North Country Trail Celebration
August 21 - August 25
This annual event is packed with everything North Country Trail. From guided hikes to workshops to inspirational presentations to campfire camaraderie – if you don’t arrive feeling part of this community, you absolutely will as you head home. Plus, you’ll have gotten the chance to explore the trail across Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. This is a particularly scenic section, well cared for by the dedicated volunteers of the NCTA Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter.
Register To Participate in the North Country Trail Celebration
The fun starts on August 21-August 25. Browse the activities schedule and make your registration today at northcountrytrail.org/celebration. Early bird pricing is in effect until April 29. The registration price will be increased on April 30.
Questions? Email NCTA Annual Events Coordinator Abby Whittington at awhittington@northcountrytrail.org.
Schedule of Events
All activities are located at Little Bear Arena unless stated otherwise.
Wednesday Aug 21
1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Registration Open
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. National Park Service Roundtable
Get more detailed information about Hiking Trails and Workshops.
Thursday Aug 22
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration Open
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome Breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Bag Lunch Pickup
8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Trail Shop Open
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Hikes
4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Trail Shop Open
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner
7:15 – 9:30 p.m. NCTA + National Park Service Awards Presentation
Thursday Hikes
All hikes will depart from and return to Little Bear Arena at the times listed below.
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Historical Hike of St. Ignace and Lakeside
Cemetery
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Naomikong Shallows Park, Salt Point Road
9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lakeview Road Trailhead, Cecil Bay Road
9:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dick Road South-North
9:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Founders Circle and Legacy Society Hike,
invitation only
9:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tahqua Trail Road and Trailhead
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Soldier Lake, Dick Road North
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Soldier Lake, Salt Point
Road
10:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Brevort Lake Road, Castle Rock Trailhead
10:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mackinaw City, Cecil Bay Road
11:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Brevort Lake, Dam
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. M-123, Kenneth Road
Friday Aug 23
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration Open
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Bag Lunch Pickup
7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Hikes – Location Varies*
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workshops – Location Varies*
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner
7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Keynote Presentation: Stacy Bare
Friday Workshops
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Trail Construction: Reroute
12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Trail Eyes
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Roots and Routes: A Historical Perspective on
Nature Preserves and Trail
Development
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Lightweight Backpacking
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Communications on the Trail: Cell Phone Coverage
and Auxiliary Communications
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. 17th Century History by Jennifer McGraw
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Mandate for the National Scenic Trail
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Geology: The Backbone of the North Country Trail
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Hammock Camping Along the NCT
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Comedy on the Trail
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Trail Protection
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. After the Storm
Saturday Aug 24
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration Open
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Bag Lunch Pickup
7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Hikes – Location Varies*
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner
7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Live Music and Outdoor Games
Friday Hikes
All hikes will depart from and return to Little Bear Arena at the times listed below.
7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Naomikong Overlook, Bark Dock
7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Mackinaw City, Cecil Bay Road
7:45 a.m. – 12:55 p.m. East Lake Road (south),
H-40
7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Two Hearted River
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Soldier Lake, Dick Road North
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Soldier Lake, Salt Point Road
8:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. M-123, Kenneth Road
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tahqua Trail Road & Trailhead
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Historical Hike of St. Ignace and Lakeside
Cemetery
Saturday Hikes
All hikes will depart from and return to Little Bear Arena at the times listed below.
7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Two Hearted River
8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Hike Between the Falls (Lower to Upper)
8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Upper Falls, CR 500
8:30 a.m. – 1:35 p.m. Brevort Lake Road, Castle Rock Trailhead
8:30 a.m. – 1:35 p.m. Brevort Lake Road, Worth Road
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tahqua Trail Road and Trailhead
Sunday Aug 25
No group activities or meals planned.
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Naomikong Shallows Park, Salt Point Road
9:15 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. Lakeview Trailhead,
Levering Road
9:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. Brevort Lake Road, Camp Road
10:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. East Lake Road (south), H-40
10:30 a.m. – 3:40 p.m. Soldier Lake, Dick Road North
11:30 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. Worth Road, M-123