UPPER MICHIGAN
listed east to west by Official NCTA Map Segment
 MI- August 18, 2006- near Brevort, Castle Rock Road to M-123 Map MI-08 South Segment:
Beardung and Kathloon hiked the section from Castle Rock to M123 on August 12 and 13. The first day we started on Castle Rock road and walked to Brevort lake 13 miles. It was very hilly with a lot of downed trees which required climbing over, under or around. The trail was very well marked. Lots of ATV damage. Cool lookout over high ridge- we could see the towers of the Mac bridge. Planned on camping at Brevort dam but site was already taken. Found another spot by lake. After we set up camp we found a sign that said campsite a few hundred feet to the west but it looked like a poor place to camp. Beautiful sunrise with mist on the water. Lake is very shallow.
Next day we hiked to camp ground to refill water bottles. Do not take the first road you come to after the dam as it leads to a private lot. The campground road is the next one and is paved and well marked. Much to our delight there was a camp store complete with ice cream and popsicles. They said a moose was spotted swimming across the lake 3 weeks earlier. We then hiked the rest of the 13 miles to a two track off of M123 where we had our truck waiting for us. This section also had a lot of downed trees and some was poorly marked. But we didn't get lost until we got to our two-track and went the wrong way which added a couple more miles to our hike once we figured it out. All in all it was a good time.
Hint: Try out any food you plan on eating before hand as we were starving after a long day of hiking and the rice stuff we had to eat was barely edible (but it filled us up). No bugs and weather was perfect. Even got to hear a loon (but didn't see any) which for Kathloon makes the sore legs worth it.
Submitted by hikers
MI- August 6, 2006- Brevoort Lake Campground to Naomikong Point Map MI-08 South & North Segments:
Brevoort Lake Campground to Naomikong Point - July 29 to August 1 and August 3
Note: July 2006 storms have been hard on the trail as blown down trees were observed througout this 65+ mile section of trail. Dry conditions this year minimized getting wet from tangled paths and pest insects. No need for bug repellant this week. Evidence of ORV trail usage observed near all lakes. Overall, any sudden changes in trail direction should be more clearly marked.
Brevoort Lake Campground to M123 - July 29
Overall conditions good and great. No problems finding or keeping on the trail - hiking with companion, map and GPS helps. Sudden changes in trail direction/conditions near a beaver pond (NE of Silver Creek) could be more clearly marked. Several blown down tree blocked the trail. Carp River area needs clearing.
M123 to Trout Brook Pond - July 30
Overall conditions good. No problems finding or keeping on the trail - hiking with companion, map or GPS is helpful. Trail conditions were a little rough with a vegatation covered path (wet in the morning dew), blown down trees and tangled path between M123 and Taylor Creek.
Taylor Creek to East Lake Road was much easier to travel with excellent recent trail clearing/maintenance between Taylor Creek and Keneth Road. Kenneth Road to Maple Hill was good but included diversions from the path because of blown down trees. Heavier blow-down of trees was experienced between Maple Hill and Trout Brook Pond. Overall, sudden changes in trail direction sometimes need to be more clearly marked.
Trout Brook Pond to Dick Road - Aug 3
Overall conditions good and great. No problems finding or keeping on the trail - hiking with companion, map or GPS is helpful. Travel from Trout Brook Pond to Biscuit Creek was wet in the morning dew because of the vegetation tangled path and numerous blown down trees. A few more trail markers would add comfort. Biscuit Creek to FR 3339 was easy because of excellent recent trail maintenance. FR 3339 to the Pine River was easy and I think has been cleaned and has been re-routed. Pine River to FR 3139 could use a few more trail markers and included typical trail blockage.
Dick Road to Soldier Lake - Jul 31
Overall conditions are poor to good. Hiking with companion, local familiarity, map and/or GPS is almost mandatory. Deliberate focus on finding or keeping on the trail between Dick Road and the Betchler Lakes was required and geographic familiarity helped a great deal. Downed trees, covered trail markers or missing markers added to the challenge. Betchler Lakes to FR 3339 was easy although some downed trees were a problem. FR 3339 to FR 3535 was difficult with numerous downed trees, tangled path and missing or obscured trail markers - this section should be condsidered higher priority for maintenance. Tangled paths will be very wet in the morning or after rain. Someone could easily get lost without a partner, map or GPS. FR 3335 to Soldier Lake was good but included downed trees (hiking in high heat was an extra challenge).
Soldier Lake to Naomikong Point - Aug 1
Overall conditions are good but included fallen trees. Hiking with companion, local familiarity, map and/or GPS is helpful.
Soldier Lake to the FR 3074 area was uneventful. We lost the trail somewhere around FR 3074 (we think we ended up on FR 3075) which served as a reminder that the trail markers need to be extra clear anywhere that the trail changes direction (my humble opinion). The trail was found again near Salt Point Road. Salt Point Road to Naomikong Point was good without any terrific effort required to find the path. Heavy fallen lumber was a challenge East of McNearney Lake but numerous downed trees blocked the path throughout. A few more trail markers might be helpful near FR 3156 (Avery Grade).
Brevoort Lake Campground to Naomikong Point was an excellent beautiful hike.
Submitted by Bill Courtois, hiker. Also see Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter
MI- April 30, 2006- near Brevort, Castle Rock Road to Kenneth Rd Map MI-08 South Segment:
The one thing this whole segment had in common was "BLOW DOWNS". Not impassable by any standards but slightly irritating. It would be nice if the Four-Wheeler Riders would bring a chainsaw, can of oil-mixed gasoline, jug of bar oil and a cooler of beer to perform a trail maintenance work-bee. Now onto the trail according to my recollection.
After starting from Castle Rock Rd., the trail joins up with an old forest road. The trail climbs to high ridges overlooking Hay Lake. I startled a Bald Eagle enough for it to take flight above the Hay Lake Marsh.
Trail departs Castle Rock Rd. and enters old lakeshore dunes. Had a nice view of the Mackinac Bridge before entering a thick spruce forest area. Crossed Pte. Aux Chennes River into a cedar swamp area.
No sign of fish in Aux Chennes. Left swampy area to cross the pipeline. Nice woods walk to H-57. Short hike to Brevort River. No sign of fish there also. Mileage marker says 2-3/4 miles to Brevort Lake Dam.
I believe it is much farther than that. Crossed Brevort River again. Some fish sign there. Fairly short walk up and down rolling hillsides to the dam.
Crossing the dam the trail heads into mixtures of rolling hills and hardwood flat areas. After crossing the road to Brevort Lake Campground, the trail sweeps on four or more steep switchbacks. Short road walk
Crosses the Little Brevort River. No fish sign there also. The trail goes past an old clearing area thru some nice mature red pine plantations. Crossing Worth Rd. the trail heads down some small draws then down a larger draw to Silver Creek. Water looked good but yielded no fish. Trail continues thru various cedar and hemlock stands. After crossing Burma Rd. the trail begins to utilize plank ways which are all in very nice shape. Much of the section is atop a earth berm that must have required a lot of effort to construct. Berm isn't wide enough to support logging equipment. After crossing the Carp River, a long section of plank ways make the hike pleasant. An old logging road is used after this section. I lost trail markers for about one mile on this road but crossed the NCT shortly before reaching M-123. Trail uses old rail grade after M-123 then heads east to parallel Bissell Creek thru more nice red pine plantations. More plank ways before and after Taylor Creek. Black rock mounds start to appear on the trail before crossing North Branch of the Carp River.
