North Star Vol. 22, No. 4 (2003) by NCTA Staff

EDITOR'S

u::::J@)u 8

WERNER VEIT

he pastie subject, with or without gravy, ketchup, ies, or ys, just won't die although The North Star staff made a concerted effort to kill the topic by eating it, as the photograph attests. The latest to weigh, or maybe I should write "wade," in was our North Country Trail Manager, the National Park Service's Fred Szarka. Writes Fred: " .. .I noted the reference (to a recipe) for pasties that called for a small 'swede.' I think you will find it refers to a rutabaga, or a 'Swede Turnip,' as they are referred to in several seed catalogs. At any rate, rutabagas are easier to come up with than small Swedes, most of whom are giants." ·' ~lilight you are, Fred. The pasties . the"staff is busy eating were loaded with rutabagas among other, morsels... ' :· . .f,i:t·· • And with that, we hope tq:mQ.vJ::'b~ · to other delicacies like smoked cl\tib~J i lake frqut or whitefish. The 1\jarqu<:!tte· cognoscenti insist that chubs are the · ; besr'of the smoked Great Lakes species. · ~1Tm a lake trout man, myself, but in th~· interests of serious research, r visited the dock at Marquette harbor during the NCTA's annual conference while my mates were taking their ease at the workshop learning about such exciting topics as strategic plans. Naturally, I tried all three and came to the conclusion that with the proper ale to wash them down, all are glorious. I would not like to leave the impression that I was the only serious researcher during the conference weekend. Another diligent searcher was JoAnne Baron, one of the intrepid climbers of Sugar Loaf Mountain (see page 20). Writes JoAnne:

2 'The

North Star *October-December

2003

With all the talk of pasties on this page in the last two Issues, The North Star staff had no choice but to sample them seriously at the conference. The consensus: Editor Veit can keep them. Busy with what Werner calls a dellcacy are: in the back row (left to right) Tiffany Stram, cartographer ; Jennifer Tripp, associate editor; Bill Menke, contributing editor and Aaron Phipps, art director. Front row: Joan Young and Irene Szabo, contributing editors; Werner Veit, editor, and Sharon Phipps and Roger Meyer, contributing editors.

"Over the weekend, we also visited three different coffee shops, including 'Babycakes' where we met Marquette's notorious chocolate sour cream muffin, which in itself mandated the hike up Sugar Loaf Mountain." Next year, the Association meets in Marietta, Ohio. So, Buckeyes, tell us: What does one eat and drink there?

Conference Aftermath Gillian Kreft, the Tittabawassee Chapter's precocious 10-year-old hiker, (Page 26) made the front page of her hometown Saginaw News with the announcement she had won the Association's Rising Star award. Now It Can Be Told: Low Tech Gear Inc., and Safety Sawyer, Inc., supposedly of Lowell, Mich., listed in the conference packet as contributors to the Association's annual auction, are a figment of Executive Director Bob Papp's devilish imagination. Each successful bidder on the real items also got to pick a card entitling him or her to another "gift," from those Lowell donors. The winner could keep it, or if he chose-and just about everyone did-could pass the bonus item to the last unsuccessful bidder. If that person, in turn, was the successful bidder on another item, he/she could pass on

the item foisted upon them. The most passed on item: The Wear and Share Sock, called "a new concept in share wear." He told his attentive audience that Low Tech Gear had discontinued the item as a "possible biohazard."

Trail Shop Ready for Holiday There are fewer than 70 shopping days (I am not counting Sundays; yes, I know most stores are open but you have to leave one hiking day free) until Christmas, but not to worry. Beginning on Page 30 and continuing through Page 34, mostly in splendid color, our Trail Shop offerings provide all the ideas you need for that hiker on your gift list. There's a lot of good stuff, Glory Meyer who runs the shop, tells me, perfect for the gift-giving season. A new item is a gorgeous, blue polo shirt. I can recommend it because I bought one myself although I must admit its appearance is not improved by spilling tomato soup on it. Still, if nothing else, that gives me the opportunity to test the claims of Whisk, a new stain removal product that trumpets the inclusion of something called, would you believe, Penetron?

A Glance Inside

•ASSOCIATION•

229 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 Ph. (888) 454-NCTA, Fx. (616) S97-6605 HQ@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 · padeinen@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 Norlln, 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 · Bobraitts'zbzoorn.ner 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, Ml 49046 · (269) 623-8659 · onestepts'rnei.net Allcla 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 Wllllamson, VP West, Minnesota · 5901 Timberglade Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438 · (952) 835-2186

The continuing series featuring each of the states and regions that are home to the North Country National Scenic ·Trail continues.

Features

New in This Issue

NY's Alley Cat Crews Olive Anderson Remembered The Bridge on Labor Day Ice Storm Follow- Up Mapping the NCST Another Coup for CNY

On the Road, a new series of articles by Rob Corbett, Director of Trail Management who spends much of his time visiting our far-flung chapters and affiliates, begins on Page 4.

8 14 15 16 28 38

Departments Councils, Chapters, Affiliates Hiking Calendar. Hiking Shorts Milestones Trail Craft Trail Shop Trail Supporters

36 15 27 6 13 30 39

Annual Conference Highlights of the annual conference in Marquette, Mich., a report on the NCTA's awards announced at the meeting, an account of the Board of Directors meeting and an announcement of next year's event begin on Page 18.

Columns Editor's Note Trail Head View from Lowell View from Madison

2 17 7 35

Distinguished Service-Page 24

About the Cover Jim Sprague, Ohio State coordinator, who was awarded the NCTA's Lifetime Achievement Award was photographed in Marquette by Aaron Phipps, art director. The North Star Staff: Werner Veit, Editor Jennifer Tripp, Associate Editor Biii Menke, Contributing Editor Roger Meyer, Contributing Editor Irene Szabo, Contributing Editor Joan Young, Contributing Editor Aaron Phipps, Art Director

The North Star, Fall Issue, Vol. XXII, Issue 4, is published quarterly by the North Country Trail Association, a private, notfor-profit 50 lc(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.

First Steps into the Field Returningto AlleghenyCountry and Visitingwith the Buckeyes 've spent much of my time since joining NCTA traveling around to meet with the local chapters, U.S. Forest Service managers and many allied agencies and groups interested in the future of our trail. It occurs to me every time I go out on the road, that this is one big trail. In the space of a single road tour I can watch the trillium come into bloom first in southern Ohio, then in New York and later on, see them come out in the Lowell State Game area where I run my dog Odhinn on the NCT just a few minutes from headquarters. In the coming weeks I'll be back on the road to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota which means I will get the opportunity to greet the fall colors and early snow and ice storms first hand as they come in due time to each region of the trail. As often happens with a schedule of regular travel, the summer whizzes by faster than Bill Menke with a daypack. Getting to know the trail and the organization that supports it means long tours with daily meetings and frequent stops into Lowell to check the unending flow of email from the people I just met with or the people I'm going to see next.

Nevertheless, I have become a master at scheduling and did manage to squeeze some hiking time into several trips to Pennsylvania. Even when it comes in short bits stuck between meetings, or on the way to and from a severalstate tour, it is alwaysa treat to hike in the Allegheny Mountains. This is where my father took me as a small boy to learn the art of fly fishing and the joys of backpacking. Most of that was along Wolf Run and around Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, outside the reach of the NCT, where my dad and I, brother, and even on one occasion my mother, would hop down logging roads and then bushwack up the stream in search of brooktrour. This summer's hiking on the trail through the Allegheny National Forest was a melding of memories with new experiencesalong a trail that I work to manage but to date had barely walked. ~--,--....., " 15 ~ -g. ; g.

~ ~

The Allegheny Forest Chapter holds a meeting at Ansler Spring Shelter on the NCT. The chapter has grown to 29 members In a matter of months and puts an emphasis on Incorporating fun and business.

The North Star *October-December

2003

In the middle of May I gathered on a rainy afternoon at Willow Bay Campground with members of the BuckeyeTrail Association Membership Activities Committee to hike the northern half of the NCT with Henry's Mills as our ending point. The first day out we were greeted with cool breezes, lush forest and an ample supply of wildlife sightings. The trail was outstanding with few obstacles to distract one from the views of the Allegheny Reservoir or the mist laden stands of maple and beech. We made our lunch in a cold and steady wind at Handsome Lake Campground, a terraced set of prirnitive campsites overlooking the Allegheny Reservoir. Some fishermen in powerboats cruised in close to shore to see just who was using the sites at the Handsome Lake campsite. However, much to my disappointment, none bothered to dock and offer us a lunch of lightly breaded fish, new potatoes, course cut coleslaw, mixed green salad, fruit cobbler and a nip of Dalwhinnie Single Highland Malt. Instead of a fish lunch I settled down to homemade lamb curry and rice along with some hot tea. I found a large sleeveof bark off a yellow poplar that served as a perfect windshield for my stove and all was well. Hiking down Hemlock Run to Chappel Bay the North Country Trail hops the crick (colloquial term) about 15 times. Yet no crossing was wide enough to require a bridge, for even this shortlegged hiker could spring across on stone and log to land safely on banks adjusted to a perfect underfoot tension by many seasons of hemlock needle padding. As the trail reaches the bottom of the run it follows the bed of one of the many narrow gauge railroads that once worked as capillaries to carry the men into and the forests out of this land. What you hike today is a corrugated mat of mushrooms, mosses and ferns between flowered troughs of wetness, all that remains of the ties which once supported the rails but now have long since gone the way of all wood. The result is an amusing order imposed on the native vegetation that is sometimes hypnotic to the hiker trying both to keep his feet dry and his pace steady. A day or so later as we moved on south of the Longhouse National Scenic Bywaywhere we encountered a morass of big timber and dense underbrush

blown down in high winds, utterly obliterating the trail. Snapped off about 20 feet above the ground, a great majority of the forest treetops lay strewn around and across the trail in a manner that precluded any attempt to find the tread way. Not to be outwitted by lumber, we managed to get through by posting one person at the last visible blaze and sending others forth to find a way through, under, over or around the mess to the next sign of trail. This does not do much for upping your daily mileage, but, if you like puzzles, it makes for an interesting time. The team lost only small quantities of blood in general and no vital organs were damaged. Later that week, when I left the hike early to meet with Curt Bowley and Mark Conn of the U.S. Forest Service, I mentioned the blowdowns and asked that they see what could be done to clear the trail since much of the work would require chain saws and our newly formed chapter was not yet even outfitted with hand tools. When I continued my hiking with an overnight in early July, I was happy to find that the Forest Service had cleared nearly every blowdown the Buckeye team had noted on our map in May. Starting at Red Bridge Campground and moving south I hiked with Richard Lutz who interned this sum mer as NCTA's first Regional Trail Management assistant. We inventoried some improvements needed in signage

Above: The NCT from Willow Bay to Handsome Lake Campground walks high on the eastern ridges overlooking the Allegheny Reservoir.

Left: Camping with my Shadow Tu tent near Sandy Branch in the Alleghenies. It's big enough for two people, two packs and a dog.

and blazing and gathered GPS points for some unauthorized use damage plus took in the view atop Swede Hill. The western sky was cut in three with pink over purple storm clouds over gray haze. Later that evening I was hiking in the Tionesta Scenic Area as 50 mph winds brought down enough sticks and limbs to bring my hiking pace up considerably. I finished walking that night at South Branch Campsite happy to be off the ridge and only putting up with falling rain. Two days later, safely off the trail, I drove north out of a Ridgeway meeting with Bob Imhof of Pennsylvania's Lumber Heritage Region, and straight into a set of more terrible storms that would bring down a historic railroad

viaduct and lay thousands of trees on the NCT. The Forest Service and our new Allegheny Chapter will have their hands full of trail clearing work for the next year at least. Fred Szarka, NPS Manager for the North Country Trail, has just shipped the chapter its trail tools and they will certainly get used. In the spring, I will return to finish my Allegheny miles, host a trail workshop with the PA State Trail Council, and help our new chapter out with some of the clearing needed south of Minister Creek. However, this next time, along with a pack and a hand saw, I will take my fly rod and set aside some time for stalking the brookies in that little stream just behind the Shelter on the NCT at Ansler Spring.

