Here's the tentative timetable.
Grand Traverse Hiking Club HIKE
8:30 AM Meet at Old US 131 Campground
Unload boats & lock. Store paddle gear, packed in duffel or trash bag, in hiker car.
Shuttle paddlers' cars to Baxter Bridge, then hikers to NCT Dell Road Trailhead
9:15 AM -1:00 PM Hike 7.2 miles along Manistee River on North Country Trail back to campground at 2.5 mph pace
If you don’t want to walk the entire way, you can hike out from the campground & meet us. We will have a picnic lunch overlooking the Manistee River along the trail. All participants should be dressed appropriate for the weather, bring rain gear, water, lunch, and wear comfortable hiking shoes. I recommend hiking poles, but that’s your choice.
PADDLE
If you are only coming to paddle, you may have to wait for us to arrive, but what a lovely place to enjoy the river view! You do not need to be a TAPC member, but registration is appreciated.
1:00-1:30 PM Get boats & gear ready for paddle
1:30-5:00 PM Paddle 10 miles from Old US 131 Campground to Baxter Bridge
Be sure to bring your PFD, paddle, dry bag with appropriate clothing for the weather, snack & water. This will not be a "float" trip, but is an easy paddle, with slow current & few, if any, obstacles on this big, wide section of the Manistee.