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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
My 100 miles began in July when we celebrated my niece's 40th birthday by walking the 40 miles along the Pictured Rocks National Forest shoreline. My niece, her 14 year old daughter, and I actually completed 60 miles in those three days, the rest of our family joining us for the final 15. It was truly one of the best experiences of my lifetime, the scenery along the trail rendering us completely speechless at times. My husband and our 12 pound shih tzu joined me for most of the rest of the 100 over the next months, the miles completed mostly on weekend camping trips at or near Soldier Lake, Michigan. The last 15, we completed back at Pictured Rocks earlier this month.
An amazing adventure...we had talked of hiking sections of the NCT system in Alger County, MI for years. We had done a few miles here and there, but this challenge was the impetus to get us out there! We formed a four some with another couple; and hiked many new sections. We plan to continue this journey, and to do new sections in Alger County to finish it…then venture into Marquette and Schoolcraft Counties! We hope this challenge is extended for 2017!! - Debra
Being invited to work on the 100 Mile Challenge by two close friends was just the encouragement my wife and I needed to finally make serious progress on hiking all of the North Country Trail that is within our County. It was a great experience, and allowed us to view many beautiful areas that we would have otherwise never seen. Thanks so much for creating this challenge. It was just the boost we needed. - Scott
When the four of us heard of the “Hike 100 Challenge” in late April, we didn’t waste any time getting started since the North Country Trail runs through our county here in the U.P., as does Pictured Rocks and the Hiawatha National Forest. We worked in sections of 26 hikes in all, adding to 101.5 miles. All in all, we agree that it was great fun and a learning experience—the beautiful forests around us; animals, trees, ferns, flowers. Etc. - Betty
226,000 steps! That’s what I estimate my wife Betty fulfilled to complete our 100 miles. We started back in April with our good friends Debbie and Scott and finished in October during peak fall color season. All of our miles were performed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula among some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere including places like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Rock River Canyon Wilderness Area, McCormick Tract Wilderness Area, Laughing Whitefish Falls Scenic Area and Hiawatha National Forest. Thank you so much for creating this Challenge as it has incentivized us to explore so much more of the beautiful place where we live than if we had not had the challenge to motivate us. So what challenge do you have for us next year? Photo attached was taken after completion of our 100 miles. - Michael
From left, Mike Snable, Betty Rainwater, Debbie Laurie and Scott Hickman.
I hiked 258.2 miles on the Superior Hiking trail – from the 270 degree overlook near the Canadian border to Hartley Nature Center in Duluth in 14 days. The scenery was more beautiful than I could have imagined – the raging rivers, meandering streams, foggy lakes, swimming moose, startled grouse and even the slippery mud pits make this trail special. Days were spent solo hiking, but I loved it when I arrived at camp to at least one other person – so many stories and trail tales!
Deere Asylum, VA / USA - November 2020: The bus stop outside of the admission and release building on an abandoned mental hospital campus.
A summer project of hiking the NCT from the East boundary of the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota, heading West to Itasca State Park, and the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River started with spring (in May) and finished with fall (in early November). The NCT was in excellent condition and ran through an outstandingly beautiful section of northern Minnesota.
I started the 100 mile challenge on January 1, 2016 on a frigid Michigan day after an ice storm--the trail conditions were treacherous, and I wondered what I got myself into. I finished my 100 miles on July 19 in Gun Lake, but I just kept hiking. Over the past twelve months I've hiked 185 miles on the NCT--mostly here in Michigan--but I've also hiked in Watkins Glen, Mt. Morris and at the origin point in Crown Point, NY. I doubted whether I could do this when I set out on January 1. Now, I love the trail and cannot imagine my life without it. I've spent considerable time on other trails, but this one is special because it's in my "back yard" and I've loved watching four seasons unfold on the NCT. What a blessing it is to be able to be part of this amazing trail and to share it with others. I know there are more adventures and learning opportunities out on the NCT, and 2017 is going to see more mud, dust, and snow as I keep my boots on this special ground.
Our twin daughters turned one on the Centennial which made the day very special! Made my first trip to the UP to hike Pictured Rocks. Thanks to my wife and to all the chapters for their hard work maintaining the trail.
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 2016, 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.