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Hunts' Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA

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PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
POINTS
OF INTEREST

Park Visitor Center and nature center. Reccommended first stop at the Porkies in season for tips from helpful staff, audio-visual and pamphlet background on natural and human history, detailed hiking and topo maps, guided nature hikes ... more

Lake of the Clouds Overlook. One of Michigan's most famous views looks down from a dramatic Porcupine Mountain ridge onto the lake and Big Carp Valley. Glorious fall color. Now accessible to all. ... more

Union Bay. The most popular and easily reached Lake Superior beach in the Porkies, it's accessible by car and even has a concession stand by the large modern campground. ... more

Summit Peak Observation Tower. It feels like you're floating above an undulating sea of green here at the park's highest spot ... more

Presque Isle River Waterfalls. Swinging footbridge leads across the river to Lake Superior river mouth known for steelhead run. Warm wading at the beach. Waterfall aficianados consider the three falls here among the most U.P.'s most beautiful for the water patterns and the old-growth forest setting. ... more

Overlooked and Greenstone Falls. Two fine waterfalls, reached by fairly short hikes through old-growth hemlocks and past a gorge, are well worth the walk ... more

Explorers Falls. For those up to a long hike into the Porkies, the reward is experiencing the finest waterfall on the park's Carp River. ... more

Hike to Trap Falls. A 3 to 4 hour hike though hemlocks, hardwoods and big pines to a remote and picturesque waterfall ... more

Along the North Country Trail. Not the Porkies' most scenic trail, but its most remote. Connects to Black River waterfalls, Trap Hills, and Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area beyond the state park. ... more

Long trek deep into the Porkies. A recommended 3- to 4-day backpacking hike deep into the Porkies, through old-growth forest, past waterfalls, along the Little Carp River. ... more

Abinodja Falls, Ogimawke Falls & Ogima Falls. Just south of the state park, a marvelous series of waterfalls for those willing to take the trouble to find them ... more

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK

Hike to Trap Falls

Wayne Premo

Trap Falls

This 3 to 4 hour hike from Government Peak Trailhead to Trap Falls and back is 2 1/2 miles each way. The hike goes through hemlocks, hardwoods, and a few big pines along the BIG CARP RIVER VALLEY, then proceeds uphill to the falls. It's a good, short hike despite some mud, hills, and obstacles.

For an all-day hike or easy overnight, parts of three trails combine to make a 10-mile triangle. Take Lily Pond Trail from trailhead off the Summit Peak Road. Hike 3 miles to Little Carp River Trail junction. Hike 3 miles on Little Carp Trail to MIRROR LAKE. Take Mirror Lake Trail back to Summit Peak Road and down to the Lily Pond Trail trailhead. Trails are clearly marked, but hikers need to pay attention and use the trail map. You may camp off the trail. To do this 9 1/2-mile hike, your feet should be broken in and you should already be accustomed to a light pack if you're backpacking.

A nice, short detour, especially for bird-watchers, is BEAVER CREEK TRAIL, a 1/8-mile dead-end boardwalk midway between Lily Pond and Mirror Lake.

Return to Porcupine Mountains State Park