Just
a short distance north of Lake Gogebic is Michigan's largest
State Park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Dedicated in 1945 to preserve the biggest and best remaining
old-growth hardwood-hemlock forest remaining in the Midwest,
this 60,000 acre park is well known for its hiking trails,
scenic vistas, wildlife, striking geologic formations and
majestic woodlands.
The native Ojibwa people
named the Porcupine Mountains long ago. Looking west from
their village at the mouth of the Ontonagon River, the
Ojibwa saw a well-worn chain of mountains rising from the
waters of Lake Superior. The outline of these old hills
against the setting sun reminded them of kag, the woodland
Porcupine. The mountain range they called Kag-wadjiw, the
Porcupine Mountains.
Visitors of the Porcupine
Mountains should plan on stopping by the park's Wilderness
Visitor Center near the junction of South Boundary and
Highway M-107. Inside the center you will find displays,
maps, a multimedia informational program and park staff to
help acquaint you with the area. Folks visiting the park for
an afternoon will want to include a visit to the park's main
scenic areas - the Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Summit Peak
and the Presque Isle waterfalls.
The Lake of the Clouds
Overlook is perched atop the towering cliffs of the
escarpment. Here, visitors are treated to a spectacular view
of Lake of the Clouds in the Big Carp River valley hundreds
of feet below. The overlook is easily reached from the end
of highway M-107, eight miles west of the Visitor Center.
Hiking trails traverse much of the park, leading hikers
through big tree forests and to scenic lakes and vistas.
Overnight packers and day hikers alike will find trails to
suit their interest at the Porcupine Mountains. The popular
Escarpment Trail, which begins at the Lake of the Clouds
Overlook, guides hikers along the summit of the escarpment
ridge. Here visitors can experience trail side scenery
reminiscent of the American west. Fragrant pines, tiny
wildflowers and twisted juniper shrubs line the rocky path.
Porcupine Mountains is home to many wildlife species
including the barred owl, fisher, goshawk, pine marten, gray
wolf, whitetail deer, bald eagle and pleated woodpecker.
Black bears frequent the park providing visitors a rare
glimpse of this remarkable north woods creature. Shy by
nature, black bears generally prefer to forage for wild
foods away from people. Birders will enjoy the opportunity
to see and hear many native songbirds, including the
black-throated green warbler, cedar waxwing, winter wren,
blackburnian warbler and Swanson's thrush. Early season you
can observe ravens, broad-winged hawks, peregrine falcons,
bald eagles, osprey and numerous migrating hawks along the
escarpment.
Within the
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park are five
campgrounds and 19 rustic trailside cabins, only 3
of which are open year round. A modern campground at
Union Bay on the east end of the park has hot
showers, flush toilets, electricity and a sanitation
station. Near the mouth of the Presque Isle River,
on the west end of the park, are 50 rustic campsites
with pit toilets and water pumps. Backcountry
camping is permitted in the mountains along the
trail or at designated backcountry campsites. To
obtain the required backcountry permit, hikers
should stop by the Wilderness Visitor Center.
If you are planning a visit to the Porcupine Mountains Area
and wish to receive more information, please write or call:
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, 412 S. Boundary
Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953; 906-885-5275 or 906-885-5276; fax
906-885-5798.
mi.gov/porkies
Porcupine
Mountains
Wilderness State Park
