North Star Vol. 22, No. 3 (2003) by NCTA Staff

July -

September, 2003

ifie Magazine of the NORTH-COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCI~

EDITOR'S ~®u8

WERNER VEIT

The Great Pasty/Pastie Debate: ... Continued... "pasty," insists the 2001 edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and any number of my correspondents fond of the delectable Cornish meat pie we'll be eating at the annual NCTA conference in Marquette this summer. "Nonsense," says the Mackinaw Pastie and Cookie Company. "We make a great pastie (i,e not y)." No less an authority than Allyson Gofton, mistress of the popular eCook, agrees. (Check out her recipe on www.ecook.co.nz/ recipes/934.html. If you do, you'll have to check with your New Zealand friends what a "small swede," might be, one of her ingredients, which is not a Norseman of small stature.) While the debate over the spelling continues, all seem to agree that the Cornish pasty (pastie) was the popularized by Cornish miners who carried them in their pockets as they descended the mines in Britain and the Upper Peninsula. Webster goes farther and dates the word from the 13th Century and says it originated from the Middle English pastee, which, in turn, came from the Middle French paste (dough). When writing in the last issue about the July 31-Aug. 3 conferences coming up I spelled the enrree of our opening picnic both ways, deliberately. In retrospect, had I used the plural (pasties), I would have satisfied everybody. So to all those who called and emailed: all of you are correct. You just have to use the plural or pick your own source ... even if it's your Yooper grandmother. If Shakespeare had submitted Romeo and Juliet to The North Star, he probably would have written: What's in a name? That which we call a pasty by any other spellingwould taste as sweet...

·2··;:h~-N~rth.st~~---j~i;~s~?~~~b-~~-;~~;··

Pasties with ketchup (catsup) ... or plaln pasties are nice ... but gravy's Canadian.

Or would it? To make it taste sweet, you need to pour gravy over it, some of my correspondents tell me. "No, no," says Denise Herron, from Marquette, President of our host chapter, "that's what they do in Canada. She wrote: " ... Bill (her late husband) loved a pat of butter on his and everyone else uses catsup ... " Gene Elzinga, another North Country Trail Hikers stalwart, wants both, butter and ketchup. He adds that their son-in-law, during his first trip to the UP, was startled by the billboards for pasties along the highway; his awareness of them had been limited to nightclubs. What Bruce Schwenke remembers most about pasties is their size; he remembers his mother making huge pasties, the size of footballs, and his grandmother making pasty pies that were three feet long and two feet wide. To Bea Anderson, the most important factor is that they be made the old-fashioned way with lard in the crust and then eaten out of hand ... with or without ketchup. Doug Welker, our Upper Peninsula coordinator, may live in Baraga County, but he insists his Peter Wolfe Chapter is actually in Pasty (he likes 'y') County. He says: " I don't like gravy on mine. My first choice is butter (only the real thing), followed by catsup (or ketchup) ... " Ruth Macfarlane is a purist (like I am). She writes: " .. .I like (them to contain) potatoes, onions, carrots, rutabagas, and meat (either shredded beef or ground beef). I like a rather flaky crust, then nothing on it. Looks as if you can put butter, gravy or catsup (ketchup) on them at the opening picnic July 31 at our conference but if you don't want to look like you're from Down Under, skip the gravy.

• Any number of our readers had sport with us after that issue when we promised a cleaner The North Star thanks to the appearance oflrene Szabo as associate editor and head nitpicker.

Among the bloopers rather gleefully pointed out to me by someone who knows me too well was reporting that registration for the conference would begin on Thursday, July 21. That's one date I should have managed to get straight. July 31, the correct date, happens to be my birthday. Then there was Louis Shanker, an at-large member from Cleveland who wrote: "Why did you omit (on the election ballot that ran in April) a deadline for voting?" Good question and an unsatisfactory answer: I forgot. But for all those who sent in their ballot in a timely fashion, (and others, too) please note the results on Page 16 of this issue. And, finally, Irene whines: "Why did some things I had fixed still appear mussed up anyway?" The unsatisfying answer: "Sometimes the contrary and willful computer takes it upon itself to pick and choose which editing changes to use, reverting occasionally to the original text without permission." And why did a word from the line below burp up into the line above? ''Again, the computer did it. Hmph," concluded Irene, the (self-labeled) "raging perfectionist."

• Events often outmarch the reports in a quarterly magazine like The North Star. This may be particularly true of our roundup, starting on page 13, of trail damage caused by winter and spring storms. When we went to press, there were significant portions of the North Country Trail that had not been thoroughly examined so that there may be more havoc than we know about. If so, we'll report on cleanup efforts in subsequent issues. In the meantime, please don't forget our web site. Please send accounts of significant damage that went unnoticed by The North Star to www.northcountry trail.org

A Glance Inside

•ASSOCIATION•

229 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 Ph. (888) 454-NCTA, Fx. (616) 897-6605 H Q@northcountrytrail.org www.northcountrytrail.org NCTA Staff: Bob Papp, Executive Director Rob Corbett, Director of Trail Management Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator Bonnie Wayman, Office Manager Biii Menke, Trail Foreman Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator Allison Barr, Bookkeeper Sherry Staal, Office Assistant

North Country Trail Association National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2004 John Leinen, Jr., at Large . Vice President, Finance· 14205 St. Croix Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 433-4456 · patleinen@msn.com Irene Szabo, at Large · 6939 Creek Rd., Mt. Morris, NY 14510-9638 · (585) 658-4321 · treeweenie@aol.com Gaylord Yost, President, at Large· P.O. Box 1013, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1013 · (414) 354-8987 · gaylyost@aol.com Bob Norlin, Great Lakes · PO Box 718, Iron River, WI 54847 · (715) 372-5229 · rnorlin@ironriver .baysat.net Garry S. Diii Jr., Ohio · 4070 TradersvilleBrighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@starband.net Bob Tait, Pennsylvania · 380 West Park Road, Portersville, PA 16051 · (724) 368-3709 · Bobtait@zbzoom.net Terms Expiring 2005 Derek Blount, at Large· 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak, MI 48607 · (248) 548-1737 · djb@sbcglobal.net Helen Coyne, at Large· 212 Willow Circle, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 · (724) 776-0678 · hcoyne@zbzoom.net Mary Lucas, at Large · 753 Davenport St., Rhinelander, WI 54501 · (715) 362-0616 · myridgemary@netscape.net Howard Beye, New York · 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester, NY 14609 · (585) 288-7191 · fltc@frontiernet.net Dave Cornell, at Large· 514 Cordes Rd., Delton, MI 49046 · (616) 623-8659 · onestep@mei.net Alicia Hoffarth · 435 Fifth Ave. NE, Valley City, ND 58072 · (701) 845-0286 · alicia@hellovalley.com Terms Expiring 2006 Al Larmann, at Large · 7169 Forbes Road, Canastota, NY 13032-999 · (315) 697-3387 · larmann@worldnet.att.net Peter Schmitz, at Large · Box 237, Northfield, MN 55057 · (507) 645-8582 · pjs@deskmedia.com Daryl Wiiiiamson, VP West, Minnesota· 5901 Timberglade Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438 · (952) 835-2186

The Big Cleanup Begins-Page 13 Winter storms and spring floods damaged portions of the North Country Trall in New York, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. The worst damage was In Ohio where Ed Frank (left) and Garry Dill are shown clearing trail In the Shawnee Natlonal Forest.

Features Board, Chapter Elections Marking Trails Day Hiking to Headquarters Irene Goes to Washingtron Input on Forest Plans Rethinking Certification Revised Timber Policy New Allegheny Chapter Honing Trail Skills

Annual Conference 16 26 20 22 24 28 28 37 38

Registration Hike Schedule

Page 4 Page 5

Columns Trail Head View from Lowell View from Madison

17 15 35

Departments Heart and Sole Hiking Calendar Hiking Shorts Milestones Trail Craft Trail Shop Trail Supporters

22 21 27 7 29 30 39

Profile of Our Trail: Ohio--Page 8

About the Cover These spectacular cliffs at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, photographed by Art Director Aaron Phipps, can be one of the grand sights greeting members who attend the annual conference starting July 31 in Marquette, ML The North Star Staff: Werner Veit, Editor Biii Menke, Contributing Editor Roger Meyer, Contributing Editor Irene Szabo, Contributing Editor Joan Young, Contributing Editor Aaron Phipps, Art Director Jennifer Tripp, Production Manager

The North Star, Summer Issue, Vol. XXII, Issue 3, is published quarterly by the North Country Trail Association, a private, notfor-profit 50lc(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

July-September

2003

The North Star

Registration Form for the NCTA's 2003 Conference Each registration package includes meals, a conference collectable, and all program and registration fees. If you are staying on campus, the package cost also includes lodging. Full Conference packages cover Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. Partial Conference packages cover up to three days participation and, for those staying on campus,up to two nights lodging.

Name(s): Address: City:

___________

State:

Phone:

___________

E-mail:

Zip:

_ _

We'll need to plan for bag lunches, handouts, special food, etc. for some of our planned activities. So, if you think you'll be joining any of the following events, please let us know.

Activity Day-Long Hikes

#of People

Friday: Pictured Rocks Sat: Laughing Whitefish

Day-Long Tour

Full Conference (3

Friday: Tilden Mine and Iron Industry Museum nights)

Leadership Workshops

Single Room

$150

Friday: Planning for Regional Staff

Share a Double Room*

$135*

Saturday: Case Studies

Special Suppers

Partial Conference (2 nights or less) Day of arrival: DThur DFri OSat Single Room

$115

Share a Double Room*

$105*

Full Conference (4

$ 80

days)

Partial Conference (3 days or less) Day of arrival: DThur OFri DSat

$ 70

Please describe any needs you may have. If more than one person is using this form, indicate # of people: Special Diet:

Shuttle from Marquette Airport:

Accessible Accommodations:

One Day Package

Thursday

$ 30

Check payable to NCTA enclosed

Friday

$ 40

Please charge my MasterCard, VISA or American Express:

Saturday (includesbanquet)

$ 50

late Fee (if regist~ring aftef June 30):

$ 20

ll~Sl:~:~:-,<f:~<路'}"'~_-{ff North Country Trail Association 229 E Main St Lowell, Ml 49331 Ok to Fax with credit card: 616-897-6605

The North Star

July-September

2003

NCTAAnnual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2002 c:

-"' o

·~ E

Q; I

ur c c: c-, --'

·cQ)"': 0 », .0

», .0

.c: a.

s: a.

'OJ)

~ ~ .c:

~ ~s:

0..

Rivers and streams abound on conference hikes

Host Chapter Leads Full, Half-Day Hikes During Conference

Laughing Whitefish

orth Country Trail Hikers, host chapter of the annual conference of the North Country Trail Association in Marquette, MI July 31-Aug. 3, has completed the schedule of guided hikes during the three-day event. In addition, there will be suggestions for self-guided hikes following the conference both east and west of Marquette. Deadline for registration for the conference is July 11. You may fill out and A late Spring flood of the Dead send in the blank on the River, which caused $100 million page at left or register on line damage in the Upper Peninsula, by visiting our website at washed out the bridge to Presque www.northcountrytrail.org Isle and may force moving some The overall schedule of of the events and hikes during the events appears on Page 6. conference. The scheduled guided hikes will be as follows: Thursday - 2 PM

Three I-hour hikes in Presque Isle Park as follows: Moosewood Nature Center; a Forest Walk, featuring ecology, geology and history of the area; and a Bog Walk, describing the plants and animals there. Each of the hikes will be led by a member of the North Country Trail Hikers, our host chapter. Friday (Full Day) - 8:45 AM

Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore-NCT Chapel trailhead to Miners Castle, 7 miles. Moderate difficulty, some hills; great views along Lake Superior beaches, cliffs and scenic rock forrna-

Falls, Destination

of Saturday Hike

tions. Stop at Miners Castle Interpretive Center, of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Friday (Half Day) - 8:45 AM

Little Garlic River-3 and 5-Mile Options. Easy to moderate along a bluff above a dear trout stream. The longer option includes the cascades of the Little Garlic River. Friday (Half Day) - 1 PM

Wetmore Landing to Little Presque Isle-Two miles along the Lake Superior Shore, easy to moderate with one long flight of stairs. Beautiful beaches at each end for swimming or exploring (or return to beginning). Song Bird Trail at Little Preque Isle to DNR Cabin-Four easy miles on a wooded nature trail with habitat signs to mouth of river at Lake Superior, wooded trail to cabin. Saturday (Full Day) - 8:45 AM

Rumely Road to Laughing Whitefish Falls-Five moderate miles featuring small streams and water falls. Route follows along canyon and crosses the canyon via boardwalk and bridge. Some areas may be wet. Beautiful Laughing Whitefish Falls at the end. Saturday (Half Day) - 8:45 AM

Little Garlic River-Friday hike repeated, see above. Saturday (Half Day) - 1 PM

Sugar Loaf Mountain to Wetmore Landing-Three miles on easy trail with many steps (or steeper, eroded trail); good views from the top of Lake Superior and the City of Marquette. Wetmore Landing to Little Presque Isle-Friday hike repeated, see above. July-September 2003

The North Star

8:45 12:00

Half-Day

Hike:

Little Garlic River

Area Tour: Maritime Museum and Light Houses

Lunch: Cafeteria Half-Day Hike: Wetmore Landing

1:00

Half-Day Hike: Songbird Trail

5:00 6:00 7:00

8:45 12:00 1:00

Leadership Workshop: Preparing for Regional Staff

Day-Long Hike: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Part 1

Breakfast: Cafeteria Half-Day Hike: Little Garlic River Lunch: Cafeteria Half-Day Hike: Wetmore Landing

Half-Day Hike: Sugar Loaf Mountain

Area Tour: Iron Industry Museum and Tilden Mine

Leadership Workshop Case Studies: Chapter & Affiliate SuccessStories

Day-Long Hike: Laughing Whitefish Canyon and Falls

5:00

Free Time

7:30

2003 Awards Ceremon : Part 2: Distin uished Service and Lifetime Achievement Awards LiveAuction

9:00

Check out of Dorms 90 Minute Hike - East On the way home, details at conference

10:00

6 The North Star

90 Minute Hike - West On the way home, details at conference

We'll visit the Little Garlic River on a half-day hike. July-September

2003

Milestones Along the North Country Trail Along the way to building the longest continuous hiking trail in the country, we pass many milestones. This page marks some that show our progress.

Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its standards. In addition there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but cannot be certified for a variety of reasons. Percent Done and Certified

Miles Certified

Change Since Last Issue

Other Off-Road Miles

Total Off Road Miles

Marked Road Miles

Minnesota

26.0%

97.5

-0.2

0.0

97.5

0.0

Michigan

53.7%

617.9

-3.7

81.4

699.3

110.8

Pennsylvania

47.4%

125.7

-0.5

29.8

155.5

6.6

Totals

41.4%

1,713.5

8.9

189.5

1,903.0

185.9

State

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 grew since the last issue of The North Star. State

짜,t11.orth. Dakota Minnesota "'Wisconsin Michigan Ohio . ~,!i

Other Totals

Members Last Issue

Current Members

70. 213 238 1,336

114 2,845

107 2,813

ur to.1a;recruiters sin짜" th re: r ' rtNemcik rry and Berh'Trour ob Corbett uc!yiffayde~ len ~d Arlene n

Change Since Last Quarter

Percent Change

-7 -2

-10.0%. -0.9%

+7 +32

+6.5% -1.1%

With the help of the North Country Trail Hikers and the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter, another chapter is being organized in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The main movers are Dave Beckwith and Mike Classen of Grand Marais. Their goal is to have their charter ready to be considered by the Board of Directors at the August meeting in Marquette. When approved the new chapter will become the 26th Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. The new Allegheny National Forest Chapter, No. 25, has already submitted its charter the Board. Details on,,Pag

. . . .

