North Star Vol. 14, No. 1 (1995)

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

MADE IT! Sue Lockwood and Ed Talone at the end of the first-ever NCNST thru-hike in November.

Page2

. . ''l~lll!ljl1 1l1 !1illll l ~l 1

ililftllifi111 l · · · · · · · · · · · • •P.li•• · •11~·· · · · · · · · As 1994 ended, I felt rewarded in my work for the Association. We have made new friends in North Dakota, we have a trail manual in the development stage.

We held our first workshop on dealing with private landowners, and have great expectations for two additional chapters to form in 1995.

If I had a wish, it would be for a fully developed North Country Trail Guidebook. Just last month, I answered an inquiry from another person planning an end-to-end hike. We have bits arid pieces ofinformation, but our 1994 end-to-ender hikers, Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood, had to do a lot of searching for maps.

I hope that many of you will have an opportunity to hear Ed Talone's fine comments on his experience on the North Country Trail. He is being recruited for our August conference.

Sure, there is a lot of work yet to do, but let's appreciate your work completed. Recuriting and supporting trail adopters is one of our most important challenges to maintain the quality of the trail. If you have not yet signed up, see the article on trail adoption.

Weneedyou.

More FLT end to end hikers A dream came true on December 18, 1994, for Doris Abbot, Cliff Abbott and Betty Lewis. On a moderately cold day in western New Yor, they completed the last 7 miles of the 548-mile-long Finger Lakes Trail and became official FLT end-to-enders. The threesome hiked almost 300 miles of the trail in 1994. Tom Reimers, Cayuga Trails Club president, and several members of the FLTC accompained the happy hikers on their last trek. After "crossing the finish line," Stephanie Spittal, president of the FLTC, presented each new End-toEnder with two special shoulder patches to commemorate the event.

Doris, Cliff and Betty become the 34th, 35th and 36th persons (not necessarily in that order) to hike the entire distance of the main FLT. On the drive back to Ithaca, the Abbots and Betty reflected on the many miles they had hiked. There were bad times ... however, they laughed at them, called them inconsequential, and remembered the good times.

They were very appreciative of the trail maintainers and the fact that much of the Finger Lakes Trail exists because private landowners allow hikers to cross their property.

-- Tom Reimers in Cayuga Trails Club Newsletter

Keyboard Trails by the Editor The deadline for the April-May issue of the Newsletter is April 1 1995. 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 tor the June-July issue of the newsletter will be June 1, 1995.

You'll notice a change on the cover of the newsletter, now that we've reached the first of a new year.

We've been kicking around a name change for some time, and a new year seemed like a good time to do it. A number of suggestions were kicked around at one time or another, but "North Star - The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association" seemed like a good bet. There must be some other "North Stars" around, though, and we'll change it if anyone gripes too loud.

There's been a lot of talk oflate of the "Information Superhighway" -- fast electronic communication, via the Internet, and other ways, available to those who have computers and modems. That's getting to be more and more of us.

Part of the problem is that the Internet is not terribly user-friendly, although the situation is improving. And, very often you have to dig through a pile of garbage to get to the one little bit of information that you 're looking for.

But, there are other ways of using electronic data transfer, and one is through what's known as an electronic bulletin board system. In this case, an individual or organization maintains a computer that you call directly, usually long-distance, and have available the opportunity to leave E-mail on it. Also, there are often other things available, such as organizational bulletins, sometimes software, all sorts of things -- it depends on who is setting it up.

Just guessing, there are probably 50 to 100 people in the NCTA that have computer/modem capabilities available, and I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps the time is not ripe to develop a computer bulletin board for the NCTA. This could be used partly for electronic messages among members, partly for an extra contact point for the public, and partly to give rapid updates on trail events, news, and one thing and another. Even better, through cooperation with another, unrelated organization, we may be abla, to share some of the expense, keeping an already low Cost lower.

If you think this has potential, please give me a call, drop me a "snail-mail" note, or send me E-Mail to "wesboyd@ielphi.com".

Let's see what you think!

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March 1995

ON SEPTEMBER 17, the Superior Hiking Trail Association approved the concept of the Superior Hiking Trail becoming a part of the NCT, according to SHTA president Rudi Hargesheimer. The Superior Hiking Trail runs along the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota's Arrowhead District.

Approval of the SHTA to route the NCNST up their trail was a key part -- athough not the final part - of the earliest decision making process to relocate the NCNST in eastern Minnesota onto the "Arrowhead Route" long proposed for the trail.

*** AS OF NOVEMBER, NCTA membership reached an all-time high, of 677 members. Broken out by chapters, the Western Michigan chapter is still the largest, at 131 members. The new Grand Traverse Chapter already has 67 members; the Minnesota Chapter, 60, and the North Country Trail Hikers (Upper Peninsula Chapter) 46.

addition, remeasurements added 1.9 miles on the already certified Jordan River Pathway, Michigan; and .6 miles on the Warner Creek Pathway, also in Michigan. The relocations involved meant a dropping of the certification of the Michigan Shore-toShore Trail west of Schenk's Place, an 11.1 mile decertification, and dropping all of Spring Brook Pathway, totalling 1.7 miles.

The actions bring the total certified milage of the North Country Trail to 1215.7, and the total signed mileage to 1227.9.

The action brings North Dakota to a total of 53.8 miles and also gives Michigan a total of 504.6 certified miles, and an additional 10.2 connecting miles, for a total of 514.8 signed miles. Michigan is far and away the leading state in total certified miles of NCNST. More details on certification are in the Annual Trail Summary, elsewhere in this issue.

*** AT THE REQUEST of the

NCT CERTIFICATIONS now exceed 1200 miles! Just before Christmas, the NPS's Bill Menke reported the following new certifications: City of Petoskey MI 2.2 miles; Mackinaw State Forest-MI Mileage adjustment by +0.1 mile; Bureau ofReclamation26.3 miles in l.onetree Wildlife Management Area. (See the story on North Dakota later in this issue).

In other certification activity since the last issue of the newsletter, 6.8mileshave been certified in the Little Presque Isle State Recreation Area in Michigan; 8.1 miles in the McCormick Wilderness, Ottawa NF, Michigan; and four segments totaling 2.9 miles in the Pere Marquette SF, Michigan. In

NCTA, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan introduced legislation in early October to restore will-

Page3

ing seller land aquisition authority to the federal agencies with the nine national scenic and historic trails that were designated with prohibitions against federal acquisition. Senator Levin will likely re-introduce this legislation next year.

*** THE INTERIOR Department appropriation for Fiscal Year 1995 continues the funding level for the 14 national scenic and historic trails administered by the National Park Service at the same level as FY 1994 (about 2.18 million) and earmarks 1/3 of the Park Service Challenge Cost Share funds (about $600,000) for these trails.

Also, $1 million of trail construction and recreation maintenance funds is earmarked for the four national scenic and historic trails administered by the USDA Forest Service.

ANEW TRAIL Maintenance manual, wntten by Tom Reimers, is in the works for the NCNST. It's hoped that it will be available in time for trail work next spring.

111111111111111111111111111~111111111111111111111111111111.111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

1994 Fall Board Meeting Report 7.

Plans set for 1995 New York Conference 8 GPS sets new standards in trail mapping 9 Talone finishes first-ever NCT Thru-hike 11 NCTAAnnual report 13 1994 Annual Trail Survey 17 North Dakota offers lots of trail potential 18 Americans still support environment 22 Hypothermia alert 23 Lots of coming events 24,25

Page4

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

Legacy from Peter Wolfe now a trail possibility Dear Wes: I have a problem for which I am seeking advice or help. You will remember Peter Wolfe, the first person to hike the North Country 'frail end-to-end, as much as was on the ground during" the years 1974 to 1980. I wrote an article about him in the NCTA Newsletter of Summer, 1993, in which I told of my work on a book based on his journals and some 96 voice tapes.

There is more to be considered.

Inl987 Pete bought a little house near Mass City in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the first house he had ever owned. He worked hard at trying to set up a U.P. headquarters for the NCTA, but before he could realize that dream, he died during the night of April 30, 1990.

He left no will. His);hree sons were unwilling or unable to come forward and claim the little house, so it sat there untenanted, awaiting whatever the law would decide. In 1993, it came up on a tax sale. I didn't really know what I would do with that property, but I went to the tax sale, spoke up, and paid one year's taxes of $152.26. A year later I sent to Lansing and got a tax deed to the property.

Now I need to advertise in the paper, so that any heirs or persons with a lien against the property can make a claim, and if they don't, I'll own it after about six months.

The little house stands on one acre of'land, high on one of the hilly ridges of this area. It has only a kitchen, a small leanto room, and a living room downstairs, and a small bedroom with sloping ceilings upstairs. There are no bathroom or drains indoors, but the Department of Social Services, learning that Pete was living there with no well, put in one for him, back in about 1988 or 1989. It is a good well, which increased the value of the property, and some people have been making inquiries aboutitforahuntingcamp. Thereareseveraloutbuildings, including a garage, some sheds, a privy, and think) a sauna.

Now here I am, holding on to this property, not quite sure what I want to do with it, and really not able to afford to pay for the lawyer and the advertisement or to pay the rest of the delinquent taxes, which were $225.43 in 1991 and probably that each year since. I paid those first taxes because I felt that Pete's property should not go to just anyone, but might have some future use to the NCT. Does anyone out there have an idea? It occurs to me that if the property cannot be used directly as a NCTA U .P. headquatters, if someone would go through the rest of the legal procedure, then the property might be

a

sold at a profit and that money be Pete's legacy to the NCTA It would probably sell, because hunting properties near the Ottawa National Forest are in demand.

There is another matter. In addition to having all of Pete's journals, maps, photos, and small mementos of his hike, I rescued all his equipment -- tents, sleeping bag, backpack, hiking staff, clothing, camping stove, etc., etc. -- on the theory that one day there will be a museum exhibit of the NCTs first hiker, especially ifl can complete the book. I am going to be very selective in deciding where to deposit those, but I need advice and ideas.

Please let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Ruth B. MacFarlane Editor's note: I passed the above letter along to NCTA President Derek Blount and NCTA Executive Director Pat Allen. Here is Pat's response: Dear Ms. MacFarlane: Thank you for writing about Peter Wolfe's property and your concerns about what to do. I hope I may be able to help.

The land committee of the North Country Trail Association is currently working on a policy to govern a "fund to be used to extend the North Country Trail through purchase of lands, interest in lands, or to be used as matching funds for trail corridor acquisition.

Don Elzinga and Kim Donald Shaw are working currently on this and I am sending them a copy of your letter.

I believe that Peter's home could perhaps provide a small legacy for the trail. It may be useful to the Upper Peninsula members, but I rather think that the property's size and the needs of ongoing maintenance may suggest that a better use would be to sell the property and contribute the proceeds in Peter's memory.

I have asked Mr. Shaw to advise me on what we might do regarding the advertisement for heirs and wheter he can assist in that. It will be helpful if you could send a copy of the tax deed or at least the property description and its assessed valuation.

When we have some basic information, I will be happy to approach our Board ofDirectors with a recommendation.

Please feel free to contact me in the meantime ifyou have any questions.

Sincerely, Pat Allen, Executive Director

A hike in the Northern Manistee National Forest Day and overnight hikes are possible on sections of the North Country Scenic Trail, I recently hiked from Beers Road near Mesick to Highway 10 near Baldwin, a 60 mile journey. It was a good way to get into the wilderness and to physically keep in shape.

