Satanic Mud And the Trail To Heven, a po rkies TR!

“After Mike picked me up from work a few minutes past midnight, we drove to "Jimmy Sans" house where I would be crashing on the most comfterble couch I've ever had the opportunity to crash on. Jim's wife was very kind and had made it up with blankets so I would have a good sleep. The Sans do not hold back any hospitality at all :). I slept a few hours and woke at 5:30 am and Jim and I were on the road around 6 am.

The first thing I noticed on the drive was rather silly. I was dumbfounded. it felt like my butt was really getting hot. I had no idea what was going on untill jim turned of the seat warming buttons, LMAO! I thought I had been going nuts. After the long drive through Wisconsin cow country, we arrived in the UP of Michigan and soon I was gifted with my first ever view of Lake Supirior. At first glance the lake looks more rugged and wild then Lake Michigan.

We stopped at the park ranger station to get our permit. Jim went inside and I took the opportunity to fill my water bottles with the outside pump before I followed him in. Jim was talking to a very nice ranger gal (I forgot her name) and going over our route. She pointed out an alternative to walking the closed highway M-107 which was a ski path that paralleled the road.

We started out on the rocky ski path trail but soon decided that the road was better as the rocks were round and of everysize making the walk uncomfterble. We continued to Cuyahoga Peak trailhead. not five minutes up the trail and I landed flat on my face. I had stepped wrong on one of those rocks, not paying attention and had been looking at trees and smelling the piney air. The "Oh-#&%!$ there goes the trip" concerned look Jim gave me quickly changed to releaf when I got up and was fine, shrugging off my own clumbsyness. We kept going up hill to the real trail and imeadeatly head up a pretty good climb of the day and was followed by plenty more ups and downs in the short 6.5 miles of trail to camp. I was surprised at the lack of mud, having expected much worse and so overall the trail was very plessent. We turned onto the Escarpment trail for many miles of gorgeous views. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0265.jpg
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On our left was the Upper Carp river and Lack Of The Clouds doen in the valley with Government Peak in view directly accross from the escarpment.
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On our left, we could see the blue of Lake Supiror through the bare trees which would be too thick to see through if they had been in leaf.

About half way along the escarpment my whole right leg from my knee down had begun to get stiff and to seriously ache like never before and was especially bad on the down hills. I figured I had tweeked it in my earlier fall but it wasnt bad enough to really say anything about it or to stop, though I think Jim took notice that I was being extra carefull hiking. I made my way slowly, anticipating every step and willing myself to hurry up and get to camp. But the trail was a tease. As soon as it seemed like it would start on down to the lake, it would bump back up again. Jim was ahead and I stopped to take a short break for a moment, to drink water and enjoy and open view. But as I got back on the trail he wasnt far ahead. He waved at me to stay quiet and as I cought up he pointed out a small herd of deer who barely paid any attention to us. during the final steep down hill I cought up to jim again at a bench- his weather radio alarm was going off and he had stopped to check it out only to find he had forgotten to turn off the time alarm. I must say, never underestimate the value of a well placed bench! I groaned as I sat. Oh glorious bench! I did not sit long though as I was wanting to get to camp. Behold, another bench at the bottom of the hill!! I eyed it with appreciation but continued to the bridge that crosses the big carp river. The trail was flat and muddier now. The first camp we had aimed for was on higher and drier ground and was taken up by some noisy yahoos. The 2nd campsite was absolutly dismal, and I was surprised to see a glistening mettle toilet by the bear poles there. I almost wanted to use it but Jim came back and said the next campsite was the best so far and I moved on. I was very glad to get there at last, and we had made it at least an hour before sunset.

We set up our camp and this would be the first time I would use a lot of the things I had packed for a backpacking trip. but I wasnt the only one expirimenting with new toys. Jim pulled out his new saw and in no time at all we had a pile of great firewood logs that would last us the night. We ate our dinners and roasted peeps. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0268.jpg
Near bed time Jim spotted two bears in camp investigating the camp who were easily scared away by his emergency whistle. I quickly was asleep and slept very soundly oblivious to anything in camp.”

“Nice TR, SC. Hope to meet you at Morgan-Monroe in June!”

“Day 2

I woke just before dawn and reluctantly got up to do the morning ritual. We lingered and lounged around camp as it was a very nice morning, sipping hot drinks and enjoying the fire Jim had tended to all night while he was on bear watch. He was kind enough to give me his magic Excedrins to make the pain and stiffness in my leg feel better for awhile and I was hobbling around camp using my trekking pole as a cane.

As we packed up, jim told me how he had heard a bear fishing on the bank of the lake at our camp last night, and how he had listened as the bears catch flopped around in the shallows. His magic pills worked wonders and there was no way I would even consider cutting the trip short even though I had secretly considered it last night while I throbbed in pain.

