2014 Tracks

These are the most current tracks, incorporating a fix to enroute through the town of Mesick. If you have any of the previous tracks with 'pre' in the file name, you'll want to snag these.  All the track files have the appropriate P2P waypoints as well.

*** NOTE: The waypoint at the entrance to Wilderness State Park indicating a water hand pump is no longer relevant.  At the current time (July 2014) there is no handle attached.  This is the description from the waypoint table below:

305.25

MI-07-010 WATER

Water Pump

Point to Point Route: White Cloud to Mackinaw City

Reed City to Reed City 'Loop'

Reed City to Reed City 'Short Loop'
  

Additional 2014 Tracks

Hmm...  Ok, I generally like loops and I suppose others do too...  So, the track below is just that.

The Details-
 
At ~488 miles, the altered route skips thirty miles, fifteen miles of trail and fifteen miles of road, from White Cloud to 56th street of the point to point route.  Instead, starting in Reed City, you'll begin heading west towards Baldwin, on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail.  Just west of town, you'll pick up the P2P route and head north, all the way to Mackinaw City.  From Mackinaw City, you'll head south on the North Central State Trail (Part 1 / Part 2) all the way to Gaylord.  Then comes the unverified roadie section from Gaylord to Cadillac.  Once in Cadillac, you'll pick up the White Pine Rail Trail and head south back to Reed City.

There is a large parking lot in Reed City, where the Pere Marquette and White Pine Rail Trails intersect.   Park there.  There is a motel, bar, party store, etc. all within walking distance.
 
2014 Loop Track

A shorter loop will still start in Reed City, but only go to Mesick on the P2P route, then roadie riding it to Cadillac to pick up the White Pine for the return to Reed City.
 
2014 Short Loop Track

Visual Vittles

Here's a repost of a May 16 -> 19, 2013 ride. I skipped some sections and abbreviated the ride, but it gives a good sampling of the terrain.

2014 Course Info

Below is the preliminary track for the 2014 course. There could be some slight changes, including a 13 mile reroute from the Old131 State Forest Campground to Fife Lake, rejoining the original trail at M-186. A final track and waypoint file will be available well in time for any spring attempts.

2014 Track - Final with Waypoints

Waypoint File Legend / Notes - Waypoint designations refer to the official NCT map numbers.  Mile markers are approximate.  Points off course are accounted for as on course miles.  At this time there are no mileage estimates for off course service deviations.

Mile	Waypoint	Notes
0.00	MI-04-000 WC START	White Cloud Campground
3.60	MI-04-001 M-20 TH	No Services
22.00	MI-04-002 NICHOLS LK CG	Off Route - East
38.50	MI-04-003 BOWMAN BRIDGE CG	Off Route - East
39.00	MI--04-004 56TH ST TH	No Services / Picnic Table
47.25	MI-04-005 TIMBER CREEK CG	Off Route - Camping/Pit Toilets/Water Pump
60.75	MI-04-006 STORE/BAR	Off Route - North
60.75	MI-04-007 RESTAURANT	Off Route - North
61.00	MI-04-008 PVT CG	On Route
66.25	MI-04-009 FREESOIL TH	No Services
	MI-05-000 FREESOIL TH
68.50	MI-05-001 BEARTRACK CG	Off Route - Northeast - Pit Toilets
74.70	MI-05-002 BIG-M TH	Off Route - East - Pit Toilets/Shelter
80.75	MI-05-003 UDELL TH	Pit Toilets/Water Pump/Picnic Tables
84.60	MI-05-004 BLACKSMITH BAYOU CG	Pit Toilets/Camping
91.50	MI-05-005 SAWDUST HOLE CG	Off Route - East - Pit Toilets
91.50	MI-05-006 TIPPY CG	Off Route - East - Pit Toilets/Camping/Water Pump
105.00	MI-05-007 MARILLA TH SPUR
106.10	MI-05-008 MARILLA TH	Pit Toilets/Picnic Tables
108.75	MI-05-009 STORE	On Route
109.90	MI-05-010 NORTHERN EXPOSURE CG	Camping
116.00	MI-05-011 GAS STATION	Off Route - South
116.00	MI-05-012 MESICK	Off Route - Southwest - All Services
133.50	MI-05-013 BAXTER BRIDGE CG	Off Route - South - Camping/Water Pump/Pit Toilets
142.75	MI-05-014 OLD US 131 CG	Off Route - Southeast - Camping/Pit Toilets/Water Pump
150.00	MI-05-015 FIFE LAKE	Off Route - East - All Services
159.00	MI-06-000 SCHECKS PLACE CG	Camping/Water Pump/Pit Toilets
172.25	MI-06-001 GUERNSEY LAKE CG	Off Route - South - Camping/Water Pump/Pit Toilets
182.50	MI-06-002 KALKASKA	On Route - All Services
191.00	MI-06-003 ROADSIDE PARK	Off Route - North - Bathrooms/Water
191.50	MI-06-004 STORE	On Route
196.25	MI-06-005 PICKEREL LAKE CG	Off Route - West - Camping/Water Pump/Pit Toilets
202.80	MI-06-006 STORE	Off Route - West
214.75	MI-06-007 ALBA	Off Route - East - Store/Bar
228.10	MI-06-008 STORE	On Route
228.30	MI-06-009 RESTAURANT	On Route
238.25	MI-07-000 WATER	Non-Potable
242.00	MI-07-001 WATER	Non-Potable
246.25	MI-07-002 WATER	Non-Potable
267.00	MI-07-004 PETOSKEY	All Services
270.00	MI-07-005 PETOSKEY STATE PARK CG	Camping/Water Pump/Pit Toilets
272.75	MI-07-006 CONWAY	Water - Artesian Spring
273.10	MI-07-007 RESTAURANT	On Route - South
275.00	MI-07-008 KIPP ROAD TH	No Services
282.00	MI-07-009 WATER	Well Tap
305.25	MI-07-010 WATER	Water Pump
310.75	MI-07-011 WILDERNESS STATE PARK CG	Off Route - North - Camping/Pit Toilets/Water Pump
315.00	MI-07-012 STORE	Off Route - North
323.24	MI-07-013 MACKINAW CITY	All Services
323.24	MI-07-014 MC FINISH

Profile

Resources

Here's a list of some essential resources worth checking out.  * items (plastic maps) are worth carrying while on course, however some resources may be erroneously stated.  IE: stores closed.  A gpx track and accurate resource waypoint file for cycling this course will be available soon.

Maps:

Official NCTA Maps - 4 -> 7 *
NCTA Promo Maps
NatGeo Manistee National Forest North / South *

GPX files:

Offical NCTA GIS/GPS Data

General Info:

NCTA Michigan Description

Gear / Camping Tips / Trail Etiquette:

Ultralight Backpackin' Tips
Allen and Mike's Backpackin' Book
Lighten Up!

Summer/Fall 2011 Update

Latest track - ~327 miles verified, ~25000' of elevation gain.

(right click -> save as)

Track

Split Track (20 tracks - 500 points per track)

Spring '11 Update

Rode a small section from Lowell to Yankee, but got bored with riding in the flat, punchy windy mostly pave roads.

See Info post below for updated material.