Benjamin Hikes ASMR
Enjoy the calming sounds of nature wash over you as you listen to the crunch of gravel underfoot, the wind whisper through the trees, or the songs of birds in the branches.
DO NOT REPEAT THIS HIKE, North Country Trail HIKE100
Today we take a hike you shouldn't copy. I hiked another 5 miles towards the NCT HIKE 100 Challenge (for a total of 45 miles completed) in the Mackinaw State Forest in Boyne Falls, Michigan. Due to a recent devasting ice storm, the trail conditions were dangerous. Thankfully I made it out, but please do not repeat my mistake. Of course, enjoy this video of my mistakes from the comfort of home.
Learn More About the Ice Storm Recovery and Help: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/emhsd/2025-northern-michigan-ice-storm
Images and Context to the Ice...
EASY SHADY Summer Forest Hike, Saul Lake BOG
Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve again! We're hiking the Forest loop third of the property and see our first beautiful view of the Bog! Although there are some obstacles (sticks and roots), this was another fast and fairly easy hike.
Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan
Weather: 79 ° F / 26.11° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 0.8 miles / 1.29 kilometers
Duration: 18 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy of West Michigan's Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/saul-lake-bog-nature-preserve/
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Prairie Flowers BLOOMING at Saul Lake Bog
Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve is beautiful! This unique preserve has three distinct features, today we're hiking the Prairie Loop. The entire area is alive with wildflowers which look and smell amazing! Let's hike!
Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan
Weather: 79 ° F / 26.11° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 0.5 miles / 0.8 kilometers
Duration: 12 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy of West Michigan's Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/saul-lake-bog-nature-preserve/
Romans 1:20 - "Fo...
Spring LUPINE at Maas Family Preserve
Spring lupine is beautiful! The Maas Family Preserve is home to Blue Lupine and the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. This trail is quick, easy, and beautiful, the 3 best characteristics!
Location: Maas Family Preserve; Rockford, Michigan
Weather: 47° F / 8.33° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 0.62 miles / 1 kilometers
Duration: 13 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy of West Michigan's Maas Family Preserve: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/maas-family-nature-preserve/
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and di...
FLYING PIGS on the North Country Trail, HIKE 100 Miles 36-40
Ever seen a flying pig?? I caught a few on this North Country Trail hike! Keep those eyes open and you'll catch them too! We've now completed 40 total miles on the North Country Trail towards our HIKE100 challenege!
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100 videos will be included in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkr0LRCl3xsMVjRusAHi_GM54wWjqreaM
Location: North Country Trail (Portion, ~...
Enjoying Variety on the Trail, Connecting Trails
Once more, we hike at Wege! Don't turn away yet! We're hiking a few connecting trails and portions of every major loop in the preserve. These trails allow us to see a massive variety of ecosystems and environments on the property. Let's hike!
Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1.19 miles / 1.92 kilometers
Duration: 24 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/wege-foundation-natural-area/
Ro...
Hiking Through Prescribed BURNS in Wege Natural Area
Prescribed burns are a key tool of land stewardship and environmental protection. Today, we hike through a recent prescribed burn area at Wege Natural Area providing a unique view in a familiar area.
Learn more about Prescribed Burns and Land Stewardship: https://naturenearby.org/stewardship/
Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.13 kilometers
Duration: 15 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/ex...
Hiking Through an OAK FOREST, Wege Natural Area
Welcome to the Orange Trail at Wege Natural Area! Winding through an oak forest and over a stream, this trail was a very peaceful and beautiful hike. Where the trees part, shorter flowers and foliage can grow. It was an amazing hike!
Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1.46 miles / 2.35 kilometers
Duration: 32 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/wege-foundation-natural-area/
Romans 1:20...
America’s LONGEST TRAIL, NCT HIKE 100 Miles 31-35
5 more miles on the North Country Trail! We'll be hiking through Seidman Park in Ada, Michigan. The trail provides lots of varierty through the woods, open grass, and a stunning boardwalk portion. We've now compelte 35 miles towards our 100 mile HIKE100 goal!
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100 videos will be included in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkr0LRCl3xsMVjRusAHi_GM54wWjqreaM
Location: North...
Taking a Walk on America’s Prairie, Wege Natural Area
Welcome back to the Wege Natural Area! We're hiking through the prairie, one of my favorite places to hike! If you're looking for an easy and beautiful hike, consider this one.
Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.05 miles / 1.69 kilometers
Duration: 23 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/wege-foundation-natural-area/
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine na...
Beautiful, Stunning PINES at Wege Natural Area
Welcome to Wege Nature Area! I was surprised to find multiple trails within this expansive preserve. Today, we'll be hiking the yellow trail through the pine plantation stands. Let's hike!
Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 52° F / 11.1° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 0.77 miles / 1.2 kilometers
Duration: 16 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://naturenearby.org/portfolio_page/explore/wege-foundation-natural-area/
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, ha...
TIMBER FRAME BRIDGE over the Grand River!
Today we're walking over one of the country's longest timber frame bridge, crossing the Grand River! It rained a bit, but these trails were simple and a fun walk. Let's hike!
Location: Grand River Riverfront Park; Lowell Township, Michigan
Weather: 54° F / 12.2° C, Cloudy with Rain
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.36 miles / 2.2 kilometers
Duration: 29 minutes
Explore Lowell Township, Michigan's Grand River Riverfront Park: https://www.lowelltwp.org/departments/parks___recreation/township_facilities.php
Romans 1:20 - "For his in...
NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL Hiking, HIKE 100 Miles 26-30
Another 5 miles on the North Country Trail! Today, we hike miles 26 to 30 towards our HIKE 100 mile challenge near points MI-1002 and MI-1004. We even have the oppurtunity to visit the North Country Trail Association's Headquarters! If you hike this portion, remember bug spray. Wow, those mosquitoes were huge!
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100 videos will be included in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkr0LRCl3xsMVjRusAHi_GM54wWjqreaM<...
A DIFFICULT…but quick hike at Bradford
We're hiking at the beautiful Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve! This stunning preserve is operated by The Land Conservancy of West Michigan. It appeared to be a simple hike, but found it had significant elevation changes and lots of obstacles (perhaps because of a recent storm). Let's hike!
Location: Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve; Lowell, Michigan
Weather: 52° F / 11.11° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1.8 miles / 2.9 kilometers
Duration: 26 minutes
Explore The Land Conservancy's Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve: {Link to Park}
...Getting LOST at Townsend Park
We're back at Townsend Park! The maps indicated that there was a longer loop (we walked a shorter loop on this hike: https://youtu.be/joPv3vFTZ0Q), which I could not find. I reached the Cannon Trail, but no where could I find another dirt trail as indicated by my GPS tracking app. We may have to explore Townsend Park again. For today, experience my confusion and the beautiful trails at Townsend Park!
Location: Townsend Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 46° F / 7.8° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Le...
WETLAND Views at Huff Park, Short Loop
We're back at Huff Park for an easy walk on the Short Loop! Earlier this Spring I walked the long loop and saw lots of animals (hike here: https://youtu.be/Vd_Oi1pxhAQ), but today we focus on the stunning wetland views from the short loop's observation deck. If you're looking for an easy hike in Grand Rapids, MI, visit Huff Park!
Location: Huff Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Weather: 58° F / 14.4° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 1/5
Length: 0.6 miles / 1 kilometer
Duration: 12 minutes
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SAND DUNE in the WOODS, Exploring Provin Trails
Have you ever seen a SAND DUNE in the middle of a pine forest?? Perhaps the most unique aspect of Provin Trails in the sandy bottom forest and sand dune right in the middle of the park, in the woods! If you haven't hiked this park, or explored on your own, hike with me and consider a visit to Provin Trails!
Location: Provin Trails; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 55° F / 12.8° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 4/5
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 kilometers
Duration: 13 minutes
STUNNING Provin Trails, Yellow Loop
Today we explore the STUNNING Provin Trails! This property is a beautiful and unique (more on that next hike!) walk through a sandy bottom forest of pines. I do (again) get a bit lost because many trails simply wander through the park with little signs or directions.
Location: Provin Trails; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 55° F / 12.8° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1 mile / 1.6 kilometers
Duration: 18 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Provin Trails: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Provin-Trails-Park-54
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100 MILES on the NCT, Part 5, Miles 21 - 25
We're back on the North Country Trail for another 5 miles towards the North Country Trail! We've completed 25% of our 100 mile goal for the 2025 HIKE100 Challenge! These 5 miles begin in Kent County, Michigan's Fallasburg Park, continue through the park, down a country gravel road, and into the Lowell State Game Area where I was challenged with steep climbs, but rewarded with stunning views!
Thank you for hiking with me today!
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join...
Exploring the PINE PLANTATIONS, Townsend Park
Today we walk among the pines at Townsend Park! The trails are a bit confusing here, but the expansive pine plantations (pine forest) are stunning and amazing to walk between. This is my first hike at Townsend Park, let's explore together on a beautiful warm and sunny spring day!
Location: Townsend Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 73° F / 22.8° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1 mile / 1.6 kilometers
Duration: 25 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Townsend Park: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/To...
Soggy and Wet, the Green Loop at Creekside Park
Welcome back to Creekside Park! This was a soggy walk... Listen carefully when I reach the grassy portions of the trail, you'll hear my socks and shoes getting rather moist. Also, get an inside look at what happens when I miss a sign and walk down the wrong trail! Except for the wet, this was a nice walk, just come back when it is a bit more dry if you plan to hike.
