It is a blanket of orange at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level atop the 50-foot tower. Crosscut Cabin Trail is a 1 mile less popular blue singletrack trail located near White Pine Michigan. The trail from the parking to the cabin is about a mile and a half. All vehicles must have either a $6 daily pass or a $11annual state park Recreational Pass. Didnt sleep very well due to a combination of exhaustion/general hiking pain and visions of mice dancing on my face. The trail leading up from the cabin goes into the. Finally made it to Mirror Lake and took the trail back to the cabin. At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigans largest state park and one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. There were still. Those more than four inches wide indicate a good size bruin has passed through. Mirror Lake Bunk is featured here. Marna Daley, 406-587-6703 Livingston, MT- The newly constructed Porcupine Ibex Trail on the west side of the Crazy Mountains will open to the public on October 11th, 2019, in time for the Montana Youth Hunt and general season. PLEASE BRING FIREWOOD OR GATHER FROM FOREST DURING SUMMER. Previous entries warned of the cabin mouse. I always hang my food bag to mouse-proof it so I wasnt too concerned. Rustic Tent & RV Camping. 10/10 Excellent. Got down to the Visitors Center to return the keys just after 8:00am. There are many more backpacking sites scattered around the park that give many more trip options. A backcountry camping permit is required. At 400 sq ft of living, it comfortably sleeps 4 adults but can sleep 6. Surface is gravelly/dirt with the occasional large rock. While eating dinner, I read the cabins logbook. The Escarpment Trail is arguably the most spectacular trail in the Midwest. Evening turned cool with breezes off the lake. There are numerous other waterfalls within the Porcupine Mountains State Parks interior. We spent some quality time exploring the park on our two-month road trip making our way around Lake Michigan and it was one of our favorite places. The first stop for visitors just arriving at the Porcupine Mountains should be the park\'s impressive Wilderness Visitor Center, located a half mile south of M-107 on South Boundary Road. Its a good hike to get inside the park. For more information about downhill skiing at the Porcupine Mountains go towww.porkiesfun.com. Inside there are exhibits explaining the geological history of the mountains plus a three-dimensional relief map that every backpacker should study before striking out. The Porkies are laced with almost 110 miles of trails that wind past cascades, streams full of brook trout, 63 backcountry campsites, 18 walk-in cabins and yurts and a nearly endless number of panoramic views that rival anything seen south of the Mackinac Bridge. 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. 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. Hiking is the most popular Porcupine Mountains things to do and theres a hiking opportunity for the novice or experienced hiker so lets talk best hiking trails. Government Peak Trail 6.9 miles Backpack The barn, which is near the cabin, is used for storage by the Forest Service and is locked. Packed up (including some oatmeal packets and granola bars someone left in the cabin) and hit the trail back to the Deer Yard trailhead. 2023 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Artist-in-Residence program at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is open to artists and artisans whose work can be influenced by this unique northern wilderness setting. We provide tools and tips to discover Come and join the fun! The lower part of Correction Line Trail was super muddy and buggy until the hill began. Parts of the trail are pretty overgrown. TIP: Fill up your water bottles before arriving, there are no water sources at the parking lot. ONTONAGON, MICH. -- Backcountry explorers at Michigans Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park have a beautiful new spot to consider when booking their next trip. The trail is wide, like a fire access road, and it climbs continuously but is not hard hiking. Hope the weather is good so you can dine outdoors at the picnic table. It's TINY -- about 10 x 13, with two beds (bunk), a small woodstove, a cupboard for dishes and a small shelf for doing shelf-stuff, like food preparation. Those valleys were real heartbreakers I hated losing elevation only to have to regain it again. Thankfully, very few mosquitoes at the cabin and no gnats! Some of the cabins have nearby backpacking campsites, for example at Mirror Lake and near the mouths of the Big and Little Carp Rivers. Another must-do hike is the Summit Peak Observation Tower. Backcountry reservations (www.midnrreservations.com; 1-800-44PARKS) are available six months in advance for May 15 through Oct. 14 to 72 hours before arrival at the park. The rest of the cabins are rented from April 1 through November. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Scattered throughout the park are 65 backcountry campsites that are outfitted with metal fire rings, a bear pole in many cases - but not all - and possibly even an open-air vault toilet. Gas Fireplace After a 9 hour drive to get to the park, I checked in at the Visitors Center and made the short drive to the Union Spring Trail parking area. Within a half mile the wet lowlying woods turns into a grassy marsh-like opening before Cross Trail returns to the woods. Amazing star gazing and Northern Lights potential! For information in advance contact the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Parkheadquarters (906-885-5275) or the park\'s Wilderness Visitor Center online at www.michigan.gov/porkiesvc. In addition to wild forests and lakeshores, Michigans largest state park has numerous historic copper mining sites. They must remain quiet and on no more than a six-foot leash. Finally arrived at Union River Cabin. