The ratings below have been submitted by visitors who have hiked the trails listed in Hiking in Michigan. To rate a trail, click on "Rate this Trail" on that trail's listing.
Number of ratings for this region: 20
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Trail Name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park I have hiked there: Several times I last hiked there in: August, 101 Trails that I hiked: All Favorite trails: Escarpment; North Mirror Lake; Big Carp; Little Carp; western portion of Lake Superior trail. Best time to go: August--warm and no mosquitos or flies; never needed inspect repellant Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Tremendous scenery (mini-mountains; steep climbs (Escarpment/North Mirror Lake); rushing mountain streams with waterfalls; couple of unbridged river crossings; world's greatest and fresh water inland ocean=Lake Superior) and excellent trail layout. Unlike many frigid alpine lakes of the Rockies and Sierras, Lake Superior and the few interior lakes are warm enough to swim and clean off in after a full day's hike. What I disliked: Muddy areas with no or worn out boardwalks especially Correction Line Additional comments: Have met big black bear both on trail and in camp at night. Take bear size pepper spray available from Rocky Mountain outfitters. Have experienced massive nighttime lightning storms. Pack everything in waterproof bags to stay dry if rain storms are encountered. Use bear poles to hang food at night.
Travel Escarpment from east to west; North Mirror Lake from north to south; and end with west half of Lake Superior trail going east to west, finishing with trio of magnificient waterfalls on Presque Isle River. Submitted by: AJ from: Suburban Chicago, IL Date submitted: June 29, 2005
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Trail Name:Pictured Rock National Lakeshore I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: May, 104 Trails that I hiked: Grand Marais to Munising Favorite trails: Pictured Rocks Trail Best time to go: Spring Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Trail is great to get the legs ready for a distance hike. Water supply always nearby with the big lake to your north. Great for breaking newbies in! What I disliked: Black Fly... watch the time of the year you hike. Trail could be better marked but at the same time is kind of a common sense width. Additional comments: Have fun. Its a great time for anyone from bachelor party to boyfriend/girlfriend. Dont forget your camera... I made that mistake! Submitted by: Robert Schleman from: Manchester, New Hampshire Date submitted: April 19, 2005
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Trail Name:Pictured Rock National Lakeshore I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: May, 104 Trails that I hiked: Grand Marais to Munising Favorite trails: Pictured Rocks Trail Best time to go: Spring Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Trail is great to get the legs ready for a distance hike. Water supply always nearby with the big lake to your north. Great for breaking newbies in! What I disliked: Black Fly... watch the time of the year you hike. Trail could be better marked but at the same time is kind of a common sense width. Additional comments: Have fun. Its a great time for anyone from bachelor party to boyfriend/girlfriend. Dont forget your camera... I made that mistake! Submitted by: Robert Schleman from: Manchester, New Hampshire Date submitted: April 19, 2005
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Trail Name:Saugatuck Dunes State Park I have hiked there: Several times I last hiked there in: Mar, 2005 Trails that I hiked: All of them. North trail, South trail and the Livingston trail. Also, off trail to pelican peak and other peaks. Favorite trails: North Trail. Best time to go: Anytime of the year. Trail marking: Poor Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Incredible land this far south in michigan. comparable to leelanau county in northwestern michigan. What I disliked: They are very poorly marked. Additional comments: The nearby shell gas station has good gatoraid for post hike rehydrate. Submitted by: Thomas Gillispie from: Grandville michigan Date submitted: March 26, 2005
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Trail Name:Isle Royale National Park I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: July, 2004 Trails that I hiked: rock harbor, mt franklin, lane cove, greenstone ridge, chippewa harbor, mccargo cove, minong Favorite trails: greenstone ridge Best time to go: july/august Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: solitude, serenity, sights What I disliked: everything about the park is just beyond words....so i'll excuse the mosquitos! Additional comments: the quality of people you meet in this park is amazing....i've never met any offensive people in the back country. unbelievable in this day and age! Submitted by: cortney sweet from: princeton, ky Date submitted: Jan 21, 2005
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Trail Name:Huron-Manistee National Forest I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: Nov, 2004 Trails that I hiked: North County Trail along Manistee River Favorite trails: Best time to go: Anytime Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The side of the trail following the River has amazing views all the way though. Good water access on this side. Great undeveloped campsites. What I disliked: Additional comments: Many gun shots off in the distance, beware of hunters in the area. Submitted by: christy from: bowling green, oh Date submitted: Nov 14, 2004
