Contact Info
Escanaba, MI 49829
- Phone 1:
- 906-786-4062
- Phone 2:
- 906-789-3337
Description
Sault Ste. Marie Segment - The North Country Hiking Trail is a National Scenic Trail which, when completed, will extend from New York State to North Dakota. Approximately 42 miles of the trail lie in the Sault Ste. Marie District of the Hiawatha national Forest.
This segment of the trail connects with the St. Ignace District on the south and leads along pine plantations, hardwoods, wetlands, and dunal ridges until it meets the shore of Lake Superior.
Camping is permitted. Blue markers are used to identify the North Country Trail.
Trail Subsegments :
A. FR-3323 to H-40 - 3 miles - The first half mile is along the Niagara Rock Escarpment, then through 1/2 mile cedar swamp wetlands, and north 3 miles following slightly rolling sand hills forested with a mixture of aspen and and other hardwoods. Before Trout Brook Pond (approximately 1/2 mile south) the trail enters a red pine plantation and goes over Little Bear Creek. A campsite is on the west side of Trout Brook Pond.
B. H-40 to FR-3339 (Hayward School Road) 4 miles - The trail follows 3/4 mile of red pine plantation along the west side of Trout Brook Pond, then through mixed hardwoods, and the last part of trail before you reach Forest Road 3339 follows the south side of Biscuit Creek.
C. FR-3339 to FR-3139 (Dick Road) - 5 miles - The trail follows sand ridges along the north side of Biscuit Creek for 3/4 mile, then turns north through 2 miles of jack pine forest. Two campsites are located along this section of trail; the first is 1/2 mile west of FR-3339, overlooking a small pond; the second at the Pine River. A bridge crosses the Pine River, once you leave the 2nd campsite. The trail then turns west along the north side of the Pine River, following a sand ridge for approximately 1 1/2 miles to FR-3139..
D. FR-3139 to FR-3141 (Lone Pine Road) - 3 miles - The trail follows the north side of the Pine River through jack/red pine forest and has several scenic overlooks. Camp along the Pine River.
E. FR-3141 to FR-3139 (Dick Road) - 4 miles - On the north side of FR-3141 the trail follows the Pine River for 1/2 mile and then turns northeast and follows mature jack pine for 1 1/2 miles to the edge of Betchler Marsh. It then follows the marsh edge for approximately 2 miles until it turns east to FR-3139. In Betchler Marsh there is a good chance of seeing sandhill cranes, blue herons, loons, and unusual plants, such as pitcher plants and cranberries. It is possible to camp along the Marsh in several places.
F. FR-3139 to M-28 - 6 miles - The trail goes northeast near Soldier Lake through a variety of habitats; mixed pine forest, and large grassy openings. Follow along the west side of Soldier Lake to M-28. Camping and drinking water are available at Soldier Lake Campground.
G. M-28 to FR-3159 (Salt Point Road) - 7 miles - The trail winds north along the west side of Stump Lake, then turns east past Dishpan Lake, and northwest to FR-3159. The first 2 miles go through a mixture of red pine and jack pine, then halfway between M-28 and FR-3159, enters northern hardwood.
H. FR-3159 to FR-42 (Scenic Highway) - 6 miles - The trail follows rolling hills of northern hardwood, with scattered sections of old growth aspen. You might like to camp at Naomikong Pond.
I. FH-42 to Lake Superior to FH-42 Parking Area -4 miles - This section of the trail follows Tahquamenon Bay westward along Highway 42 for another 3 1/4 miles. From the western most parking area, the trail goes northwest through old growth hardwoods before it leaves the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District and enters private land, north of Silver Creek.
