North Star Vol. 18, No. 4 (1999)

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September, 1999

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Trail Supporters ' Contributions, Special Renewals DONATIONS Bob Beam Clarice Burns Patrick M Delaney Loyal and Bonnie Eldridge Foundation Gene & Jean Elzinga Erie Outing Club First National Bank, Marquette, Ml Tom & Janis Gilbert Teddy Golder Ray Jarvis Neil Juhl Gerard& KarenKempa Cynthia Lynn Marquette General Hospital Mead Paper Glen & Maxine Moore Morton International Geraldine M Nault New York-New Jersey Trail Cont.

Nichols Drug Store Cader Olive Orthopaedic Surgery Assoc. of Marquette Parker/Hunter Inc. Victoria W. Parlin Gail Poterack Mary Snitgen Lewis J Snyder Spirit of the Woods Conservation Club Robert and Harriet Stephens Surgical Associates of Marquette, P.C. George T Tresnak

Tony Malikowski Kent Nordin Cader Olive Peter & SusanOrdway Willard & Joan Wolfe

Trail Leaders:

Businesses:

R. Walter Bachman Thomas and Patricia Backe Robert Beck Mark Bissell George Blaske Bert R Bleke Keith Boudreau Fred & Donna Davis James& MaureenDoull Michael D. Eberhard Jan Fiedler Tom & Janis Gilbert Peter B Gradoni Paul Haan Dennis R Hansen David A Hutchinson Doug Kee Ron Lovasz Gary & Barbara Lyall Bill Mansfield Richard R McKnight Richard Moblo Bruce 0 Nelson Ray and Elaine Papp Joseph E Raynor John Richardson J. Robert Routt Michael Schuler Bing Tai and Catherine Allen William A Tokar Steve Vear Brian R Warmkessel Rodger& DeniseWolf Todd Woodard David E. Younger

Prairieville Family Inn Trees Inc.

New Members:

MEMBERSHIPS

Organizations: Adirondack Mt Club Field Program Barnes County Wiklfe Fed Bureauof Reclamation, Bismarck ND Erie Outing Club Kent County Parks (Ml) Second Wind Running Club

NCTPatron : Walter M Srogi

Pathfinders : David E Adams Len & JoAnne Baron David and Jan Cornell Richard D. Flinn Don Flyckt Edwin F. Liddle Christopher and Margo Light Larry Mulder Andrew C Newcom Linnea J. Newman &

Heidimarie E. Adams Jerry Affholter James A. Allen Alternatives Library Daniel J. Anderson Aaron Anderson David M. Anderson Kirsten Anderson Robert Andrzejek Keith Apffel Armadillo Custom Dry Goods John Ashby Richard Ashcroft Jill M. Askey James R Auger Christine Azbell R. Walter Bachman Vincent Bailey Jane Balcer Bruce 0. Barr Steve Barrows David J. Barton Thomas Bausman Robert Beck Robert P. Beck

and New Members

Eric Beck Mark Becker Todd L. Beel Jim Berch Richard E. Bierma Thomas L. Blasius George Blaske Bert R Bleke Lowell W. Bliss LeRoy Bliven David Boboltz Richard C. Bodnar Paul M. Bodnar Susan Bojanowski Keith Boudreau Debra A. Boyne Tim Brandon Jim Brien Robert C. Brierly Janette Brink Zachary Brock Linda Brook Gary Brouse Karen Brown John P. Brownrigg H. Clair Bruce Jerry Brucksch David P. Budziszek Matt Burbank David Burgan Robert L. Burris David Byrne James Byrne Francis J Cain Ned M. Campbell John Chamberlain Mike Chase Michael Clark Kimberly Clark Cynthia Clark Joe M. Cluts Lynette D. Cohen Dennis Collison Deborah H. Conklin James 0 Cox Nancy L. Crandall Brad Crandall Neil Damsky Lyle Dankers Patricia Danzon Jack E. Davis Fred & Donna Davis Matt DeWitt Robert D. Decker Claire L. Dedow Mike Deminico Carl & Margot Dengel Fal Desaint-Phalle John Diephouse Elaine Dotter Keith R Dougherty James Douglass Thomas Dwenger Sharon Dziengel Michael Eberhard Martin J. Eggener Mary A. Eldred John Elms Linda Emerson Richard Engstrom Bryon & Amy Ennis

Richard Erickson Erie Outing Club Randal Eshuis David & Anne Estle Mary Jane Ezell Scott & Allison Felten Jan Fiedler Patrick Flannigan Jeff Fleming Carolyn Flietstra Richard D. Flinn John Fojut Robert Fox Geoffrey J. Frank William C. Frasier Michael J. Friedman Sue Funk Catherine Gardner Robert and Eugenia Garner John & Nancy Gertig AM. Gilleo Donald and Barbara Gilmore Girl Scout Troop 21 o Preston M. Givens Mark Goldfield and Mary Hatch Donald B. Gore Roger Goren Richard Gorton Lorna M. Goshman J. Steele Gow Mark E. Granville Robert J. Griesmer Gerardo L. Guevara Steven L. Hall Mary Hall Dennis L. Hall Ronald Hand Curt Harler John P. Harris Laurence Harwood DK Hawley D. James Heaton Flo & Carter Hedeen Kenneth M. Hekman Bob M. Henahan Eunice Hendrix David and Frances Herring Dave Hetrick Annie Hill Roi Hoezee Archie E. Hollabaugh Carl & Karen Hooks Mark Hren Randal R Huber Ceceilia Huebner David Huizen RobertV. Hull Jonathan Igoe Bob Jacobowski Patrick J. Jacobs Patty L. Jaeger Jan E. Jefferson Steve Johgart Patricia Johns Karen Johnson Steve Johnson Faith Johnson William T. Johnson

since our last issue of the North Star -

Joycelynn Johnson Ester Johnston Thomas E. Jonak Sean Jordan Larry Junck Charles M. Kahrs Doug Kee Carol Kehrer Dennis D. Kendrick Keith Kepler Linda Kidder and Christopher Wolfe Charles King Ronna & RobertKlaput Mary R. Klein Judith Kleis Kathy Kody Alan & Rosalie Kogan Ronald F. Kolady Pat Kosack Patricia Kovacevich Greg Kowalewski Michael Kramer Richard W. Kujawa Kay Kujawa Rodney C. Kurzer Mark Lackowski Andrew J. Laird Ray Landfried George & Edna Landon John A. Laughrey Patricia Lea Cassie Lewis Edwin F. Liddle Christopher and Margo Light Matthew Lockhart Priscilla Lussmyer Bruce Lyall William H. Lynch Howard Lyons Barbara MacDonald Jeffrey Maclean Bill Mansfield Ron Margetin Randolph G. Markham Marion Marsh Duane and Beverly Mattheis Linda McCall James E. McCarthy Guyer and Kimberly McCracken Steven J. McDonald Kathleen M. McGill James T. McGraw Charles McKay Richard R McKnight Jill Medlyn Nick & Lianne Mehmed Michael J. Meier Del Meyer Michael Miller Duane E. Mills Michele M. Mitchell Alan Mize Richard Moblo Martha Molnar Kathleen M. Moore Rebecca Moore Brian D. Morawczynski R Dale Moretz

Robert Morgridge Bob Morris Mike G. Motley Elizabeth C. Motten Sherman Moyer Clancy Mueller Douglas A. Mueller Larry Mulder John Murray Tom Murray Mike Nagel Frank Nagy John Neeley Linnea Newman and Tony Malikowski Jane Nicholl Kent Nordin Corrie Norrbom Malcolm D. Norton Eugene Ollila Ruth Olsen Peter & Susan Ordway Jan L. Overman Barbara Palm Patricia A. Parmelee Peggy L. Penny Stephen E. Pew Sylvia Pfeifer Robert J. Phardel William Phillips Gregory T. Phillips Mark J. Phillips Judy Pietz John Pintirsch Julia E. Piper Terry Plesko Gayle Poertner Prairieville Family Inn Duane Prins Barbara L. Pritchard Janet Pruis Jeff Pullen Scott C. Radtke Kathy Ralston Ralph E. Ramey Richard Ramsey Iris Rand Charles Ransford Linda Riggins Ingrid Risop Joshua Roberts Michael Robinaugh Walter and Jodell Rockenstein Kim R Rosenberger David Rostad J. Robert Routt Robert Ruble Paul Rudolph Sharon Rueger Karen E. Ryan Bruce L. Ryder Ginger Sage David M. Scheid John Schimmel Nancy Schlager Howard G. Schneider Leah R Schoenbohm Gale & Donna Scholten Edward M. Schrand Lynn A. Schreiber Michael Schuler

Russ & Janice Schultz Robert L. Schultz LeRoy & Helen Schultz Tony Schwaller Kent L. Scott Antoinette Segitz James Shaum Jim Shepherd Tom Shier Alfred Shikany James Jerry Shoemaker Ben Shor David Sidaway E. William Slentz Richard Smith David F. Smith Don Smuk James C. Spencer Sharon Speelman Virginia Spriggs Mike Stasik Billie Stedman Sara Stedman Kevin R. Steffens Scott Stewart Ann E. Stickel Patricia Stock Joel A. Stoner Darlene Strand Peggy Stratton Wilhelmina Szabo Louis J. Szakal Thomas Szpond Bing Tai and Catherine Allen Grant Thomas William A Tokar Charles Toth Trees Inc. Pamela M. Triplett Daniel S. Tuell Sidney Tuinstra John H. Ullmann Julie Van Valkenburg Michael M. VanRyzin Village of Scarsdale Martin J. Voss Jerry Wachter William Wagner Brian R Warmkessel Paul and Ann Warren Harold E. Watson Renate Watters Richard Weir James A. Weis David E. Weiss David J. Wildner Robert Wirth Abigail L. Wojahn Rodger & Denise Wolf Mary K. Wolf Stuart D. Wolf Willard & Joan Wolfe Todd Woodard Shari Michelle Woodard Charles Worms David Wright Andrew Wright James L. Wuille David E. Younger Karl Zinmeister Bruce Zollner

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

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1999

k••

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION

49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 Phone (616) 454-5506 FAX (616) 454-7139 Email: NCTAssoc@aol.com www.northcountrytrail.org

Executive Director Bob Papp Recreation Planner Dirk Mason Project Manager Margie Kindel Office Manager Glory Meyer Carol Gibner Records Manager Bookkeeper Joan Buenavista Melanee Vandermolen Cartographer Editor: Wes Boyd 14815 Rome Road.

Manitou Beach, Ml 49253 (517) 547- 7 402 • wesboyd@dmci.net Contributing Editor: Joan Young 861 US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205• jhy@t-one.net OFFICERS President: Werner Veit 49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 (616) 454-5506 • wv12@aol.com Vice President (Financial): David Cornell 514 Cordes Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659 • janc128@aol.com Vice President of Trails (West): John Leinen, Jr. 14205 St. Croix Trail N, Stillwater MN 55082-9587 (612) 433-4456 • jleinen@mtn.org Vice President{Trails East): Lynn Waldron 8133 Norris Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-5340• lwaldron3@juno.com Secretary Joan Young 861 West US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205 • jhy@t-one.net Published five times annually in January, April, June, August and October by the North Country Trail Association, a private, non-profit 501 (c)3 organization as a benefit of membership in the organization.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the North Country Trail Association.

hStar Features Fourth of July Fireworks Devastate BWCAW

9

Arrowhead Route plans -- and the hopes of 2000 miles of NCNST by 2000 -- have been dealt a major setback by a major storm that downed hundreds of thousands of trees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It could take five years or more to reopen the Kekekabic and Border Route.

Savoring Autumn on Western Ohio's NCT

11

Two weeks of walking through western Ohio's autumn makes an interesting hike for the Park Service's Bill Menke. He found trails that were much better than he expected.

Your Help Needed on Willing Seller Legislation 16 After many years of trying, willing seller bills have been introduced in Washington. Your help is needed to make this vital legislation a reality.

Finding the Arrowhead's Left Blade

18

Open houses are being held on three possible new route for the trail through western Minnesota.

Western Michigan Chapter to the rescue

19

The Chapter is busy cleaning up a long-time problem area.

A New Bridge in Central New York

20

A big bridge on the Link Trail puts another piece in place beyond the Finger Lakes Trail.

RegularDepartments Keyboard Trails Trailhead Hiking Shorts On The Horizion Heart and Sole North Country Trail Shop Executive Director Report

5 6 7 8 21 24 28

Cover Photo: Long-distancehiker -- and NPS North Country Trail Manager Bill Menke on the Little Miami Trail near Xenia, Ohio, last fall.

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September,

1999

NCTA Trail Council Directories Chair: John Leinen

West End n-ail Council

To be assigned: /lovers Outing Club Keltebabk Trail Club Su erior Hilting Trail Association f\Ll,i.1E Nancy Odden, Council Rep. "/>.f oRG路

ND State Coordinator Jon Lindgren

Brule-St.Croix Chapter Peter Nordgren, President 11260 E. Timber Ridge Rd., Lake Nebagamon, WI S4B49 (715) 394-B340, pnordgre@staff.uwsuper.edu

2385 Manitou Trail, Harbor Springs, Ml 49740 (616) 526-9597 keeney@freeway.net

4406 Maplecrest, Parma OH 44134 (216) B84-4757

& Council /lep. For Chief Noonday Chapter

Lynn Waldron

Baw Beese Chapter Richard Saur, President

B133 Norris Rd, Delton, Michigan 49046 (616) 623-5340, lwaldron3@juno.com

PO Box 673, Hillsdole, Ml 49242, (517) 437-0746 AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION

reat Trail路 Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley, President

Buckeye Trail Association Dana Zintek, Council Rep. 2369 Suncrest Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 92B-B931

-~r;a~~ .....

n-ail Council Finger Lakes Trail Conference Harmon Strong, Council Rep. 76 Shellwood Dr., Rochester, NY 14618 (716) SB6-3B46

Len Baron, Council Rep.

