North Star Vol. 15, No. 4 (1996)

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

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Our New Address ts:

NCTA,49MonroeCenter,Suite2008,GrandRapids,Ml,49503 New Phone, (616)454-5506;FAX (616) 454-7139

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STAFF 49 Monroe Center, Sule 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49546 49 Monroe Center, Sule 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49546 National Park Servk:e, 700 Raya.a: Dr., #100, Madison WI 53711 National Park Servk:e, 700 Rayovac Dr., #100, Madison WI 53711

Executive Director: ornce Manager: PlaMlng Assistant: NPS Administrator:

Bob Papp Claudia Day Kim Bar Bill Menke

Presl.Sent: Vice Prealdent(Tralla): Vice President (Admln): Secretary Treasurer

906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067 2925 W. Bradley Rd., River Hills WI 53209 Gaylord Yost OdeU Bjerkness Bad Medicine Lake, R1, Box 221A, Ponsford, MN 56575 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach Ml 49253 Wes Boyd Arden Johnson 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307

(616) 454-5506 (616) 454-5506

(608) 264-5610 (608) 264-5610

NCTAssoc@aol.com northsta@grfn.org kim_bair@nps.gov bill_menke@nps.gov

OFFICERS

w A B

w G A

Derek Blount

(810) 548-1737 (414) 354-8987 (218) 573-3858 (517) 547-7402 (810) 853-0292

djblount@aol.com GaylYost@aol.com wesboyd@delphl.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS TERMS EXPIRING IN 1997 OdeU Bjerkness Chet Fromm Emly Gregor Pat Miler Glenn Oster, Gaylord Yost

R1, Box 221A, Ponsford, MN 56575 1001 Tompkins Dr., Port Orange, FL 32119 6502 Okie York Rd., Parma Hts OH 44130 R1 Box 36A Washburn WI 784 Olive St, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 2925 W. Bradley Rd., River Hills WI 53209

Derek Blount Wes Boyd David CorneU 8wood Ensor Arden Johnson John Leinen, Jr.

906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach Ml 49253 514 Cordes Rd., Delton, Ml 49046 1304 Horizon Dr., Fairborn OH 45324-5816 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 111 Quant Ct So, Lakeland MN 55043

Howard Beye Bill Herron Susan Nelsoo Kathy Olstad Hannon Strong Joan H. Young

202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609 423 W. Park Street, Marquette Ml 49855 1170 4lh AVfn/8 Sruth, Pmk Fals WI 54552 P.O. Box 1017, Bismarck ND 58502 76 Shellwood Dr., Rochester NY 14618 861 W. US 10, Scottville, Ml 49454

(218) (904) (216) (715) (412) (414)

567-3858 788-2232 884-0281 373-3735 364-2864 354-8987

(810) (517) (616) (513) (810) (612)

548-1737 547-7402 623.a659 879-2068 853-0292 436-1795

Trailblazer@juno.com

GaylYost@aol.com

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1998 D A A

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djblount@aol.com wesboyd@delphi.com janc128@aol.com ejensor@prodigy.com jleinen@mtn.org

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1999 F A A A

E H A

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At-large ntpresentatives Represents Buckeye TralAssociation (Appointed byBTA) East Central Region (OH) ntpresentatiw West. Central Region (MQ representatives

E F G H W

(716) 288-7191 (906) 225-1030 (715) 762-2461

19.\m:S.Netoon?ou1=FmRr2aŠnmaimal<Xllll (701) 250-4721 (716) 586-3846 (616) 757-2205

jhy@engin.umlch.edu

Eastern Region (NY, PA) Representatiw Represents Finger Lakes Tral Conference (Appointed by FLTC) General affiliate representative (Curntnt appointment by AYH Pittsburgh) Honorary representative West.em region representatives

STATE COORDINATORS New York: Howard Beye; Pennsylvania: Donald Dorn, Star Route, Box 476, Sheffield, PA 16347 814-968-5759; Ohio: Jim Sprague, 4406 Maplecrest, Parma OH 44129 (216) 884-4757; Michigan (lower): Arden Johnson; Michigan (U.P.): Gene Elzinga, 12 Middle Island , Marquette Ml 49855 (906) 225-1704; Wisconsin: Gaylord Yost; Minnesota: Rod MacRae, 121 OW. 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55405; North Dakota: Dale Anderson, RR1, Bax 10, Oslo, MN, 56744 (218)9654508 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 PittsburghCouncil,.5604 Solway, #202, Pittsburgh PA 15217 CHAPTER CHAIRS Headwaters: vacant: NCT Hikers: Gene Elzinga (see above); Traverse City: Greg Law, 1953 L.ardie Rd., Traverse City, Ml 49686; Western Michigan: Bill Van Zee n44 Thornapple Bayou Dr. SE, Grand Rapids Ml, 49512

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THE AMERICAN HIKING Society has urged the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to improve its Teaming with Wildlife proposal to better reflect the interests of hikers, in concert with conserving wildlife.

This proposal, which has not yet been introduced in Congress, will tax manufacturers of outdoor equipment and direct the money to state fish and wildlife agencies.

At a House oversight hearing June 6th, three Congress Members raised serious questions about the efficiency and fairness of the proposal (Committee members Jim Saxton ~NJ), Peter Torkildsen ~MA), and Jim Longley ~ME)).

Representatives John Dingall (DMI)andJohnShadegg~AZ), who are not members of the committee, indicated their support. Congress is reluctant to support a new tax in an election year and significant opposition is roiling through the out.door industry and a growing number of recreation groups.

'Ihus, it is unlikely this proposal will move anywhere this year.

NCNST, with but few except for those on the Finger Lakes Trail.

'Ihe Hemlock Glen Lean-To will be rebuilt by the Georgetown Correction Camp, and lean-toe will be built in Robert Treman State Park and in Allegany State Park.

On the other hand, the Woodchuck Hollow Lean-to has been burned. It was located in a poorlydrained area and was scheduled to be removed and replaced in a more suitable location, the Finger Lakes Trail News reports.

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A NEW long-awaited foot bridge over the Manistee River near Hodenpyl Dam was dedicated July 20. The bridge links the North Country Trail and the Manistee Trail in the Manistee National Forest in Michigan, and provides a good opportunity for a circle hike.

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ELWOOD "WOODrENSOR NCTABoardmember, wasnamed

1996 Vibram Trail Volunteer of theyearforthestateofOhio. Ensor was honored at the groundbreaking for the Xenia Station, Ohio, bike hub in June. Xenia also was named one of the ten top trail towns in the US bytheAm.erican Hiking Society in June.

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THE END OF the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, which was damaged by flooding last winter, has reopened. 'Ihe staff reportsthattheyhavereceivedmuch attention since the flood and might even be better off for it -- although one local 1V station referred to them as "The Lewis .Aiid .Clark Center.•

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ONCE WASN'T ENOUGH, so 1994 NCTsingle-season end-toend hiker Ed Talone is planning to do it again, next year, and is looking for hiking partners for long or short distances. See the note on Page 15.

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TRAIL HEUERS can come from anywhere, and perhaps trail people have been a bit lax at looking for trail help only among other trail people. One good example is a 500 member club that has become so taken with traif activities that they maintain 500 miles of trail in New York and New Jersey, and a're now members of the Keystone Trail Association, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, and American Hiking Society: The Skinnydippers Nudist Club of Woodside, NY. All their trail activities are clothing-optional.

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TRAIL SHELTERS are common on the AT, but a rarity on the

NCNSThas new, expanded Web site Thoughts about •Hiker ethics• New Wisconsin route under study NY land swap threatens FLT, NCNST Is It time for trail fees?

Annual meeting registration Cepter Section Wernerto Congress: •continue the progress• 11 Electronic trail keeps growing 13 Wisconsin Trails Day successful 14 NCTACalendar contest announced 14 Fromm continues long NST hikes 14 Lots of coming events 15 Trail shop expands 16

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Keyboard Trails by the Editor The deadline for the August-September issue of the Newsletter is August 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 for the October-December lssue of the newsletter will be October 1, 1996. 'lb.enewNorthCounteyTrailpageontheWorldWide Web is up and running. As reported in this column previously, we've had a page up since the first of the year, but it's been on a server that's had a lot of reliability problems and has frequently been unavailable. Several of us had been looking for a more suitable server that would meet our extremely tight budget - as close to free as we could manage. Finally, Delphi, the on-line service that I've been using the last couple years, came out with free 10-meg websites for members, and the search was over.

The changeover was more than a mere moving of doouments: the new site has much more text than the old one, including copies of "Following the North Countey National Scenic Trail", Gordon Smith's account of Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood's 1994 thruhike, published here last year, Chet Fromm's four-year end-toend hike, and the North Countey Trail slide show. Yes, I said the slide show -- the new page is much more graphically oriented, but except for the slide show, those with text-based browsers will still be able to get most of what is there. It should be a big improvement, and, with the better server reliability, will be publicized more widely than the old one.

Point your web browser at:

http://people.delphl.com/Wesboyd/ncnst.htm Note the lack of the '"www" common in many, if not most web site URLs. The old site will be maintained for a while, but only with a link to the new site. 'lb.e slide show was a lot of fun to put on the web. I had to ask a friend with a gadget that captures videotape screens to computer files to help out. Unfortunately,hewasshowingoffhissnazzynewCADmonit.or, and somehow he managed to save all 117 original images in 1500x1165x16 million. The files averaged about 600K apiece, and it took 52 floppy disks to take them home. I spent a long day trimming those files down t.o a size more appropriate for the web, and editing the show down a bit -- parts of it were pretty anachronistic (perhaps we should consider a remake). It runs pretty good on a graphic browser, but if you want to look at it, you're well advised to take a refrigerat.or break at the beginningto give the browser a chance to get ahead ofyou, and then allow some time t.o go through it.

When we hear the term "hiker ethic", it is usual)y in connection with some aspect of "low-impact hiking". Note that the word is "low",not "zero". Zero-impact hiking just does not happen, and cannot be made to. The closest we can come t.o that is to counteract the negative impacts of our hikes by also making positive corrections.

Any hiking wears down any trail. What builds it up is maintenance. And who does maintenance on most trails today? Volunteers, that's who. Any hiker who is not also a volunteer trail builder or maintainer cannot be a nearly zero-impact hiker. But anyone who has the time and energy to wear down trails by hiking on them certainly has the time and energy to do volunteer work repairing trails. It may cut into the hiking time, but that's fair -- others are doing it, and enjoying the experience. Every hiker should.

So a hiker ethic needs one addition to the things mentioned in the past. That is a commitment to pay for one's use of trails by helping to maintain them. What is a fair rate of pay? I suggest one day's trail production for each six days of trail consumption.

That does not mean going out on your own and flailing away at brush, widening a path into a road, or throwing some dead trees into bog-holes. It means contacting an organization responsible for building or maintaining some trail and asking what you can do within their system. 'lb.ere is no need to do your share on the same trails you have hiked. It's even better to help on some new one that will help spread the hiker traffic over more miles, making everyone's hiking experience less crowded and giving all of us more choices of places to go hiking.

Organizations such as clubs, camps, and guide services that take groups hiking on volunteer-maintained trails (and those include most trails in state and national parks) should coordinate with some maintaining organization to plan some of their trips, or part of each trip, to be a work trip, not necessarily using the same persons who were in their hiking groups, but in the right ration of person-days.

