NCT/MRT Loop

“Ok guys, time to do one of my favorite trails again! Hopefully it will be just a little drier than last time, but if not, hey we'll still have a blast!!
last edited: 2/23/05 6:30:38 AM”

“NCT/MRT or NCT/MTR?”

“lol ta MHH
thats what I get for posting early in the morning!”

“I'm in. ;)”

“Ah-h-h..just wanted to make sure..for all I know there's a trail named that..take pictures! It could be beautiful up there in the snow!”

“Aw drat! School that weekend. Wouldn't want to move it up one would you? ;)”

“I'm thinking about it, hmmmmm must look at the calendar (that's my birthday weekend doncha know!)”

“Actually it's the weekend after, but that doesn't mean I can't bring cake does it?”

“I wanna go too!!”

“What town are ya'll starting at?”

“I will meet you on the MRT on Saturday sometime after noon. Give me an idea of where you might be located on the MRT and can I get a ride back to my car from the Red Bridge to Seaton CG on Sunday AM?

Also, either weekend of the 19th or 26th works for me if there is going to be a change. Any other time, I am out.
last edited: 2/23/05 9:56:01 AM”

“Wolfie, the 26th is still Easter weekend, you goof.”

“Yes,I know but I can go away that weekend. I don't have kids nor do I celebrate Easter.”

“We are in!


8)”

“"nor do I celebrate Easter"

I celebrate "norEasters"”

“dhutch!

My birthday's that Saturday! When's Yours?

I can't go though. I have to take pictures for a fashion show... :-( If it was in Early April I could go!”

“Actually, How about moving it to 2 weeks after?! Please Please Please??! Thinkbubelz and I might actually be able to go then!

Unfortunatley for me, work is usually insanely busy until May... :-(”

“Sorry ladies, fraid I can't change the dates :(

BMS - I'll fill ya in on this trip on our way down to the AHT

Wolfie - I'm guessing we will prolly be crossing the Little Mac somewhere around 1-1:30 ish Sat. afternoon and I'm sure we can figure out a way to get you back to Seaton CG :)

D - my wife says we'll bring cake if you bring ice cream!! :)”

“okee dokeee UP :-) I look forward to meeting you both.

pink. My birthday is actually during the week prior.”

“Went out with Northwest Indiana Backpacking and Adventure Club last weekend for the first time. Looking to meet up for this one as well. How many miles are we looking at? Any link to trail map?”

“20-22 miles depending on who you ask :)
I've got a map around here somewhere, I'll dig it out and email ya a copy if you want”

“Thanks UPluver. I found a web-site with an excellent description of the loop. No hurry on the map, but if you get a chance that would be great. Looking forward to the trip and hoping for good weather.”

“I'll be thinking of you guys while I'm warm and cozy... :-) Not quite ready or prepared for a winter adventure... :-) Hopefully, Thinkbubelz and I can go up with you guys this spring sometime!”

“http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/hiking_manistee.htm
Manistee River Trail has information and a map
also the nct segmant A show the area of the loop.
Hope that helps out”

“maybee...”

“Okay, so I tried to join as a maybe, but it wouldn't let me.”

“You have to join, then change your status.”

“Hey WK ya only have to join ONCE!!!!
LMAO”

“Everyone ready to winter camp? There's about 18" of snow up there... Since I've never camped in the snow before, does anyone have any advice for me??

UPLuver - Looks like Boy Scout won't be joining me. Since I quit my job, he has to work that weekend :) Oops!”

“Wished I could've joined this one, but I am going to be out of the state.”

“moosie I blame YOU for this!!! lol
I don't care....bring on the snow....we're goin to have a blast anyway!”

“This might be a stupid question. But how deep is the snow on the trail, does anyone know? I know that MM says that there is 18" of snow, but might there be less then on the trail than the surrounding area?”

“Ruby - I'm gonna try to do a little investigating today.....see what I can find out about how much snow is actually up there!”

“Here's a link to the website I used to make my semi-educated guesstimate on the snow depth. The area directly around the river has 9-20", with some patches of 20-39" near Hodenpyl Dam pond. So there might actually be as little as 9" in places...