These rocks are great toe stubbers. Good place to twist the bottom of your foot off. Pay close attention to foot placement. After crossing the N.B. Carp, hang a left along the river. Markers are not visible until about 100 yards later. Trail continues thru mix of low swampy area and spruce thickets. Toe stubbing rocks are present the rest of the way to Kenneth Road.
In conclusion, trail layout in this area is excellent. Great plank ways and use of hillsides. As with other reports on segments in this area, tree removal would improve the hiking experience.
Submitted by Jodewha, hiker.
MI- January 6, 2006- near Brevort Map MI-08 South Segment:
When I hiked on the NCT near Brevort this summer, the bridge crossing Silver Creek about a 1/2 mile north of Worth Road remains in poor condition. I first reported that it was scheduled for removal in October of 2002 but perhaps funds have dried up for that task. It is usable, but one must be careful of the hole in the deck that is large enough for your foot to go through.
In case there is an interest in the trail to Little Brevoort Lake, here is a jpg file of the tracking map from my GPS. Note, the lake is spelled both Brevoort and Brevort. It can be accessed from the NCT where it meets NF-3108, aka Brevort Lake Rd,
(labeled Lake Head Rd on track map) just a few hundred feet south of the bridge across the Little Brevort River on the west side of the road. The trail is wooded and hilly.
The trail leads to the south shore campground of Little Brevort Lake State Forest Campground. If you follow the campground road along the lake till it curves to the south, there is another trail that takes you around the west side of the lake to the other
campground on the north west shore. This trail goes through some wooded and hilly areas, a short stretch of sand dunes (utility corridor) and with the final stretch over wood planks in a low lying area.
Submitted by Bob Brubaker, hiker.
 MI- December 7, 2005- near Brevort Map MI-08 South Segment:
Work on the Brevort Lake Dam project has been completed. The trail should be back to normal.
Submitted by Roger Morrison, Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter.
MI- July 26, 2005- near Brevort Map MI-08 South Segment:
see entry Dec 7, 2005 | 
Work begins next week on repairing the Brevort Lake Dam. The NFS is going to put up signs rerouting hikers around the dam work. I have drawn the reroute in yellow.
Submitted by Roger Morrison, Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter.
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MI- Oct 20, 2002- near Brevort Map MI-08 South Segment:
see entry January 6, 2006 | Trail conditions for the section in Brevort Michigan. About 1/4 to 1/2 mile north of where it crosses Worth Road (21 trail miles NW of St. Ignace) the foot bridge crossing Silver Creek is rotting out. Forest Service informed me last year in October that it along with the wood boardwalk leading up to it was scheduled to be removed and the bridge but not walkway would be replaced. I think this is due to the surface being exceptionally slippery when wet, especially in the fall. Use caution when crossing the bridge in the winter as the snow may cover the hole which is big enough for your foot to go through.
Minor note, where the trail crosses the Brevort Campground Rd about a quarter mile from the campground itself (17 trail miles NW of St. Ignace), the distance information sign is missing from the SE side of the road. It appears to have been intentionally removed. The post is there but no plaque. The info plaque is still there on the other side of the road though.
The trail itself in this region is well marked. Unfortunately some other non-NC trails in the area have little to no or confusing signage. I plan to in the future map some of them out using a GPS.
Submitted by Bob Brubaker, hiker.
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MI- July 5, 2006- Dick Road to Kenneth Road Map MI-08 South and North Segments:
Trail starts in mixed hardwoods stand before reaching the edge of the Betchler Marsh. Nice views of the marsh as the trail skirts along the marsh edge then climbs to low hillside overlooks. The breeze was coming from the marsh and helped keep most of the bugs off. This could be a memorable stretch with no wind. Trail leaves the marsh to follow the Pine River. Water was murky from recent rains. Caught some brook trout at the Lone Pine Road bridge and more at the Pine River footbridge. Spent the night at the campground off FR3137. Walk to Biscuit Creek was along two-tracks. Trail was rough going after crossing Spur Road.
The trail follows the Biscuit Creek and is very narrow. A lot of blow downs in this stretch. No sign of fish. Trail drops off to the creek to the north and is thick to the south. Great area to practice body flexibility with a pack on. Once the railway is reached, the trail cleans up nicely. Appeared that some recent maintenance was done. Nice walk on the edge of red pine plantations until Trout Brook Pond is reached. Had success catching brook trout in the pond spillway on the north side. Leaving the "Pond" thru red pines, the trail was mowed just north of H-40. The "mowing" continued until reaching Bear Brook. Just before reaching the beaver dam on Little Bear Creek, I spotted a doe drinking out of the beaver pond. She was upwind of me so I went undetected. She left (using the trail of course - DEER AIN'T DUMB) so I could proceed across the dam. I rigged up a fishing pole on the south side of the dam. I walked to a land point 30 feet or so away and startled a fawn. It ran off 10 feet and laid down. After viewing it for a couple of minutes, I continued to the point to fish. Nothing but chubs here.
Continued the trail walk and crossed a sand road. I caught up with the trail maintenance crew 1/4 mile up the trail. I thanked the two ladies that were toting shears and spray paint. They asked if I passed the "52 downed trees" to the north. I said the only thing I count is my lucky stars to be able to enjoy the NCT. The ladies were also armed with a D.R. Trimmer and chainsaw. They were going to clean the trail from Pine River to East Lake Road. After thanking them again, I passed by the long stretch of rock outcropping.
Even though I knew about the Escarpment, it still was better than I imagined. Nice walk thru hardwoods until crossing FR 3114 heading to Guard Lake. This stretch is thicker with weeds since it follows the lake. After crossing East Lake Road, the trail parallels the utility line which is to the south on a raised earth pathway. Looks like some effort was put into making this. The trail finishes thru an open hardwoods stretch before the "toe-stubbing" rocks appear. That could only mean one thing. Kenneth Road is near.
In conclusion, the trail was very well maintained and exceptionally marked. The group from the Hiawatha Sore-to-Shore Chapter should be very proud of the hard work they put into their trail segment. It is appreciated by the hikers. If you like wild fruit, get hiking soon. The wild strawberries are almost done and the blueberries are coming into their own. Hope to see someone hiking the trail sometime.
Submitted by Jodewha, hiker.
MI- September 6 , 2006- Dick Rd to Shallows TH Map MI-08 North Segment:
I arrived at the Dick Road parking area the night before. It was enjoyable laying on the still warm truck hood listening to Mother Nature's Night shift coming on duty while watching the earth rotate into the full moon. One of the many places where a cold beer tastes really good.