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Continue 8 miles to Porcupine Road, turn east (right) and then drive another 8 miles to the cabin. The yurts can sleep four people and are equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, a wood stove, fire circle, cookware, utensils, and an outhouse. At onetime this was the start of the Big Carp River Trail and an occasional orange metal blaze might still be embedded in a tree marking where you would have crossed the river. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The view uphill from Porcupine Cabin looks west toward the Bridger Mountainss and shows the wood shed, left, and the cabin itself, right. A small pasture by the barn is provided but stock users must use their own containment system. Crosscut Cabin serves as a x-country ski warming hut in the winter months. Fees And Reservations: Loops A, B and C as well as Loop D sites 15, 16, 17 and 18 are reserveable at recreation.gov. Theres also the Porcupine Mountains Presque Isle Campground. Scenic Overlook Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park. The trail contains ridges and old-growth forests and is considered to be a moderately difficult hike. Eventually made it to where the Crosscut Cabin has been moved to and the cross-country ski trails. Cozy White Pine Home - 10 Mi to Porcupine Mtn. They'll allow you a view of the mountain and the gorgeous wooded terrain they speckle. This is one of the newer cabins for rent inside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the UP of Michigan. Exhausted. The trails are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. Click here to read more about Porcupine Mountains Backpacking. Your Hosts: Rob and Kim. 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. Some of the backpacking sites look pretty awesome. Reservations and more information can be found at. Several bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds. 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. Havent been up there for years and even then did a very short day hike. The Keweenaw Heritage Sites are official partners of Keweenaw National Historical Park, but are privately owned. All linens Included Union Spring Trail4.0 milesBackpack/ski At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan's largest state park, home to towering old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands, roaring waterfalls and spectacular sweeping vistas. Whitetail Cabin in the Porcupine Mountains 1,491 views May 4, 2021 43 Dislike Share Gypsytrekker 445 subscribers A backpacking trip into the Porcupine Mountains in Upper Michigan with two. The rest of the hike follows the river. Yes, there are black bears in the Porcupine Mountains and are frequently encountered in the park. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The hike in from the Union Spring Trail trailhead seems to be about 2.25 miles. Wildlife tracks will be all around you. Boating & Canoeing Trip reports, gear recommendations and exchange, and general discussion. Great Lakes beach safety. 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. You can Snowmobile and ATV right from the rental house. $166. Parts of the Government Peak Trail were pretty very muddy, other parts were nice. (Please bring wood to burn outside).Water, electricity and propane canisters for the lantern are not provided. Arrived at the cabin shortly after 6:00pm, collected water and took a dip in a calm and refreshingly cool Lake Superior. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. The park hosts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest amounts its waterfalls, rivers, trails, campgrounds, and Lake Superior shoreline. Parts of the trail were ludicrously muddy (soupy!). Public Tracks There are no published trips for this hike. In all, it is roughly a mile of hard slogging before you leave the swamp behind and enter the final portion of the trail, a very gradual ascent through a pleasant stand of hemlock to the high point of 1,221feet. 554 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a moderate one way trail in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. I was pleased to find that no one had left any garbage or food in the cabin that would make my pack heavier! Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay. and check out a replica of the log cabin that Millard Fillmore, the 13 th president, . It is open from open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET), from mid May through mid Octoberand during the summer months it has a list of vacant cabins available for last-minute rentals. Are there places to tent by the cabins if you would rather do that? Upper Peninsula Michigan, Lake Superior. Out of state horses must have current Coggins test. Michigan Campers, Backpackers and Hikers So, bring your pet along and enjoy quality time together in the best pet-friendly cabins near Porcupine Mountains, Michigan, below. Backpacking Trip, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan, USA Yes, dogs are allowed in the state park, but they may not be left unattended in a vehicle or at the campsite at any time. An outhouse with vault toilet is located behind the cabin. 