First Camp: Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains (Part 1 of 4)

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An enthusiastic, overly outdoorsy boyfriend whose dream is to backpack/hike the Porcupine Mountains (real dream: to survive the wild with just a knife and ... maybe ... a loincloth) but has, over many years, failed to recruit any of his friends to partake in his wild adventure.

A girlfriend (barely five months of dating) apprehensive about being adventurous, especially in the wild, but ... also willing to make her boyfriend's life-long dream come true.

How will they fare as they venture forth with only their backpacks into this wilderness, otherwise known as the "Porkies" located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Ontonagon, Michigan? Watch as they hike for three days in the largest pristine, uncut hardwood forest in the Midwest.

If you like this video, be sure to watch the next video in the Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains series, Overlooked Falls → 

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Overlooked Falls: Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains (Part 2 of 4)

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Overlooked Falls was definitely one of the nicest parts of our trip. It was simply WONDERFUL to be able to take a break and take off our shoes, sit down on a rock with our feet in the water and RELAX from an hour or more of hiking through straight, dense forest with hordes of mosquitoes hovering overhead (and finding lots of juicy spots all over our bodies). While the weather was beautiful, not terribly hot, there was a heavy, more humid feel in the forest, which instantly cleared up to cooler, breath-freshening air once we came out of the forest and into waterfall clearing.

Waterfalls are just one of the many beautiful things the Porcupine Mountains has to offer. For our next trip to the Porcupine Mountains, we will definitely be spending more exploring the park's different waterfalls. However, other parts of the park have just as much to offer. It just depends on what you like to do and what you want to see. We saw people fishing, probably for brook trout. We might even bring our fishing poles on the next trip, depending on whether we're straight backpacking or doing more of a light backpacking/camping combo.

If you like this video, be sure to watch the next video in the Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains series,  Carp River Trail →

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Big Carp River Trail: Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains (Part 3 of 4)

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One of the challenges of hiking was making sure we had a steady supply of clean, fresh water so that we stayed hydrated and could keep going. We brought four stainless steel water bottles, two for each of us, on the trip. To keep our backpacks light, we replenished out empty water bottles from clear streams and lakes. We made sure to get water from streams and lakes that looked clear and clean and the water was constantly moving. Then, we sanitized the water using a Steripen, which we brought along for that purpose. Honestly, we weren't sure whether or not there were any chemicals or waste in the rivers or lakes. But we didn't get sick from the water and, for the most part, the water tasted okay. It wasn't spectacular and we could taste some iron and ... well, let's just say river water has a unique taste. Although, Lake Superior water tasted quite good.

If you like this video, be sure to watch the next video in the Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains series, Lily Pond →

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Lily Pond: Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains (Part 4 of 4)

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While our adventure in the Porcupine Mountains was fantastic and we really enjoyed ourselves, the mosquitoes were overwhelmingly horrible and almost ruined the trip for us. The mosquitoes were the worst part about our backpacking trip. Even though we were hiking for hours with heavy packs and sometimes the weather was uncooperative (raining on and off with some humidity and heat thrown in), we had a lot of fun and broke up the long hikes with breaks playing in the different streams and lakes, relaxing by the waterfalls we came across. Our only complaint involves the thick hordes of mosquitoes hovering overhead, following our every move while we hiked through the forested areas of the park.

We were prepared with hats, a mosquito net and an endless supply of 100% deet sprays but nothing worked. Nothing really, other than hiking as fast as we could through the heavy forested areas until we broke into a clearing. That was the only way we got any relief from the mosquitoes. It was just horrible because the hiking trails wound through large forested areas and we couldn't keep a leisurely pace or stop to rest because the whole time, mosquitoes just kept feasting on our flesh. We were constantly smacking mosquitoes off ourselves and each other. The mosquito net was pretty much useless as were the 100% deet sprays. Even the anti-itch ointment was useless with that many mosquito bites. The combination of everything, the exhaustion that came with carrying heavy packs, the constant mosquito bites, itching skin where the bites were, and  having to move at such a hurried pace without much rest, was just tolling. At one point, one of us (we're not going to say who) broke down and cried. It was that bad.

If you are planning on visiting the Porcupine Mountains, be prepared for mosquitoes with either full mosquito proof clothing or netting. We thought 100% deet would work but it didn't. It couldn't keep up with entire days and nights outdoors. The only things that worked were being in clearings next to waterfalls, seeking shelter inside our tent and being right next to a burning fire at night. So, we would highly recommend just going before or after the mosquito season. That way, you won't suffer as we did. That's probably going to be the most important factor in planning our next trip to the Porkies. By the way, Lily Pond was totally beautiful.

If you liked our Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains series, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more information on enjoying the great outdoors!

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Before the Great Adventure in the Porcupine Mountains...

By P. 

When finalizing a trip, it is always a good idea to let at least two people know where you are going, your plans while you're away, and when to expect you home. (I say at least two people because one of them might forget.) There are a lot of crazy stuff and a lot of crazy people out in the world (and just random acts of bad luck) and it is always necessary to put your safety first.

So, as we wrapped up our plans for our first great adventure to the Porcupine Mountains, we sent out a mass email to all our close family and friends, letting them know exactly what our plans were and detailed descriptions of our planned hiking route along with a map and emergency contact info in case something happened to us. Better smart and precautionary than lying in a ditch with a sprained ankle unable to climb out, gnawing on tree bark for nourishment, hoping your sister somehow realizes she hasn't spoken to you in a week and gets worried enough to drive around to your place to realize you haven't been home in a while, and maybe calls the police who will, after the 24 hour waiting period, file you as missing and maybe a while later start looking through your computer files to see what your last activity was and ... okay. I think you get the point. Main point here, just let people know where you're going so they can send out a search party if you don't make it back in a timely manner.

Email Sent:

Tue, Jul 20, 2010 10:31 PM
1 attachment (Our Map into the Wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains)

From: P.
Subject: P. & Isa's Backpacking Trip in the Porcupine Mountains
To: Our Family & Friends

Hi All!

We are sending you all a copy of our itinerary in case *cross your fingers* something goes down and we need rescuing. We're leaving around 12:30pm/1pm Thursday, July 22 and returning late afternoon Monday, July 26. So, if you don't hear back from us after Monday, COME LOOK FOR US! (Please feed our babies before coming though.)

Puppy and Lilly, the babies.

This is a schedule of the trails we'll be hiking/camping along: We'll check into the ranger station at the park headquarters and register on Thursday (around 6pm) when we get there. Then we're going to drive down and park in the trailhead parking area near Section 17. Hopefully, we'll be able to start hiking for a while before setting up camp for the night. From there, we will hike along the Little Carp River Trail to see the Overlooked Falls and the Greenstone Falls. At the end of that trail is a rustic cabin called the "Little Carp." We plan to walk along the beach of Lake Superior to do some beach combing before getting on the the Big Carp River Trail. We will hike on that trail to the Lake of the Clouds and then get onto the North Mirror Lake Trail to see Mirror Lake. From there, we continue onto the Little Carp River Trail, past Lily Pond, and, eventually, make our way back to the trailhead parking area. We plan to leave after breakfast on Monday morning and then make the five hour drive back [home].

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