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Porcupine Mountains Wilderness

Friday, October 6, 2023 - Friday, October 13, 2023 -- $1550 ★★★



Description


It's Fall Foliage season in The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness -- Michigan's largest State Park. Adjacent to Lake Superior and featuring almost 100 miles of hiking trails, it contains old-growth forest, tumbling waterfalls and amazing views of lakes, rivers and streams.


We will hike the western portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (EUP) taking us deep into the heart of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan's largest state park and one of the wildest areas in the Midwest. The Porcupine Mountains (aka "The Porkies") enjoy great popularity among hikers, and boast 35,000 acres of old-growth forest, gorgeous rivers and waterfalls, and amazing Lake Superior scenery.


If you are looking to supercharge your health transformation with a digital reboot while enjoying the old-growth forests, picturesque cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking Lake Superior coast of the Porcupine Mountains, then come join us!



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical September weather is much drier than even a month earlier and averages in the high-60s / low-70s during the day and 40s/50s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 80s and freezing temperatures at night, with the threat of rain on any day. But overall, expect a warm, dry end of September treat.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty


Even the established trails near Lake Superior can be rocky and muddy, which can make progress challenging. Fortunately the elevation gain and loss are moderate and the mileage is reasonable so this trip is readily attainable with some perseverance.



Cost

$1550 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Duluth, MN (DLH) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 1 front country campground, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, park permits, campsite fees and reservations, park fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Notes

This is a proposed itinerary only. We cannot reserve any sites until March 27, 2023 at 8:00AM EDT. We will attempt to reserve our itinerary at that time, but because of high demand and competition, we may have to alter our planed route.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Friday, October 6, 2023

Fly or drive into Duluth Airport (DLH)

The best time to arrive is between around 9AM-Noon for a proposed 3PM departure. Flights are limited so do the best you can.

Take free airport shuttle to local hotel where we will meet up

We will assemble at: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Duluth, 1805 Maple Grove Rd, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-722-0700.

Although you will have already had a virtual online equipment shakedown, we will ask you a few questions for another mini-shakedown

Distribution of trail mix / Make-your-own trail mix bar

We will also give you a food bag and/or piece of group equipment to carry (10 pounds, but it gets lighter as we eat meals)

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to the Trailfitters Store, 600 E Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802, 218-722-6776 for forgotten and last minute equipment purchase if necessary. Store is open unitl 9PM.

Your spare bag(s) will be stored either at the hotel or in a storage unit for safekeeping

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Union Bay Campground, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, 800-447-2757. Site(s): 3 and 5 Elevation: 700'

Shuttling will take about 2.5 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Union Bay Campground, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, 800-447-2757. Site(s): 3 and 5 Elevation: 700'


Saturday, October 7, 2023

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Shuttle to the Lake Superior Trailhead on M-107, elevation 1050'

Hike 4.9 miles on the Lake Superior Trail to Lone Rock

Camp at LS-13 & LS-14, elevation 600'

Miles today: 4.9 miles. Total to date: 4.9 miles

Possible Bailout: M-107


Sunday, October 8, 2023

Hike 5.9 mi on Lake Superior Trail to the mouth of the Little Carp River

Camp at LC-13 & LC-14, elevation 600'

Miles today: 5.9 miles. Total to date: 10.8 miles

Possible Bailout: South Boundary Road (pretty far)


Monday, October 9, 2023

Hike 4.5 mi on Little Carp River Trail

Camp at LC-6 & LC-7, elevation 1000'

Miles Today: 4.5. Total to Date: 15.3

Possible Bailout: South Boundary Road


Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Hike 7.3 mi on Little Carp River Trail

Camp at SML-1 & SML2, elevation 1500'

Miles Today: 7.3. Total to Date: 23.0

Possible Bailout: South Boundary Road


Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Hike 1.5 mi on Mirror Lake Trail to the Government Peak Trail

Hike 5.6 mi on Government Peak Trail

Camp at GP-1 & GP-2, elevation 1150'

Miles Today: 7.1. Total to Date: 28.8

Possible Bailout: Lake of the Clouds


Thursday, October 12, 2023

Hike 1.5 mi on the Government Peak Trail to the Escarpment Trail

Hike 2.0 mi on the Escarpment Trail to the Cloud Peak Trail

Hike 0.5 steep downhill miles on the Cloud Peak Trail to M-107

End of Hiking

Miles Today: 4.0. Total to Date: 31.9

Possible Bailout: M-107

Guide(s) will retrieve shuttle vehicle(s)

Shuttle back to Duluth hotel

Shuttle back to local hotel: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Duluth, 1805 Maple Grove Rd, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-722-0700.

Gather your off-trail items from storage

After body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Friday, October 13, 2023

There will either be a free airport shuttle, we may drop you at the airport or we may order a shared cab/Uber to get you there.


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