Our Stories

Mary “Denali” McKinley: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Mary “Denali” McKinley

End-to-End Hiker; central patch + Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota; 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 miles

I started hiking the North Country Trail because it was accessible during Covid. I started July 28, 2020 near Solon Springs, Wisconsin.

I intended to do it over at least a four-year period, but once I got started, it really took hold of me, and I completed it in 24 months. When I added up my weeks on trail, I had exactly 52 weeks!

Backpacking the NCT took me to parts of the country I’ve never seen, never would have gone to otherwise. I had never been to the Great Lakes or North Dakota. Hiking the length of Michigan is the same distance as the Florida National Scenic Trail, the trail in my home state.

Rivers flowing north was hard to get used to. I had the opportunity to hike with Joan Young for my first intentional winter hiking. I’m grateful for the skills I learned and the experience. Although winter had its special beauty, I now have a basis for choosing to be a three-season backpacker.

The NCT connects so many communities of wonderful people. I made so many friends. Everyone I met was kind, helpful and generous with their time and often their homes. I think there is something special about people who live in the North Country, and am grateful for all who became a part of my journey.

There were birds, amphibians, and reptiles, but I also saw bison, cougar, porcupine, wolf, bear, deer, cow, black squirrel, badger – all on trail. And no matter where I was, if I heard a noise in the night I couldn’t identify, when I asked locals, they consistently said “Sasquatch!”

Learn more about long distance hiker recognition at explorenct.info/NoCoLo/index.htm.