North Star Vol. 13, No. 4 (1994) by NCTA Staff

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 47 Caledonia, Ml 49316

Newsletter of the

North r.ountry Trail Asmciation PO Box 311, White Cloud, Ml 49349 Editor: 14845 Rome Rd, Manitou Beach Ml 49253

路路'

Sen. Carl Levin and Mark Miller at Lookout Point south of Traverse City, Ml, on National Trails Day, June 4, 1994.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

Page2

COMMITTEES

NEWSLETTER PRINTED ON

of the

O'~

North Country Trail Association

RECYCLED PAPER

PO Box 311, White Cloud, Ml 49349 Headquarters Phone: (616) 689-1912 Editor:

Executive Director: (616) 452-4487

National Park Service Administrator Bill Menke, National Park Service, 700 Rayovac Dr., Suite 100, Madison WI 53711

(608) 264-5610

President: (810) 548-1737

Vice President (Trails): Doug Welker, R1, Box 59A, Pelkie Ml 49958

Finance: Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 (810) 853-0292

Meetings: Wes Boydl.14815 Rome Road1.,Manitou Beach Ml 49253 (517) 54t-7402 Membership: Kenneth Gackler, 418 W. Johnson Caledonia Ml 49316 (616) 891-1366 Planning: Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 (810) 853-0292

OFFICERS Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067

Awards: Ruth Sack 149505 2317 Foster NE Grand Rapids, Ml (616) 363-5966

Headquarters Virginia Wunsch, Rt.1, WhiteCloudMI 49349 (616) 689-6876

Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Ml 49253

Pat Allen, 2215 Sylvan Dr. SE, Grand Rapids Ml 49506

1994

Publications: Wes Boyd 14815 Rome Road Manitou Beach Ml 49253 (517) 547-7402

(906) 338-2680

Trail Management: Doug Welker, R1, Box 59A, Pelkie Ml 49958 (906) 338-2680

(218 )573-3858

STATE COORDINATORS

(412) 776-0678

New York Howard Beye, 202 Colebourne Rochester NY 14609 (716) 288-7191

(810) 853-0292

vacant

Vice President (Admln) Odell Bjerkness, Bad Medicine Lake, R 1, Box 221 A, Ponsford, MN 56575

Secretary: Helen Coyne, 212 Willow Circle, Zelienople PA 16063

Treasurer: Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ohio Jim Sprague, 4406 Maplecrest, Parma OR 44129 (216) 884-4757

TERMS EXPIRINGIN 1995

Michigan (Lower) Arden Johnson, 600Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 (810) 853-0292

C A C E A

Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander~ f{oyal Oak Ml 48067 Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach Ml 49253 Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 Thomas J. Reimers, 3C Wildflower Dr. Ithaca NY 14850 Harmon Strong, 76 Shellwood Dr, Rochester NY 14618

F A A A A A

Howard Beye, 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609 Hans Erdman, 116 E. Rose P., Little Canada MN 55117 Kenneth Gackler, 418 W. Johnson St.,i...Caledonia Ml 49316 Martha K Jones, 1857 Torquay Ave, Royal Oak Ml 48073 Tim Mueller,1424 W. Century, Suite 202Bismark ND 58501 Doug Welker, R1, Box 59A, Pelkie Ml 49958

W G A B W A

Odell Bjerkness R1, Box 221A, Ponsford MN 56575 Helen Coyne, 212 Willow Circle, Zelienople PA 16063 Chet Fromm, 1001 Tompkins Dr., Port Orange, FL 32119 Emily Grego!!_ 6502 Olde York Rd., Parma Hls OH 44130 Pat Miller t>u Box 756, Mellen WI 54546 Gaylord Yost, 2925 W. Bradley Rd., River Hills WI 53209

A B

At-large representatives Represents Buckeye Trail Association (Appointed by BTA) West Central Re~ion representatives Eastern Region Representative Representst=inger Lakes Trail Conference (Appointed by FLTC) General affil\ate representative (Current appointment by AYH Pittsburgh) Western region representatives

81~ 51 81 0 60 716

548-1737 547-7402 853-0292 272-8679 586-3846

716 612 616 810 701 906

288-7191 482-1877 891-1366 280-2921 224-4887 338-2680

218 412 904 216 715 414

567-3858 776-0678 788-2232 884-0281 274-2346 354-8987

TERMS EXPIRINGIN 1996

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1997

E F G

Pennsylvania

Michigan (lJ.P.) Gene Elzinga, 1ZMidale Island, Marquette Ml 49855 (906) 225-1704 Wisconsin Gaylord Yost1 2925 W. Bradley Rd.'"' River Hills W 53209 (414) 354-8907 Minnesota Rod MacRae, 1210 W. 22nd St., Minneapolis MN 55405 (612) 337-0130 North Dakota Dale Anderson, RR1, Box 10, Oslo, MN, 56744 (218)965-4508 REGIONAL AFFILIATES New York: Finger Lakes Trail Conference, PO Box 18048, Rochester NY 14618-0048 Ohio: Buckeye Trail Association, PO Box 254, Worthington OH 43085 Pennsylvania: AYH, Pittsburgh Region.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

THE FLTC'S Wallaoo D. Wood Distinguished Service Award was presented to Charles Embree and Randall Brune at the FLTC's annualmeetingin Watkins Glen. The award was given in honor of the considerable amount oftrailbuilding the pair has done toward the eastern end of the FLT.

*** ACCORDING TO Gannet News Service, hiking boots were the fastest-growing athletic shoe category last year. Compared to 1992, sale of hiking boots increased 41 %, runningshoesincreased 17%, basketball shoes increased 6% and tennis shoes decreased 36%. --FLT News.

*** MORE THAN 90 people have registered to participate in this year's Hike Across Schuyler County, NY, sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club. 'This is the fourth cross-county hike on the FLT since the first one in 1991. Six monthly hikes are scheduled in the county, with the final hike in October. For logistical purposes, the limit was set by the organizersat90.However, there is a waiting list of 20 hikers. A special commemorative patch will be awarded to those who complete the 4~mile trek on the Finger Lakes Trail.

*** LATEST REPORT on Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood, who are end-to-ending the trail this summer: they've made it through the Manistee National Forest in Michigan, as oflate July, and are heading on west toward North Dakota. Sue had to drop out for a while in Ohio due to health problems, but she's back on the trail now.

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1994

ARE YOU INTERESTED in a really different hiking expedition? A New York group plans an expedition this November to Mt. SajamaNevada (21424 ft) in Bolivia on November 3 to experience a very rare event -- a solar eclipse crossing a mountain of this height. There will not be another total solar eclipse visible at such an altitude for another 30 years. The climb is not technically difficult but the remoteness of the desert terrain will add to the challenges. The whole expedition will be October 22-November 7. For more information, contact Marc Lesnick, 235 E. 95th St., #20J, New York, NY 10128 (718) 966-9629.

*** CERTIFICATION NEWS: The latest certification of a segment of NCT came July 6, with the certification of two segments in the Wayne National Forest. One segment is 5.2 miles from Poulton to the Washington/Monroe County Lines; the other is 1.3 miles just east of Burr Oak State Park. This action brings the total certified mileage of the trail to 1165.5 miles, a net gain of only 23.7 from last year. Total new mileage is higher, as several areas had mileage adjusted.

THE NEW PRESIDENT of the Western Michigan Chapter, NCTA, is Bill Van Zee, 7744 Thornapple Bayou Dr. SE., Grand Rapids, MI 49512. His phone number is (616) 868-7251.