The trail is laid out for the long distance hiker to

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

freely move along while enjoying scenic views, geological formations and woodland features. The mushrooms at this time of year are so abundant with many varieties, colors and shapes. I saw many deer and other small animals along the way.

There is a 15 mile stretch south of Beers Road with no available water source. On a 60 mile journey I did not pass any springs as a water source. I'm sure many of these problems will be dealt with as the NCT is installed.

On the first day of the three day trip, I talked with five backpackers. Meeting other hikers is always a delight. On this section I had to get off the trail and into the brush to let 54 mountain bikers go by. They all had happy faces. This is a hikers trail. To be forced off the trail did hurt. And twice while walking downhill I heard a yell from behind. I quickly stepped off the trail to let the speeding bikers continue their downhill venture.

There are sections of the trail cut up by the bikes. This makes hiking a little more difficult. Both hikers and mountain bikers need wilderness areas to enjoy and for a challenge. Hikers and bikers do not belong together on the same trail. Michigan is progressing nicely to eventually make backpacking a major outdoor activity. And the state has so much to offer in its history, beauty and scenic vistas. More people can participate in its outdoor recreation. One can be enlightened to be active in a sport of pure giving and no taking.

Credenitials; through hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and walked 12 tracks in New Zealand along with other numerous shorter walks. My trail name is Mountain Goat.

Vern Anderson Grand Traverse Hiking Club

NCTA trail construction in lower Michigan, summer, 1994 Summer 1994 was another good season for trail building in Lower Michigan. Several projects were completed.

A big one was the completion of 6.2 miles of trail - from the Old U.S. 131 State Forest Campground on the Manistee River to the junction with the Cadillac Branch of the Shore-To-Shore Trail. The Grand Traverse Hikers Club gets credit for a lot of work on this section which completes a segment of 48 miles.

Another one was completion of 4.6 miles in southeast Antrim County, with major contributions of effort by the Sierra Club. This section connects 18 miles of trail, and with one connector, 42 miles of trail.

Various volunteers contributed to the construction of3.5 miles south of Petoskey, and work was started on a 5 mile section north of Petoskey. Also, the City of Petoskey filed for certification of 2.2 miles covering its Bear River Walk and its Harbor Bikeway. Planning is now under way for much more work in this area in 1995.

The West Michigan Chapter did some major work on 4 miles of trail in the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, and a 3/4 mile section of trail was rerouted

1995

Pages

and cleared atthe north end ofRogue River Stat.a Game Area.

Of the estimated 507 miles of trail in Lower Michigan, about 216 are complete, 77 miles are in various stages of planning, and 214 are connectors or unplanned.

About 190 miles of the completed sections are adopted for maintenance by chapters or individuals.

Arden Johnson

Scouts rebuild trail The purpose of this letter is to say thank you to Phillip Hansen and his troop of Boy Scouts. The trail work done in Cold Springs Reserve was very much appreciated. The Buckeye Trail in Cold Springs Reserve is now in excellent condition.

At least three long distance hikers have passed through Cold Springs Reserve while followingthe Buckeye Trail Connection to the North Country Trail. These long distance hikers are Chet From, Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood. Their goal is to hike the NCT from end to end.

Congratulations to Phillip Hansen for achieving Eagle Scout rank.

Elwood J. Ensor

SCA Session Dates set (or: E-Mail comes to the North Star) (vialnternetE-Mail)From: ''Bill_Menke@nps.gov" ''wesboyd@delphi.com" Subj: SCA

Tu:

WesLet's test this link out with a practical message.

Can you include something in the next newsletter regarding the SCA training so that your volunteers will have lots of advance notice and can plan for the time away from work, etc.

We have contracted with SCA to conduct a full (normal length) session scheduled for May 5-10. Attendees would probably need to be there first thing on 5/6 (Saturday) and stay through 5/9 or 5/10 (Tuesday or Wednesday evening). At this time, we're not sure ifit will turn out to be a 4 or 5 day session until we go over the exact curriculum with SCA. First priority for attendance is trail crew leaders or supervisors and those who are involved in trail construction.

The location is Camp Forest Lake-=S miles north of Rib Lake, WI. NPS will be picking up the full cost of tuition, lodging, and meals for the session ($4QO/person). NCTAisallocated 17-18slots(includesFLTCand BTA). Those attending will have to provide their own transportation and other travel expenses. However, we will provide shuttle service from the nearest commercial airport and will get those details out later.

Moredetailedinfolater. Thisisjustsodatescanbe placed on calenders.

Bill

Page6

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March 1995

1994 has finally come to a close and the holidays are past. I hope every one of you had a wonderful holiday. As for myself, I ventured north over the holidays to my mother's home in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. There was no snow this year, so skiing was out of the question. A nice quiet walk along Torch Lake with my ten year old daughter was all we could manage.

A few simple minutes watching the waves lap the ice covered rocks on shore and beach combing for shells and other treasures washed away months of slaving away over my PC. On our way back south to Detroit we passed a NCT trail emblem at our trail head along M- 72 west of Kalkaska. It was a pleasant surprise to suddenly see it brightly calling me back to the trail. I didn't stop, but I did promise myself a hike soon on that section. This brought to mind the immense amount of work done by our volunteers across all seven states this year. This trail section was built by the folks from our Grand Traverse Chapter and Arden Johnson, our treasurer and Michigan State Trail Coordinator. Thanks for the great effort!

It's that time of year again when we think of thanking people for their support and recognizing the vast efforts of those that quietly move the paper from one mailbox to another. There have been many changes to the NCTA this year, and many more to come. Your Board of Directors has worked diligently to start new projects and continue to strengthen others. There have been hundreds of hours put in by each member of your Board attending meetings, conferences, writing letters, committee work, financial work, and trail construction work.

Wes Boyd's hours on providing this newsletter probably run into the thousands. Ken Gackler's work as former Treasurer and now Membership Chairman took many hours in front of the PC. Martha Jones, past NCTA President, and Pat Miller now head the newest NCTA committee, the Program Committee. Their efforts to enlarge the National Trails Day events and other trail activities will take many hours this next year. Gaylord Yost has spent innumerable hours rousting out enough interested folks in Wisconsin to possibly form a Chapter there in the near future.

Your Board has several members that also serve in other trail organizations. Jim Sprague, Ohio State Coordinator, and Emily Gregor both are active in the Buckeye Trail Association. Emily is also active on the Board of the American Hiking Society. Howard Beye, New York State Trail Coordinator, Harmon Strong and Tom Reimers, Past NCTA President, are members of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. In addition, Tom also serves路 as Editor of the Finger Lakes Trail News

and is a member of the Cayuga Trails Club. Our Secretary, Helen Coyne, is a member of the American Youth Hostels, Pittsburgh Council. Helen will be embarking shortly on an eighteen month around the world bicycle tour. Go Helen!

Your officers, Doug Welker, Odell Bjerkness, Arden Johnson and Helen Coyne have spent more than their share of time managing committees, participating in training sessions, attending planning sessions, writing letters to Congress, organizing Chapters, attending conferences, planning and executing the first NCTA Conference, and maintaining trail. It's only the tip of the iceberg of work that these quiet folks have accomplished.

Our seven State Trail Coordinators have done yeoman's work in moving us to over 1,225 miles of National Park Service certified trail. Organizing work crews and getting the trail on the ground is no small task. They have been aided in this effort by the many volunteers from our four Chapters and our three Affiliates. A lot of non-members have also found themselves on our work crews. Numerous non-affiliated clubs also participated, like the Shenango Outing Club, Cleveland Hiking Club, and the Keystone Trails Association.

Pat Allen, our Executive Director, has spent many more than the part-time hours she is paid for in fulfilling the mission of the NCTA. We can thank her for many of the great things that have come about this year.

She helped organize training sessions on trail construction and land conservancy. Her facilitation in bringing people together over difficult issues is sometimes amazing.

Her participation on the Kent County Planning sessions was immensely valuable.

A special thanks must go out to some volunteers that stood out above the others in their efforts. People like Rod MacRae, Baird Stewart, Paul Wright, Gene Elzinga, Darlene Snyder, David Case, Cheryl Cheadle and Ed Sidote to name a few. We would like to hear more about these and others like them in the future. If you have any information to relay about a great job done by someone, please post it off to Pat Allen.

We cannot forget to mention our supporters in other myriad places. Gary Werner, Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, who heads up the Committee for the National Trails System, has spent many hours in support of all nineteen National Trails. He has spent many hours testifying before Congressional committees and knocking on legislative doors. In mentioning Congress, we also have to thank our Congressional supporters in Senators Carl Levin, Don Reigle and Herbert Kohl.

Representatives Bruce Vento, Sander Levin, Bob Carr, David Obey, Ralph Regula and others too numerous to mention. A special mention is warranted for the efforts

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

of Thad McColl um and Chris Miller of Senator Levin's staff.

Thank you to all of these people and to all of you out there that read this and support the trail in whatever way you can. Your hours on trail crews, writing letters, making phone calls, soliciting new members and attending meetings all contribute to the support. Thank you also to the many folks who put an extra five or ten dollars into the membership renewal envelope this year. This has provided us with the ability to fund so many more things during the year.

I could go on, but Wes will have my head for going on so long as it is. So, where are we going from here?

What's ahead this year? A new training session on Trail .Survey and Design is being prepared. Additional ses-

1995

Pagel

sions on Land Conservancy issues will be held. Planning sessions will take place in Ohio and WISCOnsin. A new NCTA employee will join us soon as a recreational planner to work with the NPS in the planning process.

We hope to open a new permanent office shortly with a clerical staff to answer phones and your letters. Our second National Conference in August will highlight the summer. Think this is busy? Just wait! New trail awaits clearing, hikes on newly opened trail and new Chapters will be forming. There's lots more, too, but let's wait till the next issue. Keep an eye on the NCTA Calendar. I'll let the suspense drive you crazy.

Have a happy and safe winter out on the trail. Enjoy the season by foot, ski, snowshoe, horseback, bicycle, or dog sled. Happy Trails.

Board has productive fall meeting The Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association held their annual fall meeting at Detroit, Michigan, on November 12, 1994. Fourteen board members were present, along with Pat Allen, Bill Menkie and Gary Werner.

Among the items decided at the meeting were: • The board approved the establishment of an NCTA business office in the Grand Rapids area in the near future. Pat Allen will coordinate the details.

• Development of a policy for Land Trust Administration is under way.

• Development ofa Trail Maintenance Manual is under way. Tom Reimers is writing the manual; a grant is being sought for the printing. Other grants for other projects are also being sought.

• Bill Menke of the National Park Service reported that the NPS has acquired a Trimble Pathfinding Unit (Geographic Data Collection System) to be used for laying out trails. The unit costs approximately $10,000, has an accuracy of 2 to 5 meters, and can see through canopy and cloud cover.

Possibly a couple of key people will be trained on the unit,and they will travel tothevariousareastohelp map out the trail.

In other park service matters, Kent County plans are getting close to complete. An Environmental Assessement returned a Finding of No Significant Impact, clearing the way for final approval.

All seven requested Challenge Cost Share grant proposals, totalling $42,000 were approved. So far, eight projects, totalling $28,000 have been submitted for 1995.

It's very important to get in reports on VIP (Volunteer in the Park) hours reports.

Plans are under way for a Student Conservation Association workshop in Wisconsin, similar to the one held at Yankee Springs, Michigan last April.