Location: Creekside Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 45° F / 7.2° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1 mi...
A Quiet Stroll Along the Rouge River
We're hiking along the Rouge River at Kent County, Michigan's Rouge River Park! This park offers so much, from the standard playgrounds and picnic shelters, to stunning trails and fish hatcheries! We're hiking on the warmest day of the year here in Michigan. I loved this hike and will be returning later in the summer when the fish hatcheries are full and in use. It is a beautiful place!
Location: Rouge River Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 68° F / 20° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers
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Simple Walk on the Blue Loop at Creekside Park
We're back at Creekside Park to walk the Blue Loop! This path is another easy walk, but a bit longer at 0.6 miles. The Blue Loop wanders through the ballfields, grasslands, open fields, and a beautiful bridge over the park's featured creek. Let's hike!
Location: Creekside Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 45° F / 7.2° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 1/5
Length: 0.6 miles / 1 kilometer
Duration: 10 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Creekside Park: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Creekside-Park-7
Ro...
Quick and Easy, the Red Loop at Creekside Park
Welcome to Creekside Park! This modest park in Kent County, Michigan offers three quick and easy walks through the park and nature. I'll be walking the shortest path, the Red Loop, which spans about 0.3 miles around the front half of the park. Let's walk, it's easy!
Location: Creekside Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 45° F / 7.2° C, Cloudy
Difficulty: 1/5
Length: 0.4 miles / 1 kilometer
Duration: 6 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Creekside Park: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Creekside-Park-7
HIKE 100, Miles 16-20, Part 4 on the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL
We're back on the North Country Trail for another 5 miles (miles 16 to 20) towards the 2025 North Country Trail HIKE 100 challenge! As always, this full hike POV will present my hike exactly as I walked it. We'll be hiking near NCT points MI-975.5 and MI-972.5 which overlap with the Cannon Trail, another popular trail I would love to hike in the future. Join me and hike with me!
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100...
Exploring the Red Trail at Aman Park, Sunny Hike
We're at Aman Park once again to hike the longest trail, the Red Trail! I was surprised with the scenery, multiple bridges, waterways, and beautiful forests.
Location: Aman Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Weather: 32 ° F / 0° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1.3 miles / 2.1 kilometers
Duration: 23 minutes
Explore Grand Rapids, Michigan's Aman Park: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Directory/Places/Parks/Aman-Park
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ev...
DEER & DUCKS at Huff Park, Long Loop
We're at Huff Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan! I've been near this park, but never explored it. The wetlands, boardwalks, brief forest, and open fields are STUNNING! Adding to this easy hike, we're DEER and DUCKS, very near to the trail and content to allow me to quietly stand and observe them. Amazing!
Location: Huff Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Weather: 31° F / -0.55° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 1/5
Length: 1.3 miles / 2.1 kilometers
Duration: 23 minutes
Explore Grand Rapids, Michigan's Huff Park: https://www.gr...
Green Loop at Aman Park, Sunny Spring Hike
We're back at Aman Park for a quick and beautiful hike! The Green Trail, accessed through the Red Trail, wanders near the creek and through a narrow gap in the soft earth of spring.
Location: Aman Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Weather: 32 ° F / 0° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 kilometers
Duration: 11 minutes
Explore Grand Rapids, Michigan's Aman Park: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Directory/Places/Parks/Aman-Park
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal po...
Hiking the Yellow Loop at Aman Park, Spring Hike
Welcome back to the trail! We explore a new location today, Aman Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this video, we'll specifically hike the Yellow Loop, a beautiful hike past the Aman gravesite through a stunning forest.
Location: Aman Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Weather: 32° F / 0° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.1 miles / 1.8 kilometers
Duration: 19 minutes
Explore Grand Rapids, Michigan's Aman Park: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Directory/Places/Parks/Aman-Park
Romans 1:20 - "For his invisible attributes, na...
[APRIL FOOLS] Exploring Spencer Forest, Sunny Spring Hike
We're at Spencer Forest once again! This property is stunning and incredible. I was shocked by the sheer size of the Forest. Today, I walk back towards the parking lot and just explore the area. I hike portions of the Purple Loop and 17 Mile Road which divides Cooper Creek Park and Spencer Forest.
Location: Cooper Creek Park & Spencer Forest; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 31° F / -0.55° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.2 miles / 1.9 kilometers
Duration: 22 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Cooper Cr...
Miles 11-15, Part 3 - 2025 North Country Trail HIKE 100
We're back on the North Country Trail for the HIKE 100 Challenge! Today, we'll be adding another five miles towards our one-hundred mile goal, miles 11 through 15, in Cedar Springs, Michigan. If you're interested in hiking this portion, check out the North Country Trail map. I'll be hiking near the points marked ~MI-950.5 and ~MI-948.5.
