North Country Trail/Fife Lake Loop

August 1-2, 2015

Of all the national scenic trails, I have currently hiked the most miles on the North Country Trail, a 4600 mile trail from North Dakota to New York (soon Vermont). Whether it be beautiful segments in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Border Route Trail, Kekekabic Trail), along Lake Superior's beautiful shoreline (Superior Hiking Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore), or in Michigan's Lower Peninsula (Manistee River, Jordan River Pathway), the NCT has provided exceptional backpacking opportunities.

I will have time to hike a significant portion of trail this summer and coming fall in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Section hiking the NCT's established trail in the Lower Peninsula is becoming a realistic goal.  This loop hike includes spectacular scenery on a newly constructed portion of trail. The NCT has been re-routed to the new scenic section, but the old section continues to be maintained.  This creates one of the best overnight hikes in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Here is a map of the loop:

My dad joined me for this hike.  We began Saturday morning from the Spring Lake Campground off US-131.  When we arrived we discovered an NCT Trailhead. Starting from the campground we hiked counterclockwise. This allowed us to save the best scenery for last.  Spring Lake Campground was a good half-way point to divide the loop with camping on the south end.

The trail quickly crossed some railroad tracks.

Then an expertly constructed boardwalk.

We followed mainly two-track to the junction for the spur to Fife Lake, an NCT Trail Town.

We continued on the NCT, crossing US-131, and staying two-track.

A portion of trail was shared with Michigan's Shore to Shore Trail, a trail mainly for horses.  I believe there is a spur that goes to Cadillac as the main route goes from Lake Huron to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

We made it to the trailhead on M-186 and took a break for a snack.  This point connects to the end of my previous hike south from Kalkaska. From the trailhead we left the NCT and joined the Fife Lake Loop Trail.

Formerly blue blazes are now painted orange.

Soon we enjoyed a pleasant view of a nice pond.

The trail followed historic railroad routes and had sections that were straight for as far as could be seen.

We enjoyed some nice clearings.

The trail was marked excellently.

After a road crossing we decided to take a break for a snack.

Continuing on we passed some more railroad tracks.

Next there was another scenic pond/marsh with some impressive clouds overhead.

There were lots of ferns.

The trail followed alongside a stream and we came to a campsite.  We continued on and arrived at the junction back with the NCT.

Nearby we found a wonderful campsite on a peninsula between two scenic creeks. There was a boardwalk spanning the creeks and over the peninsula.

We were quite satisfied with the campsite.  If starting Friday evening, this would be a great campsite as it is less than a mile from the Old US 131 Campground.

The Manistee River was nearby and also a railroad bridge.

In the afternoon we decided to walk out across the bridge.

We wandered down the NCT a little more and enjoyed the view of the Manistee River as many kayakers paddled by.

A view of the campsite from where the two creeks join.

We started a fired and warmed up some food.

We met some other friendly backpackers, John and Dove, who volunteer for the North Country Trail Association in the Petoskey Area.  It was great to meet some other backpackers on the trail!  Outside of the Manistee River Loop and Jordan River Pathway the trail has been quite isolated.

We began our second day with a short hike over to the state forest campground.

At the campground there was a water pump so we didn't have to filter our water.

Nearby there were many excellent walk-in campsites right by the river.  They were all empty, but a fee is required.

The Manistee River

There was another NCT trailhead with a great map!

Next was an especially scenic portion along the Manistee River.

We came to an amazing overlook where we could see the river meandering down below.

There was even a bench so sit back an enjoy the view!

This overlook is only a short distance from the US-131 Roadside Park and is an excellent short hike by itself.

We came to another overlook of the Manistee River down below.

There were lots of flowers on the other side.

It was interesting hiking under US-131.

The trail goes right through the roadside park.

We had another view of the river.

The trail was through some large trees.

We left the Manistee River and followed along Fife Lake Creek.

The trail went through a pine forest with some logging activity.

Then there was a short road walk on a sandy two-track.

Back on the trail we continued along Fife Lake Creek.

We took a break on a bench with a great view of a beaver dam.  We didn't see any beaver.

There was a beautiful flower nearby.

We came to a lake that was quite shallow.

It was quite cloudy and rain began to fall.

Soon we experienced some of the heaviest rain that I can remember in quite some time when I've been out hiking.

It rained so hard it was impossible to take any pictures without soaking my camera.  I think there may have even been a little hail.  We had a brief section on the road near Headquarters Lake.  There were a couple tents set up nearby but no people.  We were soaked but only a couple miles from Spring Lake Campground so we continued on.

After some time the rain stopped, but the trail had become a river.  I just kept walking through.

We had a short road walk.

Then it was back to a wide trail.

Completely soaked!

We soon reached Spring Lake Campground. There was a nice reflection at Spring Lake.

Completing the final steps back to the car.

The storm we encountered was the first of three during the day in Northern Michigan.  In some places near Sleeping Bear Dunes there was significant damage. We mainly just experienced heavy rain, but later in the day there were some serious thunder storms and high winds.

Overall, the Fife Lake Loop was excellent! At this time, it is certainly less traveled than other popular loop hikes in Michigan.  Thanks to everyone who helped make this spectacular loop possible.