Porcupine Mountains State Park
   Porcupine Mountains State Park (locally know as the Porkies) is over 58,000 acres of cascading rivers, waterfalls, gorges and lakes along the shores of Lake Superior. It has the largest virgin stand of pine and hemlock in the world and the largest wilderness area between the Appalachian and Rocky mountains. If you are a hiking or backpacking photographer, this is a place you might want to spend some time exploring. If you are not a hiker, or have little time, here are some easily reached destinations with outstanding photo potential.
   Follow Route 107 to the end. From the parking area take the Escarpment Trail a short distance to a rock cliff with a view looking down 500 feet to the deep blue Lake of Clouds surrounded by miles of virgin northern hardwoods. In the autumn these will be in beautiful colors of red and gold. This is probably the most photographed view in the park. If you are ambitious you can continue along the escarpment; otherwise return to the park area.

   Backtrack along Route 107 to the visitor center and turn south on Boundary Road, then right on Summit Peak Road. You can hike the trail to the top of summit Peak where there is a 40-foot observation tower with views over Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. If you don't want to go all the way to the top, go as far as the viewing deck for one of the best views of the park overlooking the Carp River Valley.
    Return to Boundary Road and continue west to the junction of CR-519 and go north to the end at Presque Isle. A half-mile of boardwalks takes you to many photogenic rapids and three beautiful waterfalls of the lower Presque Isle River. Then take CR-519 south to Wakefield and turn west on Route 2 to Bessemer.

Black River Scenic Parkway
   From Bessmer drive north along CR-513 (Powderhorn Road and Black River Road) to Black River Harbor. This route will take you to seven outstanding waterfalls on the beautiful Black River. Most of the falls are just a short walk from your car through beautiful hemlock and hardwood forests that will be brilliant colors in fall. As you head north on CR-513 you will come to the copper Peak Ski Flying Hill. The view from the top (999 feet) looks out over Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and across Lake superior to Canada. The chair lift and elevator to the summit operate only on weekends during September and October. 
    Just beyond the Ski Flying Area the series of waterfalls begins. The first two falls, Chippawa and Algonquin are a little hard to reach, so I would bypass these unless you really are into bagging waterfall photos. Great Conglomerate Falls is about ten miles along CR-513 and you follow a broad 0.75-mile trail down to the river. 
   About a half-mile farther is the parking area for Potawatomi Falls and Gorge Falls. Short trails lead to these. Potawatomi Falls is the most beautiful of the two. 
   A half-mile farther along the road is a steep trail leading to Sandstone Falls. Just before the end of the road at the harbor is the trail to Rainbow Falls. To reach the falls you must walk down a series of stairs to the viewing platforms.

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