It was announced there is a possibility that the Saint Croix National Scenic River will provide a trained trail crew to do work on the NCT sometime this summer; where is still open. Projects can be in western U.P., Wisconsin, or eastern Minnesota.

Proposals are being sought; contact the NPS office in Madison with suggestion.

• Distinguished Service Awards: This year, a Distinguished Service award went to Senator Levin and Gene Elzinga. Service awards can also be presented to Board members.

• Nominating Committee: Jim Sprague and Glen Oster were asked to serve as a nominating committee for next spring's board election.

• Program Committee: Tim Allen and Martha Jones were named to the program committee, to coordinate such events as National Trails Day, Annual Conferences, and the like. The 1996Annual Conference is set for Wisconsin, and the idea of holding ajoint meeting with the Ice Age Trail group is under consideration. A report was given on the meeting last summer in Minnesota. The turnout was smaller than expected, but the meeting came close to meeting the budget. A plan to pick up the shortfall was approved.

• Legislative: The NCTA will support ongoing efforts to make permanent the ad-hoc Committee for National Trails System.

• Superior Hiking Trail. It was reported that the Superior Hiking Trail Association has decided to approve proposals that their trail become part of theNCT. • Mailing: The board approved moving the newsletter from third class mailing to second class as soon as the application can be filed, in order to speed up delivery to members.

• Next Board Meeting: The next NCTA Board meeting will be held the third weekend of May in Detroit, as before.

PageB

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March 1995

1995 NCTA Trail Conference set for New York Seminars: Design of Trails and Facilities for Day or Long Distance Hikers, and Multi-Use Trails Pros and Cons.

Tours: Corning Glass Center, Rockwell Museum sized pool and other recreational attractions. The ~ of Western Art, Glenn Curtis Museum (Early naval plane builder and aviator), World-famous Watkins center is located at Co<lpers Plain, NY, and is ~ ~ Glen Race Course, National Soaring Museum near Corning Glass Center, Lake Seneca with ..it~ with sailplane rides, boat cruises on either boat tours, many vinyards, and is only 1 O Seneca or Keuka Lakes (Dinner Cruises minutes from the North Country Trail. ~ ,~ are also available), Winery tours and Accomodations: Motel type CJ~ rooms, bunk rooms and nearby ~....,..~O tasting, and Mark Twain's study at campgrounds will provide a va,!) G.j Elmira College.

Programs: Three top flight riety of housing options. Later ~"1..v ~ evening programs are information will detail pack~~---planned that everyone age options for 3 nights, 2 nights, or a meal ~ ~ will enjoy and long replan. (j member.

Hikes: Thirteen ~ A picnic lunch is guided hikes of varying planned for those in attenlengths are being planned.

0 ~ dance on Friday followed by a Some of the locations are as folsocial time before the evening lows: Sugar Hill State Forest, "~ program. Trail lunches will be availWatkins Glen State Park, Finger Lakes ~ 0 able Friday, Saturday and Monday.

National Forest, Robert Treman State ~.,.

Swimming pool: The opportunity will Park, Birsdeye Hollow State Forest, Conbe available for those attending to use the innecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area, Texas ~~ / door swimming pool.

Hollow State Forest, and the Bristol Hills Branch ,.

Camping will be available at two nearby priof the Finger Lakes Trail. The first seven are all ~ vate campgrounds, but it's suggested that particicertified sections of the North Country Trail. pants use the economical lodging facilities and meal Workshops: Ten workshops, including Brunton plans at Watson Homestead. Meals may be purchased Compass and Map separately for Course, Chain those not staying Saw Use and at the Watson Maintenance, SeHomestead. Houscuring Private ing plans with Landowner Permeals will be availmission for Trail, able for both motel Trail Mapping Usand bunkroomtype ing GPS, Night facilities for either Sky, Edible Wild two or three nights.

Plant IdentificaMore informations, Native tion and registraAmericans of the tion material will be Area, Bridge Deavailable in the late sign and Construcspring. tion, and Utilizing College Programs WATSON for Trail Building <HOMESTEAD and Mainten路ance.

Date: Fri., Aug. 18 through Mon., Aug. 21 Location: Watson Homestead Conference Center.

This 600 acre estate was the birthplace of IBM founder Thomas J. Watson. The center has an indoor Olympic-

OT :4~ ,,...~

~<

o~

~* o 0..,.,

CENTER

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

1995

Page9

G.P.S.: Coming soon to a trail near you The Global Positioning System (GPS) is coming to the North Country Trail. Or to be more precise, the GPS is going to be used on the NCT. It is a system of 24 satellites in high orbit around the earth that enable us to locate our position on the earth very precisely using an electronic receiver. GPS is currently in use to navigate ships and planes. It is also in use to accurately survey land. This application leads us to our use ofGPS. With the newest generation of GPS electronic receivers you can now use the unit to record not only where you are now but also where you have traveled with the unit. This gives us the opportunity to electronically map exactly where the trail actually goes, not just estimated location via walking and marking it on a map as you go. The trail can be down loaded to a PC and overlaid electronically directly on a topographic map.

In addition to the trail itself, you can record points along the trail and record information about the attributes of that point. For instance, signs, water, campsites, bridges, dams, roads, and trail crossings. An entire database of these attributes can be downloaded from a PC into the GPS unit to save typing in the attributes in the file. These attributes can then be chosen from an electronic menu. At the end of a day of field use the data captured in the unit can be downloaded to a PC and then overlaid on a map. In addition, a precise location of work to be done on a trail can be logged for maintenance purposes.

The basis of this system is triangulation between satellites. To do this GPS uses the travel time of a radio message from a satellite. To measure this time the satellites need very accurate clocks si.miliar to those of our simple quartz crystal wrist-watches. Once you know the distance to a satellite (via radio message travel time), you then need to know where the satellite is in space Goaded into an almanac in the GPS unit). The unit can tell you which satellites it is in contact with.

You will often have six satellites in contact but the unit tries to choose the best four signals. These signals are then measured for delay through the atmosphere. Via complex trigonometry (done by the unit) the actual

NCTA President Derek Blount and NCTA Executive Director Pat Allen try out GPS at a workshop at the National Trails Symposil.Jll,held in October a Anchorage, Alaska. location on the earth can be computed within one centimeter.Not only can it tell you location but it can also tell your altitude, thereby pin-pointing your position. I know this sounds like a lot of high tech no whiz kid stuff but it is very simple and very effective.

The big key to make all of this work is to figure out exactly when the signal left the satellite. All of the contact satellites and each receiver are synchronized to aend the same code at exactly the same ti.me. Then all that is to be done is to determine the ti.me lag between the generated signal in the receiver and the signal transmitted by the satellites. This is like waiting for an echo in your favorite canyon. Tb.is gives us the time it took for the signal to reach us. All of this is done by the GPS unit. No special calculators or even an abacus is needed here.

I think I already inferred that you don't need to be a techno whiz kid to use the GPS unit. It is small and compact and incredibly user friendly. In fact, the unit I used was the size of a large calculator and can be powered by four AA size batteries or one NiCad video camera battery (via a cable). The unit is very user friendly and simple to access with a very few buttons.

Page 10

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March 1995

All of the complex math is done in the unit. All too easy.

There are drawbacks in that the unit must have line of sight contact with the satellites. If you are in heavy forest with a leafy canopy or a canyon the contact with thesatellitesmaybeinterruptedornonexistent.

It would seem better to use the units in conditions like this in late fall or early spring when leaf cover is at a minimum. An auxiliary antenna with a cable can also beriggedonalongpoletoavoidsomeoftheseproblems.

Mountains, canyons, ravines, buildings and any solid objects can inhibit the unit from recording the satellite signal.

Another drawback can be that errors in calculation

of position creep in by changes in atmospheric eonditions or equipment conditions. Even worse the Department of Defense (who control the satellites) can purposely degrade the signals via a mode of operation called "selective availability" or "SIA". SIA is designed to deny hostile forces the tactical advantage of GPS positioning. When and ifimplemented this could cause the largest error in calculation of position.

In spite of the drawbacks, the GPS systems are easytouseandfascinatingtoworkwith.Ifthischarges you imagination look for GPS to come to a trail segment near you. Check with your local foresters for local information.

TrailAdoption: Trail adoption is the key to maintaining the quality of the North Country National Scenic Trail. It cannot be left entirely to agencies or clubs. A trail section needs the personal attention of a trail adopter who will love and monitor it in all seasons. At times, a trail section will need major work -- that's where the local chapter or other club can provide the muscle. To help potential adopters, the following job description has been developed:

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES Spring Walk-Through The main tasks for the spring walk-through are clearing blow-downs and cleaning out drainage structures. Spring walk-through is often best done in mud season as soon as the snow is off the section of trail in question and before the trail receives extensive trail use.

Trail drainage problems are often at their worst during mud season. Resolving these problems immediately or planning follow-up drainage work takes little guesswork in the spring.

Assessment of other trail and shelter work needs is an important function of the spring walk-through.

Have a notebook and pencil along to record problems, including missing markers, that need attention and report same to your section leader.

Summer Maintenance Overview --In addition to completing the tasks identified on the spring walk-through, the summer hiking season is a good time to clear the trail of woody brush and annual vegetation, as the trail is most obscured when the leaves are fully oht. Overhead branches sag lower and blazes are often hidden.

For this reason, summer is also the best time to touch up trail blazes. In general, a properly blazed stretch of trail needs repainting every three to four years.

Fall Walk-Through One of the best times of the year to clear out trail drainage structures is after the leaves have fallen from the trees. This puts the trail in a good condition to channel heavy spring runoff.

Fall is an excellent time to clip woody brush as the leaves are off the trees which makes it easier to find stems and branches.

Adopters will be asked to report their volunteer hours to their state coordinator and to express appreciation to private landowners. Agency managers should be informed of the work completed and any trail problems or needs.

Watchtor an article on trail sections needing adoptersin the Spring Newsletter!

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

1995

Page 11

Talone finishes first-ever thru hikeonNCT The first attempt at a thru-hike on the North Country trail in sixteen years ended with the first-ever all-walking thru hike of the trail on November 21.

Ed Talone, of Silver Spring, Maryland, hiked the whole distance-every step of the way! Sue Lockwood, of Van Buren, Missouri, hiked as much of the route as her medical condition and prescribed dialysis treatments permitted, racking up a personal record of2800 miles for the summer. Gordon Smith, Sue's brother, sometimes joined them, or hiked in to meet them, but always drove the blue Ford van loaded with diabetic and dialysis equipment and supplies essential to Sue's life; and camping gear, food, maps, and treats that were, relatively, less important, but more enjoyable.

Two othercompanionsjoined them: a Black Lab Leader Dog for the Blind, trained to assist the legally blind Sue with her limited sight, and a noisy Terrier mix which Gordon could never quite figure out why he had around.

The hike was done in a broken fashion -- first from Cincinnati, Ohio, into Vermont and the Long Trail, then back to Cincinnati and on to North Dakota.

"Ohio, where we started March 12," Sue recalled, "Proved to have a wonderful variety of historic canals, covered bridges and unexpected steep hills and deep ravines. As we moved east, we hiked through beautiful rolling farm lands and Amish country, where lifestyles were noticeably slower paced and their homemade cookies were a hiker's delight.

