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Hikers often seek beautiful natural environments in which to hike. Ironically, these environments are often fragile: hikers may accidentally destroy the environment that they enjoy. The action of an individual may not strongly affect the environment. However, the mass effect of a large number of hikers can degrade the environment. For example, gathering wood in an alpine area to start a fire may be harmless once (except for wildfire risk). Years of gathering wood, however, can strip an alpine area of valuable nutrients. Generally, protected areas such as parks have regulations in place to protect the environment. If hikers follow such regulations, their impact can be minimized. Such regulations include forbidding wood fires, restricting camping to established camp sites, imposing a quota on the number of hikers per day. Many hikers espouse the philosophy of Leave No Trace: hiking in a way such that future hikers cannot detect the presence of previous hikers. Practitioners of this philosophy obey its strictures, even in the absence of area regulations. Followers of this practice follow strict practices on dealing with food waste, food packaging, and alterations to the surrounding environment. Sometimes, hikers enjoy viewing rare or endangered species. However, some species are very sensitive to the presence of humans, especially around mating season. Hikers should learn the habits and habitats of the endangered species, in order to avoid adverse impact.
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Hiking Trails
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“Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need for half the distance they planned to go in twice the time it should take.” - Author Unknown
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Northern Michigan Hiking Trails
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North Country National Scenic Trail [Hiking Trail], 229 E Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331, Phone: (616)897-5987. The North Country National Scenic Trail is a premier footpath that stretches for about 4,400 miles linking communities, forests, and prairies across seven northern states. An 875-mile linear trail enters Michigan near Morenci in the southeastern corner of the state. Then here it heads northwest through the Manistee National Forest. Then northward through the Jordan Valley and Wilderness State Park to cross the Straits of Mackinac. The Upper Peninsula segment of the trail system goes east to west starting in Hiawatha National Forest. It passes Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and parts of Ottawa National Forest before it exits Michigan at the town of Ironwood. Attractions include: Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Porcupine Mountains.
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Alger County - Hiking Trails
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Gemini Lake Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Shingleton Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 452-6227. Trail Length: 1.50 (Miles). 12 miles NE of Melstrand via Co Rd H-58 & Twin Lakes Truck Trail at South Gemini Lake SF Campground.
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Tyoga Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Gwinn Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 346-9201. Trail Length: 1.40 (Miles). 12 miles NW of Au Train via M-28 & Campground Rd.
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Antrim County - Hiking Trails
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Jordan Valley Pathway [Hiking], Gaylord Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (989) 732-3541. Trail Length: 18.00 (Miles). 8 miles N of Alba via US-131 & Dead Mans Hill Rd. Trailhead in Graves Crossing State Forest Campground and Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground.
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Warner Creek Pathway [Biking & Hiking], Gaylord Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (989) 732-3541. Trail Length: 3.80 (Miles). 9 miles N of Alba Via US-131 & M-32
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Benzie County - Hiking Trails
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Betsie River Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Trail Length: 10.00 (Miles). 6 miles W of Thompsonville via M-115, King Rd & Longstreet Rd.
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Betsie Valley Trail [Biking & Hiking Trail], P.O. Box 474, Beulah, MI 49617, Phone: (231) 882-9605
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Lake Ann Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Trail Length: 5.80 (Miles). Trailhead loacted at Lake Ann SF Campground.
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Platte Springs Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Trail Length: 2.50 (Miles). Trailhead located at Platte River SF Campground.
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Charlevoix County - Hiking Trails
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Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area [Biking, Hiking, Ski Trails], 1129 Wilson Street, Corner of Lake & Ann Streets, Boyne City, MI 49712, Phone: (231) 582-6597. Avalanche is a 300 acre nature preserve where you may find berries, mushrooms and much more... Hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Skating, sledding, jogging and snowmobiling. Disc golf. Ungroomed trails range in difficulty from flat terrain for novices to steep inclines for experienced skiers. 9 kilometers, 4 loops.
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Spring Brook Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Gaylord Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (989) 732-3541. Trail Length: 5.00 (Miles). 8 miles NE of Boyne Falls via Thumb Lake Rd (Co Rd 626), Slashing Rd & Chandler Rd.
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Chippewa County - Hiking Trails
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Algonquin Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Sault Ste Marie Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 635-5281. Trail Length: 9.30 (Miles). In Sault Ste Marie. Take I-75 to 3 Mile Rd, 20th St. W, & 16th Ave W
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Pine Bowl Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Sault Ste Marie Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 635-5281. Trail Length: 7.70 (Miles). Pine Bowl is 19 miles SW of Sault Ste Marie. Take I-75 to the Kinross/Tone Road exit; east on Tone Road, then South on Wilson Road
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Clare County - Hiking Trails
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Pine Haven Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Gladwin Field Office. Phone Number: (989) 426-9205. Trail Length: 10.00 (Miles). 1 mile NW of Sanford via W. River Rd & Maynard Rd
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Delta County - Hiking Trails
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Days River Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Escanaba Forest Area Office. Phone Number: (906) 293-3293. Trail Length: 9.00 (Miles). 3 miles NW of Gladstone via US-2 & Days River Rd
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Ninga Aki Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Shingleton Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 452-6227. Trail Length: 2.25 (Miles). Trailhead located at Portage Bay SF Campground
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Dickinson County - Hiking Trails
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Gene's Pond Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Crystal Falls Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 875-6622. Trail Length: 2.30 (Miles). Trailhead located at Gene's Pond SF Campground
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Merriman East Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Crystal Falls Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 875-6622. Trail Length: 9.50 (Miles). 13 miles NE of Iron Mountain via M-95 & Merriman Rd.
