About us
This is a group for anyone interested in attending hikes or volunteering to help build, maintain, and/or promote the North Country National Scenic Trail from Starvation Lake Road (southeast of Mancelona) to the Wexford/Manistee County line at Hodenpyl Dam Pond in Michigan.
The Grand Traverse Chapter is a part of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). We plan a variety of activities - various hikes along our route and work sessions to maintain our current pathway and build new off-road sections of the NCNST. We also schedule outreach events to promote this great community asset. Volunteers with all interests and abilities are welcome to join us. All help and levels of participation are appreciated. Hope to see you on the North Country National Scenic Trail!
The NCTA Grand Traverse Chapter values just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive trail experiences. We are committed to these principles for everyone’s enjoyment of the NCNST. We strive to better include those who experience barriers to trails by prioritizing equitable solutions to ensure all can connect to and care for the Trail in a way that is meaningful for them.
An ArcGIS Map of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) can be found here: https://nct.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=23a2c0d674cb443ea9835af2e8c5f13a
To receive notifications of our events and communicate with event leaders, please join MeetUp and NCTA Grand Traverse Chapter's Meetup group!
Upcoming events
2
Hike 100 Challenge: Harvey Bridge to Fletcher Creek or Glengary Road
Fletcher Creek Campground, Fletcher Prek Road, Mesick, MI, USWhether you are working on your 100 Mile Challenge or just hiking for fun, join us. We will meet at the entrance of Fletcher Creek Campground, shuttle cars to Harvey Bridge, and hike to either Glengary Road (7 miles, short option) or back to Fletcher (10.3 miles), long option.
I hiked my first miles of the GTC segment during a chapter group hike. Since then, I’ve hiked all of it except for the 10.3 miles between Fletcher Rd and Harvey Bridge, both solo and with other chapter group hikes.
I have probably done more miles with the GTC chapter than any other. To celebrate completing all of the miles in the GTC segment I will lead a hike for these final 11 miles. This hike will have two different distances. The planned hike from Harvey Bridge to Glengary was cancelled earlier this summer due to ticks. This hike will give people a chance to get these miles and a few extra if desired. Here is the plan:Long option (Harvey Bridge to Fletcher Rd, 10.3 miles): meet up at Fletcher Rd at 9am and we will shuttle to Harvey Bridge in as few cars as possible.
Short option (Harvey Bridge to Glengary, 7 miles): we will see how many people want to do this and then plan as necessary.This hike starts with a 3.5 mile meander along the Manistee through dips and high rolling hills of maple, oak, poplar, and pine trees in the Pere Marquette State Forest. Then we’ll follow a mile of pleasant rural road and endure a mile+ of busy M-37 highway’s shoulder before following Burkett Creek to historic Glengary. For a fascinating history of Mesick and Glengary, check out this link: https://mesickmuseum.org/mesick-history/settlements/
This hike is one of a series of hiking events aimed to cover the entire portion of the NCT maintained by the Chapter, 107 miles from Hodenpyl Dam to Starvation Lake Road. It’s a great opportunity for those who want to hike it all, earn a patch, and get their name engraved on the plaque at the Nature Center! More challenge details can be found at https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/ and https://northcountrytrail.org/files/chapters/gtc/GTC_107-Mile-Log.pdf .
This 10.3 mile hike will take a little over 5 hours at 2mph and we will take a lunch break about half way.
This will a dog friendly hike. Maverick has hiked many miles in the GTC segment with me, both solo and on chapter group hikes. Letting him be there to close it out would be nice. If anyone else is planning to bring their dog or is dog friendly, let me know and we can plan something. As always LNT (bring poop bags and don't leave them on the trail).
Fletcher Creek Campground LP-230 on the NCT map 44.405309 -85.748608
Glengary Parking: LP-226.75 on the NCT map 44.42436395886501, -85.72221323110792
You can also use the address 7160 W 14 Rd, Mesick, MI 49668 but please don't park on the the homeowner's property, park across the streetHarvey Bridge: LP-219.75 on the NCT map 44.438921 -85.641490
There is some parking at the TH on the north side of the bridge and a larger parking area with vault toilets just south of the bridge. We plan on parking on the south side. Harvey Bridge has some washed out ruts and probably shouldn't be driven on. Also know that there are two lots on the south side of the bridge. The one closer to the bridge is strictly for boat launching, please do not park there.PLEASE RSVP VIA MEETUP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. Signing up lets us contact you if the hike plan is changed or cancelled. You can also contact the hike leader through the app. Please let the hike leader know which length you are doing so we can plan accordingly.
Hike Leader: Wade Thompson (wthompson4257@gmail.com)
4 attendees
Past events
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