Our Stories

Jeri Getts: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Jeri Getts

Central patch + Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mackinac Bridge, and 1000 Miles

I initially began hiking the North Country Trail (NCT), unknowingly, back in August of 2015. My niece and I had started hiking the Buckeye Trail (BT) in Southwest Ohio. After hiking a few sections of the BT, I became aware that I was simultaneously hiking the NCT. I went on to complete the entire Buckeye Trail on November 16, 2019. In March of 2020, Covid came into the picture, so instead of hiking out of state, I hiked the Ohio To Erie Trail and began a second time around the Buckeye Trail. The summer of 2021, I hiked with two friends the northeastern leg of the Ohio NCT trail from where it leaves the BT and goes up to the Michigan border.

Late in 2022, a few of us hiked 100 miles in Michigan culminating on Labor Day, hiking the Bridge Walk. That ramped up my interest in completing more of the NCT.

In May of 2023, I completed the Buckeye Trail for a second time, then a group of hiked the eastern leg of the Ohio NCT from Zoar to Pennsylvania. That completed the Ohio portions of the NCT. Next, I hiked 75 miles in Michigan from the Ohio/Michigan border up to Marshall MI. I found that I enjoy hiking with friends and helping them work on the trail as well, so just for fun, I started my third round of the Buckeye Trail.

For 2024, a group of us started on the Pennsylvania portion of the NCT. Several of us made it to the New York border by the end of October. And I also completed an additional 100+ miles in the UP of Michigan from St. Ignace to Tahquamenon Upper Falls.

My unique NCT miles so far total over 1,700.

The trails have been a blessing in so many ways from all of the beauty to see and the health benefits of strenuous exercise, to exploring new areas and getting a break from the everyday routine. But the best part of becoming a member of this community is all of the wonderful people I meet on the journey, many of whom have become cherished friends.

I look forward to the coming year of hiking with several NCT hikes already in the planning stages.

Toward the end of the PA hike this year, we were discussing our completion and one of the group mentioned that we should write a poem about the hike, so I went home and was inspired to write these words.

Ode to PA NCT 2024

The trail was calling, we had to go
We started off at O-HI-O
The miles were long, the woods were deep
And hills were often fairly steep
The welcome Wampum sent our way
Made us long for us to stay
Quaint bridges crafted, so unique
Were generously over many a creek
The decent to Hell’s Hollow had rocks galore
But that didn’t stop us from wanting more
McConnell’s Mill was quite the treat
With Slippery Rocks below our feet
And skirting Lake Arthur where next we traversed
Through Moraine State Park, which to me was a first
Then on into Parker over trusses of blue
We crossed the Allegany, and to Foxburg we flew
Long miles on bike path were done in the heat
That left us all longing for a nice cool retreat
But fortunately, there were a couple reprieves
Through tunnels with headlamps and a glorious breeze
The Rockland and Maysville were quite the adventure
Though Kenderdell was even more of a treasure
And afterwards ice cream was a must on our menu
So, Ma’s and Cap’s was the logical venue
Sandy Creek became our friend for awhile
And we walked beside her with many a smile
The Clarion River next came into view
And we crossed some State Game Lands for a day or two
Then into Cooks Forrest we spent many an hour
The worst of the climbs was straight up to the tower
But thankfully there was a nice place to rest
Get a drink, catch our breath, before onward we pressed
The Alleghanies are mighty, but no need to fear
Though the most elevations that I’ve hiked this year
But the beauty is rich, so it’s worth every climb
And the views at the top give a thrill every time
It’s a joy to meander up high on a ridge
So exciting to cross over every new bridge
And the friendships I’ve forged, I will hold in my heart
To reminisce fondly when it’s time to part
The trees all decked out in their Autumnal glory
Set a stage of splendor at the end of this story
In a cozy cabin along Willow Creek
Where we lodged for three days at the end of the week
With our gracious hostess, who kept us well fed
And a comfortable place to lay our head
So now that October is already here
We get to the end and we all give a cheer
As we reach the north border, New York, here we come
Our journey’s not over, it’s only begun

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