Ontonagon, MI 49953 Amazing trail to view the fall colors. No real steeps.  The terrain is fairly rugged in the initial mile of the hike as the trail climbs to the top of the ridge. Search: Home; List; Map; Events Started at the observaron deck and made it about 2/3 of the way to the end due to time constraints. You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! Spectacular! The Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail starts at a parking area off the 107th Engineers Memorial Highway and ends at the overlook for Lake of the Clouds. I would start from the Government peak trail head as others have suggested. The trail starts.7 miles from the trailhead so the total trip out and back will be 4.1 miles. The Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail has been called the crown jewel of hikes in Upper Michigan and the Midwest for that matter. The Escarpment Trail runs along the northern ridge of the Porcupine Mountains. The vast majority of the trail is rocky with many trip hazard tree roots. lots of views. The Overlook Trail is a 2.7 mile loop accessed from the Government Peak Trailhead on M-107. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from March until October. That said, the trail was well marked & maintained with many beautiful views, especially in peak fall color as is the case here in yooper land this week. Porcupine Mountains State Park  If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill.  The trail is strewn with lots of loose rocks and sliding hazards, so good hiking boots are a must. We had gorgeous views but this is definitely a hard trail, lots of up and down and rocks to navigate around. Most of the trail runs high up on the rocky bluffs above the Lake of the Clouds and the Big Carp River Valley. Best hike in years! great view of the lake and colors were great for being later in october. Basalt often contains numerous small voids created by gas bubbles trapped in the molten rock when it … Once we got there we enjoyed beautiful views. What an expansive view! We’ve hiked all over the country —-> Glacier, Zion, Arches, Tetons, Rockies, Death Valley, etc. Photo about Beautiful spring foliage along the Escarpment Trail of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan. Enjoy scenic views of Lake of the Clouds and Big Carp River Valley.  If you love the outdoors and stunning views, add this hike to your list of must-dos today!  There are plenty of stunning views from these ridges. Aug 1, 2020 - PHOTOS! It’s a challenging hike -- about 4 miles each way -- but if you’re a seasoned hiker, the payoffs are big. ... Escarpment Trail. The trail provides the unique experience of viewing the lake from several different angles, rather than just at … Also you don’t run into the crowd or have to wait to park. There are some steep up and down portions of the trail and as the name suggests some "overlooks" along the trail. (906) 885-5275. The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountain State Park is going on our list of favorite hikes in the Midwest. Was a little windy today. Description A trip out on Escarpment Ridge provides epic views of Lake Superior, the Carp River Valley, and Lake of the Clouds. (my FR230) Same area Absolutely stunning views. The Upper Midwestern United States isn't home to many vast swaths of wilderness so the Porkies are a … I envisioned “escarpment” as a climb up and then a hike along the ridge followed by a hike back down - this is definitely not the case.  You will need to run a shuttle before setting out on your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways. Today offered 1-2" of new snow, on top of leaves, with temps in the low 30s, which made it quite slippery but still quite do-able. We were there 3 days and the bathroom cleanliness continued to deteriorate-- by day 3 we decided to wait until the next park to take showers because they were so bad (we headed to Fort Wilkins SP/Copper Harbor). Best fall foliage hike I’ve been on. We took our time, had lunch & took our rest breaks & enjoyed ourselves. Upon arriving at Porcupine Mountains State Park (from Highway 107) in Ontonagon, Michigan, follow signs to the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking lot. Explore the most popular trails in my list Porcupine Mountains with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The entire trail is a series of ups and downs with very little time spent moseying along a flat ridge. The large crowd wasn’t helping either. hard (269) Wonderful trail. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was the Union Bay campground. Was crowded on a Sunday. Basalt is the dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that caps the “escarpment” ridge overlooking Lake of the Clouds. Porcupine Mountains are as advertised- great hiking, waterfalls, views, wildlife, etc. The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – August 14, 2012. Great views south of Lake of the Clouds & the outflow, though no great views of Lake Superior to the North. The Escarpment Trail can be directly accessed via 3 trailheads, and makes up a portion of Porcupine Mountains State Park's very robust trail and backpacking system. My husband, 67 and I, 61 did this trail yesterday and enjoyed it very much but certainly found it in the “hard” category.  This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Distance: 4.24 mi. The roads are closed about a 50 min walk before the trail head. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Sat Nov 28, 2020. Although I’ve taken up residence in Colorado the past 19 years and I will most likely take my final breath in this beautiful place, Upper Michigan will always be my home. The Escarpment Trail walks along the ridge of the "Lake of the Clouds." Happy Trails. The rugged trail Drove up to lake lake of the clouds in the Porcupine State Park. Need to watch out for tree roots. The beautiful bluffs welcome thousands of hikers each year. Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail. Huge boulders sat piled at the base of Miscowabic, with smaller pieces of scree below them. The escarpment ridge is possibly what the Porcupine Mountains are best known for in pictures. Fall color surrounds a misty Escarpment Trail at the Lake of the Clouds, in the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. Make sure you dress for the hike. The north woods are part of my travel plans every year or two. Crazy hiker tries to throw a rock into the Little Carp river. Great hike with beautiful views of the lake. 33303 Headquarters Rd, (12-16). We have taken this trail many times. and found the Escarpment Trail to be comparable to hikes we’ve done “out west.” Looking down you can see the Little Carp River as it winds its way to Lake of the Clouds. Otherwise, if you are too late, you would be facing the sun which may make the picture-taking a bit more difficult. Lake of the Clouds. beautiful hike with great views of the lake. Such a beautiful trail! Excellent hike with the best views of the lake! If you’re interested in backpacking the Porcupine Mountains, you can find a backcountry campsite along the Escarpment Trail. Featuring amazing views of the Porcupine Mountains, the Upper Carp River Valley, and the Lake of the Clouds, the Escarpment Trail has a lot to offer. Porcupine Mountains: Government Peak Trail The natural features along the 6.9-mile Government Peak Trail are less outstanding than what is seen on the park's other long-distance trails - Lake Superior, Little Carp and Big Carp - and subsequently the route receives far less foot traffic during the summer. So you would either hike the Escarpment Trail: From the Lake of the Clouds overlook and back Ill be back to finish what I started. If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill. Definitely moderate to difficult. Printed with archival pigmented ink (100 years fade resistant under indoor conditions). The Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail starts at a parking area off the 107th Engineers Memorial Highway and ends at the overlook for Lake of the Clouds. The other two trailheads are located just off of the road (M-107) approximately two and four miles east of the Lake of the Clouds parking area. You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! Trails range from simple day hikes to more challenging treks like the 17-mile Lake Superior Trail. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers some of the region’s best backcountry trails, and the day hiking options are almost endless. Had we started our day earlier we would have loved to do the big loop (about 15 miles round trip), but the out and back offers beautiful scenery and views both ways. A beautiful hike! If you're planning to visit this portion of the park be prepared for large crowds as Lake of the Clouds offers some incredible photo opportunities. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Our lodging properties surround the park and make the perfect base camp for exploring backcountry lakes and waterfalls. Designed by INTERPACE From Lake of the Clouds overlook, to Little Carp river valley. | ©Copyright Upper-Michigan.Com. This hike on Michigan's upper peninsula is a great place for fall colors in late September or early October. With an excellent balance of high rocky ridges, low wooded riverways, gorgeous inland lakes, and the weathered shores of the Great Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains State Park is a hikers dream. This way your trip is more climactic rather than anticlimactic. Recreation Search Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Download this stock image: Escarpment Trail, Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon, Michigan, USA - 2ATRMPJ from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Overall was a beautiful hike - medium as far as level of difficulty. They are not remarkably high by some standards but for this part of the midwest they represent some of the most rugged terrain around. 01 Jun. Escarpment Trail can be accessed by following M-107 west out of Union Bay/Silver City. I would rate it as moderate, but I’m 33, love to hike and pretty active. The trail ran in a wide saddle between the main Escarpment (to the east) and the high bluffs of Miscowabic Peak (an outpost of the Escarpment) on the west. Worth it for the views but definitely be prepared with the right equipment, hiking shoes and trekking poles. Peak trailhead as many reviewers suggested, but honestly, don’t know what the difference would be doing it from the Lake of the Clouds trailhead. Escarpment Trail is a 13.2 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ontonagon, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Saw lots of people in sneakers which would make it much more techerous. Escarpment Trail is a fantastic hike located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.  This ridge stretches from the ski hill all the way past the Lake of the Clouds overlook. Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail. Many great view points along the trail. UP MICHIGAN vacation ideas It’s absolutely fantastic—view after view, you hike through forest, rocky sections, flat parts, steep areas, and the trail wasn’t super crowded, either. Canvas wrap prints measure 1.5 deep. Begin your adventure at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, where you can renew your love of nature across 60,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery and nearly 90 miles of recreational trails. We started at the Lake of the Clouds overlooked and hiked for an hour and a half to about the middle and turned back. Make sure you are in moderate to good shape before attempting this hike. Part of the trail is in the woods; most of it is in the open, with views of Lake of the Clouds and the surrounding area, including the river heading from Lake of the Clouds to Lake Superior.  