Hitting the trail, we first paused at a bridge to fill up our water supply with brown run-off water. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0270.jpg We immediately headed up the steepest section of our whole trip, which was on the North Mirror Lake trail. There was little mud at this point and the steep grade was actually fun as I used hemlock roots as stair steps up. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0275.jpg There was a crack in the earth to the right of us which was a rock lined gorge rushing with a series of cascades. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0273.jpg
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After the climb it was an easy stretch, although much more muddy, to the junction of Government Peak Trail.

I was feeling fine and energetic and was torn between turning down the Carp River Trail for a while with Jim but I didn't trust my leg at this point so I let Jim go down that path solo and I headed along Government peak trail towards our camp for the night. The trail I took was winding through the forest of oak, and water logged with great big puddles of water, and there were some tiny patched of snow left. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0278.jpg Ferns and leaves were still smashed flat to the ground indicating that the snow hasn't been gone long from the area. I was doing more wading then trail walking at this point. The next hill was an easy grade and I crossed a small stream a couple of times. I lost track momentarily of the blazes and didn't notice I was off the path until I heard a large branch break. I looked up to see a black bear half way up a snag. It looked at me and slid down the tree quickly and took off into the woods. He was gone LONG before I could even fish my camera out.
I made my way back to the trail and just down hill of what would be the nights camp, I came across another not so scared bear. We starred at each other and then I started banging my trekking poles together and yelling. He eventually decided it was time to take off. I continued trying to be noisy the rest of the hike up the hill, just in case.

I came to a campsite and thought this was government peak and was patting myself on the back for getting there so soon and still feeling fresh and energetic. I was feeling great, but the weather wasn't. the sky was spitting when I reached camp and I set up my tarp and bivy. I did some exploring in the rain wearing my cheepo poncho. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0283.jpg
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I began to gather firewood and to cut some logs but it started pouring and getting breezy so I retreated to my bivy to wait it out. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0281.jpg I ended up snoozing until I was too cold and got up when the rain had tapered off some by about 3:30. I put on StoveStompers warm hat, ate some snacks and tried to gather wood to warm up. It worked, and no sooner did I get warm, then the sun came out making everything sparkle. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0282.jpg I ran around trying to hang wet things up to dry and that is when Jim came to camp.

He told me about the Little Carp and all the cool things he'd seen and I kicked myself for not joining him and then he told me this wasn't the right camp (that will teach me to check my map!). But he was tired anyway so we stayed put. He set up his tarp and settled in and had an excruciating time trying to open his bear can. he must of worked on that thing 5-10 minutes every time he wanted to open it. He sawed another giant pile of wood- much more then we would use- and I dubbed him with the trail name "Woodchuck" -How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?- He was just so thrilled by his wood cutting ability with the new saw. He cut the wood, and I started the fire by poring in gads of heet on the wood. it worked and in no time at all we had a roaring fire to enjoy. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0286.jpg
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Not long after dark, Woodchuck zonked out after I assured him I would stay up on bear guard. Well, as soon as he was sleeping, I too snuck off to bed as it was starting to rain again.”

“Note to self... Don't bring crackers to bed when SC is on bear watch.”

“Day 3

I woke with the dawn but had slept fitfully off and on all night because of the damp and chill, even in the bivy. I got up for good around 6 am and packed my gear up in the rain. I attempted to eat but had no appetite at all for anything I had packed and nibbled on some dried pineapple, the only thing that seemed edible to me. I swear to god, I am NEVER packing tuna or flatbread on my trips ever again. . I popped more excedrin and poked Woodchuck with stick to wake him and let him know I was leaving camp ahead of him. He jumped as if it was a bear attacking him. Heeheehee....

The first couple of miles were flat and marshy and the rain tapered off and was just damp and drippy fog by now. I had to weave my way around blowdowns and snowmelt runoff lakes that had formed on trail. When I climbed the easy hill up to government peak I wasn't impressed by the campsite there and was glad we hadn't camped there. there were no views to be seen either. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0288.jpg
It was a very steep downhill on the otherside and soon Woodchuck came crashing down the trail trying to make bear noises. I wasn't fooled for a moment. I laughed at him and we discussed the way out. He would hurry ahead to the road and hike out to the car. It the highway was open he would drive back and pick me up at the trailhead.. he took off at lightning speed. That dude can move! I passed a very pretty campsite at the bottom in some large second growth hemlocks that was stunning. I made a mental note and will most likely stay in that one next time.

The trail leveled out and became a swamp. A grouse exploded from the grasses scaring the hell out of me. % minutes later, Sunshine, spalpeen and thegriz crashed behind me also scaring the hell outta me. I must of been nervous. We greeted each other and shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before they passed on by. for a few minutes I attempted to keep up with those long legged races but soon returned to my own pace. I will nickname the trail from then on as "The Maze" for there were downed trees and mudtraps everywhere. Sometimes I had to stop for a few minutes and explore around to find the path as the fog also helped to hide blazes.

Just when I thought I was getting pretty darn good at crossing slick logs over water, I slipped and ended up pack and all in the water. Oh the humility!!! . I picked myself up, glad no one was around to take pictures and attempted to wipe mud from my arms with my bandana. I hurried on, hoping I had enough time to dry as I hiked and didn't want to get cold.