"We arrived in Pennsylvania April 14, 650 miles from our start. We hiked over 100 miles along the banks oftheAlleghenyRiverand then on cut trail through the Allegheny National Forest with its boulders the size of two-story houses and its high ridges and deep valleys."

They entered New York State May 3, having done over 940 miles since starting their trek. In two of New York's State Parks, Watkins Glenn and Letchworth, they hiked along spectacular river gorges and past stunning falls on excellently engineered trail. After following the Finger Lakes Trail for 360 hilly miles through a variety of farmlands, state forest parcels, state parks, and vineyards; they then hiked along the Old Erie Canal and past the ladder locks of the Black River Canal on their way to the Northville-Lake Placid Trail in the Adirondacks. Mt. Marcy was still covered with

Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood, just Into Pennsylvania on the new trail in McConnel's Mill State Park. snow in early June and they passed by her on their way to Crown Point some 1540 trail miles east of our Cincinnati starting point.

June was a rough month, as medical problems with Sue forced her and Gordon to depart suddenly for Missouri and leave Ed on his own for three weeks. Ed visited friends in Michigan who joined him hiking the

SUE LOCKWOOD and her leader dog, Mac, on "Big Macâ&#x20AC;˘ during the Labor Day bridge walk;

Page 12

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

Manistee National Forest in Michigan, and then hiked the western section of Ohio alone in summer heat and became acquainted with midwestern turbulent storms.

'July 6 we all met again in Ohio and crossed into Michigan (having completed 2000 miles) the following day and set up our tent in Wolverine country," Sue recalls. This was home for Sue and Gordon, as they were ~in Michigan and had plans ofbeingjoined by old friends and family along the way. It was also home for M_tc,Sue's Leader Dog, who had been raised and trained here fourteen years before.

"We hiked through some beautiful areas in the lower peninsula - the Battle Creek Greenway, the KalHaven Bikeway, the Rockport Rail Trail, the Jordan River and Warner Creek Pathways and the Alanson to Mackinaw City Bikeway, to name a few. We took the ferry to Mackinac Island and then on to the Upper Peninsula." Sue said. "We hiked through the eastern section of the Hiawatha National Forest to our first views of Lake Superior and Tahquemenon Falls.

"We arrived at the shoreline of Lake Superior at Tahquamenon Bay. The wind was blowing, the waves roaring, the surf pounding. It was an impressive introduction to the largest for the Great Lakes. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Ottawa National Forest, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the wonderfully beautiful falls along the Black River were just a few of the highlights of the UP. From the unbelievable waist high ferns to the soft white sand dunes to the indescribable color of birth and aspen, this was North Country at its finest!"

They began the Wisconsin portion of the trail August 25. It seemed short after a month and a half and over a thousand miles of hiking in Michigan, but was not without its unique memories - Copper Falls State Park and two Wildernesses - Porcupine Lake and Rainbow Lake - in the Chequamegon National Forest.

From North of Duluth on September 2 they backtracked to join 70,000 others on Labor Day to complete the five-mile Mackinaw Bridge section, for an "official" end of the trail in Michigan. On the way back to Minnesota they took a five-day break at Isle Royal National Park where they saw their first moose.

"Like all the states along this trail, Minnesota had much more to offer the hiker than we had ever envisioned", Sue recalled "We began with the 150 mile Superior Hiking Trail with its bluffs over looking the lake and deep ravines filled with falls and rain forest vegetation. On to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, large and remote on the Canadian border. Then we hiked through the rolling hills and lakes of the Chippewa National Forest to bring us to yet another jewel, Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi River at another of the fantastic treasures that this "land of 10,000 lakes" has to offer. In October, all these scenes were cushioned in an array of hardwood colors that was spectacular."

Halloween found them entering North Dakota on a bright, sunny fifty degree day wondering if the fabulous fall weather could hold through their last three weeks of hiking. They had completed 4000 miles and didn't

SUE LOCKWOOD and her brother, Gordon Smith, among the birches in Minnesota. want to stop now! With orange vests to alert hunters, they crossed the Sheyenne National Grasslands, the Lakota Indian Reservation and on to 150 miles of irrigation canals which cut through the rolling farmlands of the northern great plains.

"Less than a hundred miles from the end winter joined us- snow whipped by 40 mile per hour winds with dangerous wind chills," Sue recalls. "We were too close to our summer-long goal to consider anything except pushing on. Using the van as a warming hut every half hour we completed our trek, joining the Missouri River, crossing the Garrison Dam, meeting the Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail and finally pushing into Lake Sacajewa State Park where we were met by the Park Superintendent. We then sat around a potbellied stove and talked North Country Trail. The words ''Wow", and ''I don't believe it", which were repeated often daily along the trail, were again uttered as we relived memorable moments. This is as diverse and exhilerating a trail as any hiker could want and has showered us with lasting images of the Northy Country - its wilderness, its beauty, its history and its people."

In a way, the hike isn't over yet. Ed is in the midst of preparing a major report on the status of the trail. He had filed reports along the way about the certified trail segments that he found, but says also that he found over 3,000 miles of hikeable off-road trail along the route, less than half of it certified. "The trail was much more varied and beautiful than I expected," he said. "It's a great trail."

Ed also is planning some future articles, and perhaps a book about the trail and the hike. We'll be waiting!

-- Sue Lockwood and Gordon Smith

~.. ._. 路 1994 Annual Report

COMMITTEES

NEWSLETTER PRINTED ON

ofthe

路o)

North Country Trail Association

RECYCLED PAPER

PO Box 311, White Cloud, Ml 49349 Headquarters Phone: ( 616) 689- 1912 Editor: Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Ml 49253

Awards: Odell Bjerkness Finance: Arden Johnson Headquarters Virginia Wunsch, Rt.1, WhiteCloudMI 49349 (616) 689-6876 Meetings: Martha Jones

Executive Director: Pat Allen, 2215 Sylvan Dr. SE, Grand Rapids ~I 49506

(616) 452-4487

National Park Service Administrator Bill Menke, National Park SE1rvice, 700 Rayovac Dr., Suite 100, Madison WI 53711

(608) 264-5610

l

Membership: Kenneth Gacfder Planning: Arden Johnson Publications: Wes Boyd

OFFICERS

Trail Management: Doug Welker

President: Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067

(810) 548-1737

STATE COORDINATORS

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

(906) 338-2680

New York Howard Beye Pennsylvania vacant

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

(218) 573-3858

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

(412) 776-0678

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

(810) 853-0292

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

C A C E A

A W G A B W A

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1997 Odell Bjerkness R1, Box 221A, Ponsford MN 56575 Helen Coyne, 212 Willow Circle, Zelieno_ple PA 16063 Chet Fromm, 1001 Tompkins Dr., Port Orange, FL 32119 Emily Grego16502 Olde York Rd., Parma Hts OH 44130 Pat Miller 'Pu Box 756, Mellen WI 54546 Gaylord Yost, 2925 W. Bradley Rd., River Hills WI 53209

Michigan (Lower) Arden Johnson Michigan ~.P.) Gene Elzinga, 1ZMidctle Island, Marquette Ml 49855 (906) 225-1704 Wisconsin Gaylord Yost

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1995 Derek Blount, 906 N. AlexanderLf~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.hlthaca NY 14850 Harmon Strong, 76 Shellwood Dr, Roe ester NY 14618 TERMS EXPIRING IN 1996 Howard Beye, 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609 Hans Erdman, 116 E. Rose Pl., Little Canada MN 55117 Kenneth Gackler, 418 W. Johnson St.,,._ Caledonia Ml 49316 Martha K Jones, 1857 TorQ!Jay Ave, Hoyal Oak Ml 48073 Tim Mueller, ND Parks and Recreation Department 1835 E Bismark Expy. Bismark ND 58501 Doug Welker, R1, Box 59A, Pelk1e Ml 49958

F A A A A

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

!

81~ 51 810 60 716

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

716l 612 616 810

288-7191 482-1877 891-1366.

280-2921

(701) 224-4887 (906) 338-2680 218 412 904 216 715 414

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

A At-large representatives B Represents Buck~e Trail Association (Appointed by BTA) C West Central Region representatives E Eastern Region Representative F Represents~Finger Lakes Trail Conference (Appointed by FLTC) G General affili.ate representative (Current appointment by AYH Pittsburgh) W Western region representatives

Minnesota Rod MacRaei-1210 W. 22nd St., Minneapolis MN :>5405 (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.

CHAPTER CHAIRS Headwaters: Rod MacRae (see above) NCT Hikers: Gene Elzinga (see above) Traverse City: Arlen Mason;.1045 Draka Rd, Traverse vitvl Ml 49684 Western M chlgan: Bill Van Zee 7744 Thornapple Bayou Dr. SE, Grand Rapids Ml, 49512

.

North Country Trail Association Statement of Financial Condition As of December 31, 1994 Attached is a preliminary report of the financial status of the North Country Trail Association. The results are subject to minor changes and have not been audited.

At the August meeting of the Board of Directors, it was decided to change the reporting period from JuneMay to the calendar year to agree with state and federal reporting requirements. Therefore, this report covers the seven month period from June through December, 1994.

This report is the first to consolidate reports of the local chapters. This is necessary to meet the reporting requirements for our type of non-profit corporation.

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF BALANCES DECEMBER 31, 1994

During the reporting period, the Association billed the National Park Service for $12,413 in operating expenses in ~cordance with the CooperativeAgreement.

The National Park Service was also billed for $4,600 for trail construction projects in accordance with their Cost Share program.

Part of the Association's cash assets are reserved to the Land Trust Fund. This fund contains Borsum Memorial gifts and other undesignated donations. The fund totals $2,092. In addition, $4,773 is reserved to the Life Member Fund. These and other cash funds are invested in a Certificate of Deposit.

Arden C. Johnson, Treasurer Jan 6, 1995

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT SEVEN MONTHS : JUNE-DECEMBER 1994

Current Assets: Cash: NCTA Account Chapter Accounts Total

$9,097 l]!4,078

ACTUAL

$16,100 $ 7,920 $ 2,986 $13,020 $ 1,500 1,500 $43,026

$13,954 $11,351 $ 2,329 $ 4,593 $ 2,029 ยง11 $34,867

Executive Membership Public Relations Publications Trail Mgmt. (incl. projects) Headquarters Meetings Awards Chapters Total Expense

$16,120 $ 220 $ 0 $ 3,600 $ 4,800 $ 2,430 $ 1,500 $ 100 1,500 $30,270

$20,136 $ 688 $ 245 $ 2,918 $ 4,406 $ 2,664 $ 2,847 $ 7 i 1,443 $35,354

NET CASH FLOW

$12,756

($487)

INCOME $13,175

Investments (Cert. of Deposits)

$10,724

Accounts Receivable

s

Total Current Assets

$25,461

1,562

Property: Building Furniture Tools Equipment, Misc Total

BUDGET

Executive (incl. Coop. Agrmt.)

Membership Headquarters Trail Mgmt. (incl. Cost Share) Meetings Chapters Total Income

s

s

EXPENSE $20,000 $ 1,000 $ 2,000 749 123,749

s

Total Assets

$49,210

Current Liabilities Total Liabilities

i

Net Worth

$49,091

$

119 119

s

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL CERTIFIED SEGMENTS as of 12/31/94 Certffied TC8j!

Managing Length Date Authority (miles) Cert.

