Manistee River Trail/NCT Loop Day Hike

June 28, 2013
~20 Miles

This loop hike is a classic backpacking trip in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

I completed this hike as a day-hike while training for my Colorado Trail adventure.  Previously I had been inspired by the fall colors during October 2012 on a weekend hike here with my dad.

After awaking early in the morning and driving about 3 hours to get to the Red Bridge River Access trailhead, I began my hike.  I hiked clockwise saving the Manistee River Trail for last.

After completing a climb, I made it to the North Country Trail and turned right.

The trail was mainly in the forest with a few views through the trees.

There was a nice campsite up on the ridge. There isn't a nearby watersource though.

I continued through forested terrain with some elevation changes.  After some time, I came to Eddington Creek.

There was a nice bridge across it.

 I left the North Country Trail and joined the Manistee River Trail.  There was an animal skeleton in in the path.

Soon I reached the first view overlook of the Manistee River.

The spur trail was blazed with white blazes.

I reached the bridge over the Manistee River.

Manistee River

Before this bridge was constructed, a significant ford was required to reach the other side.

On the east side of the river, the trail brought me to many overlooks of the Manistee River below.

I almost stepped on this huge turtle in the trail!

Some of the many flowers along the trail.

I stopped to get some water at a campsite by the river.

There was an impressive tree nearby.

Back on the trail, the impressive views continued.

I came to the impressive mini waterfall, one of the very few in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

I came to Slagle Creek.

The bridge was expertly constructed.

Then I entered a pine forest.

Next I came to Cedar Creek.

Then an impressive view across the Manistee River Valley.

More flowers near the trail

As I neared the end, I came to one of the favorite views of the Manistee River.

Finally, I came out to the Coates Highway.

I enjoyed a final view of the pond near the Manistee River by the parking lot.

This experience reminded me of the many joys I experienced my first time hiking this loop.  This is definitely one of the best hikes in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.  I recommend hiking it in the fall during the week for cool temps, fall colors, and less crowds, but any hike on this trail will be worthwhile.

Maryland Heights

9-1-2014

5.3 miles

This was a great day-hike with exceptional views and historical sites.  For a map and description see here.  I went with my brother and it took us some time to even find an available parking spot, but we finally were able to start the hike. We also included a short walk to Harpers Ferry.

There were some expansive views.

The trail was wide and quite steep. We did the loop to some historic civil war sites, but were drenched in some serious rain so I didn't have the chance to take any pictures.

We hiked down to the impressive view from Maryland Heights.  It includes the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and Harpers Ferry.

An impressive view of the Potomac River

We descended down to the Potomac River and went for a swim in the water to cool off as it was quite hot out.  Then we hiked on the C&O Towpath a short distance to the bridge over to Harpers Ferry and West Virginia.  This is a portion of the Appalachian Trail and many hikers view Harpers Ferry as the midpoint on the trail.

John Brown's Fort

The Appalachian Trail crosses the Potomac River. Maryland Heights is the rocky terrain behind the bridge.

The C&O Towpath is 184.5 miles long from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. It follows the historic canal along the Potomac River that was used mainly for transporting coal.

This was a spectacular hike and a worthy side trip for AT thru hikers.