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Trail Name:Huron-Manistee National Forest I have hiked there: Several times I last hiked there in: July, 2004 Trails that I hiked: The North Country Trail and Pigeon River trails Favorite trails: north country trail north of White Cloud and also in the Manistee Nat. forest in Manistee County along the Manistee River. Best time to go: all times (except hunting, November) Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: manistee river area is beautiful along the North Country Trail What I disliked: Additional comments: Submitted by: rlj from: elwell, michigan Date submitted: Aug 13, 2004
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Trail Name:Pinckney Recreation Area I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: July, 2004 Trails that I hiked: Waterloo-Pinckney Trail Favorite trails: The Waterloo half of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in the Waterloo State Recreation Area Best time to go: Spring, late summer, and early fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: Nice wooded scenery, easy grade for most of the trail, wonderful lakes and ponds throughout the trail length and area. What I disliked: Avoid the trail in wet years when the mosquitoes are numerous...My son and I hit the trail in late June-early July 2004 and the mosquitoes were murderous. We ended up taking short-cuts on adjoining and parallel sideroads to avoid low-lying areas where the mosquitoes literally swarmed us. Additional comments: Check out the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center. Lots of Michigan lore about natural history of the area, fossils, geology, archaeology. Pretty neat. Also, I have a fondness for country/general stores and there are a couple of neat ones along the way. One a couple of miles SE of Big Portage Lake, another in the town of Waterloo. Nice to hike in off the trail and grab a bite, cool your brow with a cold soda or beer, and yack with the locals. Also, to the west of the Waterloo Trail is an Audubon Nature Center. In the fall, a hotspot for migrating waterfowl. Also, sandhill cranes. Very cool. Submitted by: Howard White from: Germantown, MD [formerly a resident of Michigan] Date submitted: July 7, 2004
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Trail Name:Isle Royale National Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: July, 103 Trails that I hiked: Greestone Ridge, Minong Ridge, majority of the trails on the east side of the island. Favorite trails: Minong Ridge Best time to go: Mid-Summer Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Great views, wonderful seclusion, good relaxation. What I disliked: n/a Additional comments: Isle Royale is an awesome place to visit! Submitted by: Joe J. from: Dearborn, Michigan Date submitted: June 25, 2004
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Trail Name:Pinckney Recreation Area I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: Mar, 2004 Trails that I hiked: Potawatomi Trail, Silver Lake Trail, Losee
lake Trail Favorite trails: Potawatomi Trail Best time to go: Prior to the beginning, or after hunting season Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The trail is covers a variety of topography, and is tough enough to keep you from becoming bored. What I disliked: We backpacked the trail in early November, just before it opened for hunting season. The hunters preparing sites for hunting were both distracting and a little unsettling, as we heard several shots and saw several hunters watching for birds. Additional comments: Follow posted signs, hiking counter clockwise. This is the oppisite way that mountain bikers are riding and make for a more enjoyable hike. Submitted by: JLW from: Canton, MI Date submitted: May 23, 2004
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Trail Name:Fort Custer Recreation Area I have hiked there: A few times I last hiked there in: Apr, 2004 Trails that I hiked: I biked the green trail rated difficult. It was a blast. Up & down. close cuts to trees. Good air. I recommend for intermediate + bikers. Favorite trails: Best time to go: Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Variety of terrain for sowthwest Michigan is great. What I disliked: Other riders(some were slow). Additional comments: There were 4 trails for all skill levels. Beware hikers and bikers share teh trails. Submitted by: marcopolocity@yahoo.com from: Portage, MI Date submitted: April 23, 2004
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Trail Name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park I have hiked there: Several I last hiked there in: Oct, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Big & Little Carp River, Superior, Pinkerton, ect... Favorite trails: All of them. The Superior trails have beautiful views of the lake and steep inclines. The forest trails have views of the rivers and bluffs. Wildlife abound and solitude galore. Best time to go: May-October Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: See above. What I disliked: No dislikes. I would like a more challenging remote area to hike but this is the best I have found to date in my area. Comments: Submitted by: RJP from: Hubertus, Wisconsin Date submitted: Jan 8, 2004
