have no scale.”

“I have a bathroom scale. I weigh myself with pack. Then I weigh myself without pack. Then I subtract the two numbers. It's only good to 1/10th of a lb (3.2 oz).

I have learned to ignore the weight of me without the pack. It's better that way... ;)”

“I use the Jimmy san(Patent pending) technique.”

“I just lie to myself, reality bites. jflotsam and I are heading up to sunshines house today, do some exporing on the way so we will have a short drive friday. Guess I should start packing”

“Ive got to go get some heet and a poncho this morning....


Now, if I can jsut figuure out if this half bottle of fuel is heet or white gas????”

“Geeze louise Mr. Pitts, why do you have to live so freakin far away?? LOL! Are You SURE you dont want me crashing on your lawn? I mean, really, it isnt like you live in gary! ;) lol :D

Hey is elvis one of thoise drooling dogs that like to sleep on you and drool? :D”

“You guys have a wonderful trip! I sure wish I could join you. Looking forward to the trip report....hoping there will be a nice bearsiting from a distance or two. =)”

“a good time is guarenteed, sunshine, mud and trail what more can a man ask for, except for the ride jflotsam is late! oh well I will hang out here till he gets here. Maybe I should have a beer. vacation is nice”

“Drink up :D”

“ok burp”

“Hey, I live where I live! No worries, SC. My wife and I generally stay up late. If you are really late I'll be sleeping on the couch so just knock on the door and I'll let you in. You do NOT have to camp in my front or back yard. :)

I'll come out and we can put your pack/etc

Elvis is not a licky dog but he is a big guy. He will prolly be thrilled to see you and look for a lot of attention for about 5 minutes and then sigh and go back up to bed. He is basically a lazy oaf. Welcome to the world of rotties.”

“No prob...I like rotties....mike does too....maybe you should hide the dog, mike might want him for his own lol!”

“where the heck is my ride?”

“Might be time to put out the ol thumb spalpeen....”