OH State Coordinator Jim Sprague

w Bradley Rd, River Hills, WI 53217-1719 (414) 354-B9B7, gaylyost@aol.com

Chair, Ml (Lower} State Coordinator

514 Cordes Rd., Delton, Ml 49046 (616) 623-B659, jancl 2B@aol.com

10554 Colby Rd, Gowen, Ml 49326 (616)9B4-S917

PO Box 234, Delta, OH 43515 (BOO) 951-47BB, 140years@powersupply.net

2925

Chief Noonday Chapter Dave Cornell, President

Western Micjigan Chapter Tom Learmont, President

Northwestern Ohio flails-to-Trails Association__ Gene Markley, Council Rep.

WI State Coordinator G ay I or d y os t

Box 475, Mellen, WI 54546 (715) 274-2521 tturonie@centuryinter.net

Spirit of the Woods Chapter _.,, Joan Young, Preside!楼

10B22 26th Ave Grand Rapids Ml 49544 (616) 677-359B

Middle Island, Marquette, Ml 49BSS 06) 225-1704, im4troils@ool.com

lQ1

Chequamegon Chapter Tana Turonie, President

1 OB6 Quaker Valley Drive Traverse City, Ml 496B4 (616) 223-7903,Napper@alien.com

B61 West USIO /' Scottville, Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205, jhy@t-one.net

Rt# 1, Box 59 A Pelkie, Ml 499SB-971 S (906) 33B-26BO dwelker@up.ne

Ml (Upper} State Trail Coordinator and President, f,orth Country Trail Hikers Gene Elzinga

1210 W 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-0130

Har/Jar Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney, President

Grand Traverse Hiking Clull (Chapter} Richard Naperala, President

Pefer Wolle Chapter Doug Welker, Presiden

731 7th Avenue Two Harbors MN 55616 (21B)B34-2700

OH-Ml n-ail Council

1561 Bomanville Rd., Gladwin, Michigan 4B62 (SI 7) 345-2677

Chair: Pat Miller RR#4 Box 135, Cliffwood Dr, Prairie DuChien, WI S3B21, (60B) 326-7354

MN State Coordinator & Headwaters Chapter Rod MacRae

2001 H 7th St Fargo ND SB102-S07S (701) 231-BB09, jlindre@badlands.nodak.edu

Titta/Jawass11e Chapter Jerry Allen, President

Great Lakes n-ail Council

14205 St.Croix Trail North, Stillwater, MN SSOB2-9SB7 (651) 433-4456, jleinen@mtn.org

American Youth Hostels Pittsburgh Council Bob Roth, Council Rep. BO Roseleaf Road Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (412) 279-6219

PA State Coordinator Bob Tait 277 S Duffy .Rd. Butler, PA 16001 (724) 2B7-33B2 Bob_Tait@nauticom.net

Clarion County Chapter Carol Atwell, President P.O. Box 1 S, Marble PA 16334 (B14) 354-277B, atwell@mail.usachoice.net

Butler County Chapter Joe Smith, President 233 E Christy Ave, Butler PA 16001-6303 (724) 287-B374

Wampum Chapter .............._ Richard Lutz, President -...........

Rt 1Box1341, Wampum, PA 16157 (724) 652-8185, lutznctl@lcix.net

Chair & NY State Coordinator: Howard Beye 202 Colebourne Rd Rochester, NY 14609 (716) 2BB-7191, fltc@axsnet.com

Central New York Chapter Al Larmann, President 7169 Forbes Rd.,Canastota, NY 13032 larmann@worldnet.att.net (315) 697-33B7 ...,

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

Keyboard Trails by the Editor The deadline for the October-December issue of the North Star is October 1, 1999. Items received well before that date are much appreciated. The deadline for the January-March issue will be January 1, 2000.

One of the extra jobs that I somehow got myself stuck with for the North Country Trail Association is that of being Chairman of the Awards Committee, so it was a little embarrassing to discover a couple of weeks ago that somehow the Chairman of the Awards Committee had somehow failed remind the Editor of the North Star to announce last year's Distinguished Service and Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

Oops.

So, in our better late than never department, I want to announce that the 1998 Distinguished Service Award Winners were New York's Howard Beye and Michigan's Pat Allen.

I don't know how long Howard has been the trail chair for the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, but he was doing it before I got involved with the North Country Trail. He's been the New York State Coordinator for the North Country Trail for many years. When it comes to developing, maintaining and administering trail, Howard has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. His great fund of knowledge has for many years been a very valuable resource for us relative newcomers as we struggle to learn some of the things that he thoroughly understands. Building the trail, not only in New York but across the seven states, would be far more difficult than it is were it not for his expertise. Giving him the Distinguished Service Award is small thanks far all that he has done for the trail.

Pat Allen is another person that predates me with involvement with the trail, and that's getting to be a long way. Pat has been with the trail since near the beginning, and it would be difficult to list all the things that she's done to help the trail out, from her discussion of the trail in her book about Michigan hiking trails, to helping develop the trail's slide show, and in taking over the Executive Director position when we were struggling to make the concept of having a paid executive director work. One of Pat's most important legacies, however, comes from her long-time work as a staff member for various representatives of the Michigan Legislature. There are not many people on either side of the aisle in either house of the legislature that Pat doesn't know, and her contacts range on to Washington and to other states. The North Country National Scenic Trail and the Association have a long history of

Page 5

excellent and productive political contacts, and this has involved a lot of work over the years. Pat laid the foundation for many of those contacts, and showed us the way to use them.

Like Howard, awarding her the Distinguished Service award was a small and belated token of our esteem for all the work that she has done for the trail over the years.

The final award, the highest that the Association presents, is the Lifetime Achievement Award. The stature of this award was set by the first person that we awarded it to, Tom Gilbert of the National Park Service, in 1997. Tom has been involved with the trail since it was hardly more than an idea, and there were many times over a decade or more that when the flame of the idea of the trail was burning low, he sheltered it in his hands.

So, it was no great challenge to make the decision to give the 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award to Derek Blount, pastpresident and longtime board member of the North Country Trail Association. Derek is a busy man, and he's had a lot of irons in the fire for the Association and elsewhere for as long as I've known him. I mentioned good political contacts when talking about Pat Allen, but Derek is the other prime reason for them -- not for any great knowledge of politicians or the political process, but from the realization that the spade work has to get done -- the hands have to be shaken, the points presented, the letters written. For many years, we dumped a lot of this on Derek, partly because there wasn't anyone else interested in doing it, but mostly because we knew it would get done.

But in thinking of Derek and his accomplishments, I think back to the 1990 Tenth Anniversary Celebration. For those people that came aboard afterward, I should explain that there was the realization from the 1990s that we should have some sort of a big promotional event, and that the 10th Anniversary of the Trail in 1990 was a good time and reason to do it. The problem was that we had a lot of good ideas, but no one that was willing to do the endless spade work needed to carry them out. This was long before we had an executive director, so someone had to do it the hard way, as a volunteer. Derek stepped forward, separated the wheat of the ideas from the chaff, and went to work making contacts and getting people to volunteer to work the group hikes at thirty or so locations across the length of the trail. The hike wasn't as successful as we had dreamed it would be, but it accomplished its mission -- we got more favorable media coverage of the event than we'd ever gotten for the trail in the several years before. That event started a growth for the Association that continues to this day, and Derek guided a lot of that growth. He truly deserves the award.

The decisions have been made on who this year's winners are, but I'm not revealing them here since this issue may be out by the meeting in Pennsylvania, and they, too, are deserving winners of the awards. However, I do promise to try to be a little more timely in reporting on who they are to you in these pages.

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

Trail Head

by President Werner Veit As you will read in Bob Papp's Directors' Report, we gained 428 new members from our recently-concluded mail membership campaign.

That's impressive and welcome but what will really count for our future will be whether we make membership compelling enough to make each of those who took a chance on us sign up again with enthusiasm next year.

That's up to you and me. Signing up members is the easy part. Making sure that the new members get fully involved in our programs is quite another. I hope we will all decide right now to adopt some new members, get them out on the trail and on work parties and demonstrate the joys of making real the vision of our seven-state trail.

I promise to do my part. One way headquarters can help, is to look at the list of the 227 members who elected to be at large, to see whether there might not be a chapter nearby they could joinaor we might get a clue in the process whether there are enough new members in a particular region so that starting a new chapter might be feasible.

All 18 chapters gained new members through the mailing.

BawBeese (Michigan) ended up with 15 new members, BruleSt. Croix (Wisconsin) 4; Butler (Pennsylvania) 15, Chequamegon (Wisconsin) 4; Clarion (Pennsylvania) 3; Chief Noonday (Michigan) 14; Central New York, 9; Grand Traverse (Michigan) 3; Great Trail-Sandy Beaver (Ohio) 12; Headwaters, the only chapter in Minnesota, 32; Harbor Springs, 2; Heritage, 34; North Country Trail Hikers (Michigan) 6; Peter Wolfe (Michigan) 1; Spirit of the Woods (Michigan) 3; Tittibawassee (Michigan) 5; Wampum (Pennsylvania) 5, and

Western Michigan 29.

I am hoping that ournext big push will be in North Dakota which does not yet have a chapter but a number of folks have expressed an interest in possibly starting chapters in Fargo and Bismarck. We also need more chapters in Minnesota where we only have one right now.

The growth of our chapters-they now number 18-as well as the growth of our membership now up to 1683-less than 100 short of our goal for the entire year- was expected to be a particular cause for celebration at tour annual conference in Pennsylvania going on at about the time of the printing of this issue of the North Star.

*

*

*

For the second time in 18 months I've had a direct lesson in the healing power of walking, a quality all hikers know about and cherish. At the end of June, I had surgery on my neck to correct a herniated disc and bone chips compressing nerves in the cervical area.

After the operation, the therapists fitted me with a collar! look like a yoked horse-and told to take it easy except for walking. Walk as much as you can easily stand, the surgeon says. (The booklet on convalescence they gave me at the hospital specifically exempted me from other work-housework was mentioned specifically as a "no-no."

Today, four weeks later, I manage a morning walk around the lake where I live and sometimes a more modest walk in the afternoon. The lake circuit comprises 4.7 miles of woodland and backwater, a cheerful route where the goldfinches, resplendent in breeding plumage, are beginning their hunt for nesting sites and the occasional rose-breasted grosbeak poses as if on a fashion runway.

They're all a part of the healing process, along with the deep Summer colors painted by the brilliant chicory on the roadsides, a startling blue against the cream of the Queer Anne's lace and the deep plum of the teasel that still withs tam the invasion of the purple loosestrife choking the wetlands.

I have two goals: To manage 10 to 12 miles by the fat season in the North Country and to avoid surgery for awhik so that I don't have to start over again.

Now Available: The new, third edition of

Following the North Country National Scenic Trail

by North Star Editor Wes Boyd The standard overview of the trail, newly revised and updated for 1999 1n91udes a new section on the history of the trail. • Lots of Photos!

$4.95 from the North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 Phone (616) 454-5506 FAX (616) 454-7139 Email: NCTAssoc@aol.com

NORTH ST AR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

1999

Page 7

Hiking Shorts Agreement reached on Onondaga - Link Trail route in New York

The GTHC Bridge Crew -- hot, tired, hungry and proud! Left to right, Roger Raehl, Don Burmeister, Bud Ward, Dick Naperala, Gary Olson, Dan Mixer and Mike Shaeffer.

Trail work for Trails Day National Trails Day dawned with sunny, bright-blue skies and summer heat as the Grand Traverse Hiking Club gathered at Baxter Bridge on the Manistee River for a work bee. The GTHC, a chapter of the North Country Trail Association, scheduled a variety of work related projects in celebration of National Trails Day, June 5. The event began with rolls and coffee and a warm welcome to US Senator Carl Levin and US Congressman Bart Stupak,

by President Dick Naperala. Senator Levin and Representative Stupak praised the club's effort to build and maintain its 60 mile section of the North Country Trail as well as the trail work that is being done across the state. Both men spoke to the view that the NCT is an important component in the recreational and environmental future of not only the state of Michigan but the nation as a whole. Then President Naperala outlined the GTHC's ambitous projects for the day: erect mile signs along the pathway, create rustic camping sites, clear a parking area at the trailhead along M-37 south of Buckley and build a bridge across Wheeler Creek. The volunteers eagerly divided into four groups and set off to complete the agenda.

The first three groups finished their tasks by mid afternoon and then enjoyed a picnic with provisions donated by Meijers, McDonalds, Sam's Club and Oleson's Grocery and prepared by NTD chairs Donna and Larry Dodd, assisted by Fred and Kathy Sabel. The building of the bridge proved to be the most complex task, requiring engineering skills and great physical stamina as timbers and stone were dragged a quarter of a mile to the creek crossing before the building could begin. The crew elected to remain at their tasks until the bridge was finished, so dinner was brought-to their work site "chuck wagon style."

Everyone was pleased to have fulfilled the entire agenda.

One of the more controversial problems for the North Country Trail to be facing over the past couple of years has been the routing of the North Country Trail near Syracuse, New York.

Many problems of routing the North Country Trail are problems of finding any workable route at all. The reverse is true here, where there are two excellent, well maintained routes to chose from, more or less parallel to each other: the Onondaga Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail, which is maintained by the Onondage Chapter of the Adirondack Mountian Club, and the Link Trail, to the east, maintained by the Central New York Chapter of the North Country Trail Association.

Each of the trails had a lot going for it. The Onondaga has an excellent, scenic connection to the FLT, and was long envisoned to be a part of the route. The Link Trail, however, is being actively developed, and has better connections to the north.