*** JACK WATKINS, Buckeye Trail Association's State Trail Coordinator is working with BTA's trail maintainers to increase the visibility of the North Country Trail by insuring that the official emblems are present along all certified sections of the Trail. BTA is also placing more of the Carsoni te posts at strategic locations. In some of the state forests, nailing the emblems to trees is not allowed. In these locations, a Carsonite post or similar device is a necessity for marking the trail.

*** IN TAHQUAMENON FALLS State Park, Michigan, Wayne Sudia reports that they have received a Michigan Recreation Improvement Fund grant in the amount of $33,000. This will be used for the improvement of 4.5 miles of the North Country Trail between the upper and lower falls. Work is expected to take two summers to complete.

1111t1is issma ~ i ~

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New members on NCTABoard 7 Fin5ancialadvantages to helping NCTA a9 NP funding for trail increasesl Willingseller authoritylegislationpossible 12 Court decision could cause troublefor NCT 13 Alfred E. Borsum remembered by fund 14 Thoughts of a trail veteran 15 Lots of coming events 16,17

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Keyboard Trails by the Editor The deadline for the Autumn issue of tfie Newsletter is October 1, 1994. Items received after that date cannot be assured of a place in the newsletter. Items received well before that date are much appreciated.The deadline for the Winter issue of the newsletter will be January 1, 1995. As readers get this issue of the newsletter, summer is winding down, which is not always good news, but that means that fall is coming. My own experience is that those crisp autumn days and cool autumn nights are a great time to be out in the outdoors, under the stars or on the North Country National Scenic Trail. If you haven't registered for the National Conference of the North Country Trail, to be held in Callaway, Minn, the end of August, you're running out of time! This looks like it's going to be a memorable event, one worth going to and experiencing. There will be a good chance to learn a lot of different techniques and skills appropriate to the trail, and in a setting that will be most enjoyable.

Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994

are more and more people using a system that is overstrained and underfunded, and their numbers are increasing. The addition of mountain bikes to the mix has not helped. Mountain bikers "use trail" at a pace several times that of hikers, both in trail miles and in trail deterioration -- yet, a place must be found for them; it's a legitimate recreational activity. Technology is just going to make things worse, too-- someone has invented an off-road inline skate. Prepare to take cover. Much of the use will fall on popular areas, near to 'population centers. I noted a comment a year ago, "We're going to have to admit to the reality ofhardening the front country." This grows more true by the day. It can still be pleasantly lonely on the NCT, though there are a few places that get heavy use. The main message I get is somehow we're going to have to work harder at increasing national awareness of the trail -partly to do our share to spread the recreational load, but partly because "them that has, gets." And, we'll have to be prepared to deal with the problems, too.

***

If you haven't seen the August 1 issue of Newsweek yet, you'll probably have to go to a library to see it- but it's worth the trip to review the article on page 45, entitled "No Room, no rest: Crowds and conflicts. Backpackers vs. mountain bikers. All across the country, our recreational areas are being overrun with vacationers and clogged with restrictions." Though we've had the perception that backcountry use is falling off -- and, in some areas, it is -- the pressure on more popular recreation areas is on the increase. In four years, backcountry camping permits issued by the NPS have increased by 50 percent, to 2.4 million. In 1971, there were no places in the National Park System where you had to reserve back-country permits. Now, there are 76, and the number probably will increase. The reason is the old bugaboo, population growth, of course. There

ONE OF THE MANY National Trails Day events held in Michigan was this hike along the North Country Trail near Baxter Bridge in Michigan's Manistee National Forest on June 4 at which Sen. Carl Levin presented a certificate of appreciation to the NCTA's Arden Johnson for the trail work Arden has done over the years. The cover photo on this issue was taken on this hike, of Mark Miller and Sen. Levin at a lookout on the trail in this area.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994

Pages

arena. We are actively working on three areas. ExI must apologize to the membership for my overpanded National Park Service funding for all 19 trails sight in regards to the current composition of the NCTA remains one of our prime objectives. As last year, it is and its Board. Some time back the NCTA Board of necessary to keep letting Congress know what the Directors divided the NCTA into four regions based on needs of the Trails are. "Willing seller" land acquisition the approximate number of miles for the NCTA. They authority for the nine National Trails that lack that are as follows: Western Region (North Dakota, Minneauthority is another important goal. The NCNSTisone sota and Wisconsin), West Central Region (Michigan), ofthosetrailswithout that authority and asa result has East Central Region (Ohio), and Eastern Region (New a special interest in that goal. Currently the NPS is York and Pennsylvania). Each Region represents approhibited from acquiring land for the trail even if the proximately 800-900 miles of trail. Each Region norowner is willing to sell the land. Lastly, the "National mally has two representatives on the Board of Directors (total of eight) which includes a designated representaParks Service Entepreneurial Management Reform Act" is also being supported. This is a redefinition of the tive of the Buckeye Trail Association and the Finger lakes Trail Conference. There are eight at-large direcChallenge Cost Share Program that supplies a lot of funds for trail construction on the NCNST. This act will tors and one additional affiliate representative making improve the way the program is ada total of 17 members. The affiliates ministered in the NPS. are represented on the Board due to ""'::::""::::::"":::=::"":;::::""::::::""'·'·'·""··:·:·""·····""·· We will soon be asking everyone in the large trail segments that they are the NCTA to send letters in support of responsible for. The current spread of our legislative efforts. We will send Board members is published elsewhere background information, sample letin this Newsletter. The ballots for the open board poters and Congressional addresses to aid your efforts. A personal note added sitions have now been counted. We about the importance of the trail to you have several new board members and will be helpful. It is a small thingweare a couple of returning members. Conasking you to do to support the Nagratulations to all. Next year there tional Trail System. For less than $1 will be several more openings on the you can make a difference in the way board as current board members ro- . our government supports the trails. Look for our mailtate off. If you feel that you would like to serve on the board or a committee please feel free to contact any ing soon. board memher for information. The list is in the front of Planning is going forward on a Trail Survey and the newsletter. Design class to be held next year. It will be available in Near the end of this month, August 28-31, the various locations around the seven states and held as a NCTA's National Conference will be held in Minnesota. one day hands-on session. There will be a fee for the I do hope to see you there then. There will be seventeen course and you will walk away with a compass, materiworkshops (1.5 hours each) and six seminars (3 hours als and experience that you can apply in designing and each). The topics will vary from birdwatching to water redesigning trails near you. It will be open to NCTA purification. There will also be pre- and post-Confermembers as well as other interested trail groups. I ence trips and trail projects. Day hikes will also be would like to hear about other courses that you as a scheduled .. There will also be lots of time to trade trail NCTA member would like to attend. Maybe wildlife stories. It's still not too late to attend! Watch for our photography, bridge design and construction or erosion next Newsletter for a report on that exciting event. If control? If you would like to teach a course please let Del you can't make it this year, then start planning for next Bjerkness, VP of Administration, know. year when it comes to the state of New York. We are looking for people who would like to share About the time that you receive this newsletter a their favorite trail pastime with others. If you enjoy trail building weekend will be happening in Wisconbird watching, wildflowers, wildlife photography, campsin's Chequamegon Forest, August 13-14. A section of ing, hiking or other trail activites, then perhaps you the NCNST will be improved near Nakekagon Campwould be willing to share your enjoyment with someone ground. Gaylord Yost, our Wisconsin State Coordinaelse. If you would like to lead or participate in one of tor, is heading up the work party. You can contact him these types of events then please contact Del. We will for further information about future Wisconsin activitry to help you get it started. We would be happy to list ties at (414) 354-8987. your meeting/event in our newsletter. We are continuing to be active in the political Activity along the NCNST is not limited to NCTA

