With multiple trailheads along the Black River Scenic Byway near Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, The Ni-Miikanaake chapter of the North Country Trail (meaning “I make a trail” in Ojibwa) is located right out the back door of Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort and provides excellent hiking opportunities through old growth hemlock-hardwood forest in the Upper Peninsula.

The NMK is the westernmost chapter of the North Country Trail in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, passing near Big Powderhorn through the Gogebic County Forest, the Ottawa National Forest, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (the “Porkies”), and private property and providing hiking into several waterfalls and scenic locations in the area around Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

You won’t run out of hiking miles with the North Country Trail. This chapter’s trail consists of mostly mature forest with diverse flora and fauna to interest the naturalists among us. Areas of particular beauty are Black River Harbor (just up the Black River Scenic Byway/Black River Road from Big Powderhorn) and the Presque Isle River Mouth area of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

To thru-hike this segment of the North Country Trail, start at the Copper Peak trailhead and continue east for approximately 55 miles until you reach Hwy. 64.

For more information about the North Country Trail, visit the NMK chapter website here: northcountrytrail.org/trail/michigan/nmk/