After a series of meetings with the parties involved, a compromise route was finally agreed upon, combining the best portions of both the Onondaga and the Link Trails.

The remaining segments of both trails will be considered for "connecting or side trail" status under the National Trails System Act. "These consensus decisions bring closure to the question of the North Country National Scenic Trail route selection between the Finger Lakes Trail and Cazenovia, NY." The new route will follow the Onondaga Branch of the FLT northward to a point near Spruce Pond, located on Herlihy Road, then cut a new route eastward, partly through Highland Forest County Park, where a system of existing hiking-only trails is used, and continueseast to join with the Link Trail on the east flanks of Tinselor Hill.

The Link Trail is followed northward, crossing through the Nelson Swamp Unique Area on an abandoned rail grade, where a new bridge was recently constructed. (see Page 20 of this North Star) A detailed description of the new route will be printed in a future issue of the North Star.

North of Cazenovia the Gorge Trail and portions of an abandoned railgrade owned by the New York state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will be followed most of the way to Canastota and the Old Erie Canal State Park.

Now that the decision has been reached on this compromise route between two very strong alternatives, the National Park Service hopes that existing portions of trail which meet trail standards can begin to be certified.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

Page 8

On The Horizon 6th National Scenic and Historic Trails Conference • Sept 12-16 The Partnership for the National Trails System will hold the Sixth Conference on National Scenic and National Historic Trails on September 12-16 in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. Join Federal Trail Managers, state and local agency partners, and trail organization leaders from throughout America to share information and enjoy the beauty and history of the High Sierra. The theme of the conference is to come and learn how to secure Federal, state and private funding to support trail projects, protect the resources that make a trail special and sustain an organization's work. Workshops and presentations will explore the intricacies of TEA-21, the Recreational Trails Fund and the Land & Water Conservation Fund, explain the workings of land trusts, and show how to build a coprorate sponsorship program. Meeting time will be provided for caucuses of historic and scenic trail organizations and to discuss issues. There will be time to share pictures and stories of trail projects and activities and to enjoy the late summer breezes along the shore of Lake Tahoe. Field Trips will explore the rich beauty and history of the Sierra Nevada. Hikes will be on the Pacific Crest NST and the Tahoe Rim Trail. Interpretive tours will trace the Donner and Carson routes to the California gold fields. Registration materials will be available in early July. Contact Gary Werner, Partnership for the National Trails System, at (608) 249- 7870 or NATTRAILS@aol.com for information and registration materials.

KTA Annual Meeting and Fall Hiking Weekend • Sept 24-26 The Keystone Trails Association will hold their Annual Meeting and Fall Hiking Weekend at Camp Kanesatake, Spruce Creek, south of State College, PA, on the weekend of Sept. 24-26. Contact Keystone Trails Association, PO Box 25 I, Cogan Station, PA 17728-0251 for more information.

25th King's Mountian Re-enactment • Sept 24 - Oct. 7 25 Reenactment of the Revolutionary War Campaign to Kings Mountian, held by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association. Contact: Grand Marshal George Stephens, (919) 638-4725.

Building on Leopold's Legacy - Oct. 5-7 Conservation for a new century, a national conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, Madison, WI. Contact WASA&L, (608) 263-1692

National Land Trust Rally '99 •Oct. 4-17 Sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance, Snowmass, CO. Contact: LTA, (202) 638-4725.

National Trust for Historic Preservation SOth Conference • Oct 19-24 Contact National Trust for Historic Preservation, (202) 588-6000. ,.-;.:'?~:·X··;: .·:·: ·::. ;,.;.~· ...:••••• .'t;.·z..·:;; ..... ""'••. ·, (.",. .. ,._.. -sx ~:·.::::·.::·:.:·:.:..:.:

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' Vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of a premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hikers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.

Butler Chapter hosts AHS Volunteer Vacation The Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail Association hosted a Volunteer Vacation, June 21 to 25th, sponsored by the American Hiking Society. The volunteers visiting stayed at Moraine State Park and helped the North Country Trail Association build and maintain some of the trails. They worked on a couple of bridges, built new trail at the Stone House, and moved some trail. They were hosted by volunteers from the North Country Trail Chapters. This was one of the very few such sites in the eastern part of the US this year.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

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Cleanup needed on Border Route, Kekekabic

Fourth of July fireworks devastate BWCAW Early afternoon on July 4th, mother nature decided to set off her own awesome natural fireworks in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, of Minnesota. This devastation occurred in the form of an amazingly powerful thunderstorm producing straight line winds ranging from 80 to 100 m.p.h. These winds blew down an estimated 386,000 acres of forest, in some places downed trees were stacked up to fifteen feet high for acres. In a 35 mile swath, 10 to 12 miles wide, over 80% of the trees were blown down or snapped off.

Hitting the heart of the BWCA Wilderness, the area most affected begins in the Basswood Lake area north of Ely and extends eastward to the Clearwater, Pine, Caribou Lake area near Grand Marais.

Of great interest to the NCTA is that the Kekekabic Trail and the Border Route Trail are contained in this area. These two trails are vital components of the Minnesota Arrowhead Reroute, already late in the planning process. Reports say that these trails are impassable. Two Kekekabic Trail Club volunteers working behind a two person Forest Service crew that was chain sawing, cut a path westward from the east trailhead of that trail. Their one day effort brought them to the wilderness boundary a mile in at Mine Lake.

On July, 14th, US Forest Service Eastern Regional Forester Robert Jacobs authorized limited use of motorized and mechanized equipment, by the Forest Service and their subcontractors only, to clear trail and clean up storm damage on portages and campsites within the Boundary Water Canoe

Area Wilderness. Jacobs identified nearly 800 campsites, 80 miles of portages and over 130 miles of hiking trails impacted by the storm. Acknowledging the unique nature of the Boundary Waters and the high use by the public, he agreed that the forest needs to reopen the trails, portages and campsites.

Knowing the resolve of the Kekekabic Trail Club and their fellow Minnesota Wilderness Trails Alliance partners, the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and the Minnesota Rovers, we know that these trails will be reopened one way or another. We hope that the 130 miles of trail identified by Forester Jacobs includes the Border Route and Kekekabic Trails.

We also hope that the budget holds out long enough to address the trails in this area with a much higher percentage of canoe/portage travel than foot trave!. I'm sure that in light of the resolve of the volunteers and the unsafe working conditions the Forest Service will make every effort to reopen these trails.

Of course this also should be considered an opportunity.

While blowdowns are a common form of forest disturbance, devastation of this size is unusual.

Historically, in the Boundary Waters, fires have followed blowdown areas and renewed the forests. Bird and animal species will be impacted in major ways as their particular forest environment was instantly changed. In northeast Minnesota, North Country Trail hikers will now have a more varied experience as they travel through this remote area and observe the cycle of the northern forest.

-- by John Leinen, Jr.

Hike the Kek? Maybe in Five Years

By Derrick Passe President, Kekekabic Trail Club In April, Phil Alban and I hiked the entire Kek Trail in preparation for the KTC's Spring Clearing Trips. What with the deadfalls and wet trail it was strenuous, but we accomplished our goal. It is especially sweet considering that it will be many years if ever that I will be able to do it again.

Our goal this past week was to scout the trail in a different way. As late as Monday before we left we were vacillating

whether to bring a canoe along to scout the trail. When we left the Twin Cities on Friday we had decided on bringing two canoes, two hikers to scout the trail, two people to shuttle the hikers, and twocanoers to follow the hikers from the water. By the time we left Smitty's on Saturday Morning, the plan had changed to renting a canoe for Justin Bodie and Bruce Anderson to use while scouting the Old Pines Loop. The rest of us, John Selbitshka, Jim Luadtke (another veteran of this spring's scouting trip), Phil Alban, and myself, took two canoes and a tow rope to scout and hike the Kek Trail from

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Thomas Lake to Bingshick Lake. At Disappointment Lake we split up, Justin and Bruce heading to the Kek at the South end of the Lake with keys to both vehicles, the rest ofus heading for the Portage into Ahsub Lake.

Heading North, we saw some trees broken off along the way, but didn't run into anything widespread until the portage into Ima Lake. Things got progressively worse as we canoed to Thomas Lake. After setting up camp at Thomas Lake we went back to the Kek Trail to start flagging the trail. We split up and headed either way from the Thomas River. We spent around two hours trying to find and flag the Trail and only managed to cover about 1 /4 mile before turning around. At that point we realized that hiking the trail to flag it to Strup Lake was not an option. Lack of use of the trail combined with aspen leaves, not to mention trees, over the tread made finding the trail too time consuming.

We spent the next morning paddling around to Strup Lake.

The amount of damage kept getting worse as we approached Strup Lake. We spotted the campsite on Strup Lake by the cord of wood stacked up by the chainsaw crews that had cleared the campsite. The campsite was not useable though since the entire area did not have a tree left standing. The fire grate was found, but the latrine is still buried somewhere under the trees. The tallest thing left were aspen that had been broken off twenty feet up from the ground. From the campsite we spent 20 minutes trying to follow the spur up to the Kek. It took about ten minutes to be sure that we were actually on the trail. Phil and Jim flagged the trail down to the Portage while John and I brought the canoes around. We left the trail to paddle across Kekekabic Lake hoping to find the trail in better shape at the Bridge.

We stopped for Lunch at the Kekekabic Cabin (now being referred to as the Little House on the Prairie). Phil and I figure that we are the last two people to actually hike down from the Kek Trail to the Cabin. Considering the condition of the area, this spur to the Kek will probably never be reopened.

Paddling through Kekekabic Lake we tried to figure out if there was some pattern to why areas (albeit small) survived unscathed while others were completely destroyed. There didn't seem to be any good explanation.

At the Portage between Mueller and Agamok Lakes we stopped to hike down to the Bridge. The trail had been cleared down to the Bridge. We witnessed a good reason not to clear trails except by professionals. Although the ridge to the West should have protected this area, a number of trees including a 2-foot diameter red pine had been knocked down. A chunk of tree had been rolled off the trail, but the stump, including 8 foot of the tree itself were standing straight up off the trail. A person caught by this tree would have been sent flying over the nearby drop-off. The Bridge itself had lost some sections of its railing by a tree that had fallen on it after the wind died down and it fell backwards. Chainsaw crews had removed the tree.

The Kekekabic Trail sign which is located about twenty feet

east of the Bridge could not be found under the large number of trees which had fallen there.

We finished the day off by paddling across Agamok to the East Side of Gabimichigami Lake. Weather forecasts the next morning predicting a 60 to 70% chance of severe thunderstorms prompted us to skip checking out the trail at Gabimichigami and Howard Lake campsites and hooked up with the trail next at Seahorse Lake. Here at least we had some encouragement. The swampy area and the protection from the Westerly slope make a portion of this trail manageable with handtools. This was a pattern that is probably true of other parts of the East End of the Kek. We managed to make a new portage along the Kek from the Chub River into Fay Lake and crossed the Kek again between Fay and Glee Lakes. The Kek shares the Portage between Glee Lake and B ingshick for about 30 Rods. This portage was wall to wall trees and limbs because there was no place to get rid of the branches and logs.

The Kek where it split off to the West was a solid wall of deadfalls. The easterly leg which parallels Bingshick appeared workable and had signs ofuse by hikers. The westerly campsite on Bingshick is in good shape, but the East site being on a point has trees preventing access to the trail and latrine.

Being done looking at the trail we headed to the portage on the South side ofBingshick. Here we ran into the only portages that had not been cleared. The two ten rod portages going South from Bingshick had numerous trees on them, and a group that we passed reported that the portage between Gutter and Crag Lakes had not been cleared. The tree falls continued to decrease as we headed out to Round Lake.

We were glad to see our vehicle (delivered by Bruce and Justin) in the parking lot at Round Lake. After Jim paying off his bet at Sven and Ole's we headed back to the Cities, considering our scouting trip complete and hopefully beneficial to the reestablishment of the Kekekabic Trail.

Special thanks to Mike Manlove for pre-trip trail reports and 7 AM wake up calls, USFS chainsaw crews for clearing the portages and campsites, Smitty's for accommodations, breakfast and motor tows, and my scouting companions.

Derrick Passe is the President of the Kekekabic Trails Club. In a cover letter to this report, he comments: "This is my report of the scouting trip on the Kek this weekend. It was a lot worse than I expected. We basically could not move once we got off the chainsaw portages. My guess is that the Kek will not get priority treatment for the interior section because once they are a day in from Gunflint or Fernberg Road, hikers are not generating a lot of revenue for the area resorts. The KTC is prepared to press for reopening of the trail, but without the chainsaws coming through, we are looking at a five year plan at best. I see the North Country Trail as being a driving force to keep the Forest Service working at dedicating chainsaw crews to the Kek and Border Route."

NORTH STAR:

The Magazine

of the North Country Trail, August-September

by

Bill Menke, Manager, North Country NST It has been said that backpackers are a rarity along the North Country/Buckeye Trail in southern and western Ohiothat most of the users are day hikers or other non-motorized users such as bikers and roller-bladers. After now hiking 533 continuous miles between Hocking Hills and just south of the Ohio-Michigan border, I can confirm that backpackers are indeed rare (I've not encountered another one )-but I can also state that backpacking and camping along the way is feasible.

Some of the route is incomplete and there are many road walks but there are also some outstanding stretches of trail and scenery.

On October 4, 1998, for the second time I found myself departing from Milford, Ohio to begin another fairly long hike.

Two years before, it was to head east to Old Mans Cave in Hocking Hills State Park. This time it is to head north toward the Michigan border. For the first five days of this hike, David Cornell, an NCTA board member and friend from Delton, Michigan would accompany me.

