ONTONAGON HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Porkies Ridgewalk: Lake‑Superior Escarpments, Old‑Growth Forests, and Front‑Country Backpacking
A five‑day Wilderness Inquiry trip based at Union Bay Campground that combines skill‑building backpacking hikes, a Lake Superior paddle, and campfire nights to teach self‑supported hiking essentials.
Porkies Ridgewalk: Lake‑Superior Escarpments, Old‑Growth Forests, and Front‑Country Backpacking.
Set against Lake Superior and threaded with old‑growth forest, the Porcupine Mountains offer a compact, demanding slice of Upper Peninsula wilderness. This trip blends practical backpacking instruction with long day hikes, a 2–4 hour paddle on the lake and camp‑based nights—an ideal format for learning the logistics of self‑supported hiking without full backcountry immersion.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Learn the logistics of self‑supported hiking
The itinerary centers on hands‑on learning: pitching tents, organizing borrowed gear and trail nutrition so participants gain the practical skills needed to move into true backpacking while staying at a front‑country campsite.
Long, rewarding day hikes with sweeping views
Expect staged day hikes that step up in distance and challenge—highlights include the Escarpment Trail and a full‑day out‑and‑back on the Big Carp River Trail—each chosen for expansive ridge and lake views.
Paddle, swim and campfire evenings on Lake Superior
The trip balances hiking with a half‑day paddle on Lake Superior and beach time to swim, capped by campfire nights and s’mores at the Union Bay campsite.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
Days alternate between taught, practical sessions at a front‑country campsite and progressively longer day hikes that showcase the Porkies’ escarpments, inland lakes and shoreline. Mornings begin at camp; afternoons can include guided paddling or beach time; evenings are spent around a shared fire learning campcraft and trading route stories.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Five days total.
Trips meet at Union Bay Campground.
Participants will practice pitching tents and organizing borrowed gear; plan for a half‑day paddle (2–4 hours) and beach/swim time in Lake Superior.
The program runs with up to 12 participants and is listed as suitable for all ages.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The trip runs five days.
Where do we meet?
The meeting location is Union Bay Campground.
How large are the groups?
Groups operate with up to 12 people.
Will there be paddling?
Yes — the itinerary includes a half‑day on the water with approximately 2–4 hours paddling on Lake Superior.
Is this true backcountry backpacking?
No—the trip is based at a front‑country campsite so you learn backpacking skills and logistics without full remote backcountry immersion.