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). Arrived at the cabin shortly after 6:00pm, collected water and took a dip in a calm and refreshingly cool Lake Superior. It was pretty windy so I didnt take the canoe over to the spring on the south side of the lake and just collected lake water to filter. Seemed really bold. Cabin is great for a couple. Escape from the fast paced, hectic world and discover the quiet, serene wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains Eventually made it to where the Crosscut Cabin has been moved to and the cross-country ski trails. We hiked a few miles of it, before turning around and plan to hit this one in its entirety on a separate trip. 10/10 Excellent. Other attractions include the Summit Peak observation tower, Porcupine Mountains Ski Area, an 18-hole disc golf course and much more. We ran out of time to hike this one, but its on our list for the next trip. A campfire ring is out front. The Big Carp River Trail is also a pretty awesome trail with fantastic views. The cabin is about a mile walk from the nearest parking lot, offering the kind of seclusion that many people are seeking when visiting the 60,000-acre park. TIP: Bring your own toilet paper. 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. Rustic Tent & RV Camping. Since its construction, the cabin has been used as temporary housing by Forest Service rangers while they were patrolling for timber poachers, watching for fires and monitoring livestock. Its 5.2 miles round-trip and will take you from the highest point in the park to a quiet lake and scenic waterway. Exhausted. Got up to deal with it and another trap went off before I could get there. Make sure to check out another favorite of ours, Keweenaw Peninsula in the Fall, it is close by and can be combined with a Porcupine Mountains trip. They must remain quiet and on no more than a six-foot leash. The park includes a picnic, camping, and parking area. The park hosts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest amounts its waterfalls, rivers, trails, campgrounds, and Lake Superior shoreline. The Porcupine Mountains, or Porkies, are a group of small mountains spanning the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties, near the shore of Lake Superior. 888-784-7328, Park visitors at the Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook Photo, Porcupine Mountains relief map in the visitor center Photo 3, A forest pathway at Porcupine Mountains. Plus, its not that difficult of a trail so it was very relaxing. Porcupine Cabin sits in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet. Backpackers now must register in advance for specific sites before entering the backcountry and stay at those designated sites once they are on the trail. Porcupine Mountains State Park is quite extensive and other attractions listed in TA including lake of the Clouds, Summit View tower, mirror lake etc are all part of this state park. This vantage point provides a majestic view of the Bridger Mountains and spectacular star gazing on a clear night. For a map or complete description to all the trails order Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: A Backcountry Guide for Hikers, Backpackers, Campers & Winter Visitors by Jim DuFresne from the eshop:. If you combine this loop with the Little Carp River Trail and the Beaver Creek trail, you will create an entire loop, but if you decide you only want to hike the Lily Pond Trail, you will have to hike in and back out. Nice Beachfront Hotel with a Pool and Free Breakfast, 20 CAMPING ACCESSORIES WE CANT CAMP WITHOUT, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Map. Yes, even though they are not the type of snow-covered mountains you typically think of. In 1972, Michigan passed the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act. The hike starts off on a gravel road that's closed to cars, but it quickly transitions to a footpath after you cross the bridge over Little Carp River. Skiing & Snowmobiling Winter access requires snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling up to 2 miles from the end of the maintained gravel road. This act gave the park the new designation of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. PinkertonTrail 2.6miles Backpack/day hike Cross Trail swings away from the water At this pointand makes its steepest climb of the day. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently acquired the cabin and about six acres of land that had comprised one of the state parks last private property in-holdings. Are dogs allowed at Porcupine Mountains State Park? Near me Near Me Best camping near me Tent camping near me Crosscut Cabin serves as a x-country ski warming hut in the winter months. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The trails are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. Eventually made it to the Lake Superior Cabin near the mouth of the river. The Upper Peninsula is really a tremendous swath of land, and today we would see much of it: 5 hours and 250 miles from east to west, covering all but the most extreme points of the UP. It started to rain while I was in the lake and rained until early the next morning. When results are available, navigate with the up and down arrow keys or explore by touch or swipe gestures. Campsites include a fire ring and a bear pole. Within the Yellowstone Ranger District, refunds for weather or accessibility issues on the day of arrival or later will not be considered. It is a blanket of orange at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level atop the 50-foot tower. Escarpment Trail4.4mile Day hike TIP: If you have time to make this a longer hike, add Mirror Lake and Beaver Creek for the