2-down, how many more could there be? Conditions: Check in time is no earlier than 4pm (eastern)* Check out time is not later than 10:00am (eastern)* Stays of seven nights or longer have first choice of location. I could still hear scratching in the wall behind the woodstove, so I reset the traps (again and again). There is one stream crossing, but it is on a wide wooden bridge. Hay and feed for stock must be certified weed-free. Cross Trail then turns into a woods walk through an old growth forest for the next mile and is level with the exception of crossing three streams. Passed a YMCA youth-group hiking the opposite direction at Mirror Lake and began the climb up North Mirror Lake Trail to the junction with the Government Peak Trail. Of those acres, 35,000 are an uncut virgin forest. Elevation: 6598 Feet. Packed up and hit the trail (this time with quite a bit of plastic garbage a previous cabin used had left in the woodstove and in the fire ring GRRR). Tunnel of Trees Learn more about Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park here. Plus, its not that difficult of a trail so it was very relaxing. 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 Took a break at one of the many beautiful pools downstream of Shining Cloud Falls to filter some water and ice my aching feet in the wonderfully chilly river. With 60,000 acres of old-growth forest, snaking rivers, spectacular vistas, and picturesque waterfalls, the Porkies will impress the most avid traveler. The park includes a picnic, camping, and parking area. Our cabins provide a home feel; offering a kitchen stocked with utensils and plates as well as cookware. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out. This is a 3.6 mile loop that climbs up the side of one of the "mountains" (specifically, the Porkies ski hill, an outpost of the Escarpment) and was supposed to give excellent views of the park. Local Trail Association Michigan Mountain Bike Association Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support trail development & maintenance. Description. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Required fields are marked *. Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more. Follow along the east and west sides of the Presque Isle River to pass a series of cascading waterfalls: Manabezo Falls, Manido Falls, and Nawadaha Falls. Roots, rocks, mud pits, and steep slopes can make for a difficult trail. 420 Friendly for 21&up. They have no plumbing or electricity. Reservations and more information can be found at midnrreservations.com by clicking on Backcountry under the Camping tab. Just north of Wilsall, turn northeast onto Shields River Road. An outdoor enthusiasts dream awaits at Rockhound Hideaway's Shell Cabin, with opportunities for snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, skiing and everything in between. Or if they are entering the park, they reach the Big Carp River via Pinkerton and Lake Superior trails, a 4-mile walk. Take a trek to the Union Spring, the second-largest natural spring in Michigan. Its already booking up quickly.. Cross Trail swings away from the water At this pointand makes its steepest climb of the day. A state park Recreation Passportor daily vehicle permit is required to enter the park and leave a car at the trailhead. ONTONAGON, Ml 49953. The third is Toledo Creek that flows through a small ravine and reached at Mile 2. The Wisconsin State Park System provides places for outdoor recreation and for learning about nature and conservation. Here a few notable ones: If you love waterfall chasing like us, also take a look at this Michigan Waterfall Guide! The park boasts many popular natural attractions, including Lake of the Clouds (with an accessible viewing area), the scenic Presque Isle River corridor. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Though not the most popular trail, great backpacking opportunities make it a memorable experience: ramble through gorgeous secluded tracts of maple, birch, and old-growth hemlock . There are various options for lodging in and near Porcupine Mountain State Park that include campgrounds, cabins, and a few motels and hotels. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Welcome! According to Michigan DNR, the federal government recognized the area as a National Natural Landmark. To get to the cabin, turn northeast from Highway 89 north onto the Shields River road. This looks absolutely beautiful for fall foliage! Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - entire length of Lake Superior park shoreline. Vacation Log Home On Lake Superior - Please contact owner for available dates Silver City, MI, US 8 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms from USD 299 View Deal 7. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Deer, moose, bears and elk may be spotted nearby. and reservations. Recreation.gov! It was built in 1914 after a previous structure burned down, and was remodeled by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Backpackers on the Escarpment Trail. TIP: If you have time to make this a longer hike, add Mirror Lake and Beaver Creek for the Summit Peak Loop hike. Day 1 of 3. From . The park hosts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest amounts its waterfalls, rivers, trails, campgrounds, and Lake Superior shoreline. The Porkies rarely disappoint! Beaver Creek Trail 1.2miles Day hike Crosscut Cabin serves as a x-country ski warming hut in the winter months. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park here. Correction Line Trail stretches from the Big Carp River Trail to magnificent Mirror Lake and Summit Peak, the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains. I've yet to make it up there. We hiked a few miles of it, before turning around and plan to hit this one in its entirety on a separate trip. Utensils and plates as well as cookware terrain they speckle parking to the cabin would... 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