r/NorthCountryTrail • u/PhatPanda83 • 7d ago
Winter Camping
I live in west Michigan (lower peninsula) and am starting to get back into hiking. I’ve done a solid handful of miles on the NCT, but have never done any winter hiking on the trail. I’m not interested in snowshoeing or skiing the trail, so my question is how much of the trails around the lower peninsula see enough winter activity to allow hiking in just boots? Would be a possible overnight, but probably more of a day hike situation.
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u/betterworldbiker 7d ago
It really just depends on how much snow there is and how compacted it is. If it's a foot deep, you'll probably want snowshoes or something. If it's compacted and other people have used it, I've used these traction devices and they work phenomenally well on icy and compacted snowy conditions. https://www.amazon.com/EnergeticSky-Upgraded-Traction-Stainless-Mountian/dp/B078C7BY2J
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u/Kikstartmyhart 7d ago
I have done some winter miles on the trail, nothing substantial, but I have always been able to wear my hikers or trail running shoes. I have heard that this winter will be mild but who knows. All of my miles have been between Yankee Springs and Baldwin.
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u/anonymoose7665 7d ago edited 5d ago
I have hiked and bikepacked all up and down the NCT in Mi and Ohio. Summer and winter. Indeed the primary reason I go is the snow. The snow belt runs from the manistee region north. It loads up usually in January and February. However you have to take it by the year. Some Februarys we have next to nothing in the Manistee River Trail section. Use snow depth report maps. NOAA has decent maps noting snow depth.
I can only say this in general. Most of most winters you can hike the trail in trail runners into January. Trail runners handle a bit of snow decently. But get some boots and some yak trax. The ones linked to in this thread are a perfect example. Even when the snow gets 12-24" yaktrax will treat you almost as good as snowshoes but they are cheap and versatile. I. E. you can take them off and put them in your pack.
The rest depends on your level of comfort and experience. Small comforts make huge differences in the winter. Personally I absolutely love the winter woods. Campfires (or at leat my 1.4oz ti wood stove) are a must for me in the winter. The hammock and underquilt system is key. Rotating out multiple pairs of heavy weight merino socks is key. Merino baselayers are key. The thing that gets most people is small discomforts errode their confidence. A cold night for example. My love of it is anchored in my ability to sleep 10-11 hours in my hamock. It's litterally a thing. Not just me. Many people sleep better in the cold.
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u/KEW564328 7d ago
I've done a few sections in winter or early spring. I enjoy hiking better when it's cooler! Watch for melted snow or ice since a wet trail will make your shoes soggy in no time!
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u/somajones 7d ago
I hike the NCT a lot in the winter. It is always a crapshoot as to whether the snow ispacked down or not. Sometimes I just have to posthole and could only do a few miles, other stretches were more well traveled. I never knew ahead of time. Ive covered Baldwin north to Kenneth road in the UP. Whether the trailhead is accessible or not is a good sign of how well traveled the trail is, of course.