North Country Trail Hike?

“Hey, I saw your trip posted for the NCT! sounds like the hike a group of us did in October, so I'm posting a message to see if anyone else will be doing this trip....

If our schedule will allow, Thinkbubelz & I might be interested in going, too! :-)

(Hopefully, no cold rain this time!)”

“I might be in for this! but I have to see if'n im off that weekend or not”

“bump”

“Hey pink, just an fyi :)
I think he's actually planning on starting south of Red Bridge and hiking back to it....which will still be a very cool hike...just wanted to make sure ppl know it's not actually the NCT/MRT loop.”

“I see.... is it very different from what we hiked in October?”

“I'm guessing it's a lot like the NCT side....not sure how much water you're gonna see. Only one way to find out...Hike it and see! :D”

“Hey everyone, Yes, don't confuse this trip with the MRT/NCT loop. This would be a 30 mile NCT linear hike, starting at Freesoil rd. hiking north, and ending at the Upper Manistee trailhead, which is just west of Red bridge on Coates Hwy.”

“Hey everyone-
I just moved from Nashville to Chicago, and I'm going through outdoors withdrawal due to the lack of hiking/caving/climbing/paddling in this area. Is anyone here (or around here) that has a word of advice?”

“Yeah....Move anywhere but chicago!!!!!! you are way too many miles from anything good :(”

“Hey, registered as maybe but I am almost certain I can make it. Was just up in the area last weekend and did the NCT/MRT loop. Look forward to checking out more of the NCT. Will be coming from South Bend, IN if anyone is in this area or on the way.”

“Hi BFB, hopefully all will go as planned from my end as well? I think, I'm a little too far out of your way, being in Canton, Mi?
As for myself, I'll know the weekend prior to this trip, if, I'm a lock or not? That's why I posted this trip as tenitive? I'll post a message here on 6-18 or soonner as to my plans. I may even be able to go on the weekend of 6-18 instead of 6-25 if, this works out better for more people?
last edited: 5/24/05 7:08:42 PM”

“Ncthiker you're about twenty minutes away from me and Birch! We're in Livonia.”

“Great, does this mean you guys are joining the hike?

BTW, Nice pics on your site. One of these days, I'd like to hike the Fox river pathway. This past April, I finally finished the HCP, hiking the northern section Clear Lk. to Pine Grove SFCG.

Mike
last edited: 5/25/05 9:37:56 AM”

“I'd love to but have school that weekend, unfortunately. Usually have at least one weekend that I have eight hour days at school, per month. How about trying to meet up for a dayhike or overnighter at Waterloo-Pinkney sometime? Or maybe we can catch you on another section hike. The sections around the MRT are really nice, enjoy the hike!

Thanks for the compliment. I'd love to head back to the Fox River Pathway this fall. It's a great hike simply becasue you don't see another soul the enire time you're there. Throw in the blueberries, wolf and bear tracks everywhere, the history of the area and the fact that it's in the UP but not a twleve hour drive and it's a perfect place.
last edited: 5/25/05 10:51:35 AM”

“Yes, I would interested in doing a overnight trip or day hikes as you've suggested? We could start at Clear lk.rd and camp at Green lake, then finish the hike at Silver lk. beach parking lot? FYI, I could change the NCT trip date to the weekend prior, if, this would allow yourself and others to join?”

“That might be a possibility. I'll have to see if we can rope a gramma into watching our four year old. I'll let you know asap.”

“NCThiker, We can't find anyone available to watch our little one so count us out. Holler if you're interested in doing a weekend overnighter at Waterloo-Pinkney or a dayhike or something. Email's in the profile.
Have fun on the NCT!”

“Thanks Sass, No problem, I didn't realize that the wk.end of the 18th was fathers day, so I, wouldn't have gone anyway, sorry, I should have let you known this, sooner? I'm definitly a lock for the 24th-26th hopefully things will cool down a bit as well! BFB is going now too and I might get one or two friends to join as well.”

