So we gathered some insider tips from Michael Knack, who first fell in love with the Porkies on a backpacking trip roughly 20 years ago, and now is living the dream as the park’s supervisor. Red Squirrel List of parks in Michigan. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, sweat pants, hats, mugs and more. The Old World species have spines that are grouped into clusters, while the New World species have spines that are attached to the skin singly. To find the site, call ahead or stop into the visitor center and ask for the GPS coordinates. | Courtesy Michigan DNR. The weig… 2.0.co;2, "Smart Weapons — With an arsenal of quills and chemicals, the porcupine mounts one of nature's most robust defenses against predators", "Porcupine: Erethizon dorsatum There are also "haunted lighthouse tours" on Halloween. Interpretive signage shares mining history along the way, punctuated by spills, cascades and the 30-foot Union Gorge Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. Drive about 45 miles and turn north (right) onto M-117. Jack pine forests are found on both the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. Knack recommends waterfall lovers chase two particular falls on Little Carp River Road, off of Boundary Road: The aptly named Overlooked Falls, and, just beyond, Greenstone Falls. At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan’s largest state park. Porcupines have quills specialised for their safety. The second-largest terrestrial spring in the Upper Peninsula is right here in the Porkies. Fish for trout and salmon on Lake Superior. One of the many views of Big Carp River Valley in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. Explore hundreds of spectacular waterfalls in the Porcupine Mountains.Whatever your pleasure, the Porcupine Mountains offer experiences you'll find nowhere else except in Pure Michigan. Porcupine, any of 25 species of large, herbivorous, quill-bearing rodents active from early evening to dawn. Kalamazoo, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Berrien, Allegan, Branch, Barry, Cass, Ottawa, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Roscommon, Missaukee, Crawford, Kalkaska, Wexford, Otsego, and Antrim Counties. ONTONAGON, MICH. -- For every “don’t miss it” attraction at any big park, there are usually dozens more treasures that go overlooked. 2.0.co;2, "Smart Weapons — With an arsenal of quills and chemicals, the porcupine mounts one of nature's most robust defenses against predators", "Porcupine: Erethizon dorsatum House music pioneer, Erick Morillo, found dead at 49 They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. They are typically dark brown or black in color, grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) in length, and weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kg). North American porcupines are the second largest rodent in North America. Unlike some mammals, porcupines in the winter do not hibernate to escape the cold. They live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops, hillsides and grasslands. Tree Farm and Nursery. “One is a cascade, the other is a spill in a ravine,” Knack says. Go beachcombing for colorful stones along 21 miles of pristine beaches on Lake Superior. Fishermen will find abundant lake trout, steelhead, brown trout, whitefish, coho and chiinook salmon. Winter Diet Cottontail Rabbit and Snowshoe Hare: Sept. 15 - Mar. These dry, sparse forests often burn and regrow. The sealed-off entrance is what’s known as an adit -- meaning it enters the earth horizontally instead of via a vertical shaft, allowing visitors a unique view. Porcupines are the second largest rodent in North America, with only beavers exceeding them in size. Explore hundreds of spectacular waterfalls in the Porcupine Mountains. These forests have scattered open areas called barrens. The Porkies make a perfect setting to watch a sunset, facing to the west where you can watch the sun fall below the horizon. Learn more and find updates at the park’s DNR page, Facebook page, and the Friends of the Porkies website. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the return of the medium-sized mammal known as fishers to the Lower Peninsula after a near 75-year absence. In stu Explore hundreds of spectacular waterfalls in the Porcupine Mountains. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. All have short, stocky legs, but their tails range from short to long, with some being prehensile. Department of Natural Resources - Season Information. