Northern Paddle and Trail

Join us for an unforgettable back country experience in Michigan's Upper Peninsula! The “Porkies” offer 60,000 acres of old-growth forest, stunning waterfalls, and pristine Lake Superior shoreline. We'll be staying at the rustic White Tail Backcountry Cabin, just a 1-mile hike from the Whitetail Trail Head. For those that wish to camp, there is a campground close by in the park in which reservations can be made. Porcupine Mountains Adventure, Monday, August 11th noon – Wednesday, August 13th 5:00 pm. The sleeping arrangements in the cabin consists of 4 bunk beds (8 single beds) with mattresses. Cost for the cabin rental is $28/person for the two nights, plus the required recreation pass/parking permit. Plan to arrive at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Visitor Center at noon on August 11th. At the Visitor Center we will meetup, get our parking permits, and have a picnic lunch before heading to the cabin. Once there we will settle in, explore the lake shore, and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner and a campfire. There will be plenty of time to relax and do your own thing or join others in hiking the parks numerous trails, swimming, enjoying the panoramic view of Lake of the Clouds, agate hunting along Lake Superior, stargazing, visiting waterfalls and socializing with friends in the evening with our own “game night” activities. Once a list of participants is generated more specific information will be forthcoming. Car pooling is encouraged. Contact Cindy Skinner with questions.

Paddle Sylvania from Crooked Lake to High Lake. Meet at the Crooked Lake boat landing at 10:30 a.m August 21
Hello out there - Boy are we lucky to live in Wisconsin with the Upper Peninsula just next door. Both are blessed with lots of paddling water in beautiful environments. So we need to get out there and enjoy the water while it is still "soft". It won't be that long before "hard" water will return and our boats will be hung to dry for yet another paddling season in 2026. That being said, let's go paddling in the U.P. If you're not familiar with the Sylvania Wilderness Area near Watersmeet, MI., here is a very brief description. Sylvania is a pristine northern wilderness of 21,000 acres of virgin forest and glacier-scoured lakes and ponds located in the Ottawa National Forest. It contains close to 40 lakes and ponds with transparent crystal clear water so that on a sunny windless day you can see bass swimming slowly among the drowned branches of ancient cedar 20 to 30 feet deep. High Lake is 77 acres with a depth of 90 feet, and at times with the right conditions of the Sun, can appear turquoise in color. Almost a spiritual experience. It was for me the first time I saw it. No shuttle needed. PFD's are required for all NPT paddle events . Bring water, lunch and wear appropriate footwear and clothes for the portage and weather. There is a vehicle admission fee, I believe $5.00 or if you have a senior recreation card pass there is no fee required. Make sure to bring it along and display it in your vehicle. Important: No metal or glass food or beverage containers, including foam containers can be taken into the wilderness area where we are going. Directions from Eagle River: Travel north on Hwy 45 to Watersmeet, MI. Turn left at the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 2 and travel west for app. 5 miles and turn left on Thousand Island Rd. Travel several miles (app 2 or 3 miles) down and you'll see the Sylvania Wilderness entrance sign and turn left into the Entrance Station area. From the entrance station follow the signs to the boat landing/parking lot. Turn left for the Crooked Lake put-in. New for 2025 - A donation of $5.00 per event is requested for non-NPT members which can be paid at the event. Membership for NPT is $10.00/year. To become a NPT member go to NorthernPaddleTrail.org and click on membership. Please contact Jay if you have any questions. We hope you can join us on this NPT adventure.

Did you know there are at least 17 “Clear” and 5 “Muskellunge” Lakes in Wisconsin? The ones described below are probably not the ones you know about. Join me for a “Flat Water” paddle and short portage to a wilderness lake in the Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest and the Big Swamp State Natural Area. This little gem is only about 15 miles drive north of Rhinelander. We will start our paddle from the Muskellunge Lake Boat Ramp. Muskellunge Lake is a 287 acre spring fed lake. We’ll paddle about 1 mile, to the Northern end of Muskellunge Lake. We’ll do a short 900’ portage to the banks of Clear Lake. Clear Lake is a 63 acre wilderness lake with no development. After we’ve paddled and enjoyed Clear Lake, we’ll retrace our steps and strokes back to where our trip began.
PFD's are required for all NPT paddle events. Bring water, and wear appropriate footwear and clothes for the portage and weather. New for 2025 - A donation of $5.00 per event is requested for non-NPT members which can be paid at the event. Membership for NPT is $10.00/year. To become a NPT member go to NorthernPaddleTrail.org and click on membership. Please contact Scott Luedtke if you have any questions. I hope you can join me on this NPT adventure.

Boat Ramp Coordinates: 45.798636, -89.489649
Directions: from Rhinelander Hwy K and 47:
Travel 7.7 mi north on Hwy 47 towards Bridge Road in McNaughton.

Turn right on Bridge Road travel 0.2 miles. Turn right to stay on Bridge Road travel 0.8 miles. Turn left on Black Lake Road. Travel on Black Lake Road for 4.8 mile to Gypsy Lake Road. Turn right on Gypsy Lake Road. Travel on Gypsy Lake Road for 1.3 mi to Ridgeway Drive. Turn right on Ridgeway drive. Travel on Ridgeway drive for 0.5 to entrance to boat landing.