Upper Pennensula Michigan last week of April

[Russ W]

I have a planned business trip in Detroit the last week of April. Knowing absolutely nothing of the area, I’m looking at a map and see what appears to be an abundance of green goodness in the Upper Pennensula. Is that a good time of year for backpacking or will I be a bug buffet? Looking for 4 or 5 day options… Any suggestions? Thank you – Russ

[Ben H.]

Bugs won’t be bad by then, but you have a real chance of snow storms.  If temperatures are above freezing rain is a real possibility, too.

I hope you realize how long of drive it will be.  The east side of the UP is pretty flat.  You have to get up to at least Lake Superior for good hiking and farther west for the better hiking.  I would probably recommend Pictured Rocks. It would be quite the drive to get to Porcupine Mountains.

[Russ W]

Thank you Ben, I appreciate the kind response. You’re the 2nd person to mention Pictured Rocks as a highlight for the UP, so I will definitely put that on the list. Like just about everywhere, late August thru September is optimal, while late April has the potential to be sketchy. As for driving, I’m evaluating various air connections as part of my round trip to Detroit and hoping I can luck into something that won’t kill my wallet or schedule. On another note I found a flight and ferry combo to Isle Royale National Park for under $400, so now that’s on the list of potentials. If anyone wants to weigh in on IRNP I would be interested. Thanks – Russ

[Greg Mihalik]

RE: Pictured Rocks –

Be aware that the best perspective of Pictured Rocks is from a boat or kayak. Otherwise you are looking along a shore or over a cliff.  It is a nice walk in the woods, but you’ll get only glimpses of what is on the glossy brochures.

Also, the “pictures” are abstracts from mineralised seeps, not representational. Don’t expect petroglyphs or hand prints.

[Shawn Peyton]

As Ben said your major iffy is going to be snow, unless that’s not a problem for you. I have been in the Porkies the last week of April and it’s been clear / warm. However it’s more likely that you’ll still have winter storms and ground cover up until the first or even second week of May. That goes for all of us really in the north woods: northern Wisconsin, Minnesota Arrowhead, U.P. Though here in NW WI we are generally good by the end of April except in rare years, the U.P. just gets three times more snow than we do. Bugs are going to be a non issue for anywhere up here up until around the last two weeks of May. Personally I’d look more to the Huron-Manistee National Forest or something equivalent for that time of year if you wanted the best chance of not having to deal with snow though that’s still an if.

If you don’t mind risking it, or aren’t bothered by winter weather / snow it would be hard to pass up the IRNP opportunity, it’s a bucket list item :) It would also be less of a logistical challenge as well, most hiking other than the Porkies in the U.P. requires digging up a shuttle unless you don’t mind an out and back.

[Donna C]

I have been planning a backpacking trip to IRNP for this September with a group of 5 others, and will be leaving out of Copper Harbor because of the ferry schedules. That said, if you fly off the island, remember to leave your fuel behind.  Also, make plane reservations as early as possible. Planes take only 4 to 6 passengers, and flights at the end of summer have filled or are filling up. You may not have a problem in April, but you never know. We are using an adventure shuttle company in order to get us to Copper and back to the airport. They told us that there is an outdoor store in town that we can call and reserve fuel  (pay ahead of time over the phone) because we all are flying out to Houghton.

Next year we will do the Porkies.

[Russ W]

Update on UP/IRNP in April…. I contacted the park service about a late April trip and was advised that even though the park is technically open on 4/15, there is really not a way on and off via ferry until 1st or 2nd week in May and he strongly advised against the early date due to weather. It appears that I’m about a month early in my quest to nab a bucket list trip. I’m all about trying something new if it aligns so maybe this was wishful thinking on my part. Dang. I think given the relative expense, this trip might be best postponed for better timing. Plenty of great early Spring action available in the South! Oh well….

[Shawn Peyton]

Yea sorry man you are just a bit early before things get rolling up here. I think that’s wise though given the logistics / expense as you say. Probably a once in a lifetime trip so you want to make it as perfect as you can, with many prayers to the weather gods. I hope you do find something close though to get a little jaunt in. Lower Michigan does have some beautiful areas. Safe travels and good luck.

[Eric Moll]

If looking for options in the lower peninsula, you could backpack the Manistee River Trail/NCT loop. Then get a campsite at Sleeping Bear Dunes and do lots of beautiful day hikes. Still probably too early for ferries to the Manitou Islands though.

[Donna C]

That’s too bad. It is a difficult place to get to and because we are towards the end of the ferry season, we had to make Plan B work, which we did.  Maybe there will be another chance for you to get out there.

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