Manistee River Trail Loop (MI)

[phubbard]

On Saturday, June 14, 2014, I ran the Manistee River Trail (MRT) from the Seaton Creek Campground and connected it with the North Country Trail (NCT) to complete the 23 mile loop in 3:33:01. Unfortunately, my Garmin died the night before, so I just used my stop watch. Below is a link to a trail map and my splits. It's a very scenic trail, I haven't found anyone who has run it, but it's a popular backpacking loop. I highly recommend it as a moderately challenging trail run to anyone in the area or passing through. I hope to be back someday to lower the time or to challenge someone else who has lowered it already.
www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-profile/3/127/
Seaton Creek Campground to Suspension Bridge (1.4 miles): 11:33
Suspension Bridge to Red Bridge via MRT (9.6 miles): 1:26:49 (1:38:22)
Red Bridge to Suspension Bridge via NCT (10.6 miles): 1:39:20 (3:17:42
Suspension Bridge to Seaton Creek Campground (1.4 miles): 15:19 (3:33:01)

[tweak]

We run this route (except for the spur to Seaton Creek Campground) every year in the fall (Mid October). It is more of a fun run, and we take a pretty easy pace, stopping a lot to enjoy the sites. Check out Michigan Trail Runners group on facebook, we usually post up there.

I'm thinking of doing this route next Sunday after I do the 50M Ultra at North Country... but it will be more of a recovery run. This would be a fun route to do a FKT!

[Justin Schott]

I just ran the loop on Saturday, Oct 10th in 3:57, far from an FKT and at a very leisurely pace with some time to enjoy the river and fall color. Hope to be back before long to take another lap.

[kevanharn]

This is indeed an excellent trail run! I no longer live in Michigan but have made it a point to run this trail every year since moving away.

I am making a self-supported attempt at doing the loop twice tomorrow (March 20, 2016) beginning from Red Bridge on the NCT side first for both loops.

[packmule]

Does anyone know if this trail would be doable in Winter?

[kevanharn]

Sept 23, 2016 2:57:24 GMT -5 packmule said:

Does anyone know if this trail would be doable in Winter?

Did an overnight backpack of the loop in 2007. Got down to -18 Fahrenheit that night. Definitely doable in the winter. Yankee Springs Winter Challenge is a good option, too.

Oh, for what it's worth, I completed two loops in 8 hours on March 20, 2016. Didn't post sooner because I have no proof (watch failure). But, if someone needs a bar to hop over, here it is.