Softies Hike 2006

The Softies Hike in the spring of 2006 completed the trek started in 1992 by Shirley LaBonte, Jan Lindstrom Wester, and Del Parshall across the UP via the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). The hike took place on Friday May 26, Saturday May 27, and Sunday May 28. Sixteen hikers (including Shirley LaBonte and Jan Linstrom Wester) and road support personnel took part. We began off South Boundary Road in the Porcupine Mountains and headed towards Speaker's Cabin where the hike from the fall of 2005 ended. We traversed a total of approximately 20 miles on the NCT to the Trailhead sign on Copper Peak Road north of Bessemer where we held a ceremony to honor Del Parshall who passed away this past year. Our ground crew drove us to Copper Peak where we celebrated the completion of the Softies Hike across the UP.

Hikers ready to hit the trail Friday May 26.

Beautiful fresh spring green of the woods.

Manabezho Falls on the Little Presque River.

Jan and Shirley giving tribute to Del Parshall at Trailhead on Copper Peak Road.

Celebration at Copper Peak: completion of Softies Hike across the UP on Sunday May 28.