July-September

2003

The North Star

Portrait of the Trail: Ohio Pike Lake In Pike Lake State Park in Pike County

For much of its projected 1,050 miles, The North CountryTrail followsthe BuckeyeTrail

The State Will Surpriseand Enchant Hikers By Jim Sprague Ohio State Trail Coordinator

ike Ohio? Surely that is a joke. Anyone who has driven the Ohio Turnpike across the flat wide open featureless farm country of the northern portion would be hard pressed to imagine it. Nonetheless, I would like to persuade you that a long hike through Ohio is very enjoyable. Although you will not find wilderness, you will hike in the foothills of the Appalachians. Indeed, you will probably find as many hills as you want to deal with, perhaps more, because the route of the North Country Trail through Ohio forms a giant U-shape, which curls southward into hills and forests. Perhaps more obviously than in any other NCT state, you will find a land manipulated by man. Polluted, rerouted, canalized, dammed and now partially cleaned up, its rivers and streams flow steadily on. Logged, drained, farmed, converted to housing developments, mined, quarried and logged again, Ohio defies the odds and remains a lovely place. You will also meet friendly people

·a· Th~-N~rth.St~~---j~i;~s~p~~;;;b~~-~~;···

who are eager to meet you but remain baffied as to why anyone would hike by his or her home. The current projected trail length within Ohio is 1,050 miles, almost one quarter of the length projected for the entire NCT! The mileage presently certified stands at 307 miles, a lot of trail, but 700 plus miles of no trail is an awful lot of road. Therefore, much work remains. The "easy" work is nearing completion, while much of the remaining potential mileage would go through private land. Obviously opportunities to volunteer for trail development remain abundant, and are being tackled by three groups. The first two listed below are affiliate organizations while the last is a chapter of the North Country Trail Association. They are: Buckeye Trail Association (BTA), PO Box 254, Worthington OH 43085; //www.buckeyetrail.org (800) 881-3062 (accessiblewithin Ohio only) Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association (NORTA), PO Box 234, Delta OH, 43515; (800) 951-4788 Great Trail Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter, Brad Bosley, 50900 Pancake Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH 44441; (330)

227-2432 or brbosley@epohi.com Much of the way, the planned NC trail follows the Buckeye Trail (BT), a marked 1,250-mile route that encircles the state. BTA is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1959 initially to establish a hiking path between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Recognizing the magnitude of the task, the founders permitted blazing the route on roads until footpath could be established, and named the trail to honor the state tree. From its initial route connecting Cleveland to Cincinnati, BT has expanded to connect the four corners of Ohio today, with almost 40% of the route now off-road. BT is marked by 2" x 6" vertical light blue rectangles painted on trees and/or utility poles. Blaze frequency varies from 50' on wooded, less used footpath to a few hundred feet on roads or very heavily used trail. "Buckeye Blue" is not quite as dark as that used on NCT. White blazes delineate side-trails and alternative trails. NCT segments are scattered along the U-shaped route. BTA sells waterproof maps that display BT in 50 to 60 mile segments. In addition, Wes Boyd, former

Portrait of the Trail: Ohio editor of The North Star, has published a good route on the North Country Trail web site. Further, the Hutchins' Guidebooks cover interesting portions of the trail in Ohio. These exceptionally detailed booklets are available from either the North Country Trail Shop or the Buckeye Trail Store. From Negley in the northeastern corner of the state, the trail route heads generally westward following remnants of the Sandy and Beaver Canal towards Bolivar on the TuscarawasRiver. The Sandy and Beaver Canal was a privately funded canal and operated briefly prior to the Civil War. Beaver Creek State Park's six miles of trail protect several former canal locks as well as Gaston's Mill, a working restoration. After this, comes a long road route to the Tuscarawas River, where you may be able to decipher the site of the aqueduct that carried the Sandy and Beaver Canal across the Tuscarawas River to join the Ohio Erie Canal. From Somerdale, the NCT route heads generally south and follows BT off and on road through wooded, hilly terrain in an area dominated by the Muskingum Lakes, flood control lakes whose origin is traced directly to the disastrous flood of 1913 in the Ohio River Basin. Since then, time has reduced former roads to traces while foundations or depressions mark former home sites. Past Senecaville Lake, NCT and BT separate. The NCT route continues south past Lewisville to Poulton and into the Wayne National Forest (WNP) in Monroe and Washington Counties while BT turns westward. The Shawnee State Forest and a portion of the Wayne National Forest incurred extensive damage from a severe ice storm this winter. Details on page 13. From Poulton, the NCT follows the Little Muskingum River near the Ring Mill, an historic stone structure stabilized by WNP. This site offers canoe access to the stream as well as a few campsites. The trail continues roughly parallel to the river for 36 miles through the deeply dissected, wooded Allegheny plateau, then exits the Wayne National Forest near Hills, also on the river, and heads west to Marietta.

Antioch College In Yellow Springs, an interesting waystatlon.

Plan to spend a day in Marietta, a lovely little city on the Ohio River. The city, named in honor of Marie Antoinette, former Queen of France, was founded in 1788, the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. The Ohio River Musewn includes an extended history of Ohio River boats, while Campus Martius details history of the settlement. The town supports two colleges, several good restaurants, and the Becky Thatcher Showboat dinner theater. You can take a trip on one of several sternwheelers that still ply the Ohio River or visit Conus Mound that dates to the Adena People (800 BC to 100 AD) and Mound Cemetery with structures that date to the Hopewell People (100 BC to 500AD). NCT crosses the Muskingum River on a pedestrian bridge into Harmar, site of a fort that predates Marietta slightly. The trail route then turns northwest towards Stockport on the west side of the Muskingwn River, rejoining BT just south of Stockport. The route now trends generally west and then south as it visits a string of State Parks, State Forests and another management area of Wayne National Forest. Among them, Hocking Hills State Park features land forms created when torrents of melt water from the retreating glacier poured over thick beds of hard sandstone. The resulting cliffs rise up to 200 feet above underlying soft shale bedrock, featuring spectacular, hemlock-lined

gorges, cool in swnmer and decorated with wonderful ice forms in winter. The N CT shares the trail with the BT in the Old Man's Cave unit that has been designated The Granny Gatewood Trail in honor of Ohio's arguably most famous hiker, Emma "Granny" Gatewood, who hiked the Appalachian Trail in sneakers with her supplies in a sack, and was also was a founder of BTA. Streams carve beautiful waterfalls in the sandstone: Ash Cave at 190 feet is perhaps the largest rock shelter east of the Mississippi. In winter, an ice stalactite-stalagmite combination sometimes extends from the lip of the shelter to the floor. Fort Hill State Memorial in southeastern Highland County exhibits steep hills around the gorge of the Baker Fork, the course of which was established when its flow was reversed from north to south by a dam created by the Illinoian age glacier. The stream cut deeply through layers of shale into the underlying beds of dolomite. Later erosion created the odd but beautiful undercut shapes characteristic of that material. A little further south, the trail passes Serpent Mound, the largest serpent effigy mound in the United States, an earthen creation of the earlier Adena people. The effigy lies in the approximate center of an impact crater of undetermined origin, From Ohio Brush Creek, west and north to the Michigan border, the land becomes essentially flat and includes sev-

j~i;~s~~~~~b~~-~~;· · ·•· ··Th~-N~rth .St·~-~-g

Portrait of the Trail: Ohio Historic sites abound like the stone commemorating the first English settlement and the first trading post established in the West in 1748.

eral long segments of trail. The first occurs at East Fork State Park where 20 to 25 miles of trail will soon be certified along the south shore of William H. Harsha Lake, here meandering in and out of ravines incised in the plateau by the East Fork of Little Miami River and its tributaries. The park represents an excellent opportunity to contrast the forest of the plains with that of the unglaciated plateau to the east. The next off-road trail segment is a rail-trail conversion called the Little Miami Scenic Trail, a project initiated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in the 1970's. The route follows the gorge cut by the Little Miami National Scenic River at the close of the last ice age. NCT joins this trail near Milford and continues north to 1-70 on the southern edge of Springfield, a distance of almost 68 miles, passing many interesting sites including former military camps, prehistoric earthworks, a wildlife area where you may be lucky enough to see a Massasauga rattlesnake, and a complex of preserves near Yellow Springs. Clifton Gorge, a National Natural Landmark, lies about two miles east of Yellow Springs off the trail. It is an outstanding example of interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting. Yellow Springs, itself, would be an excellent place to lay over a day or two to explore the natural features as well as historic Antioch College and Yellow Springs Village. The next certified trail segment begins on the south side of Piqua. While

10 The

North Star *July-September

2003

The NCT uses Williams Bridge, built with multiple trusses in 1872, to cross Wolf Cre~k in Morgan County.

the Piqua trail itself is far from pristine, I like it because it passes a fine exhibition of architecture ranging from Early Federal through Sears and Roebuck, all in a tightly confined area. Certified NCT is about seven miles long, following a variety of structures including a levee on the Great Miami River, a cemetery, the towpath of a former hydraulic canal, and first the heelpath and then the towpath of the former Miami Erie Canal. Piqua became a major city largely because the builders halted canal construction while they completed all the nearby structures required, including a staircase of locks to raise the level of the canal to follow landforms and reservoirs to supply enough water to run those locks. Today, NCT stops at Landman Mill but one day will continue north along the former towpath to the Loramie Summit at Lockington. The trail route continues with BT either parallel to or upon remains of the Miami-Erie Canal to Lake Loramie State Park. From this park, NCT joins the Miami & Erie State Trail. A 36-mile segment of trail turns generally north along remains of the towpath through rich farmland, by several small cities, and ends just north of Delphos. Note the hewn logs that line the canal bottom in several locations: these sites may represent former locks. From Delphos, the trail route continues north near the

Auglaize River, a major flowage in the â&#x20AC;˘ former Black Swamp. At Defiance, the Miami-Erie Canal1 joined the Maumee River. Finally, the canal builders had reached a river with significant summer flow, which they canalized with a series of lock and dams. A bit east of Defiance at Independence Dam ) State Park, the trail encounters an excelleÂľt example of lock and dam construction on a 7-mile segment of watered canal. North of Florida at the end of this segment, you may see eagles, but during nesting season, you will be asked to leave the trail at Florida so as not to disturb the birds. The trail route continues east on road above remnants of canal bed in private ownership. At Napoleon, BT and NCT route separate again. The trail route continues on the north side of the Maumee River and heads by any convenient road route towards Liberty Center, where the trail joins a rail trail. Near Whitehouse the route turns north to Oak Openings Metropark, after which the trail turns west on the Cannonball Trail, a private rail conversion. Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association, directed by Gene Markley, manages this trail property, named after the famous Wabash Cannonball passenger trail that used this former rail bed. Come visit Ohio and hike the North Country Trail. Travel on foot provides a unique perspective of the Buckeye State.

Portrait of the Trail: Ohio

SAMPLER: 5 Interesting Day Hikes on the NCT Without Spottinga Car

he following hikes were selected from a new book by Robert ]. Pond, •Follow the Blue Blazes: A guide to Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail, describing the more than 1,200 miles of the Buckeye Trail in the State. The featured hikes, all , North Country Trail certified (at least in part) lead the reader in a clockwise 1 I direction around Ohio from historic J,7-oar near Pennsylvania to Oak Openings ~etropark near Michigan. The hikes in , the guidebook are much more detailed ; and include a map for each hike. All are ~ay hikes requiring only one vehicle.

<ifolumbus

1 - Fort Laurens to Zoar The distance from Fort Laurens to Zoar is three miles and the round trip, six. Begin at Fort Laurens State Memorial just south of Bolivar (exit 93 from 1-77). Fort Laurens is the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio and it was positioned along the American Indians' Great Trail at the Great Crossing Place for the Tuscarawas River. "fhe fort was built by an American expeditionary force from Fort Pitt with plans to attack British-held Detroit. During the winter of 1778- 79 the fort was under siege by British soldiers and their Indian allies. A museum houses artifacts and the uniforms of the American soldiers. In the large park is a crypt with the remains of the fallen defenders and the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot. On the southeast side ofl-77, the trail picks up again as blue-blazed BT in a graded area north of the fence, where it follows the Ohio and Erier Canal. Walk southeast on a towpath that lies between the Tuscarawas and the canal. The immigrants who founded Zoar after fleeing Germany to escape religious persecution built the locks in this area. At County Road 82 cross the Tuscarawas to visit the restored village. After touring the beautiful Zoar Gardens and the Number One House, visit the Zoar Tavern for some refresh, ing drinks and excellent food. On your return consider turning right instead of left, which would return you to the railroad as before. Instead, follow the blue

blazes north across the grassy area along the Tuscarawas (only in the dry season) and return to Fort Laurens by way of SR 212 (watch for traffic) and County Road 102.

2 - Burr Oak State Park Burr Oak State Park one of Ohio's eight park resorts and the 60-room lodge offers a full-service dining room and indoor pool. NCT hikers will probably opt for one of the two camping areas with water and pit toilets available from June to Labor Day. The camping areas are located at boat docks along the trail. A great way for backpackers to train for a more ambitious backpacking adventure is to hike all the way around Burr Oak Lake (a 20 mile hike with overnight camping along the Wayne National Forest's Wildcat Hollow Trail in addition to the boat dock camping areas). For this hike, begin at Boat Dock 2 accessed from SR 78 near the intersection of SR 13 and SR 78 in northern Adams County. From SR 13 head east on SR 78 to signs that lead you to the boat dock and camping area. The hike to Boat Dock 3 is 7 miles long, which is a 14-mile round trip (you may wish to use two vehicles for the hike). Most of the hike follows the blue blazes along the shores of this tranquil lake. There are beautiful views from the bluffs along the

lakeshore. At the halfway point is a resort lodge with a fine restaurant overlooking the lake. Following the blue blazes north from the lodge, you will pass the ranger station where maps are available, and enter the Robert and Mary Lou Paton Trail dedicated to one of the founding families of the BT. The trail is also known as the Cave Trail for the North caves along the Country way. The caves are Trail eroded sandstone shelters that possess small waterfalls in the wet season. This Featured Hike ends at Boat Dock 3.

3 - Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls This 5-mile loop hike visits two of the six natural areas that make up Hocking Hills State Park and Forest. The loop hike is 5 miles long. The rock shelters in these natural areas are described as awesome by most visitors' accounts, with gorges and waterfalls up to 100 feet high. The Old Man's Cave is accessed from state routes 664 and 374 near Logan. The campground is situated on a wooded ridge offering shady and sunny sites that should suit every camper. Reservations are recommended during the busy summer season. The hike begins at the Visitor Center, which houses art and artifacts describing the biological and human drama of the caves. From here follow the Old Man's Cave Trail walking along the top of the west side of the gorge and head northeast between SR 664 and the gorge. Pass a monument to Granny Gatewood, the legendary hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail three times while in her late sixties. Grandma was also one of the founders of the BT. The blue blazes lead you to steps descending into the gorge near the scenic falls. Surrounding you, you

···--·--····--·······················································

July-September

2003

The North Star

Portrait of the Trail: Ohio find the Democracy Steps on the left or north side of the gorge. The steps take you to the red-blazed Gorge Overlook Trail, which will return you to the beginning point of the Upper Falls and the Visitors' Center.

