For those of you who may not know, FarOut is a user based app for long trails where things like water sources, camp sites, and resupply points are identified on you app map. The app is free but maps will cost you between $10-$100 depending on the trail. I've used this app on the Wonderland Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The North Country Trail is now available via FarOut and I recently purchased the PA map for $10 with the intent to populate the comments on each point of interest so that other users have the beta. A trail like the AT will have plenty of user input to help plan a trip but the NCT does not have the same traffic as the AT and will need our help to lower the barrier to hiking on the NCT through our collective efforts to enter that information.

What I'm proposing is that you download FarOut and purchase the map for the section of trail in your home state. As you go out for day hikes or backpacking trips, leave comments on the waypoint that indicate, for example, that the water source is active year round or seasonal/ if the shelter area is good for hammocks or if there's a bear pole available/ if the resupply point in a trail town offers hiker discounts or will let you charge your electronics. You should also indicate trail closures for hunting or for construction or any other info that can help plan and prepare others for a trip. My local section of the NCT goes through a state park where you need to reserve the shelter online via a state run webpage. This would be good information for another trail user to know so they can take those steps and be prepared.

If not you, then who?

https://imgur.com/a/nct-cook-forest-to-maple-creek-aZT3mgR

My buddy and I did an out and back 20 mile overnight trip this weekend in 3-5" of snow with temps ranging from 36f - 19f. We started from the Cook Forest State Park Office (where I had left off the previous winter) and worked our way east/ north to the Maple Creek Shelter. From the park office to the shelter is about 8.5 miles and we covered that in under 4 hours despite the snow. There was percipitation that ranged from rain to sleet to snow as we hiked on the first day. This created some slushy spots but we powered through and reached the shelter with plenty of time to get set up and settled in.

Both of us would normally opt for our hammock set ups but we decided to change things up on this trip and sleep in the shelter. We had both packed tents just in case someone else had the same stupid idea as us but we didn't see another person on trail once we left the main day-hiking trails in the state park. The Maple Creek Shelter is next to a stream but doesn't have a privy or bear pole/ food locker. It is a newer shelter and was very clean. There are a couple of benches and a nice fire ring. We found enough Hemlock branches that were caught up in other branches to have some dry wood to get the fire going. I brought a hand saw so we could cut up any deadfall, and as luck would have it, we found what we needed near the shelter and have "paid it forward" for the next hikers to have some processed wood when they arrive.

My MSR Whisperlite took care of water purification and dinner while we hung out by the fire and slung some bull. Double Ramen for my buddy and Backpacker's Pantry Pad Thai for me. We hung our food bags from a tree and turned in around 9pm after some hot tea. We both slept fairly snug and had a plan to leave our gear in the shelter and take a 3 mile side quest as soon as we were awake. This 3 mile out and back took us to a road crossing where we'll park to start our next section up to Kettleville and Couger Bob's. The excitement of section hiking is just as much about the logistics as it is the adventure itself. We made it back to the shelter warmed up enough to boil some more water for coffee and oatmeal as well as the hike back. We packed up our gear and hit the trail around 10am.

It snowed a bit on our hike back to the car and the snow had turned to ice in some sections - especially closer to the heart of the state park. We considered putting on our microspikes but kept moving with caution. The park office was closed but the heated restrooms were still open for us to change before heading into Clarion for burgers and beer.

The Clarion chapter of the NCT does a great job and the section between the Highland Shelter and the Maple Creek Shelter is a beautiful stretch. Plenty of water year round and lots of ambiance from the old growth Eastern Hemlocks and glacial erratics along the way. I've got about two more sections of Allegheny National Forest to complete and then I'll have everything from McConnells Mill to the NY border completed.

Here was my load out for this trip, considerably more heavy than my shoulder season or summer kit: https://lighterpack.com/r/gdscw1

I am just looking for actual experience and advice on hiking the Pennsylvania part of the trail. I’ve started planning for a a trip in or around the start of April this year no hard date yet. I’m green to actually hiking although have tons of experience of hunting and camping. Just was putting this out there if anyone has any advice. I’ve just began printing maps and researching. I would ideally like to hike from the New York border to the Ohio border although I have no qualms with quitting before Ohio depending on time and energy left. Thank you

Is there anything posted anywhere on resupply towns with there distance from each other? What are some of the longest sections between towns?

Friend and I will be skiing half of the trap hills this weekend. We can take two cars, but it would be more fun if we could get a shuttle from the TH at HWY 64 over to Norwich Road on Saturday.

Like the title suggests - I'm looking to start section hiking the NCT from the Michigan/Ohio Border all the way to Wisconsin over the next few years. Wanted to know if anyone who's been looking for the motivation to start their own Michigan NCT hike wanted to join and maybe share some logistics burdens. I'm in Metro-Detroit, so if anyone wants to give it a go but meet first, that's where I'll be. Thinking I'll start on Nov. 28 and finish the first 60 or so miles by the end of Dec. 1 going from the Ohio border to Albion Twp. PM me if you're interested, but guaranteed it will be cold!

A mine is being proposed to open along the nct adjacent to the porcupine mountains in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

I just came across this petition and hope some of you will sign it or share it!
Cheers.
https://chng.it/qXXcsNWQZs

Question for those of you familiar with the Michigan section of the NCT between Newaygo and the Manistee River Trail. What are your favorite places to camp along the trail North of Newaygo all the way up to the Manistee River Trail loop? Preferably not established campgrounds. I’m looking more so for recommendations of general areas along the trail in that section that are good for dispersed camping or at least camp areas that aren’t all that accessible to vehicles. I’m weird about backpacking all day in the wilderness only to end up camping at night in a campground next to an RV or camper. It’s just a better feel to be backcountry camping away from people and vehicles. Thanks for any recommendations!

