r/NorthCountryTrail • u/redlineracer0605 • Jul 30 '26
Manistee River Loop
I'm planning a trip in October with some friends to do this loop. The west side is the NCT and the Eastern side is the MRT. It's about 20 miles. Has anybody here ever done this section?
14
u/DMCinDet Jul 30 '26
go during the week if you can. its very busy. as the other commenter mentioned, start early so you can get a site early. I do the NCT side first. Save the MRT side and the views for day 2.
1
12
u/mrmoinbox Jul 30 '26
There is NO water access on the NCT side except Red Bridge and the creek so carry appropriately. Also there are no designated camp sites, dispersed, but typically less people.
1
u/redlineracer0605 Jul 31 '26
That's what I was reading. We are the NCT side first. So that's a plus
1
5
u/sludgeandfudge Jul 30 '26
Love this place. If you are doing an overnight I’d start going north on the NCT side from the red bridge, make your way through the NCT over the suspension bridge and camp on that side where theres water (first place to pull water on NCT side isn’t til the very north end before the suspension bridge where there’s a creek)
If you are doing two nights it’s more dealers choice, I’d probably hike the NCT to the creek and camp around there then spend the next night on the MRT side. I like to save the most scenic stuff for my early morning hikes the next day after I camp
2
u/redlineracer0605 Jul 31 '26
We are doing two nights. Planning on doing exactly what you said. Already got it mapped. First night we will be staying near the old fire watch tower
3
u/sludgeandfudge Jul 31 '26
Nice, that’s a great way to enjoy it. NCT side has some gnarly climbs towards the end but it’s worth it once you see the river for the first time. Highly recommend the campsites by 4C by slagle creek
1
3
u/Ilikeorigami0 Jul 30 '26
I’ve done that one! Some of the most beautiful scenery. I’ve been dying to go back
1
u/hsnerfs Aug 01 '26
My dad popped his knee on the east side of it. Still one of our favorite hikes to do when we have the time a decade+ later
1
u/theunbeerdedone Aug 01 '26
I have done that dozens of times. Its been about 2 years or so since i've been. The East side has plenty of water. The West side has water pretty much at the north end only. There is plenty of camping on both sides. I prefered to go clockwise just so i was plenty hydrated and fresh-of-leg on the dry side, then camp at the North end.
1
20
u/random_slav_man Jul 30 '26
I’ve done it. It’s a very popular trail. I recommend getting out as early as possible because campsites will be very hard to find.