February 9, 2023
The Great Outdoors: Winter Edition
Get out! Go explore this winter and check out these awesome parks!Escape to “The Porkies”
The Porcupine Mountain Wilderness (sometimes called “The Porkies”) is situated on the shore of Lake Superior, about 20 miles outside of Ontonagon, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. This gem of the UP boasts stunning views from its peaks, most notably at the Lake of the Clouds and in the Presque Isle River corridor. The views make it an astonishing year-round get away, but it can be especially unique and breathtaking in the winter months!In addition to the scenery, the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness hosts a winter sports complex to fill every outdoor person’s dreams. Whether it’s snowshoeing, winter hiking, downhill skiing, or cross-country skiing, the complex has it all! The park also has different lodging options including affordable cabins, or, for the more adventurous soul, dispersed winter camping sites. The Porkies offer the perfect place to rest and recreate, but also to take a much-needed weekend break from college.An Afternoon SkiGrab your skis and go! This year’s mild winter has made for excellent cross-country skiing conditions, and with clear, cold, sunny days ahead, now is the time to get outside! A little under an hour outside Marinette lies sleepy Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest. In the winter, the state park offers beautiful water views and quiet, still, snow-covered forests. At 2.25 miles, the Big Oak Loop is the must-see trail of the park and is well-maintained for cross-country skiing.Governor Thompson State Park is another spectacular skiing destination near Marinette. Take the day to cross-country ski through one of the ten groomed trails in the park. In particular, I would recommend skiing Sunset Trail. This 1.4 mile ski path includes a great view of Huber Lake, while still maintaining an “easy” rating for beginners. As always, make sure to check conditions before loading up the skis, and remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles when recreating outdoors.