# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 21 May, 2027 at 11:00 pm – Sun, 23 May, 2027 at 11:00 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: ⸻

🌲🚣‍♂️ West Michigan Kayaking Club

Manistee River Kayak Camp hike adventure/West Michigan Kayaking Club

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.

⸻

📅 FRIDAY — NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL HIKE (11 MILES)

⏰ Meet Time: 3:00 PM
📍 Location: North Country Trailhead (across from Red Bridge River Access)
📍 Coordinates: 44°17’02.37”N 85°51’42.48”W

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate

We begin the weekend with an approximately 11-mile hike north on the North Country Trail (NCT), finishing at the Manistee River Suspension Bridge.

This section is a classic Michigan backcountry experience featuring:

* Forest trail systems
* River overlooks
* Rugged, rolling terrain

⸻

🥾 SATURDAY — HIKE + KAYAK EXPEDITION DAY

🚗 8:00 AM — Kayak Drop

📍 Hodenpyle Dam
📍 44°21’50.91”N 85°49’13.75”W

🚶 9:00 AM — Meet Location

📍 Red Bridge River Access
📍 44°17’02.37”N 85°51’42.48”W

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate

We begin the second major segment of the expedition on the Manistee River Trail (MRT).

Participants will hike approximately 11 miles along the river corridor to Hodenpyle Dam.

At the dam, we transition from land to water and launch kayaks for a downriver paddle back to Red Bridge, completing the full loop experience.

After the paddle:

* Boats are loaded
* Participants camping gather for a group bonfire at Northern Exposure Campground

⸻

🌙 OPTIONAL SUNDAY ADD-ON

📍 Upper Platte River Paddle (weather and group dependent)

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate (Optional / Self-Guided)

For those camping, there is typically an optional Upper Platte River paddle on Sunday—a relaxed continuation of the weekend adventure.

⸻

🌊 EXPECT

* River views and sandstone cliffs
* Forest trail hiking sections
* A rewarding downstream paddle finish
* Full immersion in Michigan wilderness terrain

⸻

🎯 CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate (varies by participation level)

This event is intentionally flexible to accommodate different experience levels and time commitments.

You can participate in:

* 🥾 Full weekend
* 🥾 Friday hike only
* 🥾 Saturday hike + paddle only
* 🚣 Paddle only
* 🥾 Hike only
* Partial-day participation

⸻

🏕️ CAMPING OPTIONS (MANISTEE RIVER AREA)

🟢 Difficulty: Easy (optional)

Base camp will be at Northern Exposure Campground for members camping together as a group.

📍 Northern Exposure Campground
285 Manistee River Drive, Mesick, MI 49668
🌐 https://northernexposureinc.com
📞 (231) 723-5705

👉 Reservations can be made directly through their website.

If you’d like to join the group campsite, message for coordination details.

⸻

🌲 Additional Manistee River Area Options

* Seaton Creek Campground (USFS – MRT loop access)
* Red Bridge River Access primitive camping (river corridor sites)
* Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground
* CCC Bridge State Forest Campground
* Upper Manistee River dispersed / canoe camps

⸻

🎒 WHAT TO EXPECT

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate

A self-paced but group-coordinated expedition-style event featuring:

* Long-distance hiking
* River kayaking
* Scenic wilderness travel
* Group adventure atmosphere
* Flexible participation structure

⸻

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

🔴 Difficulty: Advanced Awareness Required

All West Michigan Kayaking Club events are self-supported outdoor adventures.

Participation is voluntary and at your own risk.

Each participant is responsible for:

* Their own equipment and gear
* Personal safety and decision-making
* Navigation and preparedness
* Transportation
* Physical fitness appropriate for selected activities

Weather, river conditions, and group logistics may require adjustments.

⸻

🌊 WHO THIS EVENT IS FOR

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate

Designed for:

* Outdoor enthusiasts seeking multi-sport experiences
* Paddlers comfortable with longer river distances
* Hikers experienced with 10+ mile trail days
* Adventurers looking for immersive Michigan wilderness trips

⸻

📍 MEETING LOCATIONS SUMMARY

* Friday: North Country Trailhead — 🟡 hike
* Saturday Morning (Drop): Hodenpyle Dam — 🟡 logistics
* Saturday Morning (Meet): Red Bridge River Access — 🟡 hike start

⸻

🌲 WHY THIS EVENT IS SPECIAL

🟡 Difficulty: Intermediate Signature Expedition

This is not a casual outing.

It is a signature West Michigan Kayaking Club expedition combining:

* The North Country Trail
* The Manistee River Trail
* One of Michigan’s most scenic paddling corridors

A true land + water wilderness loop experience

⸻

🧭 WEST MICHIGAN KAYAKING CLUB

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/wellston/second-annual-manistee-river-hike-and-kayak-adventure-west-michigan-kayaking-club/200030298692404
- **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, trekking, camping, sports, meetups
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 30

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Wellston
- **state**: MI
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Red Bridge Manistee River Trail
- **lat**: 44.28393
- **long**: -85.86159
- **full address**: Red Bridge Manistee River Trail, Wellston, Michigan, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/3fab285a393e71b0d4dbf95985d308428841274fc6402cd328e12e433c67ff16-rimg-w1200-h1600-dc3878d8-gmir?v=1788583803

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club being held?
  - **A:** Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club takes place on Fri, 21 May, 2027 at 11:00 pm to Sun, 23 May, 2027 at 11:00 pm at Red Bridge Manistee River Trail, Wellston, Michigan, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club?
  - **A:** Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club is organized by Brad D De Young.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club is ideal for sports fans, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the thrill of live competitive action and the energy of a crowd. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Wellston, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Second annual Manistee River hike, and Kayak adventure | West Michigan Kayaking Club sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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