·····0~~~b~;~r;~~~~b~~--~;~~---iii·~--N~rth.st°~-~-5

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 c.annot be certified for a variety of reasons. Percent Done and Certified

State

Miles Certified

Change Other Since Last Off-Road Issue Miles

252.2

-8.0

Total Off Road Miles

Marked Road Miles

1,957.7

23.2

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. Members Last Issue

State

Current Members

Change Since Last Quarter

._._,........ _: +1~Llli~

North ua1<0H1+um

+1.9%

Minnesota

~~~~-~--~~~,·~~ru.-~~~:. . .~-;f fi~(!t* Ui &~flif~ll

Wisconsin Michigan IQ.hio Pennsylvania

r:1r&ewf ark ~:;>.,;;»;;;;<M:«=>::>i::~~itJ.«<=

Percent Change

310

333

+2.9%

+23

+7.4%

+23 +133

+20.2% +4.7%

~~Li:~llllt•llllllllllll·'l 11!ri11Jlm••EBlllll -~-i'i!i:iilllm;_e 1

+39

Other

2,845

Totals

137 2,978

Recruiting Mem Our top recr

6 The North Star

*October-December 2003

One Step Closer - But Not There Yet T

ast issue, I wrote about our progLress on the "willing seller bill" so I thought I'd start my column this issue with a new update on the bill. For those who are new to the topic, when Congress authorized the North Country National Scenic Trail in 1980, it prohibited the federal government from acquiring any land or easements for the trail. For several years now, we've been working with other organizations to pass an amendment to the National Trails System Act that would allow the federal government to acquire land or easements for the trail from willing sellers. This authority would NOT allow the government to acquire land by condemnation or eminent domain. This summer brought a mix of great news and mild setbacks. In July, we celebrated when the U.S. Senate passed S.651, the willing seller amendment to the National Trails System Act. Though we've twice passed a bill through the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate has always been our stumbling block. So, this really was a major accomplishment, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Carl Levin (Michigan) for his many years of dedication and persistence on this issue. Harkening back to your school days, you might recall that passing a bill through one house of Congress is only half (or one third) of the battle. A bill must pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives in identical form, and then be signed by the President before it can become law. Because a willing seller bill for the National Trails System has passed the House of Representatives in each of the last two Congresses, we are optimistic about our chances this year in the House. Yet, as I mentioned last issue, we do have a couple of new wrinkles. Recently, a private property rights organization decided to fight the willing seller bill in the House, and this has

slowed our progress somewhat. Frankly, the objections to the bill are misplaced and based on false assumptions, but the validity of objections do not always matter so much as who is voicing them and how loudly they are being voiced. As an example, the claim has been made that "innocent citizens can be forced into being 'willing sellers'" by powerful federal agencies "working in collusion with well-financed environmental groups." Despite this assertion, the truth is that the National Park Service has only two employees fully dedicated to the North Country Trail and the NCTA is anything but a "wellfinanced environmental group." Yet, what's more obvious is that we simply could not complete the North Country Trail if we tried to coerce landowners into selling land. In order to complete the trail, we must string together countless parcels of adjacent land. To succeed, we need the goodwill and support of affected landowners. The first time we tried to twist an arm would be the last. A red flag would shoot up among landowners up and down the route and progress on the trail would grind to a halt, as front doors would start slamming in our faces. There are other objections that are equally off-based, misleading, or misinformed. We will work through this, but it will take some care and patience and a lot of education. As you might guess, a lot of people in Congress are sensitive to complaints or objections from constituents, and often it's a lot easier to prevent something from being done that to get something done.

To succeed, we need the goodwill and support of affected landowners.

Last issue, I also mentioned the bill itself won't be a panacea for the trail. We still will need to secure significant funding and develop countless route plans. Relating to these needs, I was encouraged recently to attend a session on trail corridor protection at the 9th Conference of the Partnership for the National Trails System. Presenters from the Pacific Crest and Florida National Scenic Trails reviewed the processes they'd been following to acquire land over the past few years. Unlike the North Country National Scenic Trail, both of these trails are administered by the USDA Forest Service, and both of these trails have had willing seller acqui .; sition authority from the start. In both cases, a somewhat streamlined planning process had been implemented to identify optimal routes for the trail. Though considerable work still went into these plans, the amount of work and the time involved seemed reasonable to me, even when extended over the 2,000 plus miles of North Country Trail that remain to be planned and built across what currently is private land. Also, in both cases, the Forest Service was working in close partnership with the National Park Service's land acquisition office for the Appalachian Trail. Essentially, the Forest Service and the nonprofit trail organization were developing the plans and securing the funding, and the NPS acquisition office was managing negotiations, appraisals, and the actual land transactions. For both the Pacific Crest and the Florida National Scenic Trails, this partnership has been extremely beneficial, efficient and productive. So, we can be encouraged that the next set of wheels already has been invented and just needs to be adapted to our situation to get our cart moving. In the meantime, though, we still need to get the willing seller bill through the House. We hope to see a House version of the bill introduced this fall. Just before this happens, we'll make a push to get as many of our Representatives to co-sponsor the bill as we can. We may need your help at that point with a note or call to your Representative, so keep your eyes peeled for an alert from the NCTA!

· · ·0~~~b~;~r;~~~~b~;·~~·~~·-·1h~.N~rth.st~·~·7

FLTC'S Alley-Cats Take on the Tough Jol1S' 1 路

By Irene Szabo Contributing Editor

'The

880-mile Finger Lakes Trail systern in New York (400-odd miles of which are intended as the route of the North Country Trail) is typically tended by trail adopters, either individuals or hiking clubs who engage in several annual maintenance work trips, deal with permitting landowners and public land agency 'partners, and keep the route marked. Nonetheless, there have always been larger projects needed to enhance our trail that are beyond the normal capabilities of individuals who bear bowsaws and loppers into the woods on weekends. 路 So the Finger Lakes Trail Conference has hosted "extra" work parties for years to accomplish those special tasks, the Alley-Cat crews. They operate similarly to Brule-St. Croix Rovers. Whence the Alley-Cat name? In 1962 when the FLT was first being discussed as a great dream among upstate NY hiking clubs, one of the potential names for the trail was precisely that, the Alley-Cat trail, because it would connect the Allegany State Park in the west with the Catskills in the east. Fortunately, more tasteful heads prevailed to name the trail for the series of unusual deeply incised north-south lakes it samples on its east-west hilly route, but the name stuck for its special work session crews. First one, then two, and now three five-day projects are scheduled each summer, organized primarily by our heroic volunteer Vice- President for Trails, Howard Beye (NCTA Life Achievement Award 2001, and no wonder!). Howard sits up too late in his basement trail office on winter nights to fill out all the forms for NCT Challenge Cost Share Grants or state foresters' forms for special projects or AmeriCorps grant applications. He publishes the dates and areas of work for the three weeks in our FLT News, and the volunteer spots fill up fast after that. Often he also makes the arrangements for volunteers to stay in cabins at a state park or tent at a Scout camp, plus he usually shops for all the food for a hungry crew of a half-dozen or more for five days!

Ir.;

8 The North Star

October-Dece~ber 2003

Bulldlng a bridge over Devereaux Creek are (left to right) Bob Schmidt, Peter Nye, Jim Connor, John Beverage, Howard Beye and Rick Roberts.

What kinds of projects do the AlleyCat crews undertake? For many years at least one log shelter has been built for hikers to sleep in, and the typical $4,000 worth of materials are paid for by the National Park Service through Challenge Cost Share Grants or by other partners such as local Healthy Heart groups, or sometimes the state foresters provide logs from public lands. In five days a crew can put up a milled log shelter with a shingled roof, and include some amenities, too: for instance, an iron ring can keep fires contained in a safe area on front of the lean-to, and a picnic table with bench seats is a great luxury for backpackers who haven't been able to do anything between walking and sitting flat on the ground for days. Some well-used shelters even rate an outhouse, which is often an AlleyCat project: volunteers Ted Anderson and Tom Witt came up with the design and the pre-fab kit between them, so that assemblers need carry only pre-cut pieces of marine-duty plywood in to the site, plus a pre-shingled roof assembly.

Digging the hole is yet another matter in our rocky clay forest soil. Bridges have been one of the most noticeable and welcome projects handled by Alley-Cat crews. Any span greater than a little 12-foot pair oflogs with boards becomes more than a typical individual trail caretaker or club steward wants to undertake, so Alley-Cats have built many a bridge over some streams that have been seasonally a genuine problem for hikers. Sometimes 36-foot telephone poles have been used, aided by Grip-Hoist tools to pull logs across and to set big foundation rocks, and in another case, 45-foot manufactured flat trusses were used as bridge beams to aid in handling ease and construction simplicity, at an equivalent cost. (Those danged round poles are a pain to nail flat boards to!) Puncheon bridging (that is, boardwalks of various designs) over unavoidable boggy spots has been another frequent Alley-Cat contribution to the trail's walkability, but enough goopy candidates remain along our 880 miles to keep crews busy for years.

Using hemlock to build this outhouse in New York's Allegany State Park makes it (relatively) porcupine proof.

Sometimes the Alley-Cat crews are split into maintenance and trail-building groups, both to handle routine tasks like carting a mower around to weedy field-edge walks in our tool trailer (again, both mower and trailer provided through NPS grants), or to improve the path in difficult terrain. For instance, a reroute was recently required by a landowner permission change, where there was simply no way to avoid a vividly steep descent, one where the brown elevation lines on the topographical map nearly converge to obliterate the green background! Mary Domanski (Heart & Sole,

July-Sept. '03 North Star) negotiated the new landowner permission and route after we lost the old one, but she and her Foothills Trail Club members who tend the westernmost miles of the Finger Lakes Trail felt utterly unprepared to make safe and walkable trail on that amazing forested descent. So a sturdy hard-working crew of Alley-Cat guys spent days with mattocks, chopping out a slender footbed into the hillside, gradually slanting the route across the face of the hill back and forth in long switchbacks. Voila! Thoroughly walkable trail created where before no one could have walked without

a painful fall. Our steepest hills are in the far west of the main FLT, and in the far east. (But don't get any silly notions that it's a rail-bed in between! Several elevation changes of over 1,000 feet each can occur in one day's walk even in the middle of the state.) So another wonderful Alley-Cat project has been to render the rocky trail up, over, and down Balsam Lake Mountain in the Catskills something negotiable by creatures other than goats. Two days' walk before the eastern terminus of the FLT, and over a hundred miles east of where the NCT veers northward and leaves us, the new trail route over Balsam Lake Mountain provided miles of peculiarly Catskill forest, coupled with a few good views from high spots, including a fire tower at the summit, and eliminated a long country road walk along trout streams. Several Alley-Cat weeks were dedicated to doing the slow careful work with large rocks required to make the steep approaches to the mountaintop walkable on leveled steps. A lot of patience is required to build the sheer number of rock steps required to avoid too high a rise for each step up or down, a punishing hard-work project that

should be appreciated by any hiker who doesn't have to try to step up 12" with each exhausting motion, our fate on some poorly-done stepped trails elsewhere. Who fills these Alley-Cat crews? Some take a week's vacation from work, several teachers who have the summer off volunteer for them, and many retirees provide the manpower ... and womanpower! One FLTC member came north from Florida for many years just for his work on the Alley-Cat weeks. Sometimes a generous volunteer has cooked for crew suppers, like Terry Giarrosso of Syracuse or Susan Hittle of Buffalo, while other times crew members cook for themselves. And one hears that nobody ever starves after Howard's shopping sprees. Hikers' appreciation for these trail improvements runs high. It's a great gift these volunteers give, staying "out there" for the week and working hard daily, often to return each evening to, shall we say, underwhelming living conditions where even a shower becomes a major luxury. We thank you! Author Irene Szabo, who selfishly really enjoys her own nice bed after a long day of trail work, is the President of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and a Vice President of the North Country Trail Association.

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Portrait of the Trail: Pennsylvania

A Trail of Diversity Exploringthe NCT throughPennsylvania .

. . · · By Biii Menke · .~t' . Trail F~reinan ~J .

f.··

• •

•

n cola ·al times Pennsylvania was at • the ce~ter'hf the arch forin~d by the 13 original colonies and took on the nickname of the "Keystone State." Turning this tidbit of.history toward the North Country Trail, perhaps Pennsylvania will once again live up to its nickname, if trail supporters are able to fulfill their long-standing dream of Pennsylvania · becoming the first of the seven trail states to complete the trail. And due to a combination of factors, they're well on their way to making this dream a reality. With an estimated 265 NCT miles across the state, Pennsylvania has the second smallest total mileage to complete and they have a ~ignificant amount of public land on which to build trail. With over 125 certified miles, the state is currently about 47-percent1cdmplete.,.Bu~·t.here are at least another 30 or so miles .under construction that would provide a: big·.boost toward the goal. Becoming the firststate to complete the trail would be a "keystone." The North Country Trail in Pennsylvania is characterized by diversity. Large, old-growth trees are found in many areas including Cook Forest State Park and the Allegheny National Forest. Numerous rivers and streams are crossed or paralleled by the trail and small waterfalls and cascades are often visible. The trail passes old reclaimed strip mines, historical landmarks, and a wide variety of scenic beauty from wild flowers in the summer to colorful foliage in the fall and snowy backdrops in the winter. There is also ready access to state game lands and good fisheries. In general, the NCT passes through the northwestern portion of the state, primarily within the geographical region known as the Allegheny Plateau, a transitional area dominated by oak-hickory forests towards the south and beechmaple forests towards the north. Clear streams, often called "runs," as in Nelse Run, also characterize and add interest to a hike across the state. And of course, the first oil well in the eastern U.S. was

The North Star *October-December

2003

