This is the on-line home of the Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. We are the 2nd newest NCTA chapter in Minnesota and are responsible for developing and maintaining the North Country National Scenic Trail in Clearwater and Becker Counties. Our trail section runs from the intersection of the Nicollet and Eagle Scout Trails in the middle of Itasca State Park through Clearwater County to the Becker - Ottertail County border south of the City of Frazee.
About our trail section
Currently, we maintain about 15 miles of certified trail from the middle of Itasca State Park west to the Headquarters trailhead at Clearwater Co. Hwy 39. This is referred to as the Bad Medicine section because of its proximity to Bad Medicine Lake, where many of the Chapter volunteers live. We have also built several miles of new, yet-to-be certified trail west and south from Co. 39 to State Highway 113 trailhead and SE Juggler Lake Rd. Interestingly, this section of the NCT, once it turns and heads south, follows the Laurentian (north-south Continental) Divide.
We’re also in the process of building new trail further south towards Elbow Lake Rd. (where another trailhead will soon be built), Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and, ultimately, the City of Frazee. The Chapter worked with Becker County to obtain a $100,000 Trail Legacy Grant from the Minnesota DNR that will help complete the NCT in Becker County by hiring the Minnesota Conservation Corps. Work is currently underway with public and private landowners to determine the NCT route south of Co. Hwy 35. It is hoped that all of this trail will be completed by 2012.
About this site
Learn more about us by visiting the About Us page. Check out our suggested hikes page to learn more about getting out onto the trail. To learn more about the Annual North Country Hiking Fest, visit the Hiking Fest page. Visit the Events page to see some of the other activities we’ve got planned.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact any of the Chapter officers.
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