The first Saturday of June is always National Trails Day. Our NCTA chapter had a hike, a potluck lunch and a meeting with election of officers.
I didn't do a good job of getting pictures of anything except the hike. I didn't do a really good job of leading the hike. Anyway, I believe we had 25 hikers and a dog.
We met at Marilla Trailhead and took the long spur down to the main NCT. Then we went to Eddington Bridge, a nice destination, but I didn't take pictures there either (you've seen it here quite often).
There is a really nice view of the Manistee River Valley from that spur
There had been a request to go to the Suspension Bridge, called "Little Mac." The Forest Service recently reopened the bridge after a lengthy time of repairs. And we hadn't been there on a group hike for quite a while.
Oops... I got off the main trail and took us down a well-travelled fisherman's path. It was very scenic along the river. No one was really mad, but it added about a mile to our hike.
We finally looped back around to the connector trail and made it to the bridge. The Forest Service says it's the second-largest suspension bridge in Michigan.
The bridge isn't actually on the NCT. It's on the connector trail between the NCT and the Manistee River Trail. This is the most popular loop trail in Michigan and on a nice summer weekend it's always very busy. Lots of hikers, anglers, paddlers, campers.
Then we returned to Marilla TH and went to Big Bear Sportsman's Club building for a nice potluck lunch and elections.
Did I take a picture of the new officers? No. I got talking and forgot.
President: Dan Driesinga
Vice-President: Glen VanAntwerp
Secretary: Monica Hatch
Treasurer: Laura Acton
We really thank these people for stepping up!
I managed to do a couple of things after I got home, but hadn't planned on doing a lot. I figured I'd be tired. I'm not very tired from the hiking, but the problem is, I'm so excited about this upcoming Adirondack adventure that I didn't fall asleep until 4:30 and had to get up at 6:30. So I think I'm about done now. I should be able to finish the final prep tomorrow without any trouble.
Miles hiked in 2025: 212.8. Hike 100 Challenge (only a short piece of what we did today was actual NCT): 94.6. I'll reach my 100 the first day in the Adirondacks!
Manistee County, MI, Marilla TH to Eddington Bridge, back to Manistee River Trail connector, to the Little Mac, and back to Marilla, with a detour, about 6 miles
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3 comments:
Forgetting to get pictures says to me that you had a really good time.
Java Bean: "Ayyy, hiking is always better with a dog, sí? Especially for the dog!"
Ann- well, it was busy and intense (and I was hungry, so the food distracted me!)
Bean- her name was Luna. I think she did have a good time.
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