The morning start on the trail was mostly thru balsam fir stands with some mixed hardwoods. A few blow downs are found but no big deal. Just before crossing the second forest road, the trail wonders thru a large open plains area. This is one of the few spots you can see so much land in view. At the third road crossing, I continued northeast to enter Soldier Lake Campground from the south. The lake produced only a few small bass. I filled my water jug at the picnic area. I found that water is in short supply along this trail segment so fill up when you can. I took a west bearing and found the trail about 100 yards in. A short distance down the trail, a sign pointing to Soldier Lake Campground is found. Continuing along the trail traffic from M-28 is heard. From here on in the trail is very wide and continues thru rolling hills. Not much flat walking but the grades are very gradual. Stump Lake north of M-28 should be renamed "Dried-Up Weedy Lake". I don't think it has enough water to support a frog population. It does look really cool though. Now the rolling hardwoods start. After crossing Salt Point Road the trail could almost be taken in a Jeep. This stretch would be awesome when the fall colors occur. After crossing FR3156, the trail follows around a shallow pit. It's not clearly marked where to turn. Look for a trail that is a bit narrower that heads to the left. You'll see blazes a short way in. A few boardwalk areas are found before coming to a pond. No sign of fish. The Curly Lewis Highway is just a few hundred yards from this point. Down the hillside and over more boardwalks until you can see the wide sand beach flats. I followed the Lake Superior shoreline until it got soggy. Just head away from the lake and you'll find the trail leading to the Naomikong Creek bridge. The path is very developed here to make it usable for wheelchairs and the likes. Before you get in your vehicle at the Shallows Parking Lot, take off your shoes, grab a beer and walk out to one of the boulders. It sure is a nice way to end the trip.
This segment is probably the easiest section of trail I've been on. You can make good time but take some time for side trips.
submitted by JODEWHA - NCT HIKER
 MI- April 24, 2006- near Trout Lake Map MI-08 North Segment:
Trail section off East Lake Road north to Trout Brook Pond has many downed trees across it and the beaver dam that backs Little Bear Creek up to form a lake has water flowing over. Not knowing the condition of the dam and not wanting to go wading, we turned back. Nevertheless, a beautiful section, from both ends.
Submitted by Leslie Askwith, hiker.
MI- April 19, 2006- near Trout Lake Map MI-08 North Segment:
I hiked a small segment of the NCT from H-40/Trout Brook Pond to near Biscuit Creek. Still some snow on the trail and of course flooding in spots, normal for this time of year. Of particular concern is the amount of deadfall on the trail. Looks like the UP had quite a windstorm this winter? From just South of the Wisconsin RR crossing to near Biscuit Creek I had to bushwack around some 15 or so blown over trees, sometimes working around several trees at a time.
Submitted by Greg Smith, hiker.
MI- June 30, 2007- Hiker Report- Lake Superior Campground to Tahquamenon Falls State Park Map MI-09 East and West Segments:
Just finished a hike with Scouts from Lake Superior Campground to Tahquamenon Falls. Between Muskallonge and Two Heart River watch for trail makers carefully. Near the beach with a number of trees down the markers are not clear. From Culhane Lake Campground to Tahquamenon plan on obtaining water from the Little Two Heart river and not from the lakes. The Parcell Lakes do not have ready and easy access. Loon Lake is not near the trail as it appears on the map. Other areas were marked very well and were enjoyable. This is not a trail for someone that has not done much backpacking.
Submitted by Larry Miller, hiker.
MI- August 17, 2006- Hiker Report- Tahquamenon Falls State Park Map MI-09 East Segment:
I was just up at Tahquamenon Falls on Tuesday and did
part of the trail. I did not do the whole NCT in
park, but the section that heads west from the Upper
Falls, as part of the Giant Pines and Wilderness Loop
trails I was on and it is in good shape, though the
Wilderness Loop is less travelled than the Giant Pines
(which is a groomed ski trail), so it is a bit tougher
to follow with the high ferns. At the trail junction
where the NCT breaks off, there is a notice of a route
change because of logging, fire damage and land
ownership change. Apparently for the section between
the park and the Two Hearted River bridge, much of it now
follows a snowmobile trail (the two track previously
mentioned?) and the county road. Not sure how old this
notice is, but it looked like its been there a while.
I did not do the Falls trail or the route east of the
Lower Falls (to the River Mouth unit), but have done
the Falls trail section previously and it is always in
good shape.
submitted by a hiker
MI- May 25, 2005- Hiker Report- Tahquamenon Upper Falls To Culhane Lake Map MI-09 East Segment:
Trail was in good shape overall with a few exceptions:
A few spots east of CR500 had trail blazed thru standing marsh water. it was easier to walk the ridge around to where the trail joined up on the next ridge. One spot ran out of high ground but a drier patch was found just to the west of the blazed trail.
The trail west of CR500 joins with an ORV trail. No blue blazes but a few red blazes were made. It was tricky about 2 miles to the west when the ORV trail went south. There was a red blaze with arrows. Following this sand trail south for awhile until it swings around to the north and soon blue blazes will be found.
Did see some fresh moose sign east of CR500 on the first leg above the Upper Falls. trail wound thru some real nice mature hemlock stands.
Very nice section of the trail. Not much travel activity.
submitted by JODEWHA - NCT HIKER
MI- July 24, 2007- Maintainer Report- Lake Superior Campground to Blind Sucker River and Grand Marais Map MI-09 West Segment:
Completed is a swath cut from Lake Superior Campground to the terminus of the Blind Sucker River! A mile of the trail has been blazed. One Carsonite sign was re-located and another was pruned to be visible at the river mouth.
Two items to note: There are two areas that were left un-pruned. One is on the south side of the Blind Sucker River and the other is one mile west of the river. These were left untouched to discourage use by ATV's. Please leave them be!
Trail work completed on July 13th. A two mile section from the Blind Sucker River east to Deer Park completed. Seven people helped clear downfalls, prune, relocate Lake claimed trail and blaze. Yesterday, two groups from the GMC of NCTA took to the woods to work and play. One group did some continued maintenance around the Lake Superior Campground and a couple of us explored a section of trail that we have not done maintenance on yet - the section between Reed and Green Campground and the mouth of the Two Hearted River. We did not make it all the way to the mouth of the Two Hearted River, but what we DID find was absolutely beautiful forests and cliff walks with tremendous views of Lake Superior. There are some minor maintenance issues - but it is passable and marked. We also replaced and repaired some North Country Pathway signs in the Deer Park area - they are very nice.... make sure you look for signs when you go through that area.
Downtown Grand Marais has been blazed and signed from the west end of Woodland Park, down Braziel St. into town. The Trail then follows H-58 East for a good 2 miles till you reach the trailhead on the right, going east. Some trimming has been done up to the crossing at Grand Marais Creek. The trail through the school forest has not been thoroughly checked. The trail crosses H-58 and is a nice hike past a freshly logged area and is well marked. The trail will bring you back to the lake shore soon before Lake Superior campground. This is a pretty stretch through pine and a nice pine matting along the lake shore ridge.
submitted by Gator D. - Grand Marais Chapter
MI- July 5, 2003- Grand Marais Ski Area into Alger County and Pictured Rocks Map MI-10- East Section:
The area from the parking area at the Grand Marais Ski area, about 3 east of town on County Road 58, to a hilly area north of Grand Marais Creek has seen much logging and the trail itself is poor to non-existent. Blazing consisted of splotches of blue paint, unlike the recommended 2x4 rectangles with doubles for direction changes. Fortunately, the blazing did exist to aid in following the poor trail. North of the logged area, the trail was somewhat defined to the Lake Superior Shore line. The hilly area and pine forested area was nice walk, with no other hikers seen on the trail. When the shore was reached, the stable flies were awesome in numbers. My wife and I were armed with 100% DEET, but it didn't stop them. She described the back of my pack to be covered with 300 to 400 flies. That of course didn't include the ones on my legs, arms, and head. The weather was warm (85 degrees) and a bit humid. Not much wind. We hiked east about one mile to set up camp near the lake and fortunately the flies went to bed when the sun went down. It was a pleasant and peaceful night on the lake. We could hear the freighters fog horns in the distance and the loons calling on occasion.
