Porcupine Mountain Wilderness, UP Michig an

“This was the trip I had planned in April except that I hadn't finalized the route. I still haven't finalized the route but I took a stab at it. I'll probably move things around a bit.”

“could be up for this,need to plan my calendar out for next year but it looks good,need to best my 46 bag nights of 05”

“maybe.....”

“I may reverse the route (the direction of the arrows on the map). That would cut down the first days hike to 4 miles which is easier on people driving in. However, and this is the main point, that would make the hike counter the direction of the water along the rivers/streams. Waterfalls are best viewd walking towards them from downstream rather than approaching them from upstream. It would make for a longer hike out on Sunday but I think it would be worth it. Just a thought.”

“Personally, I'd come in the Lake Superior trail and then pick up your route at Little Carp River. :)

April? Plan for wet, cold and very hungry bears. Good news... NO BUGS!! Woohoo!

I'll follow the trip page but won't know until much later if I can join.”

“I'll see...I'll sneak in someway...maybe only for one night but, we'll have to see..too early for me to tell but I wouldn't mind seeing the Porkies in April...”

“Ive wanted to see the porkies for a long time BUT it is way to early to know anything yet....CROSSING FINGERS”

“I'll keep this in mind. I was there in Aug. and had a blast”

“Look at the photos for my other account, "pitts". I have pictues of the Escarpment Trail and the falls on the west side of the park. It's really cool stuff.

I thought about the Superior Trail but at the time wanted to spend more time on the interior of the park rather than its borders.”

“Never been there”

“Will I need one of those bear container hard thingies?

I danced the tango with a bear once up in the north woods while the rest of my group picked up the mess the bear made of 2 Korean women's camp in the wee hours of the morning.”

“They have bear poles at designated campsites. If you have bear canister, bring it. Otherwise, you don't need one.”

“I've only been to the park once, but we hiked the Lake Superior Trail in May and it was an absolute mud fest. We were only able to find one campsite before the Big Carp Trail junction that was not under water. Had a blast though!

Would love to get back there again. Anybody coming from Michigan? Would anybody be interested in possibly extending the trip to maybe the Trap Hills (?) or Picture Rocks? I'll keep an eye on the postings.”

“Trap Hills is on my list, specifically the section of the North Country Trail near Bergland. I want to hike there this year and also somewhere in the Keweenaw. I have the Keweenaw trip already but sorted out but I figured I would save the Trap Hills for another season. The Trap Hills are not too far from the Porcupine Mountains. Pictured Rocks is a long ways away from there, however.
last edited: 1/02/06 6:38:35 PM”

“Sounds like a fun trip Jimmysan, I will have to check my calendar. Its the first place I ever bp'd some 22 years ago. It sucked LOL.”

“IF my toe is better by then and IF i could get a ride I may go....

Ive been dying to go to the UP :)

Our car is about ready to die so its not going to make that trip ;)”

“I'm in. I have to change my maybe to a yes tomorrow at work.”

“well heck if wk is in.....gosh, im gonna do my damn best to make this work :)”

“sweet!”

“13+7+4 = 25?...sorry, just being a smart @ss

what's the terrain like?, flat, hilly, somewhat hilly?”

“Well, it's as mountainous as Michigan gets.

I'm a maybe.”

“I want to go. someone talk tree into going. it has been to long since we went on a BB trip....”

“Tonight I'll work out a profile for the hills from a topo map I have.

Sass is right in that it's hilly, but I am thinking the route is downhill in all the right places if my memory serves me correctly.

There is a really nice motor lodge just inside the park called the Silver Sands Motor Lodge if people need a place to overnight that isn't in the park. It's simple but clean and affordable.

thriftyhiker: I tend to round numbers somewhat when I work out the distance of a hike. It will be somewhere between 24-25 miles. The map I have is hard to read and I would rather overestimate miles and report that number to the group than underestimate them if you know what I mean.

I would really be excited if you people came. TT has convinced me I have done too much solo hiking. I have had a lot of fun this last year and I only have done two trips.
last edited: 1/03/06 9:04:54 AM”

“Oh, for those that want a ride to the UP, if you can make it close to my place in Chicagoland you can ride the remaining 7 hours in my car. You won't have to pay for gas to and from my place since I'll use my company car and I am permitted to use it for personal trips.”

