porcupine mountain or pictured rocks
 

Hi All,

I am only spending 2 days in the UP area. Should I go to Porcupine Mountain or Pictured Rocks? I plan to do some day hikes in the begining of June or end of May. I am not camping. Any lodging recommendations? Thanks.

-EW

Shorty68,

If you are not camping, then I would recommend Pictured Rocks. Your best place for lodging is in Munising. No 4 star resorts but clean and comfortable. We like the Best Western on the eastside of town.

What type of hikes are you looking for? The family has done many in the area.

We are planning on doing some day hikes (probably no more than 3 hours at a time). It can not be extremely strenuous since I am pregnant.

Any recommendations? On another note, will there be a lot of bug problems at the end of May, beginning of June?

Shorty68,
There are a number of easy hikes under an hour and a half. Most of these are near the eastern or western ends of the park. Miner's Falls and Sable Falls are two we particularly enjoy.

Bugs are another story. It is hard to predict what you might encounter. Late May-early June can have black flies, mosquitoes in the wet places and possibly stable flies. Stable flies are like a house fly and very pesky. Keeping arms and legs covered is the best solution for any of these pests, especially being pregnant.

I agree with SuzieTrue's recomendation. The Porcupines are better for when you are on a more serious hiking trip. Pictured rocks is easier to do in chunks and you can also do the cruise.

Regarding bugs... there will be some anytime thruogh the warm weather, but that particular time of hear hasn't been particularly bad in my memory.

Don't forget to bring some warm clothes. ALthough you should have nice weather, frost is not out of the question.

Keith