Then, when telling our tales about how much trail we have stomped on, we can also add our bit about when and where and with what group we helped to create or preserve a few miles of some trail. And when we meet and chat on a trail, be sure to ask me where I did, or am planning to do, my positive correction. Maybe you can suggest a deserving trail I don't know of.

Pass the word Richard B. Innes PS. I have maintained an assigned section of the Appalachian Trail for 30 years, and have worked on the Waterloo Trail in southeastern Michigan, the NCNST, and the International Appalachian Trail.

NORTH STAR: The Newsletter of the North Countly Trail Association, June-July 1996

In July, I had the opportunity to speak at the dedication of the Hodenpyl Bridge near Mesick, Michigan. Although the bridge isn't officially part of the North Country Trail, it connects the NCT with the Manistee River Trail, creating a continuous loop on both sides of the river that exceeds 20 miles.

This bridge is an impressive piece of work. Costing $125,000, it was jointly funded by the USDA Forest Service and Consumers Power. The total length is 245 feet, with 165 feet stretching between its two towers.

The towers themselves reach 32 feet above the water level and support two 11/4" cables, each of which is295 ft long. The four foot span hangs 11 feet above the water surface. For those who don't have drafting systems built into their cerebral cortexes, the translation is that it's one big, neat bridge.

The Hodenpyl Bridge is an excellent example of dedicated people not letting reality interfere with their dreams. No doubt, more than one set of plans had to be made. I suspect when they saw the price tag, the people involved did classic "spit takes" all over the first set, ruining them completely. Yet, now the bridge stands as a monument to their aspirations, and their faith that together they could find a way to reach their goals.

This is something to keep in mind as we look at our own goals for the North Country Trail. Sure we have a lot more miles to go and we need a lot more members to get there, but the dream is a good one. As long as we keep working together toward the ideal trail, someday we will have it. Imagine the ribbon cutting that'll take place then!

Speaking of things like that, soon you'll be receiving a letter from Dave Cornell, the chair of our Fundraising Committee. In honor of our 15th Anniversary, we are issuing a fundraising challenge to our members. I hope you will take the time to seriously consider his letter when it comes, and to think about what you can do for the dream of the North Country Trail. 'Nuff said on that for now.

Getting the word out and building support for the Trail has been a major emphasis here at the office for the past few months. Claudia, our Office Manager, has sent out over one hundred packages of Trail brochures and we've been working with the media to try to improve coverage throughout the trail region. We had a vezy nice article printed in the Bismarck, ND paper and another one here in Kent County, Michigan. The North Country Trail has been featured in the current "American Hiker" magazine, put out by the American Hiking Society.

Great!

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All the text in the world, however, can't compare to good old fashioned word of mouth. With that in mind, we are working on ways to make it easier for our members to spread the word. Watch for details in the next newsletter!

Along the lines of "promises, promises," rm sure many of you are wondering about the new t-shirts I promised in my column last issue. Well, they're not quite ready yet. Although it may look like there have been some feet dragging on this one, it's actually been a very clever ploy to build up demand. There's a subtle difference. I PROMISE they will be ready for the September Conference and will be well worth the wait.

For those of you who can't make the conference - you'll be missing a lot more than just the chance to be the first on your block with a new NCTA t-shirt. Your chance will come in the NEXT North Star.

One thing we have added to the Trail Shop this time around are Trail Section Maps produced by the Buckeye Trail Association. These are the same maps BTA sells, covering 16 segments that coincide with the North Country Trail. The Buckeye Trail is one of the most respected state trail systems in the country, covering a wide variety of beautiful landscapes around the perimeter of the state. BTA is an affiliate of the North Country Trail Association that has been working on Ohio trails since 1959. I encourage you.to join their organization to find out more about their efforts. You can write them at: Buckeye Trail Association, PO Box 254, Worthington, Ohio 43085.

Another upcoming addition to the Trail Shop will be the first ever "NCTA Eclectic Calendar." This sure-tobe collectors item will contain the pick of the crop from submissions we receive to our Calendar Competition.

Be sure to read the article elsewhere in this North Star, and then send us your best! rd also like to remind you to send your volunteer hours for the Park Service's Volunteer In the Parks (VIP) program.. These hours help demonstrate the support the trail receives which helps in grant writing and injustifying other types of funding. Your hours may also qualify you for VIP awards. If you have any questions, contact your State Trail Coordinator (see the inside front cover), or call us at the office.

The North Country Trail Association welcomes these new members to our family: David L Bos, Mary Campbell, Roy D Cischke, Peter and Carol Danly, Carol A Haupt, Douglas Lanyk, Martin L Herbert, John and Mary Olbrot Family, Joe Otway, Ray and Elaine Papp, Harry and Mary Price, and Debbie Bart.

We would also like thank the following members who recently renewed their memberships in one of our special categories: Pathfinder: Walter M Srogi Trail Leaders: Norman Cox, Mardy and William Gast, Alonzo Hannaford, John J Leinen Jr, Joseph E Raynor Jr, and David M Schutte Lastly, I'd like to thank. Board member Emily Gregor, who just purchased her next six years of membership in advance!

That's it for now. rm looking forward to meeting more of you at the Conference in September!

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Well, Blnckfly season is now past on all sections of the NCT and trail work is well under way. All seven states have work being done this year but there is still much to do.

As has been seen in many past issues of the North Star there is a great deal of trail that needs attention.

Some of the trail has low usage at this time. Some is overused. Some was laid out by inexperienced volunteers in earlier years and needs upgrading. Some was never designed and needs to be totally reconstructed.

Some trail needs to be relocated due to wetness, erosion, proximity to roads or grade. Other parts just need regular maintenance and light brushing. In any case there is a lot of trail that has no one to look after and care for it.

This issue only points up a general problem that every large trail organization experiences from time to time. It is especially critical for us with 3,200+ miles of trail to care for. The NCNST has reached a point where it has so much trail on the ground (1,900+ miles) and so few volunteers maintaining it that some of the trail is going back to the wild or deteriorating from over/under use. In addition, since we have no monitoring system in place, the trail conditions can change without our knowing about it. This is a growing problem that has no easy solution. These problems exist in all seven states. Some states are better than others but none are perfect. The states with the smallest membership are the largest problems. We realize that the trail cannot ever be perfect but we do hope for as good a trail as possible.

The only solutions I see to these problems is to generate new NCTA members and trail volunteers and establish trail adopters for every mile of trail in use. If you would like to help please contact the State Trail Coordinator in your state (listed inside the front cover).

Even if you can only help in limited ways or limited time

Connecting People and Places A Joint Conference Sept 6-9 1996 Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary, Sarona, Wisc.

we can still use your help.

If you want to be part of a floating crew, let them know that as well. Floating crews are available for work almost anywhere there is a need and no regular crew to maintain a section. They may also be specialized in construction of bridges, boardwalks and other wood construction. There may be skills in the use of chain saws and other heavy equipment. In any case they go where they are needed and when called for by other maintainers or monitors.

In addition, I feel it is important to train trail folks to recognize good trail from poor. This is not just trail crews but also the general membership of the NCTA. Trails can't be left in â&#x20AC;˘oKâ&#x20AC;˘ condition. They must be upgraded to good or excellent condition and kept that way. But we need to recognize when they are not up to grade. We are looking into a one day or half day session at a NCTA Conference or local Chapter meeting would help in this regard. Or perhaps a series of articles in our newsletters with pictures of segments throughout our seven states would help get to everyone. Then everyone can act as trail monitors to report problems so they can be taken care of quickly before they get too large or too old. Perhaps we can sign up trail monitors in areas where we have no adopters yet. If you can be a monitor let your State Trail Coordinator know you would like to help.

In my travels around the country hiking over 130 different trails I have found an enormous variety of trail conditions, some good some bad. As a result, I have learned by experience what excellent trail conditions are and can now tell when the trail is not up to grade.

This comes only with training and/or experience. Since learning what is excellent trail I am now going back to the trail segment (15 miles) I have responsibility for and upgrading it to make it a premier segment. I find the old adage fits here. "You can't see the forest for the trees."

Well perhaps we are so accustomed to our current trail conditions we can't tell when we are offtrack. I certainly learned this on my own adopted segment. Although I was very proud of what I had accomplished over the years, I realized that I could do better by being more objective and paying more attention to details.

The trail is good now but we need to move to great and on to magnificent. The better the trail system the more volunteers and trail users we will have to maintain it. To get to that point we must all be trail advocates. That means we all need to talk up the trail. Get more people to use it. Report problems or deteriorating trail conditions. Get more people to help with it. Ask your friends to join you in the NCTA and support the trail.

Have a great summer and happy trails!

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The Spark of Planning is Aflame

By Kim Bair, NCTA Recreation Planner The Northwest W1SC0nsinplanning team, consisting of members of the North Country Trail Association, Douglas County Forestry Department, Bayfield County Forestry Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and National Park Service, has identified six trail route alternatives primarily in Douglas County, W1SC0nsin. Five alternatives plus the planning team's preferred alternative were presented for public review at three open houses held on August 6,7, and 8 at Solon Springs, Superior, and Ashland, Wisconsin.

After collecting information and data, discussing the findings, and utilizing the ranking matrix process as a planning tool, the team chose Alternative 2 - Moose River as the team's preferred route. A list of highlights upon leaving Chequamegon National Forest along Alternative 2 includes: 1) A charming and beautiful Wild Lakes area in Bayfield County.

2) Brule River State Forest with pitted topography, scenic overlooks, and a historic portage trail.

3) The Village of Solon Springs offering views of the St. Croix Lake, hiker amenities, and nature trails in Lucius Woods County Park.

4) The Bird Sanctuary-Douglas County Wildlife Area allowing the hiker an unique landscape opportu-

nity in the once numerous but now rare pine barrens.

5) The St. Croix Flowage and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

6) Scenic, historic, and cultural opportunities such as remnants of covered wagon trails along the Moose River.

7) Pattison State Park with the 165' Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin.

8) Dry, sidehill trail construction opportunities along the Nemadji River.

9) Minnesota's Jay Cooke State Park with the St. Louis River running through the water-eroded gorge full of steep valleys and massive rock formations.

In comparison to the other alternatives, Alternative 2 ranked high in having the least impact on wetlands and endangered species, offering long term permanency opportunities, utilizing public lands and large tracts of private lands, providing the most scenic route, and linking recreation and points of interest.

The next step in the planning process is to refine the favored route to identify specific landownership. The favored route may or may not be the team's preferred route depending on the public's feedback from the open houses. A draft environmental assessment will then be written, and another set of open houses will be held in the winter of 1996-97 to record the responses of the affected landowners and public.

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Proposed land swap threatens NCT~ FLT ill New York New York officials are considering a proposal that could result in more than 400,000 acres of state forest land in the state's southern tier of counties and the Catskill Mountains being traded for paper company land in Adirondack Park.

"If this proposal is approved," says former NCTA Board Member Ed Sidote, •1t would probably devastate the Finger Lakes Trail and the North Count:ry Trail."

At issue is a proposal by Champion International Corp. to swap part of 144,500 acres ofland the company owns in the Adirondacks for 415,263 acres of state land in Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Tioga, Tompkins, Madison, Cayuga, Onondaga, Delaware and Otsego Counties. The land is in state forests, approximately 197,000 acres of which are spruce/fir, and the balance in hardwoods.