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September 1994

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trek on the NCNST. They were last seen in lower Michigan and heading toward Labor Day at Mackinaw. This is the first serious attempt at completion of the NCNST in a single year since 1978! If you see them along the trail wish them well and help them in any way that you can. They still have a long way to go to finish before the snows fall in North Dakota. They are helping the National Park Service to inventory and evaluate trail segments along the entire route. In August, the NPS will be conducting a "Summit" meeting in North Dakota. It will bring together all of the public and private organizations that are working on the trail effort in that state. We will try to give you a report on that event in a later issue. As time passes, I find it more difficult to keep in touch with all that is going on along the trail. As the trail grows and the NCTA with it, the number ofimportant issues expand. We are constantly looking for people . to help pick up some of these responsibilities. People are needed to evaluate forest plans and timber sales, make maps and brochures, organize hikes and trail events, plan and design trail, write trail guides, take pictures of trail sites, plan and design interpretive signs and many other useful activities. If you could help in any way please contact me or Pat Allen and we will get you started. Aside from all these activities, there are a lot of great experiences to be had along the trail this year. New trail segments are now open in every state, with more on the way. Get out and explore them. Have a great summer on the trail!

I've been learning zip codes along the trail as I have mailed thousands of letters to residents in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Some of them have joined the association, while others have merely learn~d that there is a major long distance trail through their state. Still others have filed away the information for "some day." As I have traveled around our trail states this summer, I have been impressed with the number of OPALS (Older Persons with Active Lifestyles) I have found. Webster defines opals as gems, and so do we. Many OPALS have been out working on the trail all summer. As a group. they have experience, time, and a vision of their future which includes making a contribution to future generations. We even have members who work on the Florida Trail in the winter and the North Country Trail in the summer. Thanks to each of you. During the first week in August I will be in Michigan's Upper Peninsula participating in a Passport In Time project conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. This . archaeology project is on the route of the North Country Trail at the old Norwich Copper Mine site. When the research and interpretative materials are completed, this site will make an interesting stop along the trail. I strongly urge you to attend our conference, "The Call Of The North", in Callaway, MN, in August. It is guaranteed to turn up the energy for completing the North Country National Scenic Trail.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

New members on Board On June 28, ballots for the NCTA Board of Directors election were tallied at the Schoolhouse. Of the seven candidates running for offices, only, Dwain Abramowski, was not elected to the board. The six elected were: Odell Bjerkness, Bad Medicine Lake, MN is NCTA's incumbent Vice President for Administration and chairs the "Call of the North" NCTA Conference Committee. Through his 25 years experience as director of Concordia Language Villages, he has skills to assist in developing a fund raising strategy, in formulating proposals and guiding them through the asking process. "The most important issue NCTA has to deal with is getting the word out to the public." Hans Erdman, Little Canada, MN is a park ranger in Minnesota and a freelance writer. He has been involved with the NCTsince 1980, when he gave a trail easement to the FLTC for the trail to cross the family farm in New York. He's been a member of the Minnesota (Headwaters) chapter since 1988. He maintains the Marengo trail section in the Chequamegon National Forest. "My main concern is safety for the user on the trail," he said. Chet Fromm, Port Orange, Florida. A retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer, Chet is a veteran long distance hiker. He has completed hiking the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Florida, and half the North Country National Scenic Trails. He's helped construct trails as a member of the Florida Trail Association, the Boy Scouts of America, and with the U.S. Army Special Forces. "My goal," he says, "Is to promote the NCTA as an individual and while working with the officers and other board members." Pat Miller, of Mellon, Wisconsin, is a former National Park Service manager for the Ice Age Trail and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. He lives within a mile of the North Country Trail in the Chequamegon National Forest. He has previously worked with USFS, NPS, Wisconsin DNR and Department of Transportation and other federal, state, tribal and local government peronnel. He is presently on the Sigurd Olson Envrionmental Institute Board and serves as Chair of the Finance Committee. "We can do better on trail certifications in Wisconsin," he says. Tim Mueller, of Bismarck, North Dakota serves as Deputy Director of North Dakota Parks and Recreation. He also serves as a Park commissioner in Bismarck. He has been inolved in trails planning and administration, including the SIMMS program, ATV and snowmobile trails, and currently is working on hiking trail planning. "I serve as a contact for all outdoor recreational programs in North Dakota," he

reports. Gaylord Yost is an incumbent board member. He serves as NCTA's Wisconsin Trail Coordinator. He recently retired as Regional U.S. Forest Service Trail Coordinator, where his contacts permitted him to as-

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1994

sist directly in the' interests of the NCT. He will continue to use that network of district rangers to advance the interests of the trail. "I am looking forward to having more time to be actively involved in building the trail," he says. In addition, NCTA Secretary Helen Coyne was appointed to one of the three three-year affiliate origanization-named term on the board by AYR, Pittsburgh. She has many years experience as an AYR staffer, and is a long-distance touring cyclist. As two seats expiring in 1996 were open, Erdman and Mueller were selected by lot to fill them .Five board seats will be expiring next year and will be up for election: those held by Derek Blount, Wes Boyd, Arden Johnson, Thomas Reimers and Harmon Strong. "We have strong new members coming on," says NCTA Executive Director Pat Allen, "who are from the western end of the trail, and that can only help our growth in those areas."

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One of the things I enjoy doing is hiking and investigating long distance trails as I travel around the United States. I particularly like to do this with the North Country Trail for I maintain a five mile section of it in Adams County in southern Ohio where it also serves as route for the Buckeye Trail and the new American Discovery Trail. This past February as I was traveling in sou th western New York State I stopped in Allegany State Park on the recollection that the North Country Trail passed through there on its course to the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. After a few inquiries I obtained a map that showed it to be the longest trail among many in the park. Snow, ice,andlimited time prevented much hiking but I did find two well marked road crossings. Recently, in mid-July, I returned to the park and hiked over half of the 18 miles ofN orth Country Trail as well as several access trails. The trail was well marked but in need of removal of"blow downs" in several spots. During my day and a half on the NCT I met no other hikers. I was pleased to find two lean-to shelters, one of them was on the stretch between Allegany State Park Roads 1 and 2. This trail traverses a very boggy area and appears to be the only hiking trail connecting the two major regions of the park. I was pleased to see that there is currently underway an attempt to put a lean-to on the main trail rather than on a side trail. Some "bog bridges" in this section would be most helpful. I tried to find some trail marking as the trail leaves the northern part of the park but was unsuccessful. On my next visit to this area I hope to hike the rest of the NCT down into Pennsylvania. There are two fine campgrounds, one in each end of the park. Paul Daniel