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West Branch Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Crystal Falls Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 875-6622. Trail Length: 1.40 (Miles). Trailhead located at West Branch SF Campground
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Grand Traverse County - Hiking Trails
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Sand Lake Quiet Area Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Trail Length: 10.00 (Miles). (skiers) 5.5 miles SE of Williamsburg via M-72 & Bromhead Rd; (hikers) trailhead located at Guernsey Lake SF Campground.
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Vasa Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Traverse City Field Office. Phone Number: (231) 922-5280. Trail Length: 16.70 (Miles). 7 miles E of Traverse City via US-31, Bunker Hill Rd & Bartlett Rd
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Lake County - Hiking Trails
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Sheep Ranch Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Cadillac Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (231) 775-9727. Trail Length: 4.50 (Miles). 2 miles E of Baldwin via US-10 & Mud Trail.
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Luce County - Hiking Trails
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Bodi Lake Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Newberry Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 293-3293. Trail Length: 1.25 (Miles). 32 miles NE of Newberry via M-123 & Co Rds 500 & 437 at Bodi Lake SF Campground.
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Canada Lake Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Newberry Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 293-3293. Trail Length: 14.00 (Miles). 5.5 miles SE of Newberry via M-123, M-28 & Co Rd 403
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Mackinac County - Hiking Trails
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Big Knob/ Crow Lake Pathway [HIking], Sault Ste Marie Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 635-5281. Trail Length: 0.25 (Miles). 12 miles SW of Nawbinway via US-2 & Big Knob Rd.
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Marsh Lake Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Sault Ste Marie Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 635-5281. Trail Length: 1.50 (Miles). Trailhead located at Big Knob SF Campground
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Switchback Ridge Pathway [Hiking], Sault Ste Marie Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 635-5281. Trail Length: 2.25 (Miles). Trailhead located between N & S units of Little Brevort SF Campgrounds.
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Menominee County - Hiking Trails
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Cedar River Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Escanaba Forest Area Office. Phone Number: (906) 293-3293. Trail Length: 8.00 (Miles). 8 miles N of Cedar River (town) via M-35 & Co Rd 551
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Missaukee County - Hiking Trails
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Cadillac Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Cadillac Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (231) 775-9727. Trail Length: 11.30 (Miles). 5 miles NE of Cadillac via US-131 Boon Rd (34 Mile Rd), & Seeley Rd.
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Ogemaw County - Hiking Trails
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Ogemaw Hills Pathway [Biking, Cross-County Skiing, Hiking], Roscommon Field Office, Phone Number: (989) 275-4622. Trail Length: 13.60 (Miles). 5 miles N of West Branch on Fairview Rd.
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Rifle River-Multi-use Trail [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Rifle River Recreation, Lupton, MI 48635. Phone Number: (989) 473-2258. Trail Length: 14.00 (Miles).
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Rifle River-Pintail Pond [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Rifle River Recreation, Lupton, MI 48635. Phone Number: (989)473-2258. Trail Length: 0.75 (Miles)
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Ontonagon County - Hiking Trails
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Gogebic Ridge Hiking Trail [Hiking Trail], Forest Road 250, Bergland, MI 49910, Phone: (906) 884-2411. This 8-mile linear hiking trail is a great reason to leave the sidewalks and pavement behind. The trail begins along Weary Lake, then pauses at a rock ledge overlooking Lake Gogebic. It bends and winds through rolling hills of mixed hardwood and conifer trees before intersecting the North Country National Scenic Trail. Excellent probability of seeing many kinds of songbirds, including, vireos, thrushes, winter wrens, and ovenbirds. Portions of this area are open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Dept of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.
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Osceola County - Hiking Trails
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Osceola State Forest Pathway [Biking, Hiking], Cadillac Operations Service Center. Phone Number: (231) 775-9727. Trail Length: 0.50 (Miles). 6 miles E of LeRoy via Sunrise Lake Rd & 15 Miles Rd.
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Presque Isle County - Hiking Trails
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Huron Sunrise Trail [Biking & Hiking Trail], 292 S. Bradley Hwy, Rogers City C of C, Rogers City, MI 49779, Phone: (989) 734-2535
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Roscommon County - Hiking Trails
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Red Pine Natural Area Pathway, AuSable State Forest, F-97 & Sunset Road, Saint Helen, MI 48656, Phone: (989) 275-4622
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Schoolcraft County - Hiking Trails
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Indian Lake Pathway [Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking], Shingleton Field Office. Phone Number: (906) 452-6227. Trail Length: 8.50 (Miles). 9 miles NW of Thompson via M-149
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