Segment

NEWYORK FLT-Baldwin to Daisy Hollow Ads. FLT· Potato Hiii St. For.. t FLT-Shindagen Hollow St Forest FLT-Danby State Forest FLT-Robert H. Trernan State Park FLT-Robert H. Trernan State Park FLT-Connecticut Hll Wildlife Area FLT-TexaaHollow St. Forest FLT-Finger Lakes Naff Forest FLT-Watkins Glen State Park FLT-Sugar Hill State Fore&t FLT-Goundry Hiii State'F;or .. t FLT-Birdseye Hollow State Forest FLT-Rock City & Bucktooth SF FLT-Alleoany State Park Total- NewYork

FLTC/DEC 6.5 11/8/85 FL TC/DEC 2.0 5/15/94 FLTC/DEC 5.5 7/9/90 FLTC/DEC8.1 6/21/88 FLTC/OPRHP 3.5 6/21/88 FLTCJOPRHP .6 6/21/88 FLTC/DEC 7.5 1/20/89 FLTC/DEC 1.8 8/5/94 FLTC/USDA2.4 8/29191 FLTC/OPRHP 4.5 12/8/88 FLTC/DEC 8.4 6/1/92 FLTC/DEC12.2 8/5/94 FLTC/DEC 9.2 4/15/92 FLTC/DEC 11.3 6/1/92 FLTC/OPRHP19.6 ~ 103.0

PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest USDA/FS 86.8 8/2183 Baker Trail - aear Creek St. ForestDER-Forest 1.5 8/2183 Baker Trail - Cook Forest St. Park DER-Parks 8.0 8/2183 Jennings Environmental Ed. Ctr. DER-Parks 1.0 8/2183 Moraine St. Pk. (Glacier Ridge Tr.) DER-Parks12.8 8/2183 McConnel's Mill State Park PER-parks Z& ~ Total- Penn•y#v•nl• 117.0 OHIO Beaver Creek State Park BT-Tuscarawas CR82 to CR109 BT-TR 213 to Deersville BT-US22 to Guernsey CR893 BT-Salt Fork State Park Wayne NF - SR 138 to Irish Run Wayne NF • CR138to ST 26 BT-TR23 to TR23 BT-CR66 to SR BT Wayne NF - SR 138 to SR36 BT-Burr Oak State Park BT-Jenkins Damto SR13 BT-Wayne NF SR13 to SR35-36 BT-Athens CR92 to Salem Rd. BT-Wayne National Forest BT-SR7-SR6 BT-TR44 to TR39 BT-Lake Logan Rd to Murphy Rd. BT-Star Rt Rd-SR56-Hock. Hiiia BT-Big Pine Rd to Aah Cave BT-Vinton CR47to TR13 BT-TR11toSR327 BT-Clark Rd- Clark Rel. BT-Sugar Rel to Buffalo CG BT-Musgrove Rel to US 35 BT-Woods Hol. Rd.- Pru.. la Rel. BT-Davia Rel - Bell Rel (Pike SP) BT-Bell Hollow Rd - SR41 Pike SF BT-Fort Hill State Memorial Shawnee Trail (Shawnee SP/SF) BT-East Fork State Park Litde Miami Scenic Park Litde Miami Park -Yellow Springs BT-Statler Rd. to Piqua Hist Area BT-Miami and Erie Canal Trail BT-lndependance Dam State pads Totlll- Ohio

an

DNA-Parks 6.3 8/2/83 BTA 5.3 8/2/83 BTA 6.0 8/2/83 BTA 4.4 8/2183 BTA/DNR 2.7 8/2./83 USDA/FS 5.2 12/23/92 USDA/FS 31.3 10/13/89 BTA 1.0 8/2183 BTA 2.1 8/2/83 USDA/FS 1.3 8/2183 BTA/DNR 9.3 8/2./83 BTA 0.4 7/6/94 USDA-FS 2.9 8/2183 BTA 2.4 8/2183 USDA-FS 13.5 10/13/89 BTA 1.0 8/2183 BTA 2.0 8/2183 BTA 1.2 8/2183 BTA/DNR 3.2 8/2183 BTA/DNR 7.3 8/2./83 BTA 3.7 8/2./83 BTA 1.5 8/2183 BTA/DNR 2.9 8/2183 BTA/DNR 5.1 8/2183 BTA/DNR 2.9 8/2./83 BTA 2.6 8/2183 BTA/DNR 19.4 8/2.183 BTA 1.5 8/2183 BTA/OHS 4.1 8/2183 DNA 14.5 8/2183 BTA/DNR 7.9 8/2.183 DNA 44.8 8/2183 Greene Pks.9.7 1/16/86 BTA 6.3 812183 BTA/DNR 42.0 8/2183 BTAIQNR ZJt ~ 214.7

MICHIGAN Baw Beese Trail Hillsdale M-99 Bikeway MOOT Rogue River State Game Area DNA Manistee NF - Croton -40th St. USDA-FS Manistee NF - 40thSt-5 Ml Rd. USDA-FS Manistee NF - 5 Ml -Baldwin RD USDA-FS Manistee NF - High Br. - Beers Rd. USDA-FS Pere Marquette SF - S12 to Rd 16DNR Pere Merquette SF- Sec. 32 DNR Pere Marquette SF - Sec. 20 DNR Pere Merquette SF - Sec. 33 DNR Shore-to-Shore Rldl119-HlklngTr. DNR Mackinaw SF Co 38 to Sec 6 DNR Mackinaw SF Sec. 6 - Doerr Rel DNR Jordan River Pathway DNR Warner CrHk Pathway DNR Mackinac SF Co 38 to Sec. 6 DNR Mackinac SF Co 48 to S. e1 DNR Petoskey Petoskey Wilderness State Park DNA Wilderness SP-Mackinac City DNR/NCTA Hiawatha NF - east USDA-FS Tahquamenon Falls State Park DNA Lake Super SF: SP to Swamp Rel DNR Lake Superior SF Sec 13 to SP DNR Muskallonge Lake State Park DNA Lake Superior State For.. t DNR Pictured Rock• National LkahoreNPS Hiawatha NF - West USDA-FS Uttle Presque lale DNR Ottawa NF- McCormldk Wiid.

USDA-FS Craig Lake State Park DNA Ottawa NF bdry to FR733 USDA-FS Ottawa NF Sec. 12 to S. Bdry Rd USDA-FS Porcupine Mtns SP DNA Ottawa NF CB519 to Copoer Peak USPA-FS Tot•I - Michigan

4.0 7/14/92 5.0 8/2183 7.0 11/8/85 6.3 3/1/93 66.6 4/25/89 1.0 3/1/93 21.6 7/6/88 0.8 10/20/94 0.8 10/20/94 1.3 10/20/94 1.3 10/20/94 23.4 8/2./83 3.9 10/20/94 0.6 10/20/94 12.3 8/2183 2.2 8/2183 0.7 10/20/94 6.1 10/20/94 2.2 12/21/94 5.3 6/1/92 9.0 6/1/92 78.4 11/2/90 21.5 5/16/89 7.2 8/2./83 19.7 8/2./83 1.5 5/16/89 19.3 8/2./83 43.8 8/2183 9.6 5/16/89 6.8 10/20/94 8.1 10/20/94 7.5 7/14/92 42.5 10/6/93, 29.6 8/2/83 17.5 5/24/93 1Q2 ~ 504.6

WISCONSIN Copper Falla State Park City of Mellen Chequamegon National Forest BaVfieldCounty Forest Tot•I - Wlscon•ln

DNR Mellen USDA-FS .QQyfily,

8.3 8/2./83 2.0 6/15/94 60.0 8/2183 ....& ~ 70.9

MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest USDA-FS Hoaco State Paris .llliB Total- MlnnHota (162.00 uHbl•)

68.0 6/22/88

llJt 11"!

81.0

NORTHDAKOTA Sheyenne National Grassland USDA-FS Sheyenne State Forest NDFS Fort Ransom State Park P&R Dept Lonetree WMA New Rock-Sec.7 ND F&G Lonetree WMA - Sec 11 ND F&G Lonetree WMA - Sec 4 - Sec 28 ND F&G Lone1[eeWMA - Sec 20 to Canal ND FAG Tot•/ - NorthDakot• (109.5 UHbl•) TOTAL CERTIFIED MILEAGE NCNST Signed Miles, uncertffied TOTAL SIGNED MILEAGE

25.0 719/90 1.0 8/2/83 1.5 11/8/85 9.2 12/21/94 1.5 12/21 /94 12.2 12/21/94

M 12l2l1H 53.8

12lJ.Z 10.2

mu

BOLDFACE lndlcat" significant cha119H In 1994, due to both new certlllcatlona and remeaaurementa.

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association,

What's done so far

1994Trail Status Survey

IJ

January-March

2000 by 200..--Q__ Behind Schedule, but not impossible

Page 17

1995

-+-- __

G___,0=+"<1!_"-,,_"'_""_---1.,,, "'

.-"'

1994 drew to a close with the 1216 North Country Trail having 1216 'llll't':': / 1146 miles of trail certified, still a long 1080 way from the goal of 2000 miles by 2000, andalotlongerfrom the eventual length of the trail. !!! ! ! !:~~:;:I:: :11:: : : : : : : : ::a.::: : : : : : ::11:: : :1: :1: : 21I:: : ~imi::r;::9:1:: : : : : : : :!tii:: : : :11:: :11:i::nt::@: : oo; However, there were three major events that took place in 1994 that offer much hope for the North Country National Scenic The current status of events on the trail in North Trail and its future: major progress on developments of Dakota is discussed in the following two articles in this trail in Minnesota and North Dakota, and Ed Talone's newsletter. end-to-end hike of the trail -- the first end-to-end since Much more of the North Country Trail is usable by 1978, and the first actual one-year end-to-end hike. hikers, perhaps as much again as is certified. However, The reports that Ed has filed and plans to file give the numbers on this, never totally clear, are becoming the first comprehensive, single-observer look at the fuzzy to the point where it's unwise and misleading to trail in many years. Much has been learned, problem try and publish them, so a listing of uncertified but areas have been identified, and once Ed's observations usable mileage awaits a study and development of a have been digested, we will have the best report on the data base by the Trail Management committee. It's real status of the trail that has been available in a hoped to begin to develop a data base on these trail decade or more. Already, trail maintenance efforts miles in the next few years. This effort will be greatly based on his reports have taken place or are being eased thanks to an on-the-ground observer: Ed Talone planned. plans to issue a detailed technical report ofhis hike and 2000 by 2000 is still a reality, although certificathe current status of the trail to the National Park tions haven't kept pace at the hoped-for rate in the past Service in the next few months, and it's hoped that his several years. However, there are several big trail projreport will do much to clear up the status of some ects in the works, each of which could add hundreds of potential and usable trail segments that are not offimiles of certified trail at one fell swoop. That could give cially now a part of the trail. a big shot in the arm to the total certified distance There certianly are a lot of those non-certified sometime in the next few years. segments that could be trail; Talone estimates that The biggest of these, Minnesota's "Arrowhead Route" over 3000 miles of the NCT as it is now is off-road. The is beginning to look as if it will become a reality. last educated guess we had for the amount of off-road Although not yet a certainty, the biggest early roadtrail was around 2200, several years ago, and that did blocks seem to have fallen with the agreement of the not include trail construction since then, the ArrowSuperior Hiking Club to include the Superior Hiking head route, or trail mileage in New York that Ed Trail in the North Country Trail. Four trail entities had included in his list, so the educated guess may have to agree to become a part of the "Arrowhead" proposal in been closer than we thought -- and the potential for order for the National Park Service to move on to the "2000 by 2000" seems a little less impossible. next step; now only one, the Kekababic Trail, remains At the time the "2000 by 2000" goal was dreamed to "sign on" to the Arrowhead project. up, it was necessary to certify about 110 miles of trail to In the next few months, wehopetodoamajorstory reach the goal. Now, to make the goal "by 2000" will on the "Arrowhead" and its current status in the newstake the certification of 156 miles per year-- not imposletter. sible, considering the big trail projects out there.

