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Hiking the North Country Trail on Oct. 16 north of Lake Owen in Bayfield Co, WI my wife and I hiked through a 1.5 mile section of sugar maples trees in full golden color. The canopy was like golden stars and the maple shrubs carpeted the forest floor with thousands of gold sparks. A magical moment on the North Country Trail.
I started this journey with my son, to get into shape for Scout camp. Shortly after we started hiking, it was clear to me that my body just couldn't handle it. My doctor was getting angry with me because I kept pushing myself, so after only 20 miles, I decided maybe the doctor was correct. I stopped hiking. Then after a while of feeling depressed because I love being outside and loved the hiking, I decided to go against my doctors orders, I was going to finish this thing. I started hiking again after the kids went to school, so there was no one to stop me. I then injured my foot at home, and was laid up for 6 weeks, thinking I would never finish, but I was determined to prove to myself, my kids, and the world, I am not a quitter. I don't give up. Last week, I started out on Monday needing 46 miles to finish the challenge. So I pushed myself to finish before snow comes and covers Michigan and locks me indoors. I finished yesterday. A beautiful Day! Thank you for the Challenge. I did it!
I started with a day trip on the NCT, north of the US10 highway in the Manistee State Forest where a two-lane dirt track meandered through the woodlands. A road trip to the Marquette area gave me an opportunity to walk the trail by Little Presque Isle which borders on Lake Superior and offered stunning vistas of the shoreline. My greatest challenge was another road trip to Marquette where I completed 55 miles in a 4-day time span. A portion of the trail was conjoined with the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and sites along the trail were the Chocolay River, Carp River, ore dock, Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse, McCarty’s Cove, Picnic Rocks, and the Lake Superior shoreline. Tahquamenon Falls was another stop where the autumn colors were glorious. Lastly I drove to Hillsdale which is the nearest point of the NCT to my home. The trail ran along the Baw Beese Lake and offered stunning visuals of the fall foliage. All mileage was calculated using my smart phone and Pedometer software.
What a wonderful experience this was. I finished up my 100 miles on the Lowell portion of the NCT. Just before I hit the mile marker, I crossed paths with a coyote somewhere between the Boy Scout Cabin and Fallasburg Park. Man, that was such an honor to witness! When I finished my hike that afternoon I asked myself, "What's next for me now that I have completed my 100 mile goal?" Then it hit me: I still have over 4000 miles of the NCT that I need to explore! I cannot wait to hike the next 100 miles and beyond. It's been a great hike so far, but I know I have a lot more to accomplish on the NCT in the future.
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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.
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!