The Softies hikers ready for take-off.

John, our most excellent chauffeur.

Softies II and the “Mucky Middle”     

In May 2006 the first Softies trek (east to west across the U.P.) was completed at the Copper Peak trailhead, and in May 2007 Softies II began at the same spot heading eastward. 

Last year only a hardy few made the nearly 7-mile overland crossing between the Presque Isle and Black Rivers, a stretch marked by many creeks and creeklets that run north-south within steep clay banks.  Those who had opted out of that grueling portion of the trail heard tales of arduous descents and climbs across ravines followed by wide stretches of deep muck on the higher ground, one of which nearly cost one hiker a shoe.  “Quicksand” was reported in that mucky middle of the segment.

So on the 2007 hike over the same ground, in reverse direction, we were prepared for the worst.  The deepest ravine came first, near the Black River, with smaller and steeper ones to come.  At the bottom of each unbridged stream a few rocks or logs allowed a precarious crossing.  Climbing out, we tightened our bootlaces to cross the “mucky middle” that lay ahead.

But luck was with us.  The dry spring of 2007 saved us—drier ground, no slippery muck, no quicksand.  The mucky middle was hardly recognizable.  And the carpets of spring beauty and trout lily that we passed were worth all the effort of the ravine crossings.  It was a happy start for Softies II.  May this good luck last, all the way to St. Ignace!  (Jan Lindstrom Wester)

Jan crossing the swing bridge at the mouth of the Black River.

Conglomerate Falls on the Black River

NCT bridge across stream

Flora and fauna (birds, at least) -Spring was showing her early colors for the Softies hikers.  Among the many wildflowers in full bloom were carpets of Spring Beauties, which filled the air with their wonderful smell.  Great drifts of Trout Lilies were everywhere on the forest floor.  We saw Dutchman’s breeches, Soloman’s seal, Sarsaparilla, Toothwort, and many species of violet.  Trilliums were blooming, and also Wood Anemone and Wild Strawberry.

The resident and migrating birds were all singing as we hiked along underneath them.  We heard Blue-headed Vireo, Phoebe, and Winter Wrens give their distinctive calls.  The sparrows we saw were White-throated, Song, Chipping, White-crowned, and Juncos.  Warblers were heard in the tree tops and included Black and White, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Yellow-rumped.  Sights and sounds that created a bit of magic for our hike!  (Sue Holtzmann)

Beautiful big trees give Denise a place to rest.

More wildlife - The NCT and a newly developed snowmobile trail share the narrow corridor between Hy 519 and the Presque Isle River.  For the most part the NCT follows the high old river bank which provides a wide view, and the snowmobile trail is parallel to Hy. 519.  However, both deviate from this pattern and intertwine in many places.  Crossing through the slashing which has been left from snowmobile trail clearing was challenging, tiring, and   irksome.  It would take a good deal of work to restore this part of the trail to “a premier hiking trail.”

Soon after we returned to the woods, we were treated for our efforts—as we rounded a curve we came upon a yearling black bear that put on a great performance for our benefit.  He had heard or smelled us, went over to a tree, thought for a split second, then up the tree he went.  He stopped about 12 to 15 feet up and gave us a full side view.  He looked around, decided enough is enough, it’s time to get out of here, came down the tree and dropped the last few feet to the ground.  He was over the bank and out of sight, came into view again briefly moving fast and then was gone. 

All of this took place in a short period of time, but one ready photographer managed to get a half-dozen pictures.