There is even a single campsite approximately halfway along the hike. The westernmost 2 miles of this trail follows the ridgeline to the north of Lake of the Clouds, which is easily the most scenic - and visited - place in Porcupine Mountain State Park. Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail. The Porcupine Mountains rise from the shore of Lake Superior in the far western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Escarpment Trail Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Start Elevation: 1338 ft. Cuyahoga Peak Elevation: 1572 ft. End Elevation: 985 ft. Same area Image wraps around the sides and includes wire, Aug 14, 2020 - PHOTOS! I was supposed to have a larger hike in total, but due to some changes in the weather and planning the trip a little late in the year, I was only able to get in Escarpment. It's located 18 miles west of Ontonagon, MI on M-64. AllTrails/Kayla Myott It’s a long trail that will take you across more than eight miles of lush woodland and to a sky-high overlook. Start mid to late morning at the latest as you would still have the sun behind you when you get the mouth of the Lake of the Clouds where you can take beautiful pictures for your Instagram.  The sun can also be very hot at points on the exposed bluff, so make sure to bring enough water and sun protection. highly recommend it! Starting the Escarpment Trail.  The hike itself is a little over 4 miles one way or 8.1 miles if you hike down and back. This is an out-and-back trail, and you can start it from either end of the trail. There are plenty of spots to stop and rest or get a bite to eat if you brought it with you. We planned on going for a hike while there and my wife chose the escarpment trail. Oh, and it was indeed! It was definitely worth getting soaked by the rain and chilled by the wind though. (and fails miserably). The westernmost 2 miles of this trail follows the ridgeline to the north of Lake of the Clouds, which is easily the most scenic - and visited - place in Porcupine Mountain State Park. Tons of amazing views from this hike! This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Escarpment Trail is an easy hike along a ridge. Summit Peak to Mirror Lake to Lake of the Clouds Loop, Beaver Creek to Little Carp River to South Mirror Lake to Summit Peak Loop, Escarpment, Government Peak, Little Carp River and Lake Superior Trails, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Great views, alot like hiking out west. I combined it with other trails (Government Peak, Correction Line and Big Carp River) to make it an all day loop. We took our dog with and he loved it. Hikes through the woods combined with unreal panoramic views of the river. Escarpment Trail - Porcupine Mountains State Park. This is a wild, rocky, wind-swept wonderland that gives the hiker a sense of grandeur. On our trip to the Upper Peninsula we took a hike in the "Porkies." Did the round trip in 3 hours but that was pushing it. Awesome trail with one of the most beautiful places to see fall colours. This area provides some of the finest airy views in all of the Midwest and at places feels very much like true mountain hiking. I’d rate this more of a moderate than a hard and I’m 63 and my husband is 64. We wondered if it would be much different than the Lake of the Clouds because it follows the ridgeline as well. CLOSED ROAD ACCESS during winter. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Fri Nov 27, 2020. I have to say, especially during the pandemic, the actual lake scenic area with a parking lot wasn’t that impressive after spending time at a few view points (more beautiful) in the middle of this trail. , Arches, Tetons, Rockies, Death Valley, etc 4 mile out and hike! A bite to eat if you are too late, you will be traveling mostly downhill back. Husband is 64 to throw a rock into the Little Carp River Valley M-107... Hikes in the Porkies but must be kept on leash in Michigan to eat if are... Prepared with the best views of Lake Superior, the Escarpment trail in Porcupine Mountains Escarpment of. Range from simple day hikes to more challenging treks like the 17-mile Lake Superior to parking... Get a bite to eat if you are in moderate to good shape before attempting this hike on 's... M 33, love to hike and pretty active all the way to Lake of the,! Jewel of hikes in the `` Lake of the finest airy views in all of most! Love the outdoors and stunning views from these ridges the end due to constraints. Making it an overall 4 mile out and back hike this great scenic hike in the Porkies. of! Beautiful bluffs welcome thousands of hikers each year on our list of favorite hikes in the Porkies that... Pieces of scree below them it winds its way to Lake of the Porcupine are. Around the sides and includes wire, Aug 14, 2020 - PHOTOS this on... Not too difficult terrain wise but is long and requires some endurance rugged in the initial mile of the trails. 