North Star Vol. 29, No. 1 (2010)

January-March, 2010

The magazine of the North Country Trail Association

Volume 29, No. 1

north star

This may be the “spring” issue but most of us haven't escaped winter yet!

See What Made Our Members Proud in 2009: State of the Trail Catch up with the NCTA Board and Staff Rescue Fun? Visit Our Northernmost States in January

Element for Any Business Including Development Dollars: AtheNecessary North Country Trail Association

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e’ve all heard it said that money is the root of all evil.

Unfortunately we need money to do BOBBY KOEPPLIN anything, especially President when our organization is spread out over seven states, building and maintaining trail, doing advocacy, branding, development, marketing, outreach, promoting, providing member/partner support and more…

I know many of you give countless hours of time, equipment or financial resources to make a difference at your respective Chapter or Partner levels, for which NCTA’s Board of Directors is deeply grateful.

We received a wonderful Christmas present this year.

I am proud to learn that one of the NCTA’s stalwart supporters, the late Harmon Strong, willed a gift of over $18,000 in cash to continue his trail legacy in supporting the NCTA. Harmon hailed from New York and was known by many for his numerous contributions of time, talent and financial generosity. But perhaps he was known best for his love of the trail and the folks who made a difference in building the trail. By looking ahead, Harmon ensured through his will that his several favorite organizations shared in the proceeds from the sale of his property. Has each of us remembered the North Country Trail in our wills?

It also brings me great pleasure to announce that all members of our Board of Directors contributed to the 2009 Annual Appeal. Thanks also to the 225 members who chose to do likewise and assisted us in raising $17,534.

The Board of Directors is in the process of updating our strategic plan under the leadership of First Vice President, Dr. Larry Hawkins. We are planning for an extended Board meeting in May in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to update,

TRAIL HEAD

prioritize and create a working plan as to how we intend to grow the NCTA over the next several years.

A key responsibility for the Board of Directors in nonprofit organizations is that of DEVELOPMENT (raising money). The BOD realizes that we cannot sustain and grow our organization simply on membership income and baseline funding from our NPS partner. The next staff position the Board expects to fill (mid 2010) is a Director of Development to help the Board raise money from private and public sector sources. We are planning a development workshop in May to help educate the Board on all aspects of a successful development program. Grants, corporate sponsorships and individual gifts and bequests (such as Harmon Strong’s) will all be part of the fund raising mix.

We need to learn to ask the right people and organizations to further our cause. Private donations are the biggest source of giving nationally and most successful development efforts focus on personal relationships, which take time and effort to create and fully develop.

So in the interim, on behalf of the NCTA Board, I would ask that you continue your membership, and consider starting or maintaining a membership in the Founders Circle at the Trail Blazer ($1,000) or Trail Builder ($500 to $999) for a period of 5 years or more, and to give during the 2010 Membership Appeal.

In 2009 Founders Circle had 23 members (goal of 46) contributing a total of $18,109.58. Founders Circle was created in 2008, when we had 24 parties contribute a total of $17,020.44.

Please join my family and me in making a difference by giving financial assistance to grow our beloved North Country Trail. (Your contributions are tax deductible if you are able to itemize on your tax return). Thank you and may you all have a most blessed and rewarding 2010. Look forward to hearing from you ( bkoepplin@kwh.com) or seeing you on the Trail!

Come Visit Us! The Lowell office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 (866) HikeNCT • (616) 897-5987 • Fax (616) 897-6605

The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.

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

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Hike with Bill Menke at 2010 Conference!

Bill Menke

Staff

Andrew Bashaw,

Regional Trail Coordinator Ohio/Pennsylvania andrewbashaw@northcountrytrail.org

Jill DeCator,

Administrative Assistant/Membership Coordinator jdecator@northcountrytrail.org

Matt Davis,

Regional Trail Coordinator Minnesota/North Dakota davis@northcountrytrail.org

Andrea Ketchmark, Director of Trail Development

aketchmark@northcountrytrail.org

Laura Lindstrom,

Office Manager/Financial Administrator llindstrom@northcountrytrail.org

Join Bill Menke, pictured above, on the Brule Bog Boardwalk when you visit northern Wisconsin this coming August...without the snow!

Bruce Matthews, Executive Director

bmatthews@northcountrytrail.org

Bill Menke,

Regional Trail Coordinator Wisconsin/Michigan UP bill_menke@partner.nps.gov

Matt Rowbotham,

GIS/IT/Communications

mattrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2010

Larry Hawkins, First VP, Lower Michigan Rep., (269)945-5398 · hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com

Terms Expiring 2011 Lyle Bialk, Lower Michigan Rep., (810) 679-2401 · lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Rep., (315) 687-3589 · mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com

Dave Cornell, Immediate Past President, At Large Rep., (239) 561-6512 · onestep@mei.net

Garry Dill, At Large Rep.,

(614) 451-0223 · then321elm@yahoo.com

John Heiam, At Large Rep.,

(231) 938-9655 · johnheiam@charter.net

Lorana Jinkerson, Secretary, At Large Rep., (906) 226-6210 · ljinkers@nmu.edu

Terms Expiring 2012 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep.,

Articles

Columns

Thank You, NCTA Donors!.........5 New York's Lynda Rummel Joins Board of Directors........................6 Pennsylvania's Photography Contest....................7 2009 State of the Trail..................8 The Other Half: Facing Winter on the NCT........14 Register Tidbits...........................29 Favorite Places.............................30 Winter Wedding on the Trail!....31 Rescue Fun?................................32 Injury Reporting Kits for All......32 Hiawatha Shore to Shore Winter Trails Day.......................33 Board of Directors Initiates Strategic Planning Effort............34 Bring on the Bridge! 2010...........35 Tour de NCT continues in PA....35

Trailhead.......................................2 Matthews’ Meanders.....................4 Going for the Gold.....................18

Departments

Who's Who Along the Trail.......20

About the Cover Frozen Munising Falls near Munising, Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our trail crosses just above the falls.

Photo by John Heiam.

(724) 526-5407 · joyceappel@windstream.net

Jack Cohen, Pennsylvania Rep.,

(724) 234-5398 · JCohen@zoominternet.net

Bobby Koepplin, President, North Dakota Rep., (701) 845-2935 · bkoepplin@kwh.com

Tom Moberg, Minnesota Rep., (701) 271-6769 · tfmoberg@gmail.com

Brian Pavek, Minnesota Rep.,

(763) 425-4195 · stn@northcountrail.org

Lynda Rummel, New York Rep.,

(315) 536-9484 · ljrassoc@roadrunner.com

Gaylord Yost, VP West, Great Lakes Rep.,

North Star Staff

Irene Szabo, Volunteer Editor, (585) 658-4321 or treeweenie@aol.com Peggy Falk, Graphic Design The North Star, Spring issue, Vol. 29, Issue 1, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly 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.

(414) 354-8987 · gaylyost@aol.com

www.northcountrytrail.org

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The North Star 3

MATTHEWS’

MEANDERS BRUCE MATTHEWS Executive Director

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wo thousand and nine was a good year for NCTA. Elsewhere in this issue you’ll read about our chapter and affiliate accomplishments. You’ll also read about the board’s strategic planning effort, now well underway under the leadership of first V-P Larry Hawkins. We’re preparing for our annual visit to Washington, DC to “Hike the Hill” and convince Congress we’re worth continued funding. Here are some highlights we’ll be sharing with your representatives about what you’ve accomplished in 2009.

NCTA is sporting a new look—with a brand and logo emphasizing “your adventure starts nearby,” and our unique connection to America’s northern heartlands, serving our rugged red plaid nation.

A new NCTA website is spearheading much expanded social networking on all things North Country Trail.

More volunteers contributed more hours to the Trail than ever. Volunteer hours rose a whopping 22% over 2008!

Their efforts are valued at $1.214 million. And if you like more numbers that’s $3.64 returned on every dollar invested by the National Park Service.

Member giving rose 26% in 2009.

NCTA’s revenues exceeded projections again, and expenses came in $500 less than budgeted, enabling the association to enter 2010 with a surplus of $64,000.

70 year-old “Eb” Eberhart, aka “Nimblewill Nomad,” completed the North Country Trail in less than ten months, becoming the 8th ever to hike the entire length.

Senator Carl Levin (Mich., D) attended two National Trails Day ’09 events in northern Michigan.

Volunteer Adventures hosted six projects attended by 69 volunteers!

The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter hosted an outstanding annual conference in North Dakota, where 154 NCTAer’s experienced prairie hiking on a big sky scale.

d an hl s A

Premier hiking segments of the North Country Trail are now being highlighted on the NCTA website.

Major media coverage included Wisconsin and MN Public TV as well as local features following Nimblewill Nomad.

Two new NCTA chapters were formed—The Arrowhead Chapter in northern Minnesota and in the western most U. P. of Michigan there is now the Ni-Miikanaake Chapter—Ojibwa for “I make a trail.”

The “Golden Aspen Spike” was driven by the Itasca Moraine Chapter, capping an eight-year effort to close the 40 mile gap between the Chippewa National Forest and Itasca State Park.

Grand Traverse Hiking Club chapter completed their Hodenpyl-Manistee River Re-route, a two-year, 15.5 mile labor of vision and love.

Urban NCNST signs were installed in Mellen and Solon Springs, WI, and Lowell, MI. A new partnership Memorandum of Understanding was consummated between the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the NCTA, heralding a new era of cooperation in managing the 400-plus miles of premier shared trail tread in New York’s southern tier.

Central New York Chapter’s Al Larmann received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.

North Country Trail Hikers Chapter’s Lorana Jinkerson wrote and published Nettie does the NCT, the first children’s book about the trail.

But then there’s membership growth. Or, more to the point, there isn’t.

Yes, we’re down about 300 members from where we were a year ago in spite of all these successes. The NCTA cannot sustain its efforts, not to mention grow them, if we cannot grow our membership. Expect to see a major effort underway soon, including a member-get-a-member campaign, to help address this challenge.

We’ve got a great story to tell, and a solid and strong cadre of members to tell it. More than half of NCTA’s members have belonged to NCTA for 6-plus years! And based on past experience more than 80% of NCTA’s membership will renew this year. We need to enlarge this base of support, and we’ll need every member to help do it. Stay tuned!

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8

Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

Yes, our resort hotel is right on the shore of Lake Superior, where we’ll have a bonfire one night.

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Thank You, 2009 NCTA Donors!

Thank you for responding to NCTA's Annual Appeal!

Pat Allen & Mark Miller Philip Anderson Joyce Appel Dr’s Arnold Arnold Steve Bade Ken Ballema Len & JoAnne Baron Don & Kathy Bashaw Gene & Liz Bavis Donald Beattie Thom & Mary Lou Belasky Dawn Bennett Betty Benson Lyle Bialk Carol Blair Thelma Boeder Richard & May Bohjanen Sally Brebner Bonnie Breed Doug & Kathy Brehm Belinda Brewster Jeff Briner & Family Jim Bronson Keith & Dorothy Brown Bob & Ruth Brown Jason Buckner Robert Burris Donald Bussies Kay Caskey Stephen Catherman David Chalk Bill & Mary Coffin Jack Cohen Butler County Tourism Donald Collins Robert Cooley Dave & Jan Cornell Harold Cotant Bill & Anne Courtois Larry Cross Bill & Beva Dahnke Carl Daiker William Daines Rodney Dale Matthew Davis Darl & Jill DeCator Robert Decker Roland Derksen Mike & Linda Dibble John Diephouse Garry Dill Lou & Jewel DiOrio Cecil & Joanne Dobbins Roy Dray Michael Dundas Scott & Terri Edick Donald Edwards Kathy Eisele

www.northcountrytrail.org

Gene Elzinga Maureen Engle Richard Engstrom Alan Fark John & Patricia Fey Jeff Fleming John & Marge Forslin Teri Foust Claudia Fry William Gambert Tom Garnett Louis Geeraerts William & Joanne Gerke Tom & Janis Gilbert James Gilkey Anita Gilleo Donald Godfrey James Gregoire George Haberer Chris & Helen Haller Marshall Hamilton Gordon Hamilton Mary Hamilton Dan Hamilton Dennis Hansen Mick Hawkins Larry Hawkins John Heiam & Lois Goldstein Ellen Heneghan Alicia & Chris Hoffarth Dan Hornbogen Byron & Margaret Hutchins Grace & Ronald Hutchinson Barbara & Charles Todd Isom Lorana Jinkerson Harvey Johnson Martha Jones Lois Judd Thomas Kaiser Lou & Sandy Kasischke David Kauppi Robert Kazar Arnold Kepple Andrea Ketchmark Verlyn & Dorothy Kicker Kristine Kipka Eric Kirchner Peter & Paula Klima Bobby & Deborah Koepplin David Kubicek Ronald Kulak Bob La Fleur Harold LaFleur Nicholas & Debra Lam Kurt Landauer Michael Landry Harold Lane Al & Mary Larmann

