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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/celebrationEarly 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