Hikes in the Porkies

jmeissen

Big Carp River Valley

The essence of the Porcupine Mountains goes beyond seeing the well-known scenic views. It means experiencing the heart of the magnificent, old-growth forest on foot. Recommended by hikers who know the entire park well, here are a few options for visitors with varying amounts of time and energy. Each trail includes a waterfall, river, or lake. For a wider range of hikes, consult the two recommended guidebooks, or stop at the visitor center.
♦ 1-hour hike near a road. Beautiful OVERLOOKED FALLS is in an area of old-growth hemlocks at the base of a gorge. The falls delicately drop into a pool formed by mossy rocks. They are reached by a fairly level, 1/4 mile trail from the end of the dead-end Little Carp Road off the west end of South Boundary Road. For a somewhat longer hike, GREENSTONE FALLS is a mile farther, down the picturesque Little Carp River Trail. It's another graceful falls in a mossy glade within a dark, soft conifer forest. This trail is special because of its many small bridges and boardwalks across the Little Carp River.
♦ 3- to 4-hour hike. From Government Peak Trailhead to TRAP FALLS and back it's 2 1/2 miles each way. The hike goes through hemlocks, hardwoods, and a few big pines along the BIG CARP RIVER VALLEY, then proceeds uphill to the falls. It's a good, medium-length hike despite some mud, hills, and obstacles.
♦ All-day hike or easy overnight. Parts of three trails combine to make a 10-mile triangle. Take LILY POND TRAIL from its trailhead off the Summit Peak Road. Hike 3 miles to the LITTLE CARP RIVER TRAIL junction. Hike 3 miles on Little Carp Trail to MIRROR LAKE. Take Mirror Lake Trail back to Summit Peak Road and down to the Lily Pond Trail trailhead. Trails are clearly marked, but hikers need to pay attention and use the trail map. You may camp off the trail. (See below.) To make this 9 1/2-mile hike, your feet should be broken in and you should already be accustomed to a light pack if you're backpacking. A nice, short detour, especially for bird-watching, is BEAVER CREEK TRAIL, a 1/8-mile dead-end boardwalk midway between Lily Pond and Mirror Lake.
♦ Long trek deep into the Porkies. To explore more fully many of the Porkies' splendid views, ridges, and stream valleys, you might consider one of these 25-mile, 3- to 4-day hikes. (Or, of course, you could do a shorter distance and simply turn back.) From near the end of M-107, take either the Lake Superior Trail (lake views and big, starry skies) or Big Carp River Trail (cliff-top hiking) to the MOUTH of the BIG CARP RIVER. Follow the Lake Superior Trail one mile to the Little Carp River mouth, then take the LITTLE CARP RIVER TRAIL deep into the park, past lots of waterfalls. On your way to LAKE OF THE CLOUDS (just off M-107 and close to both starting points), you'll pass Greenstone Falls, Lily Pond, and Mirror Lake.

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