Discussions of the deal are still apparently at a fairly low level in New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, and major public hearings will be required before approval. The proposal, however, has already stirred up a hornet's nest of local opposition.

If the deal goes through, the North Country Trail and the Finger Lakes Trail stand to lose much trail -some recently certified, some long established -- in Cortland. Onondaga and Tompkins Counties. The Finger Lakes Trail east of the North Count:ry Trail junction could be particularly hard hit in several other counties under consideration, and the trail would probably lose much of the public land it crosses in this area. It could probably also end any discussion of routing the North Count:ry Trail east of the Onondaga Trail junction along the eastern end of the Finger Lakes Trail to the Appapachian Trail, a proposal much discussed in recent years.

As part of the proposal, Champion indicated that the land would remain open to the public. But for how long is another question, according to a sto:ry in the Binghamton, N.Y.,Sun-Bulletin, which originally broke the sto:ry. "What happens to the land when the spruce is gone?" said an unnamed New York Department of Environmental Conservation employee quoted in the article. "Champion has no further use for it, so it sells it and some land speculating company buys it, subdivides it and sells it off in small parcels. Land that was once public access then becomes private with no public access.• Champion, according to the Sun-Bulletin article, is in an economic quandry. It's mill in the Adriondacks, at Deferiet, NY, which employs 600 workers, was built in the 1890s. "It is an antiquated facility, capable of only

producing softwood, i.e. spruce and· fir -- but 95% of Champion 'sholdingsin the Adirondacks are hardwoods.

"Champion's printed proposals", the article continued, "claim the Deferiet mill has an approximately $300 million impact on the state's economy. But DEC sources. said the mill is incapable of processing hardwood and it is unlikely that Champion would invest the amount of money it would take to give it that capability, given the age of the facility.• Local sources speculated that even if the land swap went through, the mill would be closed within 10 years anyway.

"Ihe prospect of Champion being given ownership of vast parcels of state land in the Southern Tier is a disquieting one for outdoor recreationist: hunters, fishers, hikers, birders," the Sun-Bulletin article stated.

"Ihose tracts provide shelter for a variety of game species -- notably deer, turkeys, grouse and rabbits. And while it is true that the DEC itself clear-cuts parcels of spruce at certain locations, they are carefully selected for their proximity to aspen stands. Aspen, which grows much faster than spruce, takes over the clearings and creates new habitat for wildlife.• The initial public reaction to the proposed deal was not kind. State Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, (DWestchester) said he was surprised to hear of the proposal and noted that it had the aura of "a back room deal." Brodskey commented later that he has been assurred of access to all related documents between DEC and Champion, and that the public won't be left out of the process. "At least, we 81'0 now in a position to know what's going on."

A local state senator, Thomas W. Libous (RBinghamton), commented, "I'm extremely upset about it. Ifl have anything to say about it -- and I will -- it's not going to happen. There's no benefit in this for the Southern Tier. We're talking about swapping land for the Adirondacks, and yet we're going to jeopardize some beautiful acreage out here that empties into the Catskills."

Bob Patrick, a Sherburn-based supervising DEC forester with more than 30 years of service said he opposes the proposal. "Ihe DEC has managed these state forests for over 66 years with input from the public," he said. "It will be a terrible precedent and a breach of public trust to turn over this land to a special interest group. It would be the beginning of the end of public access to the state forest as we know it today.•

This article was partially adapted from articles in tlu!July 19 and July 23 Binghamton, NY, Sun-Bulletin.

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Has the time come for hiking licenses?

Trails aren't free. They cost money to build, acquire, and maintain, and the process of how this is to be done has long been a topic of debate.

Last winter, former NCNST Advisory Board member Tom Thwaites dropped a bomb into the Keystone Trails Association Newsletter that set off some reverberations across the Pennsylvania trails community, and it certainly contains some food for thought: "1'here are three guiding principles for hiking trail construction in the last years of the 20th century. They are: public lands, public lands, and public lands, in that order. The days of getting permission for a trail to cross private lands are all but gone.

"More than 36% of public lands in the Commonwealth are owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Many hiking trails have been built on game lands. The Appalachian Trail from the Susquehanna to the Delaware is almost entirely on game lands. Other trails on game lands are HorseShoe, Tuscarora, Link, Laurel Highlands, Mid State, Baker, Donut Hole, North Country, Joe Gmiter and Lost Turkey. The southern extension of the Mid State and much of the Lost Mountain will be on game lands.

"Unlike state forest and park lands, which are supported by general tax revenues, game lands are supported by the sale of hunting licences. Hunters have bought and paid for the state game lands.

"Yet hikers expect privileges not extended to hunters on game lands. Hikers want to backpack, and this means camping out overnight. There are many types of camping, ranging from unrolling a sleeping bag and stretching out under the stars, through tent pads and platforms, to trailside shelters and multi-roomed permanent structures costing $100,000 or more. All of them are illegal on state game lands. OK, the Appalachian Trail is a special case, but it is not likely to be repeated.

"Hikers expect a free ride on game lands. They want to indulge in minimal impact camping, a privilege not

extended to those who bought and paid for the game lands. Can some way be found for hikers to financially support the purchase and management of game lands?

If hikers had to buy a non-hunting license, would the Game Commission be willing to permit minimal impact camping?"

NeedkBB to say, this drew some response, including this letter to the editor, from Mike Sausser, KTA Link Trail Chair: "Mr. Tb.wait.esarticle, "Afreerideforhikirs",printed in the winter newsletter, inspired much talk and debate amongst my family members. My first thought was, "Why should I pay twice?" Like many other members of the KTA, I am also a hunter. I already help pay for State Game Lands, and help pay the salaries of Game Commission officers. â&#x20AC;˘1 like to hunt in two areas. Here in Schuykill Co, I hunt exclusively on State Game Lands. Most private areas are posted or unproductive in game. My parents have a cabin on Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming Co. This is where I developed my love for nature and hiking.

Besides recreation, the cabin is also used for big game hunting. The camp is surrounded by vast acres of forest ... almost all state forest. If hikers must pay to hike, will thisleadtohunterspayingtohuntonstateforestlands?

"To me, hiking/camping and hunting are two distinct seasons with a small crossover of hiking and scouting for game combined. Camping is usually done during the late spring, summer, and early fall. Hunting is generally late fall and winter.

"I question where this money (for a non-hunting license) would go? Would it be used for increased patrols of state game lands? Food and cover programs? Land .Acquisition?Stream improvement projects? Pay Raises?

And will the hiking community get a say in where this fee will go?

"Does this sound as if I do not support such a notion as a hiking permit? You bet I don't. But I would support a camping permit. This could be in the form of a

Page 10 collectable stamp that would change yearly, much like a duck stamp.

"Camping season on state game lands should be limited to the period between May 1 and September 30.

This overlaps the end of the spring gobbler and into the middle of dove season.

"Why would I support this? Two things are happening in Pennsylvania. Land is rapidly being developed into prison sites, industrial sites or housing. If it's not being developed, it's being posted. We are rapidly running out of time to save the few wilderness areas that are not protected now. Preserving what is left must be a goal of our generation!

"I will heartily support a 'Camping License' only if the hiking community has a say in where the money goes. Where should it go? A small portion should go directly to the Game Commission, the rest should be for land acquisition. The first need would be to buy private lands that trails cross. Let's use the AT corridor program as a role model. Almost all trails cross some sections of private land. Some sections are vital, either in passage, historical nature or scenic value. Some sections meet all three needs, such as the 1,000 Steps area on the Link Trail. This area is owned by a rock quarry. The loss of the Steps would be a death blow to the Link.

"Hunters bought and paid for their land and nonhunters use it. It is time for the hiking community to repay the favor.

"Purchased land should be turned over to the Game Commission or the Bureau of Forestry with the understanding that the area surrounding the trail is not to be disturbed, and open to both hunter and hiker. If the trail is fit for horses or mountain bikes, such as RR grades, then they should be granted passage, too.

"This to me is a complex issue. It's more than just pitching a tent. It's our grandchildren's heritage."

That hikerB need a financial voice in state trail decisions is this comment in the Newsletter of the Mid State Trail Association, also reprinted in theKTANewsletter: "Governor Tom Ridge is forming a new board to advise him on outdoor issues. The Governor's Sportsman's Advisory Council is taking shape. It will be made up of 15 people, all of whom must be active hunters and fishermen holding current state licences (emphasis added) and be representative of various sporting organizations throughout the state. Hikers, bicyclists, backpackers, bird watchers and other individuals who pursue similar interests in Pennsylvania's woodlands do not appear to be represented by this group unless they are also members of a fishing or hunting club. Membership on the council is obviously limited to those that pay user fees, i.e., buy licences. Outdoor enthusiasts that don't generate fuvenues for the state may be excluded from decisions that could affect their activities. The challenge to the hiking community is to find a way to get the governor's ear without resorting to a hiking permit.

Or is it time for such a permit?"

Roland Bergner, Chief of the Federal/State Coordination Division, Bureau of Land Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, commented on the controversy: "State Game Lands are multiple-use areas. The Pennsylvania Game Commission owns and manages 292 separate tracts of State Game Lands comprising more than 1.3 million acres located in 65 of the Commonwealth's 67 counties. Even though these lands are managed and maintained primarily for outdoor recreation in the form of sport hunting, other recreational uses such as fishing, hiking, birdwatching, nature study and wildlife photography are encouraged.

"By regulation, except for the Appalachian Trail, establishment of camp sites or overnight camping is not allowed on state game lands. At present, the Commission is not considering any changes in the regulations which would allow these activities on state game lands.

Nor is the Commission considering creating a special pass or nonhunting licence for persons or groups who wish to use State Game Lands for various outdoor related activities.

"The Pennsylvania Game Commission supports and encourages the multiple-uses of state game lands, including the development of hiking trails when they are compatible with existing wildlife habitats and our management programs. We wish to continue the excellent working relationship with KTA and other hiking organizations. Financial support of the Game Commission by non-hunters is welcome. Such support can either be through the purchase of a hunting license or by participating in programs designed to benefit nongame wildlife. Funds for these programs are raised through the sale of wildlife stamps, patches and prints. Direct contributions can also be made to specific nongame programs such as "Working Together for Wildlife." Monies collected will enable us to continue our management goals and objectives which will benefit not just the hunting public but other users of game lands as well."

Bergner's statement unintentionally underlined the need for hikers to have a financial and political voice in land management. Read that again, carefully; game lands can be supported by non-hikers purchase of hunting licenses -- which, among other things, misses the point.

This controversy is specific to Pennsylvania, but the problem is not limited to Pennsylvania. Along the length of the trail, hikers are dependent on good will, with very limited support in funding projects on state lands, when other user groups have a larger voice, because of their support by user fees, licences, and other taxes. Michigan, for example, has an extensive snowmobile trail route, supported by gas taxes. When trail opportunities, such as rail grades become available, the voice of the snowmobilers is loud enough because of the tax and license funds behind them that other potential trail uses are drowned out.

Money talks.