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Trail Name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park I have hiked there: Several I last hiked there in: August, 2003 Trails that I hiked: All of them. I have hiked over 95% of the trail system in the park. Favorite trails: Little Carp River, Escarpment Best time to go: June-September Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Some of the most beautiful scenery east of the Rockies. Great mix of woods, mountains, Lake Superior, streams and waterfalls. Plenty of solitude even during height of tourist season. What I disliked: Very little to complain about. Seems like there are fewer markers than 15 years ago. Comments: As I once read in a trail guide, "Natural areas possess hazards not encountered in everyday life." If you understand what that means, you will love the Porkies. If you don't, you won't, just stick to the few overlooks accessible by auto. Submitted by: MJM from: Holland, MI Date submitted: Oct 22, 2003
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Trail Name:Pictured Rock National Lakeshore I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: June, 1999 Trails that I hiked: I HIKED THE PICTURED ROCK NATIONAL LAKE SHORE TRAIL FROM CHAPEL FALLS TO GRAND MARAIS WITH 10 SCOUTS AND ANOTHER LEADER. Favorite trails: I LIKED THE TRAILS THAT WERE VERY CLOSE TO THE EDGE. Best time to go: SPRING OR FALL Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: I ENJOYED THE SCENERY VISABLE ALONG THE SHORELINE. What I disliked: THE TRAIL ENDED TO SOON. Comments: WHILE I LIKED THE TRAILS ALONG THE EDGE, IN AT LEAST ONE LOCATION THE TRAIL WAS CLOSE TO WASHING OUT. WE RECOMMENDED TO A RANGER THAT THE TRAIL BE MOVED BEHIND A STUMP FOR SAFETY. NOTE: KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. Submitted by: BOB PARKER from: LAGRANGE, IN Date submitted: Sept 23, 2003
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Trail Name:Yankee Springs Recreation Area I have hiked there: Several I last hiked there in: July, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Sassafrass, Long Lake, Hall Lake, Deep Lake, Chief Noonday Favorite trails: Long Lake and Chief Noonday Best time to go: Anytime! Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: The beautiful scenery, and the length. What I disliked: Not a whole lot. Comments: Submitted by: ACE from: Date submitted: July 28, 2003
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Trail Name:Pictured Rock National Lakeshore I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: July, 2003 Trails that I hiked: Chapel Basin Favorite trails: Chapel Basin Best time to go: spring, fall, winter Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Awesome views of Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks What I disliked: Nothing Comments: You walk very close in some places to the edge of the pictures rocks - it's almost scary and awesome at the same time. Submitted by: ERS from: Gaylord, Michigan Date submitted: July 25, 2003
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Trail Name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: July, 2002 Trails that I hiked: Escarpment Favorite trails: Escarpment Best time to go: spring, summer, fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: Some great vistas, trail well marked. What I disliked: Comments: This is a fairly difficult trail because of the hills, and roots in the trail. Submitted by: ERS from: Gaylord, Michigan Date submitted: July 25, 2003
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Trail Name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park I have hiked there: Once I last hiked there in: Sept, 2002 Trails that I hiked: Escarpment Trail
Little Carp Trail Favorite trails: Escarpment Trail Best time to go: late summer and early fall Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: The trail has some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest. The view of Lake of the Clouds from the Escarpment is breathtaking. What I disliked: Comments: there were signs of bears Submitted by: Bill Young from: Williamston, MI Date submitted: Feb 4, 2003
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Area name:Isle Royale National Park Times hiked: Once Date last hiked: May, 2002 Trails hiked: windigo-feldman lake-siskiwit Bay-south desor-Malone Bay Favourite trails: Feldman Ridge
Rainbow Cove Best time to go: Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: isolation
Great Views
Tons of Moose
wildflowers
sunsets
interesting Rocks
Loons
Best backpack trails in the midwest,
I'd visit again in a heartbeat!
What I disliked: Comments: Submitted by: ep from: minneapolis,mn Date submitted: June 12, 2002
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Area name:Porcupine Wilderness State Park Times hiked: Once Date last hiked: July, 2001 Trails hiked: Escarpment, Big Carp, Cross Trail, Little Carp,and the North and South Mirror Lake Trails. Favourite trails: Escarpment Best time to go: Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Scenery, and layout were great. Able to make many different loop combinatios. What I disliked: Nothing Comments: Watch out for the bears. Submitted by: JJ from: Detroit Date submitted: May 16, 2002
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