Porcupine Mountains Hike with John Bates and Mary Burns

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, 15 miles west of Ontonagon in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest.  Covering 60,000 acres, with towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams, the Porkies arguably offers the best hiking in the Midwest with nearly 90 miles of trails and virtually no roads.  Join Naturalist John Bates and Mary Burns as we hike the Little Carp Trail, which runs about 7 miles through old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest, eat lunch along the way, and top to rest and to enjoy the beauty at the mouth of the river at Lake Superior.  We'll then pick up the Pinkerton Trail and hike 2.6 miles to the trailhead on South Boundary Road.  Total length will be 9.5 miles.  While this may not sound like too much, the terrain is rocky, rugged, and often steep, and thus the hike will feel a lot longer!  The trail is utterly gorgeous, however, so your work will be amply rewarded.  Walking poles and hiking boots are recommended, and good physical conditioning is necessary.  Bring a lunch, water, hiking gear.  Pre-registration required by 8/7. $60 ($50 members)