Timing UP Michigan

[mr.stang]

We are planning a trip from Fl. to UP and back through Canada to N.Y., then back home slowley. I spoke to a neighbors friend from the UP. Her story was, as long as we keep our pants tucked in our socks, wore gloves, long sleeves, hat and head nettings, it won't be that bad. I have been in Cape Cod when the deer flies were out, but if you were not in the marshes it was fine. We are outdoors people from Florida used to bugs, but don't really like them. This lady painted a picture I didn't like, please give me your advise. This is a breakdown of the Michigan portion.

6/17 Warren dunes SP 1 night
6/18 William Mitchell SP 1 night
6/20 Straits SP 4 nights
6/23 Fort Wilkins SP 7 nights
6/30 Tahquamenon Falls SP 7 nights

Should I skip or should I go at this time. Thanks Stan

 

[vuja de]

In general the UP can be very buggy in June, but if you do go, Fort Wilkins SP sits near tip of Keweenaw peninsula out on Lake Superior and in my experience is usually not bad at all (although it can get chilly). Beautiful area, historic site, adjacent inland lake, and long ferry day-trips to Isle Royale NP are available near there.

It is far off the beaten path though and quite popular for all of the above reasons.

Randy

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Tis true, June can be buggy, along with July. Bugs slack off usually by August. Usually, not always. Ticks may or may not be a big concern as it depends on Spring weather conditions for their proliferation.
Along Lake Superior, if it's hot and the wind is from the South, stable flies can be a frightening nuisance. They look like a house fly but bite. Not to be confused with horse flies, black flies or deer flies,

Stable Flies​

Mainly found in late summer and early fall, these biting flies primarily feed on livestock. They look similar to house flies, but stable flies have a pointed mouthpart used to suck blood.

Mosquitoes are always about, but tend to slack off later in the Summer.

The bug question is like the weather......do you go or not go? GO. Their numbers vary, you never know until you get there, but bring plenty of repellent, get some head nets, have long sleeve clothing available....be a good Scout and be prepared, as you were informed by your neighbor.
I spend a week or 2 in the UP and Northern Wisconsin most Summers and haven't lately experienced a bug issue, but about a month later than your plans.
Fleeing the Florida heat & humidity, eh? As advised in the post above, bring warm clothes as "you never know".

 

[Viajante]

All the advice is good, but the trip is still doable. Long pants, sleeves, and a hooded shirt are good for weather or bugs. A portable screen room is good.

Stable flies go for your lower legs and are unbeatable. But they are a periodic one day hatch. That’s a day to go to town and come back late in the afternoon.

I might suggest swap a couple of days at Tequamagon Falls for a couple at Muskalonge Lake SP. If the bugs are bad take a day trip to nearby Grand Marais. Bonus points if you hoof it down Ausable Dunes to beautiful Lake Superior and walk back up.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

And Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are very nearby The Grand Sable Dunes/Ausable Point area. Lot's to see in that locale.

I'm not sure about that 1 day hatch thing of the stable flies. I think it has more to do with temperature and wind direction. They can disappear if wind direction changes, and return in horror movie numbers again with a change.

 

[Iowa Dave]

I’ve been to the UP several times in June. A good repellant if you can tolerate it is good in mosquitos and gnats. If you are concerned about ticks I like permanone products by Sawyer. You can spray your clothes and it’s effective through a few washings and there’s a skin applied repellant product too.
The campgrounds on the west
Side of the state as you go north along the lakeshore are pretty crowded so you’ll probably need reservations. Don’t miss palms book state park as a short stop. Those big trout are neat in the big spring Kitchitikeepee. (Spelling). Lots
to see in the UP.
The dunes at Silver lake are a good stop too but camping is a little crowded. Lots of pretty good ice cream stops, breweries, museums ( especially the shipwreck museum) too. The lifesaving station near sleeping bear dunes is good too
Iowa Dave

 

[Mike G]

Kitch-iti-kipi, IIRC, is the spelling for the Big Spring. Very pretty with clear water and you can see all the way to the bottom, about 40' down.

Definitely go. Every year is different as far as bugs are concerned. Amount of rainfall, temperatures, how windy is it. I've been fortunate; I bought a head net about 15 years ago and I have yet to use it once, even though I've been back to Michigan in June & July probably 10-11 of those years. The worst skeeter place in MI that I've encountered is the national forest area just north of Ludington, and you aren't headed there. My advice is to take a couple of fans that will move a good amount of air, so if the mosquitos are obnoxious in the evening you can blow them away from you.

Whenever I've encountered the biting flies (stable flies?), moving someplace 10 or 20 miles away usually escaped them altogether. But you might not see any in June.

I have camped on the Superior shore in the UP during late summer when it dropped below 40 degrees overnight. Another year it reached upper 80s one day in Munising (very unusual!), and the locals were just about dying but I thought it felt pretty nice compared to 105 back home! Take a variety of clothing.

 

[MI21C24]

All good advice given on bugs. If there is a cedar swamp nearby (especially in the eastern UP near Tahquamenon) there will be bugs at that time of year. Just plan on it and be prepared.