The f ce Aqe Park and Trair Foundation And The

NorfJi Country Trair ~sociation Proudly Present

September 6-9, 1996 Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary Sarona, Wisconsin

Registration for Room and Board NAME ADDRESS CITY

STATE

REGISTRATION

FEE:

PHONE

ZIP

Number of persons __

@ $15

F.a.rlybird Registration $10 if postmarked by August 19

A

LODGING:

Tent Camping- (participants must bring their own tent.) Nightly rate of $8/person Dormitories- (participants must bring own sleeping bags) Long Dorm (2 persons/room) Nightly rate of $32/person Cross Dorm (I 0 persons/room) Nightly rate of $22/person

I would like to room with

-----------â&#x20AC;˘who

is registering separately.

Make Tent Camping

Choice By M arking "X" Lona Donn Cross Donn

Friday Saturday Sunday

~"

DINING: MEALRATES-ADULTS-BREAKFAST$3.50, LUNCH$4.50, DINNER$7.50 CHILDREN- BREAKFAST $1.25, LUNCH $2. 00, DINNER $3. 75, ALL SNACKS $1. 00

Saturday Sunday Monday TOTAL DINING COST ToTALDuE$

Friday, September 6, 1996

Iime.

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm 1 :00 pm - 5:00 pm 1 :00 pm - 3:00 pm 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm - ????

~ Registration Short Hike Board of Directors Working Committees Keynote Speaker Night Programs

Comment One Choice Available Separate Meetings, IAP&TF and NCTA Separate Meetings, Senator Gaylord Nelson Two Choices Available, See Special Events Descriptions 11

Saturday, September 7, 1996 6:00 am - 8:00 am 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 10:00 am 10:00 am - Noon Noon - 5:00 pm 1 :OO pm - 5:00 pm 1 :00 pm - 5:00 pm 1 :30 pm - 2:30 pm 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm - ????

Bird Walk Outdoor Class Membership Meeting Workshop Hike Outdoor Class Meeting Workshop II

See Outdoor Event Descriptions NCTA Members Only, No IAP&TF Meeting Two choices, See Workshop Descriptions One Choice, See Outdoor Descriptions

" Land Trust Representatives Meeting One Choice, See Workshop Descriptions II II

Keynote Speaker Talent Show/Auction

Ann Bancroft, Polar Explorer See Description in Special Events

Sunday, September 8, 1996 6:00 am - 8:00 am 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 9:00 am - 10:30 am 10:30 am - Noon 10:30 am - Noon Noon - 5:00 pm 1 :OO pm - 3:30 pm 1 :OO pm - 5:00 pm 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm - ????

Bird Walk Canoe Trip Workshop Outdoor Class Workshop Hike Workshop II

See Outdoor Event Descriptions One Choice, See Workshop Descriptions II

One Choice, See Workshop Descriptions One Choice, See Outdoor Event Descriptions One Choice, See Workshop Descriptions II

ff

Keynote Speaker Plenary Session Night Programs

Steve Elkington, National Park Service All Conference Participants Two Choices Available, See Descriptions

Monday, September 9, 1996 9:00 am - 1 :00 pm

Hikes on IAT & NCT

10:00 am - Noon

Workshop

Two Choices Available, See Outdoor Event Descriptions One Choice Available, See Workshop Descriptions

REGISTRATION FOR OUTDOOR AND SPECIAL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS Make choice by marking "X" in proper column. Make 1st and 2nd Choices

Fir st

1

Ch oice 2

3

Seco nd Cho ice 1 2 3

Friday, September 6 60E01 Hunt Hill Hike 6SE01 Directors' Meeting 6SE02 Committee Meetings 6SE03 Keynote Speaker 6SE04 Heavens at Night 6SE05 Night Life

1:00 -6:00 pm 1:00 - 3:00 pm 3:00 - 6:00 pm 7:30 - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm-?

9:00 pm-?

Saturday, September 7 70E01 Bird Walk

6:00 - 8:00 am

70E02 Wild About Elks & Wolves 70E03 Geology of the Blue Hills

9:00 - 6:00 pm 1:00 - 6:00 pm Noon - 5:00 pm

70E04 IAT Hike in the Blue Hills 7SE01 NCTA Membership Meeting 9:00 - 10:00 am 7SE02 Land Trust Reps. Meeting 1:00 - 6:00 pm 7SE03 Keynote Speaker 7:30 - 9:00 pm 7SE04 Talent Show and Auction 9:00 pm-?

7WC01 Trail Handbook Standards 10:00-Noon 7WC02 Trail as a Cultural Resource 10:00-Noon 7WC03 Trail User Non-Liability 1:30 -2:30 pm 7WC04 Community Service in Trails 3:00 - 5:00 pm 7WC05 Corridor Protection 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Sunday, September 8 80E01 Bird Walk 80E02 Interpreting Environments 80E03 Canoe Adventure 80E04 NCT Lake Owen Hike 8SE01 Keynote Speaker 8SE02 Plenary Session 8SE03 Heavens at Night

6:00 - 8:00 am 10:30-Noon 9:00 - 4:00 pm Noon - 5:00 pm 7:00 - 8;00 pm 8:00 - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm-?

8SE04 Night Life 8WC01 Promoting Your Trail

9:00 pm-?

9:00 - 10:30 am 8WC02 Artifacts and Prehistoric Sites 10:30 - Noon 8WC03 Forestry Changes & Issues 1:00-3:30 pm 8WC04 Interpreting Your Trail 1:00 - 5:00 pm 8WC05 Forest Trail Development 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Monday, September 9 90E01 IAT Hike at Boyer Creek 90E02 NCT Hike at Rainbow Lake 9WC01 Global Positioning/GIS

9:00 -Noon 9:00 -1:00 pm 10:00-Noon

Trail lunches will be available for all workshops or outdoor events where noted in text.

Pickup point will be announced.

CONNECTING

PEOPLE

&

PLACES

SPECIAL EVENTS

Beanl etDlreeton' Mectlmp The Boards ofDiiectors of the Ice Age Parlt and Trail Foundatioo and the North Couoby Trail Associatioo will meet at separate locatioos. Looations to be announced in the confinnation packet. 1:00. 3:00p.m.

WerldnaC_..lttee Meednp Working cammittees of the Ice Age Parlt and Trail Foundation and the North COWltJy Trail Assooiatioo will meet separately to conduct committee business. Looation to be announced in the confinnatioo 1>11cket. 3 :00 - S :OOp.m.

6SE02

6SE01

Keynote Speaker Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin Govmior, US Senator and Earth Day Founder, will speak on the National Trails Act and other important issues of concern. 7:30 - 9:00p.m.

6SE03 The lleavma at Nlaht Wes Boyd, NCTA Board member and editor of the "North Star, "newsletter of the NCTA, will lead Y<Rl oo a voyage through the heavens. Learn about the stars, constellations and many other phenomena of the northern Wisconsin heavens. 9:00p.m.. 1 6SE04

NlahtLife Nancy Franz, University of Wisconsin Extension Agent for Bayfield County, will explore the sounds and lifestyles of the Hunt Hill Sanctwuy night time wildlife. Experience the sounds and understand the lifestyles of the many noctumal creatures that surround us in the night. 9:00p.m. - ?

6SE05 SATURDAY NCTA Membership Meeflnc North CountJy Trail Association members will meet with Officers, Board of Directors, and other members to discuss c1UTC11t business, issues, and future plans. 9:00- IO:OOa.m.

7SE01

Land Trust representatives from the IAP&TF, NCTA, Florida Trail Association, Florida Trail Land Trust and the Trust for Appalachian Trail Lands will

Keynote Speaker Ann Bancroft, first woman to cross both the North and South Poles will discuss her life's adventures with special emphasis on the challenges preseated by her polar trips. Ann will relate about the sights she experienced on these exciting and dangerous missions. 7:30 - 9:00p.m. 7SE03

Talent Show md Auction Kathy Bero will lead the Conference's very own North Country Ice Agers in an exhibition and celebration of membership talents. Auctioneer Bob Papp will auction some suprising items with proceeds used to help cover Conference expenses. 9:00p.m. - ?

7SE04

Lancl Tn11t Representative. Meetin1

meet to discuss common issues and concerns, share information and techniques, and develop a better land trust network. 3:00 - S:OOp.m. 7SE02

SUNDAY Keynote Speaker Steve Elkinton, National Park Service Trails System Program Leader, will lead a stimulating discussion on the strengths and benefits of trail groups working together. His message will help set the stage for the following plenary session. 7:00 - 8:00p.m.

8SE01

Plenary Session The plenary session is a very special time set aside for all attendees to hear about each other's organization, It will be a time to ponder the benefits and pleasures of working on future projects together and sharing infonnation and assistance as sister organizations united in attaining similar trail community goals. 8:00 - 9:00p.m.

8SE02

Tite Heavens at Ni&ht (repeated) 9:00p.m. â&#x20AC;˘ ?

Night Life (repeated) 9:00p.m. - ?

8SE04

8SE03

CoNNECTING PEOPLE

&

Ourooos

PLACES

EVENTS

FRIDAY Hmt HID Sanctuary Hike Hike about 3 - 4 miles on moderate grades through rolling glacial terrain, wetlands, bogs,forests and meadows. 1:00 - S:OOp.m

60E01 SATURDAY BlnlWalk

Wiid About Elk&: Wolva

Join Bob Dreis, NCT A member, on an exploration of the Hunt Hill Sanctuary's bird population. Expect to to have a leisurely 3 mile walk while spotting some of the early birds out tJying to catch worms, bugs or just bursting into song 6:00 - 8:00a.m.

70E01

Join retired University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point biologist Ray Anderson and Adrian Wydevan, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources biologist, on an all day field trip to the Clam Lake Biological Station. Then cany on to Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area and learn how to howl like a wolf and discuss Wisconsin's wolf and elk populations. 9:00a.m. â&#x20AC;˘ S:OOp.m. Lunch provided.

Interpreting lbe Geology oflbe Blue Hilb

Hike lbe lc:e Ap Tndl at Blue Hiib 70E04 Adam Cahow, retired Geology Professor from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, will lead a 3-S mile abort hike on the IAT through the Blue Hills of Wisconsin. Moderate tenain with some ups and downs. See and interpret the landscape shaped by the last great wall ot ice from this Trail that made it famous. 12:00 - S:OOp.m. Lunch provided.

70E02 Geologist Mark Johnson will lead a field class through some interesting geological sites in the local area. Learn about special landforms resulting from the mile high wall of ice that ground and crunched its way across two thirds of the state, 1:00-S:OOp.m.

70EOl

CONNECTING PEOPLE

&

PLACES

WORKSHOPS

Ourooon SuNDAY

Join Bob Dreis again to lly and spot some elusive Hunt Hill bin! populations. Add more birds to •our list from thc IIemendous variety in this ~ Wisconsin Sanctuary.

3 miles ofleisurely walking. 6:00 • 8:00a.m.

N-ebgoa Canoe Ailveatve 80E03 This all day canoe trip down the Namekagon River will allow members to enjoy the sounds and scenery of a major tnbutary of the St. Croix National Scenic River. &sy canoeing with no white water and easy rapids. Lunch provided. 9:00a.m. • 4:00p.m Caro: Rental Costs • $I 0 (nol included in . regi•tration fee) Two penoos per canoe Distance = 3 • 4 miles Shuitle Cost = Approximately.$ I per person Members can bring their own canoes. Outfitter will charge $5 to handle canoe and transport Members can follow in their own car with their own canoes.

Interpremg Trailside Envlrooment1

New TnD Handbook Standards 7WC01 Tom Gilbert, Naticmal Pule Service Trail Superintendent, and Bill Menke, NCT Coadinator, will pesent some of the new Trail Handbook standards for construction, mainten.anoe and trail marlcing.

