First Solo Backpacking Trip | Manistee River Loop | Michigan

I finally got around to going on my first solo backpacking trip, and it didn't disappoint. This time around I went back to the Manistee forest and hiked the gorgeous Manistee River Loop Trail. I ended up doing the 24 mile section in an over night, hiking 10 miles the first day and 14 miles on day two.
This time around I decided to start at the Red Bridge trailhead and hiked the North Country trail northbound for Day 1. On Day 2 I crossed over the Suspension bridge onto the Manistee River Trail, and hiked southbound back to the Red River Trailhead.
My Gear List:
-Backpack: Gregory Stout 65L
-Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1P
-Sleeping Bag: Kelty Tuck 35 Degree
-Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite (Regular Wide)
-Stove: BRS-3000T Ulta Light Titanium Alloy Camping Stove
-Cook Pot: Toaks Light Titanium Pot (550ml)
-Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
-Camp Chair: Helinox Chair Zero
-Battery Bank: Anker USB C Portable Charger (PowerCore Essential 20000 mAh)
Camera Gear:
Camera: Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera
Lense: Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom Lense
Tripod: Pedco UltraPod II Lightweigh Camera Tripod
Mic: Rode - VideoMicro On-Camera Cardoid Condenser Microphone

[@Benshiro47]

About to head up and do this loop mid March. Should be too busy. Thank you for sharing the gear setup. Lots of similar stuff! Cheers mate! Great content

[@joelcarminati7822]

Great video. Thanks for sharing matt

[@madaszj]

Thanks for the inspiration! As a result of this video I’m heading there this weekend. Can’t wait!

[@mattbundt9986]

That's awesome! I've been there a few times now and each time has been a great experience. Hope you have a blast!

[@HoosierHikes]

Looks like a fantastic hike up in the mitten! I'm gonna add it to my list of hikes if I make it up that way.

[@mattbundt9986]

I highly recommend this one! Probably one of the better hikes in the lower peninsula.

[@jackjohnson65]

I am going to do my first backpack trip there in the next week or so. I enjoyed your video.

[@mattbundt9986]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy the trip, I love it up there. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed!

[@rolandoperez803]

Nice video, but about filtering water, I am not an expert on it.. but if the filter runs slow been clean, doesn’t that tells that there is more membranes in it providing better filtering?

[@aaronmetz9984]

Solo dolo!

[@mattbundt9986]

Yeaaaa buddy!

[@apachevaquero4305]

I’ve been planning on having this same Trail as my first backpacking trip as well also solo loved the video and hope to do it soon but have you thought about pictured rocks national lakeshore ? I would love for you to do it as I also plan on doing it before the year ends keep it up 👌👍

[@mattbundt9986]

Mikey Outdoors glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching! I actually did Pictured Rocks last year and it was incredible. Probably one of the best places I’ve been so far. Highly recommend doing it in the fall though. We did it during the summer and the black flies were brutal. Happy trails!

[@roberthuntzinger9222]

Can you disperse camp on the MCT?

[@rolandoperez803]

What was your base weight if I could know?

[@roberthuntzinger9222]

Sorry. Can you disperse camp on the MRT? I’m planning a trip this summer with my kids. Thanks

[@mattbundt9986]

Yea dispersed camping is allowed almost everywhere in the Manistee National Forest, unless it’s posted otherwise. That being said they have quite a few marked campsites along the MRT that are quite nice. It can get very busy in the summer so learned to never pass up a good site when you see it.

[@KUEHLKUEST]

Wanted to stop by and say hello from Michigan! We just posted out Day Two of this loop and came across your video...awesome...and yes its a very busy hiking trail...we were there on memorial Day weekend. We have supported and subscribed...cheers Colleen and Jonny..be sure to check us out too.

[@mattbundt9986]

KUEHL KUEST Awesome! Thanks for checking it out!! This is one of my personal favorites for trail. Beautiful area. I’ll be sure to check out you’re channel!

[@gabyschwalb353]

what parking lot did you park at? I am looking to go soon.

[@mattbundt9986]

Red Bridge Parking area on the south side of the loop. Early season it's usually pretty vacant and there is an overflow lot on the other side of the river from the river access parking/camping area.

[@garrobb53]

so where is the link to the water filter?

[@mattbundt9986]

I must have forgot to put in it! Here is a link to it www.amazon.com/Katadyn-Membrane-Endurance-Camping-Backpacking/dp/B085ZCXMK9

[@garrobb53]

Thank you