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Sunday, June 4, 2017

Manistee National Forest Challenge Hike #3

 
Today was our third hike in the series to walk the entire North Country Trail in the Manistee National Forest this summer. It was the shortest one of the whole series at 8.1 miles. It's a good thing, too, because this was our first really hot day this year and we were feeling it. We had 11 people and one pup, Sophie.

hiking group

The crossing of Second Cole Creek has always been a beautiful spot on the trail. For years, there was just a simple log bridge here, but now there's a real structure.

Second Cole Creek

The temperature got to 80 degrees. Hot day for a dog, too!

dog drinking

We walked past this nice marsh... no name that I know of. There were lots of water lilies and bullhead lilies, but too far out to get good pictures.

wetland

The wild columbine is starting to bloom, and look! I caught a flying thing too.

wild columbine

Here's an interesting botanical specimen.

paint on leaves

If you are a North Country Trail hiker, you will instantly recognize it as the recently-painted-blaze gall.

trail blaze

The group has now covered 30.5 miles of trail this summer.

North Country Trail, Newaygo County. M-20 to 6 Mile Road



See MNF Challenge Hike #2
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1 comment:

Ann said...

Hiking in heat can get to you. Looks like a great day