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994

FinancialAdvantages of Helping Your NCTA by Dr. Lance Feild NCTA Founding President The members of the NCTA form a very special network of caring, outdoors-orient.eel people.These include day hikers, campers, backpackers, canoeists, bikers, equestrians, nature photographers, mountaineers, bird watchers, fly fishermen and others who enjoy recreating in the natural world. While much of their activity may be associated with the North Country Trail, all aspects of the outdoors world are often part of their total experiences. Members care and promote a camaraderie amongst all outdoors-oriented people. What does all this mean? Thousands of people are already enjoying the North Country Trail. They all benefit from the efforts of the NCTA, its members and its affiliates. Presently, thousands hike along sections of the North Country Trail, in hundreds of areas along its diverse 3,240 miles, across parts of seven northern states. In over 10 years, literally thousands of sincere, caring volunteer efforts have been instrumental in helping build this longest non-motorized outdoor recreational resource in America! They're still doing it, too! Who are these people? They're young and old, sincere, active, supporting, dedicated people -- who have made a commitment -- to not only enjoy our glorious outdoors world, but to help build, maintain and protect a precious part of our planet, the natural world of the North Country Trail and vicinity. They (we) are simply happier and healthier because of our outdoors-oriented world and our deep interest and activity associated with the North Country Trail. Many people don't understand that almost everything NCTA does to help the North Country Trail becomea reality, section-by-section, costs money. Annual membership fees help make the work on the North Country Trail possible. In addition to annual membership fees, many people give beyond that -- to keep the N CTA afloat, financially. Unlike several other national scenic trails, the NCT was appropriated no monies to acquire land along their planned trail corridor. Each member should seriously consider making a special gift to the NCTA, over and above their membership fee, at some point in the year. If people and the trail are important to you, it is hoped you will want to join the growing ranks of those who are willing to make a deeper commitment. There is a way to give yourself a tax break. Remem-

her that contributions to the NCTA are tax deductible. What does this mean? A tax deduction can effectively reduce the net cost of making a gift. You can calculate your tax savings by multiplying the amount of your gift by your highest marginal tax rate. For example, if you are in the 33 percent tax bracket and you make a gift of $1,000 and deduct it from your income tax, the effective cost of making the contribution is not $1,000.00 but $666.66! Donors who file itemized tax returns may deduct the full amount of their cash gifts, subject to the annual limitation of 50 percent of adjusted gross income. If your contributions exceed this annual limitation, you may carry over the excess for up to five additional years. A gift of stock is an even easier way of giving. Most of us, when it comes to making a gift to a non-profit organization, usually reach for our checkbook. However, if you are considering making a contribution to the NCTA this year, is may be to your advantage to consider giving long-term appreciat.ed property rather than cash. This is because a donor may avoid tax on the increase in market value, yet receive a charitable deduction for the full market value. Sometimes, this strategy makes it possible for the generously inclined to make a larger gift than they thought possible. Consider the following example: You would like to make a gift of $1,000 to the NCTA. You can take the money out of your bank account, and assuming you are in the 33 percent tax bracket, the actual cost of making the gift will be about $666 after the charitable deduction. That's a pretty good deal. Suppose, however, you also have stock valued at $1,000 that you purchased over a year ago for $100. You could sell it to replenish your bank account, or you could give it directly to the NCTA instead of cash .. In this case, you will realize the same charitable deduction ($333.00), plus the further savings of $297.00 on the income tax that would have incurred on sale. The actual cost of making a $1,000 gift of securities would thus be only $373.00! The deduction of gifts of appreciated property is limited to 30 percent of adjusted gross income. Any amount in excess of the 30 percent ceiling may be carried forward for up to five years. Remember that your NCTA is a non-profit, federally tax exempt, educational organization, classified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 group. Before taking any action, contact your attorney.

North Country Trail Association

Newsletter, August-September

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1994

Report from the National Park Service

More projects needed for Challenge Cost Share program by Bill Menke National Park Service Representative The deadline is fast approching in the latest round of Challenge Cost Share Grants -- a project that can provide partial funding for trail projects. In the past, we have explained the recent Congressional authorization to expend funds on a Challenge Cost Share (CCS) program -- similar to a U.S. Forest Service CCS program that has been around for at least half a dozen years. The program requires a cooperator to provide 50 percent of the total project cost. The cooperators 50 percent match can include the value of donated equipment, services, supplies, etc. However, a significant part, of the match can also include the value of volunteer time spent working on the project. Money received from other Federal funding sources is not

eligible as part of the 50 percent match. In fiscal year (FY) 1993, we successfully competed for slightly over $4,000. This grant was used for a bridge and trail construction project in Columbiana County, Ohio. The Committee for the National Trails has been going to great efforts to obtain increased funding for the National Trails system. One unexpected -- and by the way, unsolicited -- outcome of their effort was that Congress also specified that 1/3 of the entire National Park Service's Challenge Cost Share program be directed to the National Trails System. This system includes the National Scenic, National Historic and National Recreation trails. Congress' action resulted in close to $1 million ofCCS funds being allocated to the trails in FY 1994, Because some of you had submitted a number of good proposals, we successfully captured just under

Project

Cooperator/Location

Privy & Campsite Const.

FL TC/New York

4,900

14,732

Bridge & Puncheon Const.

FL TC/New York

2,550

7,550

Bridge & Trail Const.

MPF/Moraine State Park, PA

15,848

64,146

Bridge & Trail Const; Interpretive Signs

NCTA/Emmet County, Ml

8,380

31,155

Trail Const. - 4 segments

NCTA/Emme~ County, Ml

3,250

12,490

Trailhead Kiosks

Michigan DNA Porcupine Mountian St. Park

3,000

6,008

Stair Construction

NCT A/Laughing Whitefish State Park, Michigan

3,800

13,100

FL TC-New York

240

720

FLTC= Finger Lakes Trail Conference MPF = Moraine Preservation Fund

TOTAL

NPS Share

41,968

Total

149,911

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

$42,000inFY1994 -- a significant increase from our FY 1993 program. We submitted seven proposals -- ~ sine[e one was avproved! The chart on the previous page summarizes the CCS projects funded this year and is meant to get you thinking about projects you might like to propose. The CCS program offers an opportunity to obtain much needed funding for trail projects. The next round sumbissions will be due sometime in late August. We will be happy to talk with you about any project(s) which you are considering. Better yet, send in a brief explanation of the project indicating: what will be accomplished, total costs, what you can provide (number of volunteer hours, material money, other financial supporters, etc.) and, what you need from us. We will then rework it into the required format and work with you to finalize the proposal. Over the last two years, the Committee for the National Trails System, the ad hoc group composed of the leaders of all the national scenic and national historic trail organizations has been working with Congress to increase the funding for each of the national trails. In 1994, they were successful in persuading Congress to increase the funding of the trails administered by the National Park Service by $750,000 (to about $1.2 million) for the fiscal year. The committee's efforts to increase the U.S. Forest Service's and Bureau of Land Management's budgets for the five trails they administer did not succed, but the Senate requested that these agencies include budget increases for each trail in their Fiscal Year 1995 request to Congress. Our office benefitted substantially from these efforts. The North Country NST received a $120,000 increase from the funds alloted for long distance trails. The other long distance trails administered by this office, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, received an additional $130,000 and $95,000 respectively. We expect that the added amounts for each trail will become part of its base operating budget in ensuing years. This will allow us to plan our annual programs with much more certainty. Prior to this time, the base budget for the North Country NST had remained relatively constant at $50,000. Other funds had been found to keep the program moving, but it now appears as though this trail and the othertrailsin the system havecomeintotheirown. The new funding does not come close to the base budget envisioned for the long term needs of the trail, but it is a significant move in the right direction -- greatly increasing our capacity to assist our partners. We congratulate and commend the Committee for the National Trails System and everyone else who has worked as advocates for a strong and healthy trail system. In April, we joined forces with our Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RCTA) field office, located in Brecksville, Ohio, to co-sponsor a two-day Student Conservation Association workshop. Yankee

