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July - September 2001
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North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
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Table of Contents: East and West Along the North Country Scenic Trail
â&#x20AC;˘ASSOCIATIONâ&#x20AC;˘
229 East Main Street Lowell, MI 49331 {888) 454-NCTA Fax:
(616) 897-6605
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E-Mail:
NCTAssoc@aol.com Web Site:
northcountrytrail.org
Rovers in the Field-Page 18
Staff:
Bob Papp Executive Director Margie Kindel Project Manager
10
16
Geocaching: It's Not All Fun and Games
22
Everyone Pitches in To Move Association
25
Trail Day Festivities Across Seven States
Tiffany Halfmann GIS Coordinator Bonnie Wayman Office Manager Bill Menke Trail Foreman Glory Meyer Public Services Coordinator Beth Ford Bookkeeper The North Star
Werner Veit Editor Joan Young Roger Meyer Contributing Editors Aaron Phipps Imaging Jennifer Tripp Graphics Heather Francis Production Assistant Virginia Wanty Editorial Assistant
Hiking in the Wild West of the Upper Peninsula
For the last three issues now, we've enjoyed the adventures of Joan Young through her North Country Cache series. Joan continues her trek in this issue, beginning on Page 7. At the same time, we start a second hiking adventure, Bill Menke's trek through the rugged western part of Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula with Dave Cornell. The first of Bill's three articles begins on Page 10.
Departments: Along the Way Bob's Report Chapters in Action Heart and Sole Hiking Shorts Joan's Cache Trailhead Trail Calendar Trail Contacts Trail Shop Trail Supporters
ven if we can't always experience the North Country National Scenic Trail first hand, or at least not all of its formidable thousands of miles, The North Star will share the experience through the eyes, ears and feet of our most experienced hikers and backpackers.
Page 6 Page 34 Page 18 Page 14 Page 28 Page 7 Page 4 Page 37 Page 20 Page 29 Page 38
Published four times annually in January, April, July and October by the North Country Trail Association, a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the organization. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.
Given our other commitments, that's about as much space as we can devote to first person hiking pieces, but we'll continue on the lookout for quality adventures for use when the current descriptions of the hikes are done.
About the cover:
Roger Meyer, a North Star contributing editor, photographed the Board and some staffers as they gathered for their first meeting at the new headquarters. See Story, Page 20. Page 3
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July - September 2001
Changing of the Guard and Our UnfinishedBusiness
A
couple of weeks ago I parked my car in a forest clearing at a trailhead of the North Country National Scenic Trail to meet with 12 other members of the Western Michigan chapter for a modest day hike from the Muskegon River in Michigan to Bigelow Creek, six miles or so away. There was a gaggle of vehicles parked with me: one pickup truck and one minivan. The rest were sedans of one ilk or another. As I looked around, I couldn't help remembering a thought the writer Bill McKibben had when driving into the parking lot of a suburban Boston supermarket. The route to the supermarket must have required the crossing of raging rivers, he thought, and the scaling of especially rugged escarpments given the armada of Sport Utility Vehicles filling the parking lot. The comparison between the lots is a particularly apt metaphor for the ethics of so many hikers, they're careful not only with the landscape of their trail but thrifty with all the world's resources and mindful of the mindless consumption that threatens the well-being of their beloved earth. That ethic is one of the principal reasons why I have been proud to have been the President of the North Country Trail Association for the past four years. Come this August and our annual meeting, this year in Cazenovia, NY, the Association Board will elect a new a President. Therefore, the Trailhead column in The North Star through which I have been addressing m~bers during my two terms as President, will be written by my successor. Although I'm still in office as this is Page 4
Editor's Note .... by Werner Veit being written, I thought I would get the jump on the future and reheadline my remarks as Editor's Note, the title for the thoughts on this page from now on, or at least until a new editor comes along who may have different ideas. (A different editor would be welcome but no one with the requisite skills-yes a few are needed-has yet to come forth). The time for the changing of the guard is often the occasion for looking back-to see what might have been accomplished during one's stewardship. While our association has made splendid progress-new miles, many more members, a doubling in the number of chapters-I certainly haven't been responsible. I like to think I helped the enthusiastic members and dedicated staff, headed by executive director Bob Papp, who really made it happen. But rather than digging into that past, I would prefer to look ahead and consider all the unfinished business still before us until we finally realize our dream of a premier hiking trail stretching across the heart of the Northland for 4,600 miles, through seven magnificent states and halfway across the North American continent. Just look at what we still need to accomplish in trail design and construction, in acquiring rights-ofway across private lands, in securing reliable funding, in gathering public
support, in safeguarding existing trail from the problems of competing uses to name just a few of the major items of unfinished business. It's difficult to underestimate the need for public support. In my home state of Michigan, I can hardly pick up a newspaper without reading about another expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars for paving a pathway, or a grant for an elaborate bridge serving bicyclists, at the same time the North Country Trail Association can barely get support to protect the trail we've already built, largely by hand. Why? Because we don't yet have the political clout of those who recreate with mountain bikes, Off Road Vehicles, trail bikes and other products of the consumer society that represent important parts of both the manufacturing and tourism sectors of the economy. I want to add quickly that most of us are not enemies of mountain bikers. Unlike other contrivances, mountain bikes at least are quiet. In fact, many of our members ride and enjoy bikes in appropriate locations. But many governmental agencies, committed to "multiple use" are loath to make distinctions of where mountain biking is appropriate and where disastrous to a trail built laboriously by our members. But that's not really the issue. Hikers maintain that there ought to be a few places left in North America that are premier hiking trails, period. Because of that dream, they set out to build the North Country National Scenic Trail and are dismayed when it's invaded by uses incompatible with the quiet and loneliness of wilderness and even further dismayed when such a
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
dream is not even understood. Nevertheless, we are slowly gaining some influence. Our yearly education trips to Washington, our ongoing contacts with our Representatives and Senators and our contacts with our state legislators and local officials are beginning to demonstrate to our decision makers that we are there and that maybe we even count. Still, large elements of the public don't yet recognize hikers as a community asset and the large majority of our citizens have never heard of the North Country or any other national scenic trail. Some think we're a little strange for using our two feet to enjoy the woods instead of roaring through them in a vehicle. One Minnesota magazine warns its readers that "the cultists" out there will be trying again to keep their toys from using the woods again.
Our Vision for the North Cl?Untry 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 permanentljtprotected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.
Our answer is to articulate our simple yet glorious vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail for ourselves, our partners, our neighbors, our government to keep it always in mind and to work for its fulfillment. It's reproduced on this page as an encouraging reminder of
our goal, our dream, our task. It has been an honor to be your President and to continue to work on behalf of the trail as editor of The
North Star.
Membership Form If you are purchasing or renewing your membership please fill in the following information and add the amount to your Trail Shop Order Form if you are purchasing merchandise or send this form separately.
D $30 Regular D $100 Pathfinder D $45 Organization D $50 Trail Leader D $250 NCT Patron D $150 Business Would you like to be a Chapter Member or At-Large? (There is no charge to be a member of a local Chapter.)
D Member of a specific Chapter:
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NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE
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Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 229 East Main Streetâ&#x20AC;˘ Lowell, Michigan 49331 Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCT A (888-454-6282) If ordering by credit card you may fax your order to:
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Page5
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July - September 2001
路-路Along the Way VISUAL delights Wisconsin's 路 woods.
Along the way to building the longest continuous hiking trail in the country, we pass many milestones. This page marks some of them to show our progress.
in
-Fromthe July page of the NCTA calendar
Recruiting Members
Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail
Awards are given for recruiting 10, 50, 100 and 250 new members. Our top recruiters since the last issue of The North Star were: Irene Szabo
6
John and Pat Leinen
3
Glory and Roger Meyer
2
Rick Halbert
2
Neil Juhl
2
Volunteers on the Trail
Miles Certified
State
Ron Rice
611.00
Bob Tait
194.00
Frank Cetera
125.00
Teresa Agostini
80.00
Charles Krammin 58.00 Robert Gould
47.75
Char Chandler
32.25
Jann Bidwell
26.00
Change Since April
Percent Done
175.6 90.0 96.3 609.0 306.9 129.1 252.7
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
37.0 24.0 48.2 53.0 29.2 43.0 40.4
1,659.6
0
39.8
North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York
Totals
Special thanks go to the following who have reported the most volunteer hours since our last issue:
Page 6
The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its standards, but there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but cannot be certified for a variety of reasons.
State by State Membership Membership in the NCTA demonstrates public support for the trail. Membership dues help fund activities that benefit the trail. Here's how each state stacks up.
State
Current Members
Change Since April Issue
40
Percentage Change
North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Others
159 192 1172 179 256 182 91
-15 -11 -21 -26 -31 -26 -2 -7
-27% -6% -11% -2% -15% -9% -1% -7%
Totals
2271
-139
-6%
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
North Country Cache Editor's Note: This is the fourth in the series ofJoan Young's adventures on the North Country Trail, entitledNorth Coun!IJ Cache. The first long backpackingtrip she and two friends undertook was through the AlleghenyForest of Pennsylvania. The story of that trip began in the April issue, and is continued here. The Allegheny trip will be completedin the October issue.