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100 videos will be included in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Purple Loop at Spencer Forest, Sunny Spring Hike
We're back at Spencer Forest for a hike on the Purple Trail! This Forest spans hundreds of acres and truly feels like a place where you can escape in the wonder of God's creation and His very art. Let's hike through this stunning forest together and enjoy a sunny, warm, Spring day!
Location: Cooper Creek Park & Spencer Forest; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 62° F / 16.7° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 2.6 miles / 4.2 kilometers
Duration: 48 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Cooper Creek Park & Sp...
Green Loop at Spencer Forest, Sunny Spring Hike
We're back at Spencer Forest for a hike on the Green Trail! This Forest spans hundreds of acres and truly feels like a place where you can escape in the wonder of God's creation and His very art. Let's hike through this stunning forest together and enjoy a sunny Spring day!
Location: Cooper Creek Park & Spencer Forest; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 31° F / 0.55° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers
Duration: 28 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Cooper Creek Park & Spencer Fo...
Hiking in Cooper Creek Park/Spencer Forest
Today we're at Kent County's Cooper Creek Park and Spencer Forest! These adjacent parks offer over 500 acres of pine stands, deciduous forests, and fields to explore. There are two entry tails connected to two loops within the parks. We'll be hiking both entry trails and a bit of the trails in between.
Location: Cooper Creek Park & Spencer Forest; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 31° F / 0.55° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.9 miles / 3.1 kilometers
Duration: 31 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Cooper Creek Park & Sp...
Exploring Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve
We're exploring a brand new location, the Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve in Rockford, Michigan! This stunning property, operated by the Land Conservatory of West Michigan, features the Saul Lake Bog, unique ecosystem of carnivorous plants, grasses, and a variety of wildlife spread across 123 acres. I plan on returning to the Preserve again to hike the entire trail system, but join me as I explore!
Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan
Weather: 31° F / 0.55° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 0.8 miles / 1.3 kilometers
Duration: 13 minutes
...I SHOULD NOT Have Hiked - Blue Loop, Seidman Park
We return once more to Seidman Park in Kent County, Michigan for a our first Spring hike! I wish it would have been a touch warmer... Honestly, should have delayed this hike, the trail was a solid rink of ice! Watch close and laugh at my pain as I fall right on my behind... Seriously, I paused all hikes this day. Do not repeat my mistakes, if your trail is solid ice, try it some other day.
Location: Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 19° F / -7.2° C, Sunny with Ice
Yellow Loop at Seidman Park, Sunny Winter Hike
Welcome back to Seidman Park in Kent County, Michigan! Today we'll be hiking the Yellow Loop through woodland and over a stunning Honey Creek bubbling over snow covered rocks. The North Country Trail runs through this park and we'll be hiking portions of this National Scenic Trail. Let's hike one of our last winter hikes!
Location: Seidman Park, Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 30° F / -1.11° C, Sunny and Snow
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.4 miles / 2.25 kilometers
Duration: 23 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Se...
Seidman Park Red Loop, Sunny Snowy Hike
Today we explore a new park, Seidman Park in Kent County, Michigan! This park features a stunning creek and many trails, including three distinct trail loops. We'll be hiking the Red Loop and covering portions of the National Scenic Trail, North Country Trail, which cuts through the 400 acres of wetlands and woodlands.
Location: Seidman Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 30° F / -1.11° C, Sunny and Snow
Difficulty: 2/5
Length: 1.1 miles / 1.8 kilometers
Duration: 19 minutes
Explore Kent County, Michigan's Seidman Park: https://ww...
Wandering at Wahlfield Park, Snowy Winter Hike
Today we're exploring Kent County, Michigan's Wahlfield Park! This park contains miles of trails, but today we just wander and explore. I find this park especially beautiful this time of year and in the sun. There is a mix between a snowy winter and the hope of sunny Spring over the course of this hike.
Thank you for hiking with me today!
Location: Wahlfield Park; Kent County, Michigan
Weather: 40° F / 4.4° C, Sunny
Difficulty: 3/5
Length: 1.7 miles / 2.7 kilometers
Duration: 26 minutes
...2025 North Country Trail HIKE 100, Part 2 | Miles 6-10 | Snowy Hike
Today we're back on the North Country Trial for miles 5 through 10 of our HIKE 100 challenge! If you missed my first video, I'm hiking 100 miles on the North Country Trail in 2025. This challenge will be divided across several videos throughout the year. Today, I hike a roadside portion of the NCT in Rockford, starting at the corner of 10 Mile Road and Courtland Road proceeding 2.5 miles south and back (from about NCT MI-966.5 to about MI-969 and back).
Join the challenge!
Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/
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