The day before, I drove from my home in Wisconsin to the Delta area, in northern Ohio. After participating in a dedication of the Tiffin River Bridge with our partners from the Cannonball Trail segment, I arrived at the home of Gene and

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Bonnie Markley. David soon arrived from Michigan and we drove to Milford, first stopping in Springfield to pick up a shuttle driver who will take Dave's car back to Springfield.

My vehicle is at the Markley' s, where I planned to end my hike in 15 or 16 days.

After a quick lunch in Milford, we started north along the Little Miami Scenic Trail segment of the North Country/ Buckeye Trail. This highly developed segment was to be our companion for the next five days. It is a well-used segment of the trail but many homeowners, who we visit, adjacent to the trail are not aware that it is a portion of a 4,200-mile long national scenic trail. Walkers, bladers, bikers, and others use the trail from before first light to after dusk. Unlike a more typical backpacking experience, we enjoy frequently purchas, ing a "real meal" or snack along the way-saving our lightweight food for another time. Places like Juan's Saloon, in Loveland, a bakery in Morrow, and the Peddelry in Corwin provide good burgers, great malts, and other treats.

As many readers will recognize, this section of the trail is located on an abandoned rail corridor so the going is essentially flat. But, the steep adjoining hills and the parallel Little Miami Scenic River provide good scenery. Our second night on the trail, we camp on a great little flat next to the river-near Fort Ancient State Historic Site. Here on a bluff275 feet above the river, the prehistoric Hopewell Indians (I 00 BC- 600 AD)

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constructed earth and stone walls varying in height from 4 to 23 feet and totaling almost 4-miles in circumference. I used the opportunity to hike up the steep steps connecting the trail with the historic site, built a few years ago as a cooperative effort between the Ohio Historical Society and the NPS, to view the earthworks. Another of the night's highlights was an afterdark landing of a sizeable flock of geese in the river in front of our campsite. They splashed into the river not 20-feet away.

On Day 3, we encountered a tandem bike with a small child on the back seat. The woman on the front seat flags us down and asks if she can ask some questions-because we are the first hikers she has seen. We soon learn that she is doing a story about the Little Miami segment for one of the newspapers in Cincinnati. After talking for a while it was a real surprise to learn that we have encountered Cindy Ross. Cindy is well known in trail circles, as she has hiked a number of the national scenic trails, including the AT, the PCT, and the Continental Divide. As a spin-off of her hiking, she writes books, does freelancing, and speaks on the circuit. A number of years ago, I had the good fortune to hear her speak at one of the Finger Lakes Trail meetings, but I just hadn't recognized her here. She promised to play up the connection between the Little Miami Trail and the larger North Country Trail. So, Cindy is a definite "trail surprise."

That night we hurriedly pitched our tents in a cold, pouring rain and climbed inside without supper. During the night the rain quit and I awoke several times to the serenading of many geese and an aggravated beaver slapping its tail on the lake in Spring Valley Wildlife Area.

On Day 4, we found the paved trail getting wider and wider, leaving almost no opportunity for off-pavement hiking.

While the scenery was still pleasant, the paving was becoming a real bother as it was unforgiving to pack-laden feet. We limped into Xenia about noon and viewed the beautifully restored Xenia Station. We also had a craving for fried chicken so hiked downtown to the KFC for a big noontime meal.

Leaving Xenia, the trail toward Yellow Springs again narrows to a more reasonable width and the tall board fences, found further south, are now gone so we can more easily view the scenery. This is Tecumseh country, and the trail passes Oldtown -- supposedly near where Daniel Boone once was captured and had to run the gauntlet to gain his freedom. A very interesting historical novel about this area and the life of Tecumseh is Alexander Thom's "Panther in the Sky." On Day 5, Dave and I left camp at the same time (normally he is more efficient at leaving camp in the morning but I catch up a few miles later as I tend to hike slightly faster) for the few mile hike into Yellow Springs and a window-side breakfast at Carol's Kitchen. Yellow Springs is a neat trail town that is host to Antioch College and the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.

Following breakfast, it is with a degree of sadness that I say "so long" to my hiking partner as this is the most convenient spot for him to get back to his car and return to Michigan. For

the next 11 days this will be a solo venture. Rather than following the Buckeye Trail, the route through Dayton suggested in Fallowing the North Country National Scenic Trail for thruhikers, I planned to continue north toward Springfield in order to explore the projected route of the North Country Trail. As I headed north from town, the railgrade is in the process of being converted to a trail. The fresh grading makes for easy, fast walking and I find myself in the outskirts of Springfield before noon. (Note: this segment has now been paved. It is also now certified.) After getting confused about the route through Springfield, I found myself leaving town along the very busy shoulder of Highway 68. I plodded along this until again reaching the abandoned railroad near where new Highway 68 crosses over to Old Highway 68, not far south of Bowlusville. A short while later I found a nice place to camp, near a clear creek at the backside of a cornfield.

After supper consisting of Red Rice and Beans soup, gravy baco-spuds, and pistachio pudding, an old gent comes walking along the farm road carrying a small bundle wrapped in newspaper. He is here to dispose of some squirrel skins (the crows and raccoons will clean them up he says ) and insists that I take a look, as though I might doubt what he had inside.

On Day 6, I continued north on the abandoned grade, which sometimes still has rails an1ballast in place while in other areas it is shoulder high in eeds. Through the early morning fog, I heard someone shou ing at me-- it was a group I of strikers at the Navistar truck plant. They have a warming fire going in a 55-gallon drum and invited me over for hot coffee and doughnuts. Now who could pass up such an opportunity? Certainly not I. This is another one of those "trail magic" experiences that take place from time to time.

Leaving my new friends, I continued north toward Urbana, which I reached by noon and bought a sandwich and cold drink at a little store. At Urbana, my route turns west on another abandoned grade toward Piqua. The night's destination was St. Paris, where I planned to spend a night indoors at a motel or B&B. The afternoon is hot and the route is rough --

SPLIT RAIL FENCE at Johnson Farm State Historic Site near Piqua, Ohio. The trail passes exhibits of historic farming.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

sometimes being coarse ballast and sometimes again being the shoulder high weeds. I had hiked 20 miles on this day and was looking forward to a good shower and a bed. But, reaching St. Paris late in the day, I found that the anticipated night indoors was not going to be, as both the listed motel and the B&B had closed. Finding a place to set up my little tent in or near town was difficult but after a number of inquiries, I was directed to the community cemetery at the edge of town. Checking out the cemetery for the most out of the way place, I hear hammering and upon investigating, meet the sexton. He graciously shows me a place to set up my tent, a hydrant to wash up, and tells me about the best place to eat. Is this more trail magic or what?

Day 7brought more of the sometimes very rough railroad walking. A highlight was a mid-afternoon break on the lawn at Spring Creek Elementary School where I laid on my back under a golden colored ash tree and stared at the bright blue sky through its falling and now thinning leaves. Another couple of miles and I reached the outskirts of Piqua and the first shower and bed in seven days. Boy -- does hot water feel good.

On Day 8, shortly after leaving the motel, I reached the first of many segments where the North Country Trail follows the towpath of the old Miami to Erie Canal. Fall color and squirrels scurrying to pick up acorns were evident as I passed the feeder lake in Waterworks Park. The yellowed com stalks behind the split rail fence at the Johnson Farm State Historic Site rattle in the wind as I walked past. Soon the route begins to follow old fencerows, interspersed with segments of towpath. While well blazed, much of this area is in need of pruning and windfall removal.

Even though I am hiking the NCT on my own time, one of my objectives is to follow the projected route as closely as possible and another is to keep my eyes open and explore potential off-road opportunities. Consequently, instead of heeding the warning and following the suggested road walk to get around the missing aqueduct over Loramie Creek, near Lockington, I determine to follow the towpath. I want to see just what might be required to construct a trail bridge over the creek at the missing aqueduct and just how bad the now required wade across the creek really is. Reaching the creek, I removed my boots and put on my sandals to test the water.

It's cool and refreshing but I soon found that the guide book writers are correct in not recommending the wade except in low water conditions. Even during these low water conditions, it is almost waist deep.

A couple of missing blazes near Lockington Dam caused some false walking while looking for the route but in a short while, I was again heading north, facing road walks for the rest of the afternoon. The road walk on this day was hot and tiring.

Upon reaching Vintera Winery about 4:00 in the afternoon, I was ready to take a break and thought that a tour of the winery might be fun. Crossing the road, I found that the winery was closed and abandoned looking. There was still a picnic table under a dense maple shade tree that seemed to be channeling

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LOCK EIGHT on the Miami and Ohio Canal. The old canal lands provide a nice off-road walk through the western Ohio farm country. In recent years, a lot of work has been done on the canal route to improve walking and preservation of historic sites such as this. a nice breeze across the table. I enjoyed the shade and lounged for a while catching up with journal entries. The place was deserted and I was beginning to think about what a nice spot this would be to place my tent for the night when suddenly someone drives up in a pickup. The driver immediately comes around the building and rather gruffly says, "Can I help you?"

After informing him that I am on a long hike and just enjoying the bench while I rested, a conversation develops. He wondered where I stay during the nights along the trail. I explained that I usually find a place to no-trace camp but that last night I stayed in a motel in Piqua where the shower was a welcome treat. Eventually he (who I now know as Mr. Muhlenkampthe owner) tells me that above the winery there is a recently vacated apartment with still functioning hot water and a shower. He speculateed that it would be OK for me to use it if I wanted. Leading me up the outside stairs, to view the shower, Mr. Muelenkamp told me that actually it would be permissible to spend the night sleeping on the thickly carpeted floor-just be sure to lock the door when I leave in the morning.

Thanking him profusely, I did just that-- enjoying the electricity which allowed me to read a little later than normal, cooked oatmeal on the electric range in the morning, and again took a nice, hot shower. I was beginning to wonder in amazement at the occurrence of these things that long distance hikers call trail magic. .: Leaving the attic apartment on Day 9, I was feeling so good that I covered 3.4 miles in the first hour. At SR-47, I discovered another beautiful segment of the towpath that is already marked as trail. This segment could easily be certified.

All it would take is an application from BTA or the DNR. Between Newport and Fort Loramie, more towpath is followed but a couple of bridges are missing and some appears to be in private hands. Hopefully; difficulties can be worked out and this too can soon be certified. In Fort Loramie, I

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

NEW BREMEN, Ohio, has done a nice job of turning the old Miami and Ohio Canal into a park. stopped for lunch in Betty's Cafe, and then proceeded north out of town along SR-66. Within a mile, I spotted the towpath trail on the east and struck through the weeds to reach it. Soon, it crossed to the west side of SR-66 and lo and behold, there is a wooden gate with a North Country Trail emblem and routed lettering indicating "Miami and Erie Canal Trail." I have reached thesouthendofthe42-milecertifiedsegmentalongtheoldcanal.

For the next two and a half days, I would follow this well marked and excellently maintained segment of trail.

Upon reaching New Bremen late in the afternoon, I went to the post office where the post mistress handed me a box of food that I had mailed from home. This was the only food drop on this hike. After sorting and repacking food, I looked around and soon surmised that New Bremen is the nicest trail town seen so far on this hike. It is very clean, neat and somewhat upscale with brick accented sidewalks and several nice restaurants. The trail follows the towpath right through the downtown area. It is also home to the National Bicycle Museum, which I visit for just a short time. If I had planned for the extra hour or so required to do it justice, the museum would be a nice diversion from hiking. One thing that New Bremen does not have is lodging. So, after having supper in the Fireside Grill, I resumed hiking north along the towpath trail and soon found a place to camp in a secluded patch of woods.

Day 10 marks more of the well-maintained Miami to Erie Canal segment. Small routed signs mark the locations of the canal locks that are now Jong gone. Lock 8 is the exception as it is intact and beautifully preserved. Some neat interpretation could be done here. I reached St. Marys by 10:00 and had a hankering for an egg and all the fixings late breakfast.

Surprisingly, after asking three people, no one can direct me to a restaurant that doesn't require a long walk off the trail.

Finally, I found a little spot, only a block off the trail, marked with a little sign saying "Bar/Cafe". It might be a bar, but they sure know how to cook breakfast!

Water is still found in this section of the canal and heading north from St. Marys I scared up lots of wood ducks and other waterfowl. Forty-Acre Pond, originally built to provide water

for the canal, is full of water lilies and more ducks and geese.

North of Kossuth, it was late afternoon, but this was the first part of the hike where finding a place to camp is difficult-~ the trail closely parallels roads in this area. Finally I reached Deep Cut and camp right on the trail just across from the roadside park. After supper I walked back to the last crossroad, cross the canal, and walked up to the roadside park to view the interpretive signs and obtain fresh water from the pump. Signs explain the history of the canal and how the Deep Cut was built. According to one of the signs, the 6,600-foot long ditch with a maximum depth of 52 feet was built by strong muscled farm boys, brawny Irishmen, and others with picks, shovels, and barrows. Wages were 30 cents per day.

Leaving Deep Cut on the morning of Day I I, I soon reached Spencerville and stopped for breakfast in The Farmers Cafe. True to its name, groups of farmers were talking about the crops, weather, etc. over breakfast. North of Spencerville, the trail is also used as farm access roads but with gates in place, to prohibit the general public from driving on the trail. It is still acceptable, and in fact a pleasant experience. I enjoy seeing the huge combines harvesting the com and the tractors pulling long trains of grain wagons to the nearest elevator. During the late afternoon, I had an ice cream and soda in Delphos and then regretfully reach the north end of the 42-mile certified section of trail that I have followed for the last two and a half days. I have been impressed! Reports from a few years ago were that the segment was choked with weeds. I have found just the opposite -- it has been excellently mowed and maintained. While passing through an intensive agricultural area, it is located for the most part at the backsides of the fields, along the wooded canal corridor. Here, one can see agriculture in action and it has been a very good experience. The trail is wide, easy walking and, it is unpaved.