Part 2
Baby Steps on the Giant Trail July 20-31, 1994 Bears. I have yet to meet one on the trail, and that's just fine with me; I have friends who have met them and this is one adventure that I am content to experience vicariously. Supposedly there are bears in the Allegheny National Forest so we must cache our food each night to keep it safe. Well, that's the theory. If any bears really wanted our dinners, I suspect they would have had them. According to the backpacking guides, what we really need each night is a cliff. Two cliffs, at least 20 feet apart, with sheer walls, with one of our party placed strategically on each side. Then we simply have to string a cable from one wall to the other, and hang the cache bag in the middle. Right. Given the cliffs, in between the time needed to do and undo our cache we could hike a mile or so each day (staying near the cliffs), maybe even find time to eat some of our carefully hoarded food. Option two. Climb at least 20 feet up two trees with no lower branches which are at least 20 feet apart. Tie a stout rope between them, and suspend the cache bag in the middle of this. "Oh, Dave," we implore sweetly. Our site the first night has politely provided such
trees. Dave shinnies up a rough bole with the rope clenched in his teeth as we watch. "Is this high enough?" We agree, and he ties off the first end and descends to earth. Not bad, this has taken only 10 minutes. On to the second tree. Marie and I are beginning to be bored with watching Dave grunt and heave himself up trees, and even our energetic teen is losing his enthusiasm. After another 20 minutes or so the second end of the rope is tied. "I'm not sure I can do this every night," he casually comments while collapsing at our feet and spitting bark fragments from between his teeth. Now we only have to suspend all food and toiletries in the middle, at least eight feet from any side branches, and at least 12 to 15 feet from the ground. This means ransacking the packs for every article of such description. So much for each person carrying his/her own things. If we must do this every night, the cache-requiring items will need to be kept together. Another quarter-hour and we have a nylon stuff sack, lined with a plastic bag, filled with all bear delicacies. It's less than
clear how much the plastic liner will prevent our bear from smelling this wonderful offering since she can easily open even tin cans whenever she so desires. We tie another rope to the cache bag and hoist it to the middle of our horizontal line. One hour has now passed. The bag swings a happy two feet above the forest floor. Maybe we've saved our food from an uninterested chipmunk. We give up for tonight. At least the delicious items are out of the tents. Except for us. Act two. Tonight we will look for just one tree, and divide our food into two bags. We find a young maple whose top bends lightly to one side, and tie the heavier bag securely to our rope. After a dozen tries, we manage to throw the other, weighted end over the curved trunk, at what we judge to be the best location. Tonight's lesson is: do not tie a rock in the end of the rope for a weight, no matter how many books confidently suggest such a plan. Gravity works, and the rocks occasionally fall out of their rope cages, bent on redesigning our heads. Continued on Next Page Page 7
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North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail July - September 2001
~~
Eest and West Along the North Country Trail ... "Maybein bear country hikers should eat all their food the first night, and skip this cache comedy. Few rocks come with grooves to hold the rope in place. We are not enchanted with the idea of a participatory stone-age history lesson on rock shaping, while taking a day off to learn how our ancestors accomplished such tasks. Besides, we would then feel obliged to carry our carefully prepared rock whose status would be elevated to implement. This runs counter to the backpacker's credo to reduce the load. A stout, short piece of stick turns out to be the best weight. This also creates a T-handle with which to grab and hoist the rope once it's over the branch. We pull the first bag up as high as we can, tie the second bag on the free end, and push it upwards to counterbalance the first bag. Wow! We did it, and in only 30 minutes. Tonight our bags are safe from chipmunks and clumsy squirrels! Well, hey, it's an improvement. "Are you enjoying the show, all you bears who hold tickets to this event?" Hopefully we are so hilarious to watch that you will spare the cache just to see what Act Ill will be. Maybe in bear country hikers should eat all their food the first night, and skip this cache comedy. However, we do become better and faster at finding and choosing trees, appropriate heights and diameters of horizontal branches. "Is there a cache tree?" becomes a key question in choosing a campsite. We actually succeed, some nights, in getting the bags high over our heads and several feet from the tree trunk. We are either lucky, there are no bears
11
nearby, or the show continues to be too amusing to eat; the bears never sampled our Baca-spuds or Cutter's. It seems to me that what is really required to be bear-proof is a skyhook or a guardian angel. I'll take the angel. Ours seems to be on duty. Crossing creeks we often stubbed our toes on chunks of Pennsylvanian sea. That is "Pennsylvanian" as in 300 million years ago. Now the seas are the Pennsylvanian hills. This makes the wading more treacherous. Red and yellow sandstone do not belong only in the Painted Desert, so it seems. My guidebook informs me that the floor of the inland sandy sea settled and then rose without wrinkling to form a plateau. Rivers with rocky teeth sawed the plateau into tiles in high relief which were then rounded into the pointed knobs we now call the foothills of the Appalachians. The sea floor was above the present tops of the peaks. We are stepping carefully along the edge of the Allegheny Reservoir, through pre-history, at the bottom of the bottom of the sea-floor, seeing things already hidden from the brachiopod's gaze. The bottom of his kingdom ended 800 feet above us. We live after him, and walk through a sandy world formed before he hatched. The guidebook does not warn us to watch out for the Pennsylvanian dragonflies with the 30-inch wingspans. Would it be so incredible to see one, here on our journey through the ancient past? Interspersed with the sandstone is a rock with the descriptive but unromantic name: conglomerate. This is shale with pebbles of gray or pink or white quartz embedded like tapioca pearls in a chocolate pudding. When I was small and found
my first such rock I showed it to an adult, and asked what kind it was. I was told, " it's a conglomerate." Serious child that I was, I stamped my foot and replied, "I can see that, but what is its name?" Most of the sandstone and conglomerate which we must deal with on this humid July day is still cemented neatly into a conical hill in front of us. Not that we can actually get a perspective on the hill from where we stand. At this point it's just trees and trail heading upwards from Chappel Bay, at 1328 feet, to reach the high point of the Kinzua Watershed at 2110 feet. This climb is carefully routed up the hill, and without much difficulty we ascend to the high point for lunch. Our topo map tells us that is where we are but the woods are closed around us; no vista is awarded for a job well done. Lunchtime pleasures include freeing our feet from boot-prison, sock-drying in any available sun puddle, munching on various portable, mold-resistant breads with spreads, and resting. Declaring these to be pleasures is no careless boast. Such humble activities bring true delight when in perspective of their precious hour strategically placed in the middle of the day's toilsome miles.
"The trail turns off the road and becomes a dragon with three hikers and a dog wearily trudging up its backbone. It need not turn its head to breathe fire, cook and eat us; it has cleverly sat up and is waiting for us to fall exhausted, dead at its feet. 11
Page 8
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
After lunch we descend into the Tionesta Watershed, 672 feet down again to the Bay! Intersecting route 321 we turn right to follow the road to Red Bridge in order to cross South Branch River. We pass Red Bridge Campground, a memorial monument, and the road winds ahead of us into more woods. Marie and Dave are far ahead; I have stopped to read the monument. Finally I catch up. Where is this bridge? A careful re-survey of the maps indicates that we should have turned left at the highway. Groan. It is already past 6 p.m. and we must yet walk far enough to get away from the road to camp. Returning past the campground, Marie and Dave walk in to see if any sites are available, despite our desire to camp alone. I guard the packs. They determine that established campgrounds are designed for people in cars! Not wishing to hike three more miles just to learn that the site is full (it seems well-peopled), they return and we shuffle on. At least we are now headed in the right direction. The sun, low in the sky, is beautifully reflected as we cross Red Bridge, but we are too preoccupied with finding a tent site and eating supper to grasp the possible ruby origins of the bridge's name. The trail turns off the road and becomes a dragon with three hikers and a dog wearily trudging up its backbone. It need not turn its head to breathe fire, cook and eat us; it has cleverly sat up and is waiting for us to fall exhausted, dead at its feet. On our left is a wall of dragon spine-spikes, and to our right its side drops away around the ribcage.
DARK TRUNKS
are silhouetted against the morning light in the Allegheny National Forest. We follow the six-foot-wide path along our dragon's vertebrae. He (she?) sits angled at an average of 14 degrees, a 26% grade. "Couldn't you lie down, Mr. Dragon?" Regulations state that camping is permitted away from the path, but 50 feet straight up or 20 feet straight down are the only "away" options. It is quickly becoming dark in the woods. "How many hikers have we actually seen in three days?" Marie queries. "Only one group," comes the answer in all our minds. "How does this flat spot look?" "Wide enough for a tent." Well, it is, barely. We eat a supper of cold odds and ends, and carefully ease around the edge of the drop-off into the tent door. "Be careful not to roll to your left," are Marie's last words to me that night. The day's 14 miles of hills at least guarantee there will be no trouble falling asleep. (Guidebook note: "there are no good campsites between Red Bridge and Route 6 ")
ing, I am greeted, blessed with a perfect day. What had seemed so dragonish and bone-wearying the night before is transformed into one of those perfections for which I will keep venturing into woods for as long as I can walk. Cool white shafts of sunlight burst in a gleaming aura from behind dark tree trunks. Yellow-green and grass-green leaves glow on each black twig and stalk. Beads of dew cling to every leaf-tip, poised at the decision-point to fall or evaporate. Miles of spider webs hang in wet-white nets just below me, over the cliff-edge. The whole world is green and shining white. An early crow caws a greeting, and a spring in the lower hollow answers in bubbly, yet subdued, glee. I lie quietly, stunned into worship. No other response is possible. Marie and Dave are soon sharing the riches; there is plenty, freely given to all of us. This is indeed the Lord's Day. 98 miles this hike 150 miles total NCT
Z-z-z-z-zip. Opening the tent door next morning, Sunday morn
Page 9
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
'Wild West' in the Upper Peninsula Part One: From Wisconsin to The Junction of Gogebic Trail DA VE CORNELL carefully maneuvers across the cold waters of the West Branch, Big Iron River.
H
ey Doug! When is the best time to take a two-week hike in the UP? "Start sometime between Sept. 10 and 17 to catch the best combination of fall color and weather that is not too unpredictable," replies Doug Welker, local trail expert and President of the Peter Wolfe Chapter. His advice on weather, campsites and route adjustments proves invaluable as we plan for another hike. Months later, all the gear is checked and rechecked, food repackaged, maps ready and hiking partner and NCTA Board Member David Cornell and I arrive from opposite directions at a motel in Hurley, WI where we will spend the night before our hike. Day 1: Bright and early on the morning of Sept. 10 while the grass remains saturated with dew, we make the short walk up Highway 51 toward its junction with US-2, turn east and pass the "Welcome To Michigan" sign at the outskirts of Ironwood. The Country Kitchen is our first stop for a big breakfast to fuel the typically tough first day of a hike. Page 10
In the Wisconsin-Michigan border area, the North Country Trail is not yet built-so today is spent following paved roads north and east from Ironwood. By mid-morning. we are near the local airport when we first spot the Copper Peak Ski Flying Area ramp protruding far above the horizon.
"We'll be there after a couple of miles of hiking tomorrow morning," I say to Dave. This tells you that the ski jump is for serious jumpers because it's so long it can be seen for miles. About 3:00 in the afternoon, we arrive at our destination for the night-the old wayside park along Black River Scenic Byway. It is a little early to stop but we do not know of a better campsite for the next several miles so we stop for a leisurely evening-including a swim in the Black River below the campsite. Day 2: When Dave and I hike together, we get up and depart early, walk a couple of hours, and then stop for breakfast. By the time we are ready for breakfast today, we have reached the ski flying area and a convenient picnic table. After breakfast we finally reach the NCT trailhead in the Ottawa National Forest. Except for a couple of very
By BILL
MENKE
short stretches (near Black River Harbor and Old Victoria), for the next 11 days we will have off-road trail to follow. The combined trail in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and in the Ottawa National Forest is one of the longest and least populated stretches on the entire trail. We plan to be fully self-sufficient. There are no houses, restaurants or other facilities near the trail. We have made arrangements for one food-drop at Old Victoria and will stay in the new hiking shelter there on Day 7 of the hike. But, there are lots of miles to cover and lots of wonderful experiences before we think about that. Most of today is spent paralleling the Black River-first heading downstream on the west side-past the numerous spectacular waterfalls and their associated observation decks provided by the Ottawa. When the river empties into Lake Superior, we cross the large NCT suspension bridge. What a thrill to look across the small harbor, where most of the boats appear to have already been readied for winter, and realize that this wonderful trail in all its diversity follows or parallels the
July - September 2001 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
shoreline of the largest fresh water lake in the world. The temperature is definitely cooler with Lake Superior just a couple of good stone throws away.
along the abandoned road, the unmowed weeds soak us to the waist but the sun is shining in our faces promising a good day. Soon, we turn back to the north and cross the south boundary of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan's largest state parkknown for its beautiful, rugged scenery and large groves of huge, old-growth hemlock. While the trail is not well trodden or marked, we find our way and marvel at all of the large trees and the dark woods.
