Two Flint-Area Women Reported Missing After 20-Mile Michigan Trail Hike

Two 65-year-old women from the Flint area had to be rescued after a 20-mile hike through Michigan's Upper Peninsula did not go quite as planned.

Two Flint Women Start 20-Mile North Country Trail Hike

The women were hiking a section of the North Country Trail in Marquette County on Monday, starting around 10 a.m. They were dropped off near the Mulligan Plains and planned to make their way to the McCormick Wilderness tract, where they were supposed to meet their ride at 7 p.m. in Michigamme Township. But they never made it to the pickup location.

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By 9 p.m., their driver contacted authorities, and the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was called in. MLive reports that the search continued overnight, and rescuers located both women shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday. Thankfully, both were in good health and were taken to their waiting ride.

Search Team Finds Flint-Area Women Safe

According to the sheriff’s office, the women ran into rougher trail conditions than they expected. Rain also made the hike more difficult and slowed their progress.

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So this wasn't a case of two hikers becoming seriously injured or lost in the woods. They simply fell far enough behind schedule that their ride became concerned and called for help.

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And honestly, a 20-mile stretch of Michigan trail is a pretty ambitious hike under any circumstances, especially when the trail is rough and the weather turns wet. Fortunately, this one ended with two Flint-area hikers safely back with their ride.