4 - Fort Hill Fort Hill State Memorial contains one of the best preserved prehistoric Indian hilltop enclosures (not really a fort) in Ohio. In addition, four out of five of Ohio's landforming regions conjoin here to support an amazing diversity of plant and animal life. A museum interpreting both the archeological and natural features of Fort Hill is a must stop before the hike. A map of park trails Trail passes a lovely lake at Burr Oak State Park in Athens County. at the parking lot will help you visualize the recommended hike of 4 miles. To find the parking lot. After this hike you may the moving sand dunes, which delineate Fort Hill take SR 32, which cuts across wish to visit Serpent Mound, 10 miles to one edge of ancient Lake Warren. From southern Ohio, to SR 41, north. the dunes, look north to see the Wabash the south on SR 73. Begin the hike by following the blue Cannonball Trail running directly east blazes across the lawn to the northwest 5 - Oak Openings and west on an elevated railroad bed. of the parking lot and join the Gorge Oak Openings, in far northwest Four backpackers could easily walk Trail (GT -yellow disks). As you follow Ohio and near SR 64, is crossed by the abreast on this part of the NCT that the BT and the NCT into the cool gorge NCT where it follows the 63-mile railhosts a wide range of colorful wildflowyou will encounter many unique ferns trail known as the Wabash-Cannonball ers attended by beautiful butterflies duron the sides of the rock formations. Also, Trail. The BT was left behind near the ing the spring, summer, and fall. watch for the seven natural rock bridges city of Napoleon as it continues east to At the Springbrook Lake Area along Bakers Fork during the entire hike. "connect eventually with the BT near Trailhead, with water, toilets, and a picAfter 0.8 miles leave the BT and Cleveland, forming the largest loop nic area, leave the NCT and head south NCT (which follow the blue disks of the trail in the world. The Oak Openings on part of the yellow-blazed, 17-mileDeer Trail) and remain on the Gorge Preserve Metropark was included as a loop backpack trail. There are said to be Trail. After visiting a historic cabin folsigns of badgers (rare to Ohio) along this Featured Hike in Follow the Blue Blazes low an 80-year old deserted township because of the NCT's presence on its trail as it eventually turns east to cross road south. After passing by a large a paved bike trail. Taking the bike trail march to Michigan and for the unique overhanging rock overlooking the broadbiodiversity of the oak savanna area north will bring you to the lodge on Oak ening stream look for one of the larger found there. This recommended loop Openings Parkway. Heading west from natural bridges, Keyhole Bridge, espehike is eight miles. there along the parkway will return you cially beautiful in winter. Rejoin the blue to the starting point. Park at the Mallard Lake Parking blazes and the NCT here as these trails Lot on Oak Openings Parkway and lead out of the park. Sixty feet from the begin the hike by walking northwest Follow The Blue Blazes, published by top meet the Fort Trail with red disks. to the all-purpose trailhead. Take the Ohio University Press, is available through After visiting the ceremonial earthworks, the Buckeye Trail Association's bookstore or red-blazed Sand Dunes Trail through a continue downhill on the Fort Trail to the NCTA's Trail Shop (Pages 30-34). quiet evergreen forest to walk through

i2 ..rh~-N~rth.stci"~-.j~i~~s~p~~~-i;~;路~~;

Members of the Buckeye and North Country Trall Associations have begun the massive cleanup needed In the Shawnee State Forest. In this crew are (left to right) Garry Diii, John Rethman, .Dave ·Sweeney, Rose Frank, Eldon Brum, Ed Frank and Jim Runk.

Blazes and the NCTemblem are about all that remained of the trail after the storm.

Although covered with Ice, here's one tree that survived on the NCT near Lowell.

Ice Storms, Heavy Winds, Floods, Snow Damage Trails in Four States Shawnee State Forest Bears the Brunt of the Damage, Help Will Be Forthcoming torms in Ohio and Michigan, heavy winds and snow in New York, floods in Wisconsin ... all took tolls of the North

Country Trail all winter and spring and necessitate some big time maintenance for our stalwart volunteers this summer.

A severe ice storm devastated sec. tions of the Buckeye and North Country Trails in the Shawnee State Forest and

···································································--

July-September

2003

The North Star 13

Shawnee State Park in Ohio and a simi-

lar spring onslaught blocked a portion of the NCT in the Lowell State Game area in Michigan, near the North Country Trail Association's national headquarters. In Ohio, the late winter storm crossed the Ohio River and slammed into the Shawnee State Forest and the Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest. The devastation spread over some 30,000 acres in the Shawnee-half of the forest-and closed the North Country Trail. In Michigan, the spring storm damage seems to have been pretty much confined to Kent County. A check of other chapters in Michigan did not turn up any major problems. More problems cropped up in New York. Central New York Chapter President Al Larmann writes: "The early winter ice storm was followed closely by deep snows that ... became ever deeper and heavier. .. Especially hard hit were small pines and spruce and deciduous tree saplings. Observations so far indicate there will be more downed branches and trees found this year compared to last. Also many saplings bent all winter did not straighten and those blocking the trail will need to be removed." Elsewhere in New York, reports Finger Lakes President Irene Szabo: "The woods are a mess, many big trees are down and vastly more debris than usual is all over the trail. Every mile of clean - up is taking almost three times longer than usual, even in areas without big fallen trees." The Ohio problems are the most severe. The Buckeye Trail Association is taking the lead to reconstruct 13 miles of trail but can use help from our chapters. (See the accompanying box for details). After a reconnaissance by Jim Sprague, state coordinator for the Association, he reported "a huge jumble, with many fresh root balls standing vertically." An observer from the Audubon Society said: "The devastation to some parts of the forest was incredible. It looked as though someone had taken a giant weedeater and cut the tops off all trees... " It took several weeks for trail maintainers even to get close to the damage because more than 100 miles of roads through the forest were closed because of the downed trees. Crews from Shawnee and Dean State Forests in Adams,

c)l-

i4 . rh~-N~rth.st:路~-~--j~i;~s~p~~;;b~;路;~~;

'=i

~ -15.

.8掳 ~

Supervisor John Rathmen surveys damage on the Wilderness

Lawrence and Scioto Counties were needed to re-open the roads. The Lowell State Game area was less heavily impacted. Because more than a dozen trees blocked the trail, members of the Western Michigan Chapter, under the leadership of Aaron and Sharon Phipps, maintenance coordinators for that section, really had to hustle to clear the trail in time for National Trails Day. Timing was important because a public hike was scheduled there as part of the celebration. In Wisconsin, the culprit was heavy

Trail portion.

flooding by the Bad River, especially in Copper Falls State Park and adjacent areas where the North Country Trail remained mostly unusable in May. After four inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, some trails in the state park were under five feet of water, according to email messages sent to the National Park Service. Repairs were underway and most trails were scheduled to re-open but hikers planning trips there should check with Copper Falls State Park (715) 2745123 to be on the safe side.

Here Is How YoU' Can Help in Ohio The Buckeye Trail Crew is committed to clear a 13-mile segment of the North Country Trail in the Shawnee State Forest. This segment begins at State Road 125 near Turkey Creek Lake and ends at Sunshine Ridge near the site of the former Twin Creek Fire Tower. The trail west of Upper Twin Creek Road lies within Ohio's only wilderness. State law prohibits use of power tools on state-designated wilderness. On this.3-mile segment, hand tools must be used. The Trail Crew will conduct several trips to the Shawnee this summer and fall to reopen the trail. Small groups of four . to eight people will form on a pick-up basis. When an adequately sized group can be fielded for several days, a work party will happen. If you have time and would likf! to help, here are some names to call and e-mail you may address: John Rethman, 513-398-9527, ilovehiking@msn.com Jack Watkins 800-881-3062 (within Ohio) donjackwatty@cs.com). Let them know when you can come. If John or Jack does not have an immediate answer, someone will get back to you. If BTA does not have a work party on the day(s) you want to work, contact The Nature Conservancy who has responsibility to clear the remaining trails on the Shawnee. Call either Kenny Noel at (740) 259-4101 for work on the horse trails or Julie Boreman at (614) 717-2770 ext. 42 for backpack trails. NOTE: Whatever you do, do not plan to work alone. This operation will be dangerous. Numbers of trees may hold a "widow maker." Three out of four did in mid-April. Often, they were poorly attached, just hanging loosely on the few remaining branches. --Jim Sprague, Ohio State coordinator

Plywood: Beg, Borrow, Steal or... Purchase? magine you're a contractor who builds new homes. You've been working with a client on plans for a house and the paperwork is just about ready.This client has some different ideas, though. He believes that contractors purchase too many building supplies, so he wants you to sign a contract that says you'll build the house but will not purchase any supplies to do

It.

If you sign the contract, you'll commit yourself to building the house without purchasing lumber, drywall, pipes, wires, shingles, concrete, windows, etc. Every voice in your head is telling you to walk away. Unfortunately, this guy is your spouse's favorite cousin and, well, you know how that goes. You sign the contract. Now what? How would you go about building a house without purchasing any supplies? Well, it turns out you already have a bunch of miscellaneous supplies that you bought for other jobs, so you haul these to the job site and start working on disconnected parts of the house, using what's available. That 2nd floor bathtub looks a little funny suspended from the plumbing with no floor, and you have to keep shoveling dirt out of the basement where the foundation hasn't been poured yet, but if you step back and squint you can sort of see the shape of what eventually might be a house. When people ask what you're building, you say: "Well, see that house across the street? It's going to be like that." A representative from the local horneowner's association stops by and shakes her head. She appreciates your vision, though, so she rounds up the neighbors to help. They don't have a lot of building supplies either, but they do really good work. Some are able to borrow

BOB PAPP Executive Director

supplies from people they know, and the house starts showing a little progress. Yet you fear that the people who now have loaned you 2x4s and plywood eventually will ask for their lumber back. The folks from the homeowners association quickly realize what you've known all along. There's just no way you're going to be able to finish this house if you can't buy supplies. So, they approach your client to try to convince him to change his mind. OK. Everyone knows I'm not talking about building a house here, right? For those who are new to the trail, this is what we face with building the North Country Trail. Congress decided it would be good to build the trail and chose the National Park Service to administer the project. However, Congress was resistant to the government purchasing land or easements for the trail so the law forbade it. The NCTA and our partners have been working with the National Park Service to build and maintain the trail, but we've also been working with Congress to change the law to enable the federal government to purchase land and easements for the trail. Convincing Congress to change the law has been difficult because six of the nine trails in the National Trails System that are in the same predicament as the North Country Trail are in western states. The Federal government already owns a LOT of land out west. Senators and Representatives from western states often

' ... Often it has seemed that we were just on the cusp of success. So, I'm fearful that readers will doubt me when I say we're REALLY on the way this time. But it's REALLY true ... '

resist expanding these holdings, regardless of how small the purchases might be. Working with various partners over the years, we've successfully passed Bills in the House (twice) and the Senate (once) that would have granted the federal government the authority to purchase land for the North Country Trail from people who wanted to sell (i.e., not condemnation). However, we've never been able to take a Bill the final steps to enacting it as law. I've written about this topic a number of times, and often it has seemed that we were just on the cusp of success. So, I'm fearful that readers will doubt me when I say we're REALLYon the way this time. But it's REALLYtrue. Pieces are coming together this year in ways that we've never seen before. I do believe that we'll be celebrating our success before this Congress adjourns. What's changed is that we've basically come to an agreement in the Senate accommodating all nine trails needing the authority. As of this writing, it's not final yet, but the key players are more or less in agreement. We missed a markup on the Senate Bill in May, due to last minute maneuvering, but we expect this to be addressed in time for the next mark-up, which should be passed by the time you read this column. The other difference is that we are holding off on introducing a Bill in the House until we know exactly what the language will be in the Senate Bill. This will allow us to introduce a matching House Bill. When passed, this will bypass the need to reconcile the House and Senate versions, sending the Bill straight to the President. We do have a new political twist or two in the House to work with, but we're not anticipating that these will present major obstacles. Getting this authority will not be a panacea for the trail. We'll still need significant funding and planning, and acquiring land will take a lot of patience and on the ground work. Even so, we'll welcome these new challenges and the hope they'll bring for the trail. The first truckload of building supplies sure will be a welcome sight!

July-September

2003

The North Star

Elections: Association Names Directors, Chapters Choose Officers

embers of the North Country Trail Association elected Al Larmann, President of the Central New York Chapter, and Peter Schmitz, a retired Minnesota lawyer, to their national Board of Directors and confirmed the nomination of incumbent Daryl Williamson, the Minnesota's Trail Council's choice for the Board. Rich Harris, of Ohio, was also reelected to a Board at-large seat but has since decided to decline the seat. Consequently, a vacancy exists which will be filled by appointment of the President of the board who will be elected by the Board at its meeting July 31 during the annual conference in Marquette, Ml. Al has been active in his chapter ever since it was formed in 1997 after he was recruited by his wife, Mary, one of the most important trail leaders in the State. Peter is a member and former treasurer of the Chequamegon Chapter in Wisconsin where he maintains a summer home. Daryl, a retired physician, serves as chair of the Minnesota Trail Council and on the board of the Superior Hiking Trail Association, an NCTA affiliate. The directors will assume office during the annual conference. They will join in the election of new officers, including President and Secretary, to succeed Gaylord Yost and Joan Young, whose terms have expired. Gaylord will remain on the board. Young will retire from the Board along with Werner Veit because they have completed their allowable terms according to the bylaws. The directors will also elect three Vice Presidents, Finance and VPs East and West. A number of our chapters and affiliates have conducted elections so far this year. Among them are:

i6--ih~--N~rth-st-~-~-.j~i~~s~p~~~"i;~;路;~~3

Finger Lakes Trail Conference The Finger Lakes Trail Conference in New York elected five veteran members to three-year terms on its Board of Managers. They were voted on at the Conference's annual meeting in Ellicottville, NY, and through proxy cards printed in the FLTC newsletter. The successful nominees are: Annette Brzezicki, of Cheektowaga; Mary Domanski, of West Seneca; Vicki Gaeta, of Cuba (NY), Art Klein, Tonawanda, and Tim Wilbur, of Shortsville. Mary, a well-known FLT end-to-ender, said she was "picking my way along the Appalachian Trail," at the time her nomination was appearing in the Finger Lakes Trail News.

Brule St. Croix Chapter The officers of the Brule St. Croix Chapter in Wisconsin, either elected or re-elected late last year, are: Chuck Zosel, chair; Paul Schock, Vice Chair; Peter Nordgren, Secretary and Peter Nason, Treasurer.

Soldan; Treasurer, Smitty Parratt. Directors at-large continue as follows: Catherine Andrews, Marj Krumm, Marjory Johnston and Patsy May.

Western Michigan Chapter The Western Michigan Chapter elected as secretary Roger Meyer, who previously served as director-at-large and re-elected Stephanie Black, Vice President. Other officer terms have not expired. Max Boyd was elected to his first term on the Board as director-at-large. Alan Adsmond and Jack Buege were reelected at-large directors. At their annual meeting in June, members also approved amendments to the chapter bylaws calling for term limits for officers and directors, widening the nomination process and calling for elections via the chapter's newsletter, Due North.

Grand Traverse Hiking Club The Grand Traverse Hiking Club, a North Country Trail Association chapter in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, has elected John Heiam as President. Other officers are: Betsy Duede, Secretary, and Mona Liska, Treasurer. Mike Schaeffer, Dick Parks and Bud Wards are advisors. Schoolhouse Gets Improvements

Hiawatha Shore to Shore The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, located on the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, has elected the following officers: President, Kirt State-Harvey; Vice President, Kay Kujawa; Secretary, Sue Deaner and Treasurer, Julia Rawlings. Marilyn Chadwick was named tool keeper, Mark Halvorsen, Adopt-ASection coordinator, and Don Sandberg, Web master.

Peter Wolfe Chapter The Peter Wolfe Chapter, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, reelected all its officers and Board of Directors as follows: President, Doug Welker; Vice President, Ted Soldan; Secretary, Alice

At the meeting, members also heard details of extensive improvements to the schoolhouse at White Cloud, a facility often used by hikers as an overnight shelter, as a headquarters for chapter maintenance projects and a gathering place for outdoor groups learning new skills, like church youth groups and the Boy Scouts. Among the improvements: replacement of rotting rafters, a new roof, refinishing the floor, new signage and painting. In addition, an Eagle Scout project is widening the camping area on the grounds and plans were revealed for a trail around a pond on the property and for planting of native wildflowers. The schoolhouse is located near the North Country Trail and near a wildflower sanctuary.