By mid afternoon, we have paralleled the river heading back up the east side as far as Rainbow Falls and we are now heading straight east along the old roadbed corridor that serves as the trail easement and leads us toward County Road 519 and the Porkies. We time our progress by counting the drainages as we cross them because Doug says that only Namebinag Creek (our intended night's camp) may hold water. So far, all of the drainages we are crossing are dry and we do not know how much to expect at Namebinag Creek but we sure don't want to miss it. Around 4:30, we find a creek with more water than the rest of the drainages and we're confident that we are where we want to camp for the night. There isn't a lot of water but it is flowing and it is just enough to feel comfortable with filtering. Tent sites are not easy to locate and tonight it is my night to be the first to choose. Dave has taught me a little game, useful when people hike together. Each night a new person gets to choose the first tent site. When it's your night to choose first, you can take all the time you want. But when it isn't your night, you soon learn to act disinterested and keep your mouth shut so as not to unduly influence the other person or give away the fact that you may have a preferred site spotted-lest they see it and you have to start all over again. Once they have made a decision and, like on the popular TV show "I Want To Be a Millionaire",
Eventually reaching the beautiful Presque Isle River, we follow it downstream-again heading for Lake Superior. The continuing view of cascading falls assures a walk no less spectacular than yesterday's walk along the Black River. When we cross the mouth of the river on another suspension bridge, we spot perfectly round potholes created by swirling rocks suspended in the swift current. These spinning rocks, over who knows how many years, literally drilled a hole in the solid rock streambed. TRAIL winds among towering Hemlocks in the Porcupine Mountains.
declare it to be their final decision, the second person chooses. The game eliminates any feeling that one person or the other always gets to choose the best site. Besides, its fun! I found a nice, flat site just a little above the creek level but Dave ended up way across the creek and up on a hill. We won't be doing much socializing tonightbut it doesn't matter as it soon starts raining and we are both holed up in our little tents anyway. Day 3: As we continue east
After tantalizing us with quick glimpses of Lake Superior, the trail finally again approaches the lakeshore. I am ahead and spot what appears to be a nice campsite on the flat next to the lake, along a very small creek about % mile west of Little Carp River. It turns out to be a beautiful spot and I quickly return to the trail so that Dave doesn't pass without noticing. From the campsite, beautiful views of the lake are ever present and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocky shore is music. The sun is shining so we wash dirty Continued on next page ... Page 11
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
The combined trail in the Porcupine Mountains... and the Ottawa National Forest is one of the longest and least populated stretches on the (NCT). socks and place them on warm rocks to dry. Dave takes a little footbath in the creek. But I am determined to swim in Lake Superior even though the waves are about 1 1/2 feet high and crashing into the rocky shoreline making it difficult to wade in far enough to dive in before the waves knock me over. When I'm finally ready to brave the chill water, I just squat down and the waves wash right over the top of me as I barely manage to keep from being tumbled on the rocks. Yep-it is as refreshing as only Lake Superior can be. Evening brings a wonderful sunset as the fiery hot ball of the sun finally falls into the lake. Later, a seat on a flat boulder offers views of the brilliant stars. Day 4: We cross Little Carp River and turn inland to follow its course upstream. The trail, parallel to the river, offers fine views of rapids and small waterfalls. We have to ford the river twice before stopping for breakfast. Again, we pass through the large hemlock groves before reaching the two trailside cabins near Greenstone Falls. They off er a change of pace from tenting, but they had already been booked when I checked months ago. By mid-afternoon, we cross South Boundary Road and exit the park within the next mile. Continuing east in the Ottawa National Forest, the trail follows abandoned roads that need some mowing and parallels the bluff above the West Branch Big Iron River. We plan to Page 12
camp when the trail most closely approaches the river. At 4:15, we think we are there and scout around for level campsites that are hard to find because this part of the forest floor is hummocky. When camp is set up, we carefully pick our way down the steep hillside to the river to filter our evening supply of water and take another bath. As Lewis and Clark commented in their journals, tonight the "mosquitoes are bothersome" and we have gone into the tents to rest/read/write. Shortly after entering the tent, I feel something wiggling on my toe. Upon taking a close look, I discover a leech has affixed itself-evidently it was hidden beneath a sandal strap ever since I swam in the river a couple of hours earlier. Day 5: The old body must be adjusting to sleeping on the ground as I have slept right through the night without hearing an rwl that Dave tells me was hooting frequently. As we begin to break camp, we hear thunder in the distance and quicken our pace. I don't mind it raining during the day but hate to pack up a wet tent and avoid it whenever possible. Sure enough just as we start east on the trail, the first drops begin to fall and we hike in a light rain for the next 11/2 hours. Stopping for breakfast when we reach the West Branch, we think about how difficult it could be to cross the river during times when the water is higher. This is the location where a massive, arched bridge
July - September 2001
collapsed in 1997 due to heavy snow loading and strong valley winds. Later we learn that the Ottawa National Forest has finally reached a settlement with the manufacturer and is making plans to replace the bridge. Dave was having trouble with his water filter last night and over breakfast discusses the possibility of him hitch hiking into town when we reach the next highway. I hate to see him go and argue that we can get along on my filter, but Dave is a more experienced and persuades me to his plan. We decide to reconnect near Old Victoria in a couple of days. After breakfast we easily cross the river on the exposed rocks without even getting out boots wetdue to low water conditions. When we reach the Big Iron River, we find a bridge of the same design as the one that failed. But the Forest Service has nailed plywood sheets on the entrances and signed it closedprobably as a precautionary measure. The river is wider and deeper than the last crossing , but we did find a way across. It is now noon and we have reached Highway 64 where Dave gets his thumb out to catch a ride into Ontonagon for filter repairs. I stay inside the woods (out of car sight) until he catches a ride, then start out solo into the most rugged part of the trail-the Trap Hills. Soon, I am climbing the long, steep grade (redesign is needed) toward the abandoned Bergland Fire Tower. The first of the many longdistance views is savored before heading on down the trail. Tonight's destination is a small creek near the NCT junction with the Gogebic Ridge Trail that reportedly contains water. There are now
July - September 2001 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
many steep ascents and descents but by 3:20 I reach a spectacular rock outcrop and vista that allows me to see all the way back to the fire tower passed two hours earlier. These kinds of views make the climbs worthwhile! At 4:00, I find the remains of some wooden signs that seem to indicate the trail junction. I say remains-because the bears have destroyed the signs. Finding that the creek has enough water, I set up camp and start the evening routine of writing in my journal, completing trail evaluations, cooking supper, reading, and fire watching. Tonight's camp is deep into the Trap Hills and quite remote and I wonder if Dave is eating a big, juicy hamburger-as I finish my couscous and pudding. At 8:20, I am still sipping a cup of hot tea and watching darkness settle when I hear the joyous sound of a flock of geese winging their way overhead to some un-
SPECTACULAR sunsets over Lake Superior are rewards for a tough day's hikingin Michigan s Upper Peninsula. known destination. Along with the sound of loons calling, owls hooting, wolves howling, and elk bugling, this is one of my favorite outdoor sounds. Tomorrow I will get into the heart of the Trap Hills-a story that will resume in the next issue.
Next Issue:
Bill heads into the heart of the Trap Hills, one of the most scenic portions of the North Country Trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
This column was launched three-and-a-halfyears ago, and it might he good to reOect on what has been accomplished. The original issue proposed, "There are those of us who wear our hearts, not on our sleeves, hut on the soles of our well-broken in hiking or work boots. That's what this feature is to be about; to focus on those of us whose psychologicalanatomy is so configured." Then, there were 12 chapters strung along the length of our ttsil; now there are 21. Seventy volunteershave been featured who have contributed such skills as computer knowledge,food preparation, engineering, organization, the willingness to talk with people, and that most popular of activities: physical work on the trail. Satisfying muscle use is important, hut in reality, the other tasks probably consume more of the time required to meet the aims of the North Coututy Trail Association whose Mission Statement begins, "The North Coumty TrailAssociation strives to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail... " national trail as well. Herb says, "I appreciate the primitive." He likes knowing that he is helping to preserve places where he can still find quiet in the woods. Having seen damage from motorized vehicles all over the country, he says that trails for muscle-powered sports are places to cherish.
Herb takes a rest on a BT A workday. Buckeye Trail Association HERB HULLS has served as President of the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) for five years, and previously was on the board of directors. He has been intensely involved since he first discovered the trail about 10 years ago when he and a friend came across a work party and asked where to find the trail. They were quickly given directions and more information by the omniOhio-present Jim Sprague (featured June 1998). Almost immediately, Herb and wife Susie joined the BTA and then the NCT A, seeing the vision for the Page 14
Herb acknowledges that he wants to get things done and sometimes pushes hard. He says that there is "a lot to do, but there is a lot that can be done." He describes himself as a loner who gets ideas of how to attain the Vision for the Trail. Then he tries to show people how those goals can be accomplished. "Membership is vital; we need to bring good people on board all the time," he added. He and Susie were awarded "Volunteer of the Year" for the BTA in 1996. In May of this year the first Ohio Trails Expo was held at Hocking College, one of Herb's ideas come to fruition. He would like to see more dialogue with other motorpowered user groups to reduce conflict and promote understanding. He is continually striving to raise money to buy land in order to protect the trail. Getting more of the trail offroad is also high on his to-do list.
July - September 2001
Seeing attitudes toward the trail change has been rewarding to him: An example is the American Electric Power Company which 10 years ago reluctantly allowed the trail to cross its lands with no camping permitted. Now the company welcomes new miles off-road miles and has agreed to the building of primitive campsites. Herb is a retired expert taxidermist. Skill in working with his hands has resulted in the construction of a chuck wagon to be used by. work crews. Jim Sprague has summed up Herb's character succinctly, "He is a serious trails enthusiast!"
Angie '.s skills lead to topnotch newsletters. Spirit of the Woods
"Make a difference and a trail!" proclaims ANGIE ADDINGTON. As newsletter editor for her chapter, Angie is making a difference. Her degree in graphic design and learned computer skills result in a polished publication for the chapter. She donates her artistic and layout talents to several non-profit organizations, and has a few paying accounts, but most of her time is occupied by the chapter's youngest member, Forrest. The aptly named toddler has been hiking with the group since two weeks before making his public appearance in the world, and he loves to be in the woods!
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
I
~~路;.::t.\~
~""'""""
~
Angie feels the newsletter is something she can really do to help the trail because it is hard to go out on work days with a baby. Nevertheless, she recalls her own childhood exposure to the rugged outdoors of Colorado where she grew up. Fond memories of family camping, backpacking and flyfishing trips sustain her in the moments of living with the reality of struggling to plan for a day in the woods with a two-year-old! "If you're exposed as a youngster it sticks with you; he's the next generation for the trail," she predicts. The Addingtons were looking for ways to meet people with out-door interests when they moved to Western Michigan. Angie found my personal website and e-mailed me. About the same time she saw a PBS show about the Appalachian Trail that piqued her interest, and then discovered that there was a National Scenic Trail right here in Michigan. Not long after that the Spirit of the Woods Chapter was organized, with Angie and husband Mark as charter members. Angie strongly believes in trails. She points out that as development increases, trails become an even more valuable resource. They provide people the opportunity to get away from the craziness of regular life. Recently Angie poured her talents into publicity for the chapter's National Trails Day celebration, which was a great success as over 100 people showed up to play in the woods on a rainy day. "Without communication, people won't know the trail is there." Well said, Angie! Grand Traverse Hiking Club
DICK NAPERALA first heard about the NCT from Arlen Matson (featured August 1998). He and
Dick sorts people at the beginning of a hike. Arlen worked together to start the chapter in the Traverse City, Michigan area seven years ago. Since then, Dick has been on the local board and during 1998--2000 served as Chapter President. He now shares the job of Trail Coordinator with Matson. He received the chapter Volunteer of the Year award in 1997. Under his leadership the chapter grew from 40 to 125 memberships with a two-pronged focus: to build trail, and to provide outdoor activities to use the trail. Dick sees one of his strengths his enthusiasm and love for the Trail, and the ability to convey that enthusiasm to others. "If people get out and hike the trail then it is more likely they will get involved with the trail." Dick is a retired upper elementary school teacher, and you can almost hear that sub-theme: get your students involved and they will learn! The Grand Traverse Chapter collaborates with other local clubs to provide quality programs, which draw people who love the outdoors. There are a variety of people who want various things," Dick noted. "We need to tap into that." He expanded on the theme that trails give people the opportunity to get out and enjoy nature. "We get great feedback from people; they love the scenery. But as they get
closer, it may even change their outlook on life." First of all people may become more sensitive to the fragile world we live in. Hikers can gain an appreciation of what northern Michigan has to offer. And also, they have the opportunity to slow down and collect their thoughts. Dick wanted to add that one real reward of being President has been to work with great people who are willing to give their time and energy for a common interest. He says that this has expanded his friendships and his horizons. Now his duties as Trail Coordinator take different forms. Tasks such as land acquisition and re-routing are Dick's focus, but all tasks are fueled by that love for the Trail. The April issue featured three volunteers whose primary duties were physical trail work. This issue stresses the themes of promotion and recruiting. Matever duties dedicated trail volunteers undertake, the ones who shine most brighdy are those who see that Vision of a National Trail where some day one could step on to the pathway in New York or North Dakota and follow an unbroken footpath across seven states. Each of these volunteers became involved with the Trail because some enthusiastic person encouraged them. Each volunteer found specific ways to help carry out the Mission of the NCT A. So, have you taken a friend to the trail? Do you look down the trail and see beyond the next bend, aU the way to the distant terminus? And what do you do to help develop, maintain, preserve or promote the North Country National Scenic Trail? If you would like to see previously featured volunteers, all their stories are on the NCTA website, in the Volunteers section. Of course, we are always looking for more folks whose stories we can share. Send me your ideas. Joan H Young, 231757-2205 orjhy@t-one.net. Page 15
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
Geocaching-New
Trail Activity?
