Trail Description

The Chippewa National Forest offers a great variety of hiking conditions through a diverse mixture of conifer and hardwood forests.  The terrain ranges from almost flat to rolling hills and includes many lakes, ponds, and abundant wildlife (including wolves, bald eagles, deer, and an occasional moose).  Numerous access points provide opportunities for short or long hikes.

Starting near the community of Remer is the original segment of the North Country Trail built within Minnesota – the 68 miles within the Chippewa National Forest. In general, the NCT heads west from Remer paralleling State Highway 200 all the way to just southwest of Walker, MN where it crosses State Highway 34 before entering the Paul Bunyan State Forest in Hubbard County.

Trail Description

Below, you’ll find the text (revised & updated) of the Guide to the North Country Trail in the Chippewa National Forest, MN written by the late Rod McRae, a long-time NCTA leader, and published by the NCTA (1991).

The NCT is, generally, smooth walking and suitable for the novice hiker if distances are kept in mind. The trail has been cut mechanically to about 8-10 width to enable motorized equipment to maintain the treadway. Note: the NCTA and Chippewa National Forest are altering the maintenance so as to make the trail less inviting (less wide) for ATV riders. The trail is criss-crossed by numerous small forest roads, some maintained, others not. The trail is posted at each road crossing, no matter how obscure. because of the multiple-usage in this area, Carsonite posts, NCT blazes, and trail markers are occasionally damaged or missing. Animals will also sometimes damage signposts.

The topography is rolling and meanders up and down, although there are few steep hills and no truly strenuous climbs. The land has been heavily glaciated and the trail often follows small glacial ridges. While the views are seldom dramatic or far-reaching there are numerous pleasant lookouts and viewpoints.

This area has been heavily logged over the past century and much evidence of old stumps from the first growth timber remain on the forest floor. WHile once dominant in White and Norway Pine, the second growth forest is quite mixed. Stands of maple/oak, birch, aspen, andn pine form a constantly changing cast of characters to make a friendly and pleasant forest walk. the forest is currently being managed for aspen, a popular paper-making tree, and hikers will pass cutover areas. These areas regrow quickly with aspen.

Water
Surprisingly, water access can be a problem for hikers in the “Land of 10,000 lakes.” While ponds, lakes, and streams abound in this area, most have a marshy shore and are difficult for hikers to access. Water access points convenient to hikers are noted in the text. It is essential that all drinking water obtained along the trail be treated before consumption. Giardia and other unpleasant critters are common. Because of possible contaminants and debris, a filter pump is strongly recommended.

Camping
Trail camping is permitted anywhere along the NCT on National Forest lands. No open fires are permitted except in designated fire grate sites. Many potential campsites must be bypassed because of the lack of water access. Currently, there are eight developed campsites suitable for hikers. Hikers are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace camping techniques when using any of these, or other sites.

Weather and Wildlife
Weather is generally pleasant at this latitude. Spring and fall days are warmish but can have cold nights. Hikers should be prepared for night-time frost in early May and late September. June through August may have warm days but nights will cool off moderately. April and May will possibly be muddy on the trail following spring breakup. Rain can occur in any month between April and October. Contrary to popular opinion, snow only sticks around between November and April!

Mosquitoes can be a problem from late May/early June through September, depending greatly upon water conditions for breeding. Black flies and gnats can be an occasional pest in the spring/early summer. The Woodtick Trail Road is aptly named and May through June can yield phenomenal numbers of ticks. Unfortunately, this area does contain deer ticks, which are carriers of Lyme Disease. Most large game common in northern forests are here, although you’ll rarely see game unless you are very quiet. While black bear are common here they do not normally cause a problem for campers, except at heavily used campgrounds. Raccoons and porcupines pose a greater challenge for overnight trail camps and food should be secured for the night (either placed in a bear canister or hung from a tree).

The Chippewa National Forest, including the NCT, is open to hunters during the regular Minnesota hunting seasons. Grouse, duck, and small game hunters in September and October pose little problem for hikers. Hikers should make their presence known if they believe hunters are nearby. The November deer hunting season does pose potential problems for hikers. Hikers should wear blaze orange clothing and remember that hunters also appreciate the outdoors.

The North Country Trail in Winter
Winter is a great time to get out and enjoy the NCT in the Chip, especially on snowshoes. The trail receives little use during winter…mostly because it is pretty inaccessible. Many of the forest roads that the NCT intersects are not plowed in the winter. Points at which you can access the NCT in the winter include:

• St. Hwy 64 trailhead in the Paul Bunyan State Forest – while not plowed, E. Steamboat Forest Rd. is used for snowmobiling, and so the trailhead just off Hwy 64 is usually accessible to 4WD vehicles. The western boundary of the Chip is 4.5 miles east of the trailhead and a good day trip is to Cass Co. Rd. 12, another mile past.

• Shingobee Winter Rec. Area trailhead – The NCT can be reached via a 1-mile side (groomed XC ski) trail from the trailhead kiosk at the top of the sledding hill. A good day trip is out and back to the Anoway Lake Bridge, a distance of about 2.5 miles, most of which is groomed for XC skiing. Shingobee Winter Recreation Area is a family-friendly winter destination with the XC skiing, sledding, and historic warming chalet. The Chippewa National Forest hosts a variety of Saturday outdoor events there regularly during the winter months.

• St. Hwy 371 trailhead – The Lake Erin picnic area is plowed in the winter and the NCT crossing of Hwy 371 is located just south of the parking area. A good day trip is out to the Woodtick Impoundment and back, a distance of 5 miles. There is also the 1-mile loop trail around Lake Erin.

• Milton Lakes boat landing trailhead – located at the end of FR2324 (Milton Lakes Rd.) north of Remer, this area usually is plowed in the winter all the way to the boat landing. A good snowshoe hike trip is an out and back on the esker, which runs for about 0.5 mile heading east from the parking area.

• The Goose Lake XC Ski trail system trailead off Co. Rd. 5 – Located just west of Longville, this XC ski trail system trailhead is accessible in the winter. The NCT can be reached after a 1.5 mile walk on the XC ski trails. Note: the NCT may also be reached by driving west on the plowed Woodtick Trail (The Woodtick Trail/FR2107 is plowed west only to Moccasin Lake) and parking along the side of the road or in the (unplowed) trailhead parking area where the NCT crosses.

When the snow is not deep, other NCT parking areas may be accessible to 4WD vehicles, including: Co. 12 & Co. 50 by Walker; St. Hwy 84 by Longville; W. Macemon Rd.; St. Hwy 200; and Co. 4, Co. 52, and FR2101/St. Hwy 6 by Remer.

Regulated Uses

(Updated: 6/23/10)

Officially, the NCT is a non-motorized hiking trail. However, hikers should understand that the Chippewa National Forest allows mountain bikers and horseback riders to also use the trail as long as they don’t cause damage.  Motorized vehicles are prohibited from the NCT but they have frequented it in several places resulting in varying levels of damage.

Camping Regulations

Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere along the NCT within the Chippewa National Forest.  There are eight designated campsites and numerous other informal campsites along the NCT.