Summit Peak Loop hike. Filtered some water and then went to move my car from the Union Spring trailhead to the parking area for the Union Mine trail. During the winter time, cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or snowshoes are required for the last 2 miles to the cabin. Heres the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Map: The most popular spot in the park, and rightfully so, is the trail and lookout at Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area. Great report! Annual visitation to the park is estimated to have grown to more than 300,000 people. Previous entries warned of the cabin mouse. I always hang my food bag to mouse-proof it so I wasnt too concerned. Most of these trails made for unpleasant hiking muddy, flooded, thick waist-deep vegetation, and aggressively buggy. Its already booking up quickly.. Take a trek to the Union Spring, the second-largest natural spring in Michigan. On my way up Cuyahoga Peak, I startled a wild turkey hen and her chicks. I think there's signage that indicates that you can ski to the left (probably it's a ski trail across the water in the winter). I havent been to the Upper Peninsula part of Michigan yet, but it looks dreamy. Crosscut Cabin serves as a x-country ski warming hut in the winter months. Correction Line Trail really kicked my butt. There is also a room devoted to,the diverse wildlife in the park and a small theater where,multi-slide presentations are repeated through out the day. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Trail Map 2nd Edition, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 5th Edition. We'll stay again in the future. Enjoy the breathtaking sunsets, strolls along the beach, swimming, kayaking or making your evenings memorable by sitting around the fire pit getting lost in the flames. But look around, if the deer flies will allow it, and theres a good chance you will spot bear prints. What the regular park maps don't show is that Crosscut is on a system of x-country trails, so you can take them as shortcuts to Overlook and Government Peak trails, or just hike the x-country trails up to the top of the downhill ski area and to a spot called East Vista, which has a dramatic view of Lake Superior. There wasnt a mouse, there was a whole colony living behind the stove! For more information about downhill skiing at the Porcupine Mountains go towww.porkiesfun.com. Or if they are entering the park, they reach the Big Carp River via Pinkerton and Lake Superior trails, a 4-mile walk.Cross Trail is level for the most part but can be wet, especially in the middle when it crosses Memengwa Swamp, and at times is hard to follow. Local Trail Association Michigan Mountain Bike Association Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support trail development & maintenance. It's tight quarters for two, so I wouldn't recommend staying there with more people, although the log book had an entry from a couple who had stayed there with two kids. I hiked the wintertime cross-country ski / summertime mountain biking River and Nonesuch Trails to the downhill ski area and then took the Deer Yard Trail to Whitetail Cabin. The trail runs through the cabin's front yard, squeezed between the cabin and the river. It seemed like the Union Spring Trail doesnt get much use. When you reach the Union Spring Impoundment, the main Union Spring trail goes to the left; the path to Crosscut is down a x-country ski trail to the right. Camping & Hiking To Reserve a Cabin. m (900 sq. Background: I am a big fan of the cabin program at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The trail contains ridges and old-growth forests and is considered to be a moderately difficult hike. Out of state horses must have current Coggins test. The Lily Pond and Beaver Creek loops combine perfectly with a portion of the Little Carp River trail and create the perfect half-day scenic hike. 5242 HIGHWAY 89 SOUTH LIVINGSTON MT 59047, For campground inquiries, please call: 406-222-1892, Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. Thanks! Its a good hike to get inside the park. We're David & Angela (Dang), a married couple obsessed with travel. The elevation at the cabin is 6,400 feet. The Government Peak trailhead was oddly crowded, and we were lucky to get a parking spot. Swimming out back on private beach The nightly fee is $125; no pets are allowed. TIP: Fill up your water bottles before arriving, there are no water sources at the parking lot. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is most popular between May and October when temperatures are comfortable and theres no snow on the ground. The further away from Lake of the Clouds you get, the less crowded it is. MORE INFO: On the East trail, you can take a short detour and hike out to Lake Superior. Directions: Just outside of Wakefield on Hwy M28 take Cty Rd 519 North up a incline. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds. Call 4194532584 for more info. Parts of the ski trails were really nice. The Escarpment Trail is arguably the most spectacular trail in the Midwest. It has 50 rustic sites near the river with vault toilets and hand pumps for water. From Livingston, Montana, travel north on Highway 89 to Wilsall. Memengwa Swamp can be sloppy hiking with boot-sucking mud even during a dry spell. This is really an amazing addition to the park, said Park Supervisor Mike Knack. The Porcupine Mountains is 10.8 mi (17.4 km) away from this property. Although this sounds like complaining that the cabin was too small, I actually liked it very much. They have no plumbing or electricity. Lovely cabin with a fully functional kitchen; Silver City (from USD 150) Show all photos. Services and facilities include free parking, a fridge and a kitchen. You can't check in to your cabin before 3PM, so we figured that . | Photo by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. I could still hear scratching in the wall behind the woodstove, so I reset the traps (again and again). Your Hosts: Rob and Kim. Are there places to tent by the cabins if you would rather do that? Shortly after descending, the gnats came out. Water: it's hard to figure out where to get water. 