or Retreat from Accepted Tra i I Ethics? '... Placing caches and letterboxes may unknowingly affect sensitive resources and encourage others who search for them to do the same. Fragile plant communities could be trampled... or archeological resources damaged... ' --~~~~~~~~~~--,
Everyone loves a "scavenger hunt" or searching out hidden treasure. We loved it when we were kids, and following clues to something hidden is no less tantalizing for adults. Following clues to something hidden has formed the structure of popular motion pictures, such as "Die Hard: With a Vengeance" (though in a perverse, rather than fun, way). Thus, it is not surprising that the activities known as "geocaching" and "letterboxing" have recently attracted a lot of attention and many new devotees. The use of new and now relatively inexpensive "tech toys"-global positioning systems (GPS)-as part of the scheme, especially in geocaching, has been an additional attraction to the activity for some. Geocaching is a web-based activity where participants hide a cache and take a position using a GPS receiver. The position is then published on the web-site with an invitation to search for the "treasure." Caches often contain a notebook or log book and something the finder may take. The finder is asked to put another item in the cache for others to find and will often report the find on the web-site. Letterboxing is a phenomenon Page 16
particular resources of a site, the limitations needed to preserve those resources, and the "demand" by the public for certain uses of the site
By Tom Gilbert, Superintendent Ice Age, North Country National Scenic Trails
similar to geocaching in that a player takes directions from a web-site and uses those directions to find a hidden object. In the case of letterboxing, the directions come in the form of a riddle and the hidden object is a stamp that the finder can use to stamp a piece of paper to prove that he has visited the site. The reason that these activities have become an issue, as their popularity expands, is because rarely (if ever) do those hiding the "cache" or "letterbox" do so in their own backyards. The web-sites promoting these activities advocate locating them on public lands, such as state and national parks and forests. The activity then becomes an issue for the management of those lands. Most people realize that public lands of any sort are managed according to a plan, developed with public input, that provides for use of those lands for the common good. Plans take into account the
It is doubtful that existing management plans or regulations for any public lands provide for this type of activity. Therefore, participating in geocaching or letterboxing could make one subject to law enforcement actions regarding unauthorized use of public lands. Another possible law enforcement concern relating to these activities is that persons placing caches and letterboxes may unknowingly affect sensitive resources and encourage others who search for them to do the same. Critical nesting/ breeding areas of threatened or endangered animals might be disturbed. Fragile plant communities could be trampled. If the cache or letterbox is buried, archeological resources could be damaged. Geocaching and letterboxing become an even greater concern when they are practiced along trails like the North Country Trail, that pass through private lands as well. The boundaries between public and private lands are not typically marked and a person placing a cache or letterbox would not likely know whether he or she was on public or private lands. It is easily conceivable that a private landowner that had
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
consented to people hiking through their property might object to people "stashing" treasure on their property, and thus passage of the trail through their lands could be put at risk. While the "hunt" associated with these activities is attractive, they also encourage a retreat from long accepted basic trail use ethics, such as: "Take only pictures, leave only footprints," and "Carry out what you carry in," long hallmarks of the ethics of hikers, backpackers, and other outdoors people. These ethics have been institutionalized in widely supported programs today, such as the "Leave No Trace" program. Leaving something behind has always been viewed as "littering." Geocaching and letterboxing invite a redefinition of that term and of basic trail ethics. Thus, I see them as being at crosspurposes with the effort to instill in the public's mind a greater appreciation for outdoor use and land stewardship ethics. I hope that those who are participating in these activities, and those who are thinking about participating in them, will give consideration to the perspectives I have expressed. I am realistic enough, however, to believe that many will not be persuaded by my thoughts. While not meant to encourage these activities, I would offer to participants the following suggestions that would help to minimize the impacts of their participation: 1. Ask permission of the public land manager or private landowner before placing a cache or letterbox. 2. If you are hiding a cache or searching for one, be careful to avoid trampling vegetation or disturbing fragile habitats.
3. Do not bury a cache. You could be disturbing important archeological evidence of early inhabitants of the area, or destroying fragile plant communities. By not burying a cache, you also will not be encouraging others to dig looking for it. 4. Consider modifying your participation in these activities to special events, scheduled at various times and places with the knowledge and
permission of the landowner I manager, similar to orienteering events. 5. Encourage other participants in the activity to join with you in organizing these special events. I acknowledge the attractiveness of the "hunt" associated with these activities, but I am left with a question in my mind: "Whatever happened to the good old walk in the woods for the mere enjoyment of doing so?"
ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS: The North Country Trail needs your help. As a volunteer, you contribute invaluable time to the NCT. Whether you work on the trail, lead activities, participate in planning, produce a newsl~tter or lead the work of others, you are the sole of tH In fact, volunteer service is the best': ' measure we have to demonstrate public support for the trail. However, if you aren't letting us know about the hours y6U put in, you're weakening our stance when we approach legislators, foundations, an potential sponsors to ask for. their help. So please, report, your hours to us, if not for your own recognition, the for the good of the trail itsel ~ To submit your hours, visit www.northcountrytrail.org/volunt /re or call us at 888-454-NCTA to requ Page 17
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country
Brule St. Croix
Rovers Out in Field in Wisconsin As the first snows blanketed the Brule-St. Croix Historic Portage in November of 1996, Bill Menke, then the National Park Service's manager for the North Country National Scenic Trail, was traveling north from his office in Madison to camp and work on a portion of the North Country Trail in hopes of getting enough work done to certify the first portion of trail in the BruleSt. Croix area. It became the first of Bill's many trips North to work on the trail. Over the Memorial Day weekend the following Spring, he persuaded his wife and daughter to go along by promising much fun building trail. The "fun" turned out to be accompanied by hoards of black flies and grueling "benching" work. Atley Oswald also joined the effort for a short while and helped to establish a "trail crew." In September, the Brule-St. Croix chapter hosted two crews from the Camp Douglas Correctional Facility and the B-SC Chapter also fielded a substantial crew. About this time, the NPS office received a request for trail information from an interested individual in Cambridge, WI, who later offered his help on any area trail work. What luck! That individual turned out to be Bob Gould, who would prove to be a skilled trail worker, dedicated member and the chapter's volunteer of the year in 2000. A couple of months later, when Dirk Mason (former NCTA RecreaPage 18
ROVERS' totrailer, complete with canopy, set up in the field. Inside, all the tools, including a heavy-duty DR , field mower, are arranged neady. j
tion Planner) and Bill traveled to Solon Springs for a NW Wisconsin planning meeting, they extended their trip into the weekend to continue some of the unfinished work on the trail. Bob Gould came along and established a working relationship with Bill that was to last through grueling miles of trail building and maintenance over the years. As the many work trips cycled through the seasons, the two B's decided they needed to make trail work more efficient. Over many nights around the campfire, they dreamed of a small crew of skilled workers who would work on trail construction and heavy maintenance. Eventually, they settled on a "core crew" of three to four individuals, the backbone of a crew, skilled in trail layout, design and construction, who would be willing to show up for most trips and be
tally self-sufficient in the field. They would also try to attract and encourage other chapter members and volunteers to join the crew on an adhoc basis, working whatever periods their schedules permitted. They envisioned their trips occupying a week per month from April through November, with the adhoc members coming and going throughout the week. There was one obvious problem with this lofty ambition-finding time away from work. In 2001, this problem was eased for Bill when he retired from the National Park Service. (Bill now is employed part-time as trail foreman by the North Country Trail Association so that his expertise and skills can help chapters throughout the organization). In 2001, the roving trail crew became reality when the Brule-St.
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country
BOB GOULD takes a break from tough sidehill benching near Erick Lake. Croix Chapter received a National Park Service Challenge Cost Share grant to organize and equip such a crew. Much of last Summer was a formative time, purchasing the tools, trailer, and mower; soliciting core crew membership; and holding the initial shake-down trips as an organized crew. This year, matters have fallen nicely into place with a good mix of skills to accomplish all aspects of trail location, layout, construction, maintenance, and signing. The core crew, who call themselves the BSC Rovers, now consists of Bill (crew leader), Bob, Atley and Rolf Swanson. They hope that one or two more will join the crew. If interested, contact Bill at (608) 441-5610. While the crew coordinates closely with Chapter President Peter Nordgren regarding work priorities and trail needs, it still functions somewhat independently. It will work primarily within the Brule-St. Croix Chapter area but from time to time, chooses to work outside the chapter's area of responsibility and travel a reasonable distance when requested by another chapter. When working in another chapter's area, the host chapter is expected to match the trail crew's efforts hour for hour with its own chapter members. This arrangement provides needed assistance and is also a good way for the crew to share trail design/ construction skills and training with nearby chapters and to learn some new techniques themselves. The crew is fully equipped with hand tools for up to 10 people, a DR Field Mower, and basic camp-
CNY Gains New Trailhead Site Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation has demonstrated its support for environmentally sound community activities by granting NCTA a five-year license to use land it owns in Cazenovia, NY.
ing and cooking equipment. It will not perform routine maintenance or displace trail adopters who remain responsible for routine maintenance on their assigned sections of trail. Rather, the trail crew will concentrate on new trail construction and can be called upon to assist with heavy maintenance projects, such as following a windstorm. There are lots of opportunities to make arrangements to tie in with the to roving crew for a day or more on any of the trips. For the remainder of 2001 work season, the work trip schedule is as follows: July 1217, Aug. 2-6, Sept. 4-8, Oct. 9-14, and Nov. 1-6. Work sites and tasks will depend on previous trip progress. If you wish to participate, contact Bill a minimum of one week prior to the trip. (Atley Oswald, experienced a mild heart attack while working near Iron River last October, underwent bypass surgery, has recovered and says he's ready to get back into the woods.)
The company granted a license to the Central New York chapter to allow it to use a stone-surfaced, halfacre plot, raised several feet above an often flooded drainage area .. The site, where a gas service regulator facility was once located and removed some time ago, provides significant potential for improvement of the North Country National Scenic Trail there. Specific benefits allowed by the license include: Direct, safe access to Chenango Street at the Village of Cazenovia line with off-street parking for three or four vehicles. (Northward from this point, the NCNST enters the village proper via an attractive sidewalk trail.) Permission to install an inf ormation kiosk conforming to recognized standards. Permission to install puncheon bridging or a turnpike from the rear of the property to normally drier lands to the southeast. (This action was included in the NPS trail certification work done in 1999 and no CPS data modification is required.) The possibility of landscaping to enhance the trailhead attractiveness.
--AI Larmann Central New York Chapter Page 19
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July -
September 2001
July -
September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
NCT Trail Councils July - September,2001
North Dakota ND State Coordinator Jon Lindgren (701)232-7868 jon_lindgren@ndsu.nodak.edu Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Lisa Engel (701)797-3530
Minnesota MN State Coordinator John Leinen (651 }433-4456 jleinen@mtn.org Star of the North Chapter John Leinen (651 }433-4456 jleinen@mtn.org Kekekablc Trall Club Peter Sparks (651 )739-0378 pjsparks@isd.net Rovers Outing Club Pat Ryan (651 }699-9800 pat.x.ryan@HealthPartners.com Superior Hiking Trall Association Gayle Coyer (218)834-2700 suphike@mr.net Chapters of the North Country Trail Association are like local trail clubs. They build and maintain the trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas. For information about local activities and volunteering, contact Chapter representatives. Partner organizations are independent nonprofit organizations that are working to build and maintain certain sections of the trail.
