How far do you want to travel? The Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula are fantastic, with tons of great loops. There are backcountry campsites and also cabins, all of which must be reserved (and often go fast, 6 months in advance, but there will be something available).

Example loops ...

The Park seems to be thinking there are solutions that are not the bulky bear canisters but are not willing to go too far out that limb. Certainly, a wolf & squirrel system, even if it were engineered certifiable, should not be near as bulky as the canisters.


Both Adotec and Ursack bags are ...

My SWD is extremely water resistant. In August 2021, I got caught in a torrential downpour in the Porcupine Mountains and didn't get shelter for more than a mile. Once I got inside, I checked and couldn't even find a drop of water inside the bag. (I had lined the bag with a large garbage bag as ...

Peak Refuel meals are my go to for dehydrated pre-bagged meals, i get them for $11 ea


I think I have one of theirs in my current cache. I'm a vegetarian so looks like I have to skip out on 90% of what they have though. I'm just glad they are almost all better-tasting than the ancient surplus ...

My SWD is extremely water resistant. In August 2021, I got caught in a torrential downpour in the Porcupine Mountains and didn't get shelter for more than a mile. Once I got inside, I checked and couldn't even find a drop of water inside the bag. (I had lined the bag with a large garbage bag as a ...

My SWD Long-Haul has both side pockets and a hip belt with pockets (these are options you can add). No trouble using either.

It might seem like a small thing, but I upgraded my sleeping pad to a short/wide model (25"). Not because I'm particularly short/wide, but because I'm a side sleeper and need somewhere to put my knees that isn't on the ground. It's a serious quality of life update, plus a chance to drop a few ounces ...

torpified wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:35 am island changes: brace yourself for a new and most inane LNT briefing upon arrival!

How inane is it?!

The island has officially gone "cashless" for the past few years, but be careful: That only means that the NPS-operated portions require credit cards and won't accept cash. The concessionaire-operated portions (such as the stores) still seem to accept cash. Early in the season, the concessionaire ...

This is something that could be useful to set up in one of the Facebook groups. I'm moderator for a Porcupine Mountains group that has a Facebook album for every campsite and cabin, and users can contribute photos to them. It's a great resource.

I asked my wife this question, and she had an interesting answer you might want to consider: "I'd go to the east end. The trails are more rugged and you get a better feeling for the island's terrain. Some trails stay close to Lake Superior which I like more. There are fewer tunnels of trees."

The best views on the Feldtmann loop are along the Feldtmann ridge itself, and those views are spectacular. Similar to the Greenstone at its best, but looking the opposite direction. There's also a fire tower you can climb (similar to Mt. Ojibway), but you hardly need it. There can be some good ...

Here's a principle that I like to use: It's better to take it easy and enjoy what you experience, rather than overdo it while trying to get to "the best" and thereby be too tired to enjoy those places. So for example, I don't think it's worth doing long days just to reach Chippewa Harbor for one ...

I brought a weather radio to the island a few times for backpacking, and I leave it home now, for all the reasons Ingo mentioned. You'll be served at least as well by reading a detailed NWS forecast just before you leave.

kkrause wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:56 pm @dcclark would it happen to be this view https://maps.app.goo.gl/vDaRmrTFGEGVCPUP6

Yes indeed!