1994

Springs State Recreation Area (Michigan) served as the host site and provided sleeping cabins and kitchen facilities. Throughout the pre-conference planning and the conference itself, we received excellent support and encouragement from Manager Kyle Converse and .Assistant Manager Ben Stapish. During the two day conference, the 28 participants, including 10 from the North Country Trail Association and Buckeye Trail Assocation, had the opportunity to participate to two of three learning stations. At one station, the group learned about trail location and design. Techniques and tools to place a trail in the proper location to minimize resource impacts and future maintenance needs were emphasized. This group located and flagged two new segments of trail -- providing linkage with existing park tails and a continuous North Country NST route totaling about 4.5 miles. Another group learned about trail constuction and trail rehabilitation. This group was able to construct a new trail segment which replaced two, steep, severly eroding trails that led to a high overlook. The two steep trails were blocked and rehabed to the point that it required a close look to detect their presence. The last group concentrated on timber construction and use of on-site materials for bridges and other trail structures. In Yankee Springs, a short bridge was needed to cross a stream. With no previously defined crossing, hikers had impacted more stream bank than was necessary. After discussion to determine the best bridge location, a cross cut saw was used to fell and buck two 16 inch white oaks. Other hand tools were used to convert the raw material to a very sturdy, finished bridge. In its ten year history, SCA has come to be recognized as a national premier training program for traditional work skills, conservation lore, and the techniques of volunteer management. The program blends the best of traditional rustic skills with effective comteporary land management techniques to provide participants with new abilities and solutions for addressing the resource issues of agencies and conservation organizations. When SCA is contracted to conduct a course, they provide the instructors (in this case, four), the cook and food, and in general a complete package. As a cosponsor of the course, we were particularly impressed with the training methods used and the high conservation ethic of the instuctors. They skillfully encouraged open, learning discussion while guiding the group to make a decision that not only was right for the resource but also met the objectives of the manager at Yankee Springs. Because the training is hands-on, session participants were able to complete some real work for the host site -- work that Yankee Springs did not have the budget or staffing resources to accomplish on their own -- at least in the near future. We hope to be able to sponsor more SCA sessions in future years and would want to do it one of the other seven states so that a different group if participants could attend. If you have some trail work needs and could serve as a host site, let us know and we will keep your location in mind.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

Page 11

1994

c~:!~e!Call of the North &>

NCTA National Conference August 28-31, 1994 Maplelag Lodge, Callaway MN CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS FEATURED SPEAKERS

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS

EXHIBITS

Cindy Ross has spoken and written eloquently of her through hikes on the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails. She will speak on self-discovery, trails, Llamas and children.

More than 20 different workshops to choose from. Grouped by Outdoor Skills, Environmental Interpretation, Minnesota history and trail building techniques.

Outdoor shops, manufacturers and trail clubs.

DAY HIKES Jeff Reinneke, midwest editor of Backpacker will share his vision of why we need wilderness trails. "WALK SOFTLY ON THE LAND" The first trail builders of this land will share a message of respect for the land from the Minnesota Indian perspective.

Half and full day hikes on the Itasca and Bad Medicine sections of the NCT; the Tamarac proposed route and Maplelag trails.

"CEILIDH" Pronounced "kaylee", the Scots and Irish hold a party. Everyone contributes to song, dance, poetry and fellowship. Bring your talent! LITTLE THEATRE An on-going presentation of trail hikes with slide shows of different trail adventures. Presenters invited. TRAIL BUILDING Pre and post conference work projects on the Bad Medicine and Chippewa NCT.

NEED MORE CONFERENCE INFORMATION? Call John Lomnlckl, , Publlclty Chair, at 1-800-688-4578

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994

Le~islative Alert:

Willing Seller Authorityfor the North CountryNational Scenic Trail? At the urging of the North Country Trail Association and other national trails groups, Senator Carl Levin has had language drafted which, if passed into law, would bring "willing seller" authority to the National Park Service for theNorth Country National Scenic Trail and other trails which lack this important authority. The legislative proposal will amend the National Trails System Act to provide Federal land protection authority to the willing seller level for the National Scenic and National Historic Trails. The three land authority levels among the trails currently range from: 1. Includes comdemnatioh up to an average of 125 acres per trail; , 2. Acquisition outside the boundaries of Federally administered trails may only be with the consent of the owner, and 3. Total prohibition of Federal land acquisition outside Federally administered areas. Politically, federal land acquisition has come under fire from supporters of private land rights (See Doug

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 1 O. 11. 12. 13. 14 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Appalachian NST Pacific Crest NST Oregon NHT Mormon Pioneer NHT Continental Divide NST Lewis & Clark NHT lditarod NHT North Country NST Overmountain Victory NHT Ice Age NST Potomac Heritage NST Natchez Trace NST Florida NST Nez Perce NHT Santa Fe NHT Trail of Tears NHT Juan Bautista NHT California NHT Pony Express NHT

Welker's article on the next page). It will be very important in our support of this legislation to clearly convey that we are asking only for willing seller authority (consent of owner) -- not right of condemnation. The importance of this Authority for completion of the North Country Trail should not be minimized. It has-taken many years for the Appalachian Trail corridor to be protected permanently. Even with right of condemnation is has not been without difficulty. The land staff of the AT has many years of experience which could be turned to benefit the other national trails as their task winds down in the east. In addition, the appropriations which have supported the AT effort could well be the answer to major gaps along other trails. You will be asked to support this effort -- which could happen quickly or be delayed until the next Congress takes office. It will depend on how complex the issue is percieved to be, whether there is an easy vehicle to add the language to, and what other legislative priorities are on the docket. Watch for a member alert on this subject.

Full Authority including Full Authority including Total prohibition Total prohibition Total prohibition Total prohibition Total prohibition Total prohibition Full Authority including Total prohibition Total prohibition Full Authority including Consent of owner Total prohibition Consent of owner Consent of owner Consent of owner Consent of owner Consent of owner

condemnation condemnation

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

Dolan v. City of Tigard Implications for the NCT? by Doug Welker On June 24, by a 5 to 4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Florence Dolan in the case of Dolan v. City of Tigard (OR). Ms. Dolan's husband John (now deceased) originally filed the suit because, as a retail store owner with property partly within the 100 year floodplain of a suburban Portland stream, he was being required by the city of Tigard to dedicate a portion of his property to undeveloped open space and to a pedestrian/bicycle path way, in exchange for the granting of a building permit needed to expand his store. A city flood control plan required that the open space be preserved to reduce peak flood runoff. A city transportation study recognized a traffic congestion problem in its downtown area. In an attempt to combat this problem, the city developed a transportation plan which would encourage pedestrian/bicycle traffic instead of vehicular traffic; the plan identified a pedestrian/bicycle pathway within the 100 year floodplain of the creek which runs along and across a corner of Mr. Dolan's property. From a trail layout standpoint, this would appear to be a logical location for such a pathway. The Dolans argued that this requirement would result in an uncompensated ''taking'' of part of their property. The city argues, among other things, that the requirement was reasonable because the store expansion would further increase traffic congestion in the area. While the Court majority ruled that the open space requirement was reasonable, they felt that the public easement requirement was not, for a variety of reasons. For one, they considered that the city was in effect resorting to a "gimmick" by tying building ~ermit ap'. proval to the easement. They also ruled that by permitting public access to the property at all times, Dolan's "right to exclude (the public) would not be regulated, it would be eviscerated." In addition, they felt that the city had not adequately quantified the amount by which vehicular traffic would be offset by pedestrian/bicycle traffic. The large scale implications of this ruling are a bit unclear. What the court appears to be saying in part is

