Events

Join the NCTA Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter for a gathering in celebration of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail, and the marvelous volunteers that keep the trail in exceptional hiking condition. Hiking AND dinner! (You can hike even if you don’t plan on staying for the dinner and you can join us for the dinner even if you don’t hike.)

• Noon. Gather at the trailhead on Castle Rock Road in Saint Ignace, two miles west of Lant Road. This hike follows the NCT as it enters Hiawatha National Forest, crossing several ancient, fixed sand dunes and varied forests. We hope to meet the new ranger for Hiawatha National Forest, Derek Goodwin, and we will hear from Justin Bomers, Recreation Specialist at Hiawatha National Forest. Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for hiking, water, insect repellent, sunscreen, 10 Day Hike Essentials, camera, and a friend. The length of the hike will vary depending on your abilities, motivation and the conditions that day. There will be several hike options, so you get to choose the distance. The longest hike may be 8 miles long and the shortest option could be under a mile. We will need to record your name and contact information before the hike.
• 6:00 p.m. After the hike, we will gather at the Mackinac Grille in Saint Ignace for a dinner. We have a room reserved under the name of North Country Trail. Order off the menu, Dutch Treat. There are views of the waterfront from your table. This restaurant is located adjacent to the North Country Trail. The address is 251 S. State St., Saint Ignace.

If your plans include dinner, drop us a message stating how many will attend the dinner: Please RSVP by May 7 so we can make sure there is room for you. (Text Tom Walker at 906-322-2617 or email hss@northcountrytrail.org.) Cell phone service is spotty along the trail so there may not be an answer the day of the event.