“Cool beans, BFB is a nice guy. You guys'll have fun!”

“Hi BFB, I see you signed on for the trip. I know its a bit early, but what time would you like to meet at the Upper Manistee trailhead on Fri.6/24, and do you know where it is? If you prefer, you can e-mail me instead?”

“The earlier the better. I will be coming from South Bend, IN so I have 3 3/4 hours to Red Bridge. Did the loop a few weeks ago so I know where I am going. I could be there mid-morning or drive up Thursday night and camp at Red Bridge for early shuffle to the start. Do you have preference?”

“BFB, I work afternoons, So, I won't be leaving until Fri., btwn. 6:00-7:00am. This should put me at the Upper Manistee trailhead btwn. 11:00-12:00pm which is a 1/2 mile west of Red bridge. Also, I might have 2 others coming up with me, So, this would make 4 of us, unless more join?”

“sounds good to me. why don't we just count on like noon michigan time. that way I can go either thursday or friday morning.”

“Y'all should have fun. Would love to join ya but I'm headed to Wisc for a wedding that weekend.

Hi BFB. Great to meet you at Nordhouse. Got some great shots of Marshall... and the groups, too. I'll see what I can do about getting them on webshots soon.

Hi ncthiker... I'm also in SE Mich. Just north of ya in W Blmfld/Commerce area.”

“Hey BFB, Yes, 12:00pm is fine with me as well. Also, I might only work 4 hrs on thursday and drive up thurs. night,leaving about 9:00 pm. So, this would put me up there at around 12:30-1:00am. I'll let you know of my plans for sure, by early next week?

Hi, Tarabull. Too bad you can't join us. Hopefully, some other time?
I'm thinking about going to Isle Royale again the week of Sept.5th
I'd like to hike the Minong and Greenstone together?”

“Oops, sorry tarabull, When I mentioned hiking the Minong and Greenstone together, I meant, linking the two trails together for a possible, future hike, not just the two of us hiking together.LOL

Btw,I see by your web-shots you've already been there and done that.

Great bunch of trip pics. too!”

“lol. I understood!

Yup. I have been there and done that. And, would happily do it again (and again) but... I start my student teaching in late August and will have to focus on that til December. Not much hiking for me for the rest of the year.”

“Well, I guess you'll have Cross-Country skiing, to look forward too?”

“Tarabull--
Thinkbubelz & I will gladly snow shoe with you again! This winter, I should be able to keep up with you (after all of my walking!)”

“Hey BFB, I was thinking over the upcoming NCT trip, and if, its only you and myself going, we could pick an alternative hiking location? I just read a trail description on this NCT section and it sounds a little bland? Have you ever hiked the Jordan river trail? We can still go with the NCT trip as planned, But, I was just wondering what your thought's are concerning this?”

“I have heard good things about the Jordan River trail. There is only 1 spot to camp about 8 miles into the 16 mile loop. Not sure about permit or sign-up for the spot though. Good view or views on Jordan I hear. Doesn't really matter to me as I just want to get out for the weekend.”

“I wouldn't mind actually sticking with the NCT for 3 reasons: 1) Be nice to get a 30 mile trip in this month 2) Hard to spend two nights at Jordan River given length and only 1 camping spot allowed and 3) NCT is 1 1/2 hours closer for me and I have a very long drive to Pictured Rocks in early July. Open for discussion though.”

“There's a spot on Pinney Bridge Road you can camp. If you hike down dead man's hill, make a right and hike out to the road, make a right, hike down the road some there'll be a clearing on the left complete with campfire ring. I've stayed there before. It's probably three miles in and makes for a great first night camp.
Jordan River pathway is beautiful but busy.”

“Ok BFB, We'll stick with the NCT hike as planned. It might, just turn out to be a nice hike. We'll never now until, we try?”

“Thank's for the info., Sass., Sooner or later, I'll end up hiking JRT.”

“Holler when you do, it's one of my favorite places in MI.”