1994

Page 13

not that easements of this sort are illegal, but that they are illegal without compensation. This is not a new precedent. However, dissenting justices Stevens, Blackmun, and Ginsburg appear very concerned that this decision may turn out to be an "open invitation" to other private landowners wishing to challenge the ability of governmental agencies to impact the rights of landowners for the benefit of society as a whole (you'll have to read the decision (No. 93-518) if you want more specifics on their dissent or the rest of the decision). They are also concerned that the burden of proof of expected financial losses has moved too far toward the city and away from the property owner. With Justice Blackmun soon retiring and likely to be replaced by Steven Breyer, there may be even more reason for concern; Breyer's statements and decisions as a judge suggest he is likely to side with businesses and property owners in cases such as this. To the average trail person primarily interested in laying out, building, maintaining, and/or hiking trails, all this may sound a bit tangential to the trail issues we typically concern ourselves with (adequate maintenance, good signs, environmentally sound trial design, getting good exercise, and having fun). However, as our efforts to build tail move more and more onto private lands, we may have increasing difficulty, particularly as we seek to develop local and regional trail management plans which may include requirements or incentives for trail development on these lands. At a minimum, this decision should warn us that we need to be very careful how we word such plans and how local agencies word their ordinances; the outcome of this case, to a great extent, hinged on how things were worded by the city of Tigard. What this decision also seems to do is to further support the efforts of an increasingly vocal minority whose intent is, among other things, to reduce the right of governments to control what landowners do on their own land; regardless of the public benefit that results from that control. This property rights agenda is part of the larger agenda of the "Wise Use" movement, which got its start in the West several years back. Taken at its extreme view, the Wise Use movement advocates two primacy sets of issues, one, that a property owner should be able to do whatever he or she chooses on his of her own land, and two, that individuals have the right to use public lands however they choose. While most Wise Use advocates do not support such extreme views, there are sufficient powerful folks in many Wise Use groups with views approaching the extreme that their views seem to dominate the groups' agendas. What seems to tie these two perhaps not so apparently similar agendas together is money. Most private property rights complaints seem to deal with the landowner's expected loss of future profits as the result of being denied the right to undertake some proposed development of his or her land. Some landowners may also fear that property values may fall as the result of restrictions, easements, et.c. The financial motivation for those who wish to use all public lands as they choose is less apparent, but apparently major contributors to

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

the Wise Use cause are manufacturers of vehicles such as A'IV's and dirt bikes. These folks are particularly opposed to federally designated wildernesses and other non-motorized public lands, where their A'IV's aren't allowed; many of these more remote lands, of course, are where a lot of hikers like to go to get away from the noise of motorized contraptions. For several years, the Wise Use movement ignored by environmental advocates, perhaps hoping that they wouldjust go away. Well, they didn't, partly due to a lot of pent up anti-government/anti-regulation feelings, and partly due to significant financial support from their big business supporters, who not only wish to sell more A'IV's and the like, but who also hope to get a bunch of voter support when they push for weaker governmental regulations. In the past few years, the environmental movement, perhaps a bit belatedly, has become greatly concerned about the threat the Wise Use movement poses to endangered species, the nation's forests and parks, clean air and water, and the like; environmentalists, in the past year particularly,

1994

seem on the attack against the Wise Use movement as an entity. The tail movement, though, has traditionally been rather laid back, avoiding issues if they appear to be the slightest bit controversial. I'm not advocating spiking trees if someone plans to log where our trails go or burying boards with nails in trial treadifwe'vegotATV problems; such actions not only would hurt our cause but could potentially result in serious injury or worse. Radical environmentalists have hurt the environmental movement by doing just such things. I think it is time, though, that we as trail advocates start monitoring more closely issues which may have serious impacts on our ability to build trails and to provide for a quality experience for those who use our trails; we need to be writing our legislators about more than just the need for more money for trails. There are folks out there who would be happy, for instance, to have a law which allowed motorized use on all trails on public land. Someday they may have the power to do such things, if we don't speak up until it's too late.

Donation made to trail in IDeIDory of Alfred E. Borsum The May 24 death of a Middleville, Michigan man in a boating accident has led to the development of a large memorial fund in his name. 路 Alfred Edgar Borsum, 63, died followinga canoeing accident on the Thornapple River near the Irving Power plant, near his home on Sunday, May 22. Borsum and a friend were in a canoe when it capsized. They tried to turn to shore when they approached the dam, but the canoe turned sideways and washed over the dam. Both men were washed over the dam, and Bors um was pulled from the river by fifteen-year-old Matthew Appell, who had been swimming downstream from the dam. Appell said he had earlier tried to swim upstream into the current below the dam, but could not because it was so swift, but at the time of the accident, he doesn't remember the current being difficult. He said he didn't stop to think if he could do it or not. "I just did it," he said. CPR was administered by a former firefighter, Chuck McPhail, and later by Thornapple Township ambulance personnel. Borsum was rushed to a nearby hospital, but did not recover. "In lieu of flowers, family and friends wanted to designate an organization for donations," said son Eric Borsum. "Conversationswith folks in the Yankee Springs

Alfred Edgar Borsum area have led us to the North Country Trail Association because Dad spent so much time outdoors in areas surrounding the North Country Trail." North Country Trail Association Executive Director Pat Allen said that so far, about $1400 has been received for the Alfred E. Borsum Memorial Fund, and that further donations can be made by sending the donations directly to the Association, in an envelope marked for the fund. "Such donations will be very important as the source for matching funds for larger grants," Allen says. "In this manner, the effect of a memorial donation to the Association can be magnified many times."

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994

Page 15

Hikers ... horses . mountain bikes . land use policy .

Thoughts of a trail veteran By Thurst.on Griggs

The principal reason for having a trail has been to gain access to something worth seeing, something that could not be reached by road or vehicle. To a large degree, that remains a trail's main appeal. When cars (and sometimes even horses) are introduced, the situation is different. Partly for that reason, certain sections of long-distanee trails get used repeatedly, while other "connector segments" hardly ever get used. In fact, they may actually double as roads. To span long distances is not, in fact, the main raison d'etre for trails. The Appalachian Trail may not be a suitable model for other long-distance trails; it is unique and atypical due in part to its origins, the pattern of volunteer management, its users and its political position. The AT only needed preservation help from the federal government; trail supporters could carry out all the other dynamics of the trail itself. The ATs volunteerconstituancy began in the 1930s and has proven to be "cash in the political bank" ever since. The trail's mistique emerged at a distinctive period and then became a tradition -- it was a phenomenon that became feasible only in the Appalachian Mountains, supported by East Coast social institutions. Because it works today does not mean it is a suitable model that can be replicated elsewhere or later in history. The two crucial problems of long-distance trails are: (1) operational management, and (2) public versus private use and control of trail lands. Operation management for trails, which are long, narrow rights-of-way, involves controlling the use, access, and trespass across the trail strip. It also involves resource protection and the reconciliation of incompatible adjacent interests, when present. There might even be a mathematical formula under which, as the length of a preserve of land路 increases in increments

over its width, there arises an exponential rise in the number of administrative difficulties that arise. Perhaps the kinds of difficulties may be more limited than in some other land conservation situations, but the instances will be greater. One of the most serious problems is to define authorized use and to eliminate or discourage other uses (except along an actual public roadway). As for developing new trails Uong, narrow preserves), this may only be feasible on public lands. In other places it is extremely difficult. The traditions of private land ownership in the United States pit landowners against all others, expecially the recreational public. Each landowner is king of his or her domain. For many, this is their life's treasure and main security; it is inviolable. Public interest? Public rights? Public benefit? This may occur only under threat of condemnation. Some measures have mitigated this situation to some extent, with varying success. These include scenic easements, donations, private trusts, land banks, and conservancies. Generally, however, when it comes to trails in America, ownership patterns are blot.chy; rarely are they continuous. Innovative measures being used in greenways may oft'ersome alternatives. Easements are purchased from private owners along streams, in floodplains, along ridges, and in other locations unsuited to building. The theory is that such lands, being marginally economic, might be opened up for recreational use. This approach is hopeful, but may have some limitations. Easements may cost almost as much as the outright purchase of the land itself. Owners retain in interest and concerns about public access, policing, trespass and future land uses. Landowners may be especially worried about future recreational uses of the