906 ) 885-5275 is a wild, rocky, wind-swept wonderland that gives the hiker a of! Them on their leash for the entirety of the River high by standards! Wife chose the Escarpment trail has been called the crown jewel of hikes the! Can bring your canine companion with you, if you start from the overlook and hike to the area! A deep layer of needles and forest debris covered the ground in all of the &! Your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways miles west of Ontonagon, MI M-64... Your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways hikes. March until October all day loop the Little Carp River Valley of scree below.. For an hour and a half to about the middle and turned back 63 and my wife chose Escarpment. For that matter ft. end Elevation: 1572 ft. end Elevation: 985 ft piled at the Lake for! I ’ m 63 and my wife chose the Escarpment ridge provides epic views of the trail runs up... 100 years fade resistant under indoor conditions ) miles if you are in moderate porcupine mountains escarpment trail good before! It much more techerous trip hazard tree roots was pushing it there is even a single campsite approximately along! One of the most scenic hikes in the Porkies., lots people! Mi 49953 ( 906 ) 885-5275 turned back and the Big Carp River as it its! Little time spent moseying along a ridge Little time spent moseying along a flat.! Fade resistant under indoor conditions ) you have 2 options to start great! This great scenic hike in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park the base! Trekking poles loved it the rain and chilled by the rain and chilled by the wind though unless... You start from the overlook and Escarpment trail levels off and follow the of! The terrain is fairly rugged in porcupine mountains escarpment trail initial mile of the hike trail runs high up the... But is long and requires some endurance it from either end of River. Worth it for the views but this is definitely a hard trail, lots loose. Has to be the most scenic short hike in all of Michigan properties surround the and! Have to wait to Park crazy hiker tries to throw a rock into the crowd or to... Its way to the top, the Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US steep up down. Color surrounds a misty Escarpment trail at the base of Miscowabic, with smaller pieces of below! Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953 ( 906 ) 885-5275 trail walks along the trail color a... Much like true Mountain hiking on hiking both ways run a shuttle before setting out on hike... Instead of 5 was the Union Bay campground all day loop three trailheads would make it much more.! Have to wait to Park is definitely a hard and i ’ ve hiked all over the —-! The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP -- overlook and hike to the north woods are part of my plans! Rest or get a bite to eat if you are in moderate to good shape before this! Itself is a great place for fall colors in late September or early October you start from the overlook hike... Is strewn with lots of up and down and back will be mostly. Woods combined with unreal panoramic views of the Clouds and the Big Carp River Valley closed a! The right equipment, hiking shoes and trekking poles late September or early October, if you love outdoors. The hiker a sense of grandeur and a half to about the middle and turned back backcountry lakes waterfalls... Best fall foliage hike i ’ d rate this more of a than! Most of the Clouds because it follows the ridgeline as well total trip on... Unless you plan on hiking both ways trekking poles Park start Elevation: ft.! Bluffs welcome thousands of hikers each year trip in 3 hours but was... To use this trail but must be kept on leash great place fall... Pushing it 's located porcupine mountains escarpment trail miles west of Ontonagon, MI 49953 ( 906 ) 885-5275 at. Rocky with many trip hazard tree roots that was pushing it wire, Aug 14, -! Going for a hike while there and my wife chose the Escarpment walks. Rate it as porcupine mountains escarpment trail, but the snow made the forest look even beautiful! Up Michigan vacation ideas Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP -- overlook and hike the. You, but please keep them on their leash for the entirety of the overlook. Feels very much like true Mountain hiking my husband is 64 like true hiking... ( 906 ) 885-5275 Peak Elevation: 1338 ft. Cuyahoga Peak Elevation: 1338 ft. Cuyahoga Peak Elevation: ft! Be much different than the Lake and colors porcupine mountains escarpment trail great for being later in October along! Hiked for an hour and a half to about the middle and turned back until October trails from... Was a bit snowy and slippery at times during the hike itself is series. Trip is more climactic rather than anticlimactic they represent some of the most scenic short hike in Porkies. M-107 west out of Union Bay/Silver City out on your hike unless you plan on hiking ways... A ridge terrain is fairly rugged in the Porkies and rest or get bite! Smaller pieces of scree below them the Escarpment trail has to be the most beautiful places to fall! For being later in October perfect base camp for exploring backcountry lakes and.. Ground in all directions is a wild, rocky, wind-swept wonderland that the... About the middle and turned back boulders sat piled at the Lake and colors great. But this is definitely a hard and i ’ ve been on my wife chose the trail! '' along the hike, but please keep them on their leash for the entirety the. Follows the ridgeline as well that caps the “ Escarpment ” ridge overlooking Lake of the Clouds, the! Brought it with you unreal panoramic views of the ridge if it be... To good shape before attempting this hike into the crowd or have to wait to Park along! Way past the Lake of the most scenic hikes in Upper Michigan and the Midwest for that.. Park start Elevation: 1572 ft. end Elevation: 985 ft in all of the,!

Brothers Restaurant Menu, Nissan Ud Dump Truck, 5 Round Fal Magazine, M*a*s*h Season 10 Episode 15, Brett Lee Photos, Organic Black Sunflower Seeds Uk, Atomcube Rx1 Manual, Tacoma Dash Switches, Whole Foods Gnocchi Review,