Phil & Penny Larsen Gayle Larson Edward & Catherine Lawrence Robert Lazar John & Pat Leinen Laura Leso & Family Mary Letts Christopher & Margo Light Dick Lightcap Jan Lindstrom Phil & Laura Lindstrom Nelson Lytle Mary Madden Hugh Makens Linda Masser-Williams Jim & Norma Matteson Duane & Beverly Mattheis Bruce Matthews Lucy McCabe Maureen McCarthy Jean McLean Robert & Pat McNamara Bill & Donna Menke Eeva & Bob Miller Tom & Mary Moberg Edward Moellering Jean-Pierre Moreau Kathryn Morrison Roger Morrison Larry & Sophia Morton Dan & Peggy Mourer Dick Naperala Thao Nguyen Charles Otis Ralph & Ethel Otten Brian Parks Brian & Barb Pavek Patty & Bill Peek Lew & Kathy Peters William Peterson Thomas Pitchford Patricia Rathmann Ken & Kay Reader John Regenhardt Daniel Rehner Brian Roberts Dan Rogalla Donald Routh Robert & Grace Rudd Gregory Russo Randy Ryan Tom Salwasser Larry Sampson Philip & Elizabeth Samuels Merl & Pat Schlaack John Schroeder George Schubert JJH Schwarz

Leann Scott Jeffrey Seiple Mary Ann Sheets-Hanson Mary & Carl Shroeder Edward Sidote William Slauson Martyn Smith Ronald & Amy Snyder Ted & Alice Soldan Ron Sootsman Leslie & Bonnie Spitz James Sprague Robert Steeneck Wayne & Nancy Steger Neil Steinbring Ellen Stephenson Carole Stevens Mark & Tiffany Stram Kathryn Strom Craig & Tanna Swaggert Ray & Marvel Swanson Irene Szabo Douglas Szper Jay Taylor John Teitsch Stella Thelen Charles Thompson Turkey’s Café Jerry Valka John & Ayleen VanBeynen Theresa Vanveelen Jeff & Nancy VanWinkle Werner & Marianne Veit John Vose Judith Waddington Linda Walma Jim Weiske Doug & Marjory Welker Jacqui Wensich Gary Werner Scott & Julie Wilhelmsen Michael Wilkey Larry Willis Daniel Willshire Gene Wimmer Marjorie Wright Ronald Wurst Jeffrey Yoest Gaylord Yost John Young William Young George Zacharek Charlene Zebley Mary Zuk Domanski

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New York’s Lynda Rummel Appointed to Board of Directors

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he bylaws of the “Archeology for Trail North Country Trail Builders”), to prepare Association permit a variable her to lead trail worker number of seats on its board, sessions and handle NCT certification paperwork so with no new NY candifor the FLT. At the same date after Al Larmann had time, she was working on served the maximum number yet another trail, the Keuka of years allowed, the board Outlet Trail, which follows searched for an additional far along a canal towpath/ eastern representative to join rail bed within a stream Mary Coffin. gorge near her home.

NCTA is pleased, and Lynda served as newsletter the Board of the Finger editor/writer, grant writer, Lakes Trail Conference outhouse cleaner, and enthusiastically agrees, to president of the land trust learn that Lynda Rummel that owns and manages this has agreed to serve, trail for many years. For her especially considering how work on the Keuka Outlet many trail hats she already Trail and the Finger Lakes wears. For some years now Trail, Lynda was named she has been busy along the Lynda has taken the big plunge and accepted a seat on the “2007 Conservationist Finger Lakes Trail tending NCTA board. Photo Irene Szabo of the Year” by the Yates her own section west of County Federation of Sportsmen.

Watkins Glen, managing sixty miles worth of other trail In recent years she has chaired the NCTA Field Grant caretakers, and planning and conducting several MAJOR Committee, which reviews chapter applications then meets trail improvement projects. Her projects have included by phone to discuss their merits. Naturally when the Finger relocating five miles of trail across both state forests and Lakes Trail Conference was left with a major administrative private lands (getting the NCT off horse/snowmobile void upon the death of Howard Beye over a year ago, Lynda trails and leading to one Trail Easement), securing funding was a logical choice to handle one of the four new jobs for and laying out another relocation (11 switchback legs) created to handle what he did, so she is now also Director that got the trail onto its own single-use track, and writing of Trail Quality and in that role creates a newsletter for trail and overseeing a federal Recreational Trails Program trail workers, too! relocation/rebuilding grant (leading to two Trail Easements).

The Board is happy that one with such breadth Her work earned her the FLTC’s highest award (the Wally of experience has chosen to add this job to her list of Wood) and the NCTA’s Trail Builder of the Year in 2007. responsibilities. Moreover, while it’s not a skill she should The more she undertook after an early retirement, the find many opportunities to use during Board meetings, more she got into. She assisted with GPS’ing segments of Lynda wants us to know she is most proud to be a certified the NCT and attended several trail building workshops chain sawyer. (including NPS “Gold Star” certification training and

NORTH STAR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

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ithout your material, we cannot have a magazine, so we eagerly request your submission of pictures and text for every issue. Please send both to my email address, treeweenie@aol.com, fax (585) 658-4438, or to this street address:

Irene Szabo 6939 Creek Rd., Mt. Morris NY 14510

Because the capabilities of both my ancient self and my computer limit what I can handle, please PLEASE do not send documents that end with .docx, but only .doc, or I’ll just have to ask you to re-send. Please don’t embed pictures within your article, but send them separately as .jpg attachments. Do not send your North Star submissions to the NCTA office, because they will just have to forward them to me, and it HAS happened that precious articles have thus been lost in the shuffle.

Next deadline for Vol. 29, Issue 2, is April 9th.

Thank you!

—Your volunteer editor, Irene (585) 658-4321

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Second Place: Wood Sorrel by Brett Watson

First Place: Circle of Life by John Stehle

The 2009 Pennsylvania

Photography Contest: A fun and engaging way to promote the trail

M

Julie Elkins, PA Communications Coordinator

y motivation for holding a photography contest may have been slightly underhanded; I desperately needed pictures of the trail to use in promotional materials. I also love photography, and from meeting with chapter members across PA, I learned that many other NCT enthusiasts enjoy taking pictures as they hike along the trail, or as a way to document their hard work. Thus, as a way to engage chapter members, collect photos for promotions, and do something fresh and fun for the holiday season, I started a small, internal photography contest for Pennsylvania members of the NCTA. The rules were simple: send in up to 25 pictures taken along the trail in PA. The pictures did not have to be new, or www.northcountrytrail.org

Third Place: by Tammy Veloski

taken within a certain time period. (Remember, I needed stock photos!) The fee for each submission was $0.00. The winner received exactly one-half of the proceeds I collected from the entry fees (in cash!). Additionally, the top three pictures earned a

Continued on page 19

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Central New York Chapter NEW YORK -

—Kathryn G Woodruff, President 8 The North Star

January-March 10

State of the DEC Forester, Richard Pancoe

Trail Accomplishments: • The long-sought junction of the NCNST/ Finger Lakes Trail-Onondaga Branch and the Link Trail/ 2 NCNST makes it possible for the first time to hike the NCNST from the Pennsylvania state line to the outskirts of Rome, NY, approximately 450 miles!

• The 20+ mile NCNST/Link Trail in Madison County is now open from Cazenovia to Canastota, including a 6 mile segment which is in the final certification stage.

• Certified: The 6.2-mile BREIA Black River Canal Trail connecting Pixley Falls State Park and Boonville, just outside the Adirondack Park.

Trail Set-backs In mid-December, NY Parks announced that its assessment of the one-year “horse use pilot plan” imposed on a section of certified trail in 2008 concluded that no significant damage to the trail occurred. Simply stated, the horse group restricted its use of the trail; hence, the result. We will continue to monitor and document trail conditions.

“Happy” New Year—a week after NY Parks officially opened up a section of the NCNST to horse use, it issued a permit to a local snowmobile club to use that same section despite our expressed concerns about trail damage, hiker/crosscountry skier safety and the fact that doing so would cause that section's immediate de-certification. NY Parks asserts that multiple uses are compatible and is consistent with their agency's mission statement. We disagree and will pursue our options vigorously but intelligently at the local level.

Promotion/Communications: • Mary Kunzler-Larmann redesigned our brochure into a color, multi-map format. It's proved so popular that we're having difficulty keeping them in stock.

• VP Eileen Fairbrother redesigned our web site to include suggested full and half-day hikes, the best sections to cross-country ski and even links to hiker blogs complete with video, seasonal trail pictures, nature sightings. (www. cnyncta.org) • Volunteer Bettina Frisse has graced two of our kiosks with her wildflower and wildlife photos.

Moving Ahead: • November: the Boonville Village Board agreed to have a one+ mile, foot-travel trail along the Black River Canal carry the NCNST. Marking/certification will commence soon. This trail connects with a 10+ mile long NCNSTcarrying designated connector trail from Boonville to Forestport, just outside the Adirondack Park. The net result is 17.2 miles of continuous off-road hiking.

• Our trail stewards, led by Kathy Eisele, continue their valued contribution.

• Steve Kinne has helped address several needed trail enhancements and his "Strike Force" of accredited sawyers has been an integral part of keeping the trail clear.

Frequently violent Cheningo Creek has torn out every previous attempt at a conventional bridge, so we all hope these monster stones will provide a safe FLT crossing henceforth.

Finger Lakes Trail Conference NEW YORK - Thanks to NCTA Field Grants,

Volunteer Adventure funding and Challenge Cost Shares from the National Park Service, two segments of the NCNST in New York's Southern Tier were improved 2 significantly this past summer, a stretch near Syracuse (central NY) was rehabilitated, stepping stones were placed across a problem creek, and 20 volunteers were certified or recertified as chain sawyers.

• First, a work party organized by Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC) volunteer Dave Potzler built and placed puncheon over a persistently wet stretch of trail in Allegany State Park. Potzler reports that the repaired segment is once again one of the most popular in the park.

• Secondly, an FLTC "Alley Cat" crew (named for the main trail that runs from Allegany State Park to the Catskills), organized by FLTC volunteer project manager, Lynda Rummel, built new and rebuilt old trail on the steep side of Mt. Washington, near Hammondsport. The property's topography —a narrow ridge with steep ravines on each side—gave the crew no choice but to build what Bill Menke calls a zipper, 28 short switchback legs stacked one above the other, with steps at the turns. With the grades now reduced from 35-40% to 10%, this stretch of trail is now almost enjoyable!

• Third, a segment of the Onondaga Trail portion of the FLT/NCT south of Syracuse was greatly improved. Local labor was provided by FLTC volunteers Mary Coffin, Tony Rodriguez, and others from the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. This segment, in Morgan Hill

e Trail 2009

Allegheny National Forest Chapter PENNSYLVANIA - The

Lynda Rummel

State Forest, was both rebuilt and relocated to repair heavily used steep portions where people visit a beautiful waterfall.

• Fourth, at the suggestion of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)and with the help of their heavy equipment operators, large (2.5-3.5 feet in diameter!) stones were placed across Cheningo Creek, in Taylor Valley State Forest, forming a "bridge" of stepping stones that hikers can use to cross the creek in all but the highest waters. (A road bridge nearby can be used when the creek floods.)

• Lastly, through two chainsaw certification courses organized

by FLTC volunteer Marty Howden, twenty individuals were certified to use their chainsaws on the NCNST. Six of those trained put their skills to work right away by clearing dozens of trees that had been taken down by a "microburst" in Bush Hill State Forest (Cattaraugus County).

• Meanwhile, the Onondaga Trail continues to be extended toward its intended meeting with the CNY chapter’s trail.

—Lynda Rummel

—Julie Elkins

Clarion Chapter PENNSYLVANIA “Scurry Sticks” The Clarion Chapter has begun a fund raising project to supplement petty cash. The chapter is offering walking sticks made to order from trees indigenous to Pennsylvania. The branches were located along the North Country Trail as storm debris, timbering tree tops, or removals adjacent to the trail during trail maintenance. The sticks are available in maple, Clarion Chapter's Ed Scurry makes oak, elm, crab apple, his poles from a variety of woods birch, witch hazel, black gathered while clearing the trail, cherry, ironwood, and to raise funds for the chapter. sassafras, and come in lengths from 36 to 66 inches. Glossy or satin finishes are available, polyurethaned clear over natural wood. The cost is $25; however, there is an inventory of about twenty sticks of various lengths and types available for $20. Interested hikers can contact Ed Scurry at (814) 437-1168 or edsdc85@yahoo.com. The Clarion Chapter displays the sticks at promotional events.

Arnold Kepple

Finger Lakes Trail dog, Ajax, inspects a cairn built atop Mt. Washington (southeast of Hammondsport, NY). The Inukshuk's arms, at right angles, mark a 90-degree turn in the trail. ‘Inukshuk’ is the Inuit word for a cairn made out of stones that suggest the human figure. (‘Inuk’ means an individual Inuit.) Such figures used to dot the bare, treeless northern landscape. Inuit built them to show a route or mark a special spot; i.e., early trail signage! I built two on Mt. Washington: “Top of the Climb” Inukshuk, the one in the photo with Ajax, marks the high end of the rebuild/relocation, which coincides with the end of the steepest part of the hillside and signals a right angle turn in the trail, as well.

Allegheny National Forest Chapter in Pennsylvania is putting plans in motion to move a one-mile section of the trail off a dangerous stretch of road that lacks a sufficient shoulder.

According to chapter president Keith Klos, the project will move the trail “off the road and into the woods where it belongs.”

On December 26, 2009, Keith, five others, and Bear the dog ventured out to map the course for the re-route and mark the potential path with ribbons. This process works best during the winter, when it is easiest to see through the trees and visualize the new route. Once the snow clears, the ANF chapter will return to the prospective path along with representatives of the US Forest Service, who must approve the chapter’s plans.

