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For those seeking a classic "up north" ambiance, combined
with some of the best relief topography in the midwest, Porcupine
Mountains Wilderness State
Park is a very wise choice. There are all sorts of things for
the nature photographer ranging from beaches, Lake Superior, mini-mountains,
exposed rock outcroppings, old growth forests, and numerous streams.
The park is great wildlife habitat as well, but wildlife is harder
to see due to the dense nature of the woods.
Unlike some of the other midwestern parks, Porcupine Mountains
definitely has a few very specific top photographic locations.
The first of these is Lake of the Clouds overlook. This very scenic
overlook is reached by a short drive on M-107 from the eastern
entrance of the park. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of woodland
creatures on this drive. There's a handicapped accessible trail
at the parking lot which takes you up to a viewing platform that
overlooks the rugged Lake of the Clouds valley.
Another incredible photographic location is in the far western
corner of the park known as the Presque Isle River Unit. This
area holds a very rugged canyon filled with a spectacular series
of waterfalls and pools. Eventually, it dumps right out into Lake
Superior. These falls are located off a trail that originates
at a parking lot in the Presque Isle campground. Follow this trail
and you will begin to see a series of steps going down into the
valley, and by then you will hear the sound of the falls. These
falls are Manabezho Falls, Manido Falls, and Nawadaha Falls. For
the most powerful look, make sure you visit these falls in the
spring and early summer. By fall, they water volume tends to diminish
their stature, although they are still very scenic. Adding to
the splendor is an old growth forest and the appearance of steelhead
jumping at the barrier falls. Occasionally a bald eagle can be
seen swooping down the river valley.
Specifics aside, the entire park is filled with little creeks,
swamps, rock outcroppings, beaches, and a generally excellent
overall scenic quality for photography. A very solid photography
destination, and perhaps #1 in the northwoods of the midwest.
There's something about loading up that backpack and heading off
on trail to photograph the unknown.
For those that don't want to haul lenses around, I recommend the
Canon Powershot SX10IS as an excellent all around camera. The
Canon 50D is an excellent DSLR, especially matched with the Canon
17-55 IS and the Canon EF 70-300mm IS Nikon offers the Nikon D300
, an excellent camera when paired with the Nikon 70-300 VR and
the Nikon 16-85mm.
Buying your gear through the links here
at Parkcamper.com helps us continue to bring you more specific
information for outdoor trip planning.
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