in Pennsylvania. The oil industry is still active today so a hiker will almost surely see both historically interesting remnants of old activities, such as an old boiler from a locomotive or an old well jack, and they will see or hear recent activity including the booma-chug of a gas powered well jack. Beginning at the New York border, the trail in Pennsylvania has long been anchored by a significant · , stretch (almost 100 miles) of trail across the Allegheny National Forest. The North Country landscape. A hike across the Allegheny will provide vivid memories of the beautiful hardwoods and the open, park-like condition of the forest. The Allegheny NF is perhaps best known for its high quality Black Cherry and rightfully so. Due to the right set of climatic conditions, this area produces the largest amount of high quality cherry lumber and veneer in the world. These large, straight trees are absolutely stunning. From the trail, it is common to be able to see most of the way down an entire slope due to the lack of brush in the understory. Because of these open conditions, a hiker has a feeling of spaciousness and anticipation that they will spot wildlife or other interesting features. The trail in the northern portion of the Allegheny NF parallels the Allegheny Reservoir. Vistas overlooking the lake are common and occasionally, the trail descends the hillsides to skirt the shoreline at near water level. While camping within 1,000 feet of the shore is

Trail In Pennsylvania offers hikers a diverse

not allowed, except in designated campgrounds, a short walk from your selected no-trace site offers a chance for a swim if the weather is hot. Three days hiking south from the New York-Pennsylvania line the hiker reaches the Tionesta Scenic Area, a 2,000+ acre remnant of the hemlock and beech forests that once covered the area. Today the area is set aside to protect the large 300 to 400 year old hemlocks and white pines. On a foggy morning, this old growth forest possesses an eerie quality with wisps of fog wafting through the treetops, condensing and dripping as if it were raining. In this area, the hiker also encounters the first of the "rock gardens." The last glacier left behind these concentrated areas of house-sized boulders. As the trail wends among the rocks, a variety of interesting ferns and other plants that like the cool dampness are visible in the shadowy crevasses and small cave-like areas. Several of these rock gardens are encountered

Portrait of the Trail: Pennsylvania Left: Hiking In the Alleghany National Forest In the winter wonderland. Below: Trail signs guide the way just south of the Cook Forest State Park In Pennsylvania.

farther south in the Allegheny and also . farther west in the state. ~~ Leaving the Allegheny NF and \continuing south, the hiker immediately ~nters State Game Land #24, one of the numerous SGL's crossed by the trail in, Pennsylvania. A relatively short distance later, Clear Creek State Forest is crossed before entering the first of the three state parks that the NCT crosses on its journey across the state. Cook Forest State Park, once called the "Black Forest," is also famous for its stands of old growth trees. Cook Forest's "Forest Cathedral" of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark and it is one of the largest old growth forests of these species throughout Pennsylvania. Many of these magnificent trees exceed three feet in diameter and approach 200 feet in height. Often called "William Penn Trees," trees of this size are often 300 years of age, dating to the era of William Penn, the first governor of "Penn's Woods." The NCT passes through the Forest Cathedral and soon reaches another spectacular spot known as Seneca Point Overlook. This sandstone point and a nearby fire tower overlook the deep Clarion River valley and provide outstanding views at any time of the year, but especially during the fall when the hardwoods are at their peak color. This first view of the

Clarion River will hopefully become one of many as the anticipated route of the trail parallels the rim of the river valley for many miles until the Clarion empties into the larger Allegheny River at Parker. Exiting the park, the trail enters State Game Land 283, the next in the series of SGLs distinguished by a somewhat confusing series of numbers. Progressing westerly, SGLs 72, 95, 148, and 285 are also crossed. With the various Pennsylvania chapters leading the push, it is within these SGLs where the bulk of the approximately 30 miles of additional certifiable trail is nearing

completion. While managed primarily for wildlife and fish habitat and hunting and fishing opportunities, these areas provide an opportunity for the hiker to observe some habitat enhancements such as permanent openings and mowing of access trails. One particularly impressive area is found not far west of Parker, where the trail parallels the beautifully tumbling North Branch of Bear Creek. Here, hikers can also observe two substantial trail bridges that utilize a unique arched design and small dimension lum ber. These two bridges, known as the Bears Mouth Bridge and the Dead Crow

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Portrait of the Trail: Pennsylvania Bridge, were spearheaded by the 2001 Rising Star Award recipient Ben Mourer and his family, with assistance from other chapter members. Jumping some 40 miles to the west, the NCT comes to the Old Stone House property, a State Historic Site consisting of a well preserved and interpreted stage coach stop and inn. A short spur trail allows the hiker to see the old buildings and a nearby spring. Jennings Environmental Learning Center, with its own section of the NCT, is just across the highway. Another short spur trail leads to the visitor center with a wealth of exhibits and information. Adjoining Jennings is Moraine State Park where another 13 miles of trail are in place. Moraine State Park received its name because at least four continental glaciers reached their greatest extent near the park, leaving their signatures on the landscape. The last glacier created a landscape of rolling hills topped with hardwood trees and swamps in the valley bottoms. The park is home to 3,225acre Lake Arthur and there is at least one spectacular trail vista overlooking the lake. Here one also finds the Davis Hollow Cabin. Construction of this fine example of pioneer work began before the American Revolution. The cabin of hand hewn logs and hand cut stone with wormy American Chestnut interior walls is now leased to NCTA and used as the

A beaver lodge In Cook Forest State Park.

The North Star *October-December2003

An autumn hike offer a spectacular view of fall colors on the Clarion River.

Pennsylvania headquarters, providing a place for hikers to stay either in bunks inside or on nice tent pads outside. Many educational programs and outings take place here each year. A short, two mile road walk leads to the next certified segment located in the last of the state parks crossed by the trail, McConnells Mill State Park. Here the trail descends into the gorge of Slippery Rock Creek, which it parallels for several miles. The steep sided gorge contains numerous rocky outcrops, boulders, old growth forest, waterfalls, rare plants and of course the creek itself. Swirling

around huge boulders and cascading over ledges, the creek is popular with kayakers and whitewater rafters. It also provides a spectacular backdrop of scenery for the trail which is what a National "Scenic" Trail is all about. One third of the way across the park, the trail passes the park's namesake, McConnells Mill, where guided tours of the well preserved, operating gristmill are conducted daily during the summer months. A short distance from the mill, the trail crosses McConnells Mill Covered Bridge, one of two covered bridges in Lawrence County. It was built in 1874 using a Howe Truss design. From here to the Pennsylvania/Ohio line, only a few short segments of trail currently exist. But members ofthe Wampum Chapter are working hard to secure permission to cross the extensive areas of private land and the two State Gamelands found within their areaand with considerable success I might add. Several miles of permission are. in hand and the trail only waits on the volunteers-to catch up with the hard work of construction. The substantial Beaver River is crossed on a short certified segment within the Borough of Wampum and the trail is currently under construction within State Gamelands 148 and 285, which abut the Ohio border. An article such as this can hardly do justice to the many diverse features and landscapes found along the North Country Trail as it crosses Pennsylvania. So come and see for yourself the beauty found in the Keystone State.

Trail Craft with Bill Menke, NCTA Trail Foreman

Gold Star Standard to improve.hiking experience n the July-September issue, we read about a proposal to modify the existing certification process. The proposal was being widely circulated to the Trail Councils and membership in the interest of getting your reactions. By the time this article reaches you, it will probably have been formally submitted to the National Park Service and the committee will be meeting with them to seek agreement andrnethodology to implement the proposal, Perhaps you're wondering what prompted NCTA to organize a committee to study the issue of certification and why the committee developed the new category called "Certified To Standard" (nicknamed Gold Star Standard). Many of the topics that I write about are interconnected with other trail craft topics and also with articles written by others. Again, this topic is directly related to Tom Gilbert's Trail Quality is Important to the Hiking Experience (October-December 2002) article. When the trail is not built to the standards shown in the NPS Handbook, it decreases the quality of the hiking experience and can even be dangerous. While participating in a half-day hike at

the recent NCTA Annual Conference, a hiker slipped on a steep, damp slope and fell backwards into the next person in line. Both hikers tumbled down the sl~pe and slammed into the ground. One had路 his glasses knocked of拢 We were lucky that neither hiker was seriously injured beyond some bruises and a stiff knee the next day. This accident might have been avoided if the section of trail had been "constructed to standard." Briefly, the standards for trail tread: call for a IO-percent grade, a flat 24inch tread with a 5-percent outslope, and a four by eight foot clearing. There are other equally specific standards for blazing, signing, and trail structures. As Rob Corbett, the NPS staff, and I travel to review or hike segments of the trail, we very frequently find certified segments that do not meet these standards. When a stranger first discovers our trail and takes his/her first hike, the trail design and condition will influence how they feel about the trail from this time forward. If it is poorly constructed, it does not foster community support or a desire to learn more about the NCT or the NCTA. Rather, it drives away many

BEFORE: A trail built years ago In the Rogue River Game Area followed an old road.

people: it is simply not as pleasurable to hike. For these reasons, the certification committee developed the Gold Star category. The new category is to be used as an educational tool and as an incentive for improving the trail. While we do not yet know if the National Park Service will accept and implement all of our recommendations, this is the way our proposals now stand. Existing certified trail can remain in the "Certified" category. After some magical date, only trail that is constructed to standard (it will be inspected prior to certification by trained staff and volunteers) will be certified under the new "Gold Star Standard" category. Existing trail can be improved and moved to the new category when a chapter or affiliate feels that a segment will pass an inspection. So now we get to the topic of evaluating a trail segment. Everyone understands that adopters take a great deal of pride in their work and are often offended if someone criticizes their segment. As hard as it may be, it is important to remember that when someone criticizes a trail segment, they are not doing so to be mean spirited.

AFTER: The trall was moved Into the woods and became much more Inviting.

Trail Craft

In Memoriam: Olive M. Anderson, 1915~2003

They are doing so because they either love the trail and want to see it in the best possible condition or because they are not having a good experience. Adopters need to maintain broad shoulders and accept constructive criticism. It is also a widely accepted fact that familiarity causes an adopter to fail to see deficiencies in their segment. To evaluate your segment of trail, the most important thing to do is ALWAYSlook at it through the eyes of a stranger. Sure, you know where it turns abruptly beyond the big oak but a stranger can easily miss an abrupt turn and become temporarily confused. Yes, you have become accustomed to carefully picking your way down a steep slope to cross a ravine but the stranger most likely will not enjoy doing so. The next most important thing to do is to have a sound understanding of the trail standards. Carefully walk your segment. Do you have to "swim" through the brush and branches? Is one ankle higher than the other? Can you readily see the next blaze? Is water run ning or standing in the trail? Are deep footprints embedded in the mud? Using the clinometer, do you walk slopes that exceed IO-percent? If any of the standards found in the handbook are lacking, you should carefully write down the deficiencies and note the location(s) on a map. Then seek assistance either to rebuild the trail in its existing location or to find a better route for relocating the deficient segment. When this is accomplished and a segment stretching between two recognizable points meets all of the standards, you can apply for Gold Star certification. Besides taking pride in what you have done, you will also have increased the pleasure of hikers following your segment of trail and gain support for the North Country Trail as a whole. And who knows what type of incentive reward you might receive (the committee is still working to determine effective incentives). If you can learn to spot the deficiencies, you are welcome to call on me, Rob, or the NPS staff for assistance in correcting them, if you do not have someone who has these skills within your local group.

The North Star *October-December

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Among the Early Champions of the North Country Trail O

live M. Anderson, one of our earliest members, whose Guide to the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail was published by the North Country Trail Association in 1983~ died this spring in Rockford, Ill., at the age of 87. The Lakeshore Trail became a segment of the North Country National Scenic Olive M. Anderson Trail in 1983, and her latest revision of the Guide, published in 2002, is still in use. She was the author of five other books, all dealing with the natural history of her beloved Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she spent a quarter of a century of summers at the family cabin at Lake Steuben, 25 miles from the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In her latest book, Autumn Gold, published in 1999, she recounts how she happened to write that first Guide: it followed the announcement of the Congressional approval of the NCT and an appeal for hikers to join the newly-formed North Country Trail Association. She joined by return mail and volunteered her services. ''I'm a writer. What can I do?" "We will need trail guides," was the reply and the first guide to a segment she knew well was born. But it did not come easily. Strenuous hikes and research were followed by the biggest problem. The Association promised to publish the book but, of course, it didn't have any money. The National Park Service ordered 500 books but could not pay until the books were delivered. Somehow the money was raised and the books sold well with the help of Ginny Wunsch, a member of

the Western Michigan Chapter and another of the Association's earliest members. The Guide was no arm chair affair. Already in her 60s, she backpacked the backcountry in order to describe the trait's glories accurately. A poem in Autumn Gold described the experience of carrying three days' necessities on her back at that age. She wrote, Old, Me? How ridiculous Of course my hair is gray But what does that prove Except that I shun beauty salons? There is so much else to do. So what if my husband is retired? I'm not. I don't sit around in shawls I wear jeans and hiking boots and Explore the wild with friends Less than half my age. Of course, I'm not old ... But will I ever get to the top Of this Cliff?

Mrs. Anderson's late husband, Fred, served as pastor of United Methodist Churches in towns and cities all over Illinois for 18 years. Throughout that period, during the 50's and 60's, her newspaper column, "Lizzie Hawkins, Speaking" appeared in many Midwestern weekly newspapers. Her book publishing career started in earnest shortly before Rev. Anderson's retirement in 1975 with Wilderness of Wonder, followed by Seeker at Cassandra Marsh in 1978, Utopia in Upper Michigan in 1982 and then the trail guides. Some lines from another of her last poems seem to sum up her last days. ... No sadness offarewell for leaves of autumn, All colors fly at season's end. They show us, Not only how to live, but how to die ... -Werner Veit

ft Tale of 2 Time on

The Mackinac B idge T

he Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter's Roger Morrison has always wanted to jog across the mighty Straits of Mackinac Bridge, which permits no foot traffic except on the annual Labor Day walk and then specifically bans jogging or runnmg. After this year's walk across the bridge, he told members of his chapter, which participated in the traditional event: "Maybe I'll run for governor, and if elected, I'll get my chance." The remark was occasioned by the experience of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Grantholm who wanted to break the gubernatorial bridge crossing record set by former Gov. Milliken who jogged across in 46 minutes and 50 seconds in 1971. Governors always are the first to start out on the annual walk and the more athletically advantaged jog the five-mile distance, a pace not allowed everyone else because the huge crowds-about 60,000 this year-would make running a safety hazard. The rule is strictly enforced by the National Guardsmen patrolling the bridge during the walk. Gov. Grantholm gave it a mighty effort and finished in 47 minutes, 10 second slower than Gov. Milliken. (Some observers claimed she was actually started two minutes earlier than the usual 7 am start at the north end of the

Three members of the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter handed out information to walkers preparing to cross the Straits of Mackinac Bridge. Their volunteer shirts and signs on the trees attracted lots of Inquiries. They are Roger Morrison, Julia Rawlings (center) and Sue Deaner.

bridge and that the timers on the south side forgot to add those minutes). The Hiawatha Shore to Shore members, four strong, crossed in a more sedate but still brisk 90 minutes. They started and finished in mid- morning because they handed out NCNST information to walkers waiting to cross. Wearing their volunteer shirts and tacking up blue diamonds, they regaled passersby and spectators with information about the NCT, which uses the bridge to connect the two peninsulas of Michigan. Sue Deaner, who started the whole thing, said the chapter participation was sort of spontaneous, concocted at the last minute, but next year, she says, it will be different. "With advance planning, we can get most of the chapter out." Sue was joined in the walk by her

grandson, Joseph Brown, Julia Rawlings and, of course, self-styled gubernatorial candidate Morrison. As for the governor, she vowed to cover the distance even faster next year. She explained to reporters afterward: 'Tm competitive. As the wife of a physical education instructor, the mother of three boys who participate in sports and a former athlete myself, I have a lot of respect for people who take care of their bodies as well as their financial portfolios." Now if we can get her to add hiking boots to her wardrobe of running shoes, perhaps we can get more attention for the NCT in Michigan. We already have our senior senator, Carl Levin, as a leading champion of the trail. Maybe the governor will join him. -Werner Veit

Trust Alliance seminar o successful landowner co Geneva, IL, www.lta.org

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ter meeting of the NCTA oard rectors, Lowell, Jt'!I. Bob Papp, bobpapp@northcountrytrai(org etailed list of events, consult the N www.northcountrytrail.org. A

Much Difficult Clearing Remains in Ohio's Shawnee State Forest

Occasional blazes still visible helped workers find the trail sometimes obliterated by debris.

By Jim Sprague Ohio State Coordinator

orth Country Trail in Shawnee State Forest remains closed. In late spring and mid-summer, Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) personnel mounted three work parties with small groups of volunteers. During the first two trips, we had it easy if you will. Blazes were often visible, albeit on downed trees. In addition, we could discern traces of tread. However, in July soft foliage, particularly nettles, had overwhelmed the last traces of trail. Just finding the trail required much effort. Consequently, BTA suspended further effort until this fall. At this time, volunteers have cleared about 45-percent ofNCT within Shawnee State Forest. Of this, Nature Conservancy volunteers cleared 2-V2 miles of trail north of SR-125. Garry Dill's crew in July cleared roughly three miles on State Forest (chain saws permitted). Dill, Dave Sweeney, Jim Runk and others cleared about 80-percent of the 2-% mile trail within State-desig-

nated Wilderness Area. Wilderness rules require use of hand tools only. For some of our guys, it was youth revisited to use a six-foot long two-man saw again! This fall, BTA plans two 5-day work parties, one on October 1-5 and the second on November 12-16. In October we will hit the State Forest hard with chain saws. In November we plan to relocate the remaining V2 mile in the Wilderness. While that is a tough V2 mile, we expect to deploy enough volunteers to clear any remaining NCT. We can use additional volunteers on each of these work parties. Meals will be available at nominal cost. However, there is no need to sign on for the entire 5-day period. People may volunteer for one day or all five days. At both events, meals begin the Tuesday evening prior to the

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North Star *October-December 2.003

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The North County What? BuildingName Awareness Key to Future Growth A s the newly elected President of the .r\North Country Trail Association I'd like to introduce myself to everybody and to thank our membership for the opportunity to serve them. I feel most fortunate to take the helm of this fine organization at this point in time and am most thankful for the hard work and dedication of those who came before me. As a building contractor I know the importance of starting with a sound foundation and the dedicated efforts by my predecessors have certainly provided us with that and so much more. My fellow officers of the Executive Committee, Dave Cornell, Vice President Finance, Irene Szabo, Vice President East, Daryl Williamson, Vice President West and Mary Lucas, Secretary and I will have a much easier time being effective due to that effort. That's not to say that the task will be any less enormous than it's always been but I want to acknowledge the positive results accomplished during the past nearly twenty-five years. To help prepare to write my first "Trail Head" column I decided to review the immediate past Presidents' first columns, Werner Veit's in 1997 and Gaylord Yost's in 2001, and discovered that the main themes or needs they addressed then are still just as important today: Werner mentioned growth in membership and the need to raise money, while Gaylord emphasized volun-

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QHN LEINEN President

teering as the backbone of the organiza tion. To that list I'm going to add the need to increase overall awareness of the North Country National Scenic Trail and the North Country Trail Association if we are going to make substantial progress building and maintaining a top quality footpath across this tier of seven northern states. While our growth in membership "is impressive (nearly a factor of ten over the past decade) and in Chapters (from nine in 1997 when Werner took over to 26 today) we still have such a long way to go. I'm sure I speak for most of you when I confide my frustration at the blank stares I receive from people when I excitedly explain my advocacy for the North Country Trail. Just about all without exception have no idea what I'm talking about. We must change this factor before any significant progress can be made towards our goal. During the past six years your Board of Directors has recognized much of what needs to be accomplished to continue to move forward. Our Trail Management Program has been established including seven Trail Councils comprised of volunteers to direct efforts at the local level and just last year we were able to add a Director of Trail Management to assist the volunteers. A Development Committee (fund raising) has been formed so that we can

. . .I confide my frustration at the blank stares I

receive from people when I excitedly explain my advocacy for the NCT. just about all ... have no idea what Tm talking about. We must change this factor before ... progress can be made towards our goal.

seriously raise the enormous amount of money that will be required to construct the remaining two thirds of the Trail, crossing mostly private lands, let alone continue to maintain what we already have. The Board has recently completed a "Strategic Plan" for our organization stating our goals and objectives over the next three to five years that we will use to guide us and to help those we approach asking for contributions to understand us and our needs. This past August we contracted with a professional consultant to write our "Development Plan" which we will use to begin raising the money necessary to add a Director of Development to staff. With our Development Program up and running we will have someone working full time with our Board and key volunteers raising the needed funds. With additional money we intend to hire additional staff for our Trail Management Program with the goal of having someone to work with every Trail Council. While these are lofty goals I think that they are within our reach. As Gaylord stated two years ago the volunteer will always be the backbone of our organization but as we've repeatedly proven since 1980, volunteers alone cannot complete this task. In order to put these pieces together we must also raise the awareness of the Trail and the Organization, which means adding a Communication Program. We will need regularly and systematicly to issue press releases across the seven states and nationally to tout our accomplishments. We will need to submit articles to newspapers all along the Trail and across the seven states. We need the individuals, corporations and foundations we approach for monetary support to know who the NCTA is and to understand what a great asset the NCNST is to our nation. I'll conclude by thanking every one of you for your support through your membership. This support is vital. It shows that you have the vision of a top quality footpath nearly 5,000 miles long that connects many of our nation's most spectacular natural places while allowing us to explore our geological, geographic, ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity from nearly the beginnings of our great country through today. Get out and enjoy the Trail today; I hope to see you there.

NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2003

By Werner Veit Editor, North Star

From the opening event, a guided nature walk by Chris Redman of the Moosewood Museum, and an exploration of Presque Isle led by Denise Herron, President of the host chapter, the North Country Hikers, attendees enjoyed a busy round of typical hiker activities. A sample, seen through the eyes of some of the attendees, follows:

either somber skies nor threatening clouds, nor downright downpours, kept the 150 members who attended th 2003 annual North Country Trail Association conference in Marquette, Mich., from having a great northern forest expenence. Little Garlic They hiked to waterfalls, through canyons, River Hike on cliff tops, along the The newest Lake Superior shore; stretch of the NCT built by the chapter they admired bog plants, studied glacial geoland recently certiogy, ate pasties, visited fied proved a halfmuseums, traded war day delight, just as stories, attended workdescribed by the shops, contributed more builders and reported than,$3,000 to the on in the last issue of Association's Land Trust It was difficult to get the busy members of the host committee to stand The North Star. The fund by their bids in still long enough for a photograph , but President Denise Herron herded them trail, winding among both the silent and the together before letting them eat their pasties. In the front row (left to right) towering hemlocks, usual raucous live aucare Jean Elzlnga, Linda Carlson, Shlrley LaBonte, Bob Wester, Jan Wester and and accompanying don; welcomed two new Bea Anderson. In the back row are Gene Elzinga, John Carlson, Dick Smith, the rushing river, chapters into the fold, May Beals, President Denise, and Bruce Schwenke. Twelve others who provided five miles of applauded the year's hon- helped are not in the picture. constant views, cool orees, and heard recaps of mists and occasiona highly successful year during the annual meeting portion of ally even a wider view across the ever-changing stream bed. the conference. Wetmore Landing Hike They were entertained by Nancy Uschold, whose slide Wetmore Landing was the launching point for the four show describing her kayak circumnavigation of Lake Superior was a highlight of the Friday night dinner, and were serenaded mile Friday afternoon hike. The wide sandy beach on Lake by the Ron Jarvinen Band at the Saturday night dinner. Superior offered a picturesque start for hikers. The NCT hugged the lakeshore as it gently climbed For those new to the area, a daylong hike guided by Dave Bos' of the National Park Service on Friday provided what one upward through rocky terrain. Traversing the large boulders hiker called "an awesome introduction," to the Pictured Rocks was nice break from traditional hiking in the woods. The trail National Lakeshore east of Munising. The NCNST traverses continued onto undercut rock ledges. A section of the trail folsome of the most spectacular scenery of the area. lowed a split-rail fence that prevented hikers from venturing

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NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31~Aug. 3, 2003 too far onto .the dangerous rock overhangs. Although fenced off, the trail offered a beautiful view of the lakeshore and the magnificent rock overhangs. A light drizzle started but did not dampened the spirits of the hikers. The easy trail then came to the most difficult part, a steep set of wet, winding stairs. The well-constructed handrail made the slippery climb easier. As the drizzle turned to rain, the trail continued on·an :steep hillsidev" wh~re.y~u ·co,ulcfview !:h'e lake.through th~ tcee's."::'f~e t'air). picked upin, inten- . sity as we descended a short flight of. stair and continued on to Little Presque Isle Point. The rain let up as we came to Little Presque Isle Point which gave a view of Little Presque Isle through the foggy haze. After what some said was the soggiest hike of the conference, some hikers decided to call it a day and headed back to Marquette, while several decided to hike the damp two miles back to Wetmore Landing. -Jennifer Tripp

Laughing Whitefish Falls Hike It was cool and foggy when we 'left: · Northern Michigan University atabout 9: 00 am. Showers were predicted. This deterred only a few hikers from accompanying the group of 45 to Laughing Whitefish Falls and a five-mile hike along the NCT. The woods were wet and the mosquitoes were hungry. The smell of bug spray lingered in the air. No one seemed to mind much though. Spirits were high and the company was excellent. As the morning wore on the mist and fog began to clear. Our route took us initially along the rim of the canyon. Then, the trail descended into the canyon and we descended many, many wet and slippery steps but the scenery at the bottom was worth the effort. We then crossed a masterfully constructed bridge, finished in 1993 after several years of design, preparation, material acquisition, and transportation of the material to the site. The only power tools employed were chainsaw and a gas-powered drill. A come-along was used to draw the big timbers into place across the span. The boardwalks and steps were gradually

\ Denise Herron (right), President oft'. e

developed over the next few years. Many North County Hikers, the host chapter, volunteers were involved, some on an leads a group on a circumnavigation of almost full time basis. Presque Isle. At the top of the other side of the canyon the NCT passed through a lush, green beech and maple forest. Hikers commented that the woods reminded them of Middle Earth from "Lord of the Rings," because of its ethereal quality. ·, , . Afte« a short lunch break.and reap~.· , . plication of bug spray, :we were under- • ' :: ; way with renewed energy to Laughing Whitefish Falls, considered the most spectacular of Michigan's falls. They cascade through a picturesque gorge with old growth white pine and hemlock towering above. 'Fhe Whicefish Falls are made up ofa series of cascades, about 20 feet ~ide and totaling 100 feet high starting with a vertical drop of 15 feet and breaking into a series of lesser falls that splash over stratified rock aprons on the bottom. Many thanks to our hike leaders Bob and Sue Holtzman of the North Country Trail Hikers, the adopters for this section of the NCT. -Sharon Phipps

Sugar Loaf Mountain Hike On Saturday afternoon, I joined a dozen other hikers to walk up fogengulfed Sugar Loaf Mountain. We drove about seven miles north of Marquette to the parking lot at the foot of the big hill. Through the mist we saw the sign offering "difficult trail" or "easy trail." We chose the latter.

Len Baron, Western Michigan Chapter, leads the group down the stairs after . their visit to the historic lighthouse .

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NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31~Aug. 3, 2003

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John Leinen, Jr. newly-eleted Association President

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Laughing Whitefish Falls

High canopy forest along the NCT on the way to Laughing Whitefish Falls. Harlan Lilljequist , Jim Sprague, and Pat Leinen. Wet hike from Wetmore Landing

