42 miles on the North Country Trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Jon Allen Outside
Jon Allen Outside
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Published 2022-06-01
Pinto, Hat Trick, Ramp Rock, my son Callan and I did a three day backpacking trip on the North Country Trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula starting at the western boundary of the McCormick Wilderness and finishing just outside of Marquette. We had some rain and the bugs were terrible, but that didn't stop us from having a great adventure.

Trip dates: May 27-29, 2022
Route: Mile 208 to 250 on the Avenza map for the North Country Trail
Trail conditions: Good to Excellent. Plenty of water; blowdowns present, but not too bad; some sections were quite muddy, but most of the trail was dry; terrain was easy to moderate difficulty - quite a bit of up and down, but I don't think we ever did more than 200 feet in one climb or descent

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All Comments (15)
  • @user-rq2es2io8y
    This area must be beautiful in the autumn. Summer hiking can be warm and humid, and bugs can be hell, as this video illustrates
  • @revcph
    That's a super awesome section, some of the most interesting and rugged in the UP! I'm section hiking the UP, so I appreciate this video. Blowdown in McCormick is a constant!
  • @waltbrim5897
    I have a whole new appreciation for bug spray, dope, permethrin or whatever. Up there West Nile probably isn't a worry but here in the flat lands watch out. Looks like a beautiful place to hike. Excellent video.
  • @andymytys
    I think that drop off / climb as you transition between roadwalk and trail, north of the Silver Lake Basin, is the most in terms of elevation change in one go along the trail in the UP. That’s what my legs and lungs would tell you, in any case.
  • @mikedunn9313
    Found this video doing research for a hike im planning in October. I'm starting on the west side of the U.P. and going to the southern end of the Manistee National Forest. MI mile 0 to 906 which is where I live. Glad to at least see some sections on video from this year. And I'm glad I decided to go in the in fall/ start of winter, I hate the bugs and dont want to deal with that for that long. Thanks for the coverage of the trail and great video, gonna be checking out the pictured rocks video next.
  • @yooper6161
    Also, thanks for the video. Im planning a hike on that section of trail to raise money for st judes im going all the way to marquette, though. This is the only video that I've seen on this section except one that did it in winter, but that doesn't help me.
  • @DebbieDunigan
    Its November 2023. Would you hike this portion of trail this time of year? We've had a little snow and its definitely cold - i am prepared for winter camping, but would appreciate your opinion
  • @johncurths7520
    I know what you mean with the mosquitoes early June I tried to go From Saint Ignace to Tahquamenon after two days the mosquitoes were so bad the best time to go in the UP is middle of August to early October
  • @jerryphillips7330
    What a difference 2 weeks makes for the bugs on the NCT. Your last trip a few weeks ago was bug free and now... Those bugs will now last to mid August. Like I said a few weeks ago in the comments--go early or go late.
  • @344bryant
    Are you aloud to just set up camp anywhere near the trail? I'm planning a trip and that's our plan just didn't know what rules there are. Obviously we will follow leave no trace rules.
  • @grizbear9519
    Ok I believe it’s moose shit you don’t need to pick it up!! Wtf??!!