How to Hike the North Country Trail: Not Quite a Guide by Joan H. Young

Joan H. Young, an accomplished outdoor enthusiast and award-winning writer, shares her deep knowledge and passion for the North Country Trail in her book How to Hike the North Country Trail: Not Quite a Guide. Drawing from decades of hiking experience, including completing the entire 4,800-mile trail twice, Joan offers a comprehensive resource for hikers planning long-distance adventures on this vast and unique national scenic trail.

Introduction to the North Country Trail

The North Country Trail (NCT) is one of the United States’ longest national scenic trails, stretching across eight states: North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont. With a route totaling roughly 4,800 miles, the trail offers a diverse range of landscapes, from dense forests and rugged hills to urban sections and historical sites.

Joan’s recent thru-hike, which took approximately 18 months from December 2021 to June 2023, highlighted not only the physical challenges of the trail but also the complex rules and land management issues that hikers must navigate. Unlike more famous trails like the Appalachian Trail, the NCT is managed by over 160 different landowners, each with their own regulations about camping and trail use.

What Makes This Book “Not Quite a Guide”?

While Joan’s book is an extensive 445-page volume, it is primarily a reference work rather than a traditional guidebook. The first 100 pages are designed to be accessible and engaging, offering readers an overview of the trail’s history, environmental conditions, and unique highlights in each state.

Joan explains that a true guidebook would include detailed information on water sources, parking, trail conditions, and other logistics for each segment — a monumental task given the trail’s length. Instead, her book focuses on helping hikers understand the trail’s structure, the varying rules along its route, and, most importantly, providing the first comprehensive list of every legal camping spot within about a mile of the trail.

Why Camping Rules Matter

One of the most frequent questions Joan encounters is why hikers can’t simply camp anywhere along the trail. The NCT’s management by numerous private and public landowners means that camping permissions vary widely. Some landowners allow camping in designated areas, others restrict overnight stays altogether, and some require hikers to stay strictly on the trail.

Joan’s book addresses this by compiling detailed information on legal campsites, a critical resource for long-distance hikers who need to plan their daily mileage and overnight stops carefully. This resource helps hikers avoid conflicts with landowners and ensures a safer, more enjoyable hiking experience.

The Mental and Physical Challenge of Hiking the NCT

Hiking the North Country Trail is not just a test of physical endurance but a significant mental commitment. Joan shares that the trail is often underestimated, with some viewing it as “just a walk in the park.” However, the trail includes some challenging terrain and long stretches that require careful planning.

For instance, Joan’s average daily mileage on her recent thru-hike was about 13.2 miles per day, a pace that allowed her to enjoy the surroundings without rushing. She emphasizes that the mental challenge lies in the realization that even after months on the trail, thousands of miles remain—an experience that can be daunting for many hikers.

Planning and Resupply Strategies

Long-distance hiking on the NCT requires thoughtful logistical planning, especially for food and supplies. Joan explains that hikers typically carry five to six days’ worth of food but rely on supply drops or assistance from local trail chapters for resupply.

In her recent hike, Joan used a travel trailer and a helper who would drop her off and pick her up daily, eliminating the need for frequent resupply stops. Other hikers arrange supply boxes to be held at ranger stations or local contacts, and a network of 31 chapters along the trail often supports hikers with shuttle rides and supply deliveries.

Useful Tools and Resources for NCT Hikers

Joan highlights several digital tools that aid navigation and planning on the trail. The North Country Trail Association provides official maps compatible with apps like Avenza and Far Out, which can be used offline in remote areas. These apps are regularly updated twice a year with official trail data, offering more reliable information than crowdsourced platforms such as AllTrails.

For current information on parking, trail access, and local regulations, Joan recommends consulting local trail chapters and the interactive map available on the official North Country Trail website (northcountrytrail.org).

Insights from Joan’s Hiking Experiences

Joan’s deep connection to the trail is evident in her storytelling and dedication. She has authored two other books—North Country Cash and North Country Quest—which recount stories from her first hike of the trail starting in 1991. To capture the daily experiences and humor of her recent thru-hike, she maintained a blog called “My Quality Day,” which chronicles her journey from December 2021 to June 2023.

She also shares practical advice, such as:

• Always inform someone of your expected return date for safety.
• Bring essential tools like a small Leatherman with pliers for equipment repairs.
• Carry extra batteries or power banks to keep electronic devices charged for navigation apps.
• Consider the mental endurance required for long hikes and prepare accordingly.

Wildlife and Trail Conditions

Joan has encountered various wildlife, including bears and moose, during her hikes but notes that such encounters were never dangerous as long as proper precautions were taken. She also highlights trail improvements, like the recent construction of a high-quality bridge over the Tyler Forks River in Wisconsin, which replaced a challenging water crossing.

The Evolution of the North Country Trail

Since Joan’s first hike in the early 1990s, the North Country Trail has undergone significant changes. Originally estimated at 3,200 miles, the trail now exceeds 4,800 miles and continues to grow, with plans to reach around 5,000 miles as more sections are routed off-road.

The trail has shifted from predominantly on-road sections to mostly off-road, natural trails, increasing the hiking experience’s quality and challenge. Joan’s recent efforts, including mapping and inventorying new trail sections in the Adirondacks with fellow volunteer Bill Curtis, contribute to making the trail more accessible and better maintained for future hikers.

Conclusion: Preparing for Your North Country Trail Adventure

How to Hike the North Country Trail: Not Quite a Guide is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring this vast, diverse, and evolving trail. Joan H. Young’s expertise, combined with her practical advice and detailed campsite listings, makes the book a must-have for long-distance hikers planning a journey on the NCT.

Whether you are a seasoned thru-hiker or a section hiker looking to explore parts of the trail, Joan’s insights into the trail’s unique management, logistical challenges, and rich natural beauty will help you prepare for a rewarding adventure.

For those eager to dive deeper into Joan’s hiking stories, her earlier books and blog provide entertaining and inspiring accounts of life on the trail. With the trail continually changing, Joan’s ongoing updates and involvement with the North Country Trail Association ensure that hikers have the most current information at their fingertips.

Embark on your own North Country Trail journey with confidence, armed with knowledge from one of the trail’s most experienced advocates and authors.