Hopefully, it will always remain this way as in its current condition it exemplifies how a national scenic trail on a towpath should be managed. Compliments to the Ohio DNRDivision of Water are in order.

That night, I reached Fort Jennings and crossed the bridge behind the fire station to gain access to the city park. Construction workers gave me permission to camp for the night.

Leaming about my hike, one of the workers made a special trip home and returned with a copy of an old letter written by his great-great-granddad. The letter talks about his explorations of the area in 1833 while looking. tor a place to settle. In one paragraph, the letter says that he walked from Cincinnati to the Fort Jennings area and returned to Cincinnati in I 0 days. I came one way from Cincinnati in the same amount of time.

What's wrong here? Today I had covered I 8.2 miles with 183.2 miles so far accumulated on the hike.

It was now the end of Day 12 and I was camped in a little patch of woods across the river from Oakwood. Supposedly, Oakwood has no services, but there is a nice convenience store just a few feet off the trail route that even offers fried chicken

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1999

and other deli-type food. I settled for a frozen malt. Today had been a total road walk.

At 9:15 on Day 13, I was sitting under a picnic shelter in Charloe. This is the site of the Oquanox Indian Reservation prior to 1820. Today, it is a wide spot in the road but there is a little convenience store where I purchased hot coffee and a couple of doughnuts.

Earlier, I overslept because I didn't hear my wristwatch alarm go off. I suspect it happened during the time when one of the many trains was passing not far away-about every half hour all night long. Between Oakwood and here, I passed a large stone marker indicating the site of Fort Brown -- one of a series of forts built to protect the American interests during the Indian War of 1795. Between Charloe and Defiance, much of the old towpath exists on one side or the other of the canal.

The ownership is unknown at this time but some is in good enough condition to certify. Soon it was evening and I had walked a mile off the trail route in Defiance to reach a motel.

As in so many other towns, the motels have moved out to the highway bypasses so there is nothing close to the trail where it passes through the center of Defiance.

Day 14 was spent covering the distance from Defiance to Napoleon, some 17.6-miles. It drizzled lightly most of the day but I was still walking in synthetic shorts and T-shirt and was plenty warm as long as I keep moving along. More wooded towpath remnants exist along this stretch but for the most part I didn't follow them as they are on private property. I passed through the elongated Independence Dam State Park and found the certified segment of trail to be mostly acceptablewith only a few places where the location could be adjusted to remove it farther from the park access road. At Florida, I avoided the portion of the trail on the south side of the canal because I was told that I would not be able to cross the canal and get back on SR-424 heading east. Following SR-424, when I got to the pull-off above the old lock, I walked down the hill to see the condition of the old lock and how difficult it would be to build a trail bridge. Now I wished I had followed the trail instead of the road because while I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to others, I easily walk across the6-inch steel beams that were still in place. In 1999, a new bridge was built here by volunteers from the Buckeye Trail Association (See the June-July North Star). This is a great improvement.

Day 15. It was fairly cool this morning as I left Napoleon where I again stayed in a motel -- albeit a less than fancy one ..

I could easily see my breath and the fall colors were quite progressed to vivid yellows and reds. Just west of Liberty Center, a crew was picking a large field of bell peppers and I

could't resist picking one and eating it like an apple. Shortly after passing through town, I was again off-road, as I had reached the south leg of the Wabash Cannonball segment and another certified segment of the North Country Trail. The Wabash Cannonball segment is wide and straight but it is nice walking on fine cinders and gravel and the right-of-way supports nice stands of Big Bluestem. Within a mile of getting back on the trail, I had my first encounter with the law. I was startled to hear a car pull up behind me and turned quickly to see a Sheriff's car only feet away. The deputy wanted to know what I'm up to (as though the backpack isn'tadeadgiveaway).

She tells me that someone called in to report "a vagrant" sitting along a road ditch. I explained what I'm doing, we laughed, . and I was again on my way. Later, while laying on my back with my head on my pack, I heard the dried com rattling furiously. I raised up and was face to face with a huge buck only 30feetaway. He was trying to figure out the nature of this thing lying in the middle of the trail. A mid-afternoon break in Neopolis offers another frozen malt and a Vemors.

The day ends with setting up camp in Maumee State Forest, just south of Oak Openings Metropark. This was my last night on the trail and I reread my journal, reminiscing over all of the sights and experiences seen since leaving Milford. I made a note to tell future hikers on this stretch to not bother carrying a water filter. It has just been excess weight that was used only twice. Most of the water encountered didn't look good enough to filter but more importantly, with a little advance planning, it is almost always available from a nearby home. Most days I found it possible to obtain water from someone a short time before planning to camp.

Day 16 and the last day on the trail. I followed the east loop of the 17-Mile Trail through Oak Openings Metropark.

Along the way, Tom, the park manager who I first met at the Tiffin River Bridge celebration a couple of weeks ago, was encountered at a road crossing and we have another nice visit.

He is interested in having his section of trail become certified.

In the northern portion of Oak Openings, the route turns . straight west on the north leg of the Wabash Cannonball.

Several nicely reconstructed bridges are passed within a few miles. By I :45 I reached County Road 5-the road where Gene and Bonnie Markley live about 2-miles to the south. Here I hid my pack in the tall grass, left a note for Gene, and continued walking west. By 4:55 I was in Wauseon, OH and called Gene to let him know where to pick me up. In 45 minutes he arrived and we return to their home for a nice visit and a great homecooked meal. The next morning, I started the long drive home while it was still dark.

Backpacking in western Ohio is feasible and interesting.

The route is laced with history. Some day, it will be even better as more is moved off roads. Summary of hike details: I 6 days275.2 total miles-17 .5 miles average perday-12 nights camping-3 nights in motels-1 night in offered housing-no blistersand slimmer by almost 11 +pounds.

Page 16

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September,

1999

By contacting your Representative and Senators in Washington, you can make a huge difference for the future of our trail The North Country Trail needs strong Congressional supporters, but Senators and Representatives won't act on behalf of the Trail without pressure or encouragement from their constituents.

You are a constituent, and your opinion does matter to them. Tofind out how to help, please read on...

ISSUE: Willing Seller Acquisition Authority for the National Park Service BACKGROUND

CURRENT STATUS

The National Trails Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Johnson in 1968. The initial Act established two trails, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

Since then, several amendments to the Act have added a total of 18 more National Scenic and National Historic Trails. Congress assigned one federal agency to manage each trail, either the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, or the Bureau of Land Management.

Over the past few years, we have joined with a number of organizations that support the National Trails System, including the American Hiking Society, to try to remedy this problem. We are seeking passage of a bill that would grant the federal agencies managing these trails the authority to purchase land from "willing sellers."

This is not condemnation authority. It simply would allow the federal government to purchase land to protect the trails from owners who want to sell their land or a portion of it.

Here's the problem. Dues to prevailing attitudes in Congress when each amendment was passed, the federal agencies assigned to the trails were given different authorities (or were saddled with different restrictions) when it came to purchasing land to protect the trails. In the case of the North Country National Scenic Trail, the National Park Service (NPS) specifically is prohibited from purchasing any land for the trail.

Why should we care? Well, the Appalachian Trail largely was completed by funneling tens of millions of dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the National Park Service to purchase corridors to permanently protect the trail route. Because the NPS is prohibited from purchasing land for our trail, this very important tool is not available to us. We only can access Land and Water Conservation Funds through State grant programs, which are sporadically available, at best.

Further, National Park Service professionals funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund could provide much needed technical assistance in land negotiations.

Although the NCTA can purchase land on its own, with only $11,000 in our Land Trust Fund and no professional staff in this area, our limitations are obvious.

All of our efforts on this bill are coming to a head this year. 1999 is turning into the best chance we've ever had to pass the bill. A bill (H.R.2267) already has been introduced in the House of Representatives with good initial bi-partisan support. In the Senate, a bill has been authored and co-sponsored by a few Democrats, but has not yet been introduced.

WHAT YOU CAN DO For these bills to succeed, we need a lot more Senators and Representatives to agree to sponsor them.

Bipartisan support is crucial. Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle in each of our seven states must sign on to the bill or it will not pass.

By writing or e-mailing your Senators and Representative, you really can make a big impact on the success of these bills. Even two or three letters from our members will be enough to bring the bill onto the radar scope of key Congressmen and Congresswomen. Because you live in their district or state, your voice should speak more loudly to them than a letter from our national office.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September,

TALKING POINTS Here are key points about the bill to refer to when contacting your Senator or Representative. This is a lot of information, so you should pick and choose those points you think might make the biggest differecne to the person you are writing. You also should feel free to personalize your letter, referring to your own involvement with and support of the trail.

• This bill only authorizes the federal government to act.

It does not appropriate any money. No purchases will take place unless Congress subsequently appropriates funds for each project.

• This bill only authorizes land acquisition from willing sellers. The owner must want to sell his or her land, and he or she must want to sell it to the federal government.

• This is a private property rights bill. Without it, landowners who want to sell to the federal government for the purposes of one of these trails are denied the right to do so.

• Many unique and special historic sites along the nine affected scenic and historic trails have been voluntarily protected for several generations by individual families. These public-spirited families should have the right to sell these irreplaceable places of our Nation's heritage to the federal government to continue their protection when they choose to do so.

• There are only 20 trails in the national scenic and historic trails system. This bill will enable the federal government to help conserve the special resources of all of these congressionally-designated trails that we can enjoy today for the benefit of future generations of Americans.

• The federal government has authority to buy land along 11 of the 20 national scenic and historic trails. This bill gives authority to buy land from willing sellers along the other nine trails so that there is parity for the entire national trails system.

1999

Page 17

economy and employs nearly 768,000 people. Outdoor Recreation Coalition ofAmerica 1997 State of the Industry Report.

• This bill affects 24 states and 81 congressional districts.

• Accessible, safe trails mean that more people will walk and hike, leading to both short- and long-term health benefits. Walking can prevent heart disease, decrease hypertension, decrease cholesterol levels, help weight loss, improve osteoporosis, improve and maintain mental health, prevent and control diabetes, improve arthritis, and relieve back pain.

Be sure to provide one of these two contacts (whichever is appropriate) so they'll know how to follow up: For more information on the bill that has been introduced in the House of Representatives (HR. 2267) contact Kris Larson in the office of Representative Scott Mcinnis (R-CO) at 225-4761.

For more information on the bill that is pending introduction in the Senate, contact Brennan Van Dyke in the office of Senator Carl Levin (D-Ml) at 224-6221.

CONTACTING YOUR SENA TOR OR REPRESENTATIVE Although we don't have enough room here to list them all, we can provide you with the office addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of your Senators and Representatives. For this information, call us at 888454-NCTA, or send an e-mail to NCTAssoc@aol.com.

Just tell us your state and the name of the Senator or Representative you'd like to contact and we'll give you the information you need. If you don't mind being a little more generic, you also may follow the instructions below.

To call your Member of Congress: Try the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 To write your Senator, address your letter to: The Honorable ~~~~~~~~~~United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

• With willing seller authority, sections of trails can be moved from roads where hikers and other trail users are unsafe.

To write your Representative, address your letter to: The Honorable ~~~~~~~~~~us House of Representatives ~ Washington, DC 20515 ~

• 32% of the American population, 16 years or older, went hiking on a trail in 1997 (65 million' people).

To locate your Member on-line, go to: http://congrcss.org/ ~' ~

Outdpor Recreation Coalition of America 1997 Field Study.

• The human-powered outdoor recreation industry contributes an estimated $40 billion annually to the US

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Page 18

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

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Existing Chippewa NF route • • •

li.\.1!9.!00J.1 Chippewa - Grand Rapids -Grand Rapids - McCarthy• • • 'it--~_,,.--""'-~t'I Echo Lake Route - - - - - Middle Route• • • • • • • • • • • • Mesabi Trail ========

The NPS and others have been working at

Finding The Arrowhead's Left Blade Working out a route for the North Country Trail through Minnesota's "Arrowhead Region" has long been seen as a better alternative to an initially planned but probably unworkable route that runs from the Duluth area to the Chippewa National Forest. The" Arrowhead Route" heads northeast out of Duluth along the Lake Superior Shore on the Superior Hiking Trail, then back through the eastern section of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Border Route and Kekekabic Trails.

The problem with the Arrowhead Route has always been that there's no obvious way to get from Ely back down to the Chippewa National Forest -- a route by itself nearly twice the distance of the direct Duluth-Chippewa route.

Finding a route that at least has the potential to be built has been the goal of working groups coordinated by the NCTA's planner, Dirk Mason, who works out of the National Park Service Office in Madison, WI. The planning group has identified three general planning corridors that might be used for future trail development. Three proposed routes head west out of Ely, Minnesota, one of the traditional jumping-off places for canoe trips in the Boundary Waters. They are: <The Echo Lake Trail would be in a two to three mile wide corridor primarl y located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The route would travel north out of Ely between wilderness areas within the Superior National Forest, would continue west well north of.Yerrnillion Lake, and would exit the Superior NF near Buyck. From Buyck, the route could continue in a southwesterly directon towards Orr, then pick its way south through wetlands to McCarthy Beach State Park.

After leaving McCarthy Beach State Park, the trail would head west, and then south parallel to the existing Taconite Trail, a snowmobile trail, but on higher ground to the north. As

the route enters the Chippewa National Forest north of Grand Rapids, there are two possible routes, one in an area called the Sumomi Hills, and the other near Trout Lake. Both of these potential routes are in existing recreation areas. South of this area, the trail would proceed south to Grand Rapids, and then from there head southwest toward the existing trail, connecting to it near Minnesota Rt. 6 near Remer.

«The Middle Route is a somewhat less ambitious routing than the Echo Lake route, and is generally located close to the Taconite Trail. From Ely to Tower a corridor appears to exist between the wetlands near Burnside River and Twin Lakes.

