North Country Trail Backpacking Trip From Kalkaska to Wexford Counties
The subtle, soulful beauty of Michigan’s Northwoods fills writer Cindy Ross’ heart as she takes a four-day backpacking trip with her family on a gentle stretch of the North Country Trail.
The first time I saw the sandy North Country Trail (NCT) high above the Manistee River, I was on a canoe trip, and we had just docked for a break. I looked at the blue-painted blazes beckoning me to follow deep into the pine forest, and I vowed I’d be back—next time, for a walking adventure. One year later, we are here in Northern Michigan, sampling 50 miles of this 4,600-mile National Scenic Trail (NST).