My son and I were recently planning a backpacking trip, and as lovers of hiking and camping, we were searching for a place that was both iconic and outside of our typical milieu. In thinking of the places that he had yet to see, it didn't take me long to decide on Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the Upper Peninsula. All I had to do is show my kid some photos of Lake of the Clouds, and he was convinced that we had to head out to the U.P. and hike the Escarpment Trail, a truly iconic Michigan hiking trail that you need to visit at least once.

Instead of tent camping, we opted for one of the park's rustic, hike-in cabins. The trek to the cabin we chose - the Crosscut - was a moderately-challenging (a little uphill) two-mile hike from the trail head. But the solitude, dark skies, and quiet (all without having to pitch a tent) were very much worth it, especially during an early-morning thunderstorm that rolled through during our stay.

We spent most of our days hiking and exploring the park. And as large as it is, there was a lot to explore – believe me when I say we left plenty on the table for the next time, and for several times after that. The Porkies encompass more than 60,000 acres along the U.P.’s Lake Superior highlands, 35,000 of which are northern hardwood forest – one of the largest remaining expanses in the country. More than 90 miles of trails weave through the park’s forests and bluffs.

There’s definitely a lot more to see in this stunning wilderness park, but one thing we were sure to do was the hike that we came here for: the park’s iconic Escarpment Trail. If you access it from one of the terminal trail heads, the whole hike is a little over eight miles, out and back. You don’t have to do the whole thing, of course, and there is a trail head that comes in at around the middle of the hike, which halves the distance.

Or, if all you want is a to have a peek at Lake of the Clouds, just head down to the parking area for the westernmost trail head for the Escarpment Trail, which is right at Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area. Get there early, though, if you happen to visit on a summer weekend. The parking lot fills up quickly.

As for us, we connected with the Escarpment from our cabin via the Union Spring and Lost Lake trails. We used a paper map and offline guides from AllTrails Plus for navigation, because we had no cell service in the park. It was a long day of hiking, and my son was very patient with his out-of-shape dad. But we saw a lot of good stuff, including the iconic view we came for.

Something that makes the Escarpment Trail even more iconic is that it’s a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail’s Upper Peninsula section. Between the stunning views and incredible setting, I don’t think there’s a more iconic Michigan hiking trail, and you should definitely hike the Escarpment Trail at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park at least once in your life. Visit the park's website for more info on the park and to make camping or cabin reservations.

Have you hiked the Escarpment Trail? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share any other Michigan hiking trails you'd consider to be iconic.