Manistee River Trail/NCT loop: October 5-6, 2012

This is a scenic but surprisingly easy hike that skirts the river in the Manistee National Forest. A footbridge across the river allows hikers to combine the trail with a segment of the North Country Trail to form a 20-mile loop and one of the best backpacking adventures in the Lower Peninsula.

My dad accompanied me on this two-day hike.  This was near the peak time for fall colors in this region of Michigan. 

We hiked the loop counterclockwise starting at the south end of the loop at Red Bridge.

Our first segment of the loop was on the Manistee River Trail. We planned it this way because rain was forecasted on Day 2 and we wanted the best weather when we were near the river.

There are many overlooks on the Manistee River Trail.  We took our time to enjoy.

The weather was great all day!

 We didn't see many others on the trail, just a day hiker or two.

In many places the trail was covered in freshly fallen leaves.

There are several established campsites along the Manistee River Trail.  Many of them are on bluffs overlooking the river.  We decided we wanted to hike farther today and crossed over the famous mini-mac bridge and found a campsite on the other side.

After we left our campsite the next morning, we discovered we had actually camped where camping was not allowed.

Eddington Creek

 On Day 2 we hiked south on the North Country National Scenic Trail, a 4600 mile trail from nearly Vermont to North Dakota.

 The Trail was much more wooded and the forecasted rain did come.

 There were occasional views that extended for many miles.

 We left the NCT and headed back to Red Bridge to finish our hike.

This hike was a great success!  At the moment, I it is my top rated hike that I have done in Michigan's lower peninsula. The great variety really sets it apart: from the bluffs above the river, to the waterfall, the bridge, and the dense forest of the North Country Trail.  The fall colors bring spectacular scenery to a new level!