Two Years and the Leadership Gavel Passes On t doesn't seem as though two years have passed already but they have. My two-year term as President of the Association ends at the National Membership Conference in Marquette, MI at the end of July. A new President will begin his or her term. It's been an interesting time for me and I've certainly enjoyed it. We have a dedicated staff in place in our Lowell office and those good folks have the job of confronting the daily effort of managing and running a large volunteer non-profit organization spread over seven states. And, without a doubt, it's a mammoth challenge for them. My hope is that all of you who champion the outof-doors and enjoy the trail will continue to contribute in some way to help with this challenge. The NCTA staff cannot do it without your contributions and help, whatever they may be. Your most obvious contribution, of course, is to keep caring and stay engaged with the Association by continuing your membership and any chapter or trail activities in which you might be involved. I've seen and met many devoted NCTA members working on their weekends or whenever to build and maintain trail. They form the nucleus of activists who make up the Association. Each chapter has its core. But for every activist, there are perhaps 15-20 members who loyally pay their dues

,~MIL !,_

@~[Q)

·-;;%:························

GA'\tj.ORD YOST President

each year and provide the membership backbone and funds to keep things moving. All of these folks make their contributions and for this we are deeply grateful. One of the most useful ways to keep your chapter and the Association strong is to make a determined effort to encourage and recruit those members whose membership has expired. Our membership drives bring new members in but it is the chapters who engage them in some way and who will be the most successful in making them long term devotees of the out-of-doors and the North Country Trail. So, if you haven't done this already, get your chapter's list of lapsed memberships and set up a system for individual or other contact. Don't let these folks get away. Another area to which I hope our activist core will pay particular attention is seeking out members who are willing to become officers at the chapter level or on the National Board of Directors. We need help in finding those special

Sponsored by

I Daytt 7"" 11: tode lirst) I

Name (Please Print) Address

City

State

Skills to Volunteer

E-mail Address

1-1

ZIP

July-September 2003

The North Star

'('bme ofyou may recognize this title as a parody of a book by Charles Swindoll entitled Killing Giants. Pulling Thorns. a book which focuses on strategies for meeting both the big problems of life, and those little naggi,ng aches. Our volunteers in this issue delight in taking on some of the giants of trail issues, while also working on those little nagging aches of trail maintenance. Sometimes those nagging trail aches can be literal thorns!

Finger Lakes Trail Conference "I just got back from a full day of trail work; pulling out those raspberries is a lot of fun," said MARY DOMANSKI, a semi-retired teacher. Well, actually she told me to fill in the blank, but what other phrase could she have had in mind? Actually, Mary spends more of her time dealing with giants of trail issues that would cause some of us to cower. Her specialty is landowner relationships. The Finger Lakes Trail just celebrated its 40th Anniversary and many of the records of early hand-shake agreements were lost or never recorded. When Mary served as President of the Foothills Trail Club, one of the trail-sponsoring clubs of the Finger Lakes Trail, she knew that such information needed to be collected and follow-up work done. She began trying to chase down the existing records, and spent a year hearing such comments as "I gave the box to someone," or "Soand-so knew all that, but he died in '92!" Undaunted, Mary took the seven names she had, and has now compiled records of 94 landowners along the FLT. "I wanted to create a record system that I could pass on to anyone, and that Mary Domanski: ' ... keeping a ribbon of they could路 underwild space for others to enjoy.' stand too," Mary

ia路路rh~.N~rth.st~-~--"j~i~~s~j;~~~-b~;-~~~3

told me. She has met them all face to face. She sends them Christmas Cards and invites them to special events such as National Trails Day. Some NCT folks stand in awe of the FLTC's success at keeping trail on private property. I think we now know one of the key people to thank for that. Mary began hiking as a pre-schooler on the trails at Watkins Glen, NY. When her family moved to Pennsylvania she began tramping along the Little Lehigh River. Girl Scouts expanded her hiking horizons, and as a leader who just wanted to hike she said, "All right, girls, you're going to get the hiking badge!" Moving back to NY as an adult she discovered the Conservation Trail (CT) and joined the Foothills Trail Club. The CT, FLT and NCT are concurrent for 55 miles, and so began her relationship with the North Country folks, joining us first at the 1995 Watson Homestead Conference. We're out of space to tell you everything else that Mary does for trails. She vows "a passion for wanting to keep a ribbon of wild space for others to enjoy," and hopes that others, instead of feeling daunted by private land, will follow her example of contacting people and getting involved. She hasn't lost that desire to hike in her pile of paperwork either. She's FLT End-to-ender #83. She organizes events and has created hiking incentive awards. Oh yes, and still goes out and pulls those thorns to keep our trail clear.

Western Michigan Chapter It's hard to decide if PAUL HAAN's specialties are the big issues or the little naggers. He's the Communications Manager for the largest NCTA chapter when he's not busy with his day job as a Project Coordinator who works with a number of agencies on the problem of lead poisoning in children. While Paul was in college he saw the Rogue River Recreation Area on a map and started taking hikes there to relax. He quickly discovered the NCT, and saw that this area needed maintenance, and a significant amount of trail planning and re-routing. Thus he began attending WMI meetings, and Dave Sheldon (featured June 1998) quickly snagged him to take over the chapter newsletter. Paul brings lots of communication skills to the trail community. He has set up a web based hiking group called Great Lakes Hikes. The site features trail descriptions, and opportunities for hikers to connect to each other. He also manages the Western Michigan Chapter web site. "I drive a desk all week," Paul lamented. "It's great to get outside on the weekends. Then I can get connected to the REAL world and to other people who enjoy that world. At work I need to stay powered up, but in the woods I can decompress," he reflected. Paul grew up in the Catskills of New York, and when he moved to the Midwest he had to change from the hiking mentality of scaling peaks to one of looking around you to see what is there. But he's enjoyed the new system, finding the homes of barred owls, porcupines and blue racers while on hikes.

Paul, by coincidence he claims, now is section supervisor for the Rogue River area. He pointed out that there are a half-million people within 20 minutes of that piece of trail and he would like to provide an outstanding hiking experience for them. He's currently working on getting the trail off some old two-tracks and closer to the river, and has dreams of continuing the trail across some private land. Paul has hiked the Appalachian Trail too; "I'd go again Paul Haan: 'At work I ••• stay powered up, in a heartbeat," but In the woods I ••• decompress.' he exclaimed. He added that although there are lots of hikers on that trail, you can choose to make your hike a social one or you can preserve your private experience. Paul has also hiked the Long Trail, participated in American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations, proving that he just has trails in his blood. "Paul does a ton of work for the NCT," said another volunteer. Just this spring I ran into Paul at the EMS Club Days sale. He was promoting the NCT with display boards, a ready smile, and the enthusiasm of a happy hiker. Go Paul!

Star of the North Chapter HARLAN LILLJEQUIST's nominator told me that Harlan is a perfect "Heart and Sole person. He's very unassuming, but he always shows up!" I can personally vouch for that. While I was on a hike in Minnesota, Harlan agreed to meet my friends and me to lead us from the Chippewa National Forest into the Paul Bunyan State Forest, through a section where there was no trail as yet. There he was at 7 a.m., sauntering into our campsite with a smile. "Oh, I slept in my car down at the trailhead," he shyly confessed. "I didn't want to be late and have you worry that I wouldn't show up." This is the perfect segue to Harlan's first love which is bushwhacking. He likes to start walking over an area that he is not familiar with and then get to know all about it. And

he has spent a lot of time doing just that in Minnesota, working over the years with Rod McRae (Lifetime Achievement Award 2002) to develop trail through Paul Bunyan. He also helped to build one backpacker campsite in the Chippewa. During the week Harlan can sell you hardware at the local store, Harlan Llllljequlst: PCT Is next for his trophy but whenever case. possible he's off whacking the bushes. And that might mean bushwhacking, or doing trail maintenance. He's also an avid hiker, coming to the sport, unusually, as an adult. He first began hiking in 1974 after reading about the Appalachian Trail in Reader's Digest. Without any hesitation he set out in his quiet way to hike the AT himself. He completed that in two summers, and in 1976 began working his way down the Pacific Crest Trail. Yes, "down:" He decided to hike north to south, against the general flow. He has only 200 miles to go before that National Trail also will be in his trophy case. Harlan first joined the NCTA in 1985 at the Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin. He's one of the people who has had the honor of meeting the late Peter Wolfe (who hiked the entire NCT). He's also a willing volunteer to help staff displays about the NCT when asked. Harlan attends quite a few Trail Conferences, but you won't find him making a big noise tooting his own horn. However, if you see him this summer in Marquette, ask him about his most recent hike. He might just pull out a packet of great pictures and quietly tell you some tales from the trail. Bushwhacking, whacking bushes, pulling thorns, inviting people to hike the trail, asking people to invite people on to their property. Big issues and those on-going projects: the diversity of tasks accomplishedby volunteers matches the diversity of the requirements. Good thing, eh?! What talents do the people in your chapter offer? I have no more names on file. Ifyou would like to see this column in the October issue, ask me now to nominate a volunteer.Joan Young, 231-757-2205,jhy@t-one.net. Or you can download a nomination form at www. northcountrytrail. orglvoluntrs/HSintro.htm

1~i~~s~?~~~b~~-~~~---··· ;:h~-N~rth.st~;·19

How Else Would a Trail Foreman Travel to Headquarters? By Bill Menke NCTA Trail Foreman

uring the first weekend in April, the Western Michigan Chapter hosted a training session on trail maintenance and asked me to be the instructor. They assured me that the weather would be spring-like. Ahh, spring in Michigan-a great excuse to nibble off another unhiked segment of the North Country Trail. So I packed my backpack and took it along with much anticipation. Except for short sections here and there, I have not covered the distance between the NCTA Schoolhouse/Hostel at White Cloud and the National Headquarters in Lowell. Of course much of that distance is currently a road walk but that is beside the point when one has perhaps unrealistic dreams of hiking the entire trail. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans. Upon arriving in Grand Rapids on Friday, I was_surprised to see everything coated with a heavy layer of ice. In fact, beginning later in the day, much of the area began to experience an electrical outage that lased for several days in some outlying locations. Nevertheless the weekend session went on as scheduled, minus about half of the participants who we later learned had tried to get there but had to turn back due to the road conditions. On Saturday and Sunday, the sun occasionally peeks out from behind the heavy cloud cover and the forest glistens beautifully. Ice or not, I have my heart set on completing my hike so at 4:00 PM on Sunday, Aaron Phipps takes me to where the trail crosses 5-Mile Road and I am underway. Again, the sun peeks out a few times and I take the time to appreciate the sparkling scenery. Today is the first day of daylight savings time so the days are now a little longer, but due to the late start, I stop to camp near Cole Creek. After looking around a bit, I am able to find a spot where most of the snow and ice have melted off of the ground and thus sleeping will be a little warmer. Having expected it to be spring-like, I am carrying my lighter, backpacking sleeping bag and only a 3,4 length pad and so don't want to be sleeping on ice.

路20--rh~--N~rth-st-~-~- -j~i;~s~p~~;;b~;-~~~;

NORTH COUNTRY

TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Coincidentally, I end up pitching my tent close to where only hours earlier Stephanie Black served a gourmet lunch to the training session participants. The next three days will be long hikes because of the need to reach anticipated camping spots on public lands, where water is available for cooking and resupply. Hiking distances of 19 Yi to 21 Y2 miles are anticipated to reach Croton Dam, Long Lake County Park, and Wabasis County Park. On Monday, shortly after leaving Cole Creek, I cross highway M-20 and the trail immediately improves; it is no longer as deeply incised as it was north of M-20. This is because mountain bikes are not permitted in the southern portion of the Manistee NF. For a long way, I follow turkey tracks imbedded in the trail's once again crusty surface and later spot the "white flag" of a deer

Having dutifully passed by the Lowell beer store, Trail Foreman Biii Menke arrives at NCTA headquarters.

as it bounds off through the woods. In fact, the snow covering the trail remains frozen all day under the overcast sky. Finally, as I approach Spruce Street around 3: 00, the winddriven snow starts hitting me in the side of the face and I begin to think about other options besides spending another chilly night in my little tent. Having stopped in a little cafe back at the junction of M - 3 7 and 4oth Street for a hot lunch, I had heard that there might be a small motel in Croton and this is sounding better and better as the snow continues to fall. It's a little after 6:00 when I reach Croton Drive just west of the bridge across the Muskegon River. I've already spotted a couple of good places to camp under the pines along the trail and know I can always return to them but walk on into town to see if the potential motel is open. After a couple of inquiries, I find the Riverside Resort Motel. It appears to be closed and I'm thinking that I am out of luck. But after knocking on the door, it opens and the proprietor graciously welcomes me into the warm lobby. It turns out that I am the first hiker to stay here and lots of questions are soon being asked. That evening, we chat over coffee and warm chocolate chip cookies. The room is warm and clean,

the rates are reasonable, and I heartily recommend a stay at Riverside if you are hiking through the area. Tuesday morning, I start the next long road walk-now heading south. The next section of completed trail in Rogue River State Game Area is reached at noon. It's a pleasure to see some of the neatest, sharpest blazes anywhere and in a short while, I cross the two new bridges built within the last couple of years by the Western Michigan Chapter by means of NPS Challenge Cost Share funding. Reaching Long Lake County Park late in the afternoon, I find an outof-the-way place to camp. As I set up my tent, the now warm sun reflects off the lake while ducks and a pair of swans entertain me. The night is again chilly and my tent is heavily coated with frost when I crawl out on Wednesday morning. Today will be a total road-walk (except for a couple of miles on the White Pine State Trail) to reach Wabasis Lake. But the day soon warms up nicely under a bright, clear sky. As I sit on the side of the road eating breakfast (about \h mile

west of Highway 131), a green Kent County pickup truck pulls over and the driver gets out to talk. It turns out that he takes care of both Long Lake and Wabasis Parks and is keenly interested in the hike I am undertaking.

After a nice visit, he heads west while I resume walking east. A couple of hours later as I am again sitting on the side of the road to have a snack, the same truck and driver stops again (he must think all I do is "sit" along a road and eat). He knows I am heading toward Wabasis Park and agrees to take my backpack on to the park. I figure there is no reason to be "macho" about this sort of thing and am tickled to death to walk the last couple of hours without the "wart" on my back. The park is still gated for the season but I retrieve my pack and find a wonderful place to camp. Interestingly enough, even though the temperature has to be into the 50's, when I unpack by gear, there are still frost crystals coating the tent. Ditto on Thursday morning: the tent is covered with frost. Today will be another total road walk to reach Fallasburg County Park. But the weather is getting better each day and by the time I turn south onto Ashley Avenue to have breakfast, I zip off the legs of my convertible pants and hike the rest of the day in "summer" gear (shorts and t-shirt). The temperature reaches almost 70 degrees by 2:00 when I arrive at Fallasburg Park. Knowing that Doug Wilbur (husband of Paula who was instrumental in

Hickory Hollow Campground, Bath, NY; www.fingerlakestrail.org

July 7-11 - B-SC Rovers Workdays,

Brule River State Forest, camp at Winneboujou Bluff, bdmenke@charter.net

October 3-5 - Fall meeting,

Keystone Trails Association, Camp Kenbrook, Fredericksburg, PA, info@kta-hike.org

July 31-August 3 - North Country

Trail Association annual conference, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Ml, NCTA headquarters, (888) 897-5987; www.northcountrytrail.org

getting the trail completed in Lowell) is the park manager, I look him up. After introductions, we spend most of the next two hours talking about all sorts of things-the trail, lawnmowers, park management, etc. When it's time for the park employees to head for home, I begin looking around for a place to camp and unpack my gear. Considering the warmth of the day, I am again amazed to find once more my tent completely covered with frost when it is unrolled. The pack and other articles must insulate it well. Getting underway on Friday morning, I'm closing in on the end of the hike with only a half dozen miles to go. Thinking back on the last several days, I have experienced all kinds of weather,from ice and snow to bright sun and sunburn. I have covered a lot of road miles but have also seen some nicely maintained trail and a couple of nice new trail bridges. I have also seen the ravages of abuse on some portions of the trail, but all in all, it has been another great experience and I am happy to say that I have whittled off another segment of the trail. Around 11:00, I round the street corner and approach the beautiful, multi-colored sign announcing NCTA's National Headquarters-a fitting place to end a hike.