No other man-made noise could be distinguished.
The flies were back when the sun was up, covering the outside of our tent. We broke camp and hit the trail quickly, but the flies could not be lost. The trail once reaching Alger County was blazed with the standard method and nicely done. The trail was not distinguishable in many areas and the blue berry bushes were thick (unfortunately not ripe yet). The trail followed inland slightly with some good views to the lake and inland. We didn't make it to the Private Property bypass (trail heads south and east to bypass property several miles before returning to the lakeshore). The flies and a dropped pair of sandals turned us around on the trail back to the parking area. My wife and I used ferns and pine boughs like cows tails to keep the flies off us somewhat. We took too many bites and let the flies have that
section of the trail.
Not to be totally deterred by flies, we relocated to the west a few miles to Pictured Rocks. Advice from a Park Ranger about the flies: a south wind is bad, no wind following a south wind is worse. Other winds drive them away from the area and back to the stables they originated from. Long pants, double socks, and long sleeved shirts were recommended. They are ankle biters and will bite through tight clothes. We apparently caught a bad area at a bad time, because Pictured Rocks with a light breeze from the west with a west exposure was pleasant with a tolerable few flies. We hiked a 10 mile loop to Chapel Rock and Mosquito River, picking up the NCT along the shoreline. One word - magnificent. Views, trails, weather, etc. The crowds - I was expecting worse, so was pleasantly surprised. We started the loop around 9AM and were back by 2PM. The parking lot had only a half dozen cars when we started and was overflowing with 30 - 40 when we finished. On
the trail we encountered only a dozen people, but felt "dualitude" (solitude for two) on many stretches and while checking out many views. The stretch of NCT had a few washed out areas and is rooty, but that gives a more natural feel than steps or planking in these areas.
Overhearing a young girl on the Grand Sable Dunes say, "Let's go Dad, I have been bitten, like four times." I had to laugh as she didn't realize how good the flies were. It's all about your perspective.
Submitted by Allan Howland, hiker.
MI- November 14, 2001- Carsonite Post in Pictured Rocks Map MI-10- East Section:
Report made by Dave Bos
A section of the North Country Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was recently marked using Carsonite posts with NCT symbols. The trail section is located between the Sand Point trail junction and Becker's Field (near Munising Falls). The trail was marked primarily because it is also used as a ski trail during the winter.
The new signage will hopefully prevent confusion along the NCT where it intersects with other ski trails. The NCT portion is marked with the trail symbol at the top, with ski trail information beneath. Ski trails intersecting with the NCT are marked with ski symbols and information specific to that particular trail. NCT hikers may be surprised to find the trail "rated", but may find it useful to know that a "most difficult" rating likely means a steep hill ahead.
The non-NCT ski trails are not maintained for summer hiking, but foot traffic is welcome. It can make for an interesting side trip. These ski trails have informative signs to interprete natural and historic features of the landscape.
Other new trail markings on the NCT through Pictured Rocks include the use of NCT-standard paint markings on the section between Chapel Rock and Mosquito River. This section has been troublesome in the past, with many social trails leading to nice views and sometimes to dangerous overhangs on top of the cliffs. Marking the trail is a way to provide information to hikers who wish to stay on the maintained (and hopefully safe) trail, without blocking visitors from off-trail exploration. Paint was decided on as a last resort, as the NCT symbols kept being ripped off or destroyed.
MI- January 2007- Road Construction on H58 Map MI-10- West Section:
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 16, 2006, Alger County Road H-58 is now open. The four mile section that was closed (Log Slide to Hurricane River) throughout much of 2006 is now paved.
Alger County plans more road construction on H-58 for 2007. The following three sections will be paved.
1. A half mile road section from the upper Hurricane River Campground to west of lower Hurricane River Campground. This project includes constructing a new bridge over the Hurricane River.
2. From H-58's intersection with the Little Beaver Lake Campground Road east to Kingston Corners (about 7 miles).
3. From Kingston Corners north to one mile south of Kingston Lake State Forest Campground (about 3 miles).
Road closure and detour information will be announced at a later date.
From the National Park Service web site
MI- May 27, 2001- report from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from spring trail opening Map MI-10- West Section:
Report made by Dave Bos
There are several places along the trail where erosion has created hazardous trail conditions on the edge of cliffs. Three such areas are west of the Log Slide, two in the Coves area, one just west of Spray Falls, and one just west of Indianhead.
A boardwalk across a marsh just west of Mosquito River has collapsed, but it is still usable and will be repaired in June.
There are about 50 muddy sections of trail between Miners Castle and the Sand Point trail spur. Some of these muddy sections are impossible to get around. A volunteer crew from the American Hiking Society will be working on this in September.
Attempts to mark the trail with NCT symbols have been a complete failure. Several methods of securing the symbols were tried, and all have been removed or damaged beyond recognition. Directional arrows and campsite markers are all still in place without damage; only the NCT markers seem to be a target for vandals.
For the first time in over 14 years of work at Pictured Rocks, the Lakeshore's trailworker picked up a wood tick while clearing the trail. At the same time, an article in a local newspaper explained that ticks were expanding their range into Alger county and becoming more numerous.
The trail crew spotted a moose, first on the Sullivan's Landing trail section, then again between the Log Slide and Sable Point.
Pictured Rocks has plans for several projects on the trail this summer, mostly with volunteer help from the Student Conservations Association, American Hiking Society, Boy Scouts, Madonna University Trailblazers, and the Sierra Club.
MI- July 21, 2005- Hiker Report- Rock River Road to Valley Spur Map MI-11 East Segment:
Walking east from Rock River Road. Trail was very well marked and the markers were reflective for night hiking.
MI- June 13, 2005- Hiker Report- Magnum Rd to Silver Lake Rd Map MI-11 East Segment:
Started out on Magnum Rd. [walking east], trail was freshly blazed for about 2 miles. due to the low usage, the blazes are essential. Some logging operations make it hard to walk but there are enough blazes to follow. After the logged area, only older blazes are found. About 1/2 mile after the cutting, the trail leads to a logging road where the blazes stop. This point is about 1 mile northwest of howe lake. Take the logging road that heads in a southeast direction. the road winds around a little to the southwest but does turn southeast and comes out on a gravel forest road. This is Signan Road. head southwest to the "t" intersection then you're back on the right trail. still no blazes on this road until you pass an old hunting camp by cr402. 100 yards or so past this camp on the left side of the road is where the blazes resume. From this point on the trail has been freshly blazed to the intersection of silver lake road.
This section of trail has some real nice hillside views. It is unlikely to see anyone in this stretch. Make sure you bring a compass.
This is probably one of the more "wild" stretches of the north country trail. If you are into exploring, this is a section you should travel.
submitted by JODEWHA - NCT HIKER
MI- November 7, 2006- McCormick Wilderness Map MI-12 West Segment:
Wednesday, November 1st, the historic McCormick Trail Bridge, was reopened after an extensive repair and renovation project. The bridge serves as the gateway to the Ottawa National Forest's McCormick Wilderness Area, approximately 35 miles east of the main body of the Ottawa.
The field work on the 88 foot bridge started on Wednesday, September 27th of this year, at which time access across the trail bridge was closed. The project included removal and disposal of existing wood components, installation of treated structural timber and lumber, repair and repointing of stone masonry trail bridge components and installation of removable bollard type road closure devices, while allowing for handicapped accessibility under ABA regulations, codes and standards.
