Lake in the Clouds Hike Date: September, 2012
Trails: Lake Superior Tr, Beaver Creak Tr, Escarpment Tr, Little Carp River Tr, Mirror Lake Tr
Difficulty: Average
Conditions: Sunshine!
Impression: I've always been fascinated with Lake Superior, there's a real mystique about it. Growing up in Michigan, I've heard many tales about the lake's rugged history and gem laden beaches...
Trails: Lake Superior Tr, Beaver Creak Tr, Escarpment Tr, Little Carp River Tr, Mirror Lake Tr
Difficulty: Average
Conditions: Sunshine!
Impression: I've always been fascinated with Lake Superior, there's a real mystique about it. Growing up in Michigan, I've heard many tales about the lake's rugged history and gem laden beaches...
So, after our hike of the Appalachian Trail last summer, we moved back to Chicago to regroup and re-enter the "real world". It wasn't long until we were looking for an outdoor adventure, wilderness and the tranquility that comes with sleeping peacefully outside.
We drove from Chicago to Porcupine Mountain State Park, which took us about 8 hours with the dog, for a long weekend camping excursion in the Upper Peninsula. This was my first time being in the western part of the U.P. and seeing Lake Superior, which was very exciting.
After looking at the map online, we decided to aim for a camping site near Buckshot Cabin, off the Lake Superior Trail. An easy downhill hike from the parking lot, we meandered down to the beach through a lush forest on a trail that was well maintained, but certainly not crawling with people. I think the whole trip we saw one other couple while on a trail. It was very nice!
Anyway, there were tons of camping spots along the beach, perfect for relaxing and exploring and having a fire. The next couple of days we drove to various spots within the park to check out waterfalls and the "mountains", not really doing too many miles, but getting a great sense for the park as a whole. This area is very remote and feels it, tons of places marked and unmarked to explore. It was the classic case of not having enough time to see all that I wanted, so I definitely have a great deal of desire to return one day.
This was one of my favorite camping experiences I've ever had and I highly recommended to anybody living in the "area". They say the flies can be really bad up in the U.P. during the spring/summer months, so I'd recommend going sometime near Labor Day as we did. With plenty of camping and area to wander, Porcupine Mountain S.P. is a fantastic vacation destination for adventurers and families alike! Happy Hiking!
We drove from Chicago to Porcupine Mountain State Park, which took us about 8 hours with the dog, for a long weekend camping excursion in the Upper Peninsula. This was my first time being in the western part of the U.P. and seeing Lake Superior, which was very exciting.
After looking at the map online, we decided to aim for a camping site near Buckshot Cabin, off the Lake Superior Trail. An easy downhill hike from the parking lot, we meandered down to the beach through a lush forest on a trail that was well maintained, but certainly not crawling with people. I think the whole trip we saw one other couple while on a trail. It was very nice!
Anyway, there were tons of camping spots along the beach, perfect for relaxing and exploring and having a fire. The next couple of days we drove to various spots within the park to check out waterfalls and the "mountains", not really doing too many miles, but getting a great sense for the park as a whole. This area is very remote and feels it, tons of places marked and unmarked to explore. It was the classic case of not having enough time to see all that I wanted, so I definitely have a great deal of desire to return one day.
This was one of my favorite camping experiences I've ever had and I highly recommended to anybody living in the "area". They say the flies can be really bad up in the U.P. during the spring/summer months, so I'd recommend going sometime near Labor Day as we did. With plenty of camping and area to wander, Porcupine Mountain S.P. is a fantastic vacation destination for adventurers and families alike! Happy Hiking!
| Directions to Trailhead: We basically worked everything along South Boundary Road. I will say, our campsite was at the end of Route 107, over by Buckshot Cabin. This area had a few amazing campsites along the water and is where I'll camp again when I get back there. | Suggested Map: I'd check out the online map here and go to the Park Headquarters located off South Boundary Road near Route 107. |
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