- Estimated Cost: $30
- Deposit: $17
- Max Trip Size: 4 people
Come explore the Porkies! This is a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip to the gorgeous Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We will be backpacking a 21-mile loop over four days and three nights, so this is a moderately-paced trip with plenty of time to hang out by the water, stop for photos, and birdwatch. Expect steep ascents and descents at various points. Hopefully, the mosquitos will be less ferocious by September.
The State Park requires backcountry campsite reservations, which are booked. Information on backcountry camping and a map are here. The itinerary looks like this:
| Date | Route | Campsite | Miles |
| Monday, Sept 9 | Twin Cities to Visitor Center (5.5 hours), pick up backcountry permit, park at M107 trailhead. Lake Superior trail to site LS-17, on the shoreline. | LS-17 | 3.0 |
| Tuesday, Sept 10 | Lake Superior Trail @ LS-17 to Big Carp Trail junction, Big Carp Trail to site BC-7. Two waterfalls! | BC-7 | 8.0 |
| Wednesday, Sept 11 | Big Carp Trail @BC-7 to Correction Trail Junction, Correction Trail to Mirror Lake, site ML-3. | ML-3 | 5.7 |
| Thursday, Sept 12 | North Mirror Lake Trail to M107 trailhead. Travel back to Twin Cities for an evening arrival home. | Home | 4.0 |
Each backpacker will be responsible for his/her own food and must use an Ursack or bear canister. No canine companions on this trip, please.
Costs to be divided among participants include $68 for the campsites plus transportation. Each car in the state park will need a $40 vehicle pass. The $17 deposit covers the campsite reservations, assuming four backpackers.