The second exciting development on the trail route There was actually more new trail mileage certified in 1994isinNorthDakota, whereseverallong-dormant this year than the distance between 1146 and 1217 projects are showing signs of life. Though much of the would indicate. Nearly 30 miles of on-road "trail" in route was identified long ago, only now is the reality of Ohio were decertified, as was 13 miles of trail routing in it becoming officially part of the trail seeming to draw northern Lower Michigan that were lost due to trail into sight. These include routes that may be the only relocations. There were also new certifications at many possible ones across the central part of the state, and locations along the trail, notably in northern Michigan are largely in a "usable" state, although not yet certiand in New York. More certification activity is expected fied. in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, W1SC0nsin, and New

111!1!1 ~~~

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

Page 18

York, and elsewhere, in the coming year-- not including the North Dakota and Arrowhead projects.

It's not yet totally clear, then, but in the next two to three years as much as 400 to 600 miles of trail could be certified in Minnesota and North Dakota, bringing the goal of "2000 by 2000" within grasping distance. However, making this goal will take a lot of work, not only in Minnesota and North Dakota, but along the whole route of the trail.

For some years, we have kept an annual tally of路 trail progress, based on trail mileage per state and the figure of 3259 miles bandied about since the creation of the Comprehensive plan. For some years, it's been suspected that the 3259 mile figure for the total length of the trail has been too small; somewhat more educated guesses have come up with figures in the 38004000 mile range, and Ed Talone's notebook comes up with 4200, when the Arrowhead route in Minnesota is included. For what it's worth and for old times sake, here is the last time we'll tally percentages using a base of 3,259 miles: St NY PA OH Ml WI MN

Anticipated* 518 198 708 872 155 373

M2

~

Tot

3259

* Anticipated

% of

MCI

15.5 5.9 21.7 26.8 4.8 11.4

raa

100%

Certjfjed

Mil.u

103.0 117.7 284.7 504.8 68.40 81.0 53.8 1145.93

~

19.8 56.2 40.2 57.9 45.7 21.7 12.3 34.9%

mileage is probably very underestimated

Part of the reason for publishing this is that there are a couple of interesting facts here: for the first time Michigan has taken the lead from Pennsylvania in th~ total percentage of trail certified, and North Dakota, along with climbing into the double digits in percentages, has a good chance of passing the percentages of Minnesota and New York in the next year or two.

Hopefully, revised base figures in the next couple of years will lend a little more reality to the percentages.

It has always been interesting to look at the history of annual certifications by state: 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 ~

HY EA 0 0 6.5 0 0 13.7 7.5 14.4 2.4 39.3 0 1Q..2.

Qti Ml WI. 111.5 250.6 215.5 67;8 0 0 0 0 0 7.0 0 0 0 3.9 11.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21.6 0 0 23.5 59.1 0 0 0 36.4 0 0 0 37.0 0 0 19.14 25.8 0 6.2 0 57.3 .6 Q UMl. 28..2. 2-&

Total 103.0 117.7 284.7 504.8 70.9

MK til2 Im 0 0 0 0 0 68.0 0 0 0 0 0

iaa

1.0 0 1.5 0 0 0 0 25.0 0 0 0

654.6 0 15.0 14.9 0 103.3 90.1 75.8 39.4 84.2 64.7

26.3. Z1..1

81.0 53.9

1215.7

~ate: ~umns mftY nd add out correctly <lie to remeasurements m previous years. Totals reflect current National Park Service totals by state.

Rmort from the NPS:

North Dakota offers lots of trail potential

by Bill Menke, NPS AN orth Dakota Summit Meeting, co-hosted by the National Park Service (NFS) and the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, was held on August 25, 1994, at the Wagon Wheel Inn in Valley City, ND. There were several purposes for the meeting including: obtaining an update on the present status of the North Country Trail; meeting new players and renewing acquaintances with associates who have a role to play in the trail; determining challenges and possible solutions to completing the NCT in North Dakota, determining areas where we can make progress and developing an action plan to do so. Much of the day was spent on a mental walk along the North Country NST as it ~rosses North Dakota. Some of the key points, progressing west to east, were: West of Lake Sakallawea; While the curreat western terminal of the trail is in Lake Sakakawea State Park, several in attendance expressed interest in extending the trail farther west to make a connection with Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). The basics of this idea are not new; similar sentiment has been expressed in the past. The amount of interest expressed was stronger than we had recognized.

With the cooperation and support of the U.S. Forest Service and others, a trail is almost complete between the north and south units of TRNP. USFS is currently obtaining easements in this area. The sou th end would terminate at Sully's Creek Wildlife Area. From the north unit of TRNP to Little Missouri State Park (LMSP), most of the land is in Federal ownership. The potential route would pass through the scenic Killdeer Mountains. The' area between LMSP and Lake Sakakawea S.P. will be the most difficult to cross. The consensus of the group was that the timing to propose such an extension of the NCNST is not quite right.

Lake Sakakawea State Park: At one time, some interpretive trails were in place that could be rehabilitated to serve as part of the route. These have not been maintained due to lack of funding. John Tunge stated that there was some interest by mountain bike groups to develop a trail and wanted our opinions on the appropriateness of this. Because of the incompatibility and differences in speed between bikers and hikers and the severe resource damage done by the bikes, both the ~PS ~d the NCTA have gone on record opposing bicycling on the North Countr,y Trail, except on those

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

segments which have specifically been developed and hardened to withstand such use. Generally, such segments are found on old railbeds or roads - not on single track trails passing through the woods or prairies.

WolfCreek Game Area and Audubon National Wildlife Befuqe: The Corps of Engineers (COE) owns the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea. Within the Wolf Creek Game Area, management is done by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. It was estimated that 80 percent was owned by the state while 20 percent was COE owned. Lake Sakakawea is managed by the COE's Missouri River Division, located in Omaha, NB, which had no representatives at the meeting.

Audubon National Wildlife Befuqe has an auto tour route which generally parallels the proposed route of the North Country Trail. It was generally felt that a trail would be less disruptive than the auto tour route.

Audubon Wildlife Bef'uee to New Bockfol'd (exceptLonetree WildlifeManagementArea): Throughout this long stretch, the route of the NCNST follows the McCluskey and New Rockford Canals (Garrison Diversion Project). Lands have been purchased and most of the canals have been built by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). There is some doubt if the canals will ever be used to the extent originally envisioned. The canals still offer the best potential for N CNSTpassage through this long stretch of otherwise private lands.

1995

Page

ts

The day-to-day operation of the canal and canal lands is done by the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, under a cooperative arrangement with BOR. Both parties now view the canals as a recreation facility and while the service roads along the canal are signed against public vehicular use, no enforcement is done.

During a post-meeting visit, Tom Gilbert, Pat Allen, and Bill Menke looked at selected portions of both the McCluskey and New Rockford Canals. Existing camping and recreation facilities were noted near the town of McCluskey and the entire canal route offers a scenic and feasible route for the trail either along one of the service roads, on one of the cut terraces, or on the upland near the limits of ownership.

Um,etree Wildlife Ma1141ementArea; This 33,000 acre area was originally purchased by BOR as a site for what was known as the Lonetree Reservoir -- a portion of the Garrison Diversion Project. It is managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department through a cooperative arrangement with BOR. Our understanding of this area was enhanced during a visit following the meeting. It is a beautiful area, managed for game and some public recreation. Perhaps as much as 70 percent may eventually be restored to native prairie while the remaining 30 percent would be managed for dense nesting cover. From the nearest roads and prairie trails, We saw the approximate 15-20 mile route across the area which is being considered by Bureau of Reclamation. We learned that except for completion of an

Page20

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

archeological review, this segment was ready to be signed and submitted for certification. Parts totalling 26.3 miles were certfied on December 21, 1994.

New Rochford to TUJrth end ofl.,ake Ashtabula: A few miles east of Rockford, the current route of the North Country Trail turns north, goes up to Fort Totten State Historic Site (SHS), and Sully's Hill National " Game Preserve before turning east to pass through Stump Lake National Wildlife Refuge. In the vicinity of Stump Lake, it turns back to the south to regain the Sheyenne River Valley. The New Rockford Canal does not follow the alignment shown on the 1982 Comprehensive Plan. Rather, it terminates approximately 8 miles straight east of the city of New Rockford -- only about 6 miles short of the Sheyenne River Valley.

Some participants felt that a new alignment which gained the Sheyenne River Valley east of the end of the New Rockford Canal, then followed the valley to Lake Ashtabula was perhaps more feasible. Others felt that Fort Totten and Sully's Hill were worth going to but, for political reasons, may be difficult reaching. Some suggested a possibility of a spur trail to access the two sites.

The day after the summit, Tom, Pat, and Bill followed the original trail route and visited both Sully's Hill and Fort Totten SHS. A number of years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expressed great reluctance to have the trail pass through the refuge. After seeing the fenced enclosure and the restrictions on people leaving their cars, we better understand this position. Prior to the meeting, we also learned that Stump Lake Refuge has a very limited land base -primarily located on two islands and a peninsula.

Considering all of the above, our conclusion is that while the cultural resources are fabulous, there is very limited land-based opportunity for the trail along the loop through Fort Totten and Stump Lake. Following the more direct route along the Sheyenne River may be the best choice. However, the original route will not be abandoned until such time as we have the opportunity to consult with the Fort Totten Reservation and others.

Lgke Ashtabula area: Corps of Engineer (COE) ownership begins along the river, about 3 miles north of a line extending east from Hannaford. From this point to Baldhill Dam (27 miles), except for about two dozen areas where the lake has eroded beyond the property line lands along Lake Ashtabula are in COE ownership.

Surveys have been done on the eroded areas and they havebeensenttotheCOELandsOfficeinSt.Paul,MN. Hopefully, when the COE purchases land to resolve the encroachments enough will be obtained to provide for trail passage. A possible way to get around the encroachment issue is for the State to obtain leases using a modified snowmobile type lease.

During a post-meeting visit to Lake Ashtabula, we discussed the issues with Project Manager, Steve Odegaard and Ranger Rich Schueneman. They suggest the best route for the trail is along the east side of the reservoir .: except between Ashtabula Crossing and

Sibley Crossing where there is more COE ownership on the west side. Rich led us on a tour along the route to view recreation amenities and problem sites. One problem is where the trail would pass several leased cottage groups. They extend to the shoreline, but the COE retains the right to permit public use in front of the cabins. There are access roads behind the cabins which may offer a trail route. It would be our preference to not have the trail pass in front of the cabins. We believe trail users would feel uncomfortable doing so and this option would also bring more cabin owner opposition.

Since the access roads, behind the cabins, are small (more like driveways than roads) and are less than 1 mile in length, we could certify them as part of the trail.