Once the final path for the re-route is determined, the group will complete the re-routed portion of trail. Tentatively, the re-route project is scheduled for June 5, 2010, this year’s National Trails Day. The chapter hopes to recruit local Boy Scout troops to help with the project, but welcomes any and all volunteers interested in helping with the project. This re-route is something the chapter has been working towards for seven years, a project that, in 2010, will finally become a reality!

—Julie Elkins www.northcountrytrail.org

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Wampum Chapter PENNSYLVANIA - Holds Annual

Car shuttles were available at the 1 ½, 3 ½ and 4 ½ mile stops.

JoEllen Sokoloski, Joyce Abels and Tom Snarey staffed the registration and refreshment tables and placed directional signs, balloons and ribbons where needed. Ron Justi was in charge of parking and helped shuttle hikers to their cars. Terry Jones permitted us to use his property for registration and parking.

Special thanks go out to Wampum Police Officer Terry Bush who did an excellent job of directing traffic and protecting hikers on the road walk portion of the hike. And we thank Wampum Borough Council for their help and cooperation. Good fellowship and fine weather made for a great day on the NCT! Plans for next year’s hike are already underway and will include a newly opened 2-mile section of the NCT in the Darlington, PA area.

Community Fall Hike on October 18, 2009. Our hike began with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate a recently rerouted section of the NCT near Wampum, Pennsylvania, on land owned by the Gateway Commerce Center. The reroute offers hikers several scenic views of the Beaver River Valley. With fall foliage in full color hikers were able to see the valley at its best.

At least sixty people attended the ribbon cutting. Chapter President Lee Fairbanks introduced Wampum Borough Mayor Jeff Steffler, Borough Councilman James Ferrante, and representatives from Gateway Commerce Center, co-owner Dan Bruce, Vice President and Chief of Operations Officer Tom Roth, and Office Manager Deborah Sudano, who cut the ribbon to officially open the Gateway Commerce Center reroute.

Then 39 hikers took off into the woods following Bob Cody, who is also one of Wampum’s two Trail Work Coordinators. The trail traversed land owned by Gateway Commerce Center, Inc., Mines and Meadows, Inc., State Game Lands # 148, and the Edwards Family. John Edwards served as Sweep and faithfully maintains his family’s section of the NCT. Wampum’s Gail Blakeley organized the event. Gail has always organized our hikes so, as usual, everything ran smoothly.

There were drawings for two NCT T-shirts. Snacks and hot beverages were served before the hike and at the 3 ½ mile stop.

—Bob Cody

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8 Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

...LOONS...

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Andrew Bashaw

G. Warren Smith

Wampum Chapter hike: isn't it amazing what potential disasters are revealed as leaves gradually depart the trees in autumn?

New Ohio boardwalk, Little Cities of the Forest Chapter project.

Debbie Zampini

Buckeye Chapter: Lesser mortals might have built a reroute around THIS monster fallen tree, but sawyer Rick Adamson cut a passage through.

Little Cities of the Forest Chapter OHIO - The Little Cities of the Forest

Chapter has been busy with multiple activities this year, including meetings and several hikes along our section of trail.

We’ve taught classes on trail development to students at Hocking College and have cooperated with the Buckeye Trail Association on work parties. We have done display presentations at various events throughout the year. We’ve completed GPS’ing approximately 40 miles of trail that include the loop around the lake at Burr Oak State Park as well as the Wildcat Hollow backpacking loop. The most significant chapter development this year is that we have obtained permission to construct a trail which will link these two backpacking systems together. The connector trail will include approximately seven hundred feet of boardwalk along a beautiful wetland area on the upper end of the lake at Burr Oak State Park, as well as a fifty-foot bridge crossing the east branch of Sunday Creek, the tributary of the lake. We have already started working on this project, and have involved a local Boy Scout troop in the effort, one of whom is helping to organize and complete construction of two hundred feet of the boardwalk as his Eagle Scout project.

—Travis Neely www.northcountrytrail.org

Buckeye Trail Association OHIO - As a result of an invitation

from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, we are in the process of moving the North Country Trail from back country roads in northwestern Ohio to the scenic, historic and safer Miami and Erie Canal towpath for about 100 miles. This canal and towpath has been abandoned for about 130 years, along with its hidden locks buried in the now wooded towpath that is being uncovered, including mile posts from the 1800’s. Over the past four years the Buckeye Trail Association has been very successful in this mammoth project moving about 30 miles of trail to the canal towpath with approximately another 70 miles to go. Although there have been many problems, nearly all of them have been resolved with assistance from the ODNR and other local government agencies as well as private land owners.

There are usually about 10 to 15 work parties a year throughout Ohio with a few of them 4-5 days long while some are maintenance weekends. Two of the longer work projects are set aside for constructing new off-road trail along this abandoned canal corridor. One private company in Paulding County has seen the value of this huge project and has donated all the culverts needed, of various diameters and lengths worth January-March 10

The North Star 11

—Rick Adamson, State Trail Coordinator

Grand Traverse Hiking Club LOWER MICHIGAN Phase 3 of last year’s Hodenpyl Reroute was completed on November second. This reroute was built from August to November by our Trail Crew of thirty two workers. It is our most rugged section of hiking trail and involves eleven stream crossings, and numerous steep ravines. Bridges are in place, water bars built, steps installed, trees blazed the familiar blue, and signage erected where necessary.

We have never built a section of trail that involved so much benching into clay. While working through an unusually wet October, our shoes were heavy as they became laden with Manistee River clay, but the views of the river, and the sound of rushing creeks in the ravines gave us an inspiring contact with a truly wilderness setting. On two occasions we brought an orange plastic sled from home to help carry decking to the bridge sites, while we used Ed’s wagon to do the same. The skillful use of four by sixes, two by fours, two by sixes, six by sixes, nails, spikes, drills, Pulaskis, McCleods, bow saws, loppers, levels, hammers, flagging, plus miles of walking classify all of this crew as “Pros.”

We secured two grants from the NCTA totaling $1,306 to pay for some of the materials. The more we worked, the more needs we discovered, so another grant from the NPS for $286 was secured. The ravines and streams challenged us again for more funding. As we began to approach rifle deer hunting season, a 16-foot bridge needed to be built and adjacent 17 steps up the Big Ravine. Deena Barshney and Sara Cockrell came to the rescue and wrote checks to cover an additional $850. So, when you are out hiking the new NCT, about a mile 12 The North Star

January-March 10

Marilyn Hoogstraten

several thousand dollars.

In southern Ohio we have purchased 190 acres of land from the Riddle Lumber Company, a very supportive company that gave us a deal there and has given us permission to move the trail off country roads to other properties of theirs. The BTA acquired a loan from the Conservation Fund to purchase the land from Riddle, and has received approximately $30,000 in donations from our members so far. The BTA Trail Crew constructed 3.8 miles of trail on this piece of property over the last several years. Of course the bigger trees were harvested but even with that the deal was very handsome for us. There have been black bear, badgers and bobcats spotted on this piece of land along with the endangered timber rattle snake.

Last year the Buckeye Trail Association’s Trail Crew was very successful. There were a total of 105 different volunteers who contributed more than 3,872 hours of trail work with an additional 897 hours of travel time for a total of 4,769 hours worth $96,583.00 at 2008 figures. This is for advertised work parties ONLY, so does not include all the trail maintenance work throughout the year from approximately 200 plus trail adopters.

Proud Grand Traverse Hiking Club crew admires their own considerable work.

from Harvey Bridge, you will discover two very special places.

We call them Deena’s Bridge and Sara’s Steps, a most surprising legacy indeed; our crew and club are grateful.

An outstanding feature of this reroute is that there are at least twelve scenic vistas along the Manistee River. At the eastern end of this section of trail, where the new trail joins the existing NCT, coming from Wheeler Creek, there is a fantastic overlook which some of us believe exceeds even the Highbanks Rollway site. You may wind up with muddy boots, but the hike is worth it.

In an effort to share this trail with others we are leading a backpack on this section, and invite other NCTA members to join us. See our trip listing below.

—John Heiam

Grand Traverse Hiking Club Backpacking Trip Invitation

Join us April 30 – May 3, 2010, for a backpacking trip along a very scenic section of the NCT. We will hike approximately 30 miles, including 18 miles of newly rerouted trail, almost all of which follows the beautiful Manistee River in northwest lower Michigan. The terrain is varied so that there are sections where the trail is just a few feet from the river, and others where the trail crosses high bluffs providing wonderful vistas of the river and surrounding countryside.

Our hike will begin at the Highbanks Rollway in Wexford County and end at the Red Bridge access after four days and three nights on the trail, hiking from six to twelve miles each day.

If you are interested, or would like more information, contact Rick Halbert at homes5@chartermi.net (231) 947-8485 or Dick Naperala at napperri@yahoo.com (231) 223-7903.

Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter UPPER MICHIGAN - Like

preceding years, the Hiawatha Shore-To-Shore Chapter scheduled and hosted organized hikes the second Saturday of each month. Up to thirty people participated in these hikes during any given month. We kicked off 2009 in January by observing Winter Trails Day at Soldier Lake. (See photo page 12)Forty-one souls braved below zero temperatures to snowshoe or cross-country ski into the Hiawatha National Forest and were rewarded with roasted hotdogs in a shelter, by a warm fire. The chapter observed National Trails Day with a Hike Between “da Falls” in conjunction with Project GO at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Over 100 people rode the school bus to the Upper Falls to hike back on five miles of the NCT to the Lower Falls.

Chapter members were busy in 2009 promoting the North Country Trail to organizations and groups. Presentations were made before the St. Ignace Kiwanis Club, the Paradise Chamber of Commerce, the Gaylord Edelweiss Garden Club, and the Petoskey Lions Club. The chapter promoted the NCT at the Quiet Waters Symposium in Lansing, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Fun Day, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Super Saturday, and “Lakerpalooza” on the campus of Lake Superior State University.

Three local libraries opened up their display cases to our promotions for which members created impressive informational and pictorial displays The chapter has also seen fruit from the efforts of all this promotional work by realizing a 30% increase in memberships in the past year.

Our trail saw many improvements in 2009. In addition to blazing work done in the downtown St. Ignace area, extensive work completed by the US Forest Service along White Fish Bay includes a stairway, boardwalks, new kiosks, road signs, and improved restroom facilities. The chapter is reaping the benefits of their hard work on trail, since Nimblewill Nomad wrote in his online journal, “…what a remarkable trail, what beautiful work—thank you, thanks all! These last days have turned it; a delightful, glorious hike through your section of trail. Open (blow-downs cleared), well marked trail through interesting and varied terrain, memorable, absolutely memorable!” We hope that other hikers have had similar experiences.

In September, the Chapter hosted the inaugural “Bring on the Bridge” event. NCTA members from multiple chapters camped at former county fairgrounds and walked the Mackinac Bridge, a part of the NCT, on Labor Day morning, the only day of the year when this five-mile section is open to pedestrians.

The chapter would like to thank Lynwood Leightner and his shop class at St. Ignace LaSalle High School and Mike Lilliquist for their aid in the construction of the completed informational kiosk located at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) St. Ignace Welcome Center. …continued on page 22 www.northcountrytrail.org

Winter Trails Day, 9 January 2010, for the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where participants snowshoed inland to a picnic pavilion for hot dogs, a warm fire, and fun together. Low winter sun at the end of the afternoon gave Kay Kujawa this great picture.

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8

Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

Boat Ride to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, twenty one islands both forested and sandy out in Lake Superior, with eight lighthouses, trails, beaches, and one of the newest federally designated wilderness areas, named for Senator Gaylord Nelson.

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The North Star 13

Winter on the The Other Half: Facing North Country Trail

14 The North Star

January-March 10

“Fargo public schools use fifteen below as the outdoor recess threshold. Above that, they play outside.”

KVLY 11 Fargo TV “If they’re from around here, they’re SUPPOSED to be prepared.”

Barb Pavek, Star of the North Chapter Irene Szabo Photos by the Author

I

n 1888 there was a sudden mild day in January across the northern plains, sunshine, no wind, and temperatures in the upper 30's, so children went to school in a rapture, some of them even leaving their heavy coats at home. However, shortly after midday a ferociously sudden and severe front swept across several states, dropping temperatures to well below zero with high winds and a dry snow so like dust that it made breathing nearly impossible. Nearly every one-room schoolhouse teacher made the mistake of sending the children home, hoping they would arrive safely before the worst of the storm arrived. Most of them, by the hundreds, never made it.

The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin was a depressing read, and ends with a glum conclusion—“The truth was beginning to sink in: The sudden storms, the violent swings from one meteorological extreme to another, the droughts and torrents and killer blizzards were not freak occurrences but facts of life on the prairie. This was not a garden. Rain did not follow the plow. Laying a perfect grid of Top: Quintessential North Dakota at north Valley City Canadian Pacific road crossing below grain elevator, this time with a magnificent snow plow in front.

Middle left: The High Line carries BNSF freight trains over the entire valley at Valley City, North Dakota. Glam queen Pearl, always hogging a photo op, was frequently surprised at Chautauqua Park when she tried to leave the plowed park road to romp in the deep snow, from which I wasn’t about to rescue her.