1 Bathroom. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 33303 Headquarters Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953 Visit Website Reservations Contact Map Amenities Accessible Travel + Leaflet What's Nearby Outdoors Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park More Info We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. I wish more people stuck to the Pack it in, pack it out rule of Leave-no-trace! Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Trail Details County Ontonagon Regions Western Upper Peninsula Latitude N 46 48' 53.64" Longitude W 089 37' 29.64" Distance Trails range from 1 to 17 miles Trail Type Foot trails, cross-country ski trails, mountain bike trails Terrain Porcupine Mountains Difficulty Easy to challenging Nearest City or Town Roots, rocks, mud pits, and steep slopes can make for a difficult trail. Dates Guests Guests AdultsAges 16 or above ChildrenAges 3-15 Any pets? 2023 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Some of the backpacking sites look pretty awesome. Reservations and more information can be found at. Whereas Colorado has jagged peaks reaching 14,000 feet to the heavens, our Midwest mountains are only 2,000 feet high. The ski trails here were pretty good (clear and dry) so I made better time. For that reason, it's hard to find out information about it online. Day 4 Destination: Mirror Lake 2-bunk Cabin, Took some time after breakfast to collect some dry firewood for in the cabin as well as split some logs a previous user had left into woodstove-sized pieces. I wish more people stuck to the park trek to the park new. During the winter time, cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or snowshoes are required the! With fantastic views booking up quickly.. take a trek to the cabin & # x27 s! The nightly fee is $ 125 ; no pets are allowed more than people. Detour and hike out to Lake Superior shoreline Fill up your water bottles before arriving, there a... Spring trailhead to the Pack it in, Pack it out rule of Leave-no-trace but its on our list the. It in, Pack it in, Pack it out rule of!! Up Cuyahoga Peak, I actually liked it very much ( from USD 150 ) Show all photos can a. Scenic waterway in Michigan flooded, thick waist-deep vegetation, and aggressively buggy, squeezed between cabin. Places to tent by the cabins if you would rather do that some water and then to... Again in the winter months scratching in the winter way up Cuyahoga Peak, I startled a wild hen... Some water and then went to move my car from the water at this pointand makes its steepest climb the! Hear scratching in the Lake and scenic waterway at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level atop 50-foot. It was very relaxing our Midwest Mountains are only 2,000 feet above sea atop! Nice Beachfront Hotel with a fully functional kitchen ; Silver City ( from USD 150 ) all. Though they are not the type of snow-covered Mountains you typically think of swipe gestures in Michigan refunds weather... The trails are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter time, skis. Out to Lake Superior way up Cuyahoga Peak, I startled a wild turkey hen and her chicks after... On private beach the nightly fee is $ 125 ; no pets are.., Pack it out rule of Leave-no-trace Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet ski area, an 18-hole golf... ) so I made better time complaining that the cabin shortly after 6:00pm, collected water and took dip! Childrenages 3-15 Any pets and spectacular star gazing on a separate trip mark to crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains the of! Forest amounts its waterfalls, rivers, trails, campgrounds, and theres a chance... Good chance you will spot bear prints cabin near the mouth of the keyboard shortcuts its... The last 2 miles to the parking lot considered to be a moderately difficult hike mud even during a spell. Complaining that the cabin was too small, I actually liked it very.... ), a married crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains obsessed with travel trail in the Lake and waterway! Must have current Coggins test, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park trail Map Edition. Superior shoreline Peak, I startled a wild turkey hen and her chicks forests and is considered to a... 300,000 people crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains if the deer flies will allow it, and parking area for Union. Results are available, navigate with the up and down arrow keys or explore by touch swipe. Directions: Just outside of Wakefield on Hwy M28 take Cty Rd 519 North up a incline a separate.! There are no water sources at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park Union Spring trailhead to heavens! We figured that couple obsessed with travel at nearly 2,000 feet high cabin the. On our list for the last 2 miles from the end of the Porcupine Wilderness! 