Baldhill Dam to valley City: Barnes County is reconstructing the highway along this route. It is to have a separated bicycle path. This would serve as a nice North Country Trail route. valley City; Valley City State University is interested in the trail passing through some of their property. The city is constructing a bike path from near the Wagon Wheel Inn to 2+ miles south of town. A spur will eventually go west to the municipal golf course from which access could be gained to the Sheyenne Valley Snowmobile Trail.

Immediately after the meeting, we viewed this route and saw a number of nice tree-lined boulevards and foot bridges which could be utilitized. The potential exists for a number of near term actions in the Lake Ashtabula/V alley City/Fort Ransom/Lisbon area. Much of this revolves around a recent effort to organize a chapter of the NCTA. Several meeting participants expressed interest in learning more about a chapter and moving forward with establishing one. valley City (o Fort Ransom &ate Park: There is general agreement that the original trail route along the Sheyenne River valley offers the most scenic and feasible potential. However, it is all private ownership, some of which is large cattle operations. Passage will not be a piece of cake. The Sheyenne River Snowmobile Trail traverses this entire stretch and responsible parties have been successful in working out lease agreements with every landowner. We do not currently know if these lease agreements provide for summer use. For the foreseeable future, the North Country Trail could follow the snowmobile route but, we would not be able to certify it. It could be designated a signed connector.

We would not like to give up on the certification of this long segment forever and would continue to seek a permanent, certifiable trail location.

Fort Ransom S(ate Park: A certified segment of the trail crosses the park. An on-site visit showed this segment to be very well identified and maintained.

Potential exists to enlarge the park due to interest of a landowner to the north. At this time, any park expansion is only conceptual.

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

Sbe'Y'mne State Forest: A certified segment of the trail crosses the forest. An on-site visit showed this segment to be fairly well identified and maintained. A possibility exists to extend the trail farther west into a western unit of the forest.

Sbe.yenne State Forest to Sbe,yenne Nqtional

Grassland: The only action presently occurring in this stretch is the possibility of a couple of miles ofbike trail, near Lisbon, which may fit into the route of the NCT. SJuw:nne National Grassland: A 25 mile segment of certified trail passes through the Grassland. A visit showed this segment to be well identified and maintained. Trailhead bulletin boards are very good.

Sheyenne Nqtional Grassland to NDIMNbortk:c;_ Due to the more intense fanning and lack of

potential corridors in the Red River Valley, this may prove to be the most difficult part of the state to get the

1995

Page21

trail across. Several changes from the route envisioned in the 1982 Plan could occur. From Wahpeton to Fort Abercrombie, large stretches of the abandoned railroad right-of-way which was envisioned to be the trail route have been plowed over and are being farmed.

From the eastern boundary of the Sheyenne National Grassland, it may prove to be more feasible to follow the Sheyenne River toward Horace. We may be able to follow an irrigation diversion project toward Fargo-Moorhead to tie into a system of trails in the metropolitan area. This would leave the problem of crossing the Minnesota portion of the Red River Valley, east of Moorhead. Depending on what happens in the Wahpeton-~kenridge area and the current route in western Minnesota, it may be a possibility to cross the border somewhere between Wahpeton and Fargo -- perhaps on the bridge at Fort Abercrombie. Perhaps the best way to sort this out is through a formal planning process. An action item arising from the Minnesota Summit deals with the ND-MN border complications.

r------------------------------------, We are ready, North Dakota!

by Pat Allen, NCTA Executioe Director I attended the North Dakota Summit which was held in Valley City, ND on August 25th. It provided an opportunity to meet key agency people face to face and to send the signal that the Park Service and the Association are ready to work in North Dakota.

We found that Dale Anderson, our North Dakota coordinator, had been quietly at work making contacts around the state. In fact numerous people mentioned that Dale had met with them.

The summit itself provided a walk-through of the entire proposed route - a sort of intelligence gathering exercise to uncover problems and potentials.

Our new Dakota board member - Tim Mueller has already been working to obtain authority to use the state's snowmobile easement process for the North Country NST across private lands.

ThecommunityofValley Cityisgearingupto be an active hub of trail support and membership. Both the Valley City State University and the Barnes County Wildlife Association have recently joined the Association as group members. We took a tour of potential routes through Valley City with Stan Johnson of the Chamber of Commerce.

On the day after the summit, we took advantage ofoffers to tour various sites along the route. I didn't know what to expect but I was excited by the variety of areas we saw. Tom Gilbert and Bill Menke wanted to look at everything. So, we did the entire route from the Sheyenne Grasslands, Ft. Ransom, Lake Ash tabula, Rockford Canal, Ft. Totten Historic Site, Sully's Hill National Game Preserve, Lonetree Wtldlife Management Area, and the McClusky Canal.

We met George Freadhoff, the president of the

Lake Ashtabula Landowners and Lake Users Association (Dale Anderson had already contacted him).

Asking a question at a historic site means you will be there awhile. Bytheendofthedaywegotfartherand farther behind schedule because each person wanted to show us more and we took the time.

While I am reluctanct to single out one area, I do want to mention the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near Harvey. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department which manages the area has the trail route mapped and there are already three primitive campgrounds in place. I was impressed with the plantings of native grasses that have been done and the beauty of the area in late summer. It will not take extensive work to have an excellent trail through Lonetree. Trail signs and perhaps some mowing will be needed to put the trail in place and to make this area a highlight along the trail. .

The Lonetree area connects on each end with units of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation's Garrison Diversion Unit.Landsmanagedbythebureau,along with the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers potential for nearly 200 miles of trail in North Dakota.

Bill and Tom will be following up on specific agreements needed with agencies in North Dakota.

The Association needs to do its part by growing in North Dakota. That means holding meetings, organizing trail work projects, and contacting potential members and group members. I will be focusing on supporting these activities in North Dakota during the coming year.

We are ready, North Dakota! i

____________________________________ ,

\.

Page22

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

Americans still supportenvironment '94 election not a vote against protection Support for the environment and the laws that protect it remains strong in the wake of the Preublican electorial revolution, according to a new Peter D. Hart Research Associates poll, commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation.

"Anyone who thought this election was a mandate to undo 25 years of environmental protection had better think again, • said NWF President Jay D. Hair. "Protecting our health, our natural resources and our children's future is not a partisan matter."

The poll found only a small percentage of voters considered environmental positions when choosing candidates, with issues like crime and the economy playing a far greater role in influencing decisions.

"Candidatesweren'ttalkingabouttheenvironmentandthevotershadotherthings on their minds," explained pollster Peter D. Hart. "But when we asked them about the environment, they had very strong opinions."

Respondents expressed overwhelming support for the environment and regulations designed to protect it. 41 % of all voters and 34% of those who cast Republican Congressional ballots said existing laws don't go far enough in protecting the environment. 21 % ofboth groups said existing laws strike the right balance, while only 18% and 25%, respectively, felt existing environmental laws go too far.

Support was equally strong among voters expressing particular concern for the economy, jobs, and the cost of living -- often cited as a reason for limitingenvironmentalprotection.Again,41%said current laws don't go far enough. And there was little sympathy for claims that environmental laws place an undue burden on businesses. 21 % of voters said those laws properly balance the needs of businesses and the public, 46% said the businesses should be required to do more.

"Voters clearly believe existing environmental laws provide insufficient protection," said Hart.

"And theydon'twantthoseprotectionsrolled back."

Among all voters: • 76% favor strengthening safe drinking water laws.

• 56% oppose requiring compensation of property owners prevented by environmental regulations from doing what they want with their land. _ • 57% favor maintaining the strong provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

• 63% say mining, ranching and logging operations should be charged a "fair market fee" for use of public land.

• 64%favorredirecting crop subsidies to encourage farmers to keep pesticides out of food and water.

"Conserving this earth isn't liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat," Hair said. "It is the only way to ensure that our grandchildren enjoy a quality of life at least as good as what we have, and with hard work and good will, perhaps one much better."

The poll found public support for several protection measures that do not mesh well with the stated positions ofincoming Repbulican Congressional leaders. But Hair points out that the current Democratic Administration got a less-than-favorable rating from poll respondants as well. Only 26% rated the Clinton Administration's' work on environmental issues as good or excellent.

"Nature and the environment should be our common ground. We won't make protecting them into a partisan game," said Hair. "The National Wildlife Federation will work with leaders of all parties to make sure voters get the protections they want. And we'll take on anyone in any party who won't provide it!"

Hair cited upcoming legislative action on the Farm Bill and Safe Drinking Water Acts as opportunities for bi-partisan progress that benefits all Americans. Meanwhile, he pledged to continue NWF efforts to educate and help individuals and grass-roots groups "Outside the beltway."

"The election may have been about change, but this isn't a change for us," said Hair. "We've always believed that ifwe help the people lead, the leaders will follow."

But the head of the National Wildlife Federation did have criticism for one well-known opinion leader. He noted that broadcaster Rush Limbaugh used election results as ammunition to attack environmental laws.

"Now we have proof," said Hair. "When it comes to the environment, Rush is wrong!"

The National Wildlife Federation is the nation's largest conservation education organization. Founded in 1936, the Federation works to educate and assist individuals and organizations to conserve natural resources and to protect the Earth's environment.

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

1995

Page23

Hypothermia Alert Hypothermia -- an abnormally low internal body t.ermperature caused by exposure to cold; kills thousands of people each year who are unaware of its lethal effects.

How It Develops Hypothermia is caused when the body loses heat faster than it can be replaced. Normally, the body conserves its heat by narrowing blood vessels in the skin, reducing the flow of warm blood near the surface in favor of heating vital organs in the body "core". This process is our main defense against cold.

Symptoms It is difficult to recognize hypothermia. Some symptoms are the same as other illnesses, including diabetic coma, stroke, or heart disease. Other symptoms are conditions not unusual in elderly people -- for example: confusion, disorientation, or reduced mental clarity.

These become progressively worse as the body temperature falls, and the victim may not be able to reliably relat.e or even be aware of what is happening. Other signs to look for are: • A change in appearance or behavior during cold weather.

• Uncontrollable shivering or no shivering at all.

• Stiff muscles, particularly in the neck, arms, and legs.

• Slow and sometimes irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, shallow very slow breathing.

• Weak pulse, low blood pressure.

• Cool or cold skin, particularly on the stomach, lower back, and extremities.

• Poor coordination and problems with balance.

Who Is Most at Risk?

The elderly probably account for nearly half of all hypothermia victims. 'Thousands of people lit.erally "freeze to death" in their homes. These deaths are a result of cool indoor temperatures, not prolonged exposure outof-doors. Factors such as living alone, low income, poor diet, other illnesses, limited physical activity, and use of alcohol or certain types of prescription drugs place many older people at greater risk.

Anyone working in the outdoors can become a hy-

pothermia victim, also people hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping during cool, damp weather can easily become hypothermia victims.

Prevention Hypothermia can be prevented. Homes should be adequately heated and insulated. Heating costs can be reduced by closing off rooms that are not used. Financial aid to pay for heating bills may be possible through state or local assistance programs.

Dress warmly, both during the day and while sleeping. Several layers of light.er weight clothing, or blankets, are better than a single, heavy layer. You can remove or add layers as needed. Don't wear tight clothing that restricts the blood flow to hands and feet.

Consider wearing a hat, even indoors. Nearly half of your body's heat is lost through the head.

Be sensible when going outdoors. Keep your head, hands, and feet dry. While down-filled coats and jackets are warm, the only material with insulating properties, even when wet, is wool. Pace your outdoor activities to avoid getting overheated.