The trail turned northwards but not any less muddy. I began to hear the sound of rushing water and came in view of it. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0289.jpg
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Sometimes the trail headed strait for it and I mentally prepared myself for having to find a way to ford it. Luckily, the trail never required that which I was glad, i just didn't want to take another unintentional bath. I took my time along this stretch, and took lots of pictures. Around Trap Falls, I dropped my pack and scrambled around exploring it. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/freehiker26/PICT0291.jpg
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I was just fascinated by this part of the trail and the play of water and rocks.
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a couple less impressive miles more and I once more came to the ski path full of round rocks going down hill. ICK. I think that was the final straw for my feet. Jim wasn't at the trail head at M-107 so I popped another excedrin and headed the finial 2.5 miles down the road. I forced myself to hurry. In the distant fog, I had one more bear sighting, and soon after I ran into woodchuck again. He was walking back to meet me. Luckily the gate was within view and I was very glad to get to the car.

I dropped my pack and peeled off my shoes and socks and my feet gushed with blood. I cleaned them up and bandaged them. I had a blister under one of my toenails which I popped and drained later at home (so gross!) and a blood blister on the back of one heel I hadn't even noticed. My previous broken toe was multicolored and swollen. I may of cracked it again.

The drive home was very pleasant however. We stopped of cheeseburgers and drinks. I must say that I couldn't of asked for better company on this trip. Woodchuck is a very intelligent and interesting guy with lots of stories and ambitions. I was very honored to have hung out with him and to meet his fabulous family. The porkies were amazing. They were rugged and beautiful. I will certainly go back cause I think I think I am in love with them.
last edited: 4/24/06 8:54:47 PM”

“heheh goat.... I asked him if he wanted the bear sprey ;)

He was so dead to the world that night he wouldnt of noticed if one came down and sat on him!”

“What a great trip report, SC...it does sound, with the bears, rocks, roots, mud and waterfalls, that you've truly been introduced to the Porkies...it certainly is easier to go UP a hemlock root trail than down...those guys can get really slippery in the rain...I also find those round rocks one of the biggest trail hazards in the Porkies...lethal suckers...and it's amazing how slippery those boardwalk become when wet...

It also sounds, from your decription of your foot after the hike, that you were wise not to push it...you wouldn't want the backpacking season to end in April!

In all the years I've been going up there, I've never seen a bear! Not, understand, that I'm looking for them...

i pay close attention to descriptions of campsites as I hike to camp, not camp to hike...the one after Government peak and before Trap Falls sounded interesting...I wonder if it was one of the ones on the map...did it have a bearpole? I also appreciated the info about your campsite before Gov't Peak being preferable to the ones nearer the top...

By the way, I've read reports, I believe, saying black bears are not as bothered by bear spray as grizzlies...I carry one of those mini foghorns myself in the Porkies...

Anyway, thank you so much for a really fun read...sorry I didn't get up there to meet you two (I know the 3 in the other group) but, maybe next time....”

“Great report SC! Thanks for taking the time to post it and your pics (haven't checked them out yet). I wish I could have joined you guys.
The bears must have just woken up or something. I've never heard of anyone seeing so many except for when Birch was a kid and the dnr was busy trapping all the problem bears in the Porkies. Lucky you!”

“Who knows sass, they may have even been the same bears as the first night lol! Or maybe I look like injured easy pray hobbling along at my pace! lol. At the end I was like "Why are there boardwalks over the mud NOW? I might as well finish off in the mud lol!"”

“Most excellent trip report, SC! Thanks for finding the time to write this up. I know how busy you are.”

“I did it last night at work lol hehehehe I worked like a dog to get everything that had piled up over the weekend at work done and ended up with some free time. I have off today though...but ive got packing to do as by next week we are moving :D”

“Good luck moving. I'll be camping with my Boy Scouts this weekend but if I can help you and CMB move stuff let me know.”

“I think we will be ok. Mike hired a guy at work to help move the big stuff- the guy really needed the $$ so he's doing us a favor in exchange. Plus we are buying a pick-up maybe thursday or friday and we can move our stuff in it. Most of the smaller stuff I can handle. I cant wait!!!”

“SC,

Nice TR, and pictures.”

“Super Trip Report!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write it!”

“Yeah, the pictures are great. I love the foggy ones. Foggy mornings are divine on the trail. I love them. The sound quality changes so much and because you can't see the views all the little details close to you just pop.”

“From Day 1:
On our left was the Upper Carp river and Lack Of The Clouds doen in the valley with Government Peak in view directly accross from the escarpment.

what's "Lack Of The Clouds"?...is that a place that is never cloudy?”

“That's Lake of the Clouds in "SpiritCoyotese"
=)”

“That was wishful thinking.....There were plenty of clouds lol!”

“Nice report! I wish I had been able to join you guys on this one. I really want to hike this area and the Pictured Rocks area as well.”

“Nice Trip Report sweetheart.


8)


Makes me want to backpack again.”

“cmb you dork! get your butt back out on the trail, pronto!”