Once we got there we enjoyed beautiful views. Tons of amazing views from this hike!  Once at the top, the Escarpment Trail levels off and follow the contours of the Porcupine Mountains. 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. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. It was a bit snowy and slippery at times during the hike, but the snow made the forest look even more beautiful. great view of the lake and colors were great for being later in october. I would rate it as moderate, but I’m 33, love to hike and pretty active. There are panoramic views with almost every step, but you also need watch your footing because at times the trail skirts the edge of … Porcupine Mountains are as advertised- great hiking, waterfalls, views, wildlife, etc. Lost Lake Trail If you’re interested in backpacking the Porcupine Mountains, you can find a backcountry campsite along the Escarpment Trail. Ontonagon, MI 49953 The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – August 14, 2012.  This ridge stretches from the ski hill all the way past the Lake of the Clouds overlook. | ©Copyright Upper-Michigan.Com. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Fri Nov 27, 2020. There are some steep up and down portions of the trail and as the name suggests some "overlooks" along the trail. 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. Same area  The terrain is fairly rugged in the initial mile of the hike as the trail climbs to the top of the ridge. 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. 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. Best hike in years! 33303 Headquarters Rd, lots of views. There is parking available at each of the three trailheads. Wow what a view. not too difficult terrain wise but is long and requires some endurance. Did the round trip in 3 hours but that was pushing it. 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. Our lodging properties surround the park and make the perfect base camp for exploring backcountry lakes and waterfalls. On our trip to the Upper Peninsula we took a hike in the "Porkies." I combined it with other trails (Government Peak, Correction Line and Big Carp River) to make it an all day loop. Great hike with beautiful views of the lake. The vast majority of the trail is rocky with many trip hazard tree roots. 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. You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! You have 2 options to start this great scenic hike in the porkies! Such a beautiful trail! Great views south of Lake of the Clouds & the outflow, though no great views of Lake Superior to the North. Same area and date Another location near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US on Sat Nov 28, 2020.  The hike itself is a little over 4 miles one way or 8.1 miles if you hike down and back.  You will need to run a shuttle before setting out on your hike unless you plan on hiking both ways. UP MICHIGAN vacation ideas Description A trip out on Escarpment Ridge provides epic views of Lake Superior, the Carp River Valley, and Lake of the Clouds. 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. Here are a few good trails for day hikes in the Porkies. 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. 01 Jun. Fall color surrounds a misty Escarpment Trail at the Lake of the Clouds, in the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. Escarpment Trail Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Start Elevation: 1338 ft. Cuyahoga Peak Elevation: 1572 ft. End Elevation: 985 ft.  The sun can also be very hot at points on the exposed bluff, so make sure to bring enough water and sun protection. beautiful hike with great views of the lake. 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. We took our dog with and he loved it. (and fails miserably). Make sure you are in moderate to good shape before attempting this hike. Looking down you can see the Little Carp River as it winds its way to Lake of the Clouds. The trail provides the unique experience of viewing the lake from several different angles, rather than just at … They are not remarkably high by some standards but for this part of the midwest they represent some of the most rugged terrain around. Enjoy scenic views of Lake of the Clouds and Big Carp River Valley.  If you love the outdoors and stunning views, add this hike to your list of must-dos today! The Porcupine Mountains rise from the shore of Lake Superior in the far western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Image of spring, mountains, recreation - 20817732 We have taken this trail many times. This is a wild, rocky, wind-swept wonderland that gives the hiker a sense of grandeur. 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 Trail walks along the ridge of the "Lake of the Clouds." Saw lots of people in sneakers which would make it much more techerous. The beautiful bluffs welcome thousands of hikers each year. The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountain State Park is going on our list of favorite hikes in the Midwest. The roads are closed about a 50 min walk before the trail head. 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. Overall was a beautiful hike - medium as far as level of difficulty. Starting the Escarpment Trail. A deep layer of needles and forest debris covered the ground in all directions.  You can bring your canine companion with you, but please keep them on their leash for the entirety of the hike. AllTrails/Kayla Myott It’s a long trail that will take you across more than eight miles of lush woodland and to a sky-high overlook. We just used the bathroom quickly and started to head back. The rugged trail Drove up to lake lake of the clouds in the Porcupine State Park. Making it an overall 4 mile out and back hike. We’ve hiked all over the country —-> Glacier, Zion, Arches, Tetons, Rockies, Death Valley, etc. 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. It's located 18 miles west of Ontonagon, MI on M-64. Need to watch out for tree roots. I’d rate this more of a moderate than a hard and I’m 63 and my husband is 64. There are plenty of spots to stop and rest or get a bite to eat if you brought it with you. Begin your adventure at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, where you can renew your love of nature across 60,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery and nearly 90 miles of recreational trails. Started at the observaron deck and made it about 2/3 of the way to the end due to time constraints. Excellent hike with the best views of the lake! (my FR230) Escarpment Trail - Porcupine Mountains State Park. ... Michigan, Porcupine Mountains State Park Tags hike Post navigation. Make sure you dress for the hike. Same area UP MICHIGAN vacation ideas We were there 3 days and the bathroom cleanliness continued to deteriorate-- by day 3 we decided to wait until the next park to take showers because they were so bad (we headed to Fort Wilkins SP/Copper Harbor). Basalt often contains numerous small voids created by gas bubbles trapped in the molten rock when it … and found the Escarpment Trail to be comparable to hikes we’ve done “out west.” The north woods are part of my travel plans every year or two. Otherwise, if you are too late, you would be facing the sun which may make the picture-taking a bit more difficult. Happy Trails. 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. 