Can anyone tell me if there any good dispersed camping spots between these two areas?

Thanks

Hi All! I am section hiking the NCT and am trying to pick a hike in northern LP of Michigan. Looking to do a 2.5 days (so anywhere between 24-36 miles). Asking for recs. For this time coming up, I'd like to not deal with roadwalks or looking for water and places where it's legal to camp. These are the spots I'm looking at.

Petoskey to Skyline (24 mi)

Mackinac Forest - Taylor Rd to Sand Lake (27mi) 

Kalkaska to  Spring Lake (35 miles)

Scheck’s Place to Baxter Bridge (30 miles)

Baxter Bridge to MRT bridge/trailhead (Is a short hike to water possible anywhere along here?)

Fletcher Creek to Upper River Rd (dropping down to the MRT for that section to have water access) (26 miles)

I've thought about just caving and getting the FarOut app at this point, but I'd rather not pay for something that may prove to be not-so-useful! Any input appreciated.

EDIT: HIKE*

If you had to choose one 30 to 50 mile section hike to do on the NCT what would it be? I'm considering doing a section and would like some recommendations!

We are section hiking the UP of Michigan on the NCT. Our next section is from Perry's landing to Grand marais. We are looking for a transport from Grand Sable visitors center in Grand Marais to the trail at Perry's landing on Sunday September 7th around 10AM. If anyone is interested or know someone that may do it we are willing to pay good. Thanks.

Has anyone hiked the 20 ish mile loop SOBO starting at 240 for 10 miles south then back up the Manistee River trail? Wondering on stealth camping on NCT section. Thanks for any info.

Hey everyone, Canadian from Toronto here. Ontario can be boring so I'm considering heading to New York State for some hiking.

I'm planning on doing a 1-2-night hike (out and back) in a month. Any recommendations on the best/your favourite sections in New York for such a trip?

Thanks!

I’ve never done the NCT in the White Cloud area and I’m looking to venture out that way this week- looking for suggestions

Experienced hiker but not NCT. Hiking with a dog. Thoughts on this section hike, end of July. Looking for more wilderness vs road hiking. Camping options? Open to any suggestions. Thanks

My friend is experiencing a sense of wanderlust and wants to get out on doing the whole trail. I’ve been lucky enough to do parts of Michigan and Ohio already so I offered to do Wisconsin with him as I’ve never been. It’s 140 miles and I’ve only seen information about the three towns that are stops.

Anyone have experience with this section of the trail and what to expect? Gear? Campsites to avoid or must go to? Walking average 15 miles, hiking average about 12 miles over a day.

(Edited to correct miles)

Hey everyone! I recently finished a six-day section hike of the NCT from Grand Marais to Marquette (104 total miles according to my Garmin Fenix). I did post this on the NCT Facebook group, but I thought I'd share it here, too, for those interested. The dates of my hike were April 30-May 5 (2024).

First of all, I'll give a shout-out to Kurt for the excellent shuttle. Anyway, here's a brief trail report. I'm writing up a longer one for elsewhere if anyone is interested. For the most part, the weather could've been better. Sadly, it was cloudy, cool, and rainy when I hiked through the Pictured Rocks section. It wasn't buggy, however - I only saw three ticks and just a few mosquitos and black flies. T-Mobile service isn't the best, but in spots, I did get one or two bars of service.

--The trail from the Grand Marais visitor center to the Masse Homestead campground was dry and easy. The Masse campsite has a sand dune/bluff. If you climb it you get some great views of Lake Superior. There's no water at this site.

--The trail from Masse Homestead to the Beaver Creek tent site was fine as well. It was a little muddy in places but not bad. The Au Sable lighthouse is very cool!

--The trail from Beaver Creek to the Cliffs tent site was a soggy mess. (I should note that probably 70% of the trail through Pictured Rocks is very close to the Lake, which makes for wonderful hiking and lovely views unless it's foggy!)

--The trail from Cliffs to the other side of the Sand Point Marsh was also a soggy mess - to the point of being dangerously slippery. Did a small road walk to avoid some of it.

--The road walk through Munising to the trail at Valley Spur Creek was a welcome walk because it was dry and even sunny. Also, I highly recommend Falling Rock Cafe in Munising for a good americano and breakfast sandwich.

--The hike from the Valley Spur Creek entrance to the Buck Bay Creek DCA is fine. A little muddy, but not bad. Just a regular MI forest hike. Note: there's an AWESOME vault toilet where the trail crosses M94. There weren't many water sources on this section.

--The hike from Buck Bay Creek all the way to the Lakenland Shelter was pretty brutal and muddy. The little section through the State Park is nice, but the rest of that trail is rough and uninspiring. Some of it was under 6 inches of water. I did use a few gravel roads to avoid the muddier parts of the trail. The trail does already use some gravel roads as well. When I got to the Lakenland shelter, someone was already there so I set up my tent beside it. I later learned the person using the shelter wasn't even an NCT hiker. A little frustrating but...

--The hike from Lakenland to Marquette is mostly a gravel-like road walk. A nice break from the muddy, wet day before. There are no amenities on this section of the trail until you get closer to Marquette.

--NOTE: all the campsites I saw and used through Pictured Rocks had very nice bear boxes. I used an Ursack the rest of the time.

--NOTE: if you're planning to hike any of these sections, I'd consider rescheduling if the trail is super muddy or if a lot of rain is forecasted during your hike.

--I've added a few pictures. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/rzrit9m74m0d1.jpg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3675880377ee1fb33667befc0eae7af8a4c72c33

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https://preview.redd.it/wpewrtl74m0d1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b67067e560417d71a0833ffe8942652cc2879f3e