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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

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.


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READERS COMMENTS

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
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 thomas

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?
Posted: Oct 14, 2009 bafold woodcuter

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!
Posted: Sep 19, 2009 Siouxfar

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.
Posted: Jul 23, 2009 Budmanandwife

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...
Posted: Jul 12, 2009 mandino

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