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. Recreation Search Michigan Department of Natural Resources. CLOSED ROAD ACCESS during winter. The Overlook Trail is a 2.7 mile loop accessed from the Government Peak Trailhead on M-107. Best if you have a ride back down if you are hiking up. Wonderful trail.  The trail is strewn with lots of loose rocks and sliding hazards, so good hiking boots are a must. Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail. Huge boulders sat piled at the base of Miscowabic, with smaller pieces of scree below them. 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. Absolutely stunning views. The escarpment ridge is possibly what the Porcupine Mountains are best known for in pictures. 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. Many great view points along the trail. I have to say, especially during the pandemic, the actual lake scenic area with a parking lot wasn’t that impressive after spending time at a few view points (more beautiful) in the middle of this trail. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US. 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 … We wondered if it would be much different than the Lake of the Clouds because it follows the ridgeline as well. Crazy hiker tries to throw a rock into the Little Carp river. Escarpment Trail is a fantastic hike located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon Picture: Escarpment Trail to Lake of the Clouds - Check out Tripadvisor members' 1,209 candid photos and videos. 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. 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. lots of ups and downs! 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. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Escarpment Trail, located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, is one of the most picturesque hiking trails in all of Michigan. Aug 14, 2020 - PHOTOS! Ill be back to finish what I started. The Escarpment Trail is an easy hike along a ridge. Was crowded on a Sunday. Aug 1, 2020 - PHOTOS! We started at Govt.  There is even a single campsite approximately halfway along the hike. We planned on going for a hike while there and my wife chose the escarpment trail. A beautiful hike! Also you don’t run into the crowd or have to wait to park. Awesome trail with one of the most beautiful places to see fall colours. What an expansive view! Oh, and it was indeed! Amazing trail to view the fall colors. We had gorgeous views but this is definitely a hard trail, lots of up and down and rocks to navigate around. Upon arriving at Porcupine Mountains State Park (from Highway 107) in Ontonagon, Michigan, follow signs to the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking lot. Worth it for the views but definitely be prepared with the right equipment, hiking shoes and trekking poles. 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. The large crowd wasn’t helping either. 01 Jun. 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. I was supposed to have a larger hike in total, but due to some changes in the weather and planning the trip a little late in the year, I was only able to get in Escarpment. Porcupine Mountains State Park The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from March until October. Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP--Overlook and Escarpment trail, Ontonagon County, Michigan, US. It’s a challenging hike -- about 4 miles each way -- but if you’re a seasoned hiker, the payoffs are big. If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill. Most of the trail runs high up on the rocky bluffs above the Lake of the Clouds and the Big Carp River Valley. The Porcupine Mountains Escarpment Trail has been called the crown jewel of hikes in Upper Michigan and the Midwest for that matter. So you would either hike the Escarpment Trail: From the Lake of the Clouds overlook and back Search: Home; List; Map; Events Was a little windy today. highly recommend it!  There are plenty of stunning views from these ridges. This hike on Michigan's upper peninsula is a great place for fall colors in late September or early October.  If you start from the overlook and hike to the parking area, you will be traveling mostly downhill. 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. Image wraps around the sides and includes wire, We took our time, had lunch & took our rest breaks & enjoyed ourselves. 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. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers some of the region’s best backcountry trails, and the day hiking options are almost endless. Basalt is the dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that caps the “escarpment” ridge overlooking Lake of the Clouds. Definitely moderate to difficult. The Escarpment Trail has to be the most scenic short hike in all of Michigan. Escarpment Trail can be accessed by following M-107 west out of Union Bay/Silver City. The entire trail is a series of ups and downs with very little time spent moseying along a flat ridge. hard (269) This way your trip is more climactic rather than anticlimactic. Printed with archival pigmented ink (100 years fade resistant under indoor conditions). The trail starts.7 miles from the trailhead so the total trip out and back will be 4.1 miles. No real steeps. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was the Union Bay campground. wonderful trail. 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. 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. This is an out-and-back trail, and you can start it from either end of the trail. (12-16). This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. From Lake of the Clouds overlook, to Little Carp river valley. We started at the Lake of the Clouds overlooked and hiked for an hour and a half to about the middle and turned back. My husband, 67 and I, 61 did this trail yesterday and enjoyed it very much but certainly found it in the “hard” category. Several of the other trails can be accessed via Escarpment Trail. 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. Best fall foliage hike I’ve been on. I would start from the Government peak trail head as others have suggested. (906) 885-5275. Distance: 4.24 mi. 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. Trails range from simple day hikes to more challenging treks like the 17-mile Lake Superior Trail. Great views, alot like hiking out west. It was definitely worth getting soaked by the rain and chilled by the wind though.  This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Spectacular! Lake of the Clouds. Canvas wrap prints measure 1.5 deep. Designed by INTERPACE Hikes through the woods combined with unreal panoramic views of the river. The Escarpment Trail runs along the northern ridge of the Porcupine Mountains. The 20 somethings were breezing through it - so no worries to you guys - just like to give the senior perspective to those in need. ... Escarpment Trail. Porcupine Mountains: Government Peak Trail The natural features along the 6.9-mile Government Peak Trail are less outstanding than what is seen on the park's other long-distance trails - Lake Superior, Little Carp and Big Carp - and subsequently the route receives far less foot traffic during the summer. Photo about Beautiful spring foliage along the Escarpment Trail of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan. 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