They will alee lead a discu11ion to help clarify the fine points. )0:00-J2:00noon

Lmadowner'1 Non-liabilil)' to Trall U1en 7WC03 Attorney Robert Rusch, of the High Point Chapter IAP&1F, will help you discover how to approach land owners when you want to locate your trail on their property. What do you discuss with liability?

What agreements can you make? Attorney Rusch has a wealth of practical experience to pass on about the subject. I :30-2:30 p.m.

80ED2

Promolin1 Your Trail

North Country Trail Hike at Lake Owen

8WC01

80E04

Bill Stokes, retired Chicago Tribune Journalist, will lead a workshop on getting the most out of chapter, Foundation, and Association public relations efforts. Bill will provide some helpful hints on how to be successful in keeping the public informed and wanting to help. Bill's focus will be to build a good image. 9:00-10 30 a.m.

Susan Nelson, NCT A Board member, will lead a short hike on the North Country Trail through rolling and flat terrain with moderate grades, See the NCT as it passes through the Chcqaamegon National Forest and discuss trai! management i .. ucs. Lunch provided 12:00-5:00 p.m.

<

North County Trail Hike

90E02

Hike al Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area This hike will travel through the lake country of the Rainbow Lake Wilderness on the Cbeqaamegon National Forest. See this beautiful setting along the NCT. Level terrain with large trees, views of lakes, and plenty of wildlife for those who keep their eyes open.

Approximately 4-5 miles. Lunch provided .

9:00-l:OOp.m.

Ice Age Trail Hike Hile at Boyer Creek. Joe Rising. IAP& TF Trail Supervisor, will lead an IA T hike on the Boyer Creek segment of Washburn County.

View lhe ancient glacieted landfonns unveil themselves along tho trail. Rolling terrain, 34 miles. 9:00-12 :00 noon

U1fnl Your TnD A1 A Oahural Raaufte 7WC02 Brellda Willianu, University of WiSCOllSin School of Landscape An-Jtitecture graduate, will lead par· tioipmts in a discussion on pastoral agricultwal l.andtcape architecture and relate it to trail side conditions found along the IAT and NCT. How should tho trailside look? 10:00-)2:00 DOOD

Takln& Advantage of Cemauntty Servlre In Balldbag Tnlll Join Dave Pbillipc, Bob Nelton, Bonnie Burcaw, Crai@ Sullivan and Steve Cl.azlc. on a panel discussion to set trails built and maintained through innovative community programs. Stew Clark is Che coordinator for Project Reliant which puts youth offenders to work oo Che IA T. Dave Phillips is the Community Tmining Director for W1SC011Sin Department of Comoctions, and Bob Nelson is northwest Regional Crew I .eader for the Wi!!CMSin Con.'leMltim Corp .. Bonnie Buroaw is Director of Price County Human Services Dept. and Craig Sullivan is Community Service Crew Leader. The ideas are sure to flow. 300-S:OOp.m.

7WC04

Explore trailside environments in the Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary with Professor Adam Cabow, retired Professor of Geology, UWEau Claire Learn why they exist and how they shape habitats alone; the trail 10:3012:00 noon

90E01

CLASSES

S11ruRDAr·

BlnlWalk 80E01

0&.TDOORMQNDA y

I

Stnteglea fetr Trail Corrider Protedien

7WC05 Attorney David Kinnamon will lead a discussion on some of the strategies bail organiutions can adopt to protect important trail corridors. The focus will be on using land trusts and the Ytlriety of tools available to minimize conflicting de\'elopmental encroachments and uses. What ere conservation easements? Samples of model easements will be provided. How can you make a Land T rust successful? S:00-6:00 pm.

SUNDAY How to Handle ArdfadllPrebistorie Sllet On Your Trail

Foratl)' Chango and 1.. ~s 8WC03 I low du you implement recreational objectives into forestry· planning? What tools are there to do the job? What do you look for'? Whal big picture must local forestry planners keep in mind? How can YOU keep all this straight when helping lo implement recreational plans? Join Wayne Tlusty, Professor of Landscape Architecture al University of Wisconsin-Madison for a lively discussion of these important forest resource planning questions. I :003:30 p.m.

8WC02 Join Marie Bruhy, U.S. Forest Service Archaeologist, as he unveils the history of the Great Lakes region, Learn how you can identify archaeological sites and how to treat your discovery. Actual artifacts will be used lo demonstrate the typical objects that you may find along your trail. 10:30-12:00 noon Interpreting Your TnD (Panel Discussion)

8WC04

Ron Zimmerman, Keith Rice, W arren lliclcnbcrg and David Aslakson will present some weethwhile pointers on how you can interpret your trail for use in publications and public relations. Also to be discussed is designing and developing a first class trail map for distribution and use by members and the public. I :00-S 00 p.m.

Tnil Development 'J'hrou&h che Forals Hear forest managers talk about how they view the corning of National Scenic Trails to their reek of the woods. What problems docs this present'? What opportunities do they see in baving the llllil m their forest? How can the trail community mesh their interests with the various policies and interests of other public and private forests? 3 :00-5:00 p.m. 8WC05

MoNDAY Global PosldGnlng System/Global Information System You've heard the names. Now what can they do for. your trail organization and the trails yru support.

This overview will bring you a more complete understanding of these new technical innowtions and how they can be used by your organization. I 0:00-12:00 0000 9WC01

(

====;;==~D==

nnn

Airport Connections Surrounding Accomoc:latlona Hunt Hiii Audubon Sanctuary can be reached from three different airports. We can provide a pickup If we have definite ftlght arrival lnformaUon a week In advance of the Conference.

MINNEAPOLls-sT. PAUL - Approx. distance to Hunt Hiii Is 120 miles. Served by Northwest, American, Trans World, United, Continental, and Delta Airlines. Airport Is west and slightly -south of the Sanctuary via 194, 135,US Routes 61, I, and 53.

DULUTH-SUPERIOR - Approx. distance to Hunt Hiii Is 80 miles. Served by Northwest and United. Airport Is north of the Sanctuary via US Route 53.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN (WausaulStevens Point) • Approx. 140 miles to Hunt Hiii. Served by American, Northwest, and United. Airport 18 south and east of Hunt Hiii. Sanctuary can be r•ched via US Route 51, State Route 29, and US Route 53.

Spooner American Budget Inn, Highway 70E Country House Motel, Hwy 83 Green Acres Motel, Hwy 83 Inn Town Motel, Hwy 83 Sandman Motel, Hwy 253 Green Valley Inn, Off Hwy 83

800-356-8770/ 715-635-9770 800-715-8721n15-6358721 800-373-62931715-835-2177 800-652-14221715-635-3929 71&-83W535 715-6357300

Shell Lake Aqua Vista Motel,

In Shell Lake

800-889-2258/715-488-2258

Birchwood Birchwood Motel, 601 E. State Hwy 48 715-354-7705 Cobblestone B&B, 319 S. Main 80().659 48831715-354-3404 The Fsm B&B, 718 s. Main 715-354-3387

Cumberland Wiid Iris Shores,

2741 11th St.

715-822-8594

MAIL COMPLETED FORM TO

IAPTF P.O.Box423 PEWAUKEE, WI 53072 CONFERENCE AGENDA, AIRPORT INFO, AL TERNATIVE LODGING INFO AND MAPS WILL BE MAILED IN A CONFIRMATION PACKET

FOR MORE

~ ,,

IceAge Park & Trail FOUNDATION, INC.

P. 0. Box 423, Pewaukee, WI 53072 (414) 691-2776 Fax (414) 691-2323 e-mail: iat@execpc.com World Wide Web: http://www.execpc.com/-iat/

fNFORMA

TION

.

49 Monroe Center, Suite 200 B Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 454-5506 F Fax (616) 454-7139 e-mail: NCTAssoc@aol.com World Wide Web: http://people.delphi.com/wesboyd/ncta.html

Page 11

"Continue the Progress Made" Statement of Gary Werner Chairperson, Partnership for the National Trails System Presented to the Congress of the United States, US House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior March 14, 1996 On Operations and other funding appropriations for the 19 National Scenic and Historic Trails The Partnership for the National Trails System appreciates the level of support you have given over the past several years, through base operating funds and earmarking of Challenge Cost Share funds, for the national scenic and national historic trails administered by the National Park Service. To continue the progress made possible by those funds and to provide proportional support for the trails administered by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, the Partnership requests that annual base operations funding be provided for each of the 19 national scenic and national historic trails for Fiscal Year 1997 through the following appropriations: National Park Service: $2.5 million for the 14 trails it administers and for coordination of the longdistance trails program by the Washington Park Service office.

USDA Forest Service: $1.00 million for the four trailsitadministersand $350,000fortheportionsofsix other trails managed through agreements with the Park Service.

Bureau of Land Management:$200,000foradministrationofthelditarodNationalHistoricTrailand$200,000 for the portions of seven other trails managed through agreements with the Park Service and Forest Service.

We ask that you continue to earmark one-third (approximately $600,000) ofN ational Park Service Challenge Cost Share funds for the 14 national scenic and historic trails it administers.

We also ask that you appropriate a total of$7 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition of lands by the National Park Service and United States Forest Service to protect the integrity and scenic quality of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The level of funding and explicit recognition of the value of these trails that you have provided over the past several years has enabled the National Park Service to begin to direct significant essential resources to each of the 14 trails it administers. To ensure that adequate resources continue to be available for all these trails, and to maintain the momentum of progress that you have fostered, we ask that you appropriate $2.5 million to the National Park Service for Fiscal year 1997.

It is equally important that the national scenic and national hist.oric trails administered or managed by the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management receive similar budgetary recognition as America's Congressionally designated premier trill]s.

Annual operations funding for these trails distinct from

the general recreation program appropriations for these two agencies is essential to insure that these trails receive appropriate priority in their annual work plans.

Recognizing the special responsibility for administering three national scenic trails and one national hist.oric trail, the Chief of the Forest Service recommended that $1 million be directed specifically for those trails in Fiscal Year 1995. The Partnership thinks that this level of operations funding should be provided annually for these four trails and asks you to appropriate these funds as a separate budgetary item specifically for the Continental Divide, Florida and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail for FY 1997. Recognizing the on-the-ground management responsibility the Forest Service has for 838 miles of the Appalachian trail, more than 600 miles of the North Country Trail, and significant sections of the Ice Age, lewis and Clark, Iditarod and Overmountain Victory trails, we ask you to appropriate $350,000 specifically for these trails.

While the Bureau of Land Management has administrative authority for just the Iditarod National Hist.oric Trail, it has on-the-ground management responsibility for hundreds of miles of seven of the scenic and hist.oric trails administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. However, the Bureau of Land Management budget does not reflect this responsibility; the agency receives no funding specifically for these trails. We ask that you appropriate $200,000 for FY 1997 earmarked as a separate budgetary item for administration of the Iditarod National Historic Trail and $200,000 for management of the portions of the seven other trails under the care of the Bureau of Land Management.

The level of annual funding that we request is essential to support the public/private partnerships working t.o complete these trails. Only with this level of annual funding is there any hope of expanding the 19,000 miles of trail now open for public use into the full 38,000 miles authorized by Congress in the National Trails System.