Middle right: With an air temperature of 14 below, the Sheyenne River appears to steam below Baldhill Dam, which forms Lake Ashtabula. There are miles of trail along the lake, and this viewpoint is part of our route.

The Karnak railroad trestle, shown in last year’s postconference issue, is near the north end of this lake, about a dozen trail miles away.

Lower left: Approaching thunderstorm over field of sunflowers, Wahpeton, North Dakota, August 2009.

Lower right: Same place, January 2010, through my windshield. This was a sunny day but wind made blowing snow the predominant feature. You didn’t expect me to get OUT to take this picture, did you? www.northcountrytrail.org

mile-sided squares on the grassland did not suppress the chaos of the elements.”

I finished this book shortly after the 2009 annual conference in Valley City, North Dakota, my second trip there with others to northern Minnesota in between, and it only reinforced my growing conviction that I knew nothing about life in our westernmost states if I saw them only in the benign seasons.

So I drove to North Dakota and Minnesota just for fun over the first twelve days of 2010.

Most of my childhood was spent in southern New Jersey, where six inches of snow would cancel school and cause roadway crises, while most of my adult life has been spent in western New York, gradually moving inland away from the worst of lake effect snow storms. Only occasionally does the temperature fall below zero in the winter, and snow is highly variable, little some years and absolutely FEET others. The blizzard of ‘76 remains vivid for me: I was stuck less than two miles from home, staying with our 80-year-old plant foreman and his wife, who had only a twenty-year-old bottle of icky sweet Mogen David wine in the house. Once my country road was plowed the next day, I was able to see the remains of a full-sized car (back when that meant a car seventeen feet long) that had stopped dead in a drifted dip in the road, only to have its rear end cloven from bumper to back seat by the prow of the plow since it was buried invisible in the drift. But those storms are rare here.

While I’ll still never know what the residents of our north and westernmost states do with themselves to while away the long dark hours, now I know what their wind and cold are like.

The week of January 4th through 9th looked okay on internet ten-day forecasts, very cold in the middle of the week, but mostly sunny with only a few “snow showers.”

Wednesday however was spent in a motel in Wahpeton, North Dakota, watching the occasional nearly invisible train leave town through horizontal whiteness (and one moron snowmobiler go down the tracks after dark). Air temperatures on days both sunny and stormy were 20 below even in the morning, with two days of wind chill closing in on 40 below. Snow plows were pulled off duty along Interstates 90 and 94 in the Dakotas due to zero visibility, even though the eventual snowfall was only 7 inches. If you’ll remember, the entire eastern half of the nation was shocked by cold that week.

Continued on page 16 January-March 10

The North Star 15

So What Do Minnesotans Do All Winter?

I cannot pretend to know how remote farm families deal all winter with the vast distances between their homes and schools or towns without biting one another on the elbow eventually one dark winter evening, but I’ll share these observations: They have no fear of liquid water. Ice fishing shanties by the HUNDREDS are scattered about lakes in Minnesota, and are even clustered at the bridge over the Bois de Sioux River just below where it meets the Ottertail to form the Red River of the North at Breckenridge. In my long experience, water nearest bridges tends to be more turbulent, so remains liquid longer, yet in Breckenridge on any given weekday, there were a dozen pre-fab or homemade shacks clustered close to the highway bridge AND at least four pickup trucks parked near one another.

Pardon my evidently sissy self, but no way am I putting MY truck on ice! Bruce, does this mean I have to give up my red plaid wool shirt on account of general wimpiness? The woman at Burger King told me there is a horlumpulous daily fine of something like $1500 for any truck dumped into a lake until it’s removed. Or was it $15,000? She wasn’t quite sure. But she did know that her family’s ice shack had table, chairs, a heater, and TV inside.

There is barely any unmarked pure snow in Minnesota, either.

Snowmobiles had criss-crossed every bit of it. There is also an excellent statewide system of trails throughout the state, built upon old railroad beds, great for walkers or bicyclists in the summer, and perfect for snowmobilers in the winter. In fact, the dogs and I enjoyed an early-morning walk on the Lake Woebegone Trail (once the Great Northern RR) at Sauk Center, sunny but 18 degrees below zero according to the bank’s display. I’m pleased to report that my sissy truck, contentedly planted on terra firma, started up fine soon after, but groaned and creaked in a chorus of unaccustomed racket when I dared ask it to steer and move.

I missed the January 3rd Christmas Tree Bonfire at the Golden Valley County Fairgrounds in far western North Dakota, when they fire a special collection of pottery in the conflagration, which is then sold at a charitable auction. What a creative idea! Our own Valley City hosts the North Dakota Winter Show in early March, kittycorner from the Medicine Wheel Park (which was buried under white anonymity during my visit), the world’s largest crop and livestock show with rodeo thrown in along with horse and tractor pulls.

Bill Geist reported on CBS Sunday Morning that Minnesotans spend their winter competing jealously for record cold bragging rights, in his January 24th piece titled “Northern Minnesota, cryogenics for the living.”

Valley City and Detroit Lakes have a full half hour less daylight than I do at home, just because they are farther north. So I suppose this means Marietta, Ohio, has a half-hour MORE than I do, and the north end of the Superior Hiking Trail has maybe a full hour less? Egad.

And for those who don’t like to spend the long hours of darkness reading or playing Solitaire? Or get enough exercise snowshoeing along the trail?

Stories I’ve heard: a new Corps of Engineers employee at a remote post in western North Dakota was handed an envelope full of cash upon his employment in October. Why? He would need it to bail out his staff every winter weekend after bar fights.

Also read a book by a man who paid for college by working as a brakeman on a North Dakota railroad. He eventually became a lawyer in a state significantly south of there, but he reported long winter weekends among railroad crews where continual drinking and wife-swapping was routine.

Ewww.

Luckily you and I have a hobby.

16 The North Star

January-March 10

The Other Half… continued from page 15 When travel was possible again, in Thursday’s brilliant sunshine but with unabated wind, I stopped at Casselton, North Dakota, to photograph a standing Red River Valley & Western train at its intersection with BNSF main line tracks. By the way, near enough that I could see through binoculars, just west of there I suspect “our” Ladies Line from last summer’s walk at Kathryn ends at its prior junction with the main, at what is now a huge circular “balloon track” where tank car trains over a mile long are parked surrounding what looked like an ethanol plant, a sign of our times. The dogs and I walked south for about a third of a mile to get the picture I wanted; my layers of clothes worked well in the wind, and the dogs were miraculously happy.

However, the return walk northward was painful: what TV news said was still a wind chill nearly 40 below truly hurt those tiny bits of skin exposed on my face, so I had to walk with one double-gloved hand before my face.

Drifts were beautiful, their southern vertical faces seeming illuminated from within by the low slant of sun against them. It didn’t seem as if snow could be any brighter, but those south-facing drift faces were indeed. The undulating and voluptuous landscape north of Valley City, away from the flat open plains, was even more clearly visible under snow, dotted with patches of river edge trees and black cattle in outdoor feed lots, and reminded me of the pillowy landscape surrounding Lake Ashtabula during our Karnak hike last summer, tawny then, not white.

On a two-lane road, a kind local man stopped to make sure I was okay since I had pulled halfway off the road (needless to say, the luxury of wide shoulders wasn’t available); when I told him that I was taking pictures he eagerly told me where I could see bald eagles in the Sheyenne River just upstream. Friendliness was not in short supply.

The Sheyenne River “steams” below Lake Ashtabula’s Baldhill Dam,

due to a few turbulent patches of open water meeting air a dozen degrees below zero, where I could at least look at our trailhead inviting serious stompers into a deeply buried walk. Valley City’s Christmas present was 21 inches of snow, not a molecule of which had melted, so with this latest smaller storm, there was little room left for piles of municipally-arranged snow. Salt doesn’t work in such temperatures, so town roads were hard-packed frozen snow with a little sand tossed at intersections.

Have a laugh on me: at one intersection in Breckenridge, Minnesota, I thought I was seeing a new kind of dark red grit spread to help us stop in time, but it was only kidney beans spilled by a truck on its way to the parade of giant silos in that railroad town. Incidentally, pheasant can be seen frequently along railbeds, picking up fallen corn, and at one rail junction precisely in the middle of absolutely nowhere, soybeans decorated the “diamond” two tracks make as they cross one another after coming from miles away, visible forever. The parade of sugar beet trucks continued toward processing plants, even on the blizzard day, their full-size trailers made of giant wire baskets to hold tons of that ugly gray thug of a vegetable.

I got to see three different kinds of railroad snowplows!

While barely 1% of our readership would be as excited, that sure made my trip. Every switch on the railroads, where a train can depart main tracks for a siding, has its own broom, shovel, and a propane-fired gas heater ducted to the moving parts. A crew of track workers on the Dakota Missouri Valley & Western saw me taking pictures of them cleaning out a switch, so one guy walked over to me—to holler at me for being a terrorist like might happen in the eastern states? —no, to tell me proudly that their 1932 Russell snowplow would be coming through in about two hours if I wanted a picture of that. Isn’t that sweet?

9-11 is a distant event here.

Stabled at the very nice AmericInn in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, across the street from their incredibly busy rail lines so I could see poor Amtrak arrive from the west seventeen hours behind schedule two days after the storm, I was able to attend the Laurentian Lakes Chapter’s Winter Trails Day meeting at Maplelag resort near Callaway, “where the prairie ends and the forest begins,” as their town sign proclaims. This was a kind of resort new to me, with a huge central lodge, cabins for sleeping, and miles of wooded trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing only, NO snowmobiles allowed. Minnesotans were in their glory: in sunshine and warmed up to 9 degrees above with no wind now, Carter Hedeen walked around without a hat.

“I’m Minnesotan,” he explained. From what I’ve seen here in New York, few enterprises would dare to try survival without the income from downhill skiers or snowmobilers, but Maplelag seems to prosper while preserving that best quality of wintertime, QUIET. A couple hundred lodgers agreed, including over sixty Chapter members.

Loved so many of the place names, like Wild Rice or Prairie Rose (can’t you hear Emmylou Harris singing www.northcountrytrail.org

in the background?) but saw only a few birds this time, lots of pheasants and clouds of snow buntings erupting from road edges, especially compared to the spectacularly populated prairie potholes in SE North Dakota I treated myself to last summer. One winter event I enjoy some years at home is the annual Christmas Bird Count conducted by the National Audubon Society, when volunteers scour the countryside within specified circles to keep up statistical records of what birds remain just before Christmas. At home, when there is any open water in the lakes around here, we’ll “score” about sixty species.

By chance I ended up at the Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, near the border with South Dakota and near only ancient near-dead villages in all directions, with only old grain elevators to mark their location, where I was astounded to find a staffed visitor center. They said their Christmas Bird Count usually gathered only about twenty species. From the 109th Christmas Bird Count, published

by Audubon for the 2008 season: “In the Dakotas, frigid, snow-bound conditions were responsible for the cancellation or rescheduling of many of the counts...” The Minnesota entry in the same edition said “Several circles called it quits early; others valiantly pushed on through blowing snow and subzero temperatures…Open water was a challenge to find anywhere in the state.” Hardly sounds like fun birding to me.

The riskiest winter travel I experienced was of course closer to home, where bands of lake effect snow from Lakes Erie and Michigan caused intermittent bad spots around northwestern Indiana, northeastern Ohio, and far western Pennsylvania and New York. On the way westbound on New Year’s Day, I thought the dreariest possible sight was choppy gray Lake Erie at Cleveland, showing little white caps in the harsh wind, but on the return trip on the 12th, I could see that hell had frozen over while I was gone. The lake was white ice as far as I could see.

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8

Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

A canoe trip on a wild and scenic river, and a chance to walk the famous Brule Bog Boardwalk we’ve been reading about in these pages.

January-March 10

The North Star 17

GOING FOR THE GOLD

FRED SZARKA National Park Service

T

his will be my final submission to the North Star as Trail Manager, since my retirement takes effect January 1, 2010. As I move on to spending increased time gardening, home brewing, and hiking, I want to thank everyone I have worked with over the last eight years. I also want to urge everyone to keep “happy trails” in mind.

Build friendships

I think that the most important thing that can be done to increase awareness and use of the trail is good maintenance. It is all very fine to work building new trail and it feels really great to know that you worked to add new miles to the trail, but maintaining a great hiking trail will do more to build support. Remember: “If you build it, they will come. But if you don’t maintain it, they won’t come back.” We need to be sure that every mile of trail is well marked, cleared of encroaching vegetation, free of ruts, broken boards, and muddy spots, and pleasant to hike. That will make the trail a valued community asset, bring friends for the trail, and help control incompatible uses.

Have fun

About once a year it seems that I remind readers that it is important that they have fun working on and for the trail. I don’t think it can be over emphasized. Make it a point to schedule social events as well as work parties. Take a hike as a group on your segment of trail and another on a different trail. Have a picnic, or a beach party, or cabin fever party.

Make it potluck or organize a barbecue to keep costs down. Involve folks who don’t have trail to maintain or build, and make them a part of the inner circle.

18 The North Star

Happy Trails!

Learn by doing and do while learning

Don’t just hike looking for briars or branches encroaching on the trail; take a field guide with you or take a hike with a local naturalist or forager and get to know the local flowers, vines, berries, mushrooms, birds and mammals along the trail. Of course some you will learn to hate, but even thorny blackberries produce tasty fruit.