This "easy trail" is slightly longer; the incline is more gradual and includes many flights of stairs. I didn't count but someone said, "l,503 steps will get you to the top." The trail leads through mixed hardwoods and conifers over rocky terrain. Moss and lichen covers the large rocks along the trail. There are big boulders at the top where hikers can sit and enjoy

The North Star *October-December

the magnificent view, when it's clear. We're told that on a sunny day you can see for miles, including the bays and islands of Lake Superior, the wooded hills beyond and all of Marquette. As the sun briefly broke through the fog, we finally were rewarded with a view of Hogback Mountain and the Lake Superior Shoreline. We followed the white and blue 2003

Laughing Whitefish Falls Kiosk

blazed connector trail down the "other side of the mountain." This was more like mountain hiking a rugged, steep trail, and in some places I had to hang onto a tree branch to keep from sliding down. A hiking stick would have helped. The NCT meanders through at the base of the mountain and follows the Superior shoreline. Some hikers fol-

Lake Superior Shore at Little Presque Isle.

lowed the forested path to Wetmore parking lot where our cars awaited us. Others chose to walk the sandy beaches along the water. This hike was the "high point" of my weekend. -]oAnne Baron

The Songbird Trail Hike The four mile hike along the Songbird Trail starting from Little

Presque Isle parking area provided another example of the great variety of terrain available on this area's segments of NCT. While the NCT splits in places from the Songbird Trail and its habitat signs, the two rejoin at several intervals or closely parallel. In a leisurely morning (or afternoon) members hiked through hardwood copses, crossed dewy meadows,

crossed and recrossed Harlow Creek and found its mouth, and walked through a magnificent red pine plantation whose majestic canopy kept down undergrowth and made for smooth, effortless walkmg. To add to the experience, fogshrouded Lake Superior with its floorsmooth beaches at the point, lay just beyond the line of pines so that its gen-

--O~-;~b~-;~i)~~~~b~;-~~~;-.-Th~-N~rth-St~-~-2i

NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31~Aug. 3, 2003 Stately re(LPI ·' .ard J. the Lake Supe hore/ on ~he Songblrd·~'ec,tl?F; of the NC!._. ,,. , .· ;. /'

tly heaving waves remained just in sight "" :!Ji Q; as we walked along. Another magical place, not to be missed. ~ -Werner Veit ~ c;

Maritime Museum and Lighthouse A "naturalized" Yooper (displaced from Alabama) led members on an informative tour of the Marquette Maritime Museum and a lighthouse located at a functioning Coast Guard base. The lighthouse was constructed in the schoolhouse tradition in the 1890s, reconstructed in 1906 and automated six years ago. The group toured the first and second story apartments of the lighthouse keepers, which will be renovated into display galleries. The museum portrayed the shipping industry in Marquette, which centered, and still does, around the iron ore trade. The museum also depicted the evolving roles of the U.S. Coast Guard (once the Lifesaving Service). Of enduring interest was the mapping and description of shipwrecks, including the tragic loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, memorialized in the Gordon Lightfoot ballad, and of special significance were the exhibits of two 100-foot Ojibwa birch bark canoes. -Mary Lucas

The Tilden Mine Instead of hiking, an alternate outing during our annual conference was a visit to the Tilden Mine. Sixteen of us went on this excursion. As soon as we entered their property, we were issued, and had to wear, safety glasses and hard hats.

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The Tilden Mine opened in 1973 and is a huge, open-pit iron-ore processing facility. The pit is 900 feet deep, half a mile wide and two miles long. Our tour stopped right next to a loading operation where we watched the loading of a super-size truck. These large trucks appeared tiny at the other end of the pit where more loading was taking place. But they are two stories high and cost $1.7 million. Their tires are 14 feet in diameter (about the height of three cars stacked on top of each other). Each tire cost $22,000. The trucks are so massive that, several years ago, a driver wasn't aware that he had just run over a pickup. We then went to the processing plant that is over a half mile long with the largest and noisiest machines I have ever seen or heard. The machines take

Harlow Creek crosses the trail several times just north of Marquette.

22 The North Star *October-December 2003

t. t

so much time to shut down and restart that the mine runs continuously, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. When they need to reduce production, they shut the entire plant down for several weeks instead of cutting back to one or two shifts. The mine employs 850 people. The ore is initially about 35% iron and must be refined to 65% to be salable. First, the ore is crushed into fine powder, mixed with water and the non-ferric debris is washed away. Later processes remove the water in large ovens and form the concentrated ore into pellets to allow the end users to work the iron more easily. The operation is monitored and controlled by computer. We saw control operators observing the processes on two banks of computer and video screens each with 20 displays. The operators are able to track the locations of all vehicles using GPS and even tell the trucks when they need fuel. The Tilden Mine produces about 10% of North America's iron ore. The ore is eventually made into consumer products including cars. Tilden Mine is barely making a profit. Our guide said only ten iron mines remained in the U.S. Two of them are in the UP. In 1980, there were 22 mines. Twelve went out of business due to tough foreign competition. Overseas mines have a higher iron content (reducing processing costs), lower labor costs, and they don't need to comply with America's environmental rules. The guide said that enough ore remained for 30 more years of operation, but it was likely that they would go out of business before then. If you missed this interesting visit, your chances of a future tour of an iron mine are getting slim. -Roger Meyer

NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2003 "U

It was raining and the sprlnklers were going. Probably that's why Mary has her eyes closed and Irene Is looking apprehensively sideways in this picture ~ of our new officers. For the record, the 3 ~ NCTA's new leaders are (left to right) c;;: "" Daryl Wllllamson, Vice President, West; Mary Lucas, Secretary; John Leinen Jr., President; Irene Szabo, Vice President, East, and Dave Cornell, Vice President Finance.

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The conference wasn't all fun, exercise and games. At two half-day workshops, members became acquainted with the Association's newest plans and procedures and heard success stories from a number of our chapters. And the Board of Directors attended to business.

Board of Directors Directors elected their officers, amended the bylaws of the North Country Trail Association, made minor modifications to the budget and approved the charters of the Association's newest chapters, the Allegheny National Forest Chapter in Pennsylvania and the Grand Marais Chapter in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The new Pennsylvania chapter will be responsible for all of the NCNST within the boundaries of the Allegheny National Forest and the new Michigan chapter for the NCNST located between the Two-Hearted River in Luce County and Rock River Road in Alger County. The new officers are: John Leinen, Jr., President; Mary Lucas, Secretary, and these Vice Presidents: Dave Cornell, Finance; Irene Szabo, East, and Daryl Williamson, West. The most significant of the bylaw changes was the redefinition of affiliate status which was divided into two categories, trail management affiliates and supporting affiliates. Affiliates like the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, the Buckeye Trail Association, or the Superior Hiking Trail Association, which actually are responsible for portions of the NCT, will be trail management affiliates. Organizations that provide significant support to the Association, like the Minnesota Parks and Trail Council, but do not manage a portion of the North Country Trail, could be supporting affiliates.

For a more complete account of the meeting, the minutes of the Board meeting will be posted on the NCTA web site, www.northcountrytrail.org

The NCTA Says Thank You The Association would like to express its appreciation to the many members, businesses and organizations who contributed the items that made the annual auction such a success. Among them were: From Marquette: Bea Anderson, Shirley La Bonte, Denise Herron, Gene Elzinga, Marian Schwitzgoebel, Corinne Baldwin, Wade Wartalla and John Anderson, Crown Motors, Frie Chevrolet, Public Service Garage, Utopia Tanning, Pictured Rocks Cruises, The Mining Journal and Marquette Wallpaper and Paint. From Munising: Das Gift House, The Gift Station, Hiawatha National Forest, Potvin Drugs, Shipwreck Tour, Dog Patch Restaurant and Hiawatha National Forest. From Au Train: Pinewood Lodge and Brownstone Inn. From Grand Rapids and Loweil: Alan and Lou Adsmond, Koeze's Inc., Bob Papp, Glory Meyer, Bonnie Wayman. Others: Big Bay Outfitters, Mary Hunt, Seth Johnson, Joan Young, Mich.; Superior Hiking Trail

Next Year: Marietta, Ohio Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, will be the site of next year's annual conference, Aug. 5-8, 2004. The Buckeye Trail Association, host of next year's conference, selected Marietta because of its unique location at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers and its proximity to miles of certified NCT in the nearby Wayne National Forest. Marietta was founded in 1788 and was the first settlement in the Northwest Territory and Ohio's first town. The town offers brick paved streets, historic homes and world famous Rossi Pasta. It is a place where you can eat at a riverside cafe or aboard a riverboat sternwheeler. Marietta College was founded in 1797 and chartered in 1835. The college offers its students a contemporary liberal arts education. It is located right in downtown Marietta.

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For conference attendees, all signs pointed to the North Country Trall.

Association, Leinen Construction,

John and Pat Leinen and Rod MacRae, Minn.; American Hiking Society, Maryland; Campmor Inc.; Partners Books and Track & Trail, Mich.; Cascade Designs, Inc., Wash.; Gaylord Yost, Fred Szarka and Koss Corp., Wisc.; Quabang Corp., Mass.; Thales Navigation, Calif.; Butler Outdoor Chapter, Gene Eiler and Josie Baskeyfield, Penn.; Scott Tichy, N.D.; Wampum Chapter, Trail Atlas of Michigan, Finger Lakes Trail Conference and New York's Office of Parks and its Department of Environmental Conservation.

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NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31~Aug. 3, 2003

AssociationHonors Its Trail Builders Ohio's Jim Sprague: Lifetime Achievement New York's Larmanns: DistinguishedService im Sprague, Ohio State Coordinator, and one of the North Country Trail Association's longest active and most consistent uilders and maintainers, received the NCTA'.s coveted "Lifetime Achievement Award," at the Association's award ceremony during the annual conference. At the same time, Al Larmann and his wife, Mary Kunzler-Larmann, the remarkable trail couple from the Central New York Chapter, each received the Association's 2003 Distinguished Service Award, "in recognition of exceptional service in furthering the goals of the NCTA and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail." In presenting the awards, Bob Papp, the Association's executive director said: « •• .In the Larmanns we have a team who works together with great skill. There is no duplication of effort here. Both Al and Mary know their strengths and use them to cover the necessary ground. Fully supporting one another as need dictates, the Larmanns serve to demonstrate the 'power of partnership' we all like to talk about. Their partnership is fruitful and shows through the partnerships they have spawned among the landowners, townsmen, agencies and politicians in Central New York. Our trail is blessed to be the focus of their vision." Others honored for their splendid contributions in 2003 were two members of the Western Michigan Chapter: Paul Haan, named Trail Builder of the Year, and Tom Learmont, named Trail Maintainer of the Year. Harlan Lilljequist, of the Star of the North chapter, received the "Sweep Award," Dave Cornell, of the Chief Noonday Chapter, received the "Outreach Award," Gail

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Central NY's Mary and Al Larmann each received the Association 's 2003 Distinguished Service Award.

Blakeley, of the Wampum Chapter, won the year's "Leadership Award," and Gillian Kreft, the stalwart 10-year-old, backpacking daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kreft of the Tittabawassee Chapter, received the "Rising Star" Award. The Association annually makes special recognition of nonmembers and organizations who have contributed significantly to the Trail. These awards this year went to: Steve Peterson, Site Manager at Brule River State Forest in northern Wisconsin, presented with the Association's "Vanguard Award," and Meritex Enterprises of Pennsylvania, which received the "Trailblazer Award." Meritex' citation read: "With deep gratitude for its outstanding leadership as a host, benefactor, guardian and supporter of the North Country National Scenic Trail." Steve was cited for a number of activities highly beneficial to the NCT, including managing the Cost Share project now known as the Gaylord Nelson Portal to the NCT, cooperating with the Brule-St. Croix Rovers in their numerous improvement and trail building projects and insuring the designation of the NCT as a "foot trail," in the recent revision of the master plan for the Brule River State Forest. The member honorees all exhibited particularly distinguished service. To quote from their nominations:

Jim Sprague

Lifetime Achievement

Gail Blakeley, 'Leadership', Harlan Lllljequlst, (center) 'Sweep' and Dave Cornell, 'Outreach' received their awards at the conference.

The North Star *October-December 2003

"Jim Sprague is the Ohio State Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association and the State Trail Coordinator of the Buckeye Trail (BT) and has been for a number of years. He has served as the President of the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) and is a Trustee Emeritus of the BTA. "He was given the Vibram Co. award in 1995 as Ohio's Outstanding Trail Volunteer of the Year. A section of the BT and the NCT was named the "Jim Sprague Trail" in 1997 in honor of his consistent, unceasing efforts to locate the BT "off-road." In 1999 he was awarded the BT Bob Paton Award for Meritorious Service for his exceptional contributions for more than 15 years, especially as President and State Trail Coordinator.

NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2003 Resources, Paul led the clean up of junk, planned a new route for the trail taking it off what had become a two track and then led numerous work days of chapter members to rebuild and reroute the trail. The segment is now befitting the title of National Scenic Trail. Paul also spent many hours training others on proper trail building. He arranged for, trained and supervised two different college classes to assist on Paul Haan, with his wife Julie the project while providing Nletllng, displays his Trail Builder instructions. Paul also was of the Year award. one of the instructors in the Chapter's trail building class in which five Michigan chapters participated.

"He is the leader of the Buckeye Trail Crew that spends numerous weekends every year building new trail and doing major maintenance projects on both the BT and NCT. No individual in the state of Ohio has spent more of his life building, maintaining and promoting the NCT in Ohio and the Buckeye Trail."

Mary Kunzler-Larmann Distinguished Service

" ... Over the past half dozen years, she has met with numerous private landowners, organizations, agencies and corporations to convince them to allow passage across their lands for the trail. As the lead landowner contact for the Central New York Chapter, her attention to the needs of the trail, understanding of private property owners' sensitivities and her persistent nature all contribute to her record of success. "This year, Mary stretched yet again. Tackling a bewildering, mind numbing and excruciating grant application for State of New York's Recreation Trails Program, she submitted a request for $15,450. Thanks to her dedication and perseverance, the grant was fully funded. With it, the Central New York Chapter will repair some badly deteriorated drainage systems, and install fencing, barriers and parking for two stateowned sections of the North Country Trail. .. "

Tom Learmont Trail Maintainer of the Year

Al Larmann DistinguishedService