“I spent 4 years in da U.P. and never made it to the Porkies until Sunny took me there a couple years ago. I puked a few times in the park. From what I remember, the views were lovely. LOL!”

“ahhh, i was just yankin your chain jimmy...jimmy doesn't like sarcasm...jimmy doesn't like smart @sses...look out, jimmy's getting agree LOL

this might be a possibility for me...an 11 hour drive is a bit rough though...i'm probably only going to get in one more big(ish) trip between now and when our baby comes so i'm gonna be picky”

“Chuckle :)

I puked a few times in the park.

Ahhhh... fond memories. Priceless.”

“I can drive too. If you drive Jim, I will pick up Nicole and leave a car at your house and we will go from there.

When you thinking of leaving in the AM?”

“Yes, I was thinking of an AM start for the drive. It's 7-8 hours from here and I would like to make camp inside the park for the first night. Sunset is arond 9:00 pm.

The route has the first days hike at 7 miles to the Shining Cloud Falls camp site. If we reverse the route we could camp at the Mirror Lake camp site that is 4 miles from where we park the car. That cuts 3 miles off of the first days hike and might make it easier from a timing perspective.”

“Cool! We can talk more about this one on the Savage Gulf trip.”

“Sounds like I will get to use my gaiters again for this trip.”

“Smiley! Come with us! I promise, no Yooper Tour of Da Bars. Although, I might bring a little something in a flask for the camp fire. :o)

Sass, If you can make it, I'll jump through hoops to be there!”

“Oh, man, now I have to try extra hard!

The problem is I may have a job by then (I hope I have a job by then!), so I really won't know for sure until closer to the time. As soon as I make a decision I'll drop ya a call or email Sunny!”

“I'm in”

“Outstanding!”

“I am looking forward to this already! I am eyeing a new pack that I will probably have for this trip.”

“If you want to try out my Vapor Trail you are welcome to give it a shot. I won't be using it on this trip. I could mail it to you. It's size L so I am sure it would fit.”

“ooo Im so excited :D

I'll see if laura wants to give it a go!”

“I'm a maybe, this trip is close to my planned trip to Isle Royale May 19th. So, I'm not sure about it, but would love to join in? 10+hrs is a long drive for a 3 day trip as well.”

“reversing your route is a bad plan...the hike from the overlook to Mirror Lake is one of the steepest, most difficult hikes in the park...it's far easier, and recommended, to hike north on the North Mirror Lake trail rather than south...this was the only mistaken recommendation Eric Hansen made in his Hiking the UP book...gotta talk to that boy...LOL....
last edited: 1/10/06 5:34:48 AM”

“Thanks. I was going to work out the profile from a map I have but have been lazy about this.”

“Sounds great...a couple yrs ago, I did the escarpment trail..etc for a few days in late april. lots of melting snow run-off made for much mud in the trails, but no insects or black flies. I was amazed there was still snow concentrations in the gullies and shaded areas. Had a great time !!! you really get a wilderness feel...saw no one else for 3 days on the trail. I will mark this as a maybe...if there is room..my favorite area...the hemlocks”

“sounds fun Mataharihiker!”

“Ill be doing some planning for this trip this week. On the Mammoth Cave trip ppl seemed to like having a lower miles option. I don't want to scare anyone off with a 13 mile day - albiet a long April day... would ppl prefer fewer miles or a lower mileage alternate plan with common camp sites? Just a thought. I would like to accommodate all...”

“lets hike”

“Even at 13 miles in a day, there is plenty of time for sitting around and visiting. I prefer longer miles, especially when you consider that it will be wet and cold. Hiking provides warmth. Of course, those of us who would prefer to hike more miles could do some bushwacking. I'm not sure what it will be like off the trail that time of year. There will probably still be some snow, lots of mud, downed trees and branches... hmmmm... I better bring extra dry clothes. :)”

“Sunshine is scareing me.”

“Sounds pretty good. Longer distances is better also, won't there be an extra hour with DST by then?”

“I just don't want everyone that wants to attend have a chance to hike their own hike, that's all. I prefer long hiking days as well but that's not everyones cup of meat as it were.... :)”

“Hehehe How is hiking the terrain after dark? Is it like it was in KY :P?”