For such a prominent peak, Hogback inspires plenty of uncertainty. Its name is the subject of some confusion: Many visitors, 甚至一些当地人, 就叫它“霍格巴克”吧." Most maps drop the 's,' though, so we'll follow their lead. Getting to its summit isn't a sure thing, either. 不像附近的甜面包山, 它的宽度, clearly marked single-track trail and multiple staircases on its upper slopes, Hogback forces climbers to take a series of narrow, 蜿蜒的小径穿过林地, 岩石田和沼泽地区. With a nearly vertical rock face that demands four points of contact, the last half-mile of the climb is quite strenuous. 不过,这里的景色是值得的. 落基, nearly treeless summit offers a panoramic window on the vast, rugged forests of northern hg6668皇冠登录 County and the endless blue expanse of 苏必利尔湖. 在最晴朗的日子里, it's just possible to see the mountains of the Keweenaw Peninsula to the northwest.

到达基地

After Sugarloaf, Hogback is hg6668皇冠登录 County's second most popular summit. 尽管——或者可能是因为, depending on who you ask--its popularity, it's hard to find clear directions to its summit. This is largely due to the fact that it sits in the middle of a dense trail network that makes it all too easy to take a wrong turn. 从M-550开始, the road that links hg6668皇冠登录 and the small town of 大湾, 大多数hg6668皇冠登录者走南部路线 Fall color is seen on the landscape looking east toward hg6668皇冠登录 from atop 拱背山. 方法. 从马凯特, drive three or four miles to the Wetmore Pond parking area and take the trail that starts on the northwest end of the parking lot. You'll walk through a mixed forest for a bit less than half a mile, passing through several swampy areas in the process. Stay left at the signed fork (the sign will point the way to Hogback). Eventually, you'll ascend a small hill and emerge on a broad, nearly solid expanse of granite. 沿着光秃秃的岩石走, but hug the edge of the forest and follow the green blazes (visible on tree trunks and the rock surface) if at all possible. This route should take you on a gentle rightward curve and, 接近尾声, 一个温和的, sustained climb up the granite field. To the left, you'll see the rocky peak of Hogback, but don't walk towards it. Instead, continue to follow the blazes ahead and down the northern edge of the rock field. 当你下降时, the trail will curve to the left, 理顺, and eventually cross a snowmobile track. This track, and the stream immediately beyond it, are important landmarks.

登上顶峰

Across the stream, you'll walk through a marshy area and enter a stand of mature hemlocks. If the blazes seem to have changed colors, don't be alarmed: They should be white or pinkish (some trees have multiple blazes) in this area. The woods here are open enough to see quite a ways ahead, and it should be clear where Hogback's slope begins. Follow the trail in this direction, stopping as you please to admire the cathedral-like canopy and impressive cliff faces on the lower slopes. If you come to a narrow, fast-moving creek, you're on the right track. At this point, it's all about endurance. The trail more or less follows the shortest distance up the hill, so be sure to take your time and pause for water breaks as necessary. 大概爬到一半,你就会Trail running with evening light and fall color atop 拱背山 near hg6668皇冠登录, Michigan on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.l reach the intersection of the "northern 方法" trail. Stay straight/right and continue your climb, which will shortly involve some scrambling over exposed, 大部分是固定岩石. Don't be afraid to use a spotter on this stretch! 恰当地说, the steepest part of this climb is its final section--you'll need to scramble up a fairly smooth rock face that requires sure footing and four points of contact. Once you get past it, though, you'll be at the top. To the south, you'll see the city of hg6668皇冠登录 and the far shoreline of 苏必利尔湖. 向东, 湖对岸, it's possible to see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on clear days (over 40 miles away). To the north and west, the high, heavily forested ground of the Huron Mountains rises. To the north and east, 苏必利尔湖 unfolds in all its majesty. 什么时候去 Adventurous hikers summit Hogback in every season, but midsummer is definitely the peak of the hiking season. 在四月和五月, snowmelt and spring rains make the trail's swampy areas difficult to navigate and may slicken the mountain's rocky parts. 一旦雪开始飞扬, it's crucial to wear seasonal footwear--snowshoes or crampons--and dress warmly. If you're in the area during the foliage season, 通常在十月初, the view from the top is even better than usual. Even if conditions are warm, dry and sunny, you won't regret wearing sturdy hiking boots. 底线: Hogback is a strenuous but fun hike that rewards intrepid climbers with stunning views of 苏必利尔湖 and the southern Huron Mountains. Budget at least 90 minutes for this trek! Brian Martucci is a hg6668皇冠登录-based writer with a passion for food, beer, and the great outdoors. 也许不是这个顺序.