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html?var=ssm_depth&dy=2005&dm=3&dd=13&dh=6&snap=1&o4=1&o5=1&o6=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&min_x=-87.925416666658&min_y=42.30500068664&max_x=-84.050416666658&max_y=46.18000068664&coord_x=-85.870&coord_y=44.329&metric=0&bgvar=dem&width=512&height=512&nw=512&nh=512&type=3&js=1&uc=0&mode=zoomin&submit1=0&ql=station&zf=4.0”

“So snowshoes are in order?”

“Kinda looks that way Ruby....oughta make for an interesting hike :)”

“Have fun everyone... My birthday's on the 19th-- I will be hanging out in East Lansing photographing a student fashion show. :-)

Not much snow left in Northwest Detroit area... :-(
I was hoping for at least 1 or 2 more dayhikes on my snowshoes, but unless we get a lot of snow, It probably won't happen....”

“I'm not going to make it :-( Anoteher time soon though. I have a family get together on Sun and 18" of snow does not allow for that bike workout.

Have fun and be safe all!”

“So is anyone going to try this trip w/o snowshoes or does everyone consider them a must?”

“I'm not going but have been on this trail bunches of times. I would recommend snowshoes if there's 18 inches of snow. It's alot of ups and downs and you'll get tired of postholing for twenty-two miles.”

“Yeah, we've done the loop about 4-5 times now and are somewhat hesitant to do it without snowshoes if there is still that much snow on the ground. Unless, maybe there has been quite a bit of trail use recently (and not much new snow) and they have compacted the trail down. O'course, this time of year I doubt that there has been that much use.
Also, thanks for the input!
last edited: 3/14/05 9:33:00 PM”

“Even if it's compacted you might want the metal treads that most shoes have on em (think about that little bit of trail on the MRT side that's a shear cliff). I'm anxious to hear a trip report! Have a great time.”

“Wow. That many miles in 18" is a long way, even with snow shoes. I hope the trail is broken for ya.

A few of us did a trip a couple weekends back. Our second day's hike was only about four miles but it was on unbroken trail and 18" snow. With the slow hiking and long (necessary) breaks, that four miles took us nearly four hours. Broken trail certainly makes it a lot easier.

Watch out if the temps get into the 30s and there's sun. That snow sure gets heavy on the snowshoes. My legs got quite a workout.

Have a great time. Can't wait to see pics of the Manistee in winter.”

“LOL, so I see that the "ahem" other board also has a NCT/MRT loop trip planned for the same weekend. In fact, it looks like everyone is planning on staying at the Red Bridge area Friday night, so let's all remember to be civil..:)”

“LMAO @ CnC, the guy that posted that trip on the other side is one wierd dude....I don't know if I can be civil with him or not!!!!



OH and btw....if there is to much snow up there we might just do some car shuffling and just do the MRT side....I figure we can decide that on Sat. morning.

Wolfie - you got mail :)
last edited: 3/16/05 4:51:16 PM”

“Is there gonna be a rumble?

"When you're a "the"
You're a "the" all the way
From your first trolling post
To your last dyin' day..."”

“It is not allowing me to change my status damnit! It's all Bush's fault!

GRRRRRRRRR! I need a beer.

OH, I cannot make it. Sorry”

“I'm so glad you posted the UP. I've been getting a little worried.


So when is everyone planning to arrive?”

“I'm so glad you posted the UP. I've been getting a little worried.
Not the WHOLE UP just a little bit of it :p~~ lol
As far as arrival times....I'm gonna try to get up there around 4 or so.

Here are the "offical" directions to the campsite we are gonna be camping at on Fri. night.

Park at Red Bridge

Walk west up the road till you see a trail on your right that has some round timbers buried halfway in the ground (probably a couple of hundred yards or so)

Walk north (crossing over the main trail running E-W at that point

Follow an old logging road North a couple hundred yds. It will eventually curve to the West, where you will find US!!

I plan on hanging some glow sticks along the trail for anyone coming in after dark!

Come on Fri!!!

Oh yeah several ppl called the Manistee Ranger station and they only have a couple of inches of snow there, but they said they weren't sure about the trail.”

“Just to clarify my previous post about the other side was done with tongue planted firmly in cheek.”