. September 15-19 - B-SC Rovers

Workdays, Brule River State Forest, camp at Winneboujou Bluff, bdmenke@charter.net

October 10-14 - B-SC Rovers

Workdays, Bayfield County Forest, camp at Winneboujou Bluff, bdmenke@charter.net

August 11-15 - B-SC Rovers

Workdays, Douglas County Forest, Wild Rivers Trail, camp at Bird Sanctuary Camp, bdmenke@charter.net August 11-15 - FLTC's Alley Cat

Crew #2 project, building new lean-to in James D. Kennedy Memorial Forest, NY, hbeye@finge rlakestrail.org

September 15-19 - FLTC's Alley

Cat Crew #3 project, trail maintenance through 20 miles in Allegheny State Park and build trail reroute for new bridge over the West Branch of Bucktooth Run in Bucktooth State Forest. hbeye@fingerlakestrail.org

November 3-7 - B-SC Rovers

Workdays, Bayfield County Forest, camp at Winneboujou Bluff, bdmenke@charter.net For an up-to-date and more detailed list of events, consult the North Country Trail Association's website, wwwnorthcountrytrail.org.

October 3-5 - FLTC Fall Campout,

July-September

2003

The North Star

Bumbelina Bee-B from Plum Nelly Goes to Washin (Don'tAsk Me; I Don't Know What It Means Either. .. Editor) By Irene Szabo Contributing

Editor

"\VJhen NCTA Executive Director W Bob Papp, one very persuasiveelf, convinced me to have a go at lobbying our seven states' worth of federal legislators during the American Hiking Society's annual "Hike the Hill" project in early March, I contemplated only the immediate process of trying to convince others of the great value, in terms of public bang for the federal buck, of our trail stewardship activities. The prospect of yakking up the trail and its budget necessities didn't scare me ...well, not a lot. Given the slightest opening, I can natter on and on about hiking trail issues, and fantasize that my chatter is winning and persuasive. After 58 years of practice, I can also finally talk to grown-ups without rehearsing my speeches, so the actual pitch to Congressmen's aides didn't worry me beforehand, and by now I usually remember to check my teeth for spinach, my bodice for dribbles, and my zipper for moral rectitude, so I felt prepared to perform this noble duty for the NCTA, my tendencies toward hermitudity (SIC. .. I think: Editor) notwithstanding. What I had forgotten was that I would have to navigate a very big and complex city in order to do so, and what I could not have imagined is that the NCTA leaders would actually expect me to do so, upon occasion, ALONE. Any city is a trial for me, and visits are best when conducted as fast surgical stabs at the beast, so that I can retreat quickly to my own yard to lick my wounds, my own yard where it's dark enough at night to see the stars, my own yard where I can listen to spring peepers at night, dogs by my side. However, this project required a

路22路路;:h"~-N~rth".st~-~--j~i~~s~?~~;;;b~;-~~~~

five-day stay in an obscenely expensive hotel where the pillows smelled bad anyway, but the "great rate" negotiated by the American Hiking Society placed us so that travel from the airport or to Congressional office buildings required many blocks of walking to and from the Metro subway system. So? Walking should be a problem for hikers? Well, sometimes. First of all, some of us bumpkin troglodytes don't yet have those natty wheeled suitcases with telescoping handles. Intrepid Joan Young of Michigan brought a suitcase inherited from her grandmother, you know, stripes of varying beige herringbone, with latches that pop open, so hers was ducttaped shut, a real winning arrangement during airport cavity searches.

I lugged a garment bag, a big gym bag, and an overweight laptop, all three of whose straps conspired to bear down on my shoulders cruelly, yet I had thought I was traveling lightly for five days of highly varied dress codes! After three blocks of these personal loads, I was whimpering audibly and even Joan was making Grim Lips. And that was only the beginning of the walking. On Congressional visit days, there were blocks to the Metro, blocks from the Metro to any one of several immense office buildings, where closely scheduled meetings could take a body dashing from one building to another, some of them blocks apart, too, and each building had literal miles of corridors. After Day #1 of this endless round

of meetings, my normally comfortable Grown- Up dressy winter boots felt too thin-soled, and my feet burned with fatigue. There was nothing for it but to revert to the hiking boots I had, of course, brought with me for the airport portions of the ordeal, which were fortunately freshly oiled. So there I was

spend that money. So what is a Congressional aide? These are the small squads of high-energy overworked legislative staff that each representative's office uses to deal with, among other things, all the public input and lobbying that each office receives by phone, email, and personal visits. No, we did NOT get to meet with any Senators

our request, which is the most we could ask. How did I fare? Lessons were learned. #1 - Do not grab the bottle of water placed alluringly on the hotel room desk. The fine print on the ernpry's label said it cost me $3.50. #2 - Wear lightweight longjohns

Loose on the Capital Treadway in Dress Pants and Hiking Boots on Day #2, in my black dress pants, my Murphy Brown FYI red fox hunter jacket, earrings, bracelets, and brown hiking boots. But you know what? I doubt a single person noticed, and my feet felt fine. The actual office calls: Bob Papp, Gaylord Yost, Derek Blount, Joan Young, and I galloped through 54 office visits, all scheduled beforehand by our efficient Lowell headquarters, and it should be noted that Bob and Gaylord visited a bunch on the Friday before, leaving the rest of us "only'' three days of blabbiting (sic, again) the same message over and over again. Worst of all, poor Gaylord came down with a terrible cold, but gamely carried onward. Most visits were done in pairs, but scheduling required that some be done alone, but only after we novices had done a few. We had a booklet ready for each office of seven states' worth of Senators and Representatives along the trail, customized to show THEIR district on the opening page with the trail mapped through it. 路 Recent years' accomplishments with the budget so far allotted the National Park Service for our trail were highlighted, and desired projects for the near future were outlined, along with their costs, to justify the increase in NPS funding for the North Country Trail we were requesting from the Interior Appropriations Committee. The booklet was a handsome piece of work, with a few photographs, maps, clear fiscal charts, and financial projections of what we could do with the additional money. In fact, the booklet was SO well done by Bob Papp and the Lowell NCTA staff that other national trails' organizations at the American Hiking Society preparatory meetings were drooling and envious. It should also be added that several Congressional aides remarked on the clarity of the presentation, and liked that it showed clearly how we wanted to

or Representatives themselves; instead, they rely on the information-gathering AND the recommendations of their aides when it comes to requests like ours. The aides must sift through many dozen requests per overlong workday, especially heavy during this phase of the annual budget shenanigans, figure what stance the representative should 路 take, make recommendations simple and clear out of the sheer tonnage of requests made, and tailor those recommendations to the appropriate committee machinations currently within that representative's arena of power. The most astounding feature of almost all of the legislative aides is their youth. As Pete Durnell of the Florida Trail Association said in their magazine, Footprint, in his article about Trail Advocacy Week, " ... all [were] apparently just out of diapers to these old eyes." Agreed. Even Young Pup Papp thought most of these men and women frighteningly young, but equally impressive was how much they knew about the business they're in. And they're resourceful, too. When every cubicle or flat surface in a given suite of offices was taken with a petitioner like us, an aide might take us to, say, the cafeteria three floors down for a meeting surrounded by noise and clutter. This kind of trip did give us additional yak time in the elevator, which could make up for the unlovely arena later. These twenty-somethings just out of college also have to find a way to afford the astronomical rents within commuting distance of Washington, D.C., so tend to share apartments, which led to more than one promise to speak to Congressman So-and-So's aide, on our behalf, because they are roommates! How did the NCTA fare? We don't know yet. Feedback was positive, and subsequent to our March foray, almost every representative signed on to a letter to Interior Appropriations supporting

under your dress black pants for the cool very windy days of walking many blocks in D.C., because you DON'T want to be burdened with a real coat. #3 - Peanut butter looks like a plastique bomb to airport security. In Rochester NY my "luggage" was searched, and the inquisitor told me my peanut butter jar of bourbon made him look. Joan and I bought peanut butter and crackers in D.C. to save on painful meal costs, and she took that jar back with her in Grandma's valise. Does radiation perceive chunky? #4 - It seemed like such a good idea at the time, to be sure I'd have a toothbrush and underwear if my luggage were lost, but don't carry your underpants in your laptop, because it's embarrassing when helpful people fling the case open. #5 - Don't wear hiking boots with metal eyelets or Cool Rapper Dude sweatpants with little zippers on them through airport security. It's a real affront to stand with your legs apart and arms out so some cretinous employee can wave a wand in every crevice, while the line of normal folks walks past, looking away in embarrassment and relief that it's my day, not theirs. Right. I may never fly again. Gaylord drove all the way from Wisconsin, but parking cost him almost $30 per day. Yeesh. On the other hand, I was amazed at the international flavor of D.C., not just at the diplomatic level, but everyday people working and living there from parts of the world whose accents I couldn't begin to identify. That was cool, but not enough to make palatable for me spending five days at this, away from home where they spread cow manure under my bedroom window before I'm even up some summer mornings. Why does our gubrninr have to be in Washington, D.C.? And I didn't even tell you any subway stories .... July-September

2003

The North Star

By Rob Corbett Director of Trail Management

he North Country Trail passes through 10 national forests on its journey from Crown Point, NY to Lake Sakakawea, ND. These forests host 630 miles of the roughly 1,700 trail miles completed to date and serve to provide hikers and backpackers with beautiful vistas, streamside walks and tranquil backcountry

covering every conceivable aspect of managing the flora, fauna and human use of these expansive public lands. The Plan governs all management functions in the forest including, but not limited to, habitat and species protection, commercial logging, mineral extraction, educational programming, and recreational uses of all kinds. So, if you are not covered in the Forest Plan, chances are, you are not in the forest! Since a Forest Plan

Becominga

~t:: Trail Partneri~0h,

tant that the North Country Trail Association work closely with the U.S. Forest Service in planning the future of the trail in these places so our Vision of the Trail can become a real-

of our National Scenic Trail must be included as the Forest Plan revision process moves forward. Our letter submitted to the HuronManistee NF was composed with input from the NCTA's Trail Foreman, Bill Menke, from Lower Michigan Volunteer Trail Coordinator, Joan Young, and from members of the Western Michigan and Spirit of the Woods chapters, who maintain the sections in the forest, as well as NCTA Board members and volunteers. The most important points our submission made were the following: •Collaboration is Key: The NCTA believes that active participation in ongoing partnerships with the forest and other forest users will better protect the interest of the trail and better enable the forest to meet its management goals. To this end NCTA wants to discuss opportunities for collaborative projects including graduate level internships, joint sponsorship of educational programs, natural resource inventories and wildlife habitat studies, recreational user surveys, and other topics that influence the character and nature of the forest resource and subsequently the route of the trail. • Our Contributions are Significant: We noted that NCTA records show our volunteers working in the H-MNF have contributed over 4,037 hours of labor on the Trail over the past four years. In addition, the NCTA has contributed more than $6,000 dollars (about $50 a mile) for building, maintaining and promoting the trail in the forest over the same period. These

With the Forest Service

ity.

To become thoroughly involved, the North Country Trail Association will provide detailed input and comment as each of the Forests engages in a mandatory plan revision process. Our first letter outlining our position in great detail was sent to the planning team of the Huron Manistee National Forest (in Michigan) in April and more of our letters will follow as each forest develops its plan. National Forests are managed through the methodical creation and implementation of a mighty tome known as a Land and Resource Management Plan, or Forest Plan for short. Seeing a completed Forest Plan for the first time can be an intimidating encounter. Were it not for the distinctive blue and white cover bearing the U.S. Forest Service logo, you might easily mistake a Forest Plan for the Cleveland Yellow Pages. Carrying a couple of these babies around with you for 30 minutes a day is good for building upper body strength and cardiovascular capacity. Together, two forest plans can stop even the most powerful door spring and all ten of the forest plans along the route of the North Country Trail will make a great coffee table. Okay, so maybe I'm over the top since you'd probably need around 15 to make a coffee table, but an end table is totally feasible with just 10. The plans are big for a reason. Each is a highly detailed management guide

·24· ·-rh"~. N~rth". st·~-~ ..• j~i;~ s~p~~~"i;~;. ;~~;

figure do not include activity contributed through planning and management functions at NCTA's Lowell Headquarters. • Partnerships are a Priority: In partnership with other organizations, the NCTA also has worked effectively with Congress to secure increased funding for the Forest Service for management of the thirteen NPS or BLM administered National Scenic and Historic Trails within the National Forests, including the North Country Trail. Historically, funding for this purpose has hovered at $350,000. As a direct result of our advocacy work, however, this appropriation jumped to $650,000 in FY02. Despite difficult budget constraints in the current fiscal year, we were able to increase this appropriation further to $750,000 for FY03, through effective advocacy. It is our hope that close cooperation between forest planners and managers and NCTA's trail management staff can serve to increase further various sources of funding available to the Forest Service for management of the trail. Adopting a corridor approach to managing the North Country NST will serve to increase the potential of any future efforts to secure more dollars, manpower and planning assistance. •Trail Completion is Needed: There are locations where the North Country NST is located on open, public roads-notably along 40th Street, 5- Mile Road, Riverside Drive near Nine- Mile Bridge, and north of Pine Creek. We urge the H-MNF administration to join with NCTA in seeking Land and Water Conservation Fund money to purchase additional lands for completing the trail and getting it off public roads. The NCTA's Director of Trail Management is available to work with forest managers developing LWCF and other grant source proposals. NCTA believes that proactive support of forest service land acquisition is an important to which it is willing to dedicate the services of its staff • Wilderness Designation Relating to the North Country NST: We believe that a National Scenic Trail is fully compatible with wilderness designation and in fact is best protected within such areas. In any future wilderness areas, the trail should remain in place or even be routed through wilder-

Even on a somber day, the Manistee River seen from Hlghbrldge,

ness areas when a route is needed to complete the trail and the location fits with the projected route of the trail. Wilderness designation should not displace or block the trail in any way. Because the North Country NST is designed to be a simple footpath, its construction and maintenance standards should be nearly the same as they are outside a wilderness area. â&#x20AC;˘ Clarifying the Use of the Footpath: The Forest should clarify the uses appropriate on the North Country NST, and strive to phase in strategically appropriate changes. While a healthy trail system should include a diversity of recreational opportunities. Because the NCT is one of only seven national scenic trails modeled after the Appalachian Trail, the North Country NST should fill the niche for

Is a haven of tranqulllt y In the Huron-Manistee

premier hiking opportunities within such local and regional trail networks. In an effort to facilitate this return to the original footpath uses on the Trail, NCTA offers its services in negotiating and developing limited re-routes in order to mitigate the impact on other users. The NCTA also intends to work with other user groups to identify and pursue issues of commonality within the Forest, and to further the concept of mutually supporting the development of diverse trail networks. We asked the forest planning team to consider these comments in each stage of the forest plan revision process and contact us with any questions they may have. Further, we asked for the opportunity to meet with the forest planning team to discuss NCTA's role in the revision process. Ultimately we seek a means

National Forest.

of involvement that leads to mutually beneficial outcomes. As a member of the NCTA, you have an opportunity to support NCTA in the forest plan revision process. The U.S. Forest Service provides public comment opportunities for exactly this purpose. Your comments really do count so please take a few minutes and support NCTA by addressing some of the points mentioned above in a letter to: James L. Schuler, Forest Supervisor Huron-Manistee National Forest 1755 South Mitchell Street Cadillac, MI 49601 \ ~ith this simple act, you can help ensure the North Country NST is enhanced, protected and properly managed in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. July-September

2003

The North Star

NCTA Chapters Celebrate

Vanguard Award Presented to Congressional Friend of Trail

National Trails Day

,,,

a. .9.c o,

c; 0

-0: 禄, D

s: a.

