Re: [at-l] Misc Notes (Admin)

[ryan patrick bowles <rpbowles@midway.uchicago.edu>]

> >
> >        o We've got a new list: The NCT-L.
> >
> What is the NCT?
>                   

I'm glad you asked!
The North Country Trail (NCT) is one of the national scenic trails, as are 
the AT and PCT.  It runs generally east/west from Crown Point, NY on Lake
Champlain, to the Missouri River in North Dakota.  It is not yet complete,
with about half of the trail marked, off-road, and closed to vehicles.
Quite a bit more is marked but not closed to vehicles.  When completed,
the final length will be around 4500 miles.

The NCT Association (the NCT version of the ATC) has a great website that,
while still being built, has a lot of great information, including a
detailed write up of the planned route.  The URL is
www.northcountrytrail.com.

Here is a quick overview of the route, from east to west:
From Crown Point, the trail goes through the southern Adirondacks to the
Erie Canal, then goes south to the Finger Lakes Trail, which it follows
west to the PA border.
In PA, the trail goes through Allegheny National Forest, then continues
southwest through northwestern PA, into Ohio.
In Ohio, the trail goes west to intersect the Buckeye Trail, which it
follows mostly for 600 miles around southern and western Ohio, before the
NCT breaks off to go north into Michigan.
In Michigan, the trail goes north to Manistee National Forest, then around
the northwestern part of the lower peninsula to the Mackinac Bridge.  Over
the bridge, the trail goes through the upper peninsula, including a
stunning stretch through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and a section
in the Porcupine Mountains.
In Wisconsin, the trail goes through the northern part of the state and
into Minnesota, including a section in Chequamegon National Forest.
In Minnesota, the trail goes through the northern part of the state, by
the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, into North
Dakota near Fargo.
In North Dakota, the trail generally follows the Sheyenne River, until it
cuts west through the prairie to the Missouri River at Lake Sakakawea.
				Ryan

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