Michelle Lutke and Brett Bigger were out and about recently, exploring around the Ottawa National Forest. Michelle said it was a gorgeous day and they made a stop where the Pori CCC Camp Sign is located and all that remains of a once bustling CCC (Civilian Conservation Camp) during the Depression. It later served as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. After the war, Michigan Tech University used the location as training ground for its forestry students. The camp closed in 1954 and all the buildings were removed, but its historical significance remains today, as a glimpse into the past.

Next they hiked to Hogger Falls on the west branch of the Sturgeon River. Looks like it was running quite well that day!

The pair wrapped up their explorations at Bob Lake in the Trout Creek area. There’s a campground there also, about 18 miles southeast of Ontonagon, in the Ontonagon Ranger District. Quite the scenic lake and surroundings.

Michelle recorded a nice video while they were at Hogger Falls. She said the hike there is one of their favorites. These falls are relatively remote and with no marked path, it is a good challenge for explorers looking to get away from maintained trails and easy hikes. Make sure you have your volume turned up so you can hear and enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls!

Check out more of Michelle and Brett’s adventures here: Wandering Michigan

Hi
Interesting set of photos. I wonder what the German
POWs made of the UP.

Hogger Falls doesn't look to be that tall. Like Ocqueoc
Falls "the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula",
which is only about five feet tall.

Bob Lake (sounds like a guy) looks beautiful and
serene.

Gorgeous pictures, esp those reflection ones. Just
WOW. And the video is stunning, and they have a
beautiful dog.

You can see tree roots in the rock. How unreal
that something can grow there...Makes you wonder
how many of those trees saw the CCC or the war
camp??

Speaking of CCC..isn't that how Brockway Mtn got
their road? I know it's how those "fence" type
things got put up.

There is such a ton of history U.P. here~ Thank
you Michelle and Brett for bringing some of it to
us!~

Was not familiar with any of the spots
featured today. Visited Ottawa National
Forest before but it’s a pretty vast area.
Lovely variety of photos with some interesting
history too. There are so many out of the way
places like this that make UP travel so awesome!

Really enjoyed the video of Hogger
Falls, looks like a great place to explore.
And quite the impressive canyon carved
out by the Sturgeon River :) reminds me
of Canyon Falls.

I'm with Cindy, totally unfamiliar with these
places. But it is beautiful and that video was
wonderful. It looks like fall in the Bob Lake
picture. Love the reflection, too. Nice job.