You can also develop strategies to deal with your worst problems by learning to understand why they occur. Water runs down the trail because we didn’t provide enough cross slope to let it escape. Certain vegetation is favored by external factors like sunlight or moisture, or the lack of either. You might be able to correct a problem by changing those conditions. Of course, you might also be able to correct it by adding an extra trail care visit.

Don’t work too hard I’ve been using a quote from Theodore Roosevelt on my emails: “Do what you can, With what you have, Where you are.” Don’t burn out a few volunteers leaving them to do all the work. Share the work. Not everyone is cut out to paint blazes or run the DR mower or even walk extensive segments of the trail, but there are lots of things that people can take part in to share the workload and build ownership in the trail.

Chapter officers shouldn’t have to do all the mailings, contact the trail adopters, prepare reports, organize activities or work days. If you haven’t been asked to take on a part of the workload, you should offer to assist. If you are already doing way more than you can handle, ask for assistance. It is a two way street; share the workload regardless of which side of the load you land on. And don’t be afraid to create new titles to go with the tasks, then remember to recognize those who do the work.

January-March 10

Work smarter not harder

This is an application of what I call “creative laziness.” Sometimes it is better to redesign a section of trail to fit the landscape better rather than trying over and over to correct a recurring problem. One definition of insanity is “Doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results.” If you have a problem that seems too big to solve, step back at least mentally and look at the big picture. It may take time to get the situation changed, permissions may have to be obtained, but by using creative laziness, you should eventually find a solution.

Take a hike

In addition to organizing a group outing or event, you should take a hike for the pure joy of it, with a compatible hiking companion if possible. Just go out walking and looking at the wildflowers, listening to the birds and insects, watching for squirrels, garter snakes or other critters. Even in the winter there is much to see and hear.

Enjoy your trail; refresh your soul— Happy Trails!

—Fred

Tom Gilbert, NPS Superintendant for our trail:

For the past 8 years, Fred Szarka has served as our Trail Manager for the North Country National Scenic Trail. We appreciate all that he has done for the trail and our partnerships over these years and we wish him well as he moves into a welldeserved stage of his life.

For the next several months while we work to staff the Trail Manager position, I would ask that you direct your inquiries and requests (emails and phone calls) to me. See the Who’s Who pages for contacts.

Photography Contest…Continued from page 7

spot on the NCTA Insight blog!

Tremendously, by the end of the submission period, I had received approximately 150 entries, featuring everything from wildlife to scenery to trail work. At that point, I needed to determine a way to pick a winner. I decided to leave it up to you, the people who love the trail the most! I posted 52 of the submissions on the NCTA facebook page, including instructions for voting. All one had to do to vote was click on a “like” button beneath the picture.

Aye, there’s the rub: not many of the folks in PA were registered for facebook. I say “were,” because now they are! In seven days of voting, 53 new members “became a fan” of the NCTA facebook page, at a rate of approximately seven times the average rate for the page! After tallying up the 371 votes, I interviewed the winners and announced the top three pictures: First Place: John Stehle’s “Circle of Life” picture of a decaying log nourishing a bed of moss and mushrooms along the trail.

John had this to say about enjoying the trail through photography: “One of the nice things about taking pictures along the trail is that you get the opportunity to stop and smell the roses.

Especially with a nature shot, you can study and savor the subject.”

Second Place: Brett Watson’s macro picture of an inquisitive common wood sorrel peeking out of a sea of green.

When asked what he thought the North Country Trail offers to photographers, Brett surmised: “I think that it provides a way for them to get to new places and new experiences, and it allows them easy access into the outdoors where they can find new subjects to photograph.”

Third Place: Tammy Veloski’s picture of her four-yearold son, Dale, wielding a stick and seeking adventure along the trail.

According to Tammy, “I think we need to get kids and young people more interested and involved.” Her thoughts echo the hopes of many NCTA members and volunteers.

Note: Although I received submissions from throughout the state, the three winning pictures all feature scenes at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County, PA. This spring, I will be hosting an even bigger contest. It will be open to anyone from any state, NCTA member or not, with the caveat that all photos in the contest must be taken along the North Country Trail section in Pennsylvania. (You will just have to plan a trip out here if you want to participate!) This

time, picture submissions will be restricted to a certain time period (probably between March and the beginning of May), so anyone who wants to participate will have to physically go out and experience the trail this spring. If advertised in local media outlets, think of how many new people that will bring onto the trail! I am also planning a children’s division, a direct way to get families and young people out to experience the trail. If all goes as planned, the 2010 contest will have legitimate judges (plus a fan-favorite competition!), bigger prizes, and an even higher number of participants and entries.

As a volunteer organization, we are always looking for more people to get involved. A photography contest is a fun, easy, and interactive way to do just that. Not only can members get out and view the trail from new angles, it can prompt photography hobbyists, families, and other community members to venture out on the trail for the first time! If you want more people to experience the trail, learn to appreciate its value, and fall in love with it the same way you did, consider hosting a photography contest in your state or chapter.

Julie Elkins is a full time AmeriCorps volunteer serving as the Pennsylvania Communications Coordinator for the four PA chapters of the NCTA. In this newly-created position, Julie is working with the PA chapters, building their capacity for communications, and helping them learn ways to promote the trail better and bring in new volunteers.

Julie’s AmeriCorps term of service began in November 2009, and she will remain with the NCTA through August of 2010.

AmeriCorps is a federal program that focuses on improving US communities by building the capacity of community organizations.

AmeriCorps members volunteer a set amount of hours, and in return, they get a living stipend (to offset costs of volunteering fulltime) and an academic scholarship. Julie’s position is jointly funded by the NCTA and a PA state AmeriCorps grant.

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8

Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

And did we tell you our hotel is right on the shore of Lake Superior?

Certain Minnesotans—who shall remain nameless—saw this GIHUNORMOUS vehicle and immediately thought of Bobby Koepplin, sure as they were that he'd like to apply for a Challenge Cost Share for this vehicle as a chapter and equipment transportation device, if only he had seen it before they did. Ha! Dibs! www.northcountrytrail.org

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The North Star 19

Who’s Who Along the North Country Trail?

If you have questions about the North Country Trail, there are many different places to go for information.

This directory provides you with key contacts.

When in Doubt, Try NCTA Headquarters: If you’re not sure whom to contact, or prefer to talk with our office instead of contacting a volunteer at home, your best bet is to connect with the NCTA’s National Office. If we can’t help you, we’ll be able to put you in touch with someone who can. Staff members are listed on page 3 (table of contents page).

North Country Trail Association 229 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 Toll-free: (866) HikeNCT Fax: (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org HQ@northcountrytrail.org Visit our web site; it’s a sure bet that you’ll find most of what you need. Here you can join or contribute to the NCTA, browse the events calendar, explore NCTA Chapter pages, purchase maps and trail-related products, follow links to Partner organizations, read up-to-date news items, report volunteer hours, and, of course, learn more about the trail itself!

National Park Service: The NPS office in Madison is an excellent technical resource for volunteers, agencies, partner organizations, and the media. As our official trail administrator, the NPS sets trail standards, determines the trail route, and provides the overall vision for the trail.

700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 Fax: (608) 441-5606 Tom Gilbert, Superintendent: tom_gilbert@nps.gov Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist: ken_howell@nps.gov

NCTA Chapters: For information about local activities or volunteering, contact the Chapter representative for your area of interest. We have more than two dozen local volunteer trail clubs scattered along the trail that are Chapters of the NCTA. NCTA members can affiliate themselves with any Chapter they’d like.

Whether or not the member volunteers, a portion of their dues will help support Chapter activities. Chapters build and maintain trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas.

Affiliate Organizations: The NCTA enters into affiliate agreements with other organizations who envision the completed trail.

Trail Maintaining Affiliates are independent organizations who also work to build, maintain, and promote sections of the trail. Supporting Affiliates are independent organizations who work with us to help fulfill our Mission, but are not responsible for a specific section of trail. Each has its own membership program, so we encourage NCTA members to support them as well. If you have questions about a section of trail that is managed by one of these organizations, your best bet is to contact our Affiliates directly.

20 The North Star

January-March 10

1

1 2

5 3

NORTH DAKOTA

1. Lonetree Chapter Scott Peterson • (701) 324-2211 • speterso@nd.gov 2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Deb Koepplin • (701) 845-2935 dkoepplin@msn.com 3. North Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter Ron Saeger • (701) 232-1612 • rnsaeger@cableone.net

MINNESOTA

4. Star of the North Chapter Brian Pavek • (763) 425-4195 stn@northcountrytrail.org 5. Laurentian Lakes Chapter Ray Vlasak • (218) 573-3243 • highpines@arvig.net 6. Itasca Moraine Chapter Jerry Trout • (218) 675-5448• jbtrout@tds.net 7. Arrowhead Chapter Doug Baker • (218) 326-4030 • baker_j_d@q.com 8. Kekekabic Trail Club (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Mark Stange • info@kek.org 9. Border Route Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Ed Solstad • (612) 822-0569 info@borderroutetrail.org 10. Superior Hiking Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Gayle Coyer • (218 )834-2700 • hike@shta.org

GREAT LAKES

11. Brule-St.Croix Chapter

Tim Mowbray • tmowbray@earthlink.net 12. Chequamegon Chapter Marty Swank • (715) 682-2254 CHE@northcountrytrail.org 13. Heritage Chapter

Michael Stafford • GBPACKR@aol.com 14. Ni-Miikanaake Chapter

Dick Swanson • (906) 229-5122 nmk@northcountrytrail.org 15. Peter Wolfe Chapter

Doug Welker • (906) 338-2680 • dwelker@up.net 16. North Country Trail Hikers Chapter

Lorana Jinkerson • ljinkers@nmu.edu 17. Grand Marais Chapter

Bill Menke • bmenke@northcountrytrail.org 18. Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter

Charlene DeWitt • HSS@northcountrytrail.org

4 2

6 3

48 7 42

95 10 14

17

15

11 9 13 8 12

LEGEND Chapters Partners Not Yet Adopted

18

16

19

22

20

21 38

23 24 LOWER MICHIGAN

37 25

36 26

31

35 34

19. Harbor Springs Chapter 33 27

Jerry Keeney • (231) 526-9597 32 27 keeney10@charter.net 29 27 20. Tittabawassee Chapter 30 Gary Johnson • (989) 842-3478 gwj2@charter.net PENNSYLVANIA

Friends of the Jordan River National 28 32. Wampum Chapter

Fish Hatchery (Trail Maintaining Affiliate):

Lee Fairbanks • (724) 847-0589 • fairbanks14@comcast.net

(231) 584-2461 33. Butler County Chapter 21. Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter

Dan Mourer • (724) 445-3315

John Heiam • (231) 938-9655 • johnheiam@charter.net mamourer@zoominternet.net 22. Spirit of the Woods Chapter

Butler Outdoor Club

Joan Young • (231) 757-2205 • jhy@t-one.net

(Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 23. Western Michigan Chapter

John Stehle • (724) 256-0674

Werner Veit • (616) 776-1630 • wv12@aol.com 34. Clarion County Chapter 24. Chief Noonday Chapter

Ed Scurry • EDSDC85@yahoo.com

Larry Hawkins • (269) 945-5398 35. Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com

(Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 25. Chief Baw Beese Chapter

Patty Brunner • (724) 325-3224 • info@rachelcarsontrails.org

Ryan Bowles • bowlesr@msu.edu 36. Allegheny National Forest Chapter

Keith Klos • (814) 484-7420 • nct001@verizon.net OHIO 26. NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association NEW YORK

(Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 37. Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Tom Duvendack • (419) 822-4788

(Trail Maintaining Affiliate): tomfortrails@windstream.net

Gene Bavis, Executive Director • (585) 658-9320 27. Buckeye Trail Association FLTinfo@fingerlakestrail.org

(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):

Additional Maintaining Organizations

Patrick Hayes • (937) 962-4884 • president@buckeyetrail.org

Coordinated by FLTC: 28. Adams County Chapter

Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK),

Andrew Bashaw • abashaw@northcountrytrail.org

ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter, ADK-Onondaga Chapter, 29. Little Cities of the Forest Chapter

Cayuga Trails Club, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley

Travis Neely • tneeley@holzerclinic.com

Hiking Club, and Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18 30. Ohio Valley Chapter 38. Central New York Chapter:

Ryan Smith • (740) 374-5666 • rsmith365@hotmail.com

Kathy Woodruff • (315) 697-7017 31. Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter kwoodruff001@twcny.rr.com

Brad Bosley • (330) 227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org www.northcountrytrail.org

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The North Star 21

State of the Trail…continued from page 13 Hiawatha Shore To Shore Kudos for 2009: • Charlene DeWitt for leadership during her first year as president.

• Glenn Cornwell, vice-president, for organizing our annual dinner and drawing up maps of day hikes.

• Stan Kujawa for stepping into the vacant treasurer’s position and countless hours doing trail maintenance.

• Roger Blanchard for coordinating trail adoptions and for improvements near the Lower Tahquamenon Falls Campground.

• Don Sandberg as webmaster.

• Marilyn Chadwick for keeping the tool trailer.

• Kay Kujawa for planning the monthly hikes with Marilyn, writing the chapter newsletter, and for always thinking; the list could go on and on.