Eat sensibly. Well-balanced meals, with high-energy foods, keep your body's defenses up.

Treatment Hypothermia is a serious, complicated condition requiring professional medical assistance.

If you suspect hypothermia, take the person's temperature if possible. Take the victim to the hospital if his/her t.emperature is below 95 degrees. If you must wait for emergency medical help to arrive, you can prevent further heat loss by wrapping the person in a warm blanket, making sure you cover the head and neck. Above all, stay calm and handle the person very gently.

DO NOT rub or massage arms, legs, or feet. DO NOT give the person alcohol or drugs. DO NOT raise the legs or place a hot water bottle on the feet. DO NOT give hot drinks or hot food.

The person must be wanned slowly. If you don't have blankets, quilts, towels, or other wrapping, sit close to the person using your own body heat to help keep the victim warm.

Hypothermia is a killer that can be prevented with a little thought and care by each of us.

NORTH STAR: The Ne°wsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

Page24

NPS. For more information, contact Bill Menke, NPS, (608) 264-5610.

October 1 : Newsletter deadline.

November 11: NCTA Board of Directors meeting. Site not yet decided.

ITEMS FOR THIS COLUMN IIJj§J._be received 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.

NCTA April 1 : Newsletter deadline.

May 20: NCTA Board Meeting, Coachlite Inn, near Detroit Metro Airport. For more information, contact Pat Allen, (616) 452-4487.

June 1: Newsletter deadline.

August 1 : Newsletter deadline.

August 18-21, 1995: NCTA Second Annual Conference, Watson Homestead Conference Center, Coopers Plain, New York. For more information, Contact Howard Beye, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, 202 Colebourne Rd, Rochester NY 14609 (716) 288- 7191.

September 15: Challenge Cost Share Projects due to

Michigan January 14: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Pinnacle Falls, Mulligan Plains. 1 o miles, moderate. Call Gene at (906) 255-1704.

January 15: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Laughing Wtitefish Falls.4 mi, easy, Call Don a (906)~ 1585.

January 21: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, new trails at Laughing Whitefish . 7 mi, moderate. Call Gene at (906) 255-1704.

January 22: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) snowshoe trip, Buschell Lake. 4 mi, easy. Call Matthew at (906) 249-9702.

January 28: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Rock River Falls. 8 mi, moderate. Call Don at (906)~5-1585.

January 29: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) skililp to ice caves, Rock River wilderness. 6 mi, easy. Call Gene at

This Winter Come To Mackinaw

For ...

*

ANNUAL SLED DOG RACE

*

FEBRUARY 4 & 5, 1995 "Ice Breaker" Welcome Reception (Fri., Feb 3) & Musher's Banquet (Sat., Feb. 4) feature famous Alaskan Entertainer, "Hobo Jim" Open to the public. for more

information

and

race

application

call:

1-800-666-0160 CELEBRITY MUSH - Saturday Afternoon (1 p.m.)

KIDDIE MUSH (Ages 3-9) - Saturday Afternoon (Approx. 3 p.m.)

Sponsored by the Mackinaw Area Tourist Bureau. Mackinaw Boosters. Huron Distributors/Meijar,

by Tun-Dra

lnc., OCT Pet Food, Tun-Dra Outfitters and Local Area Businesses

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

(906) 225-1704.

January 30: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) meeting Peter White Library, Marquette, Ml, 7 PM. February 3-4: NCT Hikers Club (Maquette) ski weekend at McKeever Cabin in Hiawatha NF. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

February 4: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Yellow Dog River area, 1 o mi, hard. Call Dan at (517) 226-6609.

February 4-5, 1995: Mackinac Mush Sled Dog Race, Mackinac City, Ml. Contact 1-800-666-1060 for more information.

February 11: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Big Island Lake Wilderness area. 1 O mi, moderate. Call Don at (517) 225-1585.

February 18: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, McCormickWilderness Chain of Lakes. 15 mi, moderate.

Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

February 19: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) winter outing at Presque Isle. Multiple events depending on conditions, share cost for hot refreshments. Alternate date, Feb. 26. Call John at (906) 226-9060.

February 25: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Echo Lake area. 4 mi, intermediate. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

March 4: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Craig Lake Chain of Lakes, 12 mi, moderate. Call Bill at (906) 225-1030.

March 5: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Chapel Lake Area at Pictured Rocks. 1 O mi, moderate. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

March 11: NCT HikersClub (Macµ:tte) ski trip, Peshekee River bridge on NCT, 8 mi, intermediate. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

March 12: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski trip, Dead River. 3 mi, easy. Call Lew at (906) 225-0487.

March 18: NCT Hikers Club (Marquette) ski/snowshoe potential NCT route near CR510. 5 miles, easy. Call Gene, (906)225-1704.

March 19: NCTHikersClub(Marquette) ski trip, Yellow Dog River area, 2 mi, easy. Call Don at (906)225-1585.

May 20: NCTA Board Meeting, Coachlite Inn, near Detroit Metro Airport. For more information, contact Pat Allen, (616) 452-4487.

New York February 6: All FLT trails on private lands closed for 24 hours.

March 18: FLTC Board of Managers meeting, 9:30 AM, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY August 18-21, 1995: NCTA Second Annual Conference, Watson Homestead Conference Center, Coopers Plain, New York. For more information, Contact Howard Beye, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, 202 Colebourne Rd, Rochester NY 14609 (716) 288-7191.

1995

Page25

Ohio January 22. Central Ohio Hiking Club hikes Highbanks Metropark. 3 mi. Call Jay Hamill (614) 231- 7858.

Feb. 4: BTA Annual Winter hike, Findley State Park, Lorain County, 10AM. 3 & 6 mi loops. Park employees will serve a bean soup and cornbread lunch. Call Flora Burkholder, (216) 967-5569.

March 18-19: BTA Hike, Clifton Gorge & Glen Helen Preserve. Meet at John Bryan SP, 2 mi E of Yellow Springs. Call Jerry Starcher (513) 339-8109 or Herb Hulls (614) 585-2603.

May 13-21, 1995. BTA bus trip to Black Hills, SD. "Lots of interest for hikers and backpackers; Cost will be around $300 for transportation.• Contact. Herb and Susie Hulls (address and phone above) for more information. Reservations due by Jan. 15, 1995.

Wisconsin May 5-9: SCA Trail construction training. For details, contact NCTA executive director Pat Allen, (616) 4524487.

Other National Trail Events April 4-12 National Trails Conference, Washington, DC. For more information, contact NCTA Executive Director Pat Allen, (616) 452-4487.

June 4: National Trails Day. Events in many states at many locations.

SWISS

ALPS

KANDERSTEG GRINDELWALD ZERMATT SAAS-FEE MURR EN GSTAAD LENK FLUELEN WENG EN ENGELBERG BETTMERALP LEUKERBAD RIG1~KALTBAD Moderate optlonal length DAY hiking along skyllne trella.

7-2 week tours basing at 15 mountain 3-4 star hotel•.

All hikes guided by NCT member Cecll Dobbins. For a tree color brochure c1U (216) 867-3771, or write to:

. ·c

ALPINE ADVENTURE TRAILS TOURS, lac.

783 v c1111a1de D~.

AKRON, OH 44313

The

llff

Hikers

SWISSGlf

Paradise

l~Wfl-• liilil

llJlll: ' \ , ! ! i ! l !~ ~ . ' · . ' · • , . ' • , · . ' , · • . : ' · . : ' · . ' · . · ' . · ' ~ • ~i . .

11:m

80•.•,. .•.r·,.®oo• ...•.•.•,•,u,• •..•...•.• ,ss ,,.•,...•.,,,•,1, ''····'' .• ,•.·. . ·''·u··' ··.·'.•·.,...··'·····' ,,,·• - •'···'''

•.•.·.·,•.:'·0·

$7qlQ()

•••••••••••••••,14••·••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••r~•·

~

.•. '···,:··es:' : .•. :: .•. '.•·,:.···,··· .. ·'·····'···.··'·.··'··· ...•... '' •.... ' •...'•.·...•. :'' '.• :··,·.·:·,··.··'··'''··.··'·'·····,···' •...'•.•, •. •...······' ...'···'•..'•.• ' .. ...,•'.• ...•... ''

>

Page26

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

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 information on the whole trail. Printed 1992. $5.95, ($4.00 wholesale 1 O or more).

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL b'Y 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 trail 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 $23.00, use order form. Sorry, no direct wholesale.

GUIDE TO THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL -- CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST by Rod Mac Rae. Discussion of 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 (10 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 indlcles, $2.50. Contact bookstore for information on ordering Individual maps.

THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL -- MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST by the Michigan Trallflnders. 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 NAnONALLAKESHOREby 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 STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association , January-March

1995

Page27

North Country Trail Shop Patches and Stickers Volunteer Strip $1.50 NCT Patch $3.00 State Strip $1.50 New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota Hike Distance Strips (must qualify) $1.25 5, l O, 15, 20, 25 or 35 miles hiked in one day NCTA Coffee Mugs $6.95 Tran Supporter Pin (3/4" Clolsonne) $3.95

1•

(

F \

\ <

/·-

------------------~

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

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

BOOKS copies of 'Following the North Country National Scenic Trail' $5.95 per copy ($4.00 per copy If ten or more) copies of 'The North Country Trail-- Manistee National Forest' $2.00 per copy. (no wholesale) copies of 'Gulde to the Pictured Rocks Natlonal Lakeshore• $6.95 per copy. ($5.25each If ten or more) copies of 'Gulde to the North Country Trail-- Chippewa National Forest' $1.25 per copy ($.75 per copy If ten or more) copies of Michigan mapsets (check appropriate ones:) O Lenawee Co. - Calhoun Co. o Kalamazoo Co - SE Newaygo Co. SE Newaygo Co - NW Wexford Wexford - Charlevoix Co. Charlevols Co. - Mackinac City St. Ignace - Marquette Marquette - Ironwood $4.00per set. Binder, $2.50 No wholesale

o o o

o o

--

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT

Name

.

Address

.

City

.

State, Zip

.

Phone

.

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

Mlcblqan restdeafs o/ease Include 6% sales tax Make check/money order payable to:

copies of 'Certified Sections of the North Country Tralr (Check sestlons) "North Country Trail Association• o Burr Oak - SinkingSpring $4.00 o Allegheny NF & Cook Forest,$2.90 O Wayne NF $1.50 O Little Miami Scenic Park, $1.15 Send order to: Miami and Erle Canal, $1.80 Manistee NF $3.50 Hiawatha NF E & Tahqua $2.70 Ottawa NF $2.10 NCTA Trall Shop Hie.NF W & Pict Rocks, $2.05 Chequamegon NF $1.80 Chippewa NF, $2.20 Sheyenne Grassland $1.15 PO Box311 Complete set with binder, $23.00,shipping Included. No wholesale.

o o o o

o o o o

White Cloud, Ml 49349

Page28

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association, January-March1995

2000 Members by 2000 2000 Certified Miles by 2000 tt'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--------------------------------------, I APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP l

Annual Dues: membership year runs to anniversary of North Country Trail Association dues payment.

PO Box 311

White Cloud, Ml, 49349 MambarshjpCategories 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$ fora _ membership.

Name Address

-----------------------

O Yes, I would like to further support the North Country -------------Trail Association with my tax free contribution of $ .

Phone ( enclosed.

)

_

L--------------------------------------~