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. They have a stocky body, a small face, short legs, and a short, thick tail.This species is the largest of the New World porcupines and is one of the largest North American rodents, second only to the American beaver in size. It is home to 35,000 acre old-growth forest, roaring waterfalls, miles of rivers and streams, more than 90 miles of hiking trails, the Lake Superior shoreline and vistas unrivaled anywhere in the Midwest.. The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. Porcupines have a stout, slow, lumbering form and a spiny coat. At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan’s largest state park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Spend a Night at These Historic Hotels in Michigan, The Ultimate List of Upper Peninsula Wineries, Discover Road Biking in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Spooky Places To Visit This Fall in Michigan, A Guide to Finding Michigan's Yooperlites, Things to Do at Isle Royale National Park: The Ultimate Pure Michigan Guide, A Guide to Michigan's Pet-Friendly Beaches, 5 Reasons to Have a Winter Adventure at Mount Bohemia, 20+ Things to Do in the Upper Peninsula: Your Ultimate UP Bucket List, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Insulated by their coarse guard hairs and network of quills, the pests are often found resting on tree branches during the winter. Knack billed this Big Carp River beauty as worth pursing “if someone wants to go for a really long hike.” If that someone is you, know that you can take two routes to get there, choosing to trek either 5.5 miles or roughly eight miles. Call us now at 231-264-6060. Porcupine Mountains State Park - Ontonagon, MI. Size varies according to species, ranging from 25 to 36 inches long plus an 8 to 10 inch tail. Only the most severe weather causes these solitary animals to den together. At the 60,000-acre Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, those gotta-see-them spots that draw many visitors are known as the “big three” -- the iconic and breathtaking Lake of the Clouds overlook, the 50-foot-tall Summit Peak Observation Tower, and the triplet waterfalls of the Presque Isle River. Porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with white highlights. Some of the town’s ruins still remain, including the impressive stone foundations from the kilns and blast furnaces that once operated here. Porcupine Mountains. The one in California is about 2180 miles from Kalamazoo. This is a list of lakes in Michigan.The American state of Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes.. Directions, details and other suggestions for sites to visit can be found by calling or visiting the park’s visitor center. Anyone know if the other state-park campground in the Porcupines (Union Bay) allows you… Porcupine Mountains, Michigan | United States - Lonely Planet Forum - Thorn Tree Hi there, we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Tours of the lighthouse are offered three times per day from mid-May through mid-October. 03-22-2011, 02:29 PM For the casual visitor, There's camping, a picnic area and a nice day hiking trail network around its … Have you spotted porcupines on your property? Amazon's massive Labor Day sale launched early. I used to live just south of Marshall and had porcupines in the woods behind the house all the time. Old World porcupines have spines or quills grouped in clusters, while the quills are attached separately for New World porcupines. Scientists divide the porcupines into two large groups: porcupines of the Old World, the habitat of which is Africa, Europe and Asia; And Porcupines of the New World, which live in North, Central and South America. Hike scenic trails winding through the hemlock, maple, basswood and birch trees. Jeff Bezos' ex-wife now the richest woman in the world. That species is the North American porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum), which is also frequently referred to as the common porcupine. Nature nerds may appreciate knowing that researchers have been working at this site to study the effects of temperature on white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting Michigan’s bat populations. Not to dismiss these bucket-list worthy locations, but as Michigan’s largest state park and only true designated wilderness, “the Porkies” beg to be investigated beyond those gems. Fur Harvester Information (includes Muskrat, Mink, Raccoon, Fox, Bobcat, Badger, Fisher/Marten, Beaver, Otter, and Coyote): See the Michigan Fur Harvester Digest. Porcupines use the quills as a defense. This historical site off South Boundary Road is now a ghost town, but for a short time in the late 1800′s it was home to a copper mining community, with a post office and even its own school. Porcupines currently inhabit Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the northern part of our Lower Peninsula. These rodents are relatively large compared to the rest of the order Rodentia. Porcupines seek shelter in trees, caves, rock outcroppings, hollow trees, and dense brush. VaMoose Varmint will remove porcupines in these Michigan Counties. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. Fish for trout and salmon on Lake Superior. When the Eastern coyote began expanding its range into the Mountain State in … The number of inland lakes in Michigan depends on the minimum size. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. The hike to reach the site is short, roughly a mile, and you’ll also be treated to a view of Nonesuch Falls. The years prior to the founding of this park saw Michigan being almost literally “forested to death”. “It’s a very remote, gorgeous location.” As a reward for your efforts, you’ll pass Bathtub Falls and countless other unnamed falls along the way. They weigh between 5 and 14 kg, and are 600 to 900 mm long. You will follow this road for 13 miles until it reaches M-28. Porcupines have a great sense of smell so that the porcupines can sense the enemies from a distance. Shop for your Michigan Porcupines Apparel Store spirit wear here! Michigan's state forest is the largest in the U.S. with almost 4 million acres. “But if you have a head net, it’s worth the hike.”. For example, the fact that they are classified as rodents.They are the 3rd largest of all rodents in the world. Biologists have been researching black bear in Michigan for nearly one-half century and know more about Michigan's black bear population and distribution than many other wildlife species.Currently, Michigan contains approximately 12,000 bears statewide, with an estimated 10,000 living in the Upper Peninsula and 2,000 residing in the northern Lower Peninsula. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the return of the medium-sized mammal known as fishers to the Lower Peninsula after a near 75-year absence. Subscribe to MLive.com. Camping for the 2020 season opens up on June 22, and some operations may be suspended or delayed due to COVID-19. 31 View of Lake Superior from Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. We are currently experimenting with a new web page format. Now it's porcupines. Hike scenic trails winding through the hemlock, maple, basswood and birch trees. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. We are located in Northern Michigan and are available 24/7! Bear: See season dates in the Michigan Bear Hunting Digest. All species are equipped with defensive spines, which protect them from predators. Apparently there are none in Southern Michigan. “Let’s explore some new and cool places.”. Porcupines gnaw on housing structures, automobiles, and other materials coated in or containing salt residue. Skunk Skunk may be taken year-round, except in state parks and recreation areas from April 1 to mid-September. The crystal-clear spring maintains a steady temperature of 32 degrees year round; when you reach it, you can peer down to its sandy, bubbling bottom from a floating dock above. It is home to 35,000 acre old-growth forest, roaring waterfalls, miles of rivers and streams, more than 90 miles of hiking trails, the Lake Superior shoreline and vistas unrivaled anywhere in the Midwest.. In 1954 an investigation of the distribution and ecology of the Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) was initiated in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The quills, or spines, take various forms depending on the species, but all are modified The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Turn left (west). No Porcupines In Southern Michigan The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy finally replied to my email regarding porcupines in Mid-Michigan. Many people don’t know much else about them though. How to protect my trees and shrubs from porcupines Explore this solution. Solutions for porcupine problems. From the dazzling, clear waters of Lake Superior to the backwoods serenity of the Ontonagon River, the waterways of the Porcupine Mountains offer pristine and peaceful adventures. Either way, Shining Cloud Falls awaits at the end, encompassing two waterfalls in one. The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. Please support high-quality journalism. Not to dismiss these bucket-list worthy locations, but as Michigan’s largest state park and only true designated wilderness, “the Porkies” beg to be investigated beyond those gems. All porcupines have a few traits in common. They also range northward to Labrador in the east and Northern Alaska in the west. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and North and South America. RELATED: 7 wild and wonderful things to know about Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains State Park. Michigan Porcupines Apparel Store clothing and apparel! Porcupines stamp their feet and use their sharp teeth and start fowling so to scare the enemy. You'll discover abundant natural beauty from spectacular views to scenic waterfalls. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). About 14 of the largest and most impressive are labeled on a map, which you can pick up from the visitor center, but there are plenty more worth seeing that aren’t quite as easily found. Although there are numerous different species of porcupines in existence, only one roams throughout the United States, according to the National Geographic. All the men aboard survived, and Knack says there’s not much in the way of remnants at the site -- but the land is still scarred from the impact, and to this day there’s an opening in the forest’s canopy where the plane crashed through. To get to Porcupine Mountains State Park from the west, we recommend traveling via US 2 to Wakefield, Michigan, then take Michigan 28 and Michigan 519 to the Presque Isle Unit of the porkies. There are at least six Sacramentos in the US. Many trees are killed by the voracious habits of porcupines. However, if the enemy keeps scaring, they run back to attack them with their quills. Whatever your pleasure, the Porcupine Mountains offer experiences you'll find nowhere else except in Pure Michigan. The four-mile round-trip hike to reach it, via Union Spring Trail, is ranked as easy to moderate. The fire releases the seeds from the cones. In 1944, while on a training mission, a B-17 bomber crashed just south of the Porkies’ Lake of the Clouds. Just heed Knack’s warning about Greenstone Falls: “For some reason it is one of the buggiest places in the park,” he says. They usually appear dark brown to black, although some of the hairs and spines on the backs of these animals are yellow. Both can be reached from the same parking area on Little Carp River Road. Season Dates for All Species. 5. Porcupines are vegetarians and eat almost any plant material, but, particularly during the winter months, trees are special favorites: bark, branches, leaves, buds, twigs and such are commonly eaten. Dogs never seem to learn to avoid them, so keep dogs confined or on a leash when a porcupine is in the neighborhood. As a result, the North American porcupine is commonly thought of as a North Woods animal. None are in Michigan. (The first largest, also worth a visit, is Kitch-iti-Kipi in Manistique.) Go beachcombing for colorful stones along 21 miles of pristine beaches on Lake Superior. They also range northward to Labrador in the east and Northern Alaska in the west. This abandoned copper mine can be found along M-107 between Lake of the Clouds and the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area. 6. A view looking upstream on the Presque Isle River is shown from the west end of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Gogebic County. They live on every continent, except for Antarctica. Appearance. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - First it was coyotes. Featuring Wilderness State Park, Hiawatha National Forest, Manistee National Forest, Ottawa National Forest, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Huron National Forest, Sterling State Park, Hartwick Pines State Park, Grand Haven State Park Ontonagon is an outdoorsman's paradise. Find 60,000 acres to explore at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, including nearly 90 miles of recreational trails. A valid Michigan hunting license is required to hunt the bird. The swirling river currents carve the interesting bowl shapes you see, known as the potholes or Kettles. Some species can be well over 60 lbs., and over 2.5 ft. long. “If they’ve been to the big three, they’ll find that these are equally as adventurous and exciting to experience,” he said. Porcupines currently inhabit Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the northern part of our Lower Peninsula. Porcupines are large, slow rodents with sharp needles on their backs. Most are dark colored, with lighter colored spines or spine tips. All told, the park has some 93 waterfalls, many of them unmarked and unnamed. Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! FROM LOWER MICHIGAN: After crossing the Mackinac Bridge take the second exit past the toll booth and head west on US-2. The Porcupine Mountains State Park was created in 1945 primarily to preserve one of the last large stands of old growth Northern Hardwood forests west of the Adirondacks. Porcupines have rounded bodies covered with fur in shades of brown, white, and gray. This scenic and easy one-mile loop trail winds under towering trees as it follows an 1800′s river corridor. Knack had seven solid suggestions for off-the-beaten path spots visitors can and should check out. Tour lighthouses and historic copper mines. Tour lighthouses and historic copper mines. They said I'd have to go north of Houghton Lake to see one. Trappers should keep in mind it is illegal to bring a live skunk in to the state of Michigan for any purpose. My house was about 3 or 4 miles south of 94. All rights reserved (About Us). They can be from 25 to 36 inches long. They weigh between 12 and 25 pounds. You can visit our established site at porkyfarm.com or call us at 231-544-6769.. We are located in Northwest Lower Michigan, between Torch and Intermediate lakes, and are one of the largest tree nurseries in the area. Only beavers are larger. 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