The trail would then head in a southwest direction into Bear Head Lake State Park. From there, the trail would head west toward Wahlsten (MN SR 135), then continue west toward McCarthy Beach State Park. From there west, the route discussed above would be used.

• The Mesabi Trail Corridor is a third alternative. The corridor is a current project in the planning and construction process. The trail connects many if not all the communities along the Mesabi Range between Ely and Grand Rapids. The trail will be 10 to 14 feet wide with a bituminous overlay. The clearing limit will be approximately 2 feet on either side of the paved surface. The clearing width of the trail would be approximately 20 feet. This would allow for an adjacent footpath to be constructed within the clearing, if neccessary.

There is no favored route at this time. Public comment is being sought. If you would like to comment, or would like more information, contact Mason at the Madison office of the NPS, 700 Rayovac Rd., #100, Madison WI 53711(608)264-5610.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

1999

Page 19

A trail is in trouble --

Western Michigan Chapter to the rescue! by: Tom Learmont Remember the sad tales of woe of the two damsels in distress, lost in the Tahquamenon Swamp as they "Bushwhacked to Bodi Lake"? [See Jan-Mar 1999 North Star] The story of how Cora, Connie and their companion "Bear" in 1998 had to find theirown way from Tahquamenon Falls State Park to County Road 500 because the North Country Trail markings had disappeared and trail tread was hidden by overgrowth and downed trees. Also do you remember the challenge they made; "Looking for a piece of trail to adopt?"

Well, please be advised that was not the end of the story, but merely Chapter I of a three part mini-series!!!

Chapter II begins in January 1999 when members of the Western Michigan Chapter began planning for their annual NCT Service Project in the U.P. We discussed different projects to accomplish, received some suggestions from Gene Elzinga and a request from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources [DNR] to clean and remark the NC Trail from Tahquamenon State Park to County Road 500.

During the last week of April, while fishing the Two Hearted River, I began exploring that part of the trail where the problems were reported to determine the feasibility of accomplishing the needed cleaning and remarking. I started walking east along the trail from Co. Rd. 500 and soon found it was impossible to follow. In this area the trail crosses some land owned by a major lumbering company who just a few years ago selectively logged the area. The forest is a mess with all the downed slashings and tops. In addition they marked every tree which was to be cut twice, once at about the 5 foot level and once near the stump portion, thus the forest is lull of painted stumps. Oh yes, they used blue paint!!

I then decided to try working my way west from the State Park as Cora and Connie had done. I met with the Park Superintendent and explained my mission and hopes that we could fix the problem. He was happy to hear from me because he said no one knew where the trail went after it left the park.

He offered me any assistance he could in accomplishing the feat.

I began my hike as Cora and Connie had and like them I found the trail well marked in the State Park. Upon leaving the park I also encountered the same problems as the two women described. With great difficulty I was also able to work my way west to the section ofland owned by an individual who also had done some recent logging. I also encountered a new problem hiding the trail, in the summer of 1998 a forest fire had burned

the few remaining markings preventing any possible attempt to locate the old trail.

During my hike that day I realized just how beautiful the country was and how we needed to reopen this section of the trail. I also often thought about Cora and Connie and of what they must have been thinking not knowing exactly where the trail was and what lay ahead of them! They were especially on my mind as I encountered fresh Moose droppings and foot prints as well as those of a She Bear and her Cub! I was very impressed with Cora and Connie's courage and capabilities to bushwhack their way to Co. Rd. 500.

Unable to locate the trail any further, I had returned to the State Park and reviewed their maps of the area. I then conceived of a temporary route we could establish utilizing a snowmobile trail which could get hikers through the area until a new permanent trail can be established.I reviewed the plan with the State Park personnel, the DNR and Gene Elzinga, all of whom approved of it.

On 22 May 1999, about 8 other members of the Western Michigan Chapter and I returned to the U.P. for our service project. As in the past year we tent camped at Perch Lake State Forest Campground, a beautiful spot. We spent three days cleaning and remarking the North Country Trail. We reestablished the trail from the park to the private land and then developed the temporary section to assure hikers would not get lost this year. We all felt a real sense of accomplishment that we were doing a favor for our fellow hikers.

Following our work project five ofus stayed on for a four day canoe trip in Big Island Lake Wilderness Area which was great! We saw many birds and each day we listened to the loons and sandhill cranes. We saw deer, beaver, bald eagle, an osprey as he was catching a fish and enjoyed a true wildef!less experience!!

Chapter III is just beginning. We are now starting to make plans for our next year's service trip in w~ich ~e hope to establish the new permanent section of trail from the Tahquamenon State Park to County Road 500. I expect this outing will be in mid to late May 2000. Although the outing is being coordinated by members of the Western Michigan Chapter it is open to others who wish to join in the fun of building a new trail or clean and remark an existing section. If you are interested in participating in this outing please contact me or the North Country Trail Association office and thereby help write Chapter III.

-- Tom Learmont is President of the Western Michigan Chapter of the North Country Trail Association.

Page 20

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

A New Bridge And More In Central New York!

The end product is a 48-foot splendid bridge spanning Chittenango Creek within the Nelson Swamp Unique Area 路near Cazenovia. Dedicated on National Trails Day, June 5th, this bridge provides passage through an interesting wetland .area and viable access to the northern edge of the Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area from the Cazenovia area. This trail segment and others adjacent to it are slated for NCNST inclusion.

Impressive as this bridge is in terms of its construction, capacity, and appearance, as well as the major culvert installation providing safe access to the bridge location, the truly important factor is the "partnership of effort" that made the total project a success. This partnership is one that the Central . New York Chapter will strive to sustain and enhance! Involved 路 in this venture were CNY Chapter members and their supporters, a Community Action Team of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NiMo) employees donating their efforts and use of specialized equipment, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), the Madison County Environmental Council (a volunteer advisory body), the Healthy Heart Coalition of Madison County, several private landowners in the immediate area, a grant from the National Park Service, and support from local government at both the Town and County levels.No one entity could have accomplished this .- alone!

The Nelson Swamp is a 1500-acre northern white cedar swamp that has beenthe subject of biological study for many decades. It is known to contain more than 400 species of vascular plants. In 1997, researchers discovered an eastern white pine within the swamp that is estimated to be 450 years old, perhaps the oldest tree in central New York. The Nelson Swamp Unique Area designation applies to the land within the swamp that has been acquired from willing sellers, approximately 59% of the total area now. A stewardship plan has been developed that addresses the need for protection and sustainability of the area's ecosystems, while providing con--trolled access use and educational benefits for the public-atlarge. Included in the initial plan was recognition of the need for a bridge, culvert installation on a feeder stream, and cooperation of private landowners. However, a combination oflogistical and administrative challenges effectively stalled 路progress until recently.

Ongoing CNY Chapter dialogue with NiMo representatives began in October 1998, with the goal being to secure transmission line poles and their installation as "stringers" for the bridge. Candidate poles were located and their size and

View of the bridgefrom the creek below. characteristics were determined. A licensed PE completed a design analysis and specifications that were required. NYS DEC Operations personnel agreed to prepare mounting "saddles" to be placed on the old railroad abutments that would provide essentially a level surface when the log stringers were installed. Other DEC personnel reviewed the environmental considerations.

Finally, by mid February, all was ready-the area had been cleared, private landowner permission had been secured to allow passage of the heavy equipment, NiMo personnel and equipment was committed, and DEC Operations had completed their work. On a cold February 20th, the first phase work was completed. The photograph shows the nature and scope of the effort.

In late April, DEC Operations personnel installed oak decking and railings on the bridge stringers, with funding for the decking being provided via grants. The bridge decking and railing work can best be termed "fully professional" in every respect. In mid May, after a critical date for trout breeding had passed, the needed culvert installation on the feeder stream was made by DEC Operations personnel, with funding and other support provided via the work of the Madison County EMC. With Mother Nature cooperating fully and good local publicity support from the media, the bridge was dedicated on June 5th, with the trail segment opened foruse. More than I 00 persons attended, many of whom expressed support for hiking trails. Mr. Ken Lynch, Regional Director, NYS DEC Region 7, presented DEC Certificates of Appreciation to NiMo's Community Action Team, the Madison County EMC, and the CNY-NCTA Chapter in recognition of their work on this project. Other contributors were also recognized in his remarks, including the Healthy Heart Coalition, the fine work done by DEC Operations, and the private landowners whose cooperation was essential. An Official Proclamation issued by NYS Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann and comments from NYS Assemblyman Bill Magee also provided solid support for this project.

Submitted by Al Larmann, President, CNY-NCTA

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

1999

Page 21

It's mid-summer again, and all our volunteers are, well ... , off volunteering somewhere! We managed to catch three people who could be interviewed.

Edited by Joan Young

FINGER LAKES TRAIL CONFERENCE If you know the Finger Lakes Trail (and its 300 plus miles which are concurrent with the North Country Trail), you know ED SIDOTE. He was described to me as a "tireless supporter and educator about the trail." Ed joined the FLTC in 1977 and has been an officer (pick one or more): president, v-p, trail coordinator, publicity chairman, member of the board of managers for the past 12 years. Ed set one major goal for his tenure as president from 198789: to close the six gaps which existed in the FLT. To his dismay, not even one of the gaps was eliminated! So, when he left office he decided to concentrate on that one goal. He created the popular Alley-Cat work weeks and by 1992 the trail was complete,just in time for the 30th anniversary of its founding. Ed is also the third person (of 96 total) to hike the entire Finger Lakes Trail. This inspired him to start what is known as the Cross Country Series which are planned hikes to complete a region of the trail in one season. As publicity chairman, Ed often speaks and presents slide programs about the trail. Ed has received several major awards: the Wallace D. Wood award in 1993 from FLTC, the Oscar from the Cayuga Trails Club also in 1993, and the Chenango Land Trust recently awarded him its Land Stewardship award Ed Sidote recognizing him as a leader of walking activities in the county. Ed claims to not be able to help himself, that building trails is in his genes. That genetic programming also drives him to maintain five miles of trail. Another of his valuable activities is helping other people on their hikes. He keeps a list of76 people who are willing to help others spot cars. One fellow walker calls Ed the "holiest of trail angels."

CHIEF NOONDAY CHAPTER TOM GARNETT gulped and wished we'd pat someone else on the back instead of him when Icalled to tell him he'd been nominated. So many great volunteers are also great at pointing to the accomplishments of others! (But another member calls Tom's dedication and excitement for the trail "truly awesome.") Tom and his wife own a graphic design business and use these talents to lay out the Trail Shop pages in this magazine. He is currently serving as VP of administration for his chapter.

Tom's been on trails all his life. His grandfather home-built what Tom describes as "the first RV," and took his grandsons camping. Scouting was also a factor in Tom's love for trails. While hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1987 he sat down on a rock to rest, looked ahead, and realized that the trail before him was groomed- and that someone had to have done that. The trail was mowed and clear. "The easier the trail Tom Garnett is to hike, the better I like it," Tom realized. He knew then that he wanted to do that someday. When he saw a NCT brochure at a sports store he knew he had found a trail near home on which he could work. He lovesto be out on a crew early in the morning. "The mad, mad world slips away. The birds and trees become real. I love trees," Tom shared. The physical work is healthy and invigorating for the mind too, he added. He planned Chief Noonday Chapter's 1~ational Trails Day event. Tom also created the chapter's web site. He likes being able to plan something for people to enjoy.

"So many people can benefit from using this trail, but they don't know about it." Tom sees his enthusiasm as his greatest contribution and wants to urge people, especially families, to become involved in using and working on the trail. "The rewards are immense," Tom promises.

'Page

22 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NORTH STAR: The Magazine

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1999

SPIRIT OF THE WOODS

By Van, Foot & Paddle to Premier Wild Places

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of the North Country Trail, August-September

This young chapter has taken on a huge project: building a 600foot boardwalk, and

HOWARD HOPKINS is the project coordinator. Howard is a construction contractor in real life, and so he wasn't fazed attheenormity of the task. "It's my trade," he said matter-of-factly. "I know how to divide a job up into sections, and how to utilize help." He is happy to know he has skills that can be used noward Hopkins for the trail, and he is pleased with how the boardwalk is nearing completion. He would love to be able to contribute financially toward the trail effort, but like many ofus, does not have the means. What he does have is expertise, time and interest. He knew the North Country Trail passed near his home (a log home in the woods that he built himself) and when he was told that a local chapter of the NCTA might form he and his family attended the organizational meeting. Walking in the woods is a healthy family activity, Howard acknowledged. He likes to see the scenery and explore new sights and sounds. "I never vacation in the city," he explained. His wife Candy elaborated with a smile, "Howard doesn't mind being lost in the woods!" He's happy to live in Michigan, and close to so much of the North Country Trail. "Michigan is like a cross-section of the whole country," Howard said. It has city, mountains, shores, forests and deserts. Howard believes trails are a good way for the public to be able to access National Forests- to allow people to use their own land. He has a strong desire to continue to work for the trail in the future and has taken the NFS chain saw certification training so that he can work within the forest on some of the heftier projects. Next time you walk high and dry-across some bridge or boardwalk, think of folks like Howard and all the hours they have spent to make your walk easier.

Whether they are new-comers or "old-timers" in the trail family, volunteers for the North Country Trail and its affiliates seem to have a deep level of enthusiasm that can't be subdued. The NCT is a trail in progress, and volunteers are at the heart of the work that is being accomplished. Thanks to this level of commitment, many soles will be able to tread the trail for years to come. If you know a volunteer who should be featured here, contact Joan Young, 231-757-2205 or jhy@t-one.net for information on how to submit a name.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September 1999

Page23

It's not just nostalgia; it's more than virtual.

