Porcupine Mountains
The Porcupine Mountains are group of small mountains spanning across the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties, near the shore of Lake Superior. The area is part of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Porcupine Mountains were named by the native Ojibwa people, supposedly because their silhouette had the shape of a porcupine. The Porcupine Mountains were the site of copper mining in the 19th century. They are also the location of a large stand of old growth forest, and home to many black bear. The area is popular among tourists, especially the Lake of the Clouds in the heart of the mountains. The most striking geological feature of the Porcupine Mountains is the long basalt and conglomerate escarpment parallel to the Lake Superior shore and overlooking Lake of the Clouds, a continuation of the same copper-bearing bedrock found farther northeast on the Keweenaw Peninsula. A second ridge farther inland, on the other side of Lake of the Clouds, includes Summit Peak, the highest point in the mountains at 1958 feet. Rivers, waterfalls, swamps, and lakes lie between the rocky outcroppings. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was established in 1945 to protect the the last large stand of old-growth forest remaining in Michigan. The facilities provided by the park include an extensive network of backcountry trails for hiking and backpacking, rustic trailside cabins, modern campgrounds, swimming and boating areas, and various interpretive programs led by park rangers. The North Country Trail passes through the park. In the winter, a ski area also operates within the park.
External Links Michigan DNR Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park page
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