North Country Trail - Red Bridge to Hodenpyl Dam Hike & Paddle Planning

Chrissy and I were discussing the fact that I had bought a canoe earlier in the summer and we'd never taken a trip in it.  Our schedules were getting tight with the kids being back in school, so we were going to have to make it a quick trip.  We both really enjoyed the North Country Trail side of the Manistee River Trail loop, so we decided that we were going to hide the canoe near the Hodenpyl Dam and hike to it from Red Bridge.

On our hike in the spring we found a great camping spot on a ridge about 3 miles north of Red Bridge.  It's on a point to the east of the trail overlooking the valley, we'd really like to stay there on our first night.

Itinerary:
Friday: Drive north to Hodenpyl Dam and hide the canoe near the dam.  Drive back to Red Bridge, park the truck and hike north on the NCT to the campsite on the ridge.

Saturday: Hike to Hodenpyl Dam.  Load our gear into the canoe and float downriver a few miles.  Set up camp along the river somewhere and stay the night.

Sunday:  Float to Red Bridge.  Load up the truck, head to Big Al's for a late lunch and head home.

 Hike to Day 1