Porcupine Mountains Wilderness
I awoke once again to the sounds of big trucks rumbling through the Walmart parking lot. Monday morning was a lot busier than Sunday had been. I made breakfast and got myself on the road by 9 a.m. — I had about a 90-minute drive ahead of me to reach Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
I finally rolled in just after 11, for several reasons — a few back roads, some slow RVs, and lots of narrow, bumpy stretches. The park office is pretty new and modern, and the staff there were incredibly helpful. This park is a gem: 60,000 acres of true wilderness in the Midwest — one of the few large tracts of virgin forest left in this part of the country. It’s a mix of ancient timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams. There are designated campgrounds and plenty of hike-in backcountry camping, but you’d better have a reservation weeks in advance — the Porkies, as they’re known, are popular for good reason.
I decided to hike the Summit Peak Trail down to Mirror Lake — a little over five miles one way. Like everything here, distances are big, so I had to drive another 25 miles just to reach the trailhead. Getting stuck behind big campers crawling along the rutted, narrow roads added to the drive time.
I started out on the Beaver Creek Trail, which connects to the Little Carp River Trail. That leads you down to Mirror Lake, about 400 feet lower in elevation. The hike is mostly downhill at first, but parts can be rocky, muddy, and narrow. The park service has laid down planks in places to protect the delicate plants and waterways, but those planks can be barely a foot wide — and sometimes they’re hidden by overgrown grasses, so you really have to watch your step.
If you’re into mushrooms, you’ll love this trail. I felt like I was on the Mushroom Trail — so many different varieties poking up through the damp forest floor. I probably passed only about ten people on my way down to the lake.
When I reached Mirror Lake, I crossed a small stream feeding into it. There was a raised wooden platform acting as a bridge — it felt like it might give way at any second, wobbling under my boots. I backtracked a bit on the west side of the lake and followed the trail for about an eighth of a mile until I found an opening with a clear view of the water.
There, I spotted an old cut log set partly in the shallows. It was rotting out — probably left behind long ago, but it looked like a piece of outdoor art. Balancing on a narrow, shifting log, I leaned down to get a shot with my camera just above the water, as little fish darted away beneath me. I half wondered if some clever art student hadn’t placed that log just so.
The hike back was via the South Mirror Lake Trail. It climbs immediately, and I did my best to keep up a steady pace. I passed a few more hikers coming down — most kept their heads down, not saying a word. Right before the Summit Peak Trail junction, the incline got steeper and narrower. I ran into a couple in their 30s dousing themselves in mosquito spray — they had long pants but bare arms. She was wearing a strappy top and was getting eaten alive. I let them use my Ranger Ready spray, which does a good job of keeping mosquitoes, ticks, and flies at bay.
Once I got back on the Summit Peak Trail, it flattened out a bit, and I made my way to the Lookout Tower. This stretch was busier — plenty of people climbing up for the view.
Back at the van, I made a sandwich and realized it was after 4 p.m. — a full day already, but I wasn’t done yet.
Presque Isle River Area
I decided to squeeze in one more spot — I drove 35 minutes west to the Presque Isle River area and had my pass checked at the entrance. I hiked a short distance to Nawadaha Falls — a 10–15 foot drop with a viewing platform above. Of course, I wanted a closer photo, so I carefully scrambled down the dirt and rocks to get closer to the falls. I nearly wiped out when I stepped on a slick rock — note to self: be more careful around waterfalls.
Nawadaha Falls Foam
I spent about 40 minutes there with the sound of the falls echoing around me. No one else came to the platform the whole time — it felt like my own private moment with the river.
It was past 8:00 by the time I pulled myself away and realized I needed to figure out where to sleep for the night. The park was completely booked up, so I climbed back into the van and punched in the nearest Walmart — 17 miles away in Ironwood, MI.
I pulled in, did a loop around the outskirts of the lot, and found a quiet spot on the west side. This one felt a little more peaceful — a huge parking lot backed up to a forest and a big pond. It looked like a brand-new Walmart. It was silent. I was wiped out from the day’s hike, so I made the rookie mistake of taking a nap. Sure enough, I couldn’t fall asleep again until after midnight, my mind replaying the trails, the waterfalls, and all the time I’d spent deep in the woods that afternoon.