Page 20
WI State Coordinator Lisa Williamson (715)798-3890 nctrail@cablemuseum.org Brule-St.Crobc Chapter Peter Nordgren (715)394-8340 pnordgre@staff.uwsuper.edu Chequamegon Chapter Tana Turonie (715)274-2521 tturonie@centuryinter.net Heritage Chapter Sarah Gokey (262}4 73-3386 saraphin@idcnet.com Upper Ml State Coordinator Doug Welker (906)338-2680 dwelker@up.net Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker (906)338-2680 dwelker@up.net North Country Trail Hikers Jan Wester (906)225-1295 Bettie Daly (906)228-9018 Denise Herron (906)225-1030 Great Lakes Trall Council Robert Norlin (715)372-5229 morlin@ironriver.baysat.net
\
Lower Michigan
~~,
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Lower Ml State Coordlnati;rf:·~~,_,
~ Harbor Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney (231)526-9597 Keeney@freeway.net Tittabawassee Chapter Jerry Allen (517)345-2677 Grand Traverse Hiking Club (Chapter) Rick Halbert (231)947-8485 rlh@traverse.com Spirit of the Woods Chapter Joan Young (231)757-2205 jhy@t-one.net
PA State Coordinator Bob Tait (724)287-3382 BobTait@zbzoom.net
Western Michigan Chapter WemerVeit (616)897-5987 wv12@aol.com
Ohio
Wampum Chapter Richard Lutz (724)652-8185 lutznct1@lcix.net
Chief Noonday Chapter Dave Cornell (616)623-8659 janc128@aol.com
OH State Coordinator Jim Sprague (216)884-4757 jimsprague@msn.net
Saw Beese Chapter Richard Saur
Northwestern Ohio Ralls-to-Tralls Association Gene Markley (800)951-4788 140years@powersupply.net
Rock Chapter Frank Cetera (724)735-1133 frcetera@hotmail.com
Buckeye Trail Association Garry Dill (937)834-2891 vetfarm@ctcn.net
Butler Chapter Ron Rice (724)538-8475 rice1@nauticom.net
Great Trail Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley (330)227-2432
Clarion Chapter Carol Atwell (814}354-2778 atwell@mail.usachoice.net
*~
-
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www.northcountrytrail.org NCTAssoc@aol.com 1-888-454-6282
New York
Tom Gilbert, Superintendent (608)441-5610 Tom_Gilbert@nps.gov
Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Heather Honerkamp (412)231-1113 EtaJoyH@aol.com
American Youth HostelsPittsburgh Council Bob Roth (41-2)279-6219
NY State Coordinator Howard Beye (716)288-7191 fltc@frontiemet.net Finger Lakes Trail Conference Howard Beye (716)288-7191 fltc@frontiemet.net Central New Yorlc Chapter Al Larmann (315)697-3387 larmann@worldnet.att.net
Legend
-_/Chapters ..........
Partners Not yet adopted
Page 21
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
From New HQ:
July -
September 2001
All Signs Point to North Country Trail Everyone Turned Out To Create a New Home ommunity and trail volunteers, staff and their spouses, members and friends of members all have turned out and are still turning out to make the new headquarters a home for the North Country Trail Association in Lowell, MI.
C
The trail passes along the Flat River, a few feet from the back door of the historic storefront that's been turned into roomy officesfor staff and volunteers.The site, as the symbolic guide post at left shows, is the approximate midway point between Crown Point, NY, the eastern terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail, and Lake Sakakawea,the western terminus. The turnout for help and continued help was and is in the best spirit of the North Country Trail Association,where all the hard work is performed mostly by volunteers. Volunteers from the Western Michigan chapter, for example, turned out to load onto trucks our furniture and equipment outside our former headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids. Members of the Lowell High School football team awaited the truck on the other hand to unload it and carry the stuff inside where other volunteers, like Corky Ford, the husband of Beth Ford, our bookkeeper, and Roger and Scott Meyer, husband and son, respectively, of Glory Meyer, our public services coordinator, turned to for all the needed chores.
('
The cover shows officers, board members and staff alongside the Robert E. Lee, a showboat moored in the Flat River, just outside the North Country Trail Association's new national headquarters in Lowell, MI. In the picture are: 1. Beth Ford, staff book.keeper 2. Derek Blount 3. Tiffany Halfmann, staff GIS specialist 4. Werner Veit, President 5. Glory Meyer, PublicServices Coordinator 6. Tony Rodriguez 7. Rich Harris Page 22
8. Howard Beye, Vice President 9. Bob Tait 10. Bob Papp, executive director 11. Bill Menke, trail foreman 12. Daryl Williamson 13. Helen Coyne 14. Gaylord Yost 15.Joan Young, Secretary
The busiest of the helpers - and he's still on the job - is Brooks Kindel, the spouse of Margie Kindel, the Association's project manager, who designed and built the office's computer network. Wiring for the computer and telephone stations was all done by staff and volunteers, thus saving literally thousands in installation costs. Brooks is still at work tweeking and perfecting the system. Next in line is Jim Wayman, husband of Bonnie Wayman, our office manager, who will be installing and directing the installation of work stations being donated by Haworth Inc., the office furniture manufacturer. The Lowell Chamber of Commerce, across the municipal parking lot out our back door, has also been particularly helpful by sharing its conference room whenever we needed meeting facilities. The national board of directors has already met there and liked it so much it voted to hold all its Spring and Fall meetings there. A ribbon-cutting and open house on Trails Day welcomed the community.
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North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
Volunteers At Work David Goodman, Bob Papp, Gorky Ford and Paul Haan carry furniture out of the North Country Ttsil's former headquartersin downtown Grand Rapids. Gorky's wife, Beth, the Association bookkeeper stands by to make sure they don't drop anything. FAR LEFT: Glory Meyer, the NCTA 's public service coordinator, keepsher son, Scott, on thejob wiring telephonelines.
LEFT: Gorky Ford and Margie Kindel project manager, struggle with the goodsin the new quarters.
WIRERS (below): The unpaid wirers of computer lines are left to right:Brooks Kindel Margie's spouse; Tiffany Halfmann, the Association's GIS specialist, and Bob Papp.
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North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July - September 2001
.
... . . CELEBRATION NATIONAL TRAILS DAY f!RS'I SAft!JlDA}' IN J~iNE
NoHJ H Cf1" 1TRf TR ,UL A~WCli!Tfl~ * '-
â&#x20AC;˘
ABOVE: Lowell's Main Street was Banked by a banner. Below: Roger Meyer shows how visitors found their way to the NCT A's new headquarters with the help of blazes on Lowell's historic light poles. The trail virtuallypasses the back door.
A Trailwide Celebration
Chapters in all seven states marked National Trail Day with historic hikes, awards, grand openings, new construction, treadway improvements, Boats, picnics and gala festivities.
N
either cold winds, nor dark clouds, nor driving rain over much of the North Country National Scenic Trail dampened National Trails Day festivities last month. The hikes, trail construction and other festivities continued despite the weather.
highlights of the festivities for North Country Trail supporters.
The grand opening of the North Country Trail Association's national headquarters in Lowell, MI, and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference's Mt. Morris Dam facility were among the
New York:
Page 24
There was even a hike in Pennsylvania on a stretch of the trail that George Washington was believed to have walked in 1753. Among the events along the 4,500-mile stretch of the NCNST were: Finger Lakes Trail ConferenceThe conference opened its first public office after 39 years of existence
and after 17 years of Howard and Dorothy Beye's kind volunteer service hosting the FLTC's evergrowing administration in their home. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has leased the FL TC a house at the Mt. Morris Dam, adjacent to the new Visitor Center, which is right on the Letchworth Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail, a 25-mile spur north from the main trail, running through the lovely woodlands of Letchworth State and
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
Starting Early
IT WAS STILL Winter when members of the Chief Noonday Chapter got together at the site to "" plan their big June 2 - event. Participating were {back row) left to rig~t: Janet Wolk, Ver/ Krammin, john Rudnicki, Tom Funke, Bill Powe-""=' set and David Goodman. In the middle row: Steve ~ Hicks, Dennis Randolph and Julie Jackson. Kneeling are Charles Krammin, La Veme BeBeau and Annette Chapman. *··· ·"~'
the Livingston County Parks. The FLTC shares the quarters with Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway, a private membersupported organization which, with its public agency partners, the Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, tends the 90-mile towpath/railbed greenway. The Letchworth Branch of the FLT ends at the Genesee Valley Greenway two miles from the FLTC office in downtown Mt. Morris, and the two trails share several miles at the southern end of Letchworth Park and two more beyond, one of which is also a part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. A chicken barbecue followed a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Trails Day. Hikes and guided walks were held all day long. Central New York Chapter-The chapter celebrated Trails Day with two major building projects: construction of 4 ft. wooden stairways and connections between them in a
ravine plus finishing a parking area at a trailhead in Cazenovia by building a sign kiosk, landscaping, culvert installation and safety guards (horizontal telephone poles at edges of parking area.) Pennsylvania:
Butler Chapter-Ron Rice of Evans City, President of the Butler Chapter, was named the American Hiking Society's Volunteer of the Year for Pennsylvania. The award honors volunteers for efforts to preserve and maintain America's trails. Bob Tait, State Coordinator, nominated Ron after he built two bridges and over 140 feet of puncheon in the Gamelands this past year. He has also installed signs to direct hikers to the trail. Ron has been a member of the Butler Chapter since 1998 and has been volunteering his time ever since. His award was announced at a Trails Day ceremony at the Old Stone House, site of a number of special Trails Day events organized by the Rock chapter.
Later, members of the Butler chapter led hikes. Among them was a hike led by Kevin Cooper of the Butler Historical Society on the Heritage Section of the North Country Trail, the section George Washington was believed to have · walked in 1753. Other Butler hikes were led by Ben Mourer, the American Hiking Society's Bill Wilcox Award Winner, and Mary Bates who led a GPS hike and cache contest for the Global Positioning Users Group. Butler's Bryan Kohler led the Day's trail work. Other Pennsylvania activitiesBike ride on the Moraine Bike Trail staged by the Butler Outdoor Club; Canoe trip on the Hidden River Canoe Trail sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Paddle Sports Association; Campout and picnic, chaired by Joyce Appel, at the Davis Hollow Outdoor Center; Tour of McConnel's Mill and the Alpha Pass trail. There were demonstrations of no trace camping by the Allegheny Continued on Next Page Page 25
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
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CELEBRATION
SATURDAY IN JUNB,
FIRST lunch at the Baxter Bridge campsite on the Manistee River.
National Forest Services and outdoor first aid by the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group. Eastern Mountain Sports and the Butler City Bike Patrol staged demonstrations.
Peter Wolfe Chapter-The Peter Wolfe Chapter marked trail day by a hike along the Sturgeon River and by trail work on the Baraga Plains Section of the North Country Trail.
Ohio:
Buckeye Trail Association-The BTA sponsored hikes at Beaver Creek State Park, Burr Oak State Park, Fort Ancient State Memorial and the Clendening Reservoir. The latter was an opportunity to hike the new trail recently built by Buckeye Trail crews.
Wisconsin:
Brule-St. Croix Chapter---Worked on a new section, 314-mile of the North Country National Scenic Trail on property owned by the Village of Solon Springs. Afterward, the chapter held a picnic at the St. Croix Lake boat landing and trailhead.
