ABOUT THIS BOOK

The North Country Trail is the longest of America’s eleven congressionally designated National Scenic Trails. Winding through seven states—New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota—the NCT’s 4,600 miles attract more than one million visitors annually. These hikers are treated to a smorgasbord of Upper Midwest hiking featuring everything from urban strolls to backcountry adventure through mountains, rivers, prairies, and shoreline. This book is the definitive guide for NCT hikers—whether first-timers, seasoned backpackers, or any level in between—who wish to maximize their experience on this splendid trail.

In addition to a full overview of the trail’s tread in each state, the guide describes in detail forty of the NCT’s premier segments, with helpful information including easy-to-read trail descriptions, physical and navigation difficulties, trail highlights, hiking tips, and precise maps incorporating the latest GPS technology.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Ron Strickland is a noted trail developer, author, and conservationist. He is one of only two living founders of National Scenic Trails. He is the author of seven books, including a memoir, Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America, and The Pacific Northwest Trail Guide: The Official Guidebook for Long Distance and Day Hikers. He wrote The North Country Trail in collaboration with the North Country Trail Association (www.northcountrytrail.org). Visit Strickland’s website at www.ronstrickland.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Introduction

Planning Your Hike on the NCT

New York

1. Onondaga Loop (Shackham Road)

2. Sugar Hill State Forest and Watkins Glen State Park

3. Mitchellsville Gorge

4. Allegany State Park

Pennsylvania

1. Henry’s Mills

2. Cook Forest State Park

3. Hell’s Hollow

4. Wampum

Ohio

1. Beaver Creek State Park

2. Zoar Village and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail

3. Hocking Hills State Park/State Forest

4. Shawnee State Forest

5. Dayton

6. Snaketown

Michigan

1. Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and Barry State Game Area

2. Lowell

3. Birch Grove Trail Loop

4. Bowman Lake Loop

5. Manistee River Loop

6. Traverse City

7. Jordan River Pathway Loop

8. Wilderness State Park Loop

9. Tahquamenon Falls State Park

10. Lake Superior Shoreline

11. Marquette

12. Old Victoria Overlooks

13. Black River Falls

Wisconsin

1. Wren Falls

2. Porcupine Lake Wilderness

3. Historic Portage and Brule Bog Round-Trips

Minnesota

1. Milton Lake Esker

2. Wetland Wonders

3. Shingobee-Anoway

4. The Itasca Moraine Chain of Lakes

5. Itasca State Park

North Dakota

1. Sheyenne National Grasslands

2. Sheyenne State Forest

3. Lake Ashtabula

4. Lonetree Wildlife Management Area

5. Lake Sakakawea State Park

Chronology of the NCT

Bibliography

Index

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