'Oil 0

0 .c o,

ep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich) is the winner of the North Country Trail Association's 2002 Vanguard Award, presented to "a legislator or other public Conservation Senior Forester, for a official whose leadership, actions and guided tour within the Nelson Swamp advocacy have substantially benefited the Unique Area (NSUA) southeast of North Country Trail." Cazenovia. The Grand Rapids Congressman was An interpretive loop, linked to the honored during the 2003 National Trails North Country National Scenic Trail, Day ceremony on the trail just outside will be constructed this year to show off the Association's national headquarters in the diversity in this 1,500 acre swamp Lowell, Ml. area-more than 400 varieties of vascular After Rep. Ehlers received his plants and 105 cataloged species of birds. plaque from Executive Director Bob Through the efforts of Chapter Papp, who reported on all the letters to member Dawn Bennett and Syracuse fellow Congressmen by Ehlers asking area store manager Matt Healy, Eastern for additional support for the trail, the Mountain Sports (EMS) donated $500 Congressman in turn presented the first to the Central New York Chapter to annual Association arts awards to memsupport National Trails Day and related bers of the Western Michigan Chapter. activities. The company also was a signifThe awards resulted from a contest, icant contributor to the Nelson Swamp which solicited entries in any media of Unique Area bridge project in 1999. -Al Larmann art words inspired by the North Country National Scenic Trail. c: c: Beginning in the year 2004, the E Lowell Arts Council will sponsor the .搂 contest and solicit entries from all of the trail's seven states. Rebecca Llewellen E mixed media entry was the 2003 first -5. place winner. A watercolor of a trail scene by Alan Adsmond won second place; ff. Sharon Froeligh's photographs showing the four seasons on the trail were third. Rain does not prevent Central New York Amy Brower won honorable mention members and supporters from noting the key elements of the unique area visited with a Lowell street scene. Hikes, drawing 85 participants, folon Tralls Day. lowed the ceremony. National Trails Day celebrations Hiawatha Shore to Shore were held throughout the seven states. Neither a mosquito invasion nor Chapters who reported their activities to threatening weather spoiled the National The North Star before the announced Trails Day celebration hosted by the deadline for this issue included: Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter and the Department of Natural Resources Central New York Chapter at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Despite light rainfall, members and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. supporters joined Greg Owens , NY The work of Kay (our vice presiState Department of Environmental dent) and Stan Kujawa and the NTD

(1)

'2tfrh~-N~rth.st路~-~---j~i;~s~p~~~-b~;路~~~~

U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, winner of the Association's Vanguard award, congratulates Rebecca Llewellen on winning the Association's first annual NCNST Arts Award .

committee resulted in a splendid outing. Don and Karen Sandberg arrived early to clean and setup and prepared for an afternoon filled with visitors, hotdogs, brochures, prizes, kids games, artists, displays, Boy Scouts, hiking, and the strong odor of bug spray in the air! Attendees saw a display about the HSS Chapter prepared by Roger Morrison; Treasurer Julia Rawlings, registered visitors for drawings and signed up several new members; Joan Leach, chapter secretary, and Sue Deaner, organized the food production and Mark and Sarah Halvorsen answered questions and provided information on our section of the North Country National Scenic Trails. Hikers were ferried to the Upper Falls so they could hike the four miles back to the Lower Falls. There was also a nature hike led by Linda Swartz, botanist for the Hiawatha National Forest for the second straight year. --Kirt Stage-Harvey

Itasca-Moraine Chapter The Itasca-Moraine Chapter celebrated National Trails Day with a ribboncutting ceremony opening a new segment of the North Country Trail near Ackley, MN. The new segment extends the North Country Trail from the Chippewa National Forest west to Highway 64. Hikes in the Paul Bunyan State Forest followed. Prior to the ceremony, Darin Miller of Laporte demonstrated the use of hand tools. Effort is well underway to extend the trail from Highway 64 to Itasca State Park. The chapter's goal for 2003 is to complete the trail to Lake Waboose and gain certification from the National Park Service. The target for completing the trail to Itasca State Park is 2007. Volunteers interested in helping to achieve these goals are invited to contact the Chapter at 675-5448.

--Jerry Trout Spirit of the Woods The best attended of all the National Trails Day events reported by the NCTA chapters was held by the Spirit

s tr

00.

of the Woods Chapter at the Sawdust Hole Campground within the HuronManistee National Forest in Michigan. The day was celebrated by 108 participants; 31 were young people and the remainder adults. The following chapter members put in particularly long hours on planning, set-up and tear-down, or manning stations: Ed & Nan Chappel, Gordie

and Betty Wilkes, Mary Soule, Ramona Venegas (and her crew of interns), Angie and Mark Addington, Rich & Deb Krieger (and friend Marla), Mo Evans, Omer Young, Ellen Lightle, Bart Cayle, Mary Hurley. Steve Webster and Brian Buchanan mowed the trail through Leitch Bayou. They started with the DR mower, which had a breakdown as far as possible (of course), from the car. So they hauled it out and came back with their own mower. Geocaching prizes were won by five groups or individuals that competed to find the sites. Top prizes went to "ABXguy'' ofTraverse City, "Evileye" of Traverse City, Ed Morse and Ed Chappel, lnterlochen and Irons, "Trashcan" of Traverse City, and "Team Sand Dollar." Chapter awards for 50 hours of trail building or maintenance in one year's time were presented to Rich and Deb Krieger of Manistee, Ed Morse, lnterlochen, and Ed Chappel of Irons. Joan Young also qualified. --Joan Young

Tittibawassee Chapter On National Trails Day, the TittibawasseeChapter rerouted a quarter mile of North Country Trail off a road that travels through privatelyowed property from Five Lakes to the Jordan Valley, south of Landslide Lookout near Alba, Ml. The reroute follows an old railroad grade, which we cleared of fallen trees and blackberry bushes. We then pruned the surrounding trees to open a trail and worked on the tread with fire rakes, Pulaskis and McCleods. We decided that it was a lot easier work when we watched Bill Menke demonstrate it! By the time we painted new blazes and marked out the old ones, we were ready to go home. But we went home with a feeling of accomplishment, knowing there was another section of trail in the woods for hikers to enjoy. --Cora Killinger

-::; CT

-c

:!::

r-' OJ

OJ ::l ::l

'Volunteers of the Year' Honors Awarded to AssociationStalwarts A licia Hoffarth from North Dakota, .!"\..who just joined the North Country Trail Association's Board of Directors, and Joan Young, from Michigan, whose term on the board has just expired, were among the 2003 Volunteers of the Year named by the American Hiking Society. Others from North Country Trail states: Lisa Padzernik, of Minnesota, a member of the Kekekabic Trail Club, an NCTA affiliate; Jack Watkins, of Ohio, from the Buckeye Trail Association, another NCTA affiliate; Bill Dryborough, of Wisconsin, Larry Knutson of Pennsylvania and David Larrabee, of New York. Before 25th Anniversary Nears, History, Heritage Chair Needed The North Country Trail Association still needs a chairperson for our History and Heritage Committee. We'd like the chairperson to be someone in proximity to the Lowell office. Working with Association records is a prerequisite of the task and being close to them would be a definite plus for the job. The initial challenge for any potential chairperson will be to formulate a plan of action for the Association so that all members and chapters know their role and what needs to be done to make this effort a success. We also wish to develop a written history of the trail and the Association in time for our 25th anniversary in 2006. We need to have a path to follow if we are to stay together on this task. Please give us some leads on mfmbers who have an interest in history and who might be willing to help us get this effort started. --Gaylord Yost

Stone walkway provides a safe crossing in Madison County, NY

Walkway in Central NY Key to Trail Extension The always active Central New York Chapter is well on its way to complete another, nearly four-mile, certifiable segment of North Country Trail after dealing with a particularly knotty crossing in Madison County. The need: A viable long-term section traversing a busy industrial area and adjacent land scheduled for a major high-density development. The solution: A mutually advantageous partnership fashioned among the Town of Lenox, Madison County Government agencies, the Central NY Chapter, and adjacent landowners to create a stone walkway that enables users to cross busy NY State Route 5 at a traffic signal, an absolute must for safety. The walkway was constructed with the help of a challenge cost share grant from the National Park Service. The link, and other construction this summer, completes a 3.8-mile, certifiable NCT segment between Nelson Road and the Canal Town Museum in Canastota. By October, the chapter expects to extend the NCT to the edge of the city of Rome via the New York State Old Erie Canal Towpath Park. ..................................................................... July-September

2003

The North Star

Vice President John Leinen greets Alicia Hoffarth attending her first Board meeting as a director.

What's an Ideal Trail? Board eyes certificationprocedures, studies stance on timber harvest A proposal to develop a consistent trail ~ertification process and the draft of an Association policy on timber harvests along the route of the North Country Trail were heard by the NCTA's Board of Directors at its spring meeting and passed along to the trail councils for comment. The Proposed Trail Certification Guidelines, crafted by an ad hoc committee of the board in consultation with NCTA staff and the National Park Service, suggests creating four classifications of trail as follows: • Certified to Standard, (Gold Star). As the highest of the four classes, Gold Star trail meets all certification requirements as outlined in the North Country National Scenic Trail Handbook for the Design, Construction and Maintenance. • Certified. This is primarily trail previously certified but that does not meet the criteria for Gold Star designation. • NCT Route. This is the designation for other off road trail not meeting Gold Star standards and not previously certified. • NCT Temporary Connector. This is trail route on-road where volunteers are committed to finding an off-road route eventually . The Trail Certification Guidelines are intended to provide a progressive set of conditions through which any particular segment of trail can be continu ally improved until it earns the highest classification of Certified to Standard (Gold Star). The proposal also envisions a role in

the certification process for the North Country Trail Association, a process currently exclusive to the National Park Service. The proposal contains a process for training and accrediting staff and volunteers as Certification Screeners. This measure is intended to empower staff and volunteers to meet the growing need for certification requests in a manner that supports the good efforts of local chapters and partners and ensures a uniform quality along the length of the NCT. Lastly the proposal includes incentives to encourage volunteers to build all Trail to the Certified to Standard (Gold Star) level. Satisfying all the standards set forth in the NCT Handbook requires patience, hard work and dedication and the Board believes such high quality trail development should be recognized with fitting rewards. The Timber Management Policy, also reviewed by the Board on April 12, is designed to improve the way the Trail is treated during logging operations on the many national, state and local forest lands it crosses. Often-times the route of the Trail is completely obliterated or used as a location for piling slash and sawdust during logging. In an effort to work more closely with the various landowners and to enhance cooperation, the Timber Management Policy provides guidance and documentation to both forest managers and association members as they work together to mitigate potential impacts to the trail. The primary purpose of this policy is to protect the

scenery along the trail and to help preserve the recreation component in areas that are managed for timber. A secondary purpose is to educate North Country Trail Association (NCTA) members about acceptable timber harvesting procedures and allow them to interact with forest managers in an informed manner that is consistent with NCTA policy. The pro-active posture of the Timber Management Policy will benefit the trail by creating increased support for active forest management and better public relations for the logging companies and forest managers. The policy relies on clear and regular communication between forest staff and NCTA volunteers so that nobody is surprised by logging operations and NCTA staff and volunteers can assist the land managers to temporarily re-route or restore the trail. The Policy invites land managers to notify NCTA and NPS in advance of logging so a Geographic Information System (GIS) map of the trail route can be provided to assist in sale unit planning. This information should help keep the trail route intact, perhaps by suggesting alternatives for either the harvest or the trail route. Our volunteers might even provide posts, wooden stakes, or temporary signs to be placed along the designated trail route during the logging process so that hikers don't get lost. Land managers, loggers and NCTA members can get a copy of the Timber Management Policy by contacting Rob Corbett, Director of Trail Management, at NCTA Headquarters in Lowell, MI.

Trail Craft with Bill Menke, NCTA Trail Foreman

Eye Level Survey Is the Path to a Correct Slope T

he standards established for the North Country NST call for a maximum sustained running slope not to exceed 10 percent-with a few limited exceptions. We achieve this standard through proper trail design and layout and that requires a clinometer to determine the slope. This article discusses exactly how to use the clinometer through a technique called Eye Level Survey, which permits locating and laying out a trail in hilly terrain by establishing a correct grade for the trail. You need a clinometer, flagging and the patience to follow the steps below. Step 1: From maps or first hand knowledge, establish key or waypoints the trail must connect. Examples are campsites, water sources, vista opportunities, good bridge locations, and all of the other details that make a trail feasible and pleasurable. Circle these points on a topographic map. More can be added later if discovered in the field. Step 2: Scout the terrain to determine the best route from one waypoint to another. Begin at the first waypoint and walk toward the next one to determine if a route is feasible. This step may involve several attempts before the best general route is found. Some temporary, intermittent flagging can be loosely hung for the purpose of reassurance on the return trip. I like to point out that "before flagging the actual route, the trail designer should know the area better than anyone else in the world." During this step, range far and near to check out all of the various route possibilities. Step 3: While scouting forays can certainly include walking to several waypoints, I'll just describe connecting two. Upon reaching waypoint #2 and having found the best potential general route, turn around and actually flag and

~ vey comes into play when ascending or

~ ~ ~ 'ยง

Finding where line of sight strikes partner.

refine the trail while returning to the first waypoint. The flagging should be frequent. enough so the construction crew can determine exactly where the trail is to be built. Flagging that dangles from branches should be carefully placed to indicate the exact centerline. When flagging is tied around tree trunks, the knot should face the centerline (it tells the construction crew which side of the tree the trail should be on). Through careful selection of trees, the exact future location of the trail can be pinpointed. During this step, consider all of the factors that go into making a good trail-including dryness, cross slope, scenery, ease of construction, variety, maintainability, and others. One of my pet peeves is a trail that snakes its way through the woods with frequent sharp bends that have no apparent purpose. The trail should flow smoothly across the landscape. Yes, it should include points of interest but the route should take them in via long, gentle curves, planned well in advance to reach those neat features. When looking back at the flagging, several pieces should appear as a more or less straight line or in a gently flowing curve. If you spot one piece of flagging that is even a few feet out of line with the others, go back and move it. On gentle terrain, there is no need to worry much about the running slope. Here it is more important to try to find the location of the cross slope so that the trail will drain well without having to bench the trail. These locations are often found when following along the rim of a hill or other terrain features. Eye level sur-

descending a hill and is demonstrated in step four. Step 4: Eye Level Surveying is used to maintain the correct running slope (grade) on hills. If working with a partner, stand face-to-face and toe-to-toe on a level spot. Sight through the clinometer to determine a spot on your partners body that is level with your eye. This is known as the zero point and is done by rotating the clinometer to the zero percent reading and noting where that line of sight strikes your partner. Perhaps it is their hairline, nose, mouth, or shirt pocket-remember this point. The objective is to establish a uniform grade from the top to the bottom of a hill. Picking up from step 3, as soon as the general route comes to a hill, switch to eye level surveying. At the base or peak of the hill, tie a piece of flagging and stay in that location. The partner walks ahead along what appears to be the feasible trail route. As long as the slope is uniform, the partner can walk as far ahead as he can easily be seen through the clinometer. If the slope of the hill is not uniform, the partner must stop at each break in topography. When the partner is ahead a proper distance, he turns to face the clinometer. Sight on the partner's zero point (now remember, was it his nose or lip??). If the clinometer reading is not the desired approximate IO-percent, the partner moves up or down the face of the hill while you take repeated readings to find the correct hillside position. When it is found, the partner scuffs the ground with his feet and hangs a piece of flagging. Both walk forward but the clinometer person stops and stands in the scuffmark while the partner is getting established at the next possible flagging location. Merely repeat the process until gentle terrain is again reached. Using a combination of eye level surveying on hills and carefully flagging a route on gentle terrain, waypoint #1 will eventually be reached. Until a confidence level is reached, you may want to return along the route to make fine adjustments or to increase the flagging density. July-September

2003

The North Star

SHIRTS

HATS A. Royal Mesh-Back Cap

G. Trail Crew T-shirt

(C201J

Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap $10.95

B. Light Khaki/Navy Cap

(C207)

Trail emblem design. Low profile washed cotton, unconstructed. Light khaki crown with washed navy bill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap $14.95

C. Denim Blue Cap

(C203)

Pro-wash cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim)' adjustable buckle on a leather strap ......... $15.95

D. Grey-Moss Green Cap

(C206)

A trail crew shirt for volunteers! 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 H. NCTA T-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 Scenic Trail" and includes the seven state map of the trail. Color: natural. S, M, L, XL.... $11.95, XXL ....... $12.95

Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap ... $14.95

I. Sweatshirts M, L, XL $34.95, XXL

E. Sun Protection

Goldenrod Khaki Green Denim Light Raspberry J. Polo Shirt Color: Tan (C106) Embroidered association logo.