The land acquisition accomplished during the past two decades to protect the continuity and quality of the Appalachian Trail has been one of the most successful and ambitious programs ever undertaken by the National Park Service and United States Forest Service.

Congress has consistently supported this important project through appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund so that t.oday, only 35 miles remain unprotectedofthe2,159mileAppalachianTrail.'Ihisfar-

Page 12

sighted project to protect the most significant recreational resource in the eastern United St.ates must be continued to successful completion and the Land and Water Conservation Fund which has made the land acquisition possible must be preserved and renewed.

There are many import.ant historical sit.es and critical stretches of the other national scenic and hist.oric trails that remain unprotect.ed and vulnerable to destruction or loss for public use. 'lbe Land and Water Conservation Fund must be available as one source of funds to help acquire these significant resources and prot.ect the integricyand value ofAmerica's national seenicand historic trails.

Public-spirited partnerships between private citizens and public agencies have been a hallmark of the National Trails System since its inception. These partnershipscreate the enduring strength of the trails system and the trail communities that sustain it. 'Ibey combine the local, grass-roots energy and responsiveness of volunteers with the responsible continuity of public agencies.

'Ibey also provide a way to enlist private financial support for public projects, usually resulting in a greater than equal match of funds. 'lbe commitment of the private trail organizations t.oward the SU<nlSS of these partnerships as the means for making these trails grows even as Congress' support for the trails has grown. In 1995, the trail organizations channeled nearly 370,000 hours of documented volunteer labor valued at more than $4,260,000 t.oward completion of the national scenic and national hist.oric trails. This is a25%increaseofrecordedvolunteeractivicyoverl994.In addition, the various trail organizations also directly applied private sector contributions of $2, 754,934 to benefit the trails. Additional in-kind and uncounted monetaiy contributions from thousands of volunteers and oooperatingorganizationswouldlike]ydoublethisamount. 'lbe earmarked Challenge Cost Share funds have significantly increased the activity along the trails administered by the National Park Service. In 1995, the $635,212providedbyCongressfunded85projectsthroughout the countiy with a total value of $1,665,129. The $1,029,917 provided by trail organizations and st.ate and local government agencies to support these projects represents a 162% match to the Federal investment.

Although they are not as completely documented as the National Park Service supported projects, a similar number of Challenge Cost Share projects sponsored by the Forest Service were completed along the national scenic and historic trails last year. The Forest Service has -been able to match Federal dollars by as much as 3: 1 to complete trail construction and maintenance projects throughout the countiy. However, even this level of activicy does not complete all the potential projects along the trails. For every project funded there is another one awaiting funding. 'lbeChallengeCostShareapproachisoneofthemost effective and efficient ways for the Federal agencies to ammiplish a wide array of projects for public benefit while also sustainingpartnerships that involve countless private citizens in doing public service work. A perhaps unintended, but equally import.ant consequence of these partnerships fostered by Federal funds, is the growth of

communities of citizens with shared interests all across the countiy. There is no way to put a dollar value on the many wa,ys the social fabric that ties this nation t.ogether is nurtured by these many communities of volunteers working on trail projects across the land. The Challenge Cost Share programs should be funded as generously as possible as a wise investment of public money that will generate public. benefits many times greater than the appropriation made. Directing a portion of those funds specifically t.oward the national scenic and historic trails will continue the steady progress underway to make these trails fully available for public enjoyment.

With the annual funding Congress provides serving as a catalyst, consistent progress is being made t.oward making the national scenic and historic trails fully available for public enjoyment. Some of the innovative projects recently completed or currently underway are: • $3 million raised by the lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation to match federal funds to construct a major interpretive center at Great Falls, Montana; • Trail corridor planning led by National Park Service and North Countr;Y Trail .Association staff for a 60 mile segment of the North Countiy National Scenic Trail along the Little Beaver National Scenic River and Sandy and Beaver Canal in Ohio; • Initial visits and meetings between leaders from the Heritage Trails Fund and the Director of Anthropology and Histoey and other Mexican officials to begin establishing our first international trail linking the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in the United St.at.eswith therestafthishistoricsettlementtrailinMexioo; • Inst.allation of permanent route markers on the remote northern stretches of the Idit.arod National Hist.oric Trail by the Bureau of Land Management.

• Mapping an initial 70 mile stret.ch of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail using Global Positioning System satellite technology; •Financial support from outdoorrecreationindustey corporations for a series of st.ate summit meetings sponsored by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana, matching support provided by the National Forest Foundation • The first conference sponsored by the Nez Perce Trail Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, held in October, 1995, bringing t.ogether the native American and immigrant American groups interested in supporting and protecting the Nez Perce National Hist.oric Trail; • A study, financed by the National Park Service, of the economic benefits of the Overmountain Vict.ory National Historic Trail to local communities; Adequate annual federal funding is crucial to sustaining the public/private partnerships that are steadily transforming the national scenic and national hist.oric trails from lines on maps and books of plans int.o a grand part of our national heritage for all Americans to enjoy.

Our private organizations and their many volunteers, and many state and local governments are committed to making our fair contribution t.oward the traiJmaking effort. Weaskyou to keep faith with us bymaint.ainingthe strength afthe Federal contribution t.o our trail partnerships.

.

Eleetronie 'frail

"k.eepS L'

. . growing

·

"Ye, Gods,• I said when I first saw this list. "Look at all those UR.Le!" Charles Cuvilier of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail keeps a list of email addresses for trail-related organizations, and a list of the URUI of trail-related sites on the lnt.emet's World Wide Web. Even a year ago, there were but few trail sites-- and now, they're all over the place!

Ifyou know ofan incorrect address or of a person associated with National Historic/Scenic/Recreational trails that would like to be added t.o this list send an e-mail t.o CUV573@aol.com.

He is attempting t.o get currentaddressesfor USFS and BLM sites/persons. Any assistance is appreciated. '!his list is not sent generically nor sold t.o int.erested parties. It is maintained for the purpose ofproviding information t.o National Scenic/Hist.oric/Recreational trail managers, supportingas.90Ciations, and other persons for communication purposes.

HINT DON'T WANT to type all these URLs? They're all linked to the NCT web pagel You can go direct to this page at:http://people. delphLcom/wesboyd/ others.htm

"'

Page 13

Govemm'"t

Departril1t Of tle lntedor _ Bureau of land Management

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- • National Park-SeMce · . Depanment of Agriculture .'. us FOre9t SeM:e- -:

tllp://VNtw.'usda.gov/ hllp:./~.fed.us/

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hap://www.blm.gov{ http://wW;nps.gov/

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An AiP_fachianAdven.1We . Appafai:fiian Trait Homepage . Connecticut Appalachian Club Florida TraiJ AssociatiM Georgia Appalachian Club Ice Age National Scenic Trail Nall Scenic Trails Nez Perce Nall Scenic Trail North Country Natl Scenic Trail Oregon Trail Other Natl Scenic Trails Pacific Crest Trail Association or PQ1Qm....ac.AppalachianTrail Club Sante Fe Trail

.•

. ,

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http://wwvf!nindo.net/AT .' http:/fNWwJred.netrbthy/at.htmf' . http://cusp:es.yale.edu/ATCT/ http://wwW4ilx.jaxneloomf-dwel*, http://Www:mindspring.com/-jvkovar/gatc.html http://www.execpc.com/-iat/index.html http://Www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/us.traiVnattrail.htm http://www.ee.iastate.edu/-russellAndex.html http://people.delphi.com,Wesboyd/ncnst.htm http://www.teleport.com/-sligard/lraif.html http://Www.fred.net/kathy/at/Scenic.html http://Www.physics.sfsu.edu/grad/chris/pct/pct.html http://Www.gorp.com/pcta/ http:f{lo:aatasys.swri.edu/PATC/patc.html http://history.cc.ukans.edu/heritage/research/sft-index.html

Selected Nationaf Trail Associations & Internet Resources American Discovery Trail http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/adt.htm American Hiking Society http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/ahs.htm American Trails http://Www.teleport.com:80/-walking/amtr.htm Arizona Trail http://Www.primenet.com/-dawson/aztmm.html American VolkssportAssoc http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/index.html Backcountry Horne Page http:/{lo.dalasys.swri.edu.Overview.html Backpack Chat http://Www.4-lane.com/sportschat/newscJtp_index.html GORP http://Www.gorp.com/ Great Outdoor Recreation Page http://Www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/hiking.htm Hiking Clubs http:/fio.datasys.swri.edu/Helubs.html Hiking magazines mail lists http://Www.gorp.com/gorp/newstand/hiking.html Hiking organizations Usenet http://Www.teleport.com:SO/-walking/hike.shtml Hiking & Walking homepage http://Www.teleport.com:80/-walking/hikes.html MITTrailhead http://trailhead.mit.edu National Parks & Conserv As http://Www.npca.org/horne/npca/ National Trails Day http://Www.funnetweb.utcc.ulk.edu/-barkerpa/ntd.html Outdoor resources directory http://Www.azstamet.com/-goclimbJtackhorne.html Outside On-line http://outside.starwave.com/outside/online/ Places to go hiking http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/places.shtml Sierra Club http://sierraclub.org/indes.html Starting Point 1996 http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/jrebook.htm Trails Illustrated Maps home http://colorado.com:80/trails/ US Directory of Trail Clubs e-mail http:/{lo.dalasys.swri.edu/PATC/email_tc.html US Forest Service by State hllp:/Mw#.gorp.com~ _Naliooal_Foresthmin.tmll Virtual Pathways magazine http://edge.edge.net/-jhbryan/pathwaysAoc.html Volksmarch & Walking index http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/ Wilderness Society http://lown.hall.org:80/environment/wild_soc/wildemess.html Wddemess & Wddlands on web http://Www.nwrain.net/-outdoor Selected Regional Trail AllOciationa & Internet Resourcee EB Coast Trail http://Www.paragon.nf.ca/eastcoast/ectaf.hlm Hiking in Moosehead Lake ME http://Www.maineguide.com/mooshead/mooshike.html Huachuca Hiking Club AZ http://Www.primente.com/-tomheldftliking.htm MountaineersHomepage http://Www.cyberspace.com/mtneers/ Pacific NorthwestTrail http://Www.teleport.com/-walking/pnthtml Pacific Northwest Hikes tttp://Www.halcyon.com/gpaddenhlike.html Trails in Central Florida http://Www.hammock.ifas.uft.edu/lmp/outdoors.html White Mountains Info NH http://Www.cs.dartmouth.edu/whites/

Page 14

Trails day in Wisconsin a success National Trails Day along the North Country Trail served two purposes in W"ISCOnsin this year. 'Ihe first was to bring together a dozen NCTA members and friends to celebrate America's trail systems. 'Ihe second was an agreE.ment by the same members and friends to meet later in the month to form WISCOnsin'sfirst NCTA Chapter. 路 'Ihe Trail's Day celebration included two hikes to Mellen from points outside of the City. One hike ran from Copper Falls State Park to the Mellen City Park and the other hike ran from Quany Road, west of Mellen, to the Park. Afterwards, Mellen Mayor Joe Barabe, hosted the group as they enjoyed refreshments and made their decision to meet later in the month to decide whether to form the NCTA Chapter. A week later the same group came together in Mellen again and formed the Chequamegon Chapter of the NCTA and elected officers. Kurt Schmitt of Butternut was elected President with Chuck Gorecki of Drummond, VicePresident, Tana Turonie of Mellen Treasurer, and George Tresnak, Mellen, as recording Secretary. If that occurs, members will be given the opportunity to determine what chapter to which they will be-long. Currently Wisconsin has 35 NCTA members scattered all over the state. 'Ihe extension of the NCT between the Chequamegon NF and the Minnesota state line should act to stimulate the growth of Association members along the NCT corridor. A route from Copper Falls State Park

Fromm continues long NST hikes NCTA Board Member Chet Fromm spent much of June and July on his annual stroll -- this time on the Continental Divide Trail in New Mexioo. For the last several years, Chet has taken off for a couple of months a year, with the plan of hiking a minimum of 1000 kilometers (625 miles). This game plan has allowed him in the past to end-to-end hike the Appalachian, Florida, North Country and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails on the way to his goal of end-to-ending all of the National Scenic Trails. He did the NCT in 1991-95.

