Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
Ironwood, MI.  49938
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North Country Trail
Article by: Ottawa National Forest

Congress designated the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) in 1980 and it was conceived in the 1960's for linking north-tier national forests.  This trail ties New York's Adirondack Mountains to the Missouri River in North Dakota.  It crosses nine national forests and two national parks along the way, and when complete, the final length will approach 4,600 miles.

About 116 miles of the NCT crosses the Ottawa, including nearly 8 miles that traverse through the McCormick Wilderness.  The trail is managed primarily for hiking and backpacking use.  No changes are proposed to the management of the NCT, and the Forest will continue to manage the trail in cooperation with the National Park Service and the North Country Trail Association.

Four parts of the trail, the Black River, Bergland, Victoria, and Sturgeon River Gorge segments, have been completed and are open for use.  The trail extends from the eastern boundary of the Kenton Ranger District west to Copper Peak ski hill north of Ironwood, MI on the Bessemer Ranger District.

The North Country Trail is challenging.  It traverses areas of very rugged topography and is often several miles from the nearest motor vehicle access point.  Most stream crossings are without bridges.  The only developed campsites available are at the Black River Harbor campground on Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the trail's west end, and the Bob Lake and Sturgeon River campgrounds to the east.  Trailside camping is permitted.

The Black River Segment, on the Bessemer Ranger District, is located at the north end of Copper Peak Road approximately 500 feet from County Road 513, north of Bessemer, MI.  Parking is available on the trailhead.  It parallels the river for five miles with its scenic rapids and waterfalls from Copper Peak to beautiful Black River Harbor on Lake Superior.  From here it crosses the footbridge at the mouth of the Black River, then turns south and again parallels the river to a point just upstream of Rainbow Falls.  It then turns eastward for five miles to Gogebic County Road 519.  The trail runs north on this road into the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park's Presque Isle Campground.

The Bergland Segment, on the Bergland Ranger District, picks up at the Presque Isle Campground on Lake Superior Trail and continues to its junction with Little Carp River.  Continue on this trail until reaching Lily Pond Trail, which leads to Summit Peak Trail and on to the South Boundary Road.  Cross the South Boundary Road and continue on the trail for approximately 13 miles to the parking lot and trailhead on M-64.  This segment includes two hiking bridges across the West and Main Branches of the Big Iron River.  From here it continues east across Bergland Hill through the high scenic country of the Trap Hills to the Norwich Road, for a distance of about 18 miles.  The trail continues eastward along some high ridgelines for 5 miles to Victoria Road with scenic views in all directions.  Follow this road for 3 miles to join with the Victoria Segment on the Ontonagon Ranger District.

The Victoria Segment, on the Ontonagon Ranger District, begins at woods road 645 and continues climbing 5 scenic miles east to the Old Victoria Town site.  Here there is a short loop trail, which veers off for hikers visiting the town site.  Here there is a short loop trail, which veers off for hikers visiting the town site.  The main trail continues east 2 miles where it meets the West Branch of the Ontonagon River.  Typically low water provides easy crossing, but is subject to rapidly rising water if the gates are opened upstream at the Victoria Dam.  Upper Peninsula Power Company regulates the spill gates and sounds an alarm to signal increasing water levels due to gates opening.  Follow the trail 3 miles to cross Forest Road 733 where a parking lot/trail head can be found.  From Forest Road 733, it is about 2.5 miles to US-45.  Crossing US-45, about 8 miles north of Bruce Crossing, the trail continues east to Gardner Road crossing trail bridges at the Baltimore River and Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River.  The Baltimore River Bridge provides a beautiful view of O-Kun-De-Kun Falls.  From Gardner Road, the trail winds 19 miles east to the Sturgeon River.  Stream crossings at Silver River, Boulder Creek, and the East Branch of the Ontonagon River may be difficult or impossible during high water.  Near Bob Lake, a marked side trail connects to Bob Lake Campground and the Beaver Lodge Interpretive Trail. 

The Sturgeon River Segment parallels the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness above and along its east side and also east of Forest Roads 2270 and 2200 for ten miles from the Sturgeon River bridge to the eastern Forest boundary.  All clearing and signing is complete on this segment.  From the Forest boundary eastward, the trail continues on private land past Tibbets Falls to Plains Road.

Trail segment maps are available at a cost of $4.00 per segment.

Printed materials, videos, and general program information on "Leave No Trace" land ethics may be obtained by calling 1-800-332-4100.

For more information call 1-800-562-1209 (toll free in Michigan and 715 area code).

Ottawa National Forest information is available in large print upon request from the Forest Supervisor's Office in Ironwood, MI (906) 932-1330, TTY (906) 932-0301.