The contractor, Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc., out of Wells, Michigan with Site Superintendent Todd Westerberg in the lead, did an excellent job in completing this extensive project in such a short period of time, even fashioning a river-ford out of existing river rocks for users to cross.
The bridge, over the Peshekee River, provides access to the Ottawa's 16,850 acre McCormick Wilderness which also contains the 3,675 acre McCormick Research Natural Area designated in 1971 and a segment of the Yellow Dog River, in the Wild and Scenic River system. The area, donated by the descendents of Cyrus H. McCormick, inventor of the reaping machine, has a rich and interesting history with little remaining of the famous family's unique vacation retreat.
Submitted by Kenton Ranger District office (906) 852-3500
MI- Aug 19-29, 2005- US 45 to McCormick Wilderness Map MI-13 West and East Segments, Map MI-12 West Segment:
A friend and I walked these 88 miles this summer. Our rather long, but hopefully helpful report is a pdf file, Adobe Reader required.
Trip Report
Contact Joan Young.
MI- August 27, 2007 - Plains Road to Gardner Road Map MI-13 East Segment:
This stretch of trail is about 36 miles long. In general, this stretch is well maintained and marked with the exceptions listed later in this report.
Starting out at the Plains Road, the trail winds along the Sturgeon River heading westward.
About 1/2 mile before the Oren Krumm Shelter, signs of the recent "Stump Fire" that got out of control from a prescribed burn started by MDNR on April 27, 2007 start to show up. (Found out later the shelter burned down) Fire damage continued for about 2 miles after the shelter. It was amazing how quickly Mother Nature responded. The poplar shoots are 3-4 feet high now and the ants and beetles are breaking down the burnt tree trunks. Good jack pine cone areas. Jack pines need a hot fire in order for the seeds to "burst" out of the cones. Should be seeing a healthy jack pine stand in a couple of decades. Lots of wood pellets at the tree bases. The trees still have soot that wipes off. Saw a large group of woodpeckers taking advantage of the insect feast. Fresh blazing in this area is very evident. Must be the contrast of the blue on the charred black tree trunks. A short ways into Ottawa National Forest, the burn area stops. Good blazing continues thru the area. The spur trail to Sturgeon Falls is well marked. Signs indicate 1 1/4 miles to the falls. The last part of the trail should be done with only a day pack due to the steep trail. I had luck catching a Brook Trout and some Rainbows. Nothing quite like eating fresh fish for dinner. NCT continues along a high ridge until you cross the Sturgeon River.
The next portion of trail is maintained by a Houghton County group. It has been worked on recently. Trail comes out on Laird Road then after a brief walk on the north side of the road, turns to cross heading south. The beginning of the trail has blow downs but soon improves through a nice open hardwood area. Quite a bit of short ups and downs with some beaver pond crossings. Most of the ponds are now dried up due to recent drought years. Some of these crossing areas are marginally marked so pay attention. You have to head about 50 feet south on FR1500 to find the trail. A directional sign would be helpful here since a path is being packed down directly across from the NCT outlet. Good walking all the way to Bob Lake Campground Spur. About halfway to the campground, the trail crosses a beaver dam that has a large breech in it. The pond is dry so I found it easier to cut through. Back on the NCT, trail conditions are great until crossing FR1470. Numerous blow downs slow the pace down in this stretch all the way to FF884. From here the trail is clear but blazes are scarce. Just before crossing the Ontonagon East Branch, a few blow downs are found. I found the best way to cross the water was to strip down to my BVD's, put on a pair of socks, find a measuring stick and cross the river slowly feeling for deep spots. The water was quite refreshing for my sore feet. Heading east along the grade, it takes about 200 yards to run out of blow downs. The trail runs through a mixed conifer stand, a red pine stand and then the Gardner Road.
All things said, this is fun stretch to walk. A lot of beaver dams and low human impact area.
Submitted by Jodewha, hiker.
MI- Aug 23, 2002- Tibbets Falls to the Oren Krumm Shelter Map MI-13 East Segment:
More bridges and puncheons on trail thanks to Boy Scout Eagle Project and Wheaton College crew. Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Mike Jiang and his BSA Troop 208 from Houghton, two more bridges were built on the NCT between Tibbets Falls and the Oren Krumm Shelter. Also, in the same area, a Wheaton College group from Camp Honey Rock in Wisconsin spent several hours building another bridge, leveling a rough area of the trail, and clearing brush.
Contact Doug Welker.
MI- July 27, 2001- New Trail at Baraga Plains in U.P. Map MI-13 East Segment:
Over the past 2 weeks, a crew of 3 to 8, from the Sierra Club and NCTA, built at least 6 miles of new trail on Michigan DNR land on Baraga Plains, beginning where the David Cole Eagle Scout project left off and continuing north to Big Lake and beyond. It's generally a pretty trail, following the edges of wetlands most of the way, but also along some timber stand boundaries and along the historic Lac Vieux Desert trail, used in the past by Native Americans to go from the south end of Keweenaw Bay (Lake Superior) to Lac Vieux Desert (now on the MI/WI border, and the headwaters of the Wisconsin River, which feeds into the Mississippi). The trail passes the entrance to Big Lake State Forest Campground, and close to several wildlife openings, where we could hear and sometimes see sandhill cranes. We'll need to avoid these wildlife openings, though, during the
fall hunting season, to avoid scaring away migrating geese.
The crew stayed at Big Lake Campground the first week, and, with a smaller crew, worked out of Doug Welker's house the second week.
The only reason we could build so much trail in this short a time was by using the brush mower after a path for the mower had been cleared. It was indispensible for mowing off miles of blueberry plants, bracken ferns, sweet fern, etc.
The status of the trail at this time is:
South of Lac Vieux Desert Trail: Orange (or blue in one area) flagging tape, brush cleared, trail mowed with the brush mower Lac Vieux Desert Trail north: Orange flagging tape, brush
cleared, no mowing until AugustAs of now, there are no paint blazes on the trail, but they'll be installed in August. The trail, though, is quite easy to follow at present.
There are 13 mostly short wetland crossings which will need puncheons so that they can be crossed in wet weather without getting wet feet or damaging the wetland vegetation. With the current drought, though, they are likely to be easily crossed.
A map of the new trail is available online, at
http://www.northcountrytrail.org/pwf/images/SWBaragaPlainsmap1.JPG
MI- September 27, 2006- Old Victoria to Norwich Rd Map MI-13 West Segment:
We hiked the trail October 1-7 2006 from Old Victoria to Norwich road. When we started the leaves had changed and started to fall. On the return trip most leaves had fallen, especially on the ridges.
Fallen leaves made us highly dependent on blazes, which were sparse in places. Blazes were thick east of the first lookout but got sparser west of it. At least once each 15 minutes or so on most days, we had to stop and scan about for blazes, some of which were hidden by trees. We sometimes backtracked and looked for blazes starting from the previous blaze. We sometimes ended up walking 100's of yards on faith before seeing the next blaze.
The NCT section maps don't have enough topographic detail to navigate from. 1:24k topo maps could be a help.