Michigan:
Chief Noonday Chapter-Using the theme, "Walk Softly in Nature," the Chief Noonday chapter sponsored demonstrations and walks and hikes from Kimball Pines, east of Battle Creek, MI. Leaders and participants included: Russ Schipper, Kalamazoo Audubon Club, who led an early bird nature walk; Annette Chapman and Dennis Randolph of the Calhoun County Community Development Department who spoke on county trails; Barb Van Dyken, in charge of Kid's Adventure and wildflower identification hikes; Dr. Larry Hawkins, survival workshop; and Dave Vanderark, low impact hiking and camping skills. Western Michigan ChapterThe City of Lowell, where the North Country Trail Association now has its national headquarters, was the site of a grand opening ceremony plus a plethora of events sponsored by the chapter and other local organizations. There were hikes, walks, a scavPage 26
July - September 2001
HARD WORK eamed Ron Rice, President of the Buder chapter, the Volunteer of the Year for Pennsylvania by the American Hiking Society.
In the afternoon, members and guests enjoyed Spring flowers and views of the Brule Valley on two and seven-mile hikes, northeast of Solon Springs.
enger hunt for children, all kinds of tours and demonstrations, historical exhibits and tours and finally an evening spaghetti dinner with entertainment put together by the Fallasburg Historical Association in the pavilion of Fallasburg Park, on the North Country Trail.
Heritage Chapter-The day dawned in Copper Falls State Park with a low scudding ceiling of clouds and a steady, cold downpour. But some Heritage Chapter members braved the elements to take part in the celebration.
Spirit of the Woods ChapterBlacksmith's Bayou, near Manistee, was the site of the Spirit of the Woods Chapter's hikes and river floats to make Trail Day. There were also a demonstrations of outdoor skills by a Boy Scout troop from Chase, MI and a nature game staged by a Girl Scout troop from Manistee, MI.
Park Superintendent Kent Goeckermann set up the reassurance marking of the North Country Trail through the Park as the Trails Day project for the Heritage Chapter. Chapter Chair Steve Frye, Treasurer Michael Stafford, and Gaylord Yost, Vice Chair, led by Park Staff member Greg Lindquist, dug or drilled holes for some 28 wooden posts bearing the familiar North Country Trail "dollar bill" blue reassurance marking. The marking was from just outside the south Park entrance all the way to the current dead end of the Trail on
Grand Traverse Hiking ClubHiking on the North Country Trail in the Pere Marquette State Forest sponsored by the Grand Traverse Hiking Club culminated in a potluck
- July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
FLOATING in canoes down the Pere Marquette River ended the outing started by a hike sponsored by the Spirit of the Woods chapter. the Park's north extremity. Park staff had previously painted the posts. The crew began installation at the far north end of the Park out of range of the motor vehicle use or the six wheel ORVs or the tractor/ drill rig. Seven posts were hauled in by hand, holes dug, and posts installed. The remainder of the work went a little faster as the southerly portions of the Park were accessible to the use of motor vehicles. The tractor was used for drilling the holes and the ORVs and a stake body truck were used to haul tools and posts to the various locations. The addition of the marking posts should make it easier to follow the North Country Trail through the Park across its various intersections with other trails and access points. The Trail has had minimal marking since its construction some
years ago. The Heritage Chapter crew were hosted by the Park for their overnight camping. While the crew was wet by the end of the day, the consensus was that the project went well and was a needed addition for making the Trail more useable for the public. Minnesota:
Superior Hiking Trail Association-Guided hikes and replacement of a bridge were the highlights of the Trail Day celebration of the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Hikers encountered majestic terrain along the Temperance River and the ascent of Carlton Peak. Members also worked to replace a bridge over the Caribou River. The work was followed by an Association Picnic. Kekekabic Trail Club-The club partnered with the Star of the North Chapter of the NCTA and the Minnesota Wilderness Trail Alliance to
celebrate National Trails Day last month at Gunflint Lake, MN, right where the Kekekabic meets the Border Route Trail. North Dakota:
Fort Ranson-A ranger led a hike on a section of the North Country Trail from the log cabin in the park. Lake Sakakawea-The western terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail was the site of a hike designed to show off native plants and wildlife. There was also a discussion of the history of the North Country Trail.
Editor's Note: There were aU kinds of other observations of National Trails Day throughout the seven states hut thosf we mentioned were those we heard from. Page 27
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
sociation will provide lunch and some camping is available.
king
â&#x20AC;˘
Don't Forget to Vote
For further information, or to sign up, please contact Gene Markley at 1 (800) 951-4788, oremail at 140years@powersupply.net.
Shorts
NC Hikers Complete Their Trail Adoptions North Country Trail Hikers, the NCTA chapter headquartered in Marquette, Ml., reports that all segments of the North Country Trail in Marquette, western Alger and eastern Baraga Counties have now been adopted. From west to east, current adopters are Jim and Norma Matteson, Sally Brebner, Polly Derby, Russ Fure, Roland and Marian Schwitzgoebel, Ron Jarvis, Bruce Schwenke, Russ Dees, Dick Smith, Dan Hornbogen, Mark Sanderson, Dave and Judy Allen with the Sierra Club; Bettie Daly, Shirley LaBonte, the Davenport family, Mary Connor, Marti Leppanen, Chris and Ron Yuill, Bea Anderson, Lon and Lynne Emerick, Sue and Bob Holtzman, Ben Travis and Denise Herron. These sections of the trail have some unique needs, like the McCormick Wilderness in the Ottawa National Forest where no chainsaws may be used or painted blazes employed. -jsn Wester NCTA Board Ballots A Reminder: Ballots for the election of directors to the board of the North Country Trail Association must be returned to national headquarters in Lowell, MI by July 31 to be counted. Nominees are: Irene Szabo, New York; Bob Tait, Pennsylvania; Garry Dill, Ohio; Gaylord Page 28
July - September 2001
--Garry Dill
Yost and Bob Norlin, Wisconsin; John Leinen [r., Minnesota and Jon Lindgren, North Dakota. New Kekekabic Officers Peter Sparks has been elected President of the Kekekabic Trail Club, one of the North Country Trail Association's newest affiliates. Peter and Derick Passe are co-chairs of the Club's trail committee -The Hungry Beaver Finger Lakes Service Center The Finger Lakes Trail Conference, an NCTA affiliate, has opened a service center in the former dam manager's home in the Mt. Morris Flood control property, just outside Mt. Morris, NY. The Trail operations office will remain in Howard Beye's basement in Rochester, at the same address as always. --FLTC Quarterly Learning Timber Framing The Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association, an affiliate of the North Country Trail Association, plans to build a timber-framed bridge on a section for which it will seek certification. The project is scheduled from Sept. 1 to Sept. 9. NORTA is looking for individuals who may be willing to pay tuition to learn timber framing, but is also trying to raise funds so that tuition will not be required. The As-
Conservation Awareness The Grand Traverse Hiking Club will kick off its fall program with a slide show, "Climbing Alpamayo," presented by the Traverse area's Climbing for Conservation group. Their climb to the 19,510foot summit of Mount Alpamayo in Peru is designed to raise awareness of local conservation efforts among young people in the Traverse City Area, and to give them outlets for becoming proactive in local environmental concerns. The Team consists of: Tim Jenema, Tim Barrons, Keith Tampa and Joe Oesterling. You can get more information about their climb at: http:/ I climbingforconservation.com./ -Rkhsrd Halbert Onondaga construction The Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club has established a route, most of it flagged, between Spruce Pond in Morgan Hill State Forest (South of Apulia, NY) and Highland Forest County Park (East of Fabius), about half of the distance of the projected Onondaga Trail extension that will connect the Onondaga and Link Trails. We need just a few landowners' approval to complete the entire route. The three state lands are expected to be approved by September so that actual trail construction can begin in the Spring of 2002. -Dkk Lightcap, chairperson North Country Trail team
A. Royal M sh-Back Cap (c201) $10.95 Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap. B. Mo G n Cap (C206) $14.95 Embroidered associationlogo. Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Constructed with soft lining. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. c. L t Kh kl/Navy Cap (C207) $14.95 Trail emblem design. Low profile washed cotton, unconstructed. Light khaki crown with washed navy bill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. D. D nlm lu C p (C203) $15.95 Pro-wash cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustable buckle on a leather strap. E. Natural Colored Bucket Mat (C208) $16.95 The North Country National ScenicTrail compass point design on a bucket hat in a tone on tone khaki color. Washed cotton, one size fits most.
E
Full color pictures taken by our own members illustrating the beauty found on the NCNST. 100% pre-shrunk cotton.
T..SHIRTS Trail Crew T-shirt (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
NCTA -Shirt (C101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T".Three-color NCTA logo on front and two-color trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National ScenicTrail" and includes the seven state map of the trail. Color: natural. S, M, L, XL: $11.95, XXL: $12.95
Fall Scene on denim blue (C-104) S, L, XL: $12.95, XXL: $13.95
Woodland Scene on pebble tan(C.105) S, L, XL: $12.95, XXL: $13.95 Page 29
e-mail: NCTAssoc@aol.com
ORDERTOLLFREE! 1-8884~NCTA (6282) Burr Oak- Sinking Spring, 51pp (M302) $7.00 Sinking Spring to Milford, 38pp (M303) $6.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42pp (M304A) .. $7.00 Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 3opp (M305A) $5.00 Michigan NCT in Lower Michigan, Sipp (M401) $12.50 NCT in Upper Michigan, 88pp (M402) $13.00
MAPS
Wisc:onsln NCT Trall Map Sets Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a clear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. Scale is 1:24,000. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy. Each map unfolds to a full n" x 17". Michigan Huron-ManisteeN.F.: North Segment (T401) Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road (T402) Huron-ManisteeN.F.: South Segment (T403)
$8.00 $6.50 $8.00
Pennsylvania McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks (T201) $5.00 Allegheny National Forest North Section (T202) $6.50 Southern AlleghenyNational Forest and Cook Forest State Park (T203) $8.00
Iron County Forests; Chequarnegon N.F., Brule River S.F., 27pp (M501A) Minnesota Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24pp (M601) NorthDakota NCT in North Dakota 15pp (M701)
$4.50
$4.00 $5.00
Michigan Map Sets By Arden [ohnsan 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 Ohio State Line at Waldron to Augusta (M411A) Augusta to Rogue River State Game Area (M412A) Coates Highway at Manistee River to M-115 West of Mesick (M413A) M-115 West of Mesick to M-32 West of U.S. 131 (M414A) M-32 West of U.S. 131 to Mackinaw City (M415A) Sr. Ignace to SE Marquette (M416A) Marquette to Ironwood (M417A)
MUG North Country National Scenic Trail plastic trail mug tapered to fir in cup holder. (P103) $5.00
PATCHES State Patches New York. Pennsylvania
Ohio Michigan
2"
x
$2.00 ea.
