Hikers from across the country will be gathering in Augusta, Michigan near Battle Creek  in August for the annual North Country Trail Association conference. NCTA staffers say registration is now open for the August 1-5 event.

The NCT is a 4,600 mile National Scenic Trail that spans seven states, running from New York to North Dakota. The trail is built largely by volunteers from the chapters that span its length. It is the longest hiking trail in the U.S. and is administered by he National Park Service.

The week-long conference offers a mix of workshops on protecting trails, building trails, wilderness medicine and numerous hikes on NCT sections along with visits to other west Michigan trails. The conference will be hosted by the NCTA Chief Noonday chapter. More details about the events can be found at: NCTA conference special-events.

Also on the web: nps.gov/noco/index.htm