''Al Larmann is a one- man war room who lives for the big picture and sees all things shaping in advance of most people because he is the one working behind the scenes to set the pieces in motion. "Recognizing the need for strong, organized support for local trail projects, Al was instrumental in the founding of our Central NY Chapter in 1997. He has since served for two terms as Chapter president and has seen it grow into one of our largest chapters with 140 members. "Not only is he willing to ride herd on a long list of significant capital projects that may take months or years to complete, but he does so with great relish. The fruits of his labor and patience are there for all to see in the form of immense drainage projects, bridges of all sorts, great trailheads, sprawling stairways and other critical trail projects resulting from his painstaking coordination of agencies, businesses, volunteers and political forces. "In addition to his role as a strategist and leader, Al also embraces more down-to-earth functions of Chapter operations. He single-handedly gathers, maintains and reports volunteer hours each quarter for nearly 50 individuals and groups and prepares and edits an excellent quarterly newsletter for the Chapter and has done so since the premier issue."

Paul Haan Trail Builder of the Year

In the past year Paul has aggressivelypursued the rebuilding of the Rogue River State Game Area segment of the NCT in Kent County, Michigan. This segment, although certified years ago, became a disaster as a result of abuse caused by bikers, motorized vehicles and vandals. It also became a local garbage dump. Working with the State Department of National

"In addition to being the Western Michigan chapter's trail manager, Tom has spent a considerable amount of time restoring sections of the NCT in the eastern Upper Peninsula where chapters previously didn't exist. On many of these segments, the blazes were so old, they were extremely difficult to find. "The trail tread wasn't always visible, and a large amount of wind fall complicated the route enormously. "Tom made numerous trips to the UP scouting, flagging, and clearing, and he also organized work groups to get major work done. Recently, Tom and his wife relocated two sections of the NCT where it fell off a sand dune and into Lake Superior! "In addition to physical trail work, Tom has established contacts with the local representatives of the Department of National Resources in this area. Consequently, the DNR is now aware of the trail location and plans its clear cuts around it. "Through the recent establishment of chapters in c. "' c. the Eastern UP, trail main E a.. c tenance is now completed e much more regularly than ~ ~ in the past. Even though s: c. the NCT no longer needs Tom's massive restoration s: efforts in this area, he can't a.. stay away from trails that need help. Tom has now adopted the Blind Sucker Pathway, a connector trail

Tom Learmont of the Western Michigan Chapter was named the NCTA's Trail Maintainer of the Year.

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NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31~Aug. 3, 2003 to the NCT."

Shirts like these were awarded to the 16 members who com- · pleted at least 400 hours of volunteer work.

Harlan Lilljequist Sweep

"Fresh from completing his 2,000 mile journey on the Appalachian Trail and already planning a through-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, Harlan joined NCTA in 1988 pursuing his passion for long distance trails. "Since then, he has been a loyal and constant supporter of the NCT and our Minnesota chapters. Harlan has served as a member of the Minnesota Steering Committee and a member of the NCTA Board of Directors. Harlan is always present for committee meetings, membership meetings, exhibit booth displays, trail building activities and recreational hikes, giving freely of his time and his energy. "Not a man of words, Harlan is a quiet presence who is always there and ready to help. On trail hikes no one falls behind Harlan. If someone is lagging, Harlan walks with them to keep spirits up. If a load needs to be lightened Harlan will pick up his share. If someone needs a shuttle, Harlan is there with his trusty truck. "Always ready with a smile, Harlan has never spoken an unkind word about others. No one represents the Sweep Award better than Harlan Lilljequist."

Dave Cornell Outreach

"Dave has been a very active, and strong supporter of the Trail and the NCTA for more than eight years. His past leadership at the national level as board member, treasurer and counselor has contributed to the association's financial advancement and stability. He is the founder of the Chief Noonday Chapter and its first president for two terms. "In the past year he has spearheaded a chapter interpretive trail signage program as well as designed and obtained the construction of trail register boxes which are being installed along our section of trail. He developed a trail adopters program and has enlisted approximately 12 persons as adopters. "He planned and implemented a trail adopters workshop to instruct adopters in the correct methods for caring for the Trail. He has been instru-

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Gillian Kreft Rising Star

mental in communications with and gaining the support of local private property owners and public land managers for the Trail. He has established contacts with appropriate state DNR officials for discussions on local state land issues. "Dave's contributions to the NCTA and to the Chief Noonday Chapter have, in no small way, contributed this past year to the success of trail development, maintenance and promotion of the NCT and the growth of the association. "He contributes many hours. He seeks no rewards. He represents all of what it means to give and to 'reach out' as a NCTA trail volunteer."

Gail Blakeley Leadership

"These few words are not enough to describe the continuously stellar job Gail Blakeley has done over the last four years in planning, promoting. and expediting the goals and aspirations of the NCT. She is without a doubt a one-woman dynamo who has unendingly and unselfishly given of herself and all her talents to the trail. " ... She deserves recognition because of her successful efforts in promoting the trail with civic organizations, for almost single-handedly conceiving, designing and leading our first 'Wampum Trail Day' (our Chapter gained four new members including the Mayor of Wampum)and for efforts in contacting companies such as Cemex and Gateway to get the trail routed through their property. " ... She talked a local restaurant into providing free continental breakfasts to those who came to Wampum Trail Days... and convinced the owner of a new four-bay service garage to let us use his facility for our event. The chapter used her house as a meeting place for two years until she found a nearby community center at which to meet!"

"Gillian has assisted with our trail clearing efforts since we adopted a section of the trail in 2001. She has participated eagerly and helped us try to instill the same excitement in our two younger children. Now 10 years old, she has joined us backpacking and hiking since she was 1. She has carried her own backpack on every hike since she was three when she carried her I-year old sister's diapers four miles in the Porcupine Mountains. Gillian is a strong promoter of hiking and is a Tlttabawassee's Giiiian very conscienKrest: 2003's Rising tious 'no-trace'

Star

camper."

Volunteer Hour Awards The Association also awarded special shirts to 16 members who completed at least 400 hours of volunteer work (most, if not all, of them completed much more). The volunteers and their chapters were: Chief Noonday: Dave Cornell, Tom Garnett and Larry Pio; Central New York: Kathy Disque; Finger Lakes Trail: Irene Szabo; Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal: Brad Bosley; Harbor Springs: Jerry Keeney; Peter Wolfe: Doug Welker; Spirit of the Woods: Ed Chappel; Star of the North: Ginny Ruppe and Pat Leinen; Tittabawassee: Lyle Bialk; Western Michigan: Eric Doyle, Roger Meyer and Ginny Wunsch. Pins were awarded to those members who completed 100 or more hours of volunteer work. -Werner Veit

Non-members Ambling Along the Trail in Lower Michigan T

here's a bear hiking the Jordan River Pathway. The NCTA's Tittabawassee Chapter maintains this favorite stretch of North Country National Scenic Trail. Their Dave Estrada and Bonnie DeSloover saw the bear on separate occasions. Bonnie also heard about him from other hikers while serving as a Ridge Runner (the chapter's volunteer patrol program). Bonnie sent a note to the "Trail Conditions Update" on the Association's web site to alert hikers to take anti-bear precautions at the segment's walk-in Pinney Bridge Campground. The sighting was the second reported on the NCT in the Lower Peninsula this summer. Dale Rosema saw a black bear sow and her cub in July while hiking the segment from Highbanks Lake to Star Lake Road near Baldwin. He wrote: " ... About a mile north of 16-Mile Road, I came upon a black bear sow ... about 30 yards in front of me on the trail with her cub following right behind. When she became aware of me she whooped to her cub and darted off the trail through the ferns with the cub in tow." Black bears used to be as rare in the Lower Peninsula as they are common in the Upper Peninsula, but increasingly they have been spotted south of the Straits of Mackinac, as far south even as the far northern suburbs of Detroit. -Werner Veit

Harmon StrongWins Award Harmon Strong, former and longtime member of the Board of the NCTA and a strong supporter, director and activist of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, an NCTA affiliate, has been award the FLTC's Wally Wood Distinguished Service Award. The honor goes yearly to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the FLTC. -FLT News

ContactingLand Owners With a good share of potential trail on public land already built, much of the focus now turns to extending the NCNST land onto private property

hosted successful spring projects and this is your opportunity to share the same expenence. For more information please go to http: I/www.americanhiking.org/ events/ vv/index.html. Or call Shirley Hearn at (800) 972-8608, ext. 206. The AHS is in the process of putting together its volunteer vacation schedule for 2004 and hopes to have it posted on its web site by mid-October.

Trail Marking Reminders

Recent bear sightings along the NCT in Lower Michigan will now require campers to store food caches in trees.

if landowners give permission or easements can be purchased. At a day-long workshop, sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance in Geneva, Ill., on Nov. 8, you can learn about the essential elements for a comprehensive landowner contact program, can discuss real world examples, and study how to craft workable solutions. For information, see the Alliance's web site at www.lta.org. -Bob Papp

AHS Adds Volunteer Dates The American Hiking Society has added two fall projects to its list of volunteer vacations, one in Ohio at Camp Tuscazoar (October 19-25) and another with the Florida Trail Association (November 16-22) in the Ocala National Forest. Both locations

The National Park Service's NCNST office in Madison, Wisc., will supply local chapters and affiliates with blazing paint and appropriate Carsonite™ posts and stickers for trail marking. The NPS requires that certified segments be identified with the NCNST emblem at road and trail crossings and trailheads and encourages the use of appropriate blazing with blue 2"x 6" painted blazes. If a chapter or affiliate needs to replace or refresh signs and Carsonite ™ posts for trail marking are blazes they need only contact the available from NPS. Madison office and request the supplies be shipped to them. Most of the time, the supplies are shipped in a matter of days. The exception is the end of the NPS fiscal year when the procedure takes longer. -Fred Szarka, National Park Service

Foot Trails Conference The 2nd annual Southeast Regional Foot Trails Conference will take place Oct. 17-19, on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau in Monteagle, TE. The theme is "Connecting People and Places along Southeastern Foot Trails." The weekend will feature guided hikes, educational sessions, and entertainment. Attendees will get details of the American Hiking Society's Southern Appalachians Initiative. For registration materials available for download, please visit http: //www.americanhiking.org/ alliance/ registration.html.

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Mapping the North Country Trail Editor's Note: The pages of The North Star are replete with references to GPS, as if everyone knew precisely what a Global Positioning System (GPS) is and why it's important to the North Country Trail Association. In the following article, Tiffany Stram, the NCTA 's cartographer and GIS specialist, recounts one of her projects and shows how GPS helps produce the Association's accurate maps. By Tiffany Stram GIS Coordinator

his past April, NCTA members Tom and Ruth Learmont invited me to spend a couple of dayswith them in Deer Park, Mich., so I could gather GPS data for a couple of trail sections that I missed when I first worked the area last fall. Using a Trimble ProXR receiver, loaned to a few trained users by the National Park Service, we gather accurate information about the location of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The Trimble is a complicated device, trickier to use than the handheld receiver owned by many hikers. Pushing a couple of buttons in the wrong order can cause you to lose all the data you just collected. It is one of the higher end units (with a price tag to match), but the sub-meter accuracy is about the best you can get路 in the civilian world. I always look forward to my GPS trips because they're a great excuse to get out and see the trail. After spending the first half of Sunday driving to the Upper Peninsula, Tom and I began the GPS work around 2:30. The trail section we planned to bite off was in Muskallonge Lake State Park. I assembled the GPS unit (attached the antennae, hooked up batteries, connected cables) and began entering infermation about the section of trail we were about to hike. Prior to collecting GPS data, a data dictionary is uploaded into the GPS receiver.The data dictionary is a table that contains specific fields that need to be filled in when collecting data. These fields prompt for information on the adjacentvegetation, coincident feature, trail surface, ownership, certification status, etc. To make it easier and more consistent, the data dictionary pro.............................................................................

The North Star *October-December 2003

vides drop-down menu choices for most fields. The data entered into the fields are directly linked to the trail segment collected. Once the data dictionary fields are filled in, the hiking begins and generally a good pace is best. The GPS unit is set to take a reading every 3 seconds when hiking the trail. These points are automatically connected when the data are downloaded, resulting in a line representing the trail. Because there is always some error in the satellitesignals, if you don't move fast enough, loops form in the downloaded data that don't exist on the trail. In addition to collecting the trail itself, point features such as trailheads, campsites, signs, bridges, etc. are also collected. To collect a point feature such as a trailhead, the line feature (trail) is paused and then at least 10 readings are taken at the location of the trailhead. These readings are averaged and only the averagedpoint will be downloaded for the trailhead. Tom and I collected GPS data for the NCT section through the park and then decided to collect data on two spurs that connect the NCT to the campground area. We began hiking one of the spurs, but upon entering the woods, satellite problems struck. Satellite problems do not necessarily mean not getting enough satellites. They often mean that the satellites aren't in desirable enough positions to meet the required accuracy (POOP), so the receiveris locked out from recording the data. POOP stands for Positional Dilution of Precision. The lower the POOP, the greater the accuracy. The GPS unit is set so that a POOP of 6.0 or less is required to record. Unfortunately, I can't explain how much error on the ground a specific increase in POOP would cause. My research led me to a convoluted calculus equation and considering that I barely survived calculus in college, the equation made no sense to me. In our situation, we had 5 or 6 satellites, but lost a couple of them over the horizon (or behind some dense trees). The constellation of the remaining 4 satellites wasn't good enough to meet the POOP requirement. Now GPSing turns into a waiting game, almost like a slow

Tiffany Stram, the NCTA's GIS cartographer, takes a reading on the Park Service's Trimble G.P.S. receiver.

