After setting the FKT on this route over three days last year, I decided to try a single-day attempt.
I arrived at the trailhead near Pinney Bridge State Park Forest Campground Friday night at around 8:30 PM and realized they don't allow overnight parking at the lot there, so I drove to the Graves Crossing State Forest Campground and slept there. I woke up at 2:15, ate some food, got prepped, drove back to the trailhead, and set out at 3:44 AM.
I kept the effort super easy, but was making decent time until I hit a section just south of the Deadman's Hill overlook, where there were tons of down branches (not sure if they were from the recent storms, the ice storms that happened earlier this spring... guessing it was a combination of both). Finished the JRP Loop in 4:48:36 (at 8:33 AM).
I did a little stretching, crammed down some calories, and left for Fife Lake Loop.
Met a buddy at the North Country Trail Parking lot at the intersection of M186 and Forrest Rd a little before 10 AM, filled my pack and we headed out at 10:07 AM.
Kept the effort under control, but slightly more aggressive than the first loop. Had one "bonk" where I got super hungry and a little light headed, but was able to eat a bunch of calories while walking, and bounced back. We finished in 4:58:22 (at 3:05 PM).
Total elapsed time: 11:07:44:42
Toal loop time: 9:46:58
Again did a little stretching, ate some food, and then left for Manistee River Trail Loop
Got to the Red Bridge MRT Trailhead Parking lot a little before 4:30 PM, filled my pack back up and headed out on trail at 4:41 PM.
First 10 miles on the NCT side went pretty good, but I slowed down quite a bit once I hit the more technical and rooty MRT side. Normally I enjoy the technical stuff, but being 50 miles in had me staying more cautious. Even more so during the last hour after the sun went down. Finished the final loop in 5:35:40 (at 10:18 PM).
Total elapsed time: 18:33:11
Total loop time: 15:22:38
Not an unbeatable time, but I'm happy with it! Can't wait to hike it over a weekend with some friends again in 6 weeks!
Comments
This is super awesome! Great job! So cool that you have done this triple crown twice. I do have to ask, since you ran with a buddy for one of the loops, wouldn't it be considered a supported effort, rather than a self-supported effort? I thought having a pacer makes an effort supported. Thanks!
Yes, good catch, Rob. I have updated the style to supported.
Cool, thanks so much Nathan!