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Post by Coolkat on Nov 17, 2015 9:33:15 GMT -8
Any Michigan readers here? Next spring I'm thinking about doing a hiker closer to home. I know there is about 120 miles of the North Country Trail that runs through the Manistee National Forest. I'm wondering if anyone tell me what they consider the best 40 mile section?
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 565 
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Post by daveg on Nov 23, 2015 21:18:54 GMT -8
This past fall I hiked the NCT from Croton Dam to the Udell trailhead. The best ~40 mile stretch (in my opinion) was between Nichols Lake (11 Mile Road) and the Sauble Lakes (5 Mile Road). It's easy trail. At about the halfway point, there's a beautiful campsite at Bowman Lake which is not marked on the trail map.
Years ago I hiked north of the Udell trailhead -- NCT to Manistee River Trail then back to the NCT to Sand Lakes (near Traverse City). That takes you out of the Manistee National Forest and into the Pere Marquette State Forest, but there are some real pretty stretches along that route. |
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Post by Coolkat on Nov 24, 2015 7:07:38 GMT -8
Thanks Dave, tonight I'll take a loot at my maps and start getting some ideas together. I haven't done much in the Lower Peninsula but in the UP I've done from St. Ignace to Muskallonge lake and of course Grand Marias to Munising.
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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 9, 2016 11:57:21 GMT -8
The NCT / Manistee River Loop has always been a "local" favorite for me, coming from Chicago. Just a really scenic loop that has a lot of variety. Not always a place to find solitude, but probably one of the more scenic hikes in the lower P.
Have you considered the HIgh Country Pathway?
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 9, 2016 16:35:48 GMT -8
The NCT / Manistee River Loop has always been a "local" favorite for me, coming from Chicago. Just a really scenic loop that has a lot of variety. Not always a place to find solitude, but probably one of the more scenic hikes in the lower P. Have you considered the HIgh Country Pathway? I'm not sure how many times I've done the MRT/NCT loop. It's definitely one the best hikes in lower Michigan. However, it's become so popular now that they were forced to add campsites last summer in spots where people were camping anyway. I'll still continue to do it but I'll probably start camping away from these spots. Ahh yes! Thanks for reminding me of the High Country Pathway. I'll look into that again. Nice to hear from someone who is familiar with the same trails. |
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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 10, 2016 11:15:05 GMT -8
I think I am up 6 trips now. Lots of unofficial camps spots on the MRT side--most of which are within 100' of water and roads, but I guess necessity dictates this. Thankfully it is still quite clean from my experience.
A trip around N. Manitou might be nice, especially if you incorporate some beach walking.
Another fun weekend trip I did was combining Ludington State Park and Nordhouse Dunes. We parked at LSP and took the trail system to the northern boudardy and then crossed into the dune area near Lake Hamlin, navigating by dead reckoning. We re-entered forest, found an road and trail and eventually found our way north and then west to the shore. We returned via the shore to the lighthouse, reconnecting with the LSP trail system. EZ PZ if you don't mind a bit of wandering.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 18:14:09 GMT -8
I'm planning an NCT trip from 40th St. (South of White Cloud) and Nichols Lake for mid to late May. Anyone been on that stretch? Camping recommendations? Will there be any problem finding enough good water?
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
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Post by daveg on Feb 26, 2016 21:53:49 GMT -8
Mark -- Just to be clear. Are you hiking from 40th Street to Nichols Lake? I hiked through that section last fall. Be glad to check my journal and photos for specifics. How many days are you planning to be on the trail?
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