2"
(P126) (P127) (P128)
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(P129)
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Wisconsin (P130) Minnesota (P131) North Dakota .. (P132)
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Wisconsin Printed in full color on durable paper, this pocket size map unfolds to a full n" x 17", doubleside. Scale is 1:100,000. (Together these maps cover the Chequamegon National Forest) Hurley co Long Mile Lookout (TWl-01) $3.50 Long Mile Lookout to Solon Spring (TWl-02) $3.50
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Certified Sections of the North Country Trall By Byron and Margaret Hutchins Derailed information and maps highlighting the longest and best off-road segments of the Trail. These are accurate route descriptions by experienced guidebook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form. Pennsylvania NCT in Pennsylvania, 37pp (M201) $5.25 Ohio Wayne National Forest, 14pp (M301) $3.00 Page 30
MEDAWONS AND PINS
D
Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick. A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 8. Brass (P104) $4.00 C. The Trail Emblem doisonne pin is W' and features the updated North Country triangle design. (P102) $3.00 D. The National Millennium Trail pin is Y2" x r 1,4'' in vivid red, white and blue with a gold metallic border. (P2000) $3.00
Canvas Tote Bag Light blue silk screen pattern of trees with NCT blue blaze. 17" x r4Y2" with bottom gusset. Webbed hand carrying straps. Great for groceries or books. (P124) $7.50
Patch of Trail Emblem 3 Yi " bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (P125) . $3.50
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IDayhlker's Handboo'k By J Long and M. Hodgson
Upsmackin' Bac'k!pac'ldn'
By Tim and Christine Connors Tired of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky? Would you like to dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheesecake in the backcountry? Here is a guide to satisfying, sumptuous dining on the trail. You no longer have to sacrifice nutrition for taste. A new kind of outdoor cookbook, this all-in-one guide is filled with trail-tested recipes providing athome preparation directions, trailside cooking instructions, and nutritional information. 232 pages (L118)
(6282)
Comprehensive guide for beginning wanderers and those explor' ing new country. Choosing proper clothing, selecting foorware and raingear, using a map and compass, predicting hike difficulty, when to turn around, managing food and water, weather lore, walking techniques, traveling with kids, first aid, and more. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes. 216 pages (L107)
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$15.95 1Long Dlsta路nce Hiking By Roland Mueser
The One Pan Gourmet By Don Jacobson
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. 180 pages (Llli)
Fresh Food on the Trail. Tired of eating dried and preserved goods in the backcountry? Here's an alternative from an outdoor chef who takes his spice rack and fresh food with him. Covers planning, packing, preparing and - most important - eating savory meals on the trail. Geared toward the three-day trip, this book includes over 150 trail-tested recipes, prepared in one pan, pot or oven. 157 pages (L114) $12.95
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Woman's Guide to Backpacking By Adrienne Hall
The Country Doctor, Alive and Well By john G. Hipps MD.
You'll find the knowledge and skills you need to become a self-sufficient backpacker. Yes, you can light a camp stove ... set up a tent by yourself ... take your kids with you and keep them entertained ... survive (and even learn to love) a week in the woods without hot showers! , Hall's fresh perspective and up-to, date presentation of techniques and equipment provide all the tools you need to become a confident, comfortable, capable backpacker!
Stories recount the full spectrum of humankind's experiences. Sometimes informative and educational, frequently humorous, often whimsical, the stories will entertain and charm you with their simple philosophy, wisdom and wit. Includes advice on home remedies, herbal and alternative medicine that promotes the common sense caring of one's self 363 pages (L115) $19.95 Hiking!
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By Philip Farranti 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 lifestylefor kids, an inexpensive pastime and providing seniors with a natural prescription for health. A new twist for anyone who currently enjoys hiking and for those who are thinking about starting out. 245 pages (L106)
Great Minnesota Walks By Wm. Chad McGrath Follow in the footsteps of the early voyagers,ramble beside river rapids, trek through tall trees, and savor a scenic overlookas you discoversome of Minnesota'sfinestwalkingtrails. In this book, Chad McGrath guidesyou to some of the state's most beautiful and interestingpaths. 168 pages (L117) $16.95
$14.95 Page 31
Take A Hike! By Rich and Sue Freeman With this guide, you'll be able to explore the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region with ease and confidence. Each of the 51 walks is rated for difficulty,type of terrain, and described by length and estimated time required. In addition, you'll know how to easily find the trails and parking. The hikes in this book are designed for people who delight in exploringunique or little known places. 264 pages (L119) $16.95
Pletured Rocks National Lakeshore By Olive Anderson
Pealt Experiences By Gary Pallesen
This detailed guidebook provides backpackers, hikers, campers, and skierswith 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. 160 pages (L108) $11.95
An illustrated guide to 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 revisedguidebook includes maps, and excellentdescriptions of the many recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56 pages (L110) ...... ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ... $6.95
A GUIDE
Poreupi111eMountains By Jim DuFresne
A hiking guide to the highest summits in each of New York's counties, includ- : ing the highest point in Manhattan, a , 'hlikifl§J •the large rock in Bennet Park at 265.05 feet .Hi!;ihest;!/ammrts above sea level. This guide includes ! 'In 'lilew Y.ork, :ctwnwbY-Dlill'lnt;v maps, written directions to trail heads, ' elevation profiles, mileage, as well as : alternate routes to some peaks. In this book you'll meet the people populating the high points today and yesterday,discover how to find the high point, what you're likely to see, and the origin of the peak's name 288 pages (L120) $16.95 50 Hikes in Ohio ByRalph Ramey The 50 hikes in this guide are grouped geographically and range over the entire state, from the rugged Appalachian plateau of Shawnee Forest in the south to the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge on the shores of Lake Erie. Many of the hikes are a short drive from each of Ohio's major metropolitan areas. There are outings for every ability, from easywalks to rigorous overnight backpacks. 272 pages (L121) .. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,, ,,,, ,,,,,,.,, 50 Hikes in lchigan By 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 1 information you need: access, parking, trail distance and difficulty, hiking time, contour map, and explicit trail directions. Formerly titled 50 Hikes in Lower Michigan. 252 pages (L109),,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,.$16.95 1
Page 32
PlCTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE
'
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Trail Atl:as of ictdgan By Dennis R. Hansen Michigan trail enthusiasts, don't get caught without this atlas! Second Edition includes maps and descriptions for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. Search ifL;, ; ~'.::~=A2!!!~~-4L_J by location or types of use. 14. 581 pages (L102) $29.95
Great WisconsJn aJks By Wm. Chad McGrath $14.95
Experiencethe serenity of a stately birch forest, the rush of a river in spring and the excitement of an urban amble as you discover Wisconsin'sfinest walking trails. In this book, Chad McGrath guides you to some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Whether you are in search of a long, healthful hike in the woods or a short, casual stroll in the city. Great Wisconsin Walks will help you plan your route. 160 pages (L116)
.,~.5\1~~~ l
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e-mail: NCTAssoc@aol.com
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NCTA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual
Gulde to the NCT, Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota
By Thomas Reimers
By Roderick MacRae
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. 22 pages (L101) $2.00
Description of the route and trail log, east to west. Wonderfully written by a Chippewa National Forest expert. 12 pages (M611) $1.25
Buck Wiider's Hiking & Camping Guide
By Tim Smith and Mark Herrick
Following the NCT By Utes Boyd Third Edition of Followingthe North Country National Scenic Trail. A Classic! Includes general descriptions of the Trail and efforts to build it in each of our seven states. This new edition also includes appendices on through-hiking the NCT and the history of the Trail and the Association. 96 pages (L112) $4.95
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. 64 pages (L103) $12.95
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33
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July - September 2001
The Search for the Closet Volunteer
W
e all know that a lot of volunteers put in a lot of time to make the North Country Trail a reality. Not only do volunteers build and maintain trail, but they also lead our Chapters, train other volunteers, promote the trail, work on web sites and newsletters, plan trail routes, negotiate with landowners and agencies-really, the list just goes on and on. But have you ever wondered how volunteer contributions on the North Country Trail compare with those of other National Scenic Trails? These statistics are compiled by a coalition called the Partnership for the National Trails System. Among other things, the Partnership seeks to coordinate efforts between the 21 National Scenic and Historic Trails, so we can have a stronger unified voice and learn and benefit from the experiences of each of the trails. Last year's numbers are shown below. We can draw a couple of possible conclusions from these data. I think the most likely one, though, is that a lot of work isn't being reported. 18,991 volunteer hours are about the same as nine full-time positions. That may sound like a lot, but when you consider that we have 21 Chapters and six partner organizations
The View from Lowell by Bob Papp Executive Director
spread over seven7 states, it's clear that there's a lot more work being done on the trail than the equivalent of nine full-time positions.
interested in seeing these numbers. In these situations, our argument is only as strong as our statistics. In May, I attended the meeting of our new Pennsylvania Trail Council, and talked with some of our leaders in PA. Ron Rice, president of our Butler Chapter, came up with what I thought was a great idea He suggested that we create a financial incentive to benefit a volunteer's Chapter or other affiliated organization.
Many different types of work count toward volunteer hours. Not only jobs like I described at the beginning of this column, but even travel to and from a site is considered a valid part of total reportable volunteer hours. After all, the only reason you are driving to the site is to volunteer, so in effect you are "on the clock" the minute you set out. While no one likes paperwork, reporting these hours really does benefit the trail. When we try to get our legislators in Washington excited over the trail, or try to seek major funding from a foundation, volunteers hours are about the only type of data we can produce to demonstrate public support of the trail. People who make decisions like these tend to be bean counters, to some extent, and they really are
In between making great trailhead signs, Ron Rice had a greatthoughton getting more volunteers to report their hours
For instance, we could budget a set amount each year. Then, at the end of the year, distribute the funds proportionally, based on the total number of hours reported by volunteers in each Chapter or Affiliate. This is something I'll shoot for in next year's budget. In the meantime, I hope volunteers will remember that they receive awards for reaching 100 and 400 total hours. At 100 hours, we give a pin and certificate. For 400 hours, it's a specially embroidered khaki shirt. Some of our Chapter leaders will quickly point out that convincing
volunteers to report hours is a rela-
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
tively minor challenge. A much larger and more chronic need is to recruit and retain enough active volunteers to keep everything running. This includes not only building and maintaining trail, but also performing all those other tasks, like coordinating and leading other volunteers. To try to address this need, we devised a three-pronged approach last fall. Since then, we've been awarded two grants to implement our plan, one from the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share program, and the other from the American Hiking Society's National Trails Endowment fund. First, we're going to produce stickers or signs like the one pictured below to post at trailheads. The idea is that our best source for volunteers is from people who already use the trail. Also, we'd like to provide a
little recognition for volunteers already working on the trail. The blank square is available for local volunteers to add whatever additional information they'd like to the sign. We will produce these in quantities for each Chapter that requests them, and they will work either as stickers for "Carsonite" posts, or signs to be tastefully tacked up. Our second approach will be to create a generic volunteer recruitment brochure, describing opportunities to become involved. This too will have a blank area for Chapters to add information, or we'll be able to help Chapters print their own inserts to provide even more local detail, if they wish. The final part of the plan is that we are asking each Chapter and Affiliate to identify someone who is willing to serve as a local contact for potential volunteers. This way, when interested people contact our national headquarters wanting to become involved, we'll be able to refer them to someone in the field to help them get "plugged in." Update on our Advocacy in D.C.
Actual size will be 2 718* wide, a路 tall
No word yet on funding for next year, however, I do want to report that we had great success in convincing federal legislators to support our requests. Here are the U.S. Senators and Representatives that signed on to our request:
Senators
Re resentatives
Hillary Clinton Kent Conrad Mark Dayton Mike DeWine Russ Feingold Herb Kohl Carl Levin* Rick Santorum Charles Schumer * Arlen Specter Debbie Stabenow George Voinovich Paul Wellstone
David Bonior Phil English * Vern Ehlers * Chaka Fattah Martin Frost Amo Houghton Dale Kildee Carolyn Maloney James McGovern John McHugn Richard Pombo Earl Pomeroy * Rob Portman James Oberstar * Bart Stupak James Traficant
*
Authored Letters
Also, Senator Byron Dorgan and Representative Maurice Hinchey both indicated they would provide some degree of support for the request in their respective committees. If any of these trail supporters represent you in Washington, I hope you'll take a moment to send them a word of thanks. To send a letter: The Honorable (full name) United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (last name): - or The Honorable (full name) United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (last name):
For e-mail, start at www.house. gov or www.senate.gov. With an email, be sure to provide your mailing address, so they know you live in their state or district. Thanks for helping out! Page 35
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
North Country TrailAssociation National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2001
Terms Expiring 2002
Terms Expiring 2003
David Cornell 514 Cordes Road Delton, MI 49046 (616) 623-8659 janc128@aol.com
Mary Lucas 753 Davenport St. Rhinelander, WI 54501 (715) 362-0616 dsmlucas@networth.net
Werner Veit 229 East Main Street Lowell, MI 49331 (888) 454-NCTA wv12@aol.com
Bob Tait 212 E. Metzger Ave. Butler, PA 16001 (724) 287 -3382 BobTait@zbzoom.net
]on G. Lindgren 2001 North Seventh St. Fargo, ND 58102 (701) 232-7868 jon_lindgren@ ndsu.nodak.edu
Joan Young 861 West USlO Scottville, MI 49454 (231) 757-2205 jhy@t-one.net
Pat Miller 15737 65th Avenue Milaca, MN 56353 (320) 983-5643 Pkmiller@ecenet.com
July - September 2001
Rent
the NCTA's One
Room Schoolhouse!