motion video game. The receivermakes different beeping sounds based on satellites leaving, entering, good POOP, and bad POOP. As I watched the skyplot (a map on the receiverthat shows the satellite locations), I saw a couple of satellites pop up on the horizon. I urged them to head towards us, and then I lost them again. Finally, some stayed on the screen heading in the right direction. The POOP is slowly dropped. 7.0, 6.9, 6.8 ... at least it's going down ... 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, ... almost there ... 6.0, and I heard the awaited beep that says we're back in business. At least this was only about a 15-20 minute wait today. We hiked the two spur trails and encountered good satellites the rest of the afternoon. Day #2 began with a slight wind outside the cabin. Tom and I set foot on the trail around 8: 00 heading east from the Lake Superior State Forest Campground. This section of trail parallels the Lake Superior shoreline, but the trail was in the woods just enough that we were sheltered from the wind most of the time. The beginning was slow going due to patches of snow on the trail, but I quickly learned how to walk lightly to prevent sinking knee-deep. In some areas, the snow was no more than a foot below the blazes! The satellitesignals were excellent, and we moved as fast as we could hike. Our only roadblock was the mouth of the Blind Sucker River. In the fall, the

cool water was soothing oh my warm ,

feet. But today, the lastplace I wanted to put my bare feet was in the river! Lucky for me, Tom Was prepared with garbage bags, rope, and' shower shoes. Tom went first and remo:yed his hiking boots, slid , the garbage bags over his legs, and the shower shoes over the bags. This was no easy feat be~ause',the wind had picked up considerably. I did the same, but no shower shoes 'since he only had one pair. Tom tied a rope to, his waist and handed me the other end so I could retrieve the shoes and hiking stick when he made it to the other side. He crossed uneventfully, but nearly pulled me in because of the shortness of the rope ! J retrieved the stick and the shoes sat 'down to put the shoes on. Though I didn't have to worry about fosing my balance, 'I was being sandblasted and couldn't stop the garbage bags from inflating to get the shoes on! The river was cool, but not as bad as I thought. As I was crossing, I noticed Tom on the other side with his camera! He helped me up the bank, we put our boots back on, and I began hiking in circles to get some feeling back in my fingers and toes. We continued on the trail and soon headed inland. A downed tree made a .perfect spot for a lunch break, which was good timing since the satellites weren't the most cooperative at this point. Approximately 5.5 miles later, we exited the woods on County Road 407.

aha

Fording the Blind Sucker River with garbage the G.P.S receiver on her back.

We decided to hike another section just east of Grand Marais in the Lake Superior State Forest. The satellites were once again in our favor, making for quick and easy hiking. We encountered a clear cut along the trail, but it was nice to see that the state foresters left a buffer of trees between the clear cut and the trail. We finished the day around 1:45 and I quenched my thirst at the Lake Superior Brewing Company in Grand Marais. The final day began with a hike at Tahquamenon Falls State Park on my way home so I could GPS about 1 mile of trail that I missed last fall. I had planned on hiking with Ranger Dave Merk who joined me in the fall, but was reassigned to Ranger Kevin. It was a beautiful day and a very scenic area (not to say that the rest of the trail isn't seenic!). Kevin and I hiked in Farkus Road since it was still snow covered and we couldn't get a truck down it. We continued west on the trail towards the Lower Falls. The satellites were excellent, but in a way, I wouldn't have minded if they weren't since it was such a perfect day to be stuck on the trail. It was a nice coincidence that I needed to change batteries on a ridge overlooking the Water Tank lakes. About one hour after we started, we were at the lower falls and my adventure in the woods was over. Because the NCTA does not have the software to download the GPS files from the receiver, the GPS unit is shipped back to the NPS and they download the files. The data are relatively accurate at this point, but some error does exist. To remove the error, base sta tion files are downloaded and compared against the data collected by the receiver. Because the location of the base station is known, bags on her feet and the computer

can tell what the error is and adjust the collected GPS data accordingly; this process is known as differential correction. After the differential correction is complete, the GPS files are exported to a shapefile, a common GIS (Geographic Information System) file that we can use at the NCTA. Instead of having hundreds of trail files from each GPS outing, we combine everything into our master trail files. The projection we use for our trail files is UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator). As you know, the earth is round and there are multiple ways to display it on a flat map. The projection defines the way that the data are displayed. We use UTM because it provides the least amount of distortion for a localized area, and it is also the projection used for most base data. The UTM projection divides the world into a number of zones from west to east. Since the trail crosses 5 UTM zones, we have 5 files for the trail. Each file covers a section of the trail (for example, zone 18 covers most of New York, 17 is New York, Pennsylvania, and most of Ohio, 16 is western Ohio and most of Michigan, etc.). When the NPS sends me the exported shapefile, I cut out the old trail data from the respective UTM zone file and replace it with the newly collected data. After this is complete, I look over the updated file to make sure all the lines are snapped together so there are no gaps in the trail. The NPS has paper 7.5-minute (1: 24,000-scale) quadrangle maps of every quad that the trail traverses. After the data are added, I create a new quad map for the NPS so their paper maps are updated. These quad maps show certification status, coincident feature (if the trail follows a road, foot trail, sidewalk, etc.), and mileages. Once the NPS confirms that the-certified segments match their records, the new digital data are sent to local land managers such as state forests and parks as requested. The GPS data is what is used for the official mileage figures for the trail. The mileages are automatically calculated within the GIS. Since the NCTA maintains the GIS files for the North Country Trail, each month the updated files are sent to the NPS so that they have the most recent data. The GPS process, particularly post data collection, demonstrates the unique partnership between the NCTA and the NPS.

--6~-r-~b~-;~i)~~~~j;~;-~~~;-.-it;~-N~rth-st~;-29

HATS

SHIRTS

A. Royal Mesh-Back Cap (C201) Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap $10.95 B. Ught 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) Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap ... $14.95 E. Sun Protection (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 , ..•...... $24.50

G. Trail Crew T-shirt (c102) 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 $10.95, XXL $12.95 H. NCTAT-Shirt (c101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T". Three-color NCTA logo on front, two-color map on back. Back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National Scenic Trail," includes seven state map. Color: natural. S, M, L, XL $11.95, XXL $12.95 I. Sweatshirts M, L, XL $34.95, XXL $37.95 Goldenrod (C107A) Khaki Green (C107B) Denim (C107C) Light Raspberry (C107D) J. Polo Shirt Color: Tan (C106) Embroidered association logo. M, L, XL XXL $31.95 K. Fleece Vest Color: Grey (c108) Embroidered trail logo. M, L, XL, XXL $38.95 L. Blue Polo Shirt Color: Blue (c112) Embroidered NCTA logo. 100% cotton, collared polo shirt. S, M, L, XL, XXL $39.95

T-SHIRTS

coUNt

. .f\·~. .

. <·& .

Front H

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

"Blue Blazes" 50/50 Poly Cotton blend on ash gray shin. Shon sleeve (C-109) S, M, L,XL: $11.95, XXL: $13.95 Long sleeve (C-109A) M, L,XL: $15.95,XXL: $17.95

'J{y./>.

1>7:

•ASSOCIATION• ~TtG11GQOt.1•WiK"twia•Mii::hlps•OJOG.•r-.,.....-..ia.~N-1!-.rll:

30 The North Star *October-December 2003

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-88S454-NCTA

·e::~ail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

(6282)

www.northcountrytrail.org

1:24,000 SCALE

NCT TRAIL MAP SETS ';i:100,ooo SCALE

Printed in full color on durable paper these

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)

PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest MICHIGAN Marshall to Bowne Township

$6.50

(T202)

Southern Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest State Park

$3.50

(Ml-02)

$8.00

(T203)

M-37

$3.50

(Ml-03)

Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Road

$3.50

(Ml-05)

Cedar Creek Road to Charlevoix County

$3.50

(Ml-06)

Charlevoix County to Mackinac Bridge

MICHIGAN Huron-Manistee N.F.: North Segment

$8.00

(T401)

Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road

$6.50

(T402)

Huron-Manistee N.E: South Segment

$3.50

(Ml-07)

$8.00

(T403)

Curley Lewis to Grand Marais

$3.50

(Ml-09)

Grand Marais to Au Train Lake

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

$3.50

(Ml-10)

Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls

$3.50

(Ml-11)

Alberta to Cascade Falls (Ml-13)

$3.50

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 Legend North Country Trail

(Certifiedr

North Country Trail (Not Certified) =a

ci::.

c:.

•iacaaiaa

Temporary Selected

A N

Connector Other Trail

---- --~-

-. ·_-- .. -WM! __ , ', ••.':-,s..::"::;;;:.:-r-

(ND-SE)

kt UTMGridand2002 MagnetjcNorth Dedinatian O'll!Jllfllisapprnximate

Potable Water

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

(T201)

$3.50

PENNSYLVANIA McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks Allegheny National Forest North Section

(PA-01)

Bowne Township

new maps come in a dear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy. Each map unfolds to a full n" x 17".

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT

PENNSYLVANIA NCT in Pennsylvania, 37 pages (M201) ............•......•.................•............

$6.00

OHIO Wayne National Forest, 14 pages (M301) .......•... .'.' $3.00 From Burr Oak State Park to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages (M3032) $14.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages (M304A) ......•......................................... $7.00 Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 30 pages (M305A) .........................•...................... $5.00

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 81 pages $12.50

(M401)

NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages (M402) ••.............•.......•.................••..•..

$13.00

STATE PATCHES 2.00 ea.

VOLUNTEER PATCHES 2.00 ea.

New York : Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Wisconsin

(P126)

Minnesota

(P131)

North Dakota

(P132)

(P127) (P128) (P129) (P130)

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.F., Brule River S.F., 27 pages (M501A) ....•..•......•.......•.............•....•...... $4.50 MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24 pages (M601) .•...•............................................ $4.00

NORTH DAKOTA NCT in North Dakota 15 pages (M701) ..........•.......................................

$5.00

NCT PATCH Patch of Trail Emblem 3V2 " bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (Pl25) $3.50

MEDALLIONS AND PINS Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick. A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 8. Brass (P104) $4.00 C. The Trail Emblem doisonne pin is 7,la" and features the updated North Country . triangle design. (P.102) ••••••••••••••••••••• $3.00

MICHIGAN MAP SETS ByArden Johmon 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 geperal information about access points, terrain, markers, camping and water, etc. "\~:.:

Ohio State Line at Waldron to Augusta (M41.1A)

$4.00

Augusta re Rogue River State Game Area (M412A)·

$4.00

•

Rogue River State Game Area to M-115 West of Mesick

$4.00

(M413A)

M-115 West of Mesick West of U.S.

(M414A) .....•.

M-32

$4.00

\..

M-32 West ofb.S. 131 to Mackinaw City . (M415A)

$4.00

;"-

St. Ignace to SE Marquette . (M416A)

Marquette .

(M,417A)

$4.00

to I~~mwood :1

The North Star

October-December2003

Fall Scene on denim blue (C.104) S, M, L, XL: $10.95, XXL: $11.95

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

by Olive Anderson

PICl'UREO ROCKS NATIONAL LAKE!SHORE

A. GUIDE

An illustrated guide to the centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a rugged, beautiful, and unique coast on the Lake Superior Shore. 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

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

Take a Hike

Great Wisconsin Walks

by Rich and Sue Freeman

by Wm. Chad McGrath

Explore the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley with ease and convenience. 51 walks are completely described. 264 pages (L119) $16.95

Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Includes walks in the woods and in the cities. 160 pages (L116) $16.95

"····---·-···-·""'''"''''-"'-····- ·~·-··

Peak Experiences

by Gary Pallesen A guide to the highest points in every New York county. Includes maps, directions to trailheads, and some alternate routes. 288 pages (L120) $16.95

Upsmackln' Backpackln'

by Tim and Christine Connors Dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheesecakein the backcountry instead of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky. 232 pages (L118) $15.95 Hiking with Kids

by Robin Tawney 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

Porcupine Mountains

by Jim DuFresne Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls. 160 pages (L108) $11.95 Trall Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R. Hansen This third edition has descriptions and maps for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and · nature trails in Michigan. 789 pages (L102A) $34.95

Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking. This answers any questions and gives valu- able tips. 70 pages (L123) $6.95

www.northcountrytrail.org

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then what to do to protect a victim. 252 pages (L125) $6.00 Great Minnesota Walks

by Wm. Chad McGrath

-""'

FIRiAID •rA.WIU'....,::oDICY

SUPPORT GROUP 1'UlfllHCI QUfDt

[iijjijji ~

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 Tralls

by Kathleen Ann Cordes History; the present condition, points of interest, and other details for each of the eight national scenic trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail. 306 pages (L122) $19.95 Edlble Wiid Plants

The Country Doctor, Allve 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 (L115) $19.95 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 James 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 BJue Blazes

by Robert J Pond 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 October-December

2003

*The North Star 33

ORDERTOLL FREE! 1-888-454-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

•ad M•l•tet1ua, M.1••"1

Trall Bulldl~~

-· ~ " ~. -'"""'-""-/*'""

www.northcountrytrail.org

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

...

'""

North Country Tran Chlp~w• Nll'llon•I Fort1st MinnHOtll by~~

$12.95 MEMBERSHIP

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34 The North Star

*October-December

2003

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The Work of the NPS Office, Part IV:

Encouraging, SupportingLand Acquisitionby Partners

he most essential element of a National Scenic Trail (NST), or any trail for that matter, is a place-some ground-to put it. The obvious first choice for a trail location is land already in public ownership. Accordingly, the NCNST was routed to utilize as much existing public land as possible. Part of the original concept of the trail was to connect the national forests in the northern tier of states. Between the federal, state, and locally owned forests and parkland lie over 2,000 miles of privately owned lands that the trail needs to cross. The National Trails System Act (section 7(e)) directs the Secretary of the Interior to encourage states or local governments to (1) enter into agreements with landowners to provide the necessary right-of-way for the trail, or (2) acquire lands needed for the trail. The Act does not offer any specifics as to how the Secretary should do this. Over the years, the NPS has encouraged the states to take active roles in establishing segments of the NCNST through periodic meetings and various communications. States have generally been very cooperative in establishing or allowing volunteers to establish the trail within existing forests and parklands. However, they have made few efforts to secure lands for the trail outside of existing ownerships. With limited resources and many other needs, states have seen little incentive to direct those resources to the NCT. Some communities have embraced the trail and made it part of their local park development plans or entered into agreements with landowners to let the trail cross their properties. For example, the village of Mellen, Wisconsin, and its citizens worked with private landowners to allow the trail to cross their properties to connect village parks with Copper Falls State Park two miles out of town.

