| North Country Trail - Sault Ste. Marie Segment |
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Difficulty:
Moderate
Elevation:
950 Feet
Length, One-way:
42 Miles
Reservation:
No
Season:
Year-round
From East Lake (southwest of Rudyard, MI), South Trailhead: Access is located by the lookout tower - just south of H40 along East Lake Road (FR 3323).
Location Information
The North Country Trail is a National Scenic Trail which when completed will extend across seven states from New York to North Dakota. Today, 1,700 of the 4,000-mile route are completed. Approximately 42 miles of the completed trail lies in the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District of the Hiawatha National Forest.This segment of the trail connects with the St. Ignace District on the south and leads along pine plantations, hardwoods, wetlands, and dunal ridges until it meets the shore of Lake Superior. Camping is permitted. Blue markers are used to identify the North Country Trail. Sault Ste. Marie Trail Segments:
FR 3323 to H40, 3 miles. The first half-mile is along the Niagara Rock Escarpment then through half a mile of cedar swamp wetlands and north 3 miles following slightly rolling sand hills forested with a mixture of aspen and other hardwoods. Before Trout Brook Pond (approximately half-mile south) the trail enters a red pine plantation and goes over Little Bear Creek. A campsite is on the west side of Trout Brook Pond. H40 to FR 3339 (Hayward School Road), 4 miles. The trail follows three-quarter mile of red pine plantation along the west side of the Trout Brook Pond, then through mixed hardwoods. The last part of trail, before you reach FR 3339, follows the south side of Biscuit Creek. FR 3339 to FR 3139 (Dick Road), 5 miles. The trail follows sand ridges along the north side of Biscuit Creek for three-quarter mile, then turns north through 2 miles of jack pine forest. Two campsites are located along this section of trail; the first half-mile west of FR 3339 overlooking a small pond, and the second at the Pine River. A bridge crosses the Pine River once you leave the second campsite. The trail then turns west along the north side of the Pine River following a sand ridge for approximately 1.5 miles to FR 3139. FR 3139 to FR 3141 (Lone Pine Road), 3 miles. The trail follows the north side of the Pine River through jack and red pine forest and has several scenic overlooks. Camping is permitted along the Pine River. FR 3141 to FR 3139 (Dick Road), 4 miles. On the north side of FR 3141 the trail follows the Pine River for a half a mile and then turns northeast and follows mature jack pine for 1.5 miles to the edge of Betchler Marsh. It then follows the marsh edge for approximately 2 miles until it turns east to FR 3139. In Betchler Marsh there is a good chance of seeing sandhill cranes, blue herons, loons, and unusual plants such as pitcher plants and cranberries. It is possible to camp along the Marsh in several places. FR 3139 to M-28, 6 miles. The trail goes northeast near Soldier Lake through a variety of habitats; mixed pine forest and large grassy openings. Follow along the west side of Soldier Lake to M-28. Camping and drinking water are available at Soldier Lake Campground. M-28 to FR 3159 (Salt Point Road), 7 miles. The trail winds north along the west side of Stump Lake then turns east past Dishpan Lake and northwest to FR 3159. The first 2 miles go through a mixture of red pine and jack pine, then halfway between M-28 and FR 3159, enters northern hardwood. FR 3159 to H42 (Scenic Highway), 6 miles. The trail follows rolling hills of northern hardwood, with scattered sections of old growth aspen. Camping is permitted at Naomikong Pond. H42 to Lake Superior to H42 Parking Area, 4 miles. This section of trail follows Tahquamenon Bay westward along Highway 42 for another 3.5 miles. From the western most parking area, the trail goes northwest through old growth hardwoods before it leaves the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District and enters private land, north of Silver Creek.
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