But I write to stress the reservations needed at state parks. Michigan state parks are loved and busy in the summer. If you already have reservations at the state parks you list above for that length of time, you are fortunate. The parks open for reservations 6 months before the camping dates and I have friends that are on-line at the opening bell trying to get reservations for their favorite campsites. If you're willing to take any available spot, you are more likely to get one, but I checked just late last week for some of the more popular parks and saw that almost every date in summer already open was reserved. There are some non-electric sites in a few state parks that don't fill as quickly. Some state parks maintain a few sites that are not reservable (at least until later). There are lots of National Forest and State Forest campgrounds (especially in the UP) and there are lots of boondocking sites on state and national forestlands as well. And of course, there are private campgrounds. As a native and having lived in the UP for a couple of years, unfortunately it isn't like it used to be growing up, when you could just show up at a state park most weekends in the summer and find a spot.

 

[MI21C24]

No one mentioned Porcupine Mountain State Park. Even if you are not staying, stopping to see Lake of the Clouds within the park is well worth the drive.

 

[MI21C24]

I might suggest swap a couple of days at Tequamagon Falls for a couple at Muskalonge Lake SP.

Agree - see the falls but stay at Muskallonge - if you can. This is a beautiful spot that seemed a relatively unknown State Park when camping with our young children. It's tough to get into it now. Camp on the shores of the lake where one can boat or fish, but a short walk to the Lake Superior coast.

 

[mr.stang]

Thanks all, I have some more thoughts but have to get busy working now. I have booked all these sites at the six month point. I got close to where I wanted to be but as posted in another live thread, everyone was booking maximum time allowed. My start dates are usually Monday and that seems to work. Thanks again

 

[Mike G]

I personally like the Superior shore area around August 1st because I can often find wild blueberries, raspberries, and thimbleberries at that time. I'll never forget the one year in the 1980s when my wife and I were able to literally strip handfuls of blueberries at a time off of the bushes, and we had pails full in 20 minutes.

 

[Randy in Maine]

We carry a small Clam screen house that was cheap $200 and works really well for bugs. Including Maine blackflies. I think it even does well in Alaska.

 

[Mike G]

A nice trail in the neighborhood of Tahquamenon that I read about for the first time today. Might be a good day trip.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

I've been told, but haven't been there, that there's good, honest libations and vittles to be had at this spot.

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub | Upper Peninsula Breweries

The beautiful Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub invites you to come and experience a spectacular brewery with fine dining and rustic charm. The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub offers a fine selection of micro brewed beers and delicious food choices.

www.tahquamenonfallsbrewery.com

 

[Mountain_gal]

We went to college in the UP many years ago and have gone back many times. We have done battled with all the listed bugs except "stable flies". We were exposed to a "new" one when camping by the bridge last summer, midges. They don't bite but they are thick enough to interfere with breathing. The campground told us that they have a few week season about the time that you are planning to go. In our case, just getting a few hundred feet from the shore made all the difference. The UP has lots to see if you like scenery. GO and take bug spray!

 

[mr.stang]

We will take this trip. I understand the U.P. is getting record snowfall, some of the outdoor activities look pretty swell. Should we expect snow on the ground mid June? Looks like we will escape the Florida heat. Thank to all for your responses. Stan

 

[HABBERDABBER]

No snow, in June, and it of course depends of where in the UP it's been heavy. Lake effect snow in some areas, other areas not so much. You may see snowblowers on the roofs of homes, as they just leave them up there, off season.

I believe your road route will take you past this. The Keweenaw Snow Thermometer) is located 3 miles (4.8km) north of Mohawk in Michigan’s Keweenaw County; the snow stick is over 30 feet tall on the side of highway 41 and resembles a large thermometer.

One never knows about the weather, 6 months off. I've been in Munising, MI, on Lake Superior kayaking and it was 100F hot. Just like Florida. Ridiculous. I was wearing a neoprene wet suit, making a crossing from Grand Island to the mainland in sketchy waves and winds at the time. I overheated paddling with the wetsuit on, but wore it so I wouldn't freeze to death if I capsized.
Go figure.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

There's also a notable ship just off of Hwy 41

The Stone Ship - Lost In Michigan

If you like this post click on the buttons to share with your friends When you travel along US-41 in the Keweenaw north of Calumet in the town of Kearsarge you will see a Stone ship next to the road with a mining drill mounted on the bow for a gun. The town of KearsargeRead More...

lostinmichigan.net

 

[Mike G]

Most typically you'd experience highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s to mid 50s. Possibility exists of much hotter or much colder, depending on the vagaries of weather patterns. Expect 5 to 10 degrees cooler along Lake Superior than inland. Mackinac Island tends to be 10 degrees cooler than Mackinaw City. Take layers. Take warm clothing and good coats, gloves, and hats, as well as shorts and short-sleeve shirts, and rain gear also, because you want to be comfortable no matter what hits.

Ol' Chuck Waters, the Channel 5 weatherman out of Tri-Cities, used to conclude his forecasts with, "And that's the weather... whether or not!"