Porkies (Michigan U.P.) May 25-30th

Does anyone have any experiences/stories to share about this area?

I'll be backpacking in the Porkies in May with my Fiance. We have a cabin for two of the nights and will be at back country sites the rest of the nights. We plan to hang at the back country sites.

If anyone wants to join us, there are 2 extra bunk spots in each the cabins as well as back country sites right near by each cabin site.

Itinerary: This is a very easy itinerary created to allow as much time as possible exporing waterfalls and generally relaxing at lunch stops and enjoying the outdoors.

Day 1: May 25th
Park at Lake of the Clouds overlook and hike to Buchshot Cabin, approx 2miles
Day 2: May 26th
Backpack approx 7-8 miles to camp near Shining Cloud or Bathtub falls backcountry sites
Day 3: May 27th
Backpack to Section 17 Cabin near Greenstone Falls (back country site .25miles before cabin)
Day 4: May 28th
Backpack approx 10 miles to trap Falls backcountry site
Day 5: May 29th
Backpack 6 miles to Lake of the Clouds
Camp at LOTC
Day 6: Drive home.

Went there a couple of years ago and did the lake shore trail, highly recommend it. Def. make time to go to Presque Isle, its beautiful over there.

Sounds like a fun trip. I was in the Porkies last fall for three nights. The first night we stayed at the Section 17 cabin. The cabins are nicely outfitted with bunks, table and benches, pots and pans and a wood stove.

The backcountry sites have a fire ring and most have a bear pole to hang your food on.

Porkies Pics


Jerry

it's a great time and your itinerary doesn't look too aggressive but plan for rain about that time. you may want to revisit your first and second day, because you'll be dropping 1700' or so down to your first cabin and then back up a very steep hill. if that doesn't bother you, i'd only take what you need down to the cabin.

shinning falls or bathtube falls has a lot of great places to hang. governments peak trail isn't the friendliest as it's mostly up and down with muddy sections and so it LOC trail. it's all very do-able, don't get me wrong but it's pretty rocky at times.

also (your fiance will love you if you dont' already know about this), when you leave make sure stop at the Union Bay campground - normally they will allow you shower real fast for $2 a person if you have bc permitts. they might give you a little run about but tell them you'll be quick and you smell really bad.

I normally do a trip to the Porkies around that same time and have little rain and generally decent temps. And the bears aren't hitting the campsites looking for food yet. I would suggest getting a couple cheap head nets because the Skeeters and No see ums can be thick up until sunset. The temps can be iffy if your near the big lake if you get an onshore wind be ready for cool temps, the lake acts like a big refridgerator.

The trails will be wet depending on how the spring is going. Cross trail, Correction line trail and the Lake shore trail from Big carp to Buckshot normally have a good amount of standing or running water on the trails. Last time I did Cross trail that time of year it hadn't been cleared of blow downs or reblazed and was tough to follow sometimes, it also goes through a swamp as does Correction line trail. Make sure to talk to the Rangers for current trail conditions and any you may want to avoid.

The mileage looks pretty good with plenty of time to enjoy the sites. I would be sure to get out of camp early when you do Greenstone to Trap falls that hike is tough lots of elevation change.

Make sure you keep your camera handy even in the car, last time I was up we had a Sow with triplet cubs cross the road in front of us, and the camera was in the trunk.

I haven't decided if I'm going to hit the porkies or the SHT this May. That will depend on were I relocate to and the amount of time I can get off. So I may be up in that neck of the woods.

Looks like you have a good trip planned out. I haven't done the cabins yet but was thinking of maybe hitting one in November before the Snows get to crazy. A trip report would be great when you get back.

Thanks for the tips everyone and great pics JerryW, thanks for shaing! bloomgorge, thanks for the shower tip, I'll hold on to that card for a surprise :) ... Redoleary, due to our relaxed schedule, I was thinking of stopping by that area by vehicle on our way out on Monday.. I will def post a trip report here afterwards.

Here's my trip report from that trip.

I have a trip for the Porkies planned for the Second weekend in August. It will coincide with the annual Perseid meteor shower, and I hope to be at the top of Summit Peak on Saturday night to take it all in. There is also a cool dayhike involving a B-17 bomber that crashed there in 1944, but you have to do some digging to find its location because it's not publicized.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shogun_8574

There is also a cool dayhike involving a B-17 bomber that crashed there in 1944, but you have to do some digging to find its location because it's not publicized.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nWNmJnRINE