Country doctoring comes to real life out of the nineteenth century through the twentieth and into the twenty-first in The Country Doctor, Alive and Well. The stories recount the full spectrum of humankind's experiences with life and death, illness and disease, sadness and grief, and the joy and excitement of living.

Sometimes informative and educational, frequently humorous, often whimsical, the stories will entertain and charm you with their simple philosophy, wisdom, and wit.

The reader wiH identify in The Country Doctor, Alive and Well, the caring and compassion that appeals to the humanness that commonly denominates everyone, everywhere; city, town, and country; ~ome, office, factory, and farm.

Sprinkled throughout, and highlighted m, interludes between chapters is advice on home remedies, herbal, and alternative medicine that promotes the commonsense caring of one's self.

You will find The Country Doctor, Alive and Well a wonderful gift for family, friends, associates, a friendly traveling companion, and a special addition to your own self help bookshelf.

RR l North Creek PO Box 243 Emporium, Pa 15834 814-486-2084 814-486-2438 www.thecountrydoctor.com

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Mail Coupon and Payment to Good Earth Publishing- at the above Address * A prepaid advanced sale guaranues )"ft an aut:ograpMd first editimi.

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NO Map Sets

Trail Crew T-shirt

NEW TRAIL MAPS Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a clear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy.

(T401) Michigan Huron-Manistee National Forest: North Segement --.1. Slfo (T-402) Michigan :::"'.

Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road ~ . ~(T-201) Pennsylvania McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks

(c102)

A TRAIL CREW shirt for volunteers! Tan 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. (color: tan)

M, L, XL: $8.95

XXL: $9.95

$8.00 $5.00 $6.50

Sage NCNSJ f ..shirt

(c-103)

North Country National Scenic Trail - Just Beyond Your Backdoor. It's made of heavyweight, 100% cotton, color sage, and features a front design in brick red, forest green, and ivory. The trail line on the map is actually a list of all seven state names.(color: sage)

S, M, L, XL: $9.95

Certified Sectionsof the !North Country Trail

XXL: $10.95

by Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed informa- : . :::. _ ~,.; tion and maps : '~- ~ highlighting the · : -~;, ., longest and best r /.I .• off-roadseqments ' of the Trail. These ~ are accurate route '----~=--.descriptions by experienced quicenook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form.

Pennsylvania NCT

in

Pennsylvania,

37pp (M201) .•••.•...

Ohio Wayne National Forest, 14pp (M301) ......

Burr Oak - Sinking Spring, 51pp (M302) ..

Sinking Spring to Milford, 38pp (M303) ..• Little Miami Scenic Park, 19pp (M304) ...• Miami & Erie Canal, 14pp (M305) .••......••

$5.25 $3.00 $7.00 $5.50 $3.00 $3.00

Midliigan

NCT in Lower Michigan, 66pp (M401) ...• $12.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, sspp (M402) ••• $12.50

Wis.consin

A.. Royal !Mesh-Sack Cap (c201)

Chequamegon N.F. and Brule River S.F., 19pp (M501) ......•••.....• $3.00 !Minnesota Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24pp (M601) ••...••.....•......•• $3.50 !North O.akota NCT in North Dakota 15pp (M701) ..•...••. $3.00

NCl'A T-Shirl

(C101)

Front & Back

Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T". 'v Y · · · Three-color NCTA logo on front and twocolor trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National Scenic Trail" and includes the seven state map of the trail. (color: bright white) S, M: $10.95, (color: creme white) L, XL: $10.95 (color: creme white) XXL: $11. 9 5

••••• $10.95 Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap. lB. "Denim" 18iue Cap (C203) $15.95 "Pro-wash" cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustable buckle on a leather strap. (.Moss Green Cap (C206) $14.95 ,,.\'- Slf0 Embroidered association logo. Low :::-~ profile distressed washed cotton 1>~~ twill. Constructed with soft lining.

Adjustable buckle on fabric strap.

D. l"ght aialrif avy Cap (C207) .... $14.95 --.1. Slf Trail emblem design. Low profile :::."' washed cotton, unconstructed. Light ~ · ~ Khaki crown with washed navy bill.

Adjustable buckle on fabric strap.

E. 'atura Colored "Bl!lcket Haf' (C208) $16.95 --.1. Slf A simple North Country National :::.0-: Scenic Trail design on a new hat ~ · '+~ style! Washed cotton, one size fits most.

Michigan Map Sets by Arden 1

Johnson

An excellent reference for the entire North Country Trail in Michigan. Includes all off-road segments and suggests on-road routes where the trail is incomplete. Also provides good general information about access points, terrain, markers. camping and water, etc. $4.00 per set (M411) (M412) (M413) (M414) (M415) (M416) (M417)

Buckeye Trail (Ohio) Section Maps

SE Lenawee Co. to W. Calhoun Co. NE Kalamazoo Co. to SE Newaygo Co. SE Newaygo Co. to NW Wexford Co. NW Wexford Co. to SE Charlevoix Co. Charlevoix Co. to Mackinaw City St. Ignace to SE Marquette Co. Marquette area to Ironwood

These convenient and detailed maps Minnes;otafGuid~ to the cover the North Country Trail where North ((>un!fY Trail~Ojippewa it overlaps with the Buckeye Trail.

Nationa,l ~f!~st . . · /// they are published by the Buckeye by Roderick ,MaCRae (M611) J Trail Association. Each map $3.50 Descriptidn of the reute and trail Belle Valley (M311) Morgan, Noble and log, east ~~'·1fest. w+nderfully Guernsey Counties Bowerston (M312) Harrison, Ca!J.Oll and written bf,0~'Chip · National ··-Guernsey~urfies Forest expett~-1? .

P $1.25 Caesarftreek (~Jir~i:Yiind Wart~n Counties

These excellent looseleaf maps of the trail in New '{,orltaie published by the Finger 4l(es Trail Conference, \ $4 • 00 per set"'-\(\'&:. .

Defiance i Delpht's

tuidelJG•,,-~ -,

i

(M314)

Defiance, Pauldinq, Putnam, Henry and Wotjd Counties (M315) Putnam, Allen.and Auglaize Counties Lovela d (M316) Clermont, Warfen and Hamilton Counties Massi[ on (M317) Stark and Iusearawas Counties New Straitsville (M318) Athenytto~king, Morgan, ~·~ Per~fou~ties Old Man's Cavll_ (M319) H~clking, Ross and v-.,, .. /'1,,, Whton Counties Scioto Trail (M320) "Ross and Pike Counties Sinking Spring (M321) Adams, Pike and Highland Counties St. Marys (M322) Auglaize and Shelby Counties Stockport (M323) Morgan, Perry and Athens Counties Troy (M324) Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties West Union (M325) Adams and Brown Counties Williamsburg (M326) Brown and Clermont Counties

"

~-). ..,\"- S110

~~~ Hi1

finger Lakes Trail Resources M1ap Sets

t'

(M-1117-PAb.o(c!er - Portageville'!

(M112) Portageville - Watkins Gl~n /'~~~13). Watkins.Glen - NW of Cuyler

{

Published by the Fin~~r~Js Trail Co~ference, these helpful'J!P~~~~t¢&ve~ vanous parts of the North C'Otintry Trail in where it overlaps the Finger Lakes Trail next (FLT) in western and central New York.

Add the stick.

The cola

FLT in Cortland County (M121) .....•••.....

FLT End-to-End Guide for Backpackers (M122) .•...•.....•....•..•..

FLT: Conservation Trail to Hornell (M123) ....••.•...•••....•...••.....

FLT in Steuben Co. (Hornell-S.Bradford) (M124}

P-1 Brass P-105

Silver, p Medallion

$5.95 $2.50 $7.95 $6.95

North Count:liJ Nla1tio111ait · Scellric Trarim Mu·gr (P101) Will be discontinued as soon as stock is gone $5.95 ..,\cS110

~~~(P103) NEW plastic trail mulg tappered to fit in cup holder $5.00

'llraH. Supporter P:"' · (P102)

/4" cloisonn

3

gold color lettering a star.$3.00 V0Kt1H11teer

NOA Trail luilding1and M.aiilnten1ante Manl!Jlal

by Thomas Reimers (L101)

$ •

P'altcflll ( P 121) •••••••••••••••••••.••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••

State Partches New York Minnesota

(P111), (P116},

Pennsylvania (P112), Ohio (P113}, Michigan (P114}, Wisconsin (P115}, North Dakota (P117} •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• $1.50 ea.

3" Roundl P'a1khies .

North Country Trail Association

(P122),

Nertk Celirttry TraR

(P12J) ....

$3.00 ea.

This great manual for volunteers provides helpful guidelines and suggestions for planning, construction and continued maintenance of the North Country Trail. It covers rural and roaded natural, semi-primitive and primitive trail. 22pp $2.00

Buck Wilder's Hiking & Camping Guide By

Tim Smith and Mark Herrick

One whole lot of fun! Buck Wilder and his pal Rascal the Raccoon share their considerable wisdom and wit.

Wonderful color illustrations are filled with humor and countless tips and trivia. Though at first glance this looks like a book for kids, adults also find this guide irresistible and informative. 64pp, (L103) $12.95

Long Distance Hiking By Roland Mueser

Hiking! By Philip Ferranti and Cecilia Leyva A truly fresh look at hiking. Read about: philosophy of hiking, stress management, creativity and hiking, and trail romance.

Also, explore today's issues through hiking: strengthening family ties, improving communication, a healthy lifestyle for kids, an inexpensive pastime and providing seniors with a natural prescription for health. A new twist for anyone who currently enjoys hikinq and for those who are thinking about starting out. 245pp, (L106) $14.95

Dayhiker's HandbookBy J. Long & M. Hodgson

Lessons from the Appalachian Trail.

Blending sage advice with personal experiences and anecdotes, this unusually thoughtful, highly readable account of long-distance trekking on the AT. Mueser draws upon extensive interviews to examine unorthodox yet relevant topics. He covers all the questions providing the basis for planning your own long-distance hike.

180pp, (Llll) $16.95

Comprehensive guide for be_ginning !\IVU' , wanderers and those explonng new ;fl,• count;y-. Choosing prope~ clothingf selecting footware and ramgear, usmg · . . ·. a map and compass, predicting hike · ""A··-~~\'.'.::~.::;::~e=;"'"'0" difficulty, when to tum around, managing food and water, weather lore, walking techniques, traveling with kids, first aid, and more. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes.

216pp, (L107) $14.95

H

Trails Across America By Art & Margie Miller

Porcupine Mountains By Jim DuFresne

Subtitled A Traveler's Guide to Our

National Scenic and Historic Trails, this book is the first to provide engaging descriptions and advice on all 19 trails in our National Trail System. Includes North Country, Morman Pioneer, Pony Express, Appalachian, Iditarod, Lewis and Clark, Pacific Crest, Trail of Tears, Florida Trail, Continental Divide and many others. 308pp, (L105) $19.95

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Dennis R. Hansen Michigan trail enthusiasts, don't get caught without this atlas! 2nd Edition includes maps and descriptions for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. Search by location or types of use. 581pp, (L102) $29.95

By

B··O·. 01{

c.

....,..

~

. ~~

'04'0E0\<0<':

This detailed guidebook provides backpackers, hikers, campers, and skiers with all the information they need to plan a trip to the tranquil Porkies in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Includes history, wildlife in the park, fishing opportunities, cabins and shelters, camping areas, family day hikes with complete information on trails, access points, waterfalls and backcountry treks. 160pp, (L108) $11.95

50 Hikes in Michigan By

An Illustrated NAnoNAL u\11.es110Re Guide by Olive A GUlDE Anderson. The centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a rugged, beautiful, and unique coast on the Lake Superior Shore. This revised guidebook includes maps, and excellent descriptions of the many recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56pp, (LllO) $6.95 PtcTvrnm RocKs

.1.n.JIERS

Jim DuFresne

From one of Michigan's leading outdoor writers comes this comprehensive guide to the best trails in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Each hike write-up contains all the basic information you need: access, parking, trail distance and difficulty, hiking time, contour map, and explicit trail directions. Formerly titled 50 Hikes in Lower Michigan. 252pp, (L109) $15.00

Followingthe NCT

• -s:

Woman's Guide to Backpacking The One Pan Gourmet

ce

°1>o ED\\'~

Wes Boyd Brand new Third Edition of Following the North Country National Scenic Trail. A Classic! Includes general

By

descriptions of the Trail and efforts to build it in each of our seven states. This new addition also includes appendices on throughhiking the NCT and the history of the Trail and the Association.

96pp, (L112) $4.95

..._«.IJL.s+

By Adrienne Hall You'll find • -~ By Don Jacobson the knowledge and skills you ~;1 511<:>"- • Fresh Food on the need to become a Trail. Tired of self-sufficient eating dried and backpacker. Yes, preserved goods you can light a in the backcamp stove ... set country? Here's an up a tent by your- alternative from self. .. take your an outdoor chef kids with you who takes his and keep them spice rack and entertained ... fresh food with survive (and even learn to lave) a week him. Covers planin the woods without hot showers! ning, packing, preparing and - most Hall's fresh perspective and up-to-date important - eating savory meals on the presentation of techniques and trail. Geared toward the three-day trip, equipment provide all the tools you this book includes over 150 trail-tested need to become a confident, comfor- recipes, prepared in one pan, pot or table, capable backpacker! 160pp, oven. 157pp, (L114) $12.95 (L113) $14.95

Trail Shop Order Form ,_..,._""11

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your membership please fill in the following information and add the amount to your order form.

D $25 Regular

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D $35 NC Explorer D $100 Pathfinder D $50 Trail Leader D $150 Business Would you like to be a Chapter Member or At-Large? (There is no extra charge to be a member of a local Chapter.)