• Marv DeWitt for organizing “Bring on the Bridge” and for coordinating First Aid/CPR training for sawyers.

• Greg Smith for keeping the chapter Yahoo page up-to-date and spam free.

• Bill Courtois for documenting the trail in photographs.

The Hiawatha Shore-To-Shore Chapter began 2010 on a heartbreaking note with the passing of Colleen Seltzer. Colleen loved hiking with her family and friends on the North Country Trail. She built trail, maintained a seven-mile section, led hikes, hosted events and actively attended chapter meetings. Her son, Lukas, was the 2008 Rising Star award recipient. Colleen will be deeply missed.

—Roger Morrison

Ni-Miikanaake Chapter UPPER MICHIGAN -

Our Chapter name means “I Make A Trail” in Ojibwa. We want to connect the original trail makers with today's trail makers. Our section of the trail passes through the Ottawa National Forest and a portion of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. We are working with the National Park Service to build a new section of trail going west to tie our present trail all the way to Copper Falls State Park in Wisconsin.

This year our brand new chapter has logged over 600 volunteer hours and has grown to 18 members. We have cleared, blazed, and evaluated our section. Over the winter we will be planning next summer’s activities which will include building some bridges, adding more blazes for our winter hikers, clearing blow downs & mowing and starting to build our new section. We will finish our chapter’s area guide book and forward this to the NCTA for inclusion in the trail wide guide book. We are working with neighboring chapters in Wisconsin to help with the 2010 conference in Ashland.

—Dick Swanson

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North Country Trail Hikers Chapter UPPER MICHIGAN - Once

again, with the cooperation and help of our trail adopters and trail crew members, we successfully maintained our 120 miles of trail.

In September we held a very productive Volunteer Adventure where we built approximately 1.75 miles of trail that will eventually connect from County Road 550 west across to Country Road 510. Scouting for new trail in that area as well as west of County Road 510 towards the Silver Lake Basin, including crossing the Mulligan Plains, located some interesting terrain with more moose droppings than can be imagined, a couple of waterfalls, and rock outcroppings that will be in keeping with our rugged north country location.

As the trail here travels primarily through private lands, all landowners were contacted for the first time in several years to reconnect and attempt to move from mostly handshake agreements to signed trail agreements. We were able to secure three new signed agreements and have had positive interactions with some landowners where we hope to get off current road walk onto their property.

For greater recognition of the trail, we designed and published a new chapter brochure in full color that includes two recommended short day hikes with maps to help users get started in our segment while Marge Forslin and Lorana Jinkerson presented a session on the trail at “Celebrate UP!” a conference sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition.

Lastly, our connection with Northern Michigan University has grown stronger. We hosted a table for the second year at their Fall Fest and now have 9 student memberships. Three students came to help at least one day on the Volunteer Adventure and one student, Tara Laase, actually earned one credit through an internship class with us. She worked on the VA, helped us do trail maintenance, blazing, and scouting as well as participated in our monthly Board of Directors’ Meetings. She also became involved in our cooperative efforts with NMU’s Organization for Outdoor Recreation Professionals to finance and bring Andrew Skurka to a joint meeting in January 2010.

—Lorana Jinkerson

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8 Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

Two-day backpack with Bill Menke.

Heritage Chapter WISCONSIN - The Heritage

Chapter applied to the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation for a grant for the purpose of constructing and maintaining new trail, along with interpretive signage and facilities like bridges. The Potawatomi Tribe operates a casino in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the proceeds from the operation are used to fund tribal and surrounding Wisconsin community needs.

Many thousands of dollars have been pumped into tribal projects as well as other worthwhile projects in Wisconsin. The Foundation awarded the Heritage Chapter a large grant in 2008 so much of the new trail construction work accomplished since then was funded by the Potawatomi Foundation grant, matched by other funds of the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program and the NCTA. Additional construction work will be enabled by funds from the grant during the next several years. Chapter President Michael Stafford was very grateful for the funds advanced by the Foundation and their generosity will be recognized by signs placed on the sections of the trail constructed with their funds.

—Gaylord Yost

www.northcountrytrail.org

Vickie Swank

Lorana Jinkerson

NCTH: This is Tara Laase, intern from Northern Michigan University, working with the NCT Hikers chapter.

Chequamegon Chapter: Tall trees! Hikers enjoy NCT along Lake Owen in the Chequamegon National Forest. This section is one of the half day hikes planned for the 2010 National NCTA Conference and encompasses large old growth white pine, red pine and hemlock spared from the major 1880’s clear-cutting in the region.

Chequamegon Chapter WISCONSIN - The Chapter

completed four trail relocations that solved various existing trail problems including wet areas, steeply graded trail and a field full of ankle twisting hummock mounds that also made the trail confusing and hard to follow.

The Chequamegon also worked to mark better a section of NCT that intertwines with the Drummond Ski Trail. We had received many reports of hikers becoming confused and ending up on the ski trail. This was accomplished with carsonite posts at confusing intersections and complete blazing, lopping and brush mowing to make the NCT well defined. In 2010, we have a similar problem with the Penokee Mountain Ski Trail to complete.

Near the end of the 2009 maintenance season, the Chapter took the beginning steps at reclaiming a “lost” section of NCT along the Bad River in the City of Mellen.

This started with a major lopping effort and was followed by removing some of the deep ATV ruts. Winter cut this effort short of completion but we will continue.

2009 witnessed a continued up-tick of hikers using our January-March 10

The North Star 23

sections of NCT in the Chequamegon National Forest that kept us busy answering email questions and shuttling. On September 3rd, we even guided hikers from Israel through the Porcupine Lake Wilderness sections of NCT. Outreach efforts continued. We held our Annual “Spring Fever Hike” and Fall “Discover the NCT Hike” (that kind of got rained out this year - two soaked hikers!).

The most successful outreach effort was provided by the Iron River Hikers Club, a separate organization started by some exceptional members of the Chequamegon Chapter.

The Iron River Hikers Club has brought many very dedicated volunteers and trail adopters into the NCTA fold. We also advertised our Midwinter Meeting (our more casual meeting that we open up to the public) and gained some new members, and were also much more visible on the Internet thanks to efforts of our Chapter’s “Internet NCT Information Specialist” Ed Ronkowski.

A major push by volunteers in 2010 will be preparing our sections for the next annual NCTA Conference.

Because the Chequamegon’s sections are the closest to the Conference site, a majority of the planned half-day hikes will be on our sections. If you love woods, water and wildlife ...we have the trail for you!

— Marty Swank, Chair

Superior Hiking Trail Association MINNESOTA - It was a good year

The Border Route Trail—Thirty 4 Years On: 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of the completion of the Border Route Trail, rated by Backpacker Magazine as one of the top wilderness hikes in the country.

For those of you not familiar with the BRT, it is a 65-mile long hiking trail, 37 of which cross the eastern portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the far northeast corner of Minnesota.

The trail was planned and built in the 1970's by the Minnesota Rovers Outing Club (www.mnrovers.org) with the cooperation of the US Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It was the first longdistance, wilderness backpacking and hiking trail in Minnesota planned and constructed by volunteers.

In 2004 the Border Route Trail Association was formed as a spin-off from Rovers to become a 501(c)(3) corporation.

This facilitated tax deductible and public donations, and narrowed the focus to maintenance and increased public awareness of the trail.

Upon Congressional approval of the Arrowhead Re-Route the BRT along with its connecting trails, the Superior Hiking Trail (www.shta.org) to the east and the Kekekabic Trail (www.kek.org) to the west, will become part of the NCT. At the beginning of the 2009 season the Border Route Trail Association found itself in need of a greater number of volunteers in order to deal with a maintenance backlog caused by wind storms and the resulting brush growth.

This is not a major problem outside the BWCAW because chain saws and power brush cutters can be used. We had the

Beth Honetschlager

4 and a bad year for the Superior Hiking Trail. We experienced the worst two storms of the trail’s history in 2009.

An ice storm in March broke thousands and thousands of young birch and aspen over a 100-mile swath. A wind storm in September broke hundreds and hundreds of big old spruce and aspen over a different 100-mile swath. We had good volunteer help in clearing the trail but it was a major effort (See photo page 17).

On the good side, we opened 22 new miles of trail in September that we had been working on for the past three years. We also completed another 6.4 mile section of new trail that will open in May of this year. We had over 1,000 hours of volunteer labor on this section.

We also offered eight guided hikes and one backpack trip. The Superior Hiking Trail is still a North Country Trail wannabee, but we’re hoping the legislation to make it official will pass in 2010.

Border Route Trail Association MINNESOTA -

—Gayle Coyer

As we can see, Superior Hiking Trail's executive director Gayle Coyer practices understatement and economy of words. This is an example of the first of their two trail disasters this year! Wow.

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equipment but we were still low on volunteers. By forming an alliance with the 1500+ member Minneapolis Hiking Meetup Group we obtained enough recruits to become sufficiently successful. The 35 miles of BRT and connecting trails outside of the BWCAW are now in good to excellent condition.

Inside the Boundary Waters Wilderness, maintenance crews are required to use hand tools only. Minnesota Conservation Corps crews funded by the USFS spent a week inside the Wilderness while BRTA crews put in 88 mandays. That left perhaps a half of the Wilderness section in reasonably good condition with a few dead falls and minimal brush, a quarter in fair to good condition with a few dead falls and medium brush, and a quarter in poor condition.

As part of the 30th Anniversary we’re launching the 2010 BRT Wilderness Maintenance Initiative, our largest coordinated effort since the construction of the trail in the Seventies. We are determined to bring the entire 65 miles of trail up to excellent hiking conditions.

The Initiative involves recruiting maintenance trip volunteers through our traditional sources as well as through Twin Cities and NE Minnesota Meetup Groups. We’re also establishing a presence on Twitter to augment the BRT website. In order to increase the efficiency of this hoped for new army of trail maintainers we’ll use NCTA grant monies to purchase a greater number of good quality loppers, cross cut saws, and other tools.

It all starts with a reconnaissance through hike as soon as the snow leaves in late April followed by both Wilderness and mechanized trips in May. Visit us at www. borderroutetrail.org to check the schedule or just to catch up on how we’re doing. Maybe you’d even like to spend a week in the Boundary Waters!

—Ed Solstad, Director at Large, BRTA

New Arrowhead Chapter MINNESOTA - This fall, the Arrowhead (ARW) Chapter

Matt Davis

formed in northeastern Minnesota to tackle the roughly 150mile portion of the Arrowhead Re-route from the Chippewa National Forest near Remer northeast to Ely. This is the part not taken care of by the three affiliate partners (Superior Hiking Trail Association, Border Route Trail Association, and Kekekabic Trail Club). Since they didn't want anyone to think they are not ambitious, the chapter also decided to adopt the easternmost 28-miles of the NCT within the Chippewa National Forest in their chapter coverage area.

The loose-knit group was formerly the Grand Rapids Area Hiking Club but they decided to form an NCTA chapter in October and they officially became one at the December board meeting. With the financial support of the Itasca County Trails Task Force, the Hiking Club had been doing lots of outreach in the Itasca County area for the past year and a half and had generated a lot of interest in the NCT and in hiking events.

Because of that and membership transfers from other chapters, they are already up to 18 members and growing.

In October, they drafted a “5-year plan” for developing the NCNST within Itasca County and elected temporary officers including Doug Baker President, Ken Zimmer VP, Gabe Doty, Secretary, Craig Dingman Webmaster and Events coordinator, and Larry Best Quartermaster/Trailblazer.

The Chapter is currently working to scout and flag the trail route southwest and north of Grand Rapids. They hope to commence construction in late 2010. Their very first North Country Trail workday in Itasca County was held on October 3rd and went very well. A total of 22 people worked on a “fisherman’s trail” along the bank of the Mississippi River within the Bass Brook Wildlife Management Area near Grand Rapids. The work made the trail more sustainable and involved installing crib walls, steps, performing basic maintenance, and installing a short bog bridge in a low, wet spot. The project materials were funded by the Itasca County Trails Task Force.

More information on the Chapter is available on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/GrandRapids-MN/Grand-Rapids-AreaHiking-Club/120041002258). You should definitely be hearing more from the ARW chapter in the future!

—Matthew Davis Regional Trail Coordinator for MN & ND

The new Arrowhead crew is ready to tackle maintenance. They certainly don't look like beginners, do they? www.northcountrytrail.org

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Alicia Sutherland, Minnesota Conservation Corps

Itasca Moraine Chapter celebrates with a "golden spike" (well, an aspen stake) the junction of new trails that have been a-building toward each other for eight years now, covering forty miles, to connect the Chippewa National Forest and Itasca State Park.

Itasca Moraine Chapter MINNESOTA - The bell ringer for

the year was the completion of the trail 4 between the Chippewa National Forest and Itasca State Park, approximately 40 miles, which define the borders of the Itasca Moraine Chapter. The trail was completed in the Chip in the late 80’s and in Itasca State Park in the mid 90’s, but it took us the last eight years to fill in the gap between. Each year beginning with 2001 there were different volunteer efforts but 2009 had the most eclectic group that included an intern, Boy Scouts, Hubbard County Sentence-to-Serve folks, members and friends of the chapter and the ITM Regulars, Arlen Damlo, Carter Hedeen, Bruce Johnson, Darrel Rodekuhr and Jerry Trout. In addition the Minnesota Conservation Corps made a significant contribution as they have every year since 2003.

