Women’s Porcupine Mountains Backpacking
October 2026
Upper Peninsula (near) Ontonagon, MI
8 participants max
Terry Tempest Williams
Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than separate from.
The Wilderness of the Heart…
Join us on a transformative adventure in Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. You’ll be immersed in the changing nature of vibrant fall landscape.
This four-night trip is an ideal introduction to backpacking offering beginners the basics of wilderness travel, yoga, and mindfulness. Those with more experience will have an opportunity to expand on backcountry skills such as navigation and leadership while spending time with like-hearted folks. We’ll plan to cover about 3-8 miles of backpacking or hiking per day and can adjust the mileage based on the needs of the group. The exact campsites, cabins, and route options will be determined 5-6 months ahead of time.
Joining the all-women’s trip to the Porcupines was my first experience in remote backpacking. The camaraderie, scenic hikes, and the bonding in our group really transformed me. Now I’m so excited to join Laura Adrian again on this Apostle Island adventure!
On this trip we’ll explore the wilderness of the heart. This means embracing who you are right now….your dreams, hopes, talents, and all your imperfections. This theme will be woven into the entire trip through group activities, yoga, and hiking.
To us, Wild Heart is about:
Loving yourself…your whole self…every last bit
Giving yourself permission to be you quirks ‘n all
Practicing embracing your imperfections and messiness of life
Remembering to appreciate yourself and others
A portion of funds from each trip will be donated to support the parks and non-profit nature initiatives.
What’s Included:
all high-tech lightweight basic backpacking gear such as headlamps, sleeping bag, pillow, camping pad, and cookware (you may also bring your own gear)
meals prepared from high-quality ingredients often made from scratch. Locally sourced and organic ingredients are integrated into the meals. Wednesday dinner to Sunday lunch + healthy snacks :-). We supply coffee (we know you’re wondering) as well as an assortment of teas. We can accommodate many dietary needs, just let us know before you register if this is important to you.
about 30-45 minutes of morning yoga (emphasis on stretching)
evening group activities and workshops to consciously connect with nature
introduction to backpacking skills, Leave No Trace ethics, and wilderness camping
1 night camping at state park and 3 nights backcountry camping and/or backcountry cabin lodging in the Porcupine Mountains
folks can select preference for lodging—backcountry camping or cabins
expert wilderness guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
virtual pre-trip meeting to answer questions, go over packing list and route
Note: Michigan State Park parking pass for each car parked in the state park is not included. Cost can be shared among group members who carpool.
Important: For the safety of all participants, this is a substance-free experience.
What if I'm new to camping or outdoor adventure?
No prior experience needed. This trip is very beginner friendly and we'll walk you through preparing step-by-step. Laura and Lisa are both very experienced with working with all ages, bodies, and experience levels.
You will need a basic level of fitness and ability to carry 30-40 lbs.
About Your Guide
Laura Adrian
Laura Adrian is a yogini and meditator who finds beauty, awe and inspiration by directly connecting to the Earth whether in a city park or wilderness area. Since 2014 she has been offering retreats and expeditions across the Upper Midwest where she shares her adventurous spirit with seasoned adventurers or nature-curious folks. Laura is a Certified Wilderness First Responder and has spent over 365 nights in the wilderness. She is especially interested in creating supportive spaces for people new to nature and wilderness into nature. Through these experiences, Laura has encouraged women to develop wilderness skills, challenge themselves, and develop a more beautiful relationship with the natural world.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to Laura via email or schedule a call to see if this trip is a good fit.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Set up camp at Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness, hang out, explore. Optional group dinner at 6pm. Program officially begins at 7pm EST with an opening circle.
Day 2: We’ll start the day off right with a delicious breakfast. Finalize gear and packing, and hit the trail. Lunch and highlights may include old growth forests, vistas, mountains, streams, lakes and waterfalls. We’ll decompress with a yoga session. There will be time to rest before a tasty backcountry meal, including dessert! After dinner we’ll have an evening activity as well as opportunities to connect with folks, sit around a campfire, and relax.
Day 3: We'll take our time in the morning and have a tasty breakfast. Packing up, we’ll head to our next site. The day includes hiking, nature activities, and lunch on the trail. We’ll do a yoga session to stretch and relax.Dinner is followed by a reflective evening program.
Day 4: We’ll practice yoga in the morning followed by a warm breakfast and hot beverage. We’ll pack up and backpack to our next majestical site! We’ll unwind with a yoga session. There’ll also be some downtime to sit by Mirror Lake, paddle in a lake, and relax.
Day 5: Following the same morning routine of yoga and breakfast, we’ll backpack through the forest meandering around rivers and lakes. We’ll have lunch on the trail and return to the parking lot around 1:00 pm Eastern time.
We’ll be backpacking 3-8 miles days 2, 3, 4, and 5. Itinerary is subject to change due to needs of the group, cabin availability, and weather.
Investment: $1099
Registration:
1) Register here! To apply for a partial scholarship click here.
2) You will receive a welcome email regarding trip specifics, how to prepare, and plan. You’ll be able to contact Laura with pre-trip questions.
3) Expect pre-trip communication including packing lists, virtual meetings, carpooling options, and additional information to assist you in preparing for the expedition.
4) Remaining balance is due August 1st. Payment can be made via credit card, ACH, or check.
Cancellation Policy:
Please reflect carefully before registering for this experience. Seriously consider purchasing travel insurance as there may be changes in your health or life that are uncontrollable. In the event you choose to cancel, deposits are refunded up to April 1st, 2024. After April 1st, deposits are non-refundable.
If payments are not made on time, your spot may be forfeited.
At any point, you may transfer your space and payments made to another person suitable for the retreat (must be approved by Whole Life Elevation).
If a cancellation is made between August 2nd and September 14th, you will receive 50% refund for payments made (aside from the deposit).
Cancellations made after September 15th, no refunds will be given. In the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstances, we may be able to offer credit towards a future trip.
In the event of unsafe weather conditions, the trip and/or itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the safety of the group.
In the event of severe weather, natural disaster, government intervention, campsite unavailability, acts of god, etc, Whole Life Elevation may choose to cancel the trip. If this is the case participants can 1) attend the rescheduled trip or 2) receive a full credit towards another trip or service with Whole Life Elevation to be used within 365 days of retreat cancellation.