|   How I spend my Memorial Day - OT Lots of picts [o] | Steve-O
May 29, 2003 10:43 AM | | Earlier this winter I made a pact with some college buddies to go camping over Memorial Day. All of us are hitting the mid-thirties and with kids, jobs, and other commitments I couldn't talk them into a biking trip. We reached a compromise and decided go hiking in the Porcupine Mountains in the upper penisula of Michigan. The natural beauty of this place soon made me realize that a weekend spent camping was no compromise.
Hiking into Lake of the Clouds
Lake of the Clouds Escarpment Trail
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park contains the largest stand of old growth Hemlock and hardwood in the US. Of the 90 miles of hiking trails within the park we managed to cover about 20 miles. Sometimes the beauty of a place slows you down a little.
Hemlock and Cedar Line the Pinkerton Trail
Many of the trails in the park border backcountry waterfalls which flow freely in the springtime.
Little Carp River
Presque Isle River
Backcountry trails traverse Cedar swamps with Northshore-ese boardwalks for hikers. This trail probably had a good 1/2 mile of these above ground paths.
Pete works his way over a creek
Our campsite had a 125 step drop to the shores of Lake Superior. It was well worth it to hike down and watch for Bald Eagles patrolling the shoreline.
The rocky Superior shores
The backcountry campsites that dot the Superior Trail use washed up logs to block the intense winds off the biggest of all the Great Lakes.
This is iron range country and many played out old mines dating back to the 1850's are accessible from the trails. These mines were used to get at virgin copper and later iron ore. This mine had a special grate to keep out humans but let in bats. You could feel the draft from the mineshaft blowing out from the entrance. Many other mines are simply open holes in the ancient mountainsides.
Thanks for reading.... Steve-O
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| nice pics. Thanks. | bungyfish
May 29, 2003 10:52 AM | | Some nice shots in there. Did you find yourself wanting to ride the trails? The last time I went on an extended hike, I found myself wondering if I could clear certain sections or make it up the hill. Those wooden walkways would have killed me. Thanks for the post.
mb |
| After riding a bike you alway thing that way! | Steve-O
May 29, 2003 10:59 AM | | I did a lot of skateboarding in the late 80's during the second surge in popularity of the sport. Whether I have my board or not, I alway find myself looking at curbs, ramps, banks, and other concrete structures.
The same applies to MTB's... All trails are tempting. Certain trails in the park are open to biking but you won't find any info on MTBr. This park is so remote that it doesn't seem that MTBers have found it as a destination. I really don't know anyone who's ridden up there... |
| re: How I spend my Memorial Day - OT Lots of picts [o] | konajay
May 29, 2003 10:53 AM | | Are you allowed to ride on those trails??? |
| Not these but... | Steve-O
May 29, 2003 11:37 AM | | The main trails in the park are dedicated hiking trails. After talking to the park ranger I learned that they do have certain trails open for mountain biking but they rarely get used. Mountain bikers haven't really discovered this park since it is so far north and several other trail systems are close by.
http://www.lakegogebic.com/biking.htm
http://www.cambatrails.org
http://www.exploringthenorth.com/ron/wmarq.html
There were several guys in the campground with full Trek team kits and OCLV road bikes who spent the day hammering the hills in the park. Also a few whitewater kayakers gutsy enough to ride the rapids. |
| Sweetness... | mugg
May 29, 2003 11:09 AM | | Nice slice of heaven in your neck of the woods. Thank for the pics. |
| Truly a compliment! | Steve-O
May 29, 2003 11:14 AM | | Appreciate the kind words...
Too often I find myself enjoying all the great picts posted here but never contribute. Hoping to change that trend... |
| Wow, Lake Superior always impresses me | Spike
May 29, 2003 11:49 AM | | Truely a great lake. ;-) Thanks for the good photos. They reminded me of my trips to Lake Superior. Now I'm getting homesick for Wisc, sniff!
Spike |
| Beautiful Pics! I have to make time to go there... | michigantammy
May 29, 2003 12:44 PM | | sometime. I've heard there are tons of good trails up North. There are so much to do and so little time....
Thanks for sharing!
Tammy |
| Thank You for the pics.... | BBOC
May 29, 2003 1:29 PM | | I rarely see anything from the UP anymore (in CO). My family has a place near Grand Marais (Eastern side of the Pictured Rocks) on the Lake, and I spent 2 weeks a year near Marquette for my entire childhood. I just started MTB a few years before moving to Boulder and had a couple of chances to hit some trails in Munising. Its amazing how little MTB traffic you get, I was always riding alone. The Trails were sweet too.
I want to visit again now!
Bill |
| re: How I spend my Memorial Day - OT Lots of picts [o] | rando70
May 30, 2003 12:48 PM | | nice pics steve-o! I've been up there riding snowmobiles, but have never seen it with out the white stuff. Thanx for sharing! |
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