Our Stories

Arlette Laan: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Arlette “Apple Pie” Laan End-to-End Hiker; central patch + Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota; 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 miles I started my hike on April 8, 2021 in Defiance, Ohio, and finished my hike on February 21, 2022 back in Defiance. From Defiance, I went Eastbound toward Vermont and […]

2023 Volunteer Awards: Trail Blazer

  Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority Cash and Gayenell with the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority (DDA) began working with the NCTA Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter in Michigan over five years ago to create a non-motorized, ADA accessible trailhead to connect downtown Kalkaska to rerouted NCNST. This project, which is still in progress, will remove two […]

Matt Bromley: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Matt “Three More Miles” Bromley Central patch + 1,000-Mile and Mackinac Bridge I’ve been interested in the idea of long distance trails ever since I encountered the North Country Trail and the Appalachian Trail while on family vacations as a kid. The idea of following a map to see new places has always felt like […]