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Backpacker Magazine – May 2009

Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips

See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.

by: Melynda Coble Harrison

PAGE 1 2 3
Fireflies in action (Judd Patterson)
Fireflies in action (Judd Patterson)

Porcupine Mountains, MI
Link a path of glowing mushrooms.

Known as foxfire, bioluminescent fungi is found throughout temperate zones in wet, rotting bark. Scientists don't know why some fungi glow and not others. One hypothesis: The glow attracts insects, and they spread the mushrooms' spores. Bring a headlamp (with a red filter, if you have one, to preserve your night vision) and head north from the Pinkerton trailhead through old-growth conifers toward Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Look for soggy, downed trees on this 5.2-mile out-and-back, and agitate chunks of bark to oxidize the mushroom's enzymes and reveal a light blue glow. (906) 885-5275; michigan.gov/dnr

The Afterglow
Recharge with BBQ ribs and bread pudding at Foot Hills Restaurant (906-885-5246) in Ontonagon (five miles from Silver City).

The Way
From Silver City, MI, drive west 2.6 miles on MI 107. Turn left onto South Boundary Rd. and drive 20.5 miles to the Pinkerton trailhead.


PAGE 1 2 3

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Mar 01, 2013

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Dan
Apr 02, 2012

FYI, lightning bugs and fireflies are the same thing. Glowworms are the females, they can't fly. Flashing or steady light depends on the temperature and/or what they're trying to communicate to each other.

tina
Mar 11, 2012

Try bioluminescent bay in puerto rico. Touching the water, is like throwing fairy dust. So amazing!

Joe
Nov 01, 2010

Bioluminescence in Hood Canal, WA, like magic

choppedtr
Oct 14, 2010

when stationed at ft Konx ky during the summer at night the fire flys numbered in the billions they were gorgeous if you get to ceck it out i recomend it

Jonathan
Aug 25, 2010

Lightning bugs and fire flies are the same thing. They are common names for a group of bioluminescent beetles in the family Lampyridae that use flashes of different lengths to communicate, usually for mate attraction.

KGood
Aug 20, 2010

I have seen these amazing glow bugs in Ohio in the Mohican area every year at about the same time. 3rd week of September.

Aaron
Jun 20, 2010

Locals call them lightning bugs. different from fire flies that stay lit for longer periods of time, lightning bugs flash. my $0.02

thomas
Oct 16, 2009

my favorite trip to take the wife and kids on was the catskills in NY during the beginning of july its the peak of the firefly season the kids loved it after chasing them all evening they would crash out in the tent and stay asleep till dawn giving my wife and I some great quality time

bafold woodcuter
Oct 14, 2009

i woke two nights ago to put wood in the stove, much to my amusment the wood pile was glowing. a 4 inch wide strip 1 and ahalf inch deep the hole leigth of the logs just under the bark. this is a white glow like a floresent lightbulb. im in misouri, what is it? fungus?

Siouxfar
Sep 19, 2009

Try the Little River trail in the Great Smoky Mtns. Nat'l. Park to see Synchronous Fireflies that are found in only two places in the world: the Elkmont area of the GSM for two weeks in mid June and in Asia. The fireflies blink on and off together. Go backcountry for your own private light show!

Budmanandwife
Jul 23, 2009

I have camped and hunted in this area all my life years before it was the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. I have very fond memories of when it was undisturbed and wild and very remote. This is a beautiful area and well worth a visit year round.

mandino
Jul 12, 2009

great tip! :) I would love to see some mushrooms glow! :) I think they glow because they gather up energy from the day.. Try looking into http://www.baraaza.com/contest/ to get some trip ideas and share with the travelers there...

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