The place to hike in the Midwest has to be upper Michigan. Plenty of space to roam, lots of national forests and beautiful scenery. Animals at every turn and pristine lakes are also a draw. But the best part is there is just not many people; you can go days in the right area with out seeing anyone.
My favorite new place is the Sturgeon River Gorge just west of Marquette. This place is like the land that time forgot. A beautiful river that runs through it with any falls to explore. You wont see many people. I have been in the bush for days without seeing anyone. The North Country Trail also runs through the area. You can pick up the trail head and hike from the Porkie Pine Mountain to the sturgeon River Gorge; this is a true back-country experience. Great ridges to look-out over the landscape lots of wildlife and no people.
I have seen tons of animals. Black Bear are one of the apex predators and if you spend anytime out in the woods you will see one; hang your food they can make a mess of things. Wolves have made a great come back. if you are lucky you will see one; there is enough of them around now. Both these predators make lunch of the huge deer population in the UP. I have seen a bunch of otters in the Sylvania Wilderness. They are very cool they will come right up to your canoe to check you out. The Sylvania is also a great place to Small mouth fish. June and July are great times. you dont even have to be a great fisherman to catch one. My personal best right now is a 22 incher. Mink are another creature to look out for they inhabit quite a few lakes and rivers in the UP. Also hundreds of porcupine are around so watch your dog; they will make a mess of it. Beaver are a crazy animal that are all over the UP. I have seen dams on the Fence river that were 12 feet tall and you could walk across. The DNR blows one up every once in a while to get the streams working again. They can dam a stream in no time.
Backpacking is a great sport in the UP. A number of parks offer great times. I highly recommend they Shinning Cloud falls in the Porqies. It is a hike to get to; but a great place to camp. Also the best place to put a tent is Isle Royale. Even if you do it once in your life do it. Untouched with tons of wildlife Lane cove is a great over night place to stay. It is beautiful. Pictured Rocks is also a great place to day hike. 90 foot bluffs and streams with water falls that cut right trough the woods to the shore are something to see. Go in the fall; like October, this way all the bugs will be gone and the leaves will be changing. It is great.
Another place that we have become very fond of is Marquette. This is a great little town with lots to do. hike the streets looking at all the shops or bring your mountain bike for all the trails just out side of town. Very cool town you will not be disappointed.
I have been all over the UP; its is like out west with out the mountains. This small article hardly touches the tip. Go see it it is great you wont be dissapointed.
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