I was just informed of something I had no idea existed. It’s called the North Country Trail and stretches from New York through seven states and ends up in North Dakota at Lake Sakakawea State Park. The trail is over 4,600 miles long, going thru 10 national forests and over 150 public lands according to their website. This trail is one of eleven scenic trails set up by Congress, and the National Park Service, along with individual states, local communities and volunteers help or helped build and shape this magnificent path of beauty throughout the Northern tier of the United States.
The volunteers help maintain the trail including shaping, removal of overgrown brush or fallen trees. In some cases benches may be placed in the side of the hill, or build a bridge over a small creek, maybe even some stable wooden decking over wet mossy areas. It’s a truly beautiful wonder for nature lovers at heart. Your chance to experience the past, like the settlers of the 1800’s and make sure you bring your camera because you never know what kind of wonder of nature, besides the trail itself, you may stumble upon.
North Dakota’s section of the North Country trail begins at the Red River near Wahpeton and then moves to Fort Abercrombie, Fort Ransom State Park, Valley City, Lake Ashtabula, Lonetree Wildlife Management area, Lake Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Sakakawea and then the Lake Sakakawea State Park. The North Country Trails follows the Sheyenne River through the North Dakota for much of its journey.
And that’s just a portion of the North Dakota trail. Just think of the sights through the other states.
What’s also pretty cool about this is that it’s open year round for much of the trail. So if you prefer the cross country skiing aspect of travel, there should be no problem…just wait for the snow.
The North Country Trail has three volunteer groups in North Dakota: Lonetree, Sheyenne River Valley Chapter which has about 50 members mostly in the Valley City Area, and the Dakota Prairie Chapter with members from the Fargo-Moorhead area.
The North Country Trail Organization is always looking for new volunteer groups, or individuals looking to help out the groups that already exist, to help keep the trail up to its natural beauty and to help develop portions of the trail yet to be added.
They have a fantastic website which makes it easy to find out more information about the North Country Trails history, it’s needs, and even its meaning to all those who have blazoned a path on the trail over the years. An easy to navigate map of the trail can help make plans if you are traveling to different states and picking up the trail there.
Nobody expects to see someone hiking the whole 4,600 miles, but I’m sure some will think about it, and maybe someone has done it. But most make the hike 10, 25 or 50 miles according to the website. I feel blisters developing just typing that last line. Here is the site to find out more: www.northcountrytrail.org.