Events

Hikers of all ages are invited to explore a new section of the NCNST on National Trails Day: Saturday, June 4. The NCTA Jordan Valley 45° Chapter invites nature lovers to discover this beautiful section of Trail through the River Road Sports Complex, just south of Petoskey. This Trail segment is made possible by the new footbridge over the Bear River, which connects the Sports Complex with the North Central Michigan College nature trails.

The “Stamp-ede on the NCT” will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET). Visit the Chapter’s information booth near the parking lot at the end of the River Road Sports Complex Drive (GPS coordinates: 45.345222, -84.941778) near the kayak launch, and receive instructions for a treasure hunt on a one-mile segment of the Trail (two miles roundtrip). Clues will lead to slightly hidden caches containing rubber stamps that participants can use to prove that they visited that cache. This challenge will make for a fun family activity, or an interactive way for a group of friends to enjoy being outdoors for an hour or two. Longer hikes are encouraged, and trail maps will be available.

The new segment of Trail is the result of much effort on the part of the City of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College, and the NCTA Jordan Valley 45° Chapter. The footbridge was a huge project for the Chapter, and will be showcased on this annual day set aside to celebrate our nation’s hiking trails. The North Country National Scenic Trail, from Vermont to North Dakota, is the longest National Scenic Trail in the U.S. at 4,800 miles.