One particularly bad area was where the trail crosses a 2-track road west of Lookout Mountain overlook. The trail goes 100's of yards up the road. The blazes along the road are hard to see, particularly when coming from the west. There were some blue blazes in the woods east of the road, right where the trail meets the road from the west, and they lead off into the woods. Then the trail they mark disappears near a yellow surveying marker. Better to head off down the road where you can eventually see a blue blaze that marks the trail east.
Clear-cutting east of Whisky Hollow Creek created three areas where neither the trail nor any blazes were visible for 100's of yards. The clear-cutting is particularly extensive near the access road which seems to have cut away a big part of the ridge. There are some ribbon blazes on the west side of this road, but they are 100's of yards north of the probable actual location of the trail. Entering the clearcut area near the blue blazes on the road and proceeding due west is not a good approach. Better to go west from the road starting just south of the remains of the ridge, going along the south edge of the ridge until trail markings resume near the side creek that leads down to Whiskey Hollow Creek proper.
Parts of the trail were totally clear, but some of the mid-section parts of the trail were frequently crossed by fallen trees that were impossible to step over. We cleared anything the trail we could with our pruning saw, especially between the clear cutting and down to Whisky Hollow Creek, across the creek, down the creek and up the trail to the first overlook, as this area had quite a few fallen trees.
We didn't tackle any of the clear cut areas around Whiskey Hollow Creek, as that looked like several days work for several persons. The three clear-cut areas looked like they themselves were stablilized near the trail, and no more harvesting of birch seemed to be taking place or possible.
Submitted by Arnold Krueger, hiker.
MI- September 27, 2006- Old Victoria to Norwich Rd Map MI-13 West Segment:
A few friends and I hiked from Old Victoria to Norwich last weekend, and had some difficulty about five miles before we got to Norwich. Area loggers have cut down a portion of the trail. The blue blaze markers lead us to a recently deforested section (the downed trees that were not large enough to harvest still had leaves and chainsaws could be heard easily). We were able to skirt around the logging area and found the trail about a quarter mile later, but having our trail removed and buried under "useless" trees was rather annoying.
Submitted by Matt Dunkman, hiker.
MI- August 20, 2006- Norwich Rd to Gardner Rd. Map MI-13 West Segment:
Trail begins with a long steady climb until the first overlook is reached. This overlooks the Norwich Road and surrounding area. Trail begins a series of short ups and downs. When the trail turns into a wider two-track, it takes a sharp turn to the left. I was lucky to miss the turn and come upon the old Norwich Mine site. A stone wall and gate mark the mine. It caves about 30 yards or so. Turn back after this and find where the trail turns east. A few more overlooks are up the trail. The first one allows viewing of the large white stack in White Pine and a view of Lake Superior. The trail has much larger ups and downs from here on in. It was worth leaving the backpack at Gleason Creek and walking down to the falls. The next stretch winds around ravines and follows the low ground before reaching another mining area. I finally met some hikers on the NCT shortly after this stretch. They were heading for the Porkies. The trail climbs a series of rock outcrops but few have a wide unobstructed view of the Ontonagon River Valley. The last bit of the Trap Hills ends at Overlook Mountain where the Victoria Reservoir and Dam can be viewed. A walk down a four-wheeler trail brings you to the Dam Road and thru the woods to Old Victoria. This is a nice place to take a break and learn about the early mining days. The trail continues along the "back yard" to the shelter. Some low ground is traversed before following in the woods north along the Dam Road. About halfway along the road you can see a pipe with flowing water called the Victoria Spring. The water is clean and cool. The trail crosses the road before a downhill curve. Trail meanders thru the woods then comes out at a power line. Turn to the right until you come to a sand service road. Blazes will follow. Trail crosses the recently replaced penstock tube feeding the water-driven generators with water from the Victoria Reservoir. Trail follows a gravel road before turning into the woods. Down the steep bank and across the rocks to the other side of the spillway. Don't look for blazes here. They get washed away every spring. I took my pack off here and found a path thru the brush to the woods. The trail goes a long way upstream so it should be easy finding it. Heading downstream the trail climbs a bit then the fun begins. The trail goes thru an old clear-cut that has grow to the point where you can hardly see the ground. Not much traffic here so look closely for blazes. A few windfalls can get you lost. After a mile or so, the trail follows along an old woods road. From here it is easy going with a few jungle areas. Crossing Sandstone Creek is interesting. Hopefully the logs are still there. Most traffic appears to head to the left along the creek but this is not the way to go. Head right after crossing the creek. As you head uphill you should be able to see blazes. After this a few boardwalks are found before reaching US-45. Boardwalks continue until about halfway to O Kun De Kun Falls. The bridge over the Baltimore River brings you to a slow uphill walk into some thicker woods. After crossing an old beaver dam, the trail has a lot of blow downs. Make sure you keep blazes in sight. A long descent brings you to the Ontonagon Middle Branch River floodplain. You finally get to the river and walk along it until you get to the bridge. The other side is a slow climb along the trademark "Ontonagon Clay Banks". They like to make you slide towards the river so watch your footing. The trail is fairly easy to follow from here on in. It's still hard to see the ground due to low usage. About 300 yards from Gardner Road, the trail enters open weedy areas. A few carsonite posts have been placed but I lost the trail after this. I took an east bearing until I reached a beaver pond. I followed it north until I heard rushing water. That's where the breach in the dam was. The weeds are shoulder height so take your time or end up in the pond. When I reached high ground on the other side I found myself about 50 feet south of the trail. Now that was fun.
Submitted by Jodewha, hiker.
MI- September 13, 2004- Old Victoria Map MI-13 West Segment:
The Peter Wolfe Chapter has constructed 5000 feet (+/-) of new trail just east of Old
Victoria. The new trail, which is mainly located in a wooded, 100-foot
wide strip on the north side of Victoria Dam Road, was necessary since
existing NCT in the area had been logged away. While most of the new trail
runs through unexciting woods, it does pass within 30 feet or so of
Victoria Spring, a good source of water for thirsty hikers.
Maps of each of these trails will appear online fairly soon.
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- August 8, 2004- Ottawa National Forest Report Map MI-13 West Segment:
Trail work and trail conditions report from Ron Kantola, Ottawa National Forest. Most trail on the Ottawa is formally maintained by the Ottawa itself. Ron, sometimes with an assistant, does most of that work. Here's recent update from Ron:
"We have removed all windfalls from the trail between the river
crossing below Victoria Dam and FH 16. Unfortunately there are four beaver dams between the East Branch and FR 1100 that are problems. One is not too bad but the others are. The clear cut just west of Gardner Road is also a problem. I don't know when I'll be able to get back and do something about these five.
- We have cleaned up ( about half) of the clear cut west of FR 1470.
- We did put flagging through the Gardner Road clear cut. We hope to get it cleaned up this summer.
- The west side of the East Branch has been cleaned up.
- The east side of the East Branch clear cut has been cleaned up.
- At Black River Harbor we replaced two 16 foot puncheons along the
east side of the river, Rainbow Falls Trail (aka NCT).
- There has been some ATV traffic along the NCT:
- Between FR 850 and Gardner Road
- Between FR 1100 and FR 1470
- Between O' Kun de Kun and the Middle Branch.
- Between FR 1470 and FH 16.
- Next week we hope to start removing windfalls from the section between M64 and South Boundary Road."