D Member of a specific Chapter: D Member of my closest local Chapter (If one exists) D At-Large Member

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(Not affiliated with any Chapter) Merchandise Total: .

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49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 200 B Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCTA If ordering by credit card you may fax your order to: 616-454-7139

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September,

Page 28

1999

Director'sReport Updates and Commentary to NCTA Members

By Executive Director, Bob Papp

National Millennium Trail In June, the North Country National Scenic Trail was named one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House Millennium Council. National Millennium Trails are described as "visionary trails which define America's history and culture."

This is a significant acknowledgement of our efforts and the great potential of our trail. The Appalachian Trail was the only other National Scenic Trail to receive this recognition.

To be honest, I applied for this recognition this past spring with mixed feelings. At the time, there wasn't a lot of information available on what the benefits would be.

Even so, it was clear that we would be expected to host a national "celebration" in the year 2000 if the NCT was named a National Millennium Trail.

Well, now that we've received the award, we're still a little in the dark as to what it will 'mean for us.

From what I know, there currently is no funding associated with the award, though efforts are being made to raise money. In the meantime, we've been assigned to the American Hiking Society for technical suport in planning our "celebration."

I'm open to ideas as to form this celebration might In my application, I made a of saying that we would

what take. point reach

2,000 members in the year 2000, and would probably reach the goal of certifying 2,000 miles of trail.

In addition, it will be the 20th Anniversary of the Congressional designation of the North Country Trail. At present, I expect that we won't have trouble reaching 2,000 members, but the 2,000 certified miles will be a challenge. If you have trail in your area that you think might be certifiable, please contact Bill Menke at the National Park Service at 608-2645610 for help in the application process. Every mile of trail will be critical to reaching this goal.

So, the celebration will focus on one or more of these landmarks, but beyond that, it could take nearly any form. At this point, I have a few ideas but don't know for sure what we'll end up doing. If you have thoughts, I'd be interested to hear them. We'll want the celebration(s) to be significant, without creating a big additional burden on either our volunteers or our staff.

Mapping Project Last issue, I wrote glowingly about how exciting it was to have our first full color topographic map set completed and available for sale. Well, believe it or not, we've already sold nearly 100 of these new maps! As I write, our color copier is grinding away beside me, producing a new run of 200 of the map sets. I expect this will keep us

in stock for a while. Some of the maps were sold at wholesale costs to a few outfitters in the area.

In the meantime, Melanee, our cartographer, has been working closely with volunteers throughout the summer to complete two more map sets. One of these sets covers about 24 miles of trail in the area surrounding this year's conference site in western Pennsylvania. From the Old Stone House to Hell's Hollow, the trail in McConnell's Mill and Moraine State Parks covers some beautiful country.

Our second new map set covers trail managed by the Chief Noonday Chapter in Michigan's lower peninsula. From Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Rd. outside of the Yankee Springs State Recreation area, this trail includes many segments on private lands.

Local funding from the Loyal and Bonnie Eldridge Foundation helped make the Chief Noonday map set possible.

You'll find all three of the map sets in the Trail Shop section of this North Star. 路 With these sets complete, we are ready to begin work on more new map sets. The key to producing these sets is having a group of volunteers in the region who are eager to work with us to field check the maps and provide additional information that would be of interest to hikers using the maps.

Without this type of local support, a set never will be completed.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September,

If you would like to help us produce a map set for trail in your area, please contact your Chapter president to let him or her know of your interest. You also could contact us directly, but I'd like to be sure your Chapter is ready to support the project before we begin.

(As an aside, we currently are working on a way for Chapters to receive some benefit from the sale of maps in their region. This will be a topic for discussion at the Chapter President's meeting at our Conference, so I'll have more to report on this next issue.)

Our criteria for developing a map set are simple. The trail segment must cover at least 20-25 miles, and can be no more than about 65 miles. If it's something like 80 miles, for instance, we'll probably want to split it up into two map sets to keep the project manageable.

As I mentioned above, it's also very important that a few volunteers are eager to work with us to field check the map and flesh out the information it provides. If it's a low priority for the volunteers, it will end up being a low priority for us too, because we won't have the support we need to finish the project.

Lastly, we would like to focus on the more popular trail segments first, since sales of the map sets will help support the overall project. However, as we are finding, this really isn't as important to a successful map set as strong volunteer support.

Minnesota Reroute A severe storm in northern Minnesota this summer has caused considerable damage to the partner trails involved in the "Arrowhead Reroute."

The Superior Hiking

1999

Trail, the Kekekabec Trail and the Border Route Trail all were hit hard, with some trail segments being closed until repairs can be completed. Although this won't directly impact our planning process, it will understandably divert the attention somewhat of the people involved.

Even so, the first open house to present the results of the planning team's efforts took place in July.

We also are continuing to work closely with the Superior National Forest to identify the best route for the trail from completed segments near the Canadian border to the Itasca County area.

Direct Mail Campaign Responses to our direct mail campaign to solicit new members still are trickling in at the rate of a few per week, but we are far enough along now to report some "final" results. Overall, we are very pleased with the results, and certainly learned a lot about the process.

Of the roughly 37,500 pieces we sent out, 441 have returned as new members. This is a response rate of 1.17%, which is considered above average. We had hoped for a response rate of about 1.25%, but higher average donations than expected have more than made up for the slightly lower rate of response.

We used eight different sources for lists of names for the mailing.

Four of these returned at rates of below 1 %, with one being as low as 0.46%.

These obviously pulled down our average response rate, and gave us some insight into the types of lists we might avoid in future mailings. At the same time, though, our two best lists will be unavailable to us in future mailings, be-

Page 29

cause we've already used up all the names they had available.

We might look into doing follow-up mailings to these lists.

At this point, the mailing still hasn't paid for itself. Fortunately, Recreational Equipment Incorporated provided the funding for the mailing, so the Association has not suffered any loss. However, in the future, we will be trying to run one such mailing per year, with the goal of having the revenues from each mailing pay for the following year's mailing. To do this, we will need to improve our response rate and cut back on our expenses. Our experience with this mailing has given us some good insight into how to accomplish both goals.

The growth from this campaign has been dramatic. In the past three months, our membership has climbed by 43%. Membership is up 51 % since the first of the year.

Although direct mail campaigns will form an integral part of our路 membership recruitment efforts in the future, I can't overstate the importance of the continuing efforts of our volunteers to recruit new members through personal contacts. Strong, active Chapters and enthusiastic volunteers are immeasurably more effective at recruiting and retaining members than any piece of mail we possibly could devise.

If you are a new member who . joined us through our first direct mail campaign, welcome! I truly hope you'll seek out your local Chapter, if we have one in your area. The members and volunteers will welcome you, whether you're an active hiker, an avid trail worker, or just someone who wants to see what it's all about. Elsewhere in this issue, you'll find a Trail Council Directory, which shows where all of our Chapters are, and lists contacts for more information.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September, 1999

Page 30

You can Win an Award for Recntiting New Members!

Because public support is so critical to the success of the Trail, we award people who help recruit new members to the NCTA. Those listed in bold already have received awards. We've also listed everyone who has recruited at least three new members, to track their progress. To get credit for recruiting a new member, just write "recruited by" or "sponsored by" with your name somewhere on the new member's form. (All types of new paid memberships count for credit, not just the $15 introductory ones!)

Our Top Recruiters to Date: 8 10 11 8 3 3 9 3 4 3 7

17

David Adams Jerry Allen Carol Atwell Len Baron Dennis Bell Bob Benham Derek Blount Brad Bosley Wes Boyd Jack Buege James Burow Dave Cornell

5 Claudia Day

3 Terry Ladd

pennis Donathen 5 Kathleen Eisele 19 Gene Elzinga 7 Tom Garnett 9 Richard Grau 5 Grace Hutchinson 3 Sandy Hutchinson 5 Neil Juhl 70 John Kincaid 4 Bryan Koehler 11 Mary Kunzler-Larmann 3

Dave Sheldon 4 Darlene Snyder 3 Amy South 70 Bob Tait 15 Barb VanDyken 4 Steve Vear 7 Werner Veit 12 Doug Welker 3 Ginny Wunsch 19 Gaylord Yost 18 Joan Young

18

12 AILarmann 5 John Leinen 9 Rod MacRae 3 James McMellen 16 Bill Menke 5 Richard Naperala 102 NCTA Office 10 Bob Papp 16 Kathy Sabel 5 Anne Saltman 39 Richard Saur

Update on our goals for members and new trail

One for

One

2,000 by.

2000

One member for every mile of trail projected State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Other TOTAL

Current members 16 84 136 921 150 203 133 93 1736

Change since last issue + 3 23% + 27 47% + 37 37% + 158 21% + 67 81% + 38 23% + 42 46% + 5 5% + 380 28%

Trail miles 475 375 220 1150 1050 300 625 n/a 4195

2 ,000 miles certified by the year 2000 State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York TOTAL

Miles certified 176.5 90.0 81.3 580.7 301.4 121.1 224.0 1574.6

Change since last issue 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

% Done 37.2 24.0 40.7 50.5 28.7 40.4 34.7 37.7

Members to goal 459 291 84 229 900 97 492 n/a 2552

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September

¡

NorthCountry

1999

Trail Association

Page 31

Board of Directors

Terms Expiring in 2000 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large: OH-Ml Trail Council Chair: West End Trail Council Chair: West Division: At-Large (temporary seat):

Werner Veit, 49 Monroe Center Ste 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 Joan Young, 861 West US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 Appointment pending Lynn Waldron, 8133 Norris Road, Delton Ml 49046 John Leinen, 14205 St. Croix Trail North, Stillwater MN 55082-9587 Daryl Williamson, 5901 Timberglade Drive, Bloomington MN 55438 Dana Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221

(616) 235-2330, wv12@aol.com (616) 757-2205, jhy@t-one.net

David Cornell, 514 Cordes Rd, Delton Ml 49046 Bob Tait, 277 S Duffy Rd, Butler PA 16001 Tim Cullenen, 6737 Murray Ave, Cincinnati OH 45227 Tom Reimers, 3C Wildflower Dr, Ithaca NY 14850 Pat Miller, RR#4Box135, Cliffwood Dr, Prairie DuChien WI 53821 Gaylord Yost, 2925 W Bradley Rd, River Hills WI 53217-2052

(616) 623-8659, janc128@aol.com (724) 287-3382, bob_tait@nauticom.net (513) 527-4732, tacull@fuse.net (607) 272-8679, treimers@aol.com (608) 326-7354, pkmiller@mhtc.net (414) 354-8987, gaytyost@aol.com

(616) 623-5340, lwaldron3@juno.com (651) 433-4456, jleinen@mtn.org (612) 835-2186 (330) 928-8931

Terms Expiring in 2001 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large: East Division: Great Lakes Trail Council Chair: West Division:

Terms Expiring in 2002 At-Large: Mary Lucas, P.O. Box 54, Glidden WI 54527 At-Large: Amy Clark, 1646 Capitol Way Apt. 101, Bismarck ND 58501 At-Large: Derek Blount, 906 N Alexander, Royal Oak, Ml 48067 Allegheny-Adirondack Trail Council Chair: Cutten: Chair is ineligible to seve on the Board until mid-year 2000 East Division: Helen Coyne, 212 Willow Circle, Cranberry Twnshp, PA 16066-4572

1999 Board of Directors Election Results The North Country Trail Association congratulates Amy Clark, Mary Lucas, Derek Blount and Helen Coyne for their election to our Board of Directors.

Amy and Mary both were appointed in the past year to seats that were expiring in 1999. They now have been elected to full threeyear terms.

Derek and Helen both are former Board members that have been re-elected following absences from the Board.

We're glad to have them back, and look forward to three more exciting and fulfilling years!

(715) 264-2003, mlucas54@juno.com (701) 223-8659, aclark@state.nd.us (248) 548-1737, djblount@aol.com (724) 776-0678

Thank You NCTABusiness Members!

The North Country Trail Association has a "Business Membership" program, with annual dues of $150. Benefits include a reduced rate on ads in the North Star, and regular placement of a business logo and contact information both here and within our web site. Current Business Members, if you'd like to see your logo here with your other information, please send or e-mail us a digital copy (most any format is ok).

Law Offices of Barry S. Cohen N9661 Willow Rd., Elkhart, WI 53020 (920) 565-4225

~'

F"'U. :n. â&#x20AC;˘ Ad

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311 W. Kilgore [J'ortage, Ml 49002 [1;16-381-7700 Downhill & XC Skiing I Snowboards I Backpacking I Ci1111ping Kayah I Canoes I lnline Shies D Technical Outerwear Boy Scouts I Aventure & Tnvel Wear for Men & Women

TRecs Inc.

Rackpacking Canoeing Rock Climbing Winier trips

PO Box 1478 Portage, MI 49081 (616) 327-5379 Cwtomhed corporate teamb..iilding and team man~ernmt ~-

225 East Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (414) 567-6847 10730 West Janesville Rd Hales Corners, WI 53130 (414) 425-6888

for Families

or Large Groups weekend & Extmded

Prairieville Family Inn 10484 S. Norris Rd. Prairie, Michigan (616) 623-6150 (A favorite of the Chief Noonday Trail Crew!)

Page32 e

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, August-September, 1999 L l ...L ]

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With sincere gratitude, the North Country 'Ii-all Association recognizes the following contributors for their generous support over the past year: North Country Champions

(min. $1,000 support from organization, agency, or corporation):

Quality Outdoor Gear and Clothing Since 1938

A American H Hiking

The Loyal and Bonnie Eldridge Foundation

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Society

gilson graphics

Weekly in !5oot11 Ne\\/spapers

North Country Trail Patrons

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($250 annual membership):

Walter Srogi, Werner and Marianne Veit

Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340 North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center NW Ste 2008 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 888-454-NCTA • www.northcountrytrail.org