Into the Woods - North Country Trail Near Petoskey

volunteers build benched trail, taking the NCT off Krause Road (photo credit Cora Killinger)

by Joan H. Young

Long (and short) distance hikers of the North Country Trail can rejoice this week as one more half-mile of trail has been taken off road, into the woods.

The new section of trail, just south of Petoskey, will connect two sections on city property. The project has been a long-time dream of property owners Doug and Pam Boor. For several years they have been working with the Nature Conservancy to sell a trail easement to the Conservancy. That transaction was completed this past year, and all that remained was to build the trail.

Saturday, September 27, over 45 people showed up to make that piece of trail a reality on the ground. The tasks were organized by Gary Johnson and Cora Killinger, of the Tittabawassee Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. This section of trail traverses a steep hillside, requiring that almost all of the trail be benched into the hill. This type of trail is difficult to build, requiring hard work, and close attention to detail to create a treadway that will stand up to hiking traffic. It is also very rewarding to view at the end of the day!

Cora reports that in this one day the work was about 80% completed. She says, "No one person could have done much, but together you should see what we've accomplished!"

viewing platform and the view from the new trail (photo credit Cora Killinger)

The hillside where this new trail is located is one of the highest spots in Emmett County. Thanks to the Nature Conservancy there is a viewing platform already in place from which you can see Little Traverse Bay. This is sure to become one of the favorite scenic views along the NCT.

Doug Boor's dream for the section includes creating a primitive campsite where hikers may stay.

It's only a short piece of trail, you say? Yes, but consider the many layers of complexity required to create it. A property owner, the city of Petoskey, the Nature Conservancy, the North Country Trail Association, finance sources, volunteers, and other individuals all worked together to make this a reality. When you ponder this effort it makes you appreciate the enormity of the vision to place all the miles of the NCT, New York to North Dakota, off road.

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See The Nature Conservancy
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