Chet reported difficulty with his hike this year, partly due to the long-term drought in New Mexico.

Water was frequently a problem. 'Ihe fire hazard is so high that even liquid packing stoves have banned, and his butane stove was usable only by special permit, until the fire hazard grew so high that all forest use was banned. He gave up on New Mexioo, and moved north to Colorado, but sprained an ankle and had to hobble out to civilization. He'd currently back at his Florida home, oonsidering ifhe wants to give New Mexico another try in the fall.

east to the Michigan state line, also, is under scrutiny at the present time. The oompletion of the trail will help link communities in the area and round out the varied trail opportunities now available to northern WISCOnSin recreationists. Well used snowmobile and bicycle trails already provide outstanding recreation for fun lovers in winter and summer. With the completion of the NCT, a premier hiking trail will provide northern W1SC0nsin recreationists with the same high quality hiking and backpacking opportunities that the Appalachian Trail and the six other National Scenic Trails provide other parts of the country now. NCTA members will be needed who are willing to assist the various public agencies to construct and to maintain the NCT. NCTA Chapter members, also, can help to acquire easements or landowner agreements on private lands and construct and maintain the trail there. Landowners who want to have access to the trail and have it iocated on their property will need to be oontacted, too. These members will play an important role in furthering recreation in the Northern W1SC0nsinas the NCT begins to serve the region.

NCTA Calendar competition planned Attention artists, authors, chefs, humorists, and trail gurue, We are seeking entries for our first ever calendar - sure to be a collector's item! The NCTA 1997 :Eclectic Calendar will showcase the wit, wisdom, and artistry of our talented (and marginally talented) members. Entries must have trail themes and will be judged by a panel of amateurs in these categories: Trail Art (sketches and drawings), Trail Tales (true or fiction), Trail Food (recipes), Trail Humor (cartoons and jokes), Trail Truths (bits of wisdom or advise), Trail Kids (entries from children 12 or younger), and Trail Debris (miscellaneous entries). 'Ihe winners in each categoiy will receive a free oopy of the calendar and the worldwide recognition that goes with it. However, we will also make eveiy effort to cram as many entries as possible into the calendar. In other words, you don't have to win to be a winner!

Entries are due at the NCTA office by Monday, September 16, 1996. If you want your materials returned, be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. All art and cartoon entries must be crisp, black and white copies that will reproduce well. No photographs, color or charcoal drawings please.

Text entries must not exceed 400 words. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will benefit NCTA, with no monetary awards or payments issued for published entries. Entries must be original works or have no oopyright restrictions. The calendar will only be published if sufficient entries are received. If you need more information, please call us at 616-454-5506.

Page 15

NCTA September 8-8: NCTA Annual Conference, Wisconsin. See insert in this issue for details.

ffEMS FOR THIS COLUMN IIB§Lbe 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.

September 15: Challenge Cost Share Projects due to NPS. For more information, contact Bill Menke, NPS, (608) 264-5610.

TRAIL CONNECTIONS

Michigan

This feature brings together NCTA members for shared hiking adventures. To respond toor place an ad, call or write the NCTA office. See the inside front coverforaddress, phone, fax and e-mail information.

Begiming March 1, 1997, I, Ed Talone will be thruhiking the NCT. The hike will cover 4500 miles, and be completed around November 15. Anyone interested in joining me can contact me at: Ed C. Talone, 605 Pershing Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 2091o(301)587-0330). Section hikers are welcome as long as their schedules are somewhat flexible.

Daily mileage will be around 18 miles per day at a moderate pace. The NCT is an incredible trail -come experience ill

***

I'm a beginner - 45 year old tamale, who doesn't want to go it alone. Searching for a hiking partner, living in my area (St. Clair Shores) Macomb or Oakland County {Ml), preferably at least 30 years old, male or female, for day or weekend hiking trips.

***

My name is Chin-Sim Kang and I'm a grad student at Western Michigan University. I'm from Singapore and I enjoy hiking and camping and would very much like to see more of Kalamazoo and Michigan.

I'm interested in meeting other hikers in Kalamazoo.

If you are planning a group hike; please contact me at: 99kang2@lab.cc.wmich.edu.

TI1ank you very much, Chin-Sim

SWISS KANDERSTEG ZERMATT MURREN

LENK

:':.~ RIGl-kAL TENBAD ~~ALD GSTAAO FLUB.EN ENGELBERG LEUKERBAD

+The

ALPS

Moderate optional length DAY hiking along skyline trails. 7 - 2 week tours basing at 15 mountain 3-4 star hotels.

All hikes guided by NCT member Cecil Dobbins. a free color brochure call {216) 867-3n1 or write to: ALPINEADVENTURETRALSlOURS, Inc. 783V Cliffside Dr. Akron, OH 44313

Fer

Hiker's Paradise+

October 1: Newsletter deadline.

August 11-24: North Country Trail Hikers/Mackinac Chapter Sierra Oub NCT Trail Construction in the Upper Peninsula. New construction will connect Porcupine Mountain State Park with Ottawa National Forest. Camping, swimming, showers in state park available. Fee $15 per first day, $1 O per addition. Contact Eugene Elzinga at (906} 225-1704 by July 28.

August 12-18: Western Michigan Chapter hike in the Pictured Rocks. Five days of hiking in the Munising - Grand Marais area.

Call Darlene (616) 784-5050 or Bill, (616) 868- 7251.

August 21: Nath Crurtry Trliil Hkers local 1lora identfficatioo tike, 9 NA, location t> be amxn:ed. Call Betty at (906)222-7525.

August 24: North Country Trail Hikers clean up trails and beach at Little Presque Isle, joint outing with Sierra Club, meet at LPI parking lot at 1 o AM. Call Dave or Judy at (960)228-9453.

August 24: Western Michigan Chapter hike 9 miles on NCT, Pierce Rd. to Highbanks.Contact Bernice, (616} 456-6157.

August 25: North Country Trail Hikers Echo Lake picnic, swim, fish, canoe, hike. Call Richard at (906) 226-7934.

August 31: North Country Trail Hikers Annual Public Hike at Laughing Whitefish Area, 1 O AM. Volunteers needed. Rain Date Sept. 1. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.

Sept. 11: North Country Trail Hikers, pilgrimage into fall, Bay De Noc Trail, car shuttle for a one way hike, meet at 10 AM at trailhead. Rain Date Sept 12. Call Lon at (906) 942-7879.

OUTDOOR LOGBOOK Coated cover for strength and water resistance.

Trip lines on the cover for easy recording. Fits in shirt pocket. 100 pages for recording all your favorite hikes.

To order send check or money order for $2.95 +$1.00 postage to: KTS Designs • 563 Grandville S.W. •Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 616-459-3854 or 1-800-685-7221 •7151

Page 16

NORTH STAR: TheNewsletter of the North Country Trail Association, June-July 1996

Sept 13: North Country Trail Hikers UP Softies hike in Rock River area. Call Shirley at (906) 228-6666.

Sept. 14: North Country Trail Hikers explore old growth forest in Dukes experimental forest, bushwhacking. Call Richard at (906) 226- 7934.

Sept. 15: North Country Trail Hikers Fall Color Hike, time and location TBA. Call Carol, (906) 226-7934.

Sept 20: North Country Trail HikersUP Softie's hike in Rock River area. Call Shirley at (906) 228-6666.

Sept. 21: North Country Trail Hikers Au Trail River canoe trip.

Call Gene at (906) 228-1704.

Sept. 21. North Country Trail Hikers clean up trails and beach at Little Presque Isle, joint outing with Sierra Club, meet at LPI parking lot at 10 AM. Call Dave or Judy, (906) 228-9453.

Sept. 22: North Country Trail Hikers hike the Harlow Lake overlook trail. Leave from Med/Dent Center at 1 PM, easy 1-2 hour hike, great views. Call Matthew at (906) 249-9702.

Sept. 27: North Country Trail Hikers UP Softie's hike in Laughing Whitefish area. Call Shirley at (906) 228-6666.

Sept. 28: North Country Trail Hikers Fall Color Hike up Hogsback Mountain. Call Don at (906) 225-1585.

October 1: Western Michigan Chapter meeting, 7:30 PM, German Village Restaurant. Call Ruth (616) 453-8622 for directions and information.

December 3: Western Michigan Chapter Christmas Dinner.

Social meeting 6-6:30 PM. Dinner 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Meeting at 7:30 PM. Call Ruth (616) 453-8622.

New York Aug. 11: Virgil Mountian Madness Trail Run, 20.4 miles, Virgil State Forest. Contact Diane Beckwith, 116 Ludlow Rd., Lansing NY 14882; Phone (607) 533-3692.

Aug. 25: Cayuga Trails Club Trail Maintenance Work session, on FLT where work is needed most. Meet at 1 : 00 PM at the Ithaca Plaza near Trust Co. branch office and Taco Bell. Bring gloves, tools, and drinking water. Contact Peter Harriott (607) 273-6049.

Aug. 25: Monster Marathon and Half-Marathon, 26.2 and 13.1 miles, Virgil State Forest. Age/sex staggered starts. Contact John McMurry, 625 Highland Rd., Ithaca NY 14850; phone (607) 257-3592.

Sept.7: FLT Across the Genessee, Hike #6. Contact FLTC, PO Box 18048, Rochester, NY 14618-0048 or call (716) 288-7191.

Sept 20-22: FLTC Fall Campout, Camp Sam Wood, Pike, NY. Contact FLTC, PO Box 18048, Rochester, NY 14618-0048 or call (716) 288- 7191.

Sept 21: FLTC Board of Managers meeting at Fall Cam pout, Camp Sam Woods Lodge, Pike, NY, 3:00 PM. Sept. 23-28: Alley Cat Trail Crew Work Week #2, based at Allegany State Park. Contact FLTC, PO Box 18048, Rochester, NY 14618-0048 or call (716) 288-7191.

October 5: FLT Across the Genessee, Hike #7. Contact FLTC, PO Box 18048, Rochester, NY 14618-0048 or call (716) 2887191.

October 12: Erv Markert Memorial Hike. Contact FLTC, PO Box 18048, Rochester, NY 14618-0048 or call (716) 288-7191.

Ohio Aug 17-25: BTA Pictured Rocks (Ml) hike. Contact Herb and Susie Hulls, (614) 585-2603.

September 7: Central Ohio Hiking Club at Rocky Forge Gorge.

Explore cave area and hike area trails. Leader: Bob Merkle, (614} 486-5872.

