Our Stories

Trail Protection with Steiger-Sage Timber

Posted on June 11, 2026June 24, 2026 by Kate Lemon

Earlier this year, the NCTA secured a trail license from Tim Steiger across his commercial forest land in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula. This license – along with another agreement with Sage Timber – allows the NCTA to reroute a trail segment onto these private lands, drastically reducing the current 19-mile roadwalk to less than 5 miles.

This spring, NCTA Ni-Miikanaake Chapter volunteers scouted the proposed route on these private logging roads through the woods of Gogebic County.

Please join us in thanking Tim for his willingness to collaborate on our efforts to improve your North Country Trail experience. This builds on the relationship between the NCTA and the many generous timber companies who continue to recognize just how compatible commercial forestry and traditional recreational use are in the Great Lakes region.

The North Country Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The tax identification number is 38-2423480. View the state disclosure statement at northcountrytrail.org/transparency.