Chair Lift Rides Now Being Offered At Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Beginning this weekend, chairlift rides showcasing the wondrous fall color of the western Upper Peninsula will mark the start of autumn activities scheduled at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

The roughly 59,000-acre state park managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is Michigan’s largest and is situated in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties.

The chairlift rides will be offered over the next four weekends.

“A visit to the Porcupine Mountains offers some of the best fall colors anywhere,” said Bob Wild, DNR interpreter at the park. “Take part in the many fall activities being offered and take home some great memories.”

Chairlift rides will be available from noon to 7 p.m. EDT Sept. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and Oct. 3-4. Cost is $5 per person. Children ages 12 and younger ride free.

The ski hill at the park is located a half-mile west of the Union Bay Campground along Ontonagon County Road 107.

“Ride the chairlift to the top of the ski hill and either hike or ride the lift back down for some great scenery overlooking Lake Superior,” Wild said. “Bring a camera.”

Here are some details on the park’s additional fall activities:

Interpretive Programs

Interpretive programs are offered Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 4. Programs featured have included “Guided Bear Den Hike,” “Agate Hunting,” “Gray Wolf Hike,” “History of the Porcupine Mountains,” “Beach Crafts” and “Lake of the Clouds Guided Hike.” For a current schedule of programs, visitwww.mi.gov/porkiesvc and click on current schedule of “Nature Programs.”

Artist in Residence Programs

Join resident artist and painter Reid Masselink for this presentation on the purpose of landscape and animal painting, why people have made images of nature, the roles these images serve, and the relevance of these images today. The program will be at the park visitor center at 6 p.m. EDT, Sept. 17.

Join resident artist and photographer Steve Thorpe for his presentation of images and captions that explain the flora, fauna, atmospheric phenomena and astronomy showcased in his work. The program will be at the park visitor center at 6 p.m. EDT, Oct. 1.

Porcupine Mountains Trail Marathon

This Sept. 19 event features a 5K, half marathon and full marathon on the trails of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Registration materials and more information are available at www.greatlakesendurance.com.

National Public Lands Day

Join Friends of the Porkies and Porcupine Mountains park staff Sept. 26 for a day of fall color chairlift rides, meet with the Friends of the Porkies and attend interpretive programs all during the period around peak fall color in the park.

Park campsite and rustic cabins rentals are available to reserve. To make reservations, visit www.mi.gov/porkies and click on “Make a Reservation.”