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RSVP open on August 4th 9 PM CT

Ready to see the fall colors and hike at the beautiful Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan? This is your opportunity!

Itinerary:

  • Oct 8: Drive 7 to 8 hours to the Union Bay Campground (car camping).
  • Oct 9: Hike about 10 miles on the Escarpment and Big Carp River Trails.
  • Oct 10: Hike 10 to 14 miles on the Big Carp River, Lake Superior, and Little Carp River Trails.
  • Oct 11: Hike 10 to 12 miles on the Little Carp River and Government Peak Trails.
  • Oct 12: Hike 2 to 3 miles out, then drive back to Chicago.

Note: October 8 will be car camping, while the rest of the nights will be backcountry camping. Specific site information will be shared prior to the trip.

This trip is designed for advanced backpackers. If you haven't yet completed an overnight trip with the Chicago Backpacker Club, please send a direct message to the organizers to introduce yourself and outline your prior experience. We will follow up with you prior to the trip to ensure this route is a safe and enjoyable fit. (Please note: Final participation is at the organizers' discretion.)
Essential Skills & Requirements To join this trip, you must bring appropriate gear and confidently be able to:

  • Hike 10 Miles Daily: Carry a fully loaded pack (including all gear, food, and water) over this distance.
  • Practice Bear Safety: Properly and safely store all food in bear country.
  • Manage Water: Filter your own water and accurately estimate your daily hydration needs based on the distance between trail sources.

Costs: $25 per personal. Non refundable unless the organizers cancel the trip. This includes camp site fee, woods and the admin fee to the meetup site.

  • Other fee split within the car: Gas and Michigan State Park entrance fees (to be shared among the passengers in each vehicle).

Other Important Guidelines:

  1. Transportation: We will NOT arrange carpools. If you need a ride or can offer one, please post it on the message board.
  2. Ethics: We practice Leave No Trace principles.
  3. Liability & Preparation: You are responsible for your own food and safety. All participants are required to sign and send back the waiver prior to the trip.
  4. Attendance: Prior backpacking experiences and physical fitness required. Participation is at the discretion of the organizers.
  5. Teamwork: Organizers are volunteer leaders, not professional guides. We expect all participants to be proactive, self-reliant, and contribute to a positive group dynamic.

Payment & Refunds: When you sign up, you will receive instructions on how to make the payment for the campsite. Please make the payment as instructed to secure your spot. The fee is non-refundable unless the organizers cancel the trip. In the event that the organizers cancel, we will refund the amount minus any cancellation fees required by the state park.

Map

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