MCC funding came from the Federal Highway Recreation Trail Program, Hubbard County, National Park Service and the NCTA. The chapter built trail simultaneously from both directions. The symbolic golden spike, a sharpened aspen, was driven in the ground on Nov. 19th, about 4.6 miles east of Itasca State Park where the two trails met in Hubbard County.

In the area of the historic Schoolcraft River there is a fairly significant wetland. We have a quarter mile temporary route through this area but will hopefully obtain funding in 2010 to build the permanent trail. So far a 240 foot puncheon/ boardwalk was completed within the wetlands bordering the Schoolcraft River. Over 6 miles of trail were constructed in 2009 with certification underway for 8.7 miles.

Another effort that culminated in 2009 was the erection of North Country Trail highway signs north of Akeley on Minnesota 64 and near Itasca State Park on US 71. This was a joint effort by the Minnesota DOT and NPS’s Fred Szarka.

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These eye-catching roadside signs marking ITM chapter's trail can be on YOUR section of trail, too, with help from the NPS and coordination with the highway department.

A significant sign project for county and forest roads was completed also except for the installation of the posts. Trail adopters got the entire trail mowed in 2009. Through the efforts of Matt Davis to obtain mowers, we are in great shape to keep ahead of the mowing from this point forward.

—Jerry Trout

Laurentian Lakes Chapter MINNESOTA - Plans for the year were to construct 5 miles

of new trail, four new campsites, replace an 84 foot boardwalk, and install feature signage on 15 miles of trail in addition to normal maintenance.

The boardwalk was an early priority, because a section had collapsed during the 2008 National Trails Day hike. This boardwalk had originally been about 40 ft. long and constructed of rotting logs that required considerable agility for hikers. The new boardwalk, consisting of two 35 foot spans and 7 foot ramps on each end, will last for many years. The long stringers are salvaged power poles and the rest is treated lumber.

Construction plans were adjusted during the year to concentrate on forest clearing rather than treadway construction. The chapter was having difficulty maintaining a flag line due to heavy public use of County tax forfeit land, so sometimes flags would disappear within a few days. By the end of the construction season 9.7 miles was cleared, all through dense timber managed forest. In addition 2.4 miles of treadway construction was completd. The chapter has about 13 miles of cleared trail ready for treadway construction. Three of the four planned campsites are nearly complete (usable), and the feature signs are under construction for placement in 2010.

In addition to the regular volunteers who work most Wednesdays, April through October, Boy Scout Troops 690 from Frazee and 479 from Detroit Lakes assisted with treadway and campsite construction. Minnesota Conservation Corps and Rural MN CEP Youth Crews also assisted with treadway construction.

During the winter months volunteers are planning and scouting continuation of the trail through the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and on to the town of Frazee.

Star of the North MINNESOTA - We strengthened

Major outreach activities included a National Trails Day hike on the newest section of the trail along the North/ South continental divide, an all day Trail Fest in August at Itasca State Park, and Winter Trails Day at Maplelag Resort.

The Winter Trails day event this year included cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, annual meeting, silent auction, dinner, and entertainment with the presentation of a Becker County historical documentary Timber: Dead and Down by the executive producer Jeff Schlossman. The annual meeting was a first for this two-year-old chapter that adopted its by-laws on September 7, 2009. The event was a huge success with 68 attendees enjoying the activities, and silent auction proceeds of $875 added to the chapter’s Grant Matching Reserve Fund.

—Ray Vlasak, Chapter President

4

Ray Vlasak

our relationship with our partners at Chippewa National Forest’s Walker Ranger District, where we officially adopted the trail section that passes through the west end of their district. The chapter held two trail maintenance events in “The Chip.”

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and placed barrier posts at all of the trailheads plus dropped a few trees to protect the path from incursions by motorized vehicles. The chapter also helped with an event sponsored by the state’s newest chapter, the Arrowhead, to support them as they build trail west toward the Chippewa National Forest.

Outreach is ongoing and continues to be our chapter’s forte.

We met with hiking enthusiasts from across the northern tier including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Michigan at events that planted passion in others. We were on display and promoting at the Mall of America’s “Government on Display Weekend,” the State Fair’s “MN DNR Main Stage,” and an REI store in Bloomington twice. Our display returned to perennial favorite, the “Outdoor Adventure Expo” both spring and fall at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis. The STN biggest event yet will be to try to clear and mow all 72 miles within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest over the weekend of June 26th & 27th, 2010. The event will be titled “24 Hours of the Chip” and we will be aided with help from our partners, the NPS and USFS. This is a full moon weekend and should be a lot of fun, so if you’d like more information on this or any of our other activities contact us at stn@northcountrytrail.org.

—Brian Pavek

Sheyenne River Valley Chapter NORTH DAKOTA - The New Laurentian Lakes Chapter—No argument about a need to replace this bog bridging!

Ray Vlasak

LLC: Gary Narum and Jim Luttrell are making great progress on its replacement. www.northcountrytrail.org

Year dawned bright for the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter. We received an easement from the City of Fort Ransom and were in the planning stages of development of the Mill Road segment and minor re-route for Fort Ransom State Park. Adam Larson, a prospective Eagle Scout, had chosen this as his project. In March, several of us went out and chose the route for the trail and Adam started making plans for joint troop/chapter work days.

In April, Mother Nature threw us a curve. Our whole state suffered the worst flooding seen in over a hundred years. Many segments of our trail were under water or under levees. Because of this, two of our monthly chapter hikes were cancelled. Valley City State University, the chosen venue for the 2009 NCTA conference, was barricaded behind massive contingency levees.

It was quite a mess!

In May, we were able to access the trails and determine the amount of damage and what was needed to bring them up to standard for the conference. We were fortunate to get some emergency funding from NPS Cyclic Maintenance to restore some Continued on page 28 January-March 10

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State of the Trail…continued from page 27

Becky Heise

Sheyenne River Valley, North Dakota: In early spring, prospective Eagle Scout Adam Larsen laid plans for joint troop/chapter work days.

SRV flood at Fort Ransom State Park, taken last April. This handsome gateway does not invite us onto the trail this day.

Becky Heise

of the most severe damage, two culverts that were washed out on our Ladies Line Trail segment. A bridge in Clausen Springs Recreation Area, also on the Ladies Line segment, had both approaches washed out. Luckily the bridge remained in place. The County Park Department restored the approaches in time for the conference. The Lonetree segment was mowed and made ready during a Volunteer Adventure project in mid-July.

With the trails at Lake Ashtabula trimmed up and many missing or broken Carsonite markers replaced just before conference, we were ready to host our friends from the other six states along the trail! The weather was perfect for hiking (except for a tiny bit of rain) and we had the best time showing off our trail and entertaining you all! We hope you enjoyed yourselves as well.

Mid-December we got word that the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter was nominated and won a Special Merit Award from the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

Kevin Stankiewicz, the North Dakota Trails and Lands Coordinator, nominated our chapter for our “tireless efforts to benefit the people of North Dakota and hikers around the world.” Is that awesome or what?

Just before the conference, we were notified that we had been awarded a Recreational Trails Program grant for the acquisition of easements and development of 25 to 35 miles of new trail. The funds will also cover structures that will improve existing trail such as water and fence crossings, two back country privies, directional and educational signage. This, of course, was all put on hold until we could get past the conference and post-conference activities.

We are now in extreme planning mode to take care of this hugely ambitious project. We have written grants and done other fund raising to raise the matching funds, gone through an interview process to hire a contractor to acquire easements for us, calculated the materials needed and are ready to order? We have an agreement with the Corps of Engineers to build the water crossings for us during the winter for installation in the spring.

The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter will be laying down new trail like wildfire from spring until the snow flies in 2010!

—Becky Heise

Yes, I'll Lend a Hand to the North Country Trail!

Join the North Country Trail Association to support our volunteers in building the trail and telling its story in communities nearby. Happy Trails!

Become a member today by calling (866) 445-3628 or visit our website and click on Become a Member.

Please choose your Chapter Affiliation:  I want to be a member of my local Chapter:  I want to be a member of the Chapter closest to my home.  I want to be an At-Large Member. (Not affiliated with any Chapter)  I want to make a tax deductible contribution of Name Address City EMail 28 The North Star

January-March 10

State Day Time Phone

Zip

M ar y C o f f in

s t i b d i T r e t s Regi

A register box along the Onondaga Trail of the Finger Lakes Trail System in NY, with Adirondack Mountain Club–Onondaga Chapter members signing in during a snow “hike.”

Irene Szabo

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taff regional coordinator Bill Menke has pointed out that trailside “registers” are nonexistent along most of the NCT, at least during his several thousand miles walked, except in Wisconsin and New York. The Finger Lakes Trail has traditionally featured them for forty-odd years now, placed at irregular intervals, usually some kind of box with a tablet and pen inside. Many are built like bluebird boxes, or perhaps like a “secretary” desk, with a large front lid that folds down to enable writing. In areas where forest creatures enjoy the glue in plywood far too much, trail caretakers have even resorted to using metal mail or ammo boxes.

While the entries by passing hikers can be inane twaddle left mostly by teenage boys, and it’s certain that many never write anything at all, a lot of information about the invisible population of our trail can be gleaned. Some caretakers feel as if nobody is out there using their beloved linear garden, but would probably be surprised at how many have passed there. Better yet, we learn how far away some of them came from.

Bill Menke found these two in Wisconsin: "Marvelous trail that the trail stewards have done all along the way. I'm joining the NCT. So impressive!"—Meridith Griggs, Cabin John, Maryland "Thank you so much for developing this trail. Found out about your hard work in the NY Times."—Sally Connolly So register boxes are a good outreach tool, too, a good place to stock with brochures.

Many registers along the Finger Lakes Trail’s 900mile trail system were built with Challenge Cost Shares from the National Park Service for use on our 400-plus miles of shared NCT. The western end of the FLT starts at the Pennsylvania border in NY’s Allegany State Park, where three separate log shelters are scattered along the twenty miles of trail within the park. At the middle one,

www.northcountrytrail.org

Stony Brook Lean-to, there is a register often filled with commentary on the considerable wildlife which wants to share that shelter.

“Never hiked 5 miles before and never will again. Fell trying to get away from bees, got stung anyway. This is why I stay in hotels. The nature is lovely, though. Can’t wait to get out!!” —Kris “Set up camp. Early in the evening we encountered four coyotes, including one very large leader who howled and trotted just past Marc and his 4-month old puppy, Pada. The coyotes stalked and circled us at different points in the night, making the evening nothing short of terrifying…not for us, but for the puppy they seemed most interested in. ‘Porki’ the porcupine did his thing, chewing on the shelter for hours and hours while the coyotes howled… Pada was fine but no lean-to has been this wild before.” —Signed by FIVE people! (& Pada) “First day of a planned 150-mile hike to Hornell.

Wow, I’m tired. I saw no bees. A little concerned about these porcupines and coyotes.” —R. J. Wolf, Washington, D.C., born Hornell NY ‘72 “Here to measure the front opening so that we can install some chain link fence to keep Porkies out of lean-to.”

—Gene Cornelius, trail steward “Bicycled from Allegany (village, 25 miles east of here), left bike at the top of the hill and walked down here. I am trying out hiking in small steps. Today my newly-made Pepsi-can stove and coffee-can pot stand/wind screen cooked Ramen noodles quite nicely. But through inattention I melted a hole in one of my water bottles. Can I tell my wife Porky did this?”

—Allen Knowles “Wrapping up a 280-mile hike from Pittsburgh, PA, to Salamanca, NY.”—Eric Schlimmer, Oneonta, NY …and back to a Wisconsin entry: “A great day hiking with a great friend cannot be better.”

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To keep our spirits up, here is a taste of spring. Really, REALLY we'll all soon be starting up the lawn mowers! —Editor

Favorite Places Mary Coffin

Favorite Trail Sections in Central New York: Onondaga Trail in Spring DeRuyter Lake Dam Road to New Woodstock, FLT Map O 2

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t is difficult to select a favorite since the trail I’m on at the moment is usually it. For this article I have selected a very new section of the NCT FLT Onondaga extension that we have worked on for the last three years. It represents a nice blend of private and public lands. It is a less than 5 mile jaunt one way so some might prefer to walk out and back to avoid spotting cars. Favorite features include mature hardwood forests with some conifers mixed in, rolling hills, streams, scenic views and another pond. Spring is a great time to view the little waterfalls and early wildflowers and hear the returning bird songs.

The trailhead is located at the DeRuyter Dam Road and East Lake Road stop sign south of State Route 80. The private landowner, Frank Caputo, has provided off road parking 0.2 miles south of the trailhead on East Lake Road.

One begins hiking east with Highland Forest and DeRuyter Lake to the back, west. The trail crosses a creek then heads uphill along a ravine via a series of gradual switchbacks.

In the spring there are many little waterfalls and cascades along the stream, visible at each turn. With only the sound of running water and bird calls, it is a very peaceful walk in the woods.

Along this section last year we found a turkey nest just off the trail with eleven eggs in it. The deer enjoy the trail too and several hunter stands are now in the forest near the trail. The hunters have expressed their appreciation of the trail to the landowner. It gets them uphill to state forest at an easy 10% grade.

One spring I found a deer skull and jawbone and another time a pair of

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antlers. They were only a little chewed by rodents craving calcium. Finding both antlers is rare in my experience.