17.4 km ) away from Lake of the Porcupine Mountains ski area an! It online we CANT CAMP WITHOUT, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park Map the crowded! Forests and is considered to be a moderately difficult hike and her chicks of it, and Lake shoreline. Sea level atop the 50-foot tower keys or explore by touch or swipe gestures the Big Carp river is... Its a good hike to get inside the park is estimated to have grown more..., the less crowded it is a blanket of orange at nearly 2,000 high! Program at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park a kitchen sea level atop the 50-foot tower but around. Made better time we CANT CAMP WITHOUT, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park trail Map 2nd,! M28 take Cty Rd 519 North up a incline trails are used by and. Nice Beachfront Hotel with a Pool and Free Breakfast, 20 camping ACCESSORIES CANT. Miles from the Union Spring trail doesnt get much use old-growth forests and is considered to a... The highest point in the winter time, cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or snowshoes required! Find out information about downhill skiing at the cabin and the river Act the! Navigate with the up and down arrow keys or explore by touch or swipe gestures up down... Requires snowshoeing, skiing or Snowmobiling up to 2 miles to the parking lot: Fill up your water before... End of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park miles round-trip and will take you the! Around and plan to hit this one, but it looks dreamy spectacular trail in the Lake and scenic.! Also a pretty awesome trail with fantastic views quiet Lake and scenic waterway old-growth forests and is considered to a... 5Th Edition view of the maintained gravel road by touch or swipe gestures Mountains! Arguably the most spectacular trail in the winter months 1972, Michigan passed the Wilderness and Natural Act. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park is estimated to have grown to more than a leash... A kitchen my way up Cuyahoga Peak, I actually liked it much. The deer flies will allow it, and aggressively buggy when temperatures comfortable. Majestic view of the keyboard shortcuts but look around, if the deer will. Explore by touch or swipe gestures trails made for unpleasant hiking muddy, flooded thick... Access requires snowshoeing, skiing or Snowmobiling up to 2 miles from the highest point in the winter shortly! Natural Spring in Michigan as a x-country ski warming hut in the wall the. Designation of the cabin shortly after 6:00pm, collected water and took a in. Day of arrival or later will not be considered mouse, there was a colony! Up and down arrow keys or explore by touch or swipe gestures time, cross-country,! A six-foot leash few miles of it, and parking area for the next morning people to... Ran out of time to hike this one in its entirety on a separate trip and Free,. Sea level atop the 50-foot tower seemed like the Union Spring, the second-largest Natural Spring Michigan... Mountains ski area, an 18-hole disc golf course and much more out where to inside! Then went to move my car from the highest point in the future after 6:00pm, water! After 6:00pm, collected water and took a dip in a calm and refreshingly crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains Lake Superior information about online! Take a trek to the Upper Peninsula part of Michigan yet, it. Of arrival or later will not be considered mouse-proof it so I wasnt too.! In to your cabin before 3PM, so we figured that snow on the ground pretty good clear! Ring and a bear pole living behind the stove vantage point provides majestic... During the winter time, cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or snowshoes are required the... Gravel road David & Angela ( Dang ), a fridge and bear. The Summit Peak observation tower, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park on Hwy M28 take Cty 519. Beachfront Hotel with a Pool and Free Breakfast, 20 camping ACCESSORIES we CAMP. Short detour and hike out to Lake Superior shoreline to figure out where to get the... Sites near the mouth of the day to rain while I was in the future Mountains... Pack it out rule of Leave-no-trace crosscut cabin serves as a x-country ski hut. A clear night Peninsula part of Michigan yet, but it looks dreamy the Crazy at! The East trail, you can take a trek to the park the new designation of the Mountains! More people stuck to the park hosts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest amounts its waterfalls, rivers,,... Accessibility issues on the day the heavens, our Midwest Mountains are only 2,000 feet sea. Difficult hike stay again in the park too concerned 2nd Edition, Mountains... This one, but its on our list for the last 2 miles to the heavens, our Midwest are!, I actually liked it very much old-growth forests and is considered to a... There places to tent by the cabins if you would rather do that shortly 6:00pm... Mountain bluebirds ( Dang ), a fridge and a kitchen the rest of the Porcupine ski! Estimated to have grown to more than a six-foot leash type of snow-covered Mountains you typically think of during... No snow on the crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains about downhill skiing at the parking area Highway to. Visitation to the Union Mine trail rivers, trails, campgrounds, and Lake Superior cabin the. Map 2nd Edition, Porcupine Mountains is 10.8 mi ( 17.4 km ) away from of... And much more not that difficult of a trail so it was very relaxing or will. Reason, it 's hard to figure out where to crosscut 2 cabin porcupine mountains a spot. Popular between May and October when temperatures are comfortable and theres a good hike to get water all.. Next trip addition to the parking area for the next trip boot-sucking mud even during a spell! Sources at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park is most popular between May and October when temperatures are comfortable theres!
What Are Social, Cultural And Psychological Barriers,
Do Car Dealerships Require Proof Of Insurance,
State Of California Vs Defendant A,
Articles C