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Post by bigbearchaseme on Mar 11, 2018 9:36:57 GMT -8
Hi,
New to site, but i am looking for other hikers in MI that are looking for the same and maybe trade some good trials to hike. I tend to hike with family, but they are not the biggest into over nights.I like to do 2 or 3 day hikes mostly. Considered to be more then a newby, but don't get into crazy light weight hiking. I like to enjoy the trail and get some exercise and even stop for some fishing but can do 10 + miles a day if necessary.
I have done MT Katahdin, some other AT sections. Done some hiking in Yellowstone . Interest are mostly loop trails on the West side of MI and the UP.
look forward to hearing from some fellow Michiganders.
Bigbearchaseme
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Post by jeffgerst2407 on Mar 13, 2018 23:28:07 GMT -8
I'm interested. :D
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Post by bigbearchaseme on Mar 15, 2018 13:59:34 GMT -8
Good to hear, I am trying to work out a 2 day hike at the Manistee River trial the last weekend of April 28th and 29th. Have a lot of new gear needs to be tested out. it would be a 3.5 hour drive for me to get there and looking to head out 8 or 9 am the 28th, assuming the weather is some what decent. let me know if your interested. www.theoutbound.com/michigan/backpacking/backpack-the-manistee-river-trail-loop# |
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Post by motocross269 on Mar 26, 2018 9:15:02 GMT -8
Just a heads up...I got an email from the North Country Trail club that the Red Bridge at Coates road will be closed for contruction this Summer..Don't know the exact dates. If it is closed that will make it tough to do the Manistee/NCT loop.. You could always packraft..  Here is a link Red river bridge closedI'm from Michigan and am working on the NCT 100 mile challenge this summer...So I may be interested on linking up for some hiking.. I work a crazy schedule so sometimes it can be tough to work around. I planned on hiking just North of the Manistee loop over the next two days but they are calling for rain tommorrow..The rain doesn't bother me but combine it with the melting snow and mud it sounds like it could be a slop fest but I am going to give it a shot anyway... |
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Post by bigbearchaseme on Mar 28, 2018 13:06:37 GMT -8
Thanks for that update! that changes the plan a bit. Guess no loop, unless there is a shallow area, but that early in the season i wouldn't think so.
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jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 2,971 
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Post by jazzmom on Mar 29, 2018 3:41:55 GMT -8
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 29, 2018 9:51:44 GMT -8
Well that is a bummer. That is probably the best loop hike that we trolls have. However, there is another loop just north of there called Fife Lake Loop Trail. The scenery isn't as nice and water is a bit more scarce but it's still nice. Just don't compare it to the Manistee Loop while hiking. www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/fife-lake-loop-trail/There is getting to be a pretty strong Michigan & midwest presence here. I think it was zipposdad who suggested we do a pickle gulch type event. Might be something to think about. |
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RedDoug
Trail Wise!
Trail active, stand back.....
Posts: 634 
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Post by RedDoug on Mar 29, 2018 13:02:17 GMT -8
I'm still a Michigan hiker. so far I have the only NCT decal on my car that I have seen here in Arizona. It's right next to my AZT decal. Linear trails can be worked out, too, with a bit of planning. There was a time when I lived in Michigan in one city. A friend in another city would drive up to do, say the Fox River Pathway. He would start on a Friday leaving his car at a certain TH. then he would start hiking. I would arrive on Sunday at where he wanted to quit. My key would be left where he knew where to find it. When he got to car he would get in and drive it back to his car and when I arrived 2- 3 days later my car would be waiting for me. We did that 3- 4x. It always worked out well for both of us. As long as he finished on schedule......  |
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RedDoug
Trail Wise!
Trail active, stand back.....
Posts: 634
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Post by RedDoug on Mar 29, 2018 13:07:02 GMT -8
Also, the best loop in the lower LP is the High Country Pathway- 65- 70 miles depending on how you start/finish. Nice variety of landscapes, good water and a quality wilderness experience.
It's located NE of Gaylord. When I was in Michigan I could do that loop in 3 nights/4 days, usually. I did it in 2 nights/3 days once.
That was the trail I used to get in shape for section hikes on the CDT.
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Post by motocross269 on Mar 30, 2018 9:50:44 GMT -8
Big Bear...If your going to meet someone at the Manistee river loop you could pull off the loop pretty easy with 2 cars...There is parking on the East side of Red Bridge on Coates road... You can park one car there.. Then drive around the block someplace where you can cross the river and park the other car at the Red Bridge boat launch...And start your hike on the North Country trail....Both vehicles would be on Coates Road....The only thing you would miss is the road walk across Red Bridge...
I wouldn't give up on the Manistee river trail because of the Red Bridge construction, I was just pointing it out as something you need to consider for planning....The parking on the East side of the river is well established and I usually park there so there is no worries there as far as accessibility...basically you would have a car parked on each side of the river on Coates road within about an 1/8 of a mile of each other...There is a ton of options you can pull off with 2 vehicles...If you post a date and I am up north I may be able to help you out with a shuttle...I would probably just do an out and back on the NCT but let me know...
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Post by motocross269 on Apr 18, 2018 9:28:55 GMT -8
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Post by bigbearchaseme on Apr 24, 2018 17:00:46 GMT -8
i'm going Saturday morning. Only going to hike to the bridge , but what is the best parking spot (safe ) ?? since it looks like the Seaton creek camp ground doesn't open till June and not sure if the parking is open . looking to start out around 9 to 10 am.
any detail would be appreciated.
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Post by motocross269 on Apr 27, 2018 9:11:28 GMT -8
I have been parking at the entrance to the Hopendyl dam with no issues..Just drive past the Seaton Creek campground (West) down the road about a mile where it ends and park there..Right by the power line..Don't block any gates and you will be fine..As far as being safe I guess it is as safe as any place else up and down the trail.. That will put you at the North end of the trail..If you want to park in the middle there is a trailhead a little more than half way down that has parking at Slagle creek road off from 30 mile..
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Post by motocross269 on Apr 27, 2018 9:20:17 GMT -8
Here is one of the better USGS maps I have found of the trail.. USGS Manistee river trailYou can see where the main gravel road dead ends just past the turn off to Seaton Creek campground.. |
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Post by bigbearchaseme on May 2, 2018 4:31:02 GMT -8
Hiked the full loop this weekend and the weather was great! The bridge was open and was able to cross it. Looked like they hadn't done any work on it yet.Very crowded , must have seen 3 big vans dropping off about 25 teenagers at one point.
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