September 11路15: Extended work weekend at Tar Hollow State Forest. Complete construction of new trail begun Memorial Day weekend. Send a small fee and food is provided. Come for one day or all four days. Call (216) 8844757 for details.

October 4-5-6: Work Weekend in Wayne National Forest.

Probably camp at Burr Oak Cove. Kaye Ernbach in charge. Call (216) 884-4757 for details.

October 19-20: BTA 2nd Annual Autumn Amble at Burr Oak State Park. Contact Herb and Susie Hulls, (614) 585-2603.

October 25-27: Work weekend at Shawnee State forest. Mark North Country Trail through Shawnee State Forest and either relocate BT through forest or locate a side trail to the State Forest. Details are being worked out. Call (216) 884-4757 for details.

Pennsylvania September 6-8: Work weekend on North Country Trail, Moraine State Park area. Conact Mark Eckler, (412} 588-6164.

Page 17

NORTH

COUNTRY-----~~'--_.-,_

TRADl SSHOP

AUCi•IEPT: 1996

The North Country National Scenic Trall stretches over 3,000 miles through some ot the most scenic backwoods, rural and suburban landscape in the country. Proceeds from the Trall Shop benefit the North Country Trail Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the ongoing development of the trail.

* * * * * * * * ·* * * >>

MAPSS

TRADL

.', % Ii

Certified Sections of th.e Borth Country Trail

,--

by Byron and Margaret Hutchins The long-a waited start to a trail guide for the entire trail.

Accurate route descriptions by experienced guidebook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. This resource covers many of longest certified sections. Published in easy to carry looseleaf form. Whole set w/ binder: $26.50. , Individual sets at various prices: $ 4.00 Allegheny NF & Cook State Forest $ 2.50 Wayne National Forest $ 5.50 Burr Oak-Sinking Spring $ 3.00 Little Miami Scenic Park $ 2.50 Miami & Erie Canal $ 4.00 Manistee National Forest Hiawatha NF east, Taquamenon SF $4.00 $ 3.00 Pictured Rocks, Hiawatha NF west $ 4.00 Ottawa National Forest $ 3.00 Chequarnegon National Forest $ 3.50 Chippewa National Forr~t $1.50 Sheyenne National Grassland

' , -~- _,

<< Michigan Map Sets

developed by Arden Johnson The best available reference for ·, the North Country Trail in ML --- : '-~. ·, \$4.00perset -~~,I~~-?"' · · ---==--- - -·$2.SO for binder with indices Ml-A) Maps covering SE Lenawee Co. to W. Calhoun Co.B Ml-B) Maps covering NE Kalamazoo Co. to SE Newaygo Co Ml-C) Maps covering SE Newaygo Co. to NW Wexford Co. Ml-D) Maps covering NW Wexford Co. to SE Charlevoix Co. Ml-E) Maps covering Charlevoix Co. to Mackinaw City Ml-F) Maps covering St. Ignace to SE Marquette Co. Ml-G) Maps covering Marquette area to Ironwood

Buckeye Trail (Ohio) Section Maps

'

I I

I I

• I

These detailed and easy to use maps cover the North Country Trail where it overlaps with the Buckeye Trail. They are published by the Buckeye Trail Association. $3.SO per map OH-A) Jelle Valley: Morgan, Noble & Guernsey Counties OH-B) Bowerston: Harrison, Carroll & Guernsey Counties OH-C) Ceuar Creek: Greene & Warren Counties OH-D) Deflance: Defiance, Paulding, Putnam, Henry&Wood OH-E) Delphos: Putnam, Allen & Auglaize Counties OH-F) Loveland: Clermont, Warren & Hamilton Counties OH-G) llullllon: Stark and Tuscarawas Counties OH-H) Bew Stra1'n1lle: Athens, Hocking, Morgan & Perry OH-I) Old Man's Gave: Hocking, Ross & Vinton Counties OH.J) Scioto !nil: Ross & Pike Counties OH-K) 81Jllr:1nC SprinC: Adams, Pike & Highland Counties OH-L) St. llarJI: Auglaize & Shelby Counties OH-M)SCoclr:port: Morgan, Perry & Athens Counties OH-N) TroJ: Greene, Miami & Montgomery Counties OH-0) West Union: Adams & Brown Counties OH-P) WU11amsbmg: Brown & Clermont Counties

Page 18

TRADL CiUDDEI Gulde to the Jlarth Oomdzy !rail, OhlppewaBatianal lanl& $1.18

by Roderick MacRae Description of the route a.nd tra.il log, ea.st to west. Wonder.fully written by a. Chippewa. Na.tiona.l Forest expert. 12 pgs.

$8.98

by Th~ Michigan Trailf'mders Offers a. detailed description of the tra.il from the White Cloud Tra.ilhea.d to Big Sta.r La.ke a.nd from USlO to McCarthy La.ke.

Gulde to the Pictured !locks Batlonal Lakeshore

by Olive Anderson $6.98 Pictured Rocks is .a. centerpiece of the North Country Trail a rugged, unique coast on the wild La.ke Superior shore.

Ma.ps a.re included in this revised La.keshore Trail Guide.

56 pages.

l'1nger Lakes Trail Guidebooks Published by the Finger La.kes Trail Conference, these helpful books cover various regions of the North Country Na.tiona.l Scenic Trail where it overlaps the FLT in western and central New York. $8.98 FLT in Cortland County $2.80 FLT End-To-End Guide for Backpackers $7.98 FLT: Conservation Trail to Hornell $6.98 FLT in Steuben Co (Hornell-$. Bradford) [? c:::::J

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~· WHOLESALE PRICES ~ Wholesaleprices are available for o these items in quantities of 10or more: o 0

BOOKS OF SPECIAL INTEREST •orth Country

.. Uoml 8cmlc !rall $ I.Ml

by Wes Boyd, NCTA newsletter editor Full of information, this book directs readers to more indepth resources they ma.y need to follow the trail. Although not rea.lly a. guidebook, this is our most inclusive publication covering the whole North Country Na.tiona.l Scenic Tra.il. liliiiiiiil~lill~~t/ 64 pgs.

Pollowtng the

SPIGW. SUMMIB SALi DJGI:

$19.98 Tra1ls Across .America

by Art and Marge Miller Subtitled "A Travelers Guide to Our National Scenic a.nd Historic Trails," this new book is the first to provide engaging descriptions a.nd advice on all 19 trails in our Na.tiona.l Tra.il System. 308 pgs.

Go West Old Man, Porty-live Days on the PL!

$6.98

by James E. De Wan .

DeWa.n's rendition of his 45-da.y end-to-end hike of New York's Finger La.kes Tra.il. Lovingly written by someone who rea.lly knows the tra.il.

!rall Atlas of Michigan

$ 16.98

by Dennis R. Hansen Michigan tra.il enthusiasts - don't get caught without this book! This incredible work includes maps a.nd descriptions for more tha.n 500 hiking, biking, skiing, a.nd nature trails in .

Michigan's upper a.nd lower penninsula.s. Sea.rob by location or types of use!

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Borth Country !rall .Alloclatlon

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0

!rall Building md llaintenance llanul

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by Thomas J. Reimers This very useful ma.nua.l for trail volunteers has three purposes: 1) to provide guidelines for planning and construction of the North Country Trail, 2) to provide guidelines for continued maintenance of the HCT, and 3) kl offer helpful suggestions regarding tr&B oonstiuouon and m.&intenance. It covers rural and roaded D&tun.l, •mlprtmitive a.nd primitive trail seotions. 22 JCS.

FollowingtheNorthCountryNat'IScenicTrail Guide to the NCT - Chippewa National Forest • Michigan Map Sets 0 • Trail Supporter Pin 0 • Trail Supporter Mug O • NCTATrailBuildingandMaintenanceManual O For information, 0 callfheNCTAofficeaf(616)-454-5506

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$1.00

Page 19

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

· · · · ·

MERCHANDDIE

IEMaR01DERED

PAT<HEs

IOHIOWNcrl State Strip $ 1.80 Available for all seven states

IN.C.T. - VOLUNTEERI Volunteer Strip

· · · · ·

$1.60

~35S-35MILE

Tra1l Patch

T HIKING CLUB $ a.oo Rike Distance Strips

$ 3.00

5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 35 miles hiked in one day

SSHOW YOUR

SSUPPORT!

Tra1l Supporter Pin - $ 2.96 3/4" cloisonne

BCTA T-Shirt $ 9.96 '-,•:-:'i£iP;;:;,,,;;;;~,,,,:.;;,,,,-;;--i'• dult (S,M,L,XL,XXL) \ North country

\ 1'\a\iona\ Scemc I rail

\:~*

·" v · BCTA

Mug

$ 6.96

with official emblem ·

BCTA Postcard Blue trail map

$ 0.40

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

Order Form

Item Description

Qty.

Price Ea.

Total

PlfJIJSe enclose tor sJJlpplnl/JWJdllnl: $2.00 for $3.00 for $4.00 for $5.00 for

orders $0.00-$10.00 orders $10.01-$25.00 orders $25.01-$100.00 orders over $100.00

Bame: ~~~~~~~~~~~ Address:

~~~~~~~~~-

Clty/State/ Z lp: -------

MlllCBABDISI TOTAL: ROTA Members deduct 10%: Michigan residen1is add 6% sales tax: Shipping/Handling:

- GBABD TOTAL: ate cbed or monq older pa;pbl• and •ad eo: .DfA rra11 BIJop I 41 •oJUW Dam, Salte 100• I lllUd .. ptb, III 4lltl06

Page 20

TARGETS FOR THE TURN OF THE CENTURY One

* For * One

We've upped the ante on our membership goal for the year 20001 Our new target is one meber for every one mile of trail corridor on the books. To make this easier (or harder?) we are issuing a challenge to each of the seven states along our route. Which will be the first to reach its goal?

STATE North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York

CURRENT MEMBERS

CHANGE SINCE LAST ISSUE

11 41 37 348 40 40 41

0 -1 +1 +28 +5 0 0

2000

MEMBERS NEEDED TO REACH GOAL

TRAIL MILES IN STATE

424 334 118 527 660 140 479

435 375 155 875 700 180 520

* by * 2000

Our second challenge is to reach 2000 certified miles by the year 2000. Having just passed the 1300 mile mark, we are well on our Wa:f. Here's the breakdown by state: STATE MILES North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin

CERTIFIED

%DONE

60.5 81 .o 70.9

13.9 21.6 45.7

553.6 277.4 119.3 137.6

Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York

63.3 39.6 66.3 26.4

~------------------------------------, o YES! I want to support the North Country Trail Association. Enter my annual membership at the following level: $25 Individual O $45 Organizational O $100 Pathfinder 0$400 Life (1 person) $35 Household $50 Trail Leader O $500 Corporate O $600 Life (couple)

o o

o

o I would like to be a Member-at-large, or I would like $5 of my dues to be remitted to the following Chapter: o West Michigan o Grand Traverse Hiking Club O North Country Trail Hikers(UP-Ml)

o Headwaters (MN) o Wisconsin o North Dakota

O Ohio

O Pennsylvania

I would further like to support the NCTA with my tax deductible contribution of: $" Please make check payable to: North Country Trail Association and mail to: NCTA. 49 Monroe Center t#I/, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49203

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Name Address

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City Home Phone

State

Zip

Work Phone

1 would like to volunteer the foHowing skills:-----------------------

E-Mail:

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Occupation---------

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