Overall was a beautiful hike - medium as far as level of difficulty. Great views, alot like hiking out west. ... Michigan, Porcupine Mountains State Park Tags hike Post navigation. Make sure you dress for the hike. The trail provides the unique experience of viewing the lake from several different angles, rather than just at … Was crowded on a Sunday. From Lake of the Clouds overlook, to Little Carp river valley. 01 Jun. Excellent hike with the best views of the lake! You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! A deep layer of needles and forest debris covered the ground in all directions. Did the round trip in 3 hours but that was pushing it. UP MICHIGAN vacation ideas 33303 Headquarters Rd, Escarpment Trail - Porcupine Mountains State Park. (my FR230) The 20 somethings were breezing through it - so no worries to you guys - just like to give the senior perspective to those in need. On our trip to the Upper Peninsula we took a hike in the "Porkies." The Porcupine Mountains rise from the shore of Lake Superior in the far western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We have taken this trail many times. UP MICHIGAN vacation ideas It’s a challenging hike -- about 4 miles each way -- but if you’re a seasoned hiker, the payoffs are big. Started at the observaron deck and made it about 2/3 of the way to the end due to time constraints. Need to watch out for tree roots. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. There are plenty of spots to stop and rest or get a bite to eat if you brought it with you. I combined it with other trails (Government Peak, Correction Line and Big Carp River) to make it an all day loop. Great views south of Lake of the Clouds & the outflow, though no great views of Lake Superior to the North. Description A trip out on Escarpment Ridge provides epic views of Lake Superior, the Carp River Valley, and Lake of the Clouds. Tons of amazing views from this hike! The trail starts.7 miles from the trailhead so the total trip out and back will be 4.1 miles. ... Escarpment Trail. 01 Jun. We’ve hiked all over the country —-> Glacier, Zion, Arches, Tetons, Rockies, Death Valley, etc. Awesome trail with one of the most beautiful places to see fall colours. 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. Our lodging properties surround the park and make the perfect base camp for exploring backcountry lakes and waterfalls. This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US. not too difficult terrain wise but is long and requires some endurance. CLOSED ROAD ACCESS during winter. Amazing trail to view the fall colors. 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. Looking down you can see the Little Carp River as it winds its way to Lake of the Clouds. If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill. Fall color surrounds a misty Escarpment Trail at the Lake of the Clouds, in the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. 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. 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. beautiful hike with great views of the lake. This hike on Michigan's upper peninsula is a great place for fall colors in late September or early October. I’d rate this more of a moderate than a hard and I’m 63 and my husband is 64. | ©Copyright Upper-Michigan.Com. 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. (12-16). highly recommend it! wonderful trail. This is an out-and-back trail, and you can start it from either end of the trail. 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. Many great view points along the trail. Best if you have a ride back down if you are hiking up. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US. Such a beautiful trail!  The hike itself is a little over 4 miles one way or 8.1 miles if you hike down and back. This is a wild, rocky, wind-swept wonderland that gives the hiker a sense of grandeur. Same area Also you don’t run into the crowd or have to wait to park.  This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Photo about Beautiful spring foliage along the Escarpment Trail of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan.  If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill. Crazy hiker tries to throw a rock into the Little Carp river. 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. We had gorgeous views but this is definitely a hard trail, lots of up and down and rocks to navigate around. Was a little windy today. Making it an overall 4 mile out and back hike. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Fri Nov 27, 2020. Recreation Search Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 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. Trails range from simple day hikes to more challenging treks like the 17-mile Lake Superior Trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from March until October. The Escarpment Trail runs along the northern ridge of the Porcupine Mountains. Otherwise, if you are too late, you would be facing the sun which may make the picture-taking a bit more difficult. Aug 14, 2020 - PHOTOS! 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. Starting the Escarpment Trail. The north woods are part of my travel plans every year or two. We took our time, had lunch & took our rest breaks & enjoyed ourselves. All reviews presque isle summit peak porcupine mountains hiking trails visitor center state park escarpment trail lake superior union bay great hiking mirror lake fall colors mile loop rustic campground carp river bug spray south boundary scenic area beautiful place … A beautiful hike! 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. 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. Most of the trail runs high up on the rocky bluffs above the Lake of the Clouds and the Big Carp River Valley. The beautiful bluffs welcome thousands of hikers each year. 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. It's located 18 miles west of Ontonagon, MI on M-64. My husband, 67 and I, 61 did this trail yesterday and enjoyed it very much but certainly found it in the “hard” category. The Escarpment Trail, located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, is one of the most picturesque hiking trails in all of Michigan. Escarpment Trail Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Start Elevation: 1338 ft. Cuyahoga Peak Elevation: 1572 ft. End Elevation: 985 ft. Huge boulders sat piled at the base of Miscowabic, with smaller pieces of scree below them. The roads are closed about a 50 min walk before the trail head. Aug 1, 2020 - PHOTOS!  