Carp (Porkies), Michigan, US

above Shining Cloud Falls to Lake Superior (1.7 miles)

Shining Cloud Falls

Shining Cloud Falls
Photo by Steve Corsi taken 04/10/05

River Description

For the 'hard core' explorers only. There is no road access from either end. For this reason, this river is seldom run.

You have a number of choices to access this run, none of them very enticing:

1) Park at Presque Isle Harbor, 6 mile paddle on Lake Superior (NE along shore) to the mouth of the river (GPS recommended to be sure you have the correct river mouth), hike 1.7 miles upriver to about 0.5 mile above Shining Cloud Falls, boat (and portage) the river, then 6 mile paddle on Lake Superior (SW along shore) back to Presque Isle Harbor.

2) Park at Lake of the Clouds (in Porcupine Mtn. State Park), 6? mile carry in (on park trails) to where the river is big enough to paddle, paddle and portage the river, paddle on Lake Superior (5 miles?) NE along shoreline (GPS recommended to be sure you have the right spot), hit the beach and hike 2.6 miles on a park trail back to Lake of the Clouds.

3) Shuttle/combo option. Carry in 6? miles as from option 2, and paddle out 6 miles as from option 1. This will necessitate a long shuttle (31.5 mile each way) from Lake of the Clouds to Presque Isle Harbor.