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- August 8, 2004- New trail flagged east of Old Victoria Map MI-13 West Segment:
see entry Sept 13, 2004 | Where the logging was completed, Mead-Westvaco left a 100 foot (+/-) wide uncut strip along Victoria Road,
and that's where the new trail is going. With leaves on, the corridor is adequate to shield the hiker from views of the occasional car on Victoria Road and views of the clearcut. Actually, there are some nice views from the west end of the clearcut! Second, the new trail route is shorter than the old one (less maintenance), and I laid it out so that it could be maintained with the chapter's brush mower. As for the Old Victoria Shelter, the clearcut is not in view, and probably won't be even with leaves off. |
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- May 31, 2004 Map MI-13 West Segment:
see entry Aug 8, 2004 | Old Victoria Shelter east to Victoria Dam Road will be closed during June and July 2004. Mead Paper will be logging the area. Take the road during those months. They will be leaving a 100 foot buffer of trees along the road, and the trail may be re-routed into that area after logging is complete. |
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- Sept 16, 2003 Map MI-13 West Segment:
Here is a brief report on trail conditions on a small segment of the trail in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Houghton County). This particular segment runs through the Ottawa National Forest. Ottawa National Forest, Michigan UP, between F.H. 16 and F.R. 1100
Heading west from Forest Highway 16, one walks about 1.3 miles and comes to the connecting trail to Bob Lake N. F. Camp Ground. Another half mile or so, the trail crosses F.R. 1470. About 3 miles farther, the trail crosses F. R. 1100.
This trail runs through thickly forested rolling hilly terrain. There is no steady elevation gain or loss. Rather, there is a constant up and down.
The trail is clearly marked, although with blue diamonds rather than the preferred blue rectangles. The trail is signed with the N.C.T. logo where it crosses F. H. 16 and F.R. 1470.
For most of this trail, the treadway is visible, although in many sections, young maple and poplar (aspen) trees are threatening to obscure the trail.
A few trees have fallen over the trail at various locations. I was able to remove some of the smaller ones, but not the larger ones.
Plank walkways have been constructed over nearly all the wet areas. All of these are in excellent condition.
When one arrives at what I would estimate as a half-mile east of F.R. 1100, recent beaver activity has caused the trail to become flooded with water several feet deep. It appears that getting around the flooding would require a rather long detour.
I never made it to the other side of this beaver flooding, as bushwhacking through the forest in order to find a suitable crossing place would have been a rather rough and unpleasant walk.
Side Trail to Bob Lake N. F. Camp Ground
The side trail to Bob Lake is in fairly good shape. The only difficult spot on this side trail is where it crosses on top of the beaver dam. The dam has been breached, and crossing that breach without falling into what is left of the beaver pond required some careful
footing.
The side trail is well marked with the white rectangles.
Conclusion
Clearly a great deal of work was done to develop the trail through this varied and scenic forest area. A few more walkers each year would help keep the trail from becoming overgrown.
The one area that makes the trail impassible is the beaver flooding east of but fairly near F.R. 1100.
Submitted by Thomas Taylor, hiker.
MI- Sept 16, 2003 Maps MI-14 West & East Segments and MI-13 West Segment:
Here is a report on trail conditions between the Wisconsin border and US 45, about 110 miles. This report gets long, but it covers a lot of miles.
Two of us hiked this section in August of this year. We began in Hurley, WI, just on the border and followed the rail-trail to Powderhorn Rd. This is a cinder surface, and was pleasant enough walking as far as railbeds go. The iron bridge where one railroad crosses above the trail is quite picturesque.
Turning north on Powderhorn Rd, there are about 8 miles of roadwalk. For the long-distance hiker, you may camp at a county park at "The Narrows" where Narrows Creek comes in to the Black River. Be sure to walk past the Copper Peak Ski Area and spend $10 to go up to the top of the highest ski flying jump in the world. This is awesome, with views of the next upteen miles of hills you will walk through.
Just north of the ski hill you will join off-road trail which is part of the Black River Harbor area of the Ottawa National Forest. Take all the little side trips to see the waterfalls. They are very nice!
From the mouth of the Black River you will head upstream to the south for about a mile and then veer east on a combination of old abandoned road and railroad beds. About all you can say for this section is that it is off road. Old rail beds tend to become laddered wetlands where the water collects between the old ties, and this is no exception. Tall grass, uneven footing, wet pockets, and mosquitoes made this an afternoon we'll just chalk off to "getting it done."
When you reach Route 519, turn north and pay attention to the fact that the trail pops right back into the woods, apparently heading west the way you came, but it's just a loop to the north, and you will now more or less parallel the road to reach the Presque Isle Campground, within the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. Beginning here you will encounter many heavily eroded, WAY TOO STEEP hills on the trail where poor trail design is the problem. They are very hard on knees, and will definitely slow you down because of their height. There are some more great waterfalls to stop and explore along this route. You can not get potable water at the campground unless you are willing to walk off the trail. Of course there are lots of places to filter water.
You cross the bridge at the mouth of the Presque Isle River and then walk across an ancient layered shale bed that is really interesting and a great lunch stop. At times of high water this could be a difficult crossing. You then climb away from the river and follow the Lakeshore Trail, which does not offer views of the lake shore. This section has the worst of the steep, eroded places. The trail crosses about ten creeks, all in deep gullies, where the trail just plunges to the creek level and then climbs straight back up. These are terrible.
see entry Sept 13, 2004 | Turn east on the Little Carp River Trail, and then continue east on the Lily Pond Trail. These are nice woods walks, nothing difficult. If you have time take a side hike to Summit Peak, the 3rd highest peak in Michigan. When you reach Summit Peak Road turn south on the road for about half a mile. |
At South Boundary Road you cross and re-enter the woods, but the road is not the actual park boundary, and then next mile of trail is poorly maintained, with hardly a treadway, until you reach the actual boundary. We did not get lost, but you should pay attention. Once you cross into the Ottawa NF the trail is blazed much more clearly.
see entry October, 2003 | For the next ten miles or so the trail is crossed several times by bike trails. Just be sure to pay attention to the blue diamonds to stay on the NCT. No difficult terrain, but lots of tall wet grass. There was quite a bit of evidence of ATV's running the NCT here which we reported. Reaching the West Branch of the Big Iron River we had to ford it, although the new bridge is supposed to be in place this year. The previous wooden bridge is lying in pieces on the east side of the river. It collapsed from a heavy snow load. It is being replaced with the standard FS rusty iron span, and we met a bulldozer on the trail (!) the next morning preparing the way for the vehicle which will bring the new bridge to the site. There is a sister bridge at the Big Iron River crossing which is marked closed, because it's the same engineering design as the one which collapsed, but it's safe enough to cross. It too will be replaced soon. Expect more equipment and torn-up trail until this is done and the equipment scars have healed. But when the water is high be thankful for this project as these rivers would be nasty to ford in the spring. |
When you turn south after the Big Iron River pay attention because there is a bike trail, a two-track and the NCT all nestled between the river and Hooded Creek... it's easy to get on the wrong one.
As soon as you cross MI 64 you enter the Trap Hills and climb immediately up Bergland Hill. At the top there is an old fire tower and a radio tower, but no view because the peak has woods all around a mowed area. There are lots of good views coming, but don't expect one here!