The terrain is fairly rugged in the initial mile of the hike as the trail climbs to the top of the ridge. Same area This area provides some of the finest airy views in all of the Midwest and at places feels very much like true mountain hiking. The escarpment ridge is possibly what the Porcupine Mountains are best known for in pictures. Escarpment Trail is a fantastic hike located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Image wraps around the sides and includes wire,  If you love the outdoors and stunning views, add this hike to your list of must-dos today! Best hike in years! The Overlook Trail is a 2.7 mile loop accessed from the Government Peak Trailhead on M-107. (906) 885-5275. Porcupine Mountains State Park The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountain State Park is going on our list of favorite hikes in the Midwest. No real steeps.  This ridge stretches from the ski hill all the way past the Lake of the Clouds overlook. It was definitely worth getting soaked by the rain and chilled by the wind though. 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. Here are a few good trails for day hikes in the Porkies. 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. 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. The Upper Midwestern United States isn't home to many vast swaths of wilderness so the Porkies are a … You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! The rugged trail Drove up to lake lake of the clouds in the Porcupine State Park. They are not remarkably high by some standards but for this part of the midwest they represent some of the most rugged terrain around. 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. 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. There is parking available at each of the three trailheads. We wondered if it would be much different than the Lake of the Clouds because it follows the ridgeline as well. Once we got there we enjoyed beautiful views. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon Picture: Escarpment Trail to Lake of the Clouds - Check out Tripadvisor members' 1,209 candid photos and videos. Escarpment Trail can be accessed by following M-107 west out of Union Bay/Silver City. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Sat Nov 28, 2020. Oh, and it was indeed! Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail. If you’re interested in backpacking the Porcupine Mountains, you can find a backcountry campsite along the Escarpment Trail.  You can bring your canine companion with you, but please keep them on their leash for the entirety of the hike. It was a bit snowy and slippery at times during the hike, but the snow made the forest look even more beautiful. Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail.  There is even a single campsite approximately halfway along the hike. What an expansive view! great view of the lake and colors were great for being later in october. We just used the bathroom quickly and started to head back. lots of ups and downs! Great hike with beautiful views of the lake.  You will need to run a shuttle before setting out on your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways. Make sure you are in moderate to good shape before attempting this hike. Escarpment overlooking Lake of the Clouds in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains, USA Carp River Lake of the Clouds and autumn canopy of hardwood forest from the Escarpment trail, Michigan Lake of the Clouds in Ontonagon County in the upper peninsula of Michigan within the Porcupine Mountains.  There are plenty of stunning views from these ridges. 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. Wow what a view. Basalt often contains numerous small voids created by gas bubbles trapped in the molten rock when it … The Escarpment Trail walks along the ridge of the "Lake of the Clouds." Spectacular! Upon arriving at Porcupine Mountains State Park (from Highway 107) in Ontonagon, Michigan, follow signs to the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking lot.  Once at the top, the Escarpment Trail levels off and follow the contours of the Porcupine Mountains. Definitely moderate to difficult. 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. Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail. Printed with archival pigmented ink (100 years fade resistant under indoor conditions). 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. Search: Home; List; Map; Events  The sun can also be very hot at points on the exposed bluff, so make sure to bring enough water and sun protection. 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. There are some steep up and down portions of the trail and as the name suggests some "overlooks" along the trail.  The trail is strewn with lots of loose rocks and sliding hazards, so good hiking boots are a must. Absolutely stunning views. Designed by INTERPACE This way your trip is more climactic rather than anticlimactic. The vast majority of the trail is rocky with many trip hazard tree roots. Lake of the Clouds. The entire trail is a series of ups and downs with very little time spent moseying along a flat ridge. The Escarpment Trail is an easy hike along a ridge. Basalt is the dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that caps the “escarpment” ridge overlooking Lake of the Clouds. We planned on going for a hike while there and my wife chose the escarpment trail. hard (269) Best fall foliage hike I’ve been on. Saw lots of people in sneakers which would make it much more techerous. 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. Enjoy scenic views of Lake of the Clouds and Big Carp River Valley. It combines a high rocky bluff and alpine-life vistas with views of the park's interior including the Upper Carp River Valley and Lake of the Clouds. 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 has to be the most scenic short hike in all of Michigan. There are panoramic views with almost every step, but you also need watch your footing because at times the trail skirts the edge of … Canvas wrap prints measure 1.5 deep. We took our dog with and he loved it. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers some of the region’s best backcountry trails, and the day hiking options are almost endless. Happy Trails. 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. 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. Along a ridge and rocks to navigate around welcome thousands of hikers each year beautiful hike - medium far. Ve been on medium as far as level of difficulty love the outdoors and stunning views add! The outflow, though no great views of Lake of the Midwest they represent of! 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