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Post by Coolkat on Oct 6, 2015 6:06:43 GMT -8
I'm headed to the MRT/NCT loop in a couple of weekends. Would anyone know if it looks like the colors will be good then or will I be too late? Last year I hit it just about perfect timing for colors. Maybe just a tad early. Pics from last year. Fall 2014 - NCT/MRT Loop |
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 26, 2015 9:02:59 GMT -8
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Nov 9, 2015 4:39:40 GMT -8
Still one of the best hikes in lower MI. Thanks for sharing
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Post by Coolkat on Nov 9, 2015 5:08:00 GMT -8
Absolutely! As many times as I've done it I still really enjoy it.
However, there has been a change during the summer. They've added a bunch of designated campsites on places where people were camping anyway. I also talked to someone who said "they" are thinking about going to a permit system. I really hope that doesn't happen. I hate being on a schedule or not being able to change my mind where I want to camp.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 11, 2016 8:19:32 GMT -8
Great pics! Love the colors.
Looks like you had planned to spend your first night at Red Hill, which is your first climb after picking up the NCT from the spur at the backpacker lot.
Did you camp on the little knob that overlooks the bottoms about a mile after Red Hill? From the pics, looks like you did. Neat spot.
On my last trip we stayed at that spot. We ran a bit low on water, and so I wandered into the bottom and found some stagnant runoff in a cedar patch not too far from the base of the bluff.
Years ago, on a different trip with Mrs. Jack, we camped at (an admittedly illegal) spot near a rivulet a bit south of Slagle Creek. It was a cool fall morning, and I got up early enough to see a dense fog on the river with the sun beaming over it through the fall colors. An unforgettable sight, made better by fresh coffee.
Ah memories!
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 11, 2016 11:26:31 GMT -8
Did you camp on the little knob that overlooks the bottoms about a mile after Red Hill? From the pics, looks like you did. Neat spot. Because I normally start my hikes in late afternoon/early evening that is normally where I stay the first night. I've done that many times. However, this time I kept hiking and wanted to stay up high on the "bluffs" about 1.5 miles north of FR 8060. However, there was a group of about 3 or 4 tents already there so I kept hoofing it until about half mile north of FR8020. This spring if I can find a place to hide my canoe I'm thinking about hiking north on the east side and then float back down to Red Bridge. I've always wanted to canoe that section anyway. |
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 18, 2016 20:34:03 GMT -8
Check out Packraft.
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Post by indianabob on Mar 3, 2016 21:53:22 GMT -8
Fabulous pictures. I must hike this trail.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 21, 2016 11:32:51 GMT -8
It's certainly one of the better BP destinations within 6 hours of Chicago. Some great views, plenty of water, and good camping. It's gotten more popular, and rumor is that campers will be asked to register soon.
There is a plan to build a backpack trail along the shore of Sleeping Bear. This would be a great addition, as I believe the trail would cover 50 miles or so.
Another fun destination is Ludington State Park / Nordhouse Dunes. You can combine the two into a 2-night adventure, especially if you are into bushwhacking and route-finding.
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 21, 2016 12:14:13 GMT -8
Depending on weather my annual spring here might happen in a couple of weekends. It's certainly one of the better BP destinations within 6 hours of Chicago. I have met a few people on the trail from the greater chicago area. Also as far away Indianapolis. And it is becoming crowded unfortunately :( so they've have made a lot of new official camping sites. A 50 mile backpacking trail along sleeping bear would be a great idea. I had not heard this. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later. |
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 21, 2016 13:19:45 GMT -8
Don't quote me on that 50 miles. As I look at the Google map, I don't think there is nearly enough linear terrain for a trail that long. I did find this page, which suggests a longer trail that goes beyond park boundaries from Platte Bay in the south to Good Harbor in the north. Eyeballing it, looks like it could run 30-40 miles, which would be great. Applying a 6-hour drive radius from Chicago, I would rank my favorite 2-3 night backpack trips as: 1. Pictured Rocks (if you time it right, you can get to Munising in 6 hours) 2. Manistee River Loop 3. Shawnee Forest - Garden of the Gods thru Lusk Creek to Bell Smith Springs (requires some good routefinding) 4. Sleeping Bear - North Manitou 5. Ludington SP / Nordhouse Dunes I have not backpacked in WI nor Hocking Hills in OH, which I hear is very nice. My only trip to IN was to Deam, which was OK but not terribly interesting. |
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 21, 2016 18:30:51 GMT -8
I haven't done Nordhouse dunes yet but it is on my list. I have done North Manitou Island and Pictured Rocks 3 or 4 times. I agree both places are great. It's been probably 16/17 years since I've been to Shawnee National Forest and that was long before I even started to take an interest in backpacking. I was car camping then and I only remember a really nice camping spot surrounded by huge pine trees. Sitting around the campfire at night the wind whipping through the tops of the of trees sounding like a freight train. It was a great time even if only car camping. |
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 21, 2016 20:07:19 GMT -8
Sounds like you were camped at Garden of the Gods. It's high on a bluff with pines. Some great views on sites facing south.
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 22, 2016 12:19:07 GMT -8
Hungry Jack this is off topic but if my cat hadn't passed 2 years ago I'd say that you stole him.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 22, 2016 16:32:49 GMT -8
LOL. That's Milo. Pretty cool customer as you can probably tell. Got him from Anti-Cruelty. He climbed up on my shoulder that day and we were sold. He's part Maine Coon, which explains his mellow and cuddly demeanor. Great cat.
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