The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the best subjects for a fall color photo essay in the Midwest, the United States, and the even the world. The most amazing overlook in the park is the Lake of the Clouds. The spector of the fall foliage is so intense here that it warrants two posts.
Porcupine Mountain fall color photo essay- Entering an enchanted forest
Porcupine Mountains fall hike
I have already posted about the stunning Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook, so this fall color photo essay takes you through the rest of the hike. I hiked a little over 25 miles in two and a half days, and I emerged from the wilderness on the last day around noon. My hike took me down from the Lake of the Clouds Scenic Overlook to the lake itself, then to Mirror Lake and Lily Pond to the Little Carp River.
The Big Carp River as it flows out of Lake of the Clouds
I camped a night on the Little Carp River and then proceeded to walk to its confluence with Lake Superior. I continued to follow Lake Superior for ten miles and camped along its beautiful shores one night. After waking up to the crashing of Lake Superior waves, I hiked out of the woods, but not before seeing some amazing views of the forest and the lake from the escarpment near the highway.
Porcupine Mountains fall color photo essay
The forest was full of amazing yellow, oranges, and sometimes red
Another shot of the amazing Porcupine Mountain forest
The aptly named Mirror Lake
A rowboat on the shore of Mirror Lake
Lily Pond with the Porcupine Mountains flashing colors in the background
The row boat at Lily Pond covered in red leaves
A ridge line covered in oranges, yellows, and a few pine trees
Colors bloom along the Little Carp River
Another shot from the beautiful Little Carp River
A blazing orange tree along the Little Carp River
A photo from the Lake Superior Trail
Blazing red tree along the Lake Superior Trail
A last treat on the hike was climbing up from Lake Superior for this view
One last view along Lake Superior before the trail returns to the parking lot
Check out the park website for more information.
Adventure on!
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Great photo display of the changing colors of the fall turn…
Cheers..
Charles Higgins recently posted..Tigers win Game 1, now favored over Yankees in ALCS at Vegas sports books
Thanks Charles!
The Row boat pic gets my vote for next year’s October picture on any calendar. As usual, many awesome pictures.
robb714 recently posted..Handling the Holidays
Thanks Robb,
I was just about to walk away from the boat. As an afterthought, I took a quick picture with my camera and iPhone. Funny how sometimes the coolest pictures are not planned or expected.
I love that picture also.
Thanks Patty, one of my favorites as well.
You’re making me very jealous with all these photos! I haven’t had the chance to enjoy the Fall colors yet. Hope I get a chance to soon! Beautiful photos!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..The University Motel – comfort and compassion at the University of Washington
There is so much going on in the fall, it can be hard to get out and see the colors. I hope you get a chance before they fall.
This post just made me smile. I love love love the fall and this is exactly why…it’s beautiful! My favorite picture, though I love them all, is the one of the boat covered in leaves. Beautiful!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Thoughts on Turning Two.
I agree that is an outstanding pic, Erin!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Having a Good Time in Willemstad, Curacao: Beach, Food and Music
Thanks Erin,
The boat seems to be the consensus favorite.
Again, the torture of the fall foliage. Do you ever stop? Bastard.
Leah Travels recently posted..Global Entry: Yet Another Advantage to Having Never Been Arrested
This is my version of Chinese water torture.
Holy crap, Ted! How much did it cost you to buy these pix?? 🙂 AWESOME photography work, Ted. Michigan should pay you for these pix to advertise the beauty of the state. I REALLY want to see the Porcupine Mountains in the fall now. Great job
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Having a Good Time in Willemstad, Curacao: Beach, Food and Music
Thanks Raul,
All of these pictures were taken by little ole me with a small digital camera. Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the fall color show.
Fab photos, Ted! Seriously seriously autumney. Love them!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..Samsonite Giveaway – Kuoni at John Lewis
Thanks Mrs. O. It was a colorful hike. Wish I was back now.
Incredible shots…I love the rowboat pic…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Finding Florida – Discovering the Capital
Thanks Deej,
I am glad I took that rowboat picture before walking away.
we second (third, fourth, fifth?) the like on the rowboat picture. phenoms.
thelazytravelers recently posted..living the swiss life
Thank lazytravelers,
Appreciate the compliment.
Makes me wanna snuggle into an oversized sweater and roll around in the leaves. Love.
Britany recently posted..We Signed up for the Mongol Rally!! Wait… What??
Thanks Britany,
Fall is such a comfortable time. The weather is nice and the colors are beautiful.
Ahh I love the row boat at Lily Pond. Seriously.. I love fall colors but I don’t even think I’ve seen such beautiful shades than that in this post! Beautiful.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..India: Travel Costs & Highlights
Thanks Kieu,
Upper Peninsula in Michigan is right up there with the best places to see fall colors. I would put it right up there with New England and Maine.
gorgeous photos, Ted. the rowboat one needs to be entered in a photo contest of some kind that you will, of course, WIN! 😉
lola recently posted..travel insurance – it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Thanks for the encouragement. Might have to sign up for a fall color contest.
Love the yellows and golds – so so beautiful!
Thanks Fiona!
That lily pond picture is amazing… Such a beautiful area!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..My ten favorite things about the USA
Thanks Pola,
I can’t wait to get back there.