Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park hosts fall color chairlift rides

A lifetime ago Iived in the Keweenaw Peninsula. That was when I first had the opportunity to visit the Porkies, as most locals call the Porcupine Mountains. They're quite stunning, and no season are they more beautiful than the fall.

That's why this offer from the state park people is so tempting.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon is again hosting fall color chairlift rides at the park’s downhill ski area in October.

The chairlift rides will be offered from noon to 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6. Additional weekends may be added dependent on weather and when fall color peaks.

Visitors will enjoy the spectacular scenery and brilliant fall foliage while riding the chairlift to the top of the ski hill, with the options of hiking back down or riding the chairlift to the base of the hill.

The top of the ski hill offers panoramic views of the forest below, with Lake Superior in the distance. For an added adventure, visitors who would like to view the fall color show from multiple vantage points can hike to East Vista to get a view of Lake Superior, or to West Vista for a view into the Big Carp River Valley.

The chairlift rides are $5 per person, with children under 12 free of charge. Light refreshments will be available at the ski hill’s chalet.

For more information, and to learn whether additional weekends have been added to the schedule, contact the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Ski Hill at 906-885-5209. For location information and maps, visit www.michigan.gov/porkiesvc.