Our Stories

Mark Tangen: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Mark Tangen

Central patch + Michigan, Mackinac Bridge, and 1000 Miles

My wife, Sonya, and I discovered the North Country National Scenic Trail while exercise walking the White Pine Trail from our apartment in downtown Grand Rapids (Michigan). While we previously owned a house in Middleville less than a half mile from the North Country Trail, we were unaware that this gem of a long trail was so close to our previous home.

The 2016 Hike 100 Challenge inspired me to complete a 100-mile section in one trip. This was my first backpacking excursion in over 30 years (since my Boy Scout and high school days). Starting at Croton Dam and hiking north (west, NCT-wise) to Upper River Road Trailhead, I soon fell in love with the woods of the Manistee National Forest. I have returned many times since then to hike and decompress from work and urban life. This 2016 hike was also when I got the crazy idea of hiking all of the Michigan section of the NCT.

Hiking large sections of the NCT requires hiking partners. My wife and my late father-in-law helped with many shuttles and drop-offs in the lower peninsula of Michigan. I also learned to use public transportation to spot myself, such as Indian Trails Bus and even Amtrak. One hiking partner, Paul Jager, hiked with me from Petoskey to the bridge and for much of the upper peninsula of Michigan. We typically pounded out 100 miles a trip and came to love the beauty, remoteness and solitude of the UP. Another hiking partner, Dale Meindertsma, hiked and supported me through a tough section, Craig Lake State Park to the Porkies. I am truly grateful to all my hiking partners. Not only did they make finishing Michigan possible, but they facilitated opportunities to face challenges and overcome them, decompress from the stresses of life, reflect on life, and develop special friendships I would never have had the opportunity to develop otherwise.

I have come to love the Michigan section of the NCT. The remoteness of the UP, the beauty of Pictured Rocks, the woods of the Manistee National Forest and the friendly small towns of the southern section of the Lower Peninsula all hold a special place in my memories. Thank you, Michigan, for a great experience!

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