(C210)

Wide bill, Supplex® tan nylon, soft and breathable. Adjustable clip back. .... $18.50

F. The Aussie Hat

(C209)

Natural Color, cotton canvas with full brim and rope cord with adjustable slider $24.5

T-SHIRTS Designed by Max Boyd

(c102)

$37.95

Rediscovernature The 100% cotton "leaf' shirt available in: Dusty Blue (C-110) Pale Plum (C-110A) S, M, L, XL: $15.95, XXL: $17.95

(C107A) (C107B)

..,........,,. .,_,,,,

11ue·lll{z11

(C107C) (C107D)

M, L, XL XXL $31.95 K. Fleece Vest Color: Grey (cios) Embroidered trail logo.

$38.95

M, L, XL, XXL

"Blue Blazes" 50/50 Poly Cotton blend on ash gray shin. Short sleeve (C-109) S, M, L, XL: $11.95, XXL: $13.95 Long sleeve (C-109A) M, L, XL: $15.95, XXL: $1.7.95

·3o··Th~-N~rth.St·~-~---"j~i;~s~p~~;;;b~~-~~~~

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-888-454-NCTA (6282)

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

NCT TRAIL MAP SETS 1:100,000 SCALE

Printed in full color on durable paper, this pocket size map unfolds to a full n" x 17", doubleside. These maps do not come in a plastic bag. NEW YORK Rome to Finger Lakes Trail

$3.50

(NY-04)

MICHIGAN Marshall to Bowne Township

(T201)

$3.50 to

PENNSYLVANIA McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks

M-37

$3.50

(Ml-03)

Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Road

(T202)

$6.50

Southern Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest State Park (T203)

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT By Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed 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.

$5.00

Allegheny National Forest North Section

(Ml-02)

Bowne Township

1:24,000 SCALE Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a dear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked fur accuracy. Each. map unfolds to a full n" x 17".

www.northcountrytrail.org

PENNSYLVANIA NCT in Pennsylvania, 37 pages

$6.00

(M201)

$8.00

$3.50

(Ml-05)

Cedar Creek Road to Charlevoix County

$3.50

(Ml-06)

Charlevoix County to Mackinac Bridge (Ml-07)

MICHIGAN Huron-Manistee N.F.: North Segment (T401)

$3.50

Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road

$3.50

Huron-Manistee N.F.: South Segment

Curley Lewis to Grand Marais

(T402)

(Ml-09)

Grand Marais to Au Train Lake

(T403)

$8.00 $6.50 $8.00

$3.50

(Ml-10)

Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls

$3.50

(Ml-11)

Map shown: Grand Marias to Au Train Lake NCT Trail Map Set

Alberta to Cascade Falls

$3.50

(Ml-13)

Cascade Falls to Ironwood

$3.50

(Ml-14)

WISCONSIN Together these maps cover the Chequamegon National Forest Ironwood to Long Mile Lookout

$3.50

(Wl-01)

Long Mile Lookout to Solon Spring

$3.50

(Wl-02)

MINNESOTA Chippewa N.F. to Paul Bunyan S.F.

$3.50

(MN-09)

NORTH DAKOTA Showing four sections of trail

$3.50

(ND-SE)

Legend N

North Country Trail (Certitled)" 000000

North Country Trail (Not Certified) Temporary

Connector

Selected Other Trail

Miles Between

Points 0째35'

Highway Paved Road Gravel/Dirt Other Road Two Track

Road UTM GOO and 2002 MagneticNorth Declinatioo Oiagam is approximate

Public Land

Fishing Ran er Station

July-September

2003

The North Star

OHIO Wayne National Forest, 14 pages

$3.00

(M301)

From Burr Oak State Park to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages

$14.00

(M3032)

Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages

$7.00

(M304A)

Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 30 pages

$5.00

(M305A)

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 81 pages (M401) .••••.••••••.•••••••••••••••••.•••......•..•.•..

$12.50

NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages

$13.00

(M402)

VOWN I 1EER PATCHES 2.00 ea.

STATE PATCHES 2.00 ea. New York Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota

(P126) (P127) (P128) (P129) (P130) (P131) (P132)

Volunteer 2000 Volunteer 2001 Volunteer 2002 Trail Crew Hike Leader Trail Mapper Organizer

(P133) (P134) (P135) (P136) (P137) (P138) (P139)

WISCONSIN Iron County Forests; Chequarnegon N.E, Brule River S.E, 27 pages

$4.50

(M501A)

MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24 pages

$4.00

(M601)

NORTH DAKOTA NCT in North Dakota 15 pages

$5.00

(M701)

Check the websire for availabilityof new milage patdies and NCT 2003 Voluntm" parch,

NCT PATCH

MEDALLIONS AND PINS

Patch ofTrail Emblem 3Y2 " bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (P125) $3.50

Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick. A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 B. Brass (P104) $4.00 C. The Trail Emblem cloisonne pin is 'l's" and features the updated North Country triangle design. (P102) ••••••••••••••••••••• $3.00

MICHIGAN MAP SETS By Arden Johnson An excellent reference for the entire North Country Trail in Michigan. Includes all off-. road segments and suggests on-road routes where the trail is incomplete. Also provides good general information about access points, terrain, markers, camping and water, etc. Ohio State Line at Waldron to Augusta

$4.00

(M411A)

Augusta to Rogue River State Game Area

$4.00

(M412A)

Coates Highway at Manistee River to M-115 West of Mesick

$4.00

(M413A)

M-115 West of Mesick to M-32 West of U.S. 131

$4.00

(M414A)

M-32 West of U.S. 131 to Mackinaw City

$4.00

(M415A)

St. Ignace to SE Marquette

$4.00

(M416A)

Marquette to Ironwood (M417A)

$4.00

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

by Olive Anderson

PICTUKW KOCllB NATIOll.o\l LAKCS110KC

A QUIOr:

An illustrated guide to the centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Pictured Rocks National l..akeshore is a rugged, beautiful, and unique coast on the Lake Superior Shore. Revised in 2002, this guidebook includes maps and excellent descriptions of recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56 pages (L110) $6.95

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

Take a Hike by Rich and Sue Freeman Explore the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley with ease and convenience. 51 walks are completely described. 264 pages (L119)

$16.95

ORDERTOLLFREE!1-888-45~NCTA (6282) Great Wisconsin Walks by Wm. Chad McGrath Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Includes walks in the woods and in the cities. 160 pages (L116)

Peak Experiences by Gary Pallesen

$16.95

A guide to the highest points in every New York county. Includes maps, directions to trailheads, and some alternate routes. 288 pages

Upsmackln' Backpackln' by Tim and Christine Connors

(L120)

$16.95

50 Hikes In Ohio by Ralph Ramey They range over the entire state and includes hikes from easy to vigorous. Some overnight backpacks. 272 pages (L121)

$14.95

50 Hikes In Michigan by Jim DuFresne Describes the best trails in the Lower Peninsula. Includes access, parking, hiking times, contour maps, and explicit trail directions. 252 pages (L109) $17 .95

Dine on spaghetti, chicken

salad, and cheesecake in the backcountry instead of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky. 232 pages (L118) $15.95 Hiking with Kids by Robin Tawney Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking. This answers any questions and gives valuable tips. 70 pages (L123)

Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls. 160 pages (L108)

descriptions and maps for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. 789 pages (L102A) $34.95

This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then what to do to protect a victim. 252 pages (L125) $6.00

~AID â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘J.M1LY....=6m'C'f SUPPORT'GROUP REA!Rl!!NCE

GUIDI!

Great Minnesota Walks by Wm. Chad McGrath

.ijijij~

Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Includes walks beside river rapids and scenic overlooks. 168 pages (L117) $16.95

America's National Scenic Trails by Kathleen Ann Cordes History, the present condition, points of interest, and other details fur each of the eight national scenic trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail. 306 pages (L122)

$19.95

Edible Wild Plants The Country Doctor, Alive and Well by john G. Hipps M D. His stories will entertain and charm you. Has advice on home remedies and alternative medicine for self-care. 363 pages

Hiking!

by Philip Farranti and Cecilia Leyva A fresh look at hiking including its philosophy, health aspects for kids and seniors, and stronger family ties. 245 pages (L106)

$14.95

by fames Kavanagh This pocket-size guide is perfect for identifying the various plants you see while out walking. (L127) $5.95

Backpacking Wisconsin by jack P. Hailman & Elizabeth D. Hailman The authors provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state - from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to picturesque Newport State Park. (L129) $19.95

Follow the Blue Blazes

by Robert J Pond

$11.95 Trall Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R Hansen This third edition has

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook

$6.95

(L115) $19.95

Porcupine Mountains by Jim DuFresne

www.northcountrytrail.org

The Appalachian Food Planner by Lou Adsmond Proven food tips for a short backpack to a six-month thruhike. Includes recipes for easy trailside cooking. 128 pages (L126) $15.95

A guide to hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Beginning with startling rock formations and graceful waterfalls, this 1200 mile loop provides a captivating look at each section of the trail. 300 pages. (L130)

$19.95

July-September

2003

The North Star

ORDERTOLL FREE! 1-888-45~NCTA ( 6282)

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

Buck Wilder's Hiking & Camping Guide by Tim Smith and Mark Herrick

NCTA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual by Thomas Reimers

Great color illustrations filled with humor with tips and trivia. Appears to be a book for kids, but adults find it's lots of fun and informative. 64 pages (L103)

This provides guidelines for planning, construction, and maintenance of the North Country Trail. 22 pages (L101) $2.00

www.northcountrytrail.org

Guide to NCT, Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota by Roderick MacRae Gulde Description and trail log written by an expert. 12 pages (M611) $1-25

....

...

North Country Trail Chippewa NatlonalJ~9r_e_st

·c~-=s:~~f'.-

$12.95

Be TRAIL

MEMBERSHIP

SHOP

ORDER

FORM

The top form maybe used for new and renewing members. The lower portion of the form is for Trail Shop Merchandise. Home Phone with Area Code

Name (Please Print)

Address

1-1

E-mail

I State

City

$50 Trail Leader

ZIP

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

Membership: Please mark one of the boxes below if joining or rejoining the North Country Trail Association

D $30 Regular

D Member of a specific Chapter : D Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists)

D $45 Organization D $150 Business

At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

D $100 Pathfinder D $250 NCT Patron TRAIL Item Description

SHOP

PURCHASES

Item Number

*.~coUNTJ?y

D Check or money order enclosed D Please charge my credit card (Made payable to "NCTA")

~-~ ~~~

i£ ~

•ASSOCIATION•

Size

I Quantity

Price Each

Total

Merchandise total: NCTAMembers deduct 10%: Subtotal after discount: Ml Residents add 6% sales tax: + Shipping and handling: + 1--------+------<

(See shipping info below)

Membership dues (if included): + 1==~~~~=*=~==1

Charge Card Number

GRANDTOTAL: Expiration Date

Name on Card

Signature (We cannot process your order without a signature and the expiration date.)

Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331 Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCTA (6282) If ordering by credit card, you may fax your order to: 616-897-6605

Shipping and Handling Charges Amount of Order $00.00 to $10.00 $10.01 to $25.00 $25.01 to $50.00 $50.01 to $100 Over$100

Charge $2.50 $5.00 $6.00 $8.00 $10.00

More on What Do Those Folks in Madison Actually Do Exploring the NPS Office, Part Ill: Signing for the NCT ose if not all of you are familiar with the North Country Trail marker-a rounded triangular emblem or logo with the gold and white scar, or compass points, in a field of blue. You might have wondered how chat design came to be and how the North Country NST markers get placed along the trail. One of the responsibilities assigned to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture by the 1968 National Trails System Act is to "establish a uniform marker, including thereon an appropriate and distinctive symbol for each national recreation, national scenic, and national historic trail." In addition, " ... the appropriate Secretary shall provide such uniform markers to cooperating agencies and shall require such agencies to erect and maintain chem in accordance with the standards established." The overall shape and design of the "uniform marker" used for all components of the National Trails System was developed by the Interagency Task Force on Trails. It consists of a rounded triangular shape with an outer white band reserved for the name of the trail balanced over the apex and the classification of the trail, e.g. "National Scenic Trail," in the bottom "rocker," all in black serif lettering. The inner rounded triangular field was reserved for the "distinctive symbol" for each trail. The Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior adopted chis design in May 1970. As each scenic or historic trail is authorized by Congress, the federal agency responsible for the trail develops a "distinctive symbol" for the center of the marker. The design of the North Country NST marker was adopted by the National Park Service in 1982 upon the recommendation of the North Country NST Advisory Council, which reviewed a number of designs, most of which were variations of the design adopted. A notice published in the May 13, 1983, Federal Register made it an official fed-

era! insignia protected against unauthorized use by section 701 of Title 18 of the United States Code. Use of. the marker in any form other than by the federal government may be only by written permission from the trail superintendent. Over the years, some markers adopted for new scenic and historic trails did not exactly conform to the May 1970 specifications. In 1995, the NPS hired a graphics designer to review all of the markers, recommend new specifications, and produce new versions of the markers conforming to those specifications. The proposed specifications and designs were reviewed by scenic and historic trail managers in the NPS, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management in 1996 and subsequently adopted. The design changes affecting all of the markers were (1) using a longer radius for the bottom of the marker than for the two sides (previously, all three sides had the same radius) and (2) changing the trail classification label in the bottom "rocker" to a smaller, san serif typeface. Some of the designs of the "distinctive symbol" also changed, most in minor ways. The North Country NST marker was redesigned to make the star or compass points figure larger and its colors were changed from yellow and black to gold and white. The most drastic design change was made to the Ice Age NST marker. The former design of the map of Wisconsin overlain by a white ice sheet to the extent of its southernmost advance was replaced by a figure of a wooly mammoth standing on ice-covered ground.

: . . the NPS tries to provide all of the signing neededfor the trail including ... a wide variety of decals covering general and segment-specificinformation needs '

In the 1980s, before Congress had begun appropriating funds for administering the North Country NST, the NPS minimally fulfilled its legal responsibility to "provide such uniform markers to cooperating agencies" by providing plastic markers in two sizes-3 Y2 inch for placement along the trail at intervals no greater than Yi mile, and 9 inch for placement at trailheads. Experience with these markers and the advent of appropriations for the trail in the early 1990s gradually led the NPS and its partners to prefer and produce aluminum signs. By 1996, when the North Country National Scenic Trail Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance was published, the preference for trail marking, except at trailheads, had shifted to using brown "carsonite" (fiberglass) posts with adhesive decals of the trail marker plus other decals indicating permitted or prohibited uses and other information. Today, with a reasonably ample budget (but far from adequate, considering the magnitude of the work yet to be done to complete the trail) the NPS tries to provide all of the signing needed for the trail, including the aluminum versions of the markers, "carsonite" posts and a wide variety of adhesive decals covering general and segment-specific information needs, distance-destination signs, highway signs marking trailheads and parking areas, interpretive signs and panels, and others. We often say that the single-most important element tying the various segments of the North Country NST together into a single, nationally-significant and - recognized trail is uniform or consistent, quality signing. A regular part of the work of the NPS staff is communicating with segment managers to determine the status of signing along their segment, identifying their needs, designing new signs or decals if necessary, ordering and purchasing signs at the best prices, and shipping the signs to agency offices or volunteers for installation along the trail. Helping to get new signs up along the trail to establish its identity and increase public awareness of the trail is one of the most satisfying aspects of our work. July-September

2003

The North Star

North Country Trail Association

Trail Councils

Chapters of the North Country Trail Association are like local trail clubs. They build and maintain 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. Parmer organizations are independent groups that are working to build and maintain certain sections of the trail.