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North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

government-owned easement in the face of political instability or bureaucratic complexities. In many greenways, easements are held jointly by both a private group and a public agency, mitigating this objection in some instances. At other times, this joint ownership and responsibility creates complications. Obviously the effectiveness of managing a greenway should be closely tied to local jurisdictional habits and patterns. There is, in fact, a traditional antipathy between private landowners and government (taxing) agencies. Despite these problems, the "greenway concept" may be one of the only new inroads now available into the traditional American pattern of exclusively private or public ownership of the landscape. A related issue is an attempt to strengthen liability exemption statutes at the state level. When landowners are asked to consider easements or permissions for public recreational uses without fee, they always raise the liability issue as a reason to exclude everybody. (Actually, the issue is more likely the inability to pick and choose who comes on their land, a loss of control.) The non-liability-when-no-fee-is-charged type of legislation has not proved particularly successful at opening up private lands for public use for two reasons. Liability is not the real issue. And, allowing unnamed or previously unknown persons to do anything at all on the land appears to open up new problems such as patrolling, law-enforcement, abuses, overextension of access, and broader than intended uses. One recent response to this problem has been legislation proposed in Pennsylvania which defines "recreational trespass" where other than permitted activities may occur. It seeks to give landowners some redress against such activities. Of course, enforcement is a real problem under such dispersed circumstances. The differentiation between public access and use and private exclusiveness remains at the heart of the matter.Under ourlegal system, the only way to develop new trails is for the governemnt to buy the right-of-way. Private owners know that now, so they hoard their land rights against eventual condemnation and they deny even temporary access to their lands for recreational purposes, lest outfight acquisition and loss of the land follow. Only the land-rich and altruistically motivated persons whose descendents are already assured of enough can be amenable to making land available for trails. There's much food for thought in this article; it deserves careful re-reading. Griggs cuts to the heart of the controversies and challenges facing those who seem to establish long-distance trails across America. Thurston Griggs is president of the Potomac Heritage Trail Association, a long-time activist with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and active with the Mountian Club of Maryland. He recently spearheaded the identification and protection of a 55-mile hiking component of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail from Cumberland, MD, to Pennsylvania's highest point, Mt. Davis, and on to the Laurel Highlands Trail at Ohiopyle. This article is reprinted from the September 1991 issue of Pathways Across America. -- WB

1994

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[NCTA TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES)j i.:?M :::;-.

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ITEMS FOR THIS COLUMN Ill.Ufil_bereceived before the deadline date given on Page 4 of this newsletter. We welcome listing activities of affiliated organizations, but we must be aware of them in sufficient time for publication.

Michigan August 13~ 18. Western Michigan Chapter day hiking in Allegheny National Forest, PA. Make own reservations. Six WMC members are staying in the Super 8 motel in Warren PA,. Call Dave S. for more information at (616) 784-8975. August 13-27. NCTA Hiker's Club, Marquette, Ml new trail construction through Victoria Village in Ontonagan County. This is the 1994 Huron Valley Chapter, Sierra Club project. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704 or Doug at (906) 338-2680 for details. August 20: Western Michigan Chapter 10-mile day hike in Allegan State Game Area around Swan Lake. Call Dave S. (616) 784-8975 or Mary P. (616) 773-6986 for more information. August 'ZT. Western Michigan Chapter 10+ mile day hike, NCTfrom Pierce Rd. to Highbanks Lake. Call Dave S. (616) 784-7875 for more information. September 4: North Country Trail Hiker's Club Fifth Annual Public Hike at Little Presque Isle. Call Jan, (906) 225-1295 for information. September 10~11: Western Michigan Chapter Orienteering campout at Yankee Springs. Potluck Saturday night breakfast cooked by your hosts, Alan and Lou. Call them for reservations and information, (616) 453-3069. September 14: Western Michigan Chapter hikes Sheep Ranch Pathway in the Baldwin area. 5 miles. Call Ruth at (616) 453-8622 or Ginny at (616) 689-6876. September 24: Western Michigan Chapter 1 O miles day hike at LudingtonState Park to Big Sable Lighthouse. Call Dave S. at (616) 784-8975 or Mary P at (616) 7736986 for more information. October 1. Western Michigan Chapter 6 mile day hike at Sleepy Hollow State Park north of Lansing. Call Dave S. at (616) 784-8975 or Mary P at (616) 773-6986 for more information. October 2: Western Michigan Chapter 7 1/2 mile day hike in Bowman Lake area. Call Ruth at (616) 453-8622 or Ginny at (616) 689-6876 for more information. October 8: Western Michigan Chapter 1 O mile day hike at Owassapi Boy Scout Camp north of Muskegon, past Big Blue and Wolverine Lakes. Call Dave S. at (616) 784-8975 or Mary P. at (616) 773-6986.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

October 22: Western Michigan Chapter 1 O+ mile day hike on NCT from #17 road to Baxter Bridge near Mesick. Call Dave S. at (616) 784-8975 or Mary P at (616) 773-6986 for more information. October 29: Western Michigan Chapter 1 O mile day hike on NCT through Yankee Springs near Hastings. Call Dave S. at (616) 784-8975 or Mary P at (616) 6986 for more information. December 6: Western Michigan Chapter Christmas Party.

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Minnesota Aug. 28-31 NCTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE, M~ Lodge, Calloway, MN. Contact Rod MacRae, 1210W. 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55405 (h) (612) 337-0130 (w) (612) 941-8336 or John Lomnicki (w) 800-688-4578 or Del Bjerkness,(h) (218)573-3858for more information.

New York Aug 14. Hike across Schuyler County #4. Contact Cayuga Trails Club, Tom Reimers (607) 272-8679, Sue Kittel (607) 594-2750 or Nick Vandam (607) 539-6313 for information and registration. Aug. 15-20 FLTC â&#x20AC;˘Alley Cat" Trail Crew No. 2 to work on trail between FLTC Maps M-18 and M-23. For information,contact Howard Beye, FLTC Service Center, 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609-6733 (716) 288-7191. Sept. 11. Hike across Schuyler County #5. See above. Oct. 9. Hike across Schuyler CG>unty #6. See above.

Ohio Sept. 9-11 BTA Work weekend, East Fork State Park.. For information contact Jim Sprague, (216) 884-4757. Oct. 14-16 BTA Work weekend,Weyne NationalForest.. For information contact Jim Sprague, (216) 884-4757.

Pennsylvania August 13-18. Western Michigan Chapter dey hiking in Allegheny National Forest, PA. Make own reservations. Six WMC members are steying in the Super 8 motel in Warren PA,. Call Dave S. for more information at (616) 784-8975. Sept. 9-11 . Keystone Trail Association and Shenango Outing Club will be working on the NCT in either Moraine State Park or State Game Land #95. Camp in group camping area in Moraine State Park. For information, contact Mark Eckler, (412) 588-6164.