Richard Harris 97 4 SOM Center Road Mayfield, OH 44143 (440)449-7 497 Richhohi @concentric.net
HowardBeye 202 Colebourne Rd. Rochester, NY 14609 (716) 288-7191 fltc@axsnet.com
Whet Rans Itf Gaylord Yost 2925 W. Bradley Rd. River Hills, WI 53217-2052 (414) 354-8987 Gaylyost@aol.com
Daryl Williamson 5901 Timberglade Drive Bloomington, MN 55438 (952) 835-2186
Helen Coyne 212 Willow Circle Cranberry Township, PA 16066-4572 (724) 776-0678 hcoyne@zbzoom.net
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Jil.Btall om~ at 88'~-NCTA ('281)路 Aild 64 Ew & '禄PY d~ ~h-oDM lirodnin!
Sponsored Membership Form
Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $18.00. To qualify, Sponsored Members must be 1rw to NCTA, or not have been members for at least two years. The $18.00 rate is good only for the first year of membership. To use the program.just fill in your name in the "Sponsored by:" box. Then, give the form to your friend to finish. Please choose your affiliation (check one): 0Member ofa specific Chapter: _ 0 Member ofmy closest local Chapter (If one exists) 0At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter) . Sponsored by:
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To begin your membership, complete this form and send it with your $18 payment to:
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July - September 2001 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
Your Employer May Provide Financial Support to the Trail By Roger Meyer
Trail Calendar July 8-21-Joint Sierra Club/Peter Wolfe chapter of the NCTA trail construction project on Baraga Plains in western Upper Michigan. Contact Doug Welker at (906} 338-2680 or log on to www. northcountrytrail.org/ pwf/ sierra2001.htm July 13-20-Biennial Appalachian Trails Conference, Shippensburg University, PA (Registration packet: hikethyra@aol.com) July 19-22-Star of the North chapter trail maintenance in the Chippewa National Forest. Contact: John Leinen Jr., (651} 433-4456. August 9-12-North Country Trail Association-Finger Lakes Trail Conference joint annual conference, Cazenovia, NY. August 17-21-Conference on National Scenic and Historic 路 Trails, Casper, WY; Contact: OCTA at (816} 252-2276. Aug. 26-29-National Scenic Byways Conference, Portland, OR. See the ASSHTO web site at http://www. transportation.org/ aashto/ home.nsf/FrontPage September 13-16-Trail construction in the Paul Bunyan State Forest scheduled by Star of the North Chapter. Contact: John Leinen Jr., (651) 4334456. Oct. 4- 7-Trail construction in the Bad Medicine section scheduled by Star of the NorthChapter. Contact: John Leinen Jr., (651) 433-4456.
The North Country Trail Association recently received a check for $500 from Eugene Elzinga's former employer. Gene, a long time member and former President of the North Country Trail Hikers, a northern Michigan Chapter of the NCT A, is a retired employee of ExxonMobil. Last year, ExxonMobil started its Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) to encourage employees, retirees, and their families to contribute time and talent. ExxonMobil will give $500 to a non-profit organization after a participant has volunteered at least 20 hours to that organization. The $500 can be awarded four times a year. There are a few conditions and rules to the grants from ExxonMobil, but the application process is very easy and straightforward. ExxonMobil has always encouraged its employees to perform volunteer work even to the extent of allowing time off with pay to do it, but its Volunteer Involvement Program is new. Elzinga started as a research engineer and retired 15 years ago from ExxonMobil after 30 years as a Senior Associate in research management and planning. He spent a great deal more than 20 hours in the last quarter doing land owner contact, structure design (bridges, board walks, campsite facilities), leading trail crews and trail work. This kind of program is wonderful for the employer, their employees, and the NCT A. The em-
ployer gets tax benefits; the employee gets substantial acknowledgement for their time; and the NCTA receives money to promote the trail. Does your employer have a similar program? Many employers, including ExxonMobil, have a MatchiJJgFuJJd Program. That's when they match any money you contribute to a non-profit organization. Companies that we know that have a Mstching FuJJd Programinclude: Ameritech, Chevron, Consumers Power, B.F. Goodrich, IBM, McDonalds, Pepsico, Westinghouse, and Xerox. There are many more and it's to everyone's benefit if NCTA members would take a few minutes to ask their Human Resources department about any Matching Fund or Volunteer Involvement Programs.
Grant Benefits NCTA's Cartography Program The North Country Trail Association has received a grant, valued at $5,000 from the Conservation Technology Support Program (CTSP) that will help the Association greatly expand is Cartography (GIS) Department. The grant consists of Hewlett Packard hardware-a computer and color printer-and two items of Environmental Systems Research Institute software: ArcView and ArcPress. CSTP annually evaluates grant applications from conservation groups and recommends awards. The donors, in this case, Hewlett Packard and ESRI, then make the donations of their products. Page 37
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
July - September 2001
Trail Supporters
Contributions and Special Renewals received from March 1 through May 31 .....................................................................................................................................................................
DONATIONS Gifts and Grants of $500 or more American Hiking Society Exxonmobil Foundation Samuel l. Newhouse Foundation
Gifts of $100 to $499 Jerry Allen and Connie Pausits-Allen Eastern Mountain Sports Sierra Club - Chippewa Valley Group
Gifts of up to $99 Anthony Cook Donald and Brita Dorn Susan Drobny Ron and Jane Dziurda Larry Galen Milton Griffin Kurt and Stephanie Hieshetter Keith Kepler Al and Jean Moberly Howard Oppengard Portage Central Elementary P.T.O. Neil Rinne Scott Stephenson Bruce Ventura and Tina Hall Joan Young and Omer Young Irvin Zaenglein
MEMBERSHIPS Organizations, Agencies, and B~ Midwest Mountaineering Mountain Dreams International, Inc
Pathfinders
($100-249 in annual dues) Jerry Allen Connie Pausits-Allen LeRoy Bliven Ren and Carol Brander Butler Outdoor Club Garrett Dill Dennis Donathen Duane Elenbaas Richard Flinn Marc Gilbert Harry Gubbins Robert Hangel Denise Herron Brooks and Margie Kindel Lee's Sports and Sportswear John and Pat Leinen Ned Liddle Christopher and Margo Light Pat and Kathleen Miller Timothy O'Rourke Peter and Susan Ordway Raymond and Elaine Papp Aaron Phipps Harmon Strong Rolf Swanson David Tattan RogerTuuk
Trail Leaders
($50-99 in annual dues) Pat Allen and Mark Miller Daniel and Constance Arnold Charles Axthelm R.Alan Baker Michael Benson Paul Blanchard Bert Bleke Frank Blumenthal Baxter Brings Bureau of Reclamation, Bismark, ND David Burgan Charles Burpee David Byrne Robert Cable Frances and Steve Cheyne Tim and Christine Conners Ron Davis Stewart DeWitt Dinger John and Jean Dreher Kari Elias Jennifer Farnsworth Richard Ferguson Frank Fishman Clarence Fredlund Mardy and William Gast William and Joanne Gerke Tom and Janis Gilbert Alonzo Hannaford Herbert and Suzanne Hulls Gary and Marta Konrad Gordon Lachniet Dave and Nancy Lightfoot Hugh Melling and Ms. Denise Simon Richard Naperala Robert and Susan Nelson James and Carolyn Nestingen Peter Nordgren John and Teri Olbrot and Family Atley Oswald David Patrick Dale Petty Richard Pfeiffer Christina Rizzo C. Dennis Shepard Joan Sheridan Kelvin Smyth Joel Steury Miles Trumble Kevin, Robin, Kate and Morgan Wilson
New Members Dennis Arvanitis John Barrett Eugene Bavis Alice Beckman Clara Blazo Sandy Bliesener Walter Burgess Jr. Julie Christensen Milo Christensen Scott Christenson Jim Craig Joe Dabes
WegratefuUy acknowledge the support of all our members and donors who share with us the vision of the North Country National Scenic Trail! Page 38
James Darabi Robert Davis Ron Davis Tom Elliott Herb and Celia Engler Daniel Fellows James Gillespie Shawn and Theo Gilmore Chester Graham Gertrude Hauck Kurt and Stephanie Hieshetter Bill Holland and Kim Steffes Gary Jenkin l.eona Jensen Kenmac Rentals Marilyn Kennedy Sue Kime Nathan Klick Stephanie Kobylinski Deborah Kohn Richard Larson Gordon and Maryln Lawrence John and Phyllis Leinen Diana Liu Greg Long Ernest Mahlke and Heide Seaman-Mahlke Aaron and Lori Mansfield Craig McClure Neal Mccue Robert Meese Pavlas Michalakakos Phil Miller Dee Morelli Emil Moskovich Mountain Dreams International, Inc Bill Mulholland Ronald Navik Eric Nelson Jeffrey Olson Wendy Paulsen Anna Pearo Gerald Phillips Richard Poquette Mary Putnam Heidi Rawen Shane Reiniche Dennis Reutter Daniel Riechers Susan Sandberg John and Mary Schmitt John and Laurie Schneider Gerry Sell Tony and Pam Sisson Maureen Smith Stephanie Spittal Madelyn Stella Joel Steury Robert Sulaski Tim Sweeney A. Joyce Thomet Jennifer Tripp Sue Van Dyke Mary Van Fleet Margaret Watrous Jim and Bonnie Wayman Wilderness Canoe Trips Kimberly Williams Mike Wilson
July - September 2001
North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail
Our Valued Business Members Business members of the North Country Trail Association contribute at least $150 per year to the NCTA. In addition to supporting a worthy cause, our valued business members enjoy various Big Prairie Builders, Inc Giving Something Back 964 S. Cypress Avenue White Cloud, MI 4934 (616) 689-1310
Bill Prall Touring Gear 108 East Third Street Harbor Springs, MI (231) 526-7152
Butler County Chamber of Commerce 281 South Main Street Butler, PA 16003 (724) 283-2222
EMS STORES Pittsburgh: (412) 364-8078 (412) 835-0315 Monroeville: (412) 380-4012 Erie: (814) 866-7600
benefits, including a reduced rate on ads in The North Star and special mention and contact information both on this page and on our web site, www.northcountrytra i I .org
Exkursion Outfitters 4037 William Penn Monroeville, PA 15146 (412) 372-7030 Fax: 372-7046
Mountain Dreams International, Inc. 5500 Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 (412) 621-4878
Harbor Springs Cycling Club PO Box 364 Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Law Offices of Barry S. Cohen N9661 Willlow Road Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 (920) 565-4225
Lee's 88 Fun ÂŤAdventure 311 West Kilgore Portage, MI 49002 (616) 381-7700
Sandhill Marketing & Communications 1715 Glendale Boulevard Kalamazoo, MI 49004 (616) 382-2561 Fax: (616) 345-4256
Sherpers, Inc. Everything for the Great Outdoors 225 East Wisconsin Ave. Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (414) 547-6847 10730 West Janesville Road Hales Comers, WI 53130 (414) 425-6888
... and a Thank you to Our North Country Trail Patrons David and Jan Cornell Greg Davis Shirley Hearn Robert J. Schwartz
Walter M. Srogi Harmon V. Strong Irene Szabo Werner Veit
Patrons are individuals or households that generously provide $250 or more each year in membership dues or contributions.
Page 39
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