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The NCT is a family priority. As a family we have maintained a 4 mile section of the trail for the last 10 years with enthusiasm. We also enjoy volunteering on other sections when help is needed. I can't imagine not having this treasure that helped shape our two sons into pure outdoor enthusiasts with a volunteer spirit. No as they transition to their adult life, the passion just burns stronger. Photos: Tyler Davis
Hiked with my husband. Most of the hikes were close to home. We started in April and did about 6 miles a week through August. It was fun seeing the forest change with the seasons. The plants, flowers, and mushrooms we saw changed week by week. I might want to do this again! I didn't know we had such nice trails nearly in my own neighborhood. - Laura
My wife and I greatly enjoy hiking and as we live only a few miles from the National Headquarters of the NCT in Lowell, MI we have a lot of opportunity to hike the NCT. We hiked most sections of the trail twice, out and back from the trailheads. We were able to do nearly every trail section in Kent and Barry Counties and still found time to do some sections near where I grew up, namely White Cloud and Bitely, Michigan. Along the way, we saw many wonderful wildflowers found and logged a bunch of geocaches (my other hobby) and even saw where a bear had crawled up on the boardwalk near the White River and left lots of scratches and a pretty clear footprint. We hit one snag at the end of July. I kicked my son's bedpost and broke a toe. After a two week hiatus, we started again, not knowing if I could finish the 100 miles before snow flew. I toughed it out, with the permission of my doctor ("Don't do anything stupid and let pain be your guide") doing the last 36.6 miles with care. - Joseph
I traveled to Nepal in December 2010. At the time, I was new to digital photography and did not know how to process photos. I recently went through some of my favorites, and processed the raw files with ON1 Photo Raw 2024. Enjoy!
I began my challenge on January 5th (my 65th birthday) retracing part of the Shoe Year's Day Hike in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area close to our home in Holland, Michigan. In July my hiking buddy and I did the Jordan River Pathway. Two hikes in August coincided with my dog Maddy's rehab appointments in Rockford, MI. Milo (Maddy's brother) and I hiked the White Pine Trail and the Rogue River State Game Area section (too much gun fire!), I decided to finish the 100 mile challenge by completing the 42.4 mile Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trail to challenge my hiking legs and my backcountry camping abilities. Trying to stay local, the gap was filled with the Battle Creek section and the Paul Henry trail in Middleville. 1 day - hiking in the rain, 1/2 day at the Munising Urgent Care Center for a hatchet accident to my thumb, 2 days of cloudless skies, and the last day of muddy trail near Munising Falls and I was done!!! Great goal, great memories, great challenge. Thank you!
Hiked with my husband. Most of the hikes were close to home. We started in April and did about 6 miles a week through August. It was fun seeing the forest change with the seasons. The plants, flowers, and mushrooms we saw changed week by week. I might want to do this again! I didn't know we had such nice trails nearly in my own neighborhood. - Laura
My wife and I greatly enjoy hiking and as we live only a few miles from the National Headquarters of the NCT in Lowell, MI we have a lot of opportunity to hike the NCT. We hiked most sections of the trail twice, out and back from the trailheads. We were able to do nearly every trail section in Kent and Barry Counties and still found time to do some sections near where I grew up, namely White Cloud and Bitely, Michigan. Along the way, we saw many wonderful wildflowers found and logged a bunch of geocaches (my other hobby) and even saw where a bear had crawled up on the boardwalk near the White River and left lots of scratches and a pretty clear footprint. We hit one snag at the end of July. I kicked my son's bedpost and broke a toe. After a two week hiatus, we started again, not knowing if I could finish the 100 miles before snow flew. I toughed it out, with the permission of my doctor ("Don't do anything stupid and let pain be your guide") doing the last 36.6 miles with care. - Joseph
Last Christmas my daughter, Hannah, and I gave the gift of a commitment to meet the Challenge 100 goal of 100 miles on the NCT. We started in February of 2015 and just kept going. We had a blast hiking the various trails around our Walker, MN home, taking with us Clover, Hannah's dog, every time, and my wife, Genell, and grandchild, Keeda, sometimes. The blow-down of trees was striking and created many obstacles. Fortunately we live almost on top of the trail and access was easy. We are a 2 Subaru family ('95 Forrester and '13 Forrester) which we used to get further out and back on the trail. We were glad to see Subaru as a sponsor. We found two spots we will visit frequently; they are so beautiful. We are so thankful for this trail and the opportunity it provides to walk these north woods off the vehicle path.
Hiked with my husband. Most of the hikes were close to home. We started in April and did about 6 miles a week through August. It was fun seeing the forest change with the seasons. The plants, flowers, and mushrooms we saw changed week by week. I might want to do this again! I didn't know we had such nice trails nearly in my own neighborhood. - Laura
My wife and I greatly enjoy hiking and as we live only a few miles from the National Headquarters of the NCT in Lowell, MI we have a lot of opportunity to hike the NCT. We hiked most sections of the trail twice, out and back from the trailheads. We were able to do nearly every trail section in Kent and Barry Counties and still found time to do some sections near where I grew up, namely White Cloud and Bitely, Michigan. Along the way, we saw many wonderful wildflowers found and logged a bunch of geocaches (my other hobby) and even saw where a bear had crawled up on the boardwalk near the White River and left lots of scratches and a pretty clear footprint. We hit one snag at the end of July. I kicked my son's bedpost and broke a toe. After a two week hiatus, we started again, not knowing if I could finish the 100 miles before snow flew. I toughed it out, with the permission of my doctor ("Don't do anything stupid and let pain be your guide") doing the last 36.6 miles with care. - Joseph
As a group, we live in and about the Chequamegon National Forest through which the Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association runs. What a great adventure our mixed gender/age/ability group of us have had seeking out various sections of the trail to enjoy. Winter, spring, summer and into a wonderful fall as a group we have taken on the 100 mile challenge. Many have finished the challenge others have only a few miles to go. Watching the weather it is clear the next hike may be on snowshoes.
It was a little rushed at the end to get the last 25 miles done. Many projects to complete this year but feeling a lot of gratitude that my NCT 100 was a priority. Glad that my wife and I were able to do most of it together. Saw some great trails throughout Central NY that are literally in our backyard. It was indeed helpful that you provided the incentive. Looking forward to doing more next year. Thanks