Wisconsin Aug. 13-14. WeekendTrail Buildingin the Chequamegon National Forest, Hayward Section. To volunteer, or for

Page 17

1994

more information, contact Gaylord Yost, PO Box 1013, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1013 (414) 354-8987.

National trail events Aug. 1~13. Oregon-CaliforniaTrails AssociationAnnual Convention, Salt Lake City, UT. Contact OCTA (816) 252-2276. Aug. 28-31 NCTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE,~elag Lodge, Calloway, MN. Contact Rod MacRae, 1210W. 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55405 (h) (612) 337-0130 (w) (612) 941-8336 or John Lomnicki (w) 800-688-4578 or Del Bjerkness,(h) (218)573-3858for more information. Sept 28-30. National Trails Symposium, Anchorage, AK. Contact: Bob Walker, (406) 444-4585 Sept. 23-0ct. 7: Annual Reenactment over the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, Abington, VA, to Kings Mountain National Military Park, SC. Contact Bob Sweeney, (703) 834-4582. Oct. 1. Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation Hike-A-Thon. Contact IAPTF office, (414) 691-2n6 Oct. 1-2. American Hiking Society Conference, Anchorage, Alaska Contact Susan Henley, (703) 2559308. Oct 7-9. Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association Annual Gathering, Hanover College, Dartmout, NH. Contact Ron Keal, (502) 227-1789. Oct.14-15. lceAge Park & Trail FoundationMembership Meeting. Location TBA. Contact IAPTF office, (414) 691-2n6.

SWISS

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GRINDELWALD KANDERSTEG ZERMATT SAAS-FEE MURR EN GSTAAD LENK FLUELEN WENG EN ENGELBERG BETTMERALP RIGl~KALTBAD LEUKERBAD Moderate optlonal length DAY hiking along skyline trails. 7-2 week tours basing at 15 mountain 3-4 star hotel1. All hikes guided by NCT member Cecil Dobbins. For a fraa color brochura call (216) 867-3771, or wrlta to:

ALPINE ADVENTURE TRAILS TOURS. lac.

v c11tt11cf.e D~. AKRON, OH 44313

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Page 18

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

1994.

North Country Trail Shop GREAT INFORMATION ON THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL BOOKSTORE/ FOLLOWING THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL, by Wes Boyd, NCTA Newsletter editor. Packed full of information about the NCNST. 64 pages. Not a trail guide, but a trail discussion. "The aim is to give the reader the information necessary to find out what they need to know to follow the trail" - - and lots of other useful information. The most inclusive and up-to-date information on the whole trail. $5.95, ($4.00 wholesale 10 or more). CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL by Byron and Margaret Hutchins.The long-awaited start to a trail guide for the entire trail. Accurate route descriptions by an experienced guidebook writer who's walked the sections with a measuring wheel, covering many certified sections of the long enough to be a hiking destination, published in an easy to carry loose-leaf form. Individual map sets at various prices (see order form); whole set, including binder, is$22.00, use order form. Sorry, no direct wholesale. GUIDE TO THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL -- CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST by Rod Mac Rae. Discussionof the route and trail log from east to west in the Chippewa National Forest. Wonderfully written by a Chippewa National Forest expert. 12 pages. $1.25 each; Wholesale (1 O or more) $. 75 each. MICHIGAN MAPSETS developed by Arden Johnson. Maps to follow the NCNST in the Manistee. Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests, and the trail between St. Ignace and Munising, and northern lower peninsula. $4.00 per set; Binder with indicies. $2.50. Contact bookstore for information on ordering individual maps. THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL -- MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST by the Michigan Trailfinders. Offers a detailed description of the trail from the White Cloud trailhead to Big Star Lake, and from US 1 O to McCarthy Lake. Current through June, 1989. $2.00 each, no wholesale available. GUIDE TO THE PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHOREby Olive Anderson. Includes revised Lakeshore Trail Guide. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the centerpiece of the North Country Trail -- a rugged, unique coast on the wild Lake Superior shore. Updated in 1994, this 56 page book by Pictured Rocks enthusiast Olive M. Anderson gives the reader revised maps and up-to-date information about this Michigan section of the North Country Trail. $6.95 each; Wholesale (1 o or more) $5.25 each.

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

Page 19

1994

North Country Trail Shop Patches and Stickers NCT Patch $3.00 Volunteer Strip $1.50 State Strip $1.50 New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota Hike Distance Strips (must qualify) $1.25 5. lo. 15. 20, 25 or 35 miles hiked in one day NCTA Coffee Mugs $6.95

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ORDER FORM -- NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL SHOP North North North North North

Country Country Country Country Country

Trail Patch@ $3.00 each Trail State Segment Patch@ $1.50 each Trail Volunteer Strips@ $1.50 each Trail Coffee Mugs@ $6.95 each Trail Supporter Cloisonne pin@$3.95 each

North Country Trall 1oth Anniversary T-Shlrl (circle size): Adult, S, M. L. XL, XXL, l 00% cotton, It. blue only@ $9. 95 each

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT

Name

Address

City

State, Zip

Phone

BOOKS copies of "Following the North Country National Scenic Troll" $5.95 per copy ($4.00 per copy If ten or more) copies of "The North Country Troll -- Manistee National Forest" $2.00 per copy. (no wholesale) copies of "Gulde to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore• $6.95 per copy. ($5.25 each If ten or more)

copies or "Gulde to the North Country Troll -- Chippewa National Forest" $1.25 per copy ($.75 per copy If ten or more) copies of Michigan mapsets (check appropriate ones:) O Croton Dam - Hodenpyt Dam Interlachen - Boyne Falls O St. Ignace - Harvey Marquette - Ironwood $4.00 per set . Binder, $2.50 No wholesale

o o

copies of

'cemnea Sections of the North Country

o Burr Oak - Sinking Spring O Wayne NF, o Miami and Erle Canal, o Hiawatha NF E & Tahqua o Hie.NF W & Pict Rocks, O Chippewa NF,

$4.00 $1.50 $1.80 $2.70 $2.05 $2.20

Tralr (Check sestlons)

o Allegheny NF & Cook Forest,$2.90 o Little Miami Scenic Park, $1.15 o Manistee NF $2.20 o Ottawa NF, $2.10 o Chequamegon NF, $1.80 o Sheyenne Grassland, $1.15

Please enclose for shipping & handfing: $0.00 - $10.00 $2.00 $10.01 - $25.00 $3.00 $25.01 - $100.00 $4.00 Over $100.00 $5.00

Mjchiaan residents Please lncfude 6% sales tax Make check/money order payable to: Worth Country Trail Association• Send order to:

NCTA Tran Shop PO Box311 White Cloud, Ml 49349

North Country Trail Association Newsletter, August-September

Page20

1994

2000 Members by 2000 2000 Certified Miles by 2000 lt's not going to be easy, but we can do it. Much has been completed, but there's still a lot to do. You can help meet the challenge by joining the North Country Trail Association, and by inviting others to join, too. Let's do it! r--------------------------------------, APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Annual Dues: membership year runs to anniversary of North Country Trail Association dues payment. PO Box 311

White Cloud, Ml, 49349 Membership Categorjes Basic Membership : . Household (includes children under 18) Organizational. . Trail Leader . Pathfinder. . Corporate . Life . Life (with spouse) .

$ $ $

$ $

20.00 30.00 35.00 50.00 100.00 500.00 400.00 600.00

I wish to join the North Country Trail Association. Enclosed is $ for a -----membership. Name Address

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O Yes, I would like to further support the North Country -------------Trail Association with my tax free contribution of $ . enclosed .. Phone (..__---J)

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