Well we started out with 5 members going, but as we got closer to the date, the cold weather and threat of snow gave people reason to change their minds.  Joe and Karen were with me on the Galena trip, and they both finally gave up aspirations of backpacking the Porkies as well.

After a busy kayaking season, I really wanted to get out, no matter what the conditions.  I really enjoy cold weather hiking and camping, so I set out with Dog in tow and drove the 8-9 hours up into WI, and entered MI. Once you get up about 6 hours north of Evanston, IL the route takes you northwest and you pass thru both state borders again and again as you wind your way closer to the Park and Lake Superior. 

I drove to Silver Springs and entered the park thru the Northeastern Entrance. This route allowed me to drive along the coast of Lake Superior and fantasize about kayaking trips to come for the next season!

The weather was chilly, in the 40's, but not too bad.  We arrived at the Parking lot, strapped on our backpacks (yes, my dog has to carry his own food and water) and headed out.  My original intention was to hike the (what is the name down to Joe's camp)  Somehow I missed the turn off and when I realized the mistake, it was getting dark. It turns out we were about 3.5 miles down the Escarpment Trail and I didn't want to hike back on the exposed ridge in the dark, so Magick the Wonder Dog and I camped out among some trees and made a simple dinner of freeze dried lasagna.  He had dog chow and licked the lasagna bag clean for dessert. 

Got to sleep early on, and hiked out early in the morning.  This is a beautiful trail, and I stopped many times to take photos. The dog was marveling at the views. Living in the city, we don't get expansive views of mountains and streams!  He looked like he was posing for an REI ad with his backpack.  This trail starts off right at the parking lot and includes plenty of elevation gain and exposure.  Much of the trail leads you very close to the edge, one misstep and it would be a quick drop down about 1000 feet. 

We packed up in the car and got ready to drive to the south side of the park to meet with Joe.  He had originally cancelled out, but as I drove up on Tue, he called me and said, Hey, I am coming after all!  Well wouldn't you know it, as soon as I started to pull out, Joe pulled in. What timing.  We went to the small grocery and picked up some more drinking water and drove the (20?) miles to the other side of the park.  Wonder Dog and I once again loaded our packs and headed out with Joe.  This trail (what is the name) took us just over 3 miles to get to the campsite.  Joe had rented a cabin, which unfortunately does not allow dogs.  So I set up in the tent area.  This part of the park is full of pine trees and as we headed out, the snow began to fall.