• Thursday-What'sUP September 18 - 06:30 am

On a recent motorcycle ride, Laurie and Steve Bashaw ventured to Ontonagon County for a visit at the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. One of the attractions they visited was the Summit Peak observation tower. Steve took a photo of Laurie standing down on the ground, to give a perspective of how high up you are once you climb the stairs to the top. Then he zoomed in for a better look at her standing down below.

Laurie then snapped a few shots herself. One of the Summit Peak Scenic area map, so you can get an idea of where everything is from that point. Another of the actual viewing tower, along with the crossbar at the top of the tower that lets you know the elevation up there is 1,958 feet above sea level. And finally, the awesome view you get to behold once you make that climb up those stairs to the top of the tower. It looks like there are a few trees turning there at the Porkies already, too.

Okay, maybe next summer I will get to the Porkies. Beautiful view and I notice the touches of color already. We have light frost this morning just below the Bridge.

Way to go, Laurie and Steve! I went on this hike several years ago and I too, was on a motorcycle.
Next time I will walk to the summit peak. The Wing doesn't handle well on trails :)

Way to go, Laurie! Great pictures!!!

Superior pictures!

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. It was a great day for a motorcycle ride, and a place we'd never been to. We both commented that it will be beautiful when the trees put on their fall colors.

I thought that looked like my sister before I looked at the next picture!

Wonderful photos Laurie. I felt like I was there myself! I love the Porkies but don't remember being there in the fall. How grand it must be when all is in full color!!!That's one of the fun things about being on a bike...take off for the day and go as your pleasure takes you! So happy that you two are enjoying Steve's new retirement. Happy trails! Thanks for sharing.

I especially like the bottom (6th) picture.

Nice pictures Laurie, they make me homesick.

very nice. I made the trek up there a few years ago. Its a very nice hike, and once you get tot the top of the tower, you don;t want to leave. its really an awesome place.

just plain wow

My wife and I climbed that tower back in Oct 2001 during our honeymoon in the Porkies. Most of the leaves were gone, but it was cool anyway. Bands of snow had gone through the area, putting several inches in the tower area and none over at the Presque isle campground or the entrance to the park. unfortunately I don't have any pictures on this computer from the snow area. Only pic I have from that trip available is this one
http://gallery.pasty.com/albums/10253/rjgoniea/n_silvercitysunset.jpg

Robert your photo would make a marvelous watercolor painting! How nice of you to share it with us.

The last picture would make a terrific 1000 piece puzzle!

made that climb a few years ago not as young (or light) as I used to be

I love the Porkies but I must admit that hike to the tower with a heavy backpack is not a lot of fun. It seems like it's uphill all the way! Arrivals at the Mirror Lake cabins are always greeted with a cheer! I love the Section 17 and Speakers cabins, in part because the hikes are only about 1.5 miles. No sightseeing trip to the Porkies area is complete without hiking to the Presque Isle and Black River waterfalls. Trust me... I leave for the western U.P. in 13 days...