From here on for the next 25 miles the terrain is extremely hilly, but at the top of each climb you will be rewarded with spectacular views from rock outcroppings, all facing to the south as the trail roughly follows the edge of this SSW slanting ridge. There is one area of active logging just east of Cascade Creek. In some places they were careful to preserve the trail, and in other places it was a mess. Pay attention. And just east of FR 630 you will cross two spots that were formerly clearcut. The southern one of these two is terrible. It's now a wetland with hummocks, grass, sedges and not enough blazes. We did not get lost, but I think that was pure dumb luck. Between the two cut areas is a nice dry, flat wooded section. The northern clearcut is grown up more with small aspen and the trail is easy to find through this one. Very bad footing throughout this whole section however... hummocks, rocks, roots, equipment tracks now wet ditches.
My general comments about this entire section in the Ottawa are: Awesome experience- you can walk and walk and never see another person, building or man-made object. The signage is outstanding. Trail junctions and road crossings are well marked with mileages, directions and names. However, there is a great need for maintenance. Although the treadway was well compacted, young maples and other saplings were growing over the trail so thickly that you had to spread them apart to see the treadway. These vary in height from 3 to 5 feet... it's been a long time since they were trimmed. The trail goes too steeply up and down most of the hills. A lot of re-design would make this a more pleasant experience, without compromising any of the beauty. Even though we were there when it was very dry we had no trouble finding water to filter. Even many small streams had a few pools that could have been dammed to pull water from.
About 1.5 miles east of FR 642 you leave public land. Be careful to plan your nights so you are not camping in the four miles of private land here. First item of note in the private area is Gleason's Falls. Coming from the west pay attention to find where the trail turns abruptly to cross Gleason Creek instead of continuing on the tractor road. The turn is not well marked, and there are some old dark blue blazes on the tractor road which will lead you astray. We did not take the side trip to explore Gleason Falls because there was hardly any water in the creek, but it's supposed to be very nice.
You have now passed through the highest of the hills. When you begin to see talus slopes on your left (yes, in Michigan... with big rocks and boulders) you are almost back on public land, and soon you will actually cross two of these slopes. The trail has been nicely "shaped" across these with stones placed to create a treadway. Next you cross one more hill with views, and then Lookout Mountain (a hill with a double ridge) which at its eastern end overlooks Old Victoria Dam.
You drop down to Old Victoria and pass through many places of historic interest related to copper mining. The village restoration project is very interesting and worth taking time to stop and explore. There is a wonderful trail shelter here as well. If you have time walk down to the dam, or come back and drive to it to see a preserved section of the old wooden piping.
see entry Sept 13, 2004 | East of Old Vic, there are PROBLEMS! We thought we would make good time because the topography levels out. Guess again. First of all we had to cross the dam spillway into the Ontonogan River. This is a ford, and can be dangerous or impassible at high water. The crossing itself was easy with the water low, however floods this past spring have wiped out the access places. From the west the trail led us to an undercut drop off of about 20 feet to the river bed. We had to find a place to climb down, cross the river, and then find the trail on the other side after we were able to find a place to scramble up again. We turned right and quickly found the trail, but then had to turn left on the trail to be heading generally east. [If you are coming from the east you will have no trouble. The blazes will lead to a place where you can access the river, and if you look straight across you will see a leaning cedar with a blaze on it at the top of the aforementioned bluff. If you just look to the left of this cedar until you locate a place to climb up on that side you can head for this, walk away from the river and you will cross the trail- turn left.]
The next 5 miles of trail were the most difficult of the entire hike. There is an area of extensive blowdowns between the river and FR 733. We nicknamed it "bushwacking with blazes." Large trees are down with their crowns across the trail, stacked sometimes like matchsticks. We could often see the next blaze, but then had to figure out how to get there. The footing is terrible as the whole area had been logged perhaps 15 years ago leaving those nasty machined hummocks. |
From FR 733 to US 45 the hiking was better with one deep creek crossing. There is a large log which serves as a bridge at the bottom of the gully where you scramble through tall weeds and scrub to access it. It is very stable, but I wonder if one good spring flood might remove it, and the creek is narrow but quite deep.
Submitted by Joan Young, hiker.
MI- Oct 28, 2007- Trap Hills near Bergland Map MI-14 East Segment:
Well marked, rugged,and beautiful. There is a foot bridge out. It is still leaning in a way you can get across but I suspect after this winter it will be unusable. The ground has eroded at both ends of the foot bridge. I believe it is over Bush Creek. Hiked from the parking area at forest road 326 to forest road 400. Map says 9.3 sign at rd 400 says 9.4.
Submitted by Star Kolesar, hiker
MI- September 13, 2004- Porcupine Mt. Wilderness State Park Map MI-14 East Segment:
In August, 16 members of the Sierra Club, NCTA, and other groups constructed about two and a half miles of trail. In the Porkies (Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park), we built about
a mile and a half of trail, eliminating both a 0.6-mile roadwalk on Summit Peak Road and a wet area of trail south of South Boundary Road. At its north end, the new trail connects to Lily Pond Trail about 2300 feet west of the east end of Lily Pond Trail. Southbound, the new NCT connects to the "trailer parking lot" on Summit Peak Road, where a backpacker self-registration station is located, crosses South Boundary Road 600 feet southwest of the south end of Summit Peak Road, and continues southeastward and eastward to connect to existing NCT. The new trail passes through much virgin forest, and has views into a gorge with beautiful gorge with small waterfalls.
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- August 8, 2004- Logging north of Big Lake Map MI-14 East Segment:
For about a mile along the NCT, in a section north of Big Lake Campground, clearcutting has taken place or will take place by the end of 2005. The chapter placed warning signs for hikers, so please heed them if you're in the area. Basically, if you encounter active logging operations, bypass them or turn back. While the woods was nice, clearcutting is the usual fate of jack pine stands. Right now jack pine is selling for upwards of $60 a cord (for pulp), a very high price, so expect more stands to be cut. I was quite pleased, though, at the provisions that Michigan DNR required of loggers. All the logs and tops were hauled off the trail tread, and trees with blazes were cut off just above the blaze. In other words, the trail
is ready for hiking where logging has taken place! Good job, MDNR!
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- October, 2003 Map MI-14 East Segment:
In August, 2003, the bridges were removed, and new bridges were installed in late October. Almost immediately, Peter Wolfe Chapter members arrived to check them out, and we were thoroughly impressed. Both are lovely, gently-arching structures that fit perfectly into their surroundings. For the Big Iron and West Branch bridges the lengths are 120 and 100 feet, respectively. Steel bridge components are rust-colored, due to a "pre-rusting" process that helps seal the steel's surface and reduce future corrosion.
Katterman Trucking installed the bridges, designed and fabricated by Wheeler Consolidated in Bloomington, Minnesota. The total cost was $240,000. 70% of the funding came from restitution from the firm that built the original bridges with the flawed design. The one-way haul to the Big Iron bridge was 3.5 miles, and 5.5 miles to the West Branch. The Big Iron bridge was originally designed to be only 100 feet long, but severe flooding in the spring of 2003 caused major scour damage at the west end of the bridge site, a testimony to the dangerous conditions that could potentially encountered by hikers when the streams still needed to be forded.
Submitted by Doug Welker
MI- May 3, 2007- Black River Trail Closures Map MI-14 West Segment:
The Gorge Falls Trail and observation deck in the Black River Harbor Area must be temporarily closed due to unsafe conditions. The access trail to Potawatomi Falls will remain open.
We are currently making plans to improve the safety of this trail and observation deck. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause in the interim.
Contact Melanie Fullman, Bessemer District Ranger at 906-932-1330, ext. 539.
from the Ottawa NF Web site
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