'~?[]@@CK] FROM In federal fiscal year 2000, Congress appropriated $500,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the NPS for acquisition of lands for the trail in Wisconsin with the stipulation that the funds be granted to the state on a 50-50 matching basis. This has been a wonderful incentive that has resulted in the Wisconsin DNR actively acquiring lands for the trail. It has worked well because Wisconsin has a well-funded land acquisition program named after two governorswho were outstanding conservationists-the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Fund. Up to $3 million is earmarked each year for trail projects and it is these funds that match the federal dollars. In fiscal year 2001, through the efforts of NCTA and other partners, we received increased operating funds and we used some of that money to hire Ken Howell to be our Land Protection Coordinator so that we could more effectively encourage and support states and other partners in acquiring lands, particularly in Wisconsin. He, along with NCTA Trail Foreman Bill Menke and members of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter, has been able to assist Dick Steffes and Doug Haag in the Wisconsin DNR's central office and Steve Bade in their Northern Region in successfully acquiring some excellent parcels of land for the trail. In Wisconsin, at least, we have been successful in encouraging the state to secure the lands needed for the trail. About half of the appropriated money has been used at this point.

Purchase of lands with money is the only way that significant progress will be made in securing the lands needed to complete the trail.

In other states, we have not been as successful.We have not had the financial incentives to offer, as is the case in Wisconsin. However, the ever-alert-tosee-an-opportunity-and-persistentlypursue-it dynamic duo of the Central New York Chapter-Mary KunzlerLarmann and Al Larmann-were instrumental in getting New York State Parks to purchase a key piece of property that made the trail route practical and secured a permit to develop the stateowned abandoned railroad right-of way for the trail. So, there have been a few successes in the area of state and local government action to secure lands for the trail. But at this rate, completing the trail could take centuries! The Act foresawand provided for this possibility. It says if state and local governments do not secure the lands needed for the trail, then the NPS (acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior) shall (1) enter into agreements with landowners or (2) acquire the lands for the trail. We have entered into agreements with a few private landowners who wanted the legal protections of being a Volunteer-in-the-Park for doing so. Those opportunities were created by trail volunteers who made the contacts with the landowner and persuaded them that helping to create the nation's longest hiking trail by letting it cross their land was a great gift they could give to their fellow citizens who love walking in the outdoors. Purchase of lands with money is the only way that significant progress will be made in securing the lands needed to complete the trail. But that is where Congress cut the NCNST off at the knees. The Act authorizes acquisition of lands for the trail but then turns around and prohibits Federal agenciesfrom spending money to do so. Not too many landowners have lined up to sign over their lands to us for free! The Willing Seller Bill passed by the Senate and waiting to be considered in the House of Representativeswould largely restore the acquisition option to the NPS. We optimistically look forward to the time when we can report to you that one of the things the NPS staff does is buy lands for the trail.

· 0~;~b~-;~i:)~~~~b~;·~~~~-···rh"~-N~rth.st~~·35

North Country Trail Association Trail Councils

LEGEND •ASSOCIATION• North Dakota

* Minnesota * Wisconsin * Michigan

Ohio *Pennsylvania*

New York

229 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 Ph. (888) 454-NCTA, Fx. (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org

Partners Not Yet Adopted

GREAT LAKES TRAIL COUNCIL NORTH DAKOTATRAIL COUNCIL 1. Lone Tree Chapter Eldon Ehrman · 2940 15th Ave., 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 · jbtroutts'tds.nec 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 Trail Assoc. (Partner) Gayle Coyer · P.O. Box 4, Two Harbors, MN 55616 . (218) 834-2700 · suphike@mr.net

Chalr:BobNorlin· PO Box 712, Iron River, WI 54847. (715) 372-5229 · rnorlin@ironriver.baysat.net Wisconsin Coordinator : Brad Gingras. P.O. Box 416, Cable, WI 54821-0416 · (715) 798-3890 · nctrail@cablemuseum.org Upper Michigan Coordinator:Doug Welker . 26344 Tauriainen Road, Pelkie, Ml 49958 · (906) 338-2680 · dwelker@up.net 8. Brule-St. Croix Chapter Charles (Chuck) Zosel · 6697 S. Degerman Rd., Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 · (715) 374-3489 · ezosel@presscenter.com 9. ChequamegonChapter Tana Turonie · P.O. Box 475, Mellen, WI 54546 · (715) 274-2521 . tjt@baysat.net 10. Heritage Chapter Jim Burow · 7067 Oakwood Circle, Neskoro, WI 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 Trail 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 13. Grand Marais Chapter Mikel Classen · P.O. Box 249, Grand Marais, MI 49839 . (906) 494-2458 14. Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter Kirt Stage-Harvey· 950 Huron St., St. Ignace, MI 49781 . (906) 643-6379 · stahar950@lighthouse.net

Chapters of the North Country Trail Association are like local trail clubs. They build and maintain trail, host hikes and other events, and work promote the trail and the Association in their areas. For information about local activities and volunteering, contact Chapter representatives. Partner organizations are independent groups · that are working to build and maintain certain sections of the trail.

OHIO TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Garry S. Dill Jr. · 4070 Tradersville-Brighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@scarband.net Trail Coordinator:Jim Sprague · 4406 Maplecrest, Parma, OH 44134 . (440) 884-4757 22. NW Ohio Rail-to-TrailsAssoc. (Partner) Gene Markley· P.O. Box 234, Delea, OH 43515 · (800) 951-4788 · norca@hocsheet.com 23. Buckeye Trail Association Garry Dill· 4070 Tradersville-Brighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@scarband.net 24. 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: Bob Tait· 380 West Park Rd., Portersville, PA 16051 · (724) 368-3709 · bobcaic@zbzboom.net 25. Wampum Chapter Paul Henry· 469 Superior St., Hermitage, PA 16148 · (724) 347-3282 . 26. Butler Chapter ' Ron Rice · 111 Ash Stop Rd., Evans City, PA 16033 · (724) 538-8475 · ricel@nauticom.net 27. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Michael Kaizar · 933 Norfolk Sc., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 · (412) 321-0842 · mike@greenmarketplace.com 28. Rock Chapter Bob McCaffercy · 141 South Main St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 · (724) 738-0060 · diggermccafferty@cs.com 29. Clarion Chapter Ed Scurry· 516 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323 · (814) 437-1168 · edsdc85@yahoo.com 30. American Youth Hostels-Pittsburgh Council Bob Roch · 80 Rose Leaf Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220 · (412) 279-6219 31. Allegheny National Forest Chapter Bert Nemcik · HC2 Box 62, Duhring Rd., Marienville, PA 16239 · (814) 927-8303 · bnemcik@csonline.net

LOWER MICHIGAN TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Arlen Matson · 1045 Draca Rd., Traverse City, MI 49684-8837 · (231) 941-4152 · as319@ccnet.org Trail Coordinator:Joan Young· 861 W. US-10, Scottville, Ml, 49454 · (231) 757-2205 · jhy@c-one.net 15. Harbor Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney · 2385 Manitou Trail, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-9597 · keeney@freeway.net 16. Tittabawassee Chapter Jerry Allen · 516 Bensch Rd., Alger, MI 48610 · (989) 345-2677 · cbwchapter@northcountrytrail.org 17. Grand Traverse Hiking Club (Chapter) John Heiam · 3947 Havenhill Lane, Williamsburg, MI 49690 · johnheiam@aol.com 18. Spirit of the Woods Chapter Richard Krieger· 410 Ransdell St., Manistee, MI 49660 · (231) 398-9193 · mdkrieger@jackpine.com 19. Western Michigan Chapter Werner Veit · 229 East Main St., Lowell, MI 49331 · (616) 897-5987 · wvl2@aol.com 20. Chief NoondayChapter Tom Garnett· 1715 Glendale Blvd., Kalamazoo, MI 49004 · (269) 382-2561 . garnem@crinity-healch.org 21. Baw Beese Chapter Richard Saur· P.O. Box 673, Hillsdale, MI 49242 · (517) 437-5033

NEW YORK TRAIL COUNCIL Chair and Trail Coordinator:Howard Beye . 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester, NY 14609 · (585) 288-7191 · flcc@fronriernet.net 32. Finger Lakes Trail Conference Irene Szabo · 6939 Creek Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510-9638 · (585) 658-4321 · treeweenie@aol.com 33. OnondagaChapter, ADK Mary Coffin · 328 Deepsrings Dr., Chittenango, NY 13037 · (315) 687-3589 · mccoffin72l@worldnec.acc.net 34. 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· tom_gilberc@nps.gov Fred Szarka, Trail Manager · fredrick_szarka@nps.gov Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist · ken_howell@nps.gov National Park Service 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610

State Grant Boosts Trail A~ NY Army National Guard helps with Central New York Chapter project Text and Photos By Al Larman Central New York Chapter

he Central New York Chapter receipt of a Recreational Trails Grant via the TEA21 program is a major advance-it was the only grant awarded in Madison County, N.Y., for 2003. The scope of the work planned for two state owned NCT segments of the former Lehigh Valley Railroad includes repair of badly deteriorated drainage systems, some reconstruction, selectivefencing replacement, barriers, and off-road parking provisions. Matching of the $15,450 grant is required for a total project value of $30,900. The groundwork began in early 2002 with the proposal submitted in November per the complex requirements set forth at the Federal level and administered by States by a designated agency, N.Y. Parks in our case. Evidence required included broadbased support at the local level, quantified information about needs and planned actions, conformance with all environmental constraints, and demonstrable public benefit. A major goal was the commitment from the Youth Conservation Corp to clear the drainage area. The New York State Army National Guard with their innovative "guardHELP" program had

agreed to provide engineering battalion support if their military training needs were compatible with the work to be done and if A major culvert washed out north of Cazenovia, N.Y., on the military obligations NCT. This John Deere 230LCR excavator prepared the ditch for a replacement. permitted, their estimated availability was 2004. For planning assessments, with mosquitoes in depth. The training they sent a team to inspect the sites in assignment was mutually advantageous mid-winter. It was a chilling experience so we may seek their aid again! for all! Drainage is a critical issue! Much The unexpected occurred with short of the former rail bed was carved from notice. Changes in overseas assignments 路 hillsides in 1870, with many culverts and other factors combined to permit the required, in one section on three levels. 204th Engineering Battalion to arrive When the tracks were removed in the in force in mid-August with an array late 1960s, many of the ties were thrown of heavy equipment. The Cazenovia into the drainage ditches. The resultant Central School Superintendent provided erosion of the rail-bed, compounded by needed billeting in a gym area and we illegal motorized recreation use in the met other logistical needs. Work and interim, causing major deterioration of training activities began on August 16 the surface. In some sections, the soil is and ended August 27. decidedly "spongy." Accomplishments included culCompletion time for the drainage vert installations and clearing, grading and related work for the two trail segfor drainage, and more. The training ments is this fall as a goal, followed by environment was realistic. Complete preparations for trail certification!

A standard Army constructed 24'' culvert, with sandbagged abutments, was bullt to drain major路wet area.

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The North Star *October-December

2003

emplacement excavator"- a backhoe with auxlllary features Including hydraulic Jackhammer and chain saw .

North Country Trail Association 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 $250

$500 or MORE' LeRoy Bliven Dave & Jan Cornell Garrett Dill "Davicf& Carol Bix~n Cecil & [oanne Dobbins Rich Harris ,·~.·~.j~ . ·:·• ..-.·~~-. John.,&; PatLeirie» · · · ' Bill & Donna Menke, Harmon Strong ' Irene Szabo Bob Tait Werner & Marianne Veit

$100

BUSINESSES,FOUNDATIONS & AGENCIES

$499

Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge Robert Norlin Linda O'bonnel Timothy O'Rourke .Bob & Annette Papp · Raymond & Elaine Papp 'Aaron & Sharon Phipps Joseph Raught Rolf Swanson Janette Sweasy Daryl Williamson Gaylord Yost

$2500 to $9999 Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation

$249

David & Jean Adams Alan & Lou Adsmond Pat Allen & Mark Miller John & Edith Maynard Allen Jerry & Connie Pausits-Allen Kirsten Anderson Daniel & Constance Arnold Francis Azur Frank Balla Michael Bard Len & JoAnne Baron Jason Beam Richard Beil & Dana Burkley Lewis & Mary Bender Howard Beye Steven Biskie Bert Bleke Derek & Margaret Blount Frank Blumenthal Richard Boettner Patrick Bradley Ren & Carol Brander Terry & Diane Brant Sally Brebner Brian & Barb Buchanan William Buell James Byrne John Campa Michael Cannella Berh Carrington Frances & Steve Cheyne Pearl Compann Eugene Conte Dan Converse John Conway William Davis Dale DeGirolamo Claire Dedow Patrick Delaney John Diephouse William Dixon . Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Kobylinski Dixon Dennis Donathen Cathy Drexler Terry Duncan • Ka.tMeen Eisele ' William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas John Fenner . JeffFlemm.g ·' '.._ Richard Flinn Don g1yckt ' Sue Funk Wood Kidner . John Gall Tom Garnett .. Tom &Janis Gilbert Marc Gilbert George Girod • Daniel Gold Donald Gore

Jim Gratz Paul & Julie Nieding Haan Anthony Haga William Hamilton Chuck Hayden Shelby Haynes Paul & Jerry Henry Denise Herron Bobbie Hineline Carolyn Hoffman Tom Hord Keith & Katherine Horngren Larry Huston Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek John Kallman Hans Kappus L Bill Kick Brooks & Margie Kindel Stephen Kobylarz Deborah Kohn John Koschik Ronald Kulak Robert LaFrenierre Kurt Landauer Christopher & Margo Light John & Marianne Ludwick William Lynch George & Patricia Maas Susan Mabee Angus MacDonald Rod MacRae James Mackey Cynthia Maczuga Guyet & Kimberly McCracken Ted Mellby Roger & Glory Meyer John & Diana Meyer Pat & Kathleen Miller Laura Miller Mark Mistrik John Norlund Michael & Virginia O'Keefe Martin O'Toole Eugene Ollila Derrick Passe Harold Petrimoulx Stephen Peura Richard & Kaye Pfeiffer· Thomas Pflueger Edith Phillips Thomas & Diane 'Piguet Thoma's Prieto Scott Radtke William & Avis Rambo P S Reichelderfer William Richmond Dan Rogalla Michael /'( Erica SanDretto Edward Scanlan Mike Schaeffer & Debby Page

Merl & Pat Schlaack Michael Schuler Richard Schwaab Mike Schwemin Richard Seabold Stephen Selden Robin Sheard Joseph Smith James Sprague Kevin Staunton Carol Stetter Harmon Strong David Swanson Betty Tableman John & Mary Lou Tanton David Tartan William Thomas Jerry & Beth Trout Donna Tuttle RogerTuuk Betty Van der Smissen Gail VanHaren Jeffrey & Nancy Van Winkle John & Diane VanderVeen Michael & Diane Veen Doug Welker Gary Werner F T Weyerhaeuser Michael & Carol Weymier Neil Whitbeck Donald Wickscra Kevin, Robin, Kate & Morgan Wilson Rodger & Denise Wolf Gary Wright David Young

$1000 to $2,499 ESRI (Environmental Systems Res Universal Forest Prod

Institute)

$250 to $999 Callanan Industries, Albany,NY 12212 Eastern Mountain Sports, Erie, PA 16565 General Motors Foundation, Princeton, NJ 08543 National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, MI 49684 Newaygo Engineering, White Cloud, MI 49349 Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation, Somers, NY 10589 "striders, Inc., Grandville, MI 49418 T & C Markets, lnc.,·'f\1a"~uette,;Ml 49855 Wells Fargo Bank Ml, Marquette, Mr:.4~855

$150 to $249 Adirondack Mountain Club Onondaga Chapter - Dewitt, NY l 32l 4

Bill Prall Touring Gear Harbor Springs, Ml 49740 · 231-526,

Butler Outdoor Club Butler, PA 16003

Dental Associates of Marquette Marquette, MI 49855 · 231-395-3780

ESsential CommunicationsHayward, Wl 54842 · 715-934•233.8

tee's Sports and Spo.rtswear Portage, MI 49002 · 269-381-7700

Mead Westvaco Dayton, OH 45463 •,

•'

Postai COtlnections Low.ell\

MI 49331 .·616-897-2650 Track 'n Trail

Rockford, M149341·616-866-7346

*Includes cumulative gifts, membership contributions and grants received between September I, 2002 and August 31, 2003.

October-December

2003

*The North Star 39

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

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

Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340