“HI BFB, When would you like to leave for the NCT trip, Thursday of Friday? It Doesn't really matter to me either way, except, we might have littlebenlost joining us and I don't know yet what time that he will be able to meet us on Thurs. night or Fri. morning/afternoon? I should hear back from him by Tues?”

“I have class until 10 PM on Thursday night so I wouldn't be able to be there until 2 am Friday morning. The late drive doesn't bother me so we can hit the trail early Friday or Friday around noon time. Probably better to hear from Ben and then decide.”

“BFB, I'll decide by tues. on what day and time that, I'll be leaving. I'm leaning more to leaving on thursday night and then just waiting for you and possibly, Ben to arrive, on friday? My friend, possibly, may not want to leave until Friday as well? We'll just play it by ear. We only have to hike 8 miles on friday, so, we could get on the trail, as late as 3:00pm and still have a few hours of daylight left, when we reach camp?”

“Hey NCThiker,
Unforunately I'm not going to be able to make this trip. Too much going on at work this week for me to take Friday off at the last minute. Definitely keep me posted of any trips going on in the future though.”

“LBL, sorry you can't make it, and yes, I'll keep everyone posted on future upcoming trips? Although, I'm probably finished with hiking after this trip, until, Sept/Oct., anyway?”

“Hey BFB, I'm still not sure when we're leaving. We might as well, Meet Friday at the Upper Manistee trailhead at 12:00pm?
If we do leave thursday night, I'll let you know wednesday? When do you plan on leaving?
If we all end up leaving Thursday, we can still meet at the same trailhead, We might be able to leave Thursday by 8:00-9:00pm?”

“NCT- my cell phone is 574-315-2463. I think I will leave late Thursday night (after class) so I won't get up there until really late (2 am). Plan on camping at Red Bridge thursday night. I drive a green honda civic with indiana plates and have a small yellow/blue REI tent so you can find me at Red Bridge Friday morning if you want. Otherwise I will meet you at the Upper Manistee Trailhead at noon Michigan time. Looking forward to it.”

“We'll be driving either a silver 05 Ford Explorer or a black 02 Ford Taurus.

Btw I'm Mike and my friend's name is Keith.
If we do go up Thurs. night, we should be able to find each other?

See you at Red Bridge.

Mike”

“Hey BFB, FYI, We'll be driving a black 02 Ford Taurus.
Looks like we should be leaving about 9:00-9:30pm Thurs. night, so we'll probably arrive about the same time as you or just a little before?
Friday is forecasted to be 87deg., so the earlier we start hiking the better?
BTW, whats your 1st name?”

“What, BFB can't be my first name? Ok, so it isn't. Brian. I will be up there about 2:30 am Michigan time. See you at Red Bridge very late tonight or when we wake in the morning.

If anything goes wrong just call my cell at 574-315-2463.

Yeah, good to get some miles behind us early.”

“As long as my friend, doesn't change his mind, we should be on the road by 9:00 pm tonight, if something does come up on his end then, we'll possibly leave Friday morning? I will know for sure tonight by 7:30pm and post it here, so, you'll know for sure. I don't expect him to back out at the last minute but, even if he does, I will still be there, no matter what?
last edited: 6/23/05 4:25:10 PM”

“Nice hiking with you and Keith over the weekend. Stay in touch and let's get out in the fall again after your sabatical.”

“It was good to have met and hiked with you as well Brian. Did you find any ticks on you or Marshy? I'm considering the Fox river trail in the U.P. on Oct.1-4, I already have one person with a car, that will be up there on Business that wk.end and is willing to hike it with me? He's hiked the trail before as well? Your welcome to join this too? This is only tenitive,so it could fall through. I definitly, want to hike the NCT from US-131 to M-37? This would give us about 67 miles total, of the trail under our belt's?
last edited: 6/27/05 6:26:33 PM”

“Both trips sound good to me. When the time comes just post it and I will see it, or e-mail me personally. Later”