NORTH DAKOTA TRAIL COUNCIL 1. Lone Tree Chapter Eldon Ehrman · 2940 15th Avenue, NE Anamoose, ND 58710 · (701) 465-3387 · ejje@ndak.net 2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Lisa Ringstad ·P.O. Box 100 Cooperstown, ND 58245 · (701) 797-3530 · lisamengel@invisimax.com

MINNESOTA TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Daryl Williamson· 5901 Timberglade Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438 · (952) 835-2186 · putswilli@earthlink.net Trail Coordinator:John Leinen, Jr. · 14205 St. Croix Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082-9587 · (651) 433-4456 · patleinen@msn.com 3. Star of the North Chapter John Dreher· 7641 10th St. N, Oakdale, MN 55128 · (651) 738-3717 · jjdreher@msn.com 4. Itasca Moraine Chapter Jerry Trout· 4379 Maple Lane NW; Hackensack, MN 56452 · (218) 675-5448 · jbtrout@tds.net 5. Kekekabic Trail Club (Partner) Peter Sparks · (800) 818-4453 · pjsparks@isd.net 6. RoversOuting Club (Partner) John Elliott· (612) 829-5142 7. Superior Hiking Trall Assoc. (Partner) Gayle Coyer· (218) 834-2700 · suphike@mr.net

GREAT LAKES TRAIL COUNCIL Chair:BobNorlin· POBox712,IronRiver,Wl54847 · (715) 372-5229 · rnorlin@ironriver.baysat.net WisconsinCoordinator:Brad Gingras · PO Box 416, Cable, W1 54821-0416 · (715) 798-3890 · nctrail@cablemuseurn.org Upper Michigan Coordinator:Doug Welker · 26344 Tauriainen Road, Pelkie, MI 49958 · (906) 338-2680 · dwelker@up.net 8. Brule-St. Croix Chapter Charles (Chuck) Zosel · 6697 S. Degerman Rd., Lake Nebagamon, W1 54849 · (715) 374-3489 · ezosel@presscenter.com 9. ChequamegonChapter Tana Turonie · P.O. Box 475, Mellen, W1 54546 · (715) 274-2521 · tjr@baysat.net

LEGEND Chapters .......... Partners =

Not Yet Adopted

10. Heritage Chapter Jim Burow · 7067 Oakwood Circle, Neskoro, W1 53496 · (920) 293-8023 · glorim@wirural.net 11. Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker · 26344 Tauriainen Rd., Pelki, MI 49958 · (906) 338-2680 · dwelker@up.net 12. North Country Tran Hikers (Chapter) Jan Wester · 352 E. Hewitt Ave., Marquette, MI 49855. (906) 225-1295 Bettie Daly· 126 HC 1, Marquette, MI 49855 · (906) 228-9018 Denise Herron · 423 W Park St. · Marquette, MI 49855 · (906} 225-1030 · dherron906@aol.com 12. Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter Kirt Stage-Harvey· 950 Huron Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781 · (906) 643-6379 · Stahar950@lighthouse.net

LOWER MICHIGAN TRAIL .COUNCIL Chair: Arlen Matson· 1045 Draca Road Traverse City, MI 49684-8837 · (231) 941-4152 · as319@tcnet.org Trail Coordinator: Joan Young· 861 W. US-10, Scottville, MI, 49454 ·(231) 757-2205 · jhy@tone.net 14. Harbor Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney- 2385 Manitou Trail, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-9597 · Keeney@freeway.net 15. Tittabawassee Chapter Jerry Allen· 5516 Bensch Road, Alger, MI 48610 · (989) 345-2677 · tbwchapter@northcountrytra il.org 16. Grand Traverse Hiking Club (Chapter) John Heiam · 3947 Havenhill Lane,

Williamsburg, MI 49690 · johnheiam@aol.com 17. Spirit of the Woods Chapter Richard Krieger· 410 Ransdell St., Manistee, MI 49660 · (231) 398-9193 · mdkrieger@jackpine.com 18. Western Michigan Chapter Werner Veit · 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 · (616) 897-5987 · wvl2@aol.com 19. Chief NoondayChapter Tom Garnett· 1715 Glendale Blvd, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 · (269) 382-2561 · garnettt@triniry-health.org 20. Baw Beese Chapter Richard Saur· P.O. Box 673, Hillsdale, MI 49242. (517) 437-5033

OHIO TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Garry S. Dill Jr. · 4070 TradersvilleBrighton Road, London, OH 43140 · (937) 8342891 vetfarm@starband.net Trail Coordinator:Jim Sprague · 4406 Maplecrest, Parma, OH 44134 · (440) 884-4757 21. NW Ohio Rall-to-Trails Assoc. (Partner) Gene Markley· P.O. Box 234, Delta, OH 43515 · (800) 951-4788 · norta@hotsheet.com 22. Buckeye Trail Association Garry Dill· 4070 Tradersville-Brighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@starband.net 23. Great Trail Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley· 1210 Pancake-Clarkston Rd., Nefley, OH 44441 · (330) 227-2432 · clbosley@cc.ysu.edu

PENNSYLVANIA TRAIL COUNCIL Chair and Trail Coordinator:Bob Tait ·

380 West Park Road, Portersville, PA 16051 (724) 368-3709 · bobtait@zbzboom.net

24. Wampum Chapter Paul Henry· 469 Superior St., Hermitage, PA 16148. (724) 347-3282 25. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Michael Kaizar · 933 Norfolk St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 · (412) 321-0842 · mike@greenmark etplace.com 25. Rock Chapter Bob McCafferty · 141 South Main St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 · (724) 738-0060 · diggermccafferry@cs.com 26. Butler Chapter Ron Rice· 111 Ash Stop Rd., Evans City, PA 16033 · (724) 538-8475 · Ricel@nauticom.net 27. Clarion Chapter Ed Scurry· 516 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323 · (814) 437-1168 · edsdc85@yahoo.com 28. American Youth Hostels-Pittsburgh Council Bob Roth· 80 Rose Leaf Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220. (412) 279-6219 29. Allegheny National Forest Chapter Bert Nemcik · HC2 Box 62, Duhring Rd., Marienville, PA 16239 · (814) 927-8303 · bnemcik@csonline.net

NEW YORK TRAIL COUNCIL Chair and Trail Coordinator: Howard Beye · 202 Colebourne Road, Rochester, NY 14609 · (585) 288-7191 · fltc@frontiernet.net 30. Finger Lakes Trail Conference Irene Szabo · 6939 Creek Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510-9638 · (585) 658-4321 · treeweenie@aol.com 31. Onondaga Chapter, ADK Mary Coffin · 328 Deepsrings Dr., Chittenango, NY 13037 · (315) 687-3589 · Mccoffin721@worldne t.att.net 32. Central New York Chapter Al Larmann · 7169 Forbes Road, Canastota, NY 13032-9999 · (315) 697-3387 · larmann@worldnet.att.net

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Tom Gilbert, Superintendent Fred Szarka, Trail Manager Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist National Park Service 700 Rayovac Drive Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 tom_gilbert@nps.gov fredrick_szarka@nps.gov ken_howell@nps.gov

The Trail's Allegheny Forest Section: Orphan No Longer Editor's Note: When the NCTA Board of Directors votes to approve its charter in August, the Allegheny National Forest Chapter officially will become the 25th chapter of the North Country Trail Association. It was formed thanks to the leadership of its first president, whose account of the chapter's birth appears below. By Bert Nemcik Allegheny National Forest Chapter

"\VJhen I returned from my W Appalachian Trail through-hike in 2002, I wanted to give something back to the trail community. Working on the AT was my first thought, but the nearest section is 200 miles away. The NCT is right in my own backyard crossing over Henry's Mills Bridge just 10 miles from my Pennsylvania home. I knew that the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) section of the NCT was certified but not yet adopted by anyone, so starting a chapter to do just that seemed the thing to do. I had lots of help: Bob Tait, the North Country Trail Association's coordinator for Pennsylvania was elated that someone wanted to organize the chapter. Kirk Johnson, Executive Director of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, was instrumental in assisting my networking with U.S. Forest Service (UPS) personnel. Eric Flood, Wilderness Ranger for the Allegheny National Forest, was quick to join and offer his expertise and connections with the NFS system. With support from these men, my wife, Cheryl, and I started to spread the word in the area and within a month, we were ready to hold our first meeting, write our by-laws and chapter charter and forge ahead to become officially recognized. At our first meeting, many local people came and shared their vision. Bill and Mary Massa, President and Secretary of the Allegheny Outdoor Club, said they wanted to see the chapter succeed so that we could support them in relocating and maintaining the N CT. Bill Belitskus said he wanted to make sure that his efforts would help

Bert Nemcik giving back to the trail community .

to protect the NCT in the Allegheny National Forest. He hoped that our hard work would result in establishing a high quality recreational hiking trail in the ANF for all to enjoy. Jim Kleissler, the head of the Allegheny Defense Project, said he wanted to promote the trail so that people would appreciate the natural beauty of the Allegheny National Forest and that his efforts would result in protecting the pathway through the entire length of it. Eric offered his years of trail building and maintenance skills learned in the wilds of Maine. He believed that his enthusiasm for trail work would encourage others to begin to volunteer their time and efforts on this awesome project. Kirk said, "I am joining the ANF chapter of the NCTA in order to participate in trail events along the NCT. I live in (nearby) Warren. It is exciting to me that a new chapter is being formed specific to the ANF. This was something long overdue." Keith Klos said he wanted to be involved in the trail work and looked forward to erecting a series of shelters that would rival anything on any trail in the nation. The enthusiasm is building. We are looking forward to an exciting summer of trail work, backpacking and promoting our section of the NCT pathway. See you down the trail! ················································------·-···········--

July-September 2003*

The North Star

The line strings out to clear the potential treadway of a new section of North Country Trail.

Michigan Members Hone Trail Skills Members from seven Michigan chapters-Hiawatha Shore to Shore, Harbor Springs, Tittibawassee, Grand Traverse Hiking Club, Spirit of the Woods, Western Michigan and Chief Noonday- and outdoor recreation students from Michigan State University signed up for Trail Foreman Bill Menke's second annual Spring trail building and maintenance workshop in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Dave Jaunese, the U.S. Forest Service's trail coordinator in that section of the forest, was on at hand to assist. Western Michigan's Tom Learmont put it all together. Among the workers was The North Star's graphic director, Aaron Phipps, who put down his Pulaski long enough to capture the work on film.

At Left: Perfecting benching skills

The finished section (at right) awaits early season hikers.

Trail Supporters We gratefully acknowledge the support of all our members and donors, and especially wish to recognize the following individuals, businesses, foundations and agencies, for their generous contributions over the past twelve months":

INDIVIDUALS $500 or MORE

$250 to $499

LeRoy Bliven Dave & Jan Cornell Garrett Dill David & Carol Dixen Cecil & Joanne Dobbins Richard Harris Brett & Lynn Harris John & Pat Leinen William & Donna Menke Harmon Strong Irene Szabo Bob Tait Werner & Marianne Veit Gaylord Yost

Frances & Steve Cheyne Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge Robert Norlin Linda O'Donnel Timothy O'Rourke Bob & Annette Papp Raymond & Elaine Papp Joseph Raught Rolf Swanson Janette Sweasy Daryl Williamson

BUSINESSES,FOUNDATIONS

AND AGENCIES

$10,000 or more Grand Rapids Foundation Natlonal Park Service

$2500 to $9999 Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation

$1000 to $2,499 $100 to $249 David & Jean Adams Alan & Lou Adsmond Jerry & Connie Pausits-Allen John & Edith Allen-Maynard Kirsten Anderson Daniel & Constance Arnold Francis Azur R. Alan Baker Frank Ballo Michael Bard Len & JoAnne Baron Jason Beam Richard Beil & Dana Burkley Lewis & Mary Bender Howard Beye Steven Biskie Berr Bleke Derek Blount Frank Blumenthal Richard Boettner Patrick Bradley Ren & Carol Brander Terry & Diane Brant Brian & Barb Buchanan William Buell Donald Bussies James Byrne Robert Cable John Campa Jay & Mary Campbell Michael Cannella Jan Carpenter Pearl Compann Eugene Conte Dan Converse John Conway Robert Davis Dale DeGirolamo Claire Dedow Patrick Delaney William Dixon Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Kobylinski Dixon Dennis Donathen Cathy Drexler Terry Duncan Kathleen Eisele William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas Jennifer Farnsworth John Fenner Jeff Fleming Fred Fletcher Sue Funk & Wood Kidner John Gall Tom & Judy Garnett Tom & Janis Gilbert Marc Gilberr

George Girod Daniel Gold Jim Gratz Daniel Green Paul Haan &Julie Nietling Chuck Hayden Shelby Haynes Paul & Jerry Henry Denise Herron Bobbie Hineline Carolyn Hoffman Tom Hord Keith & Katherine Horngren Joe Hyrman Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek John Kallman Hans Kappus L. Bill Kick Stephen Kobylarz John Koschik Ronald Kulak Robert LaFrenierre Kurt Landauer Philip Lenko Christopher & Margo Light Harlan Liljequist John & Marianne Ludwick William Lynch Angus MacDonald Rod MacRae James Mackey Cynthia Maczuga Guyer & Kimberly McCracken Charles McKay Roger & Glory Meyer John & Diana Meyer Pat & Kathleen Miller Laura Miller Mark Mistrik Larry Mulder John Norlund Michael & Virginia O'Keefe Martin O'Toole Harold Petrimoulx Richard & Kaye Pfeiffer Thomas Pflueger Aaron Phipps Thomas & Diane Piquet Thomas Prieto William & Avis Rambo P.S. Reichelderfer Chrisrina Rizzo Michael Robinson Dan Rogalla Michael & Erica SanDretto Edward Scanlan Mike Schaeffer & Debby Page Merl & Patricia Schlaack

Tina Schmidt Peter Schmitz Richard Schwaab Richard Seabold Stephen Selden Robin Sheard Joseph Smith James Sprague Kevin Staunton Carol Sterter Jack Swanson David Swanson Betty Tableman John & Mary Lou Tanton David Tattan William Thomas Jerry & Beth Trout Donna Tuttle RogerTuuk Kenneth Udell Betty Van der Smissen Gail VanHaren Jeffrey & Nancy VanWinkle John & Diane VanderVeen Michael & Diane Veen Bob & Barbara Vos Gary Werner F.T. Weyerhaeuser Michael & Carol Weymier Neil Whitbeck Donald Wickstra Kevin, Robin, Kate & Morgan Wilson Rodger & Denise Wolf Gary Wright

ESRI (Envlronmental Systems Research Institute) Madison County Board of Supervisors Unlversal Forest Products

$250 to $999 General Motors Foundation Princeton, NJ 08543

Lee's Sports Sportswear Portage, Ml 49002 Pepsi Bottllng Group Foundation

Somers, NY 10589 Strider&, Inc. Grandvllle, Ml 49418 TAC Markets, Inc. Marquette, Ml 49855

$150 to $249 Biii Prall Touring Gear 108 E. Third St., Harbor Springs, Ml 49740 231-526-2594

Michigan Mountain Bike Association 5119 Highland Rd., Waterford, Ml 48327 (253)395-3780

Campmor Inc. 28 Parkway Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 (253)395-3780

Midwest Mountaineering 309 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 (253)395-3780

Down Wind Sports South, Inc. 514 N. Third Sr., Marquette, MI 49855 (253) 395-3780 Essentlal Communication 10140 Hwy 27 S, Hayward, WI 54843 (715) 934-2338

Northern Michigan University Marquette, Ml 49855 (253)395-3780

The Outfitter 153 E. Main St., Harbor Springs, MI 49740 (253) 395-3780

"Includes cumulative gifts, membership contributions and grants received between June I, 2002 and May 31, 2003. July-September

2003

The North Star

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID North Country Trail Association 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340