Family Adventure Getaway:
Porcupine Mountains: Backpacking Adventure

Picturesque trails and sparkling waterfalls await you in the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on this introductory backpacking trip. If you've never been on an overnight backpacking trip or are looking for a chance to explore the unique wilderness of the Midwest, this long weekend in the "Porkies" is a great opportunity. Join us for three nights and four days of hiking, playing and relaxing amid the hills and brooks of these picturesque mountains. Daily Itinerary

- Activities: Backpacking & Camping
- Van Supported: No
- From: Ontonagon, MI
- 2008 Price: $395.00 Children under the age of 16 years old: $275.00
- Ages: 10 and up

- Registration Forms Here!

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Day 1: We meet at park headquarters mid-afternoon. We'll make introductions, go over our route and the contents of our packs, and prepare to head out. Depending on availability and the composition of the group, we may stay in a rustic cabin the first night, or set up our tents at an easily accessible campsite.

Day 2 & 3: We break camp in the morning and pack up, hiking between 5 and 10 miles each day, taking plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the woods and the spectacular views. We'll set up our tents in a new campsite each night, preparing dinner, relaxing around a campfire, and then curling up in our sleeping bags for a good night's rest.

Day 4: We break camp a final time, and head back toward civilization, putting down our packs and bidding farewell to our companions at about noon to return to our homes.

**This itinerary is subject to change.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Q: What makes this trip so special?
A: The Porcupine Mountains provide a beautiful setting for some of the Midwest's best moderate backpacking. An ideal location for the beginner, or for a more experienced hiker looking for a fun getaway. Tucked along the shores of Lake Superior, the Porkies offer miles of trail through verdant forest, overlooking sparkling lakes - the perfect place to revel in natural beauty.

Q: How do I get there?
A: The Porcupine Mountains are located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan along Lake Superior. They are an 8-9 hour drive from Chicago. The drive up can be a trip in itself as you pass through some spectacular portions of Wisconsin. When you register you will receive a map and driving directions to our meeting location. If you would like to carpool, we are happy to try to arrange this with fellow participants.

Q: What's the weather like?
A: The weather in the Porcupine Mountains ranges from highs in the eighties during the summer to lows in the forties in the fall.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: We will be camping in high quality 2 person Eureka or Kelty backpacking tents. We will provide all of the camping equipment (i.e. tents, tarps, cooking & eating utensils). You will need to provide a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. If you prefer to have a tent of your own, contact us to find out if a single supplement is available. We encourage sharing tents to help lighten everyone's load. The campsites in the Porkies are heavily wooded and are usually near lakes and/or streams. When traveling in the backcountry, NWP practices Leave No Trace® camping techniques. This means that we will pack out all of our garbage, and minimize our impact on the land as much as possible. Your help in this endeavor is greatly appreciated!

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Once you register you will receive an equipment list that will help guide you in your packing. You will need to have an assortment of insulating clothes, some good hiking boots, a pack which will hold all of your gear as well as some food and group items, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. You'll want to pack light, as you will be carrying all your gear in your pack, along with some of the group gear. Your full pack may weigh between 40-50 pounds (not big enough to knock you over - trust us!)
Feel free to contact our office for any questions regarding gear and/or clothing, as we want to make sure that you are comfortable during the trip.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: The drinking water in the Porkies comes from either Lake Superior or the inland lakes and rivers. While it is very clean and tasty, we will be treating the water before we drink it. For our water purification we will be carrying both filtering pumps and iodine tablets.

Q: What's the food like?
A: We plan for delicious food on the Porkies trip-and plenty of it! Meals on trail will range from Spaghetti to Fajitas, with soups, hot drinks and desserts as complements.

Q: What time is it at the Porcupine Mountains?
A: The Porcupine Mountains are in Eastern Standard Time. Very important to remember this when planning your driving and arrival times!!

Q: How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
A: While we are out camping there will be no phones available to us. We will be asking you to provide us with an emergency contact on your behalf if necessary. Of course for dire emergencies families and friends can contact our office and our office can do their best to locate the trip leaders and participants if necessary.

Q: How much time do we spend hiking etc. each day? How many miles do we travel? Do I have free time?
A: Our days are somewhat leisurely paced with lots of breaks for water, photos and snacks. In general we will be hiking up to 10 miles a day which can take from four to seven hours depending on our pace and the length of our breaks. Once in camp you are free to explore the area, relax with a book or help prepare the evening meal.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: We use high quality, durable equipment for all of our camping purposes. Our tents are either Eureka or Kelty backpacking tents. Our stoves are either MSR or Peak 1 pack stoves.

Q: How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
A: The minimum number of people needed to make this trip go is 5. Generally our groups are fairly small (between 5-10 people), and we maintain a ratio of one guide for every five participants. Our guides are all experienced in all aspects of wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all hold certifications in Wilderness First Aid.

Q: Can I plug in my hair dryer?
A: Nope, not on this trip. Try our Inn-to-Inn hiking in either Greece or Ireland.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

© The Northwest Passage | Contact Us | 1-800-732-7328

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home | Contact Us | About Us | Our Guides | Press Room | E-News

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All content and photography within this website is copyrighted and
may not be reproduced without the express permission of The Northwest Passage.