As one continues there is a second set of gradual switchbacks in the forest, and spring affords open views of farm ponds, DeRuyter Lake and Highland Forest Ridge, all to the west. This section of trail was recently purchased by the Glisson family and they are strong trail supporters. At the height of land is DeRuyter State Forest, a typical beech–maple woodland. Early May is the time to start looking for spring wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, violets, spring beauty, mayapple, blue cohosh, Canada mayflower and more. You will smell the leeks as they are crushed under your boots. Don’t miss the east to west viewpoint over Reeds' cultivated field.

The trail descends crossing several little streams in state forest and follows a narrow strip of state land before crossing two dirt roads, Stanton then Tromp Road. Both have parking. There is a half-mile section that is only flagged at this writing but should be completed by fall 2010. One can hike due east following the orange flags, compass or GPS for 0.5 miles to Fairbanks Road (parking also available).

A quick left-right on Fairbanks Road brings the trail past Armstrong Pond in 0.2 mile. The pond is a great spot for a relaxing lunch. Then it is up over Hirt Hill. Don’t miss the fence stile that leads the hiker a very short distance on an orange flagged dead end spur into a field with a view of Cazenovia Lake five miles to the north. As the trail descends it sweeps out to an abandoned ski trail twice to catch views of the valley and the steeples in the village of New Woodstock. Parking is available again on private land (Murphy) just off Webber Road.

Accumulated mileage: Dam Rd. access = 0 miles, enter DeRuyter State Forest = 1 mile, Stanton Rd. = 1.9, Tromp Rd. = 2.3, exit DeRuyter State Forest on Fairbanks Rd. = 2.9, Webber Rd. access = 4.7.

Max elevation = 1850 feet, Minimum elevation = 1300 feet

And for Those Who Really Love Winter…

A Wedding!

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n January 23rd, 2010, Glenn and Deb Kerbs of Illinois were married at Great Conglomerate Falls on the Black River in the western upper peninsula of Michigan.

This spot is on the Copper Peak spur of the NCT. Local Ni-Miikanaake chapter members Morgan Grasso and Ric Olson (our photographer) attended the ceremony, as part of the cross-country ski club from Illinois that conducts many trips every year to the UP for snowshoe and crosscountry ski treks on the NCT. Some club members even stay up there for the winter!

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8

Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

We'll have a program one evening about eleven women who trekked over Russian ice to the North Pole; another evening, there's a barn dance.

Previously published in the FLT News in an earlier version. www.northcountrytrail.org

January-March 10

The North Star 31

RESCUE FUN?

Injury Reporting Kits Coming to All Chapters Ken Kelsey

On the Harbor Springs Chapter Section in Lower Michigan Ken Kelsey

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don’t know what category of trail maintenance, use, etc. this comes under but several of us from the Readmond, Friendship and Cross Village (RFC) Fire and Rescue have spent a fair amount of time on the trail recently in activities that you may be interested in. The activities culminated in a realistic rescue and extraction drill.

Our goals were to use one of our almost weekly drills to • Familiarize our crew with the NCT • Learn how to use the roads, two-tracks, and paths to access the trail • Develop skills in finding injured or ill persons on the trail • Apply first aid and extract persons from the trail to waiting ambulances or rescue vehicles, and • Use our thermal imager, off-road vehicle and rescue sled to locate and transport victims.

Since we usually train after normal work hours, it was a night exercise, on Monday, Oct. 19, from 7:00 to about 10:00.

New moon was on Sunday so there was no moon to help us out. We chose a wilderness rescue. Two persons and a process observer/evaluator located themselves along the trail on Section 6 between the Levering Road trailhead and Wycamp Lake Dam. None but myself knew the location. When the RFC crew (11 of us were present) arrived at the station for training they were given a mock dispatch which indicated that a cell phone transmission had been received from two hikers, one of whom had been hit in the back by a bow hunter's arrow and could not move his legs. The other was staying with him; the caller later feigned a diabetic emergency so also needed to be extricated on a backboard.

As the “Incident Commander” I gave a briefing on the 32 The North Star

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Dan Watson

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s a result of discussions at a NCTA-NPS Joint Planning Session, the NPS will be providing packets of materials to aid volunteers in reporting injuries incurred while performing volunteer services for the North Country National Scenic Trail.

In the coming weeks, NPS Volunteer Coordinator Dan Watson will mail each NCTA Chapter Leader several “Injury Reporting Kits.” Each kit will include a checklist of initial steps to take when an injury occurs, along with a supply of forms to be taken to the hospital or clinic at the time of injury. Dan will still be directly involved in each injury case, but these kits will help you to help yourselves in the first hours following an injury.

By sending these kits into the field, volunteers will have the necessary forms and information at their disposal to initiate an injury claim in the most expeditious manner possible. As a result, individual injury claims should then be processed and resolved more quickly , with fewer glitches in information sharing among the volunteer, the hospital, and the NPS. While the kits are developed in such a way that Chapter volunteers should be able to follow the instructions, Dan Watson will also begin to make a series of site visits to as many Chapters as possible over the coming months in order to provide some face-to-face orientation to the use of these kits, as well as other information regarding the volunteer program.

Chapter leaders should watch the mail for the arrival of these kits, and work directly with Dan Watson if any questions arise on how the kits should be used. Thank you for your assistance and support in this initiative to provide our volunteers with the fastest care they can receive in the unfortunate instance of an injury while volunteering on the North Country NST. NCT, distributed maps and formed search teams. We then deployed in two rescue vehicles, a fire engine and the 4 wheeler and rescue sled to the Wycamp Lake area. We set up a staging area and began to search the trail in teams, with each team searching a section and communicating by radio. In about an hour from dispatch, the victims were found on the trail south of Wycamp Lake. Then they were treated, packaged and extricated.

Getting them out was difficult as they had to be carried down the trail on backboards to a point where the 4 wheeler could meet them to take them further to the ambulance.

It was great fun. I am reporting this in some detail so you can envision how such a rescue could occur (I know there have been previous ones) and that by using these techniques we (or others) could locate possible victims on any section of the trail.

For what it's worth: Preparation time on trail 4 hours; Drill time on trail 2 hours involving 13 people.

Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Winter Trails Day 2010 Kay Kujawa

t was 20 below zero at Soldier Lake Campground when over forty hikers arrived to Celebrate Winter Trails Day 2010 on January 9th. Revelers trekked from where we had parked on the plowed shoulder of route M28 on snowshoes or skis in to the pavilion where a blazing fire awaited them.

Michigan DNR Interpreter Theresa Neal provided free snowshoe loans for those new to the sport. On the roadside snowbanks of highway M28 she helped with the bindings and gave basic instructions, then the eager “students” tromped down the North Country Trail to the campground.

HSS volunteers took turns cooking, tending the fire, and leading hikes. Hotdogs were roasted on the fire throughout the afternoon, and a parade of cookies from volunteer ovens blanketed a picnic table. All afternoon hikers paused on the lake to bask in the sun and share hiking tales, while others went out in pairs or groups for guided or unguided hikes of varying lengths and destinations.

Stan Kujawa toted firewood, food, and the day’s trappings in by snowmobile, along with a member just recovering from surgery. Guests and HSS members came from across the eastern UP (upper peninsula to the rest of you) and from as far south in the mitten of Michigan as Gaylord and Lansing. Bill Courtois, our HSS photographer, came all the way from Ann Arbor.

www.northcountrytrail.org

Kay Kujawa

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These hardy hikers made tracks with their snowshoes for a winter outing on a crisp and sunny day in December 2009.

The sun cast lengthening shadows as the last of the HSS “kids” skied and snowshoed across the snow-covered field. Plans are already being made for Winter Trails Day 2011.

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The North Star 33

NCTA Board Of Directors Initiates Strategic Planning Effort Larry Hawkins, M.D. First Vice-president of NCTA Board

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arly last summer, a chapter colleague, who was deeply involved in establishing a county trail alliance in our area, asked me if the NCTA had a Strategic Plan in place. I was chagrined to note that I had no idea, but I vowed to pursue the question. I eventually learned that, yes, we did have a strategic plan, developed in 2004. The Board checked the association’s performance against it for a few years, but then many of its champions moved on from the Board of Directors, allowing it to languish. Interestingly, that plan was to expire in 2009.

What we have been working with recently has been an Executive Dashboard which was developed a couple of years ago by the NCTA staff in Lowell at a staff retreat.

To his credit, Bruce Matthews, our executive director, has consistently kept that executive dashboard in front of us to give us direction in our administration of the Association.

At our Summer Conference Board Meeting, I proposed that we, as a Board, develop an updated strategic plan and then commit to keeping that plan at the forefront of our decision making process in the years to come, updating it regularly to keep it current with the Association’s needs. For my reward, I was given the job of spearheading the process which is now well under way.

Our first job was to establish areas of priorities to study in the planning process. Board members, staffers, and NPS staff were invited to be part of that process and we identified six major areas to study.

At this point, the Board needed to revisit our Mission Statement and our Vision Statements for the trail and the association to be certain that they accurately reflect our goals and needs.Having firmed up our Mission and Vision, the Board, NCTA staff and our NPS colleagues will then divide into six committees to study the six priority areas that we already established in the late Fall. These committees will then do what is called a SWOT analysis for their particular area of concern. This process looks at our Strengths, our Weaknesses, our Opportunities and our Threats in each area.

Having identified these, each committee will make a list of proposals for the Strategic Plan based on their analysis.

In May, at a special meeting prior to the May Board of Directors’ meeting, the board will review the analyses and proposals and develop a strategic plan for the next decade to be presented to you, the membership, at our Annual Summer Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Although the strategic planning process has been limited to the Board and staff in order to keep the process manageable and timely, we certainly invite you,

2010 Update Mission: The North Country Trail Association

develops, maintains, protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.

Vision: The North Country Trail Association

(NCTA) will be the primary organization charged with developing, maintaining, protecting, and promoting the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST). The NCTA will coordinate, unite and empower volunteers and partner organizations, land owners and agencies along the length of the trail to fulfill its mission.

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

The NCTA will develop a corridor of consistently and clearly marked treadways, blending with local character as appropriate. maintain the NCNST through highly successful partnerships among the various entities, providing funding, management and service. protect, permanently whenever possible, the NCNST as a public hiking trail showcasing and interpreting the rich variety of historical, cultural and environmental features in the northern United States promote the NCNST as a continuous hiking trail of the highest caliber with foot traffic accorded the highest priority to the exclusion of other uses except in short, specifically designated segments.

the membership at large, to provide input. You may communicate with me or Bruce Matthews at the Lowell Office and we will forward your comments and concerns to the appropriate committees for their review.

We are excited by the potential for this process to further the mission of the NCTA in developing the premier hiking trail across the northern US. Please join us in the process.

2010 NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin, August 5-8 Let Us Tempt You To Visit!

Copper Falls State Park hikes, where tannin-dyed waterfalls splash among huge orange boulders in the great northern forest…

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Bring On The Bridge 2010

Tour de NCT continues in Pennsylvania Our experience along the Finger Lakes Trail in NY is that our finest outreach tool is offering even modest hike series designed to help people complete a definable section of trail, whether it’s one whole county or, in the Pennsylvania case, all of the state’s off-road NCT! As we’ve been reporting, the series sponsored by the Butler Outdoor Club and Butler Chapter and conducted by John Stehle has been good fun. But we know from experience that if they had advertised widely to the public, they might have had to rent busses!

—Editor

M

Tammy Veloski

ark your Calendars: Bring On The Bridge 2010 has been scheduled and approved for 3-7 September, 2010.

This is a camping event for North Country National Scenic Trail enthusiasts with the main emphasis on providing a common rallying point for NCT hikers who want to include hiking the Mackinac Bridge in their hiking log. Remember, the Mackinac Bridge is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail and is open to foot traffic only one day each year, Labor Day. On this day, literally thousands of people hike this 5-mile bridge (including approaches) connecting the communities of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Michigan. It spans the Straits of Mackinac connecting two of Michigan's Great Lakes, Michigan and Huron. Most people complete this hike not even realizing that they have just hiked five miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

In the 2009 version of Bring On The Bridge, forty-five people, representing two states and six chapters, camped from one to five nights enjoying not only the Mackinac Bridge NCT hike, but also other NCT trail sections maintained by the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter.

As information becomes available, it will be posted on the NCT National and Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter websites. Once a formal schedule is developed, a copy will be sent to the individual chapters along the trail.

Inquiries may be directed to dewitt.charlene@yahoo. com, or the following address: Charlene DeWitt, 15197 S. Centerline Rd., Rudyard MI 49780.

Overlooking Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania.

Marv De Witt

Stage 7 of the Tour included October colors, but the first day was marked by wet snow that brought down branches, followed by cold rain. However, the second day was bright with light snow on the ground, continuing 15 miles’ worth of the Allegheny National Forest, including the famous Tionesta Scenic Area. Stage 8 in November added some miles in the central Old Stone House area, including some planned overlooks along the trail, and permitted posthike relaxation at the North Country Brewery.

December offered a perfect day for Stage 9, where 10 hikers accomplished 7.5 miles in 28 degree weather, no wind, even followed by sunshine after lunch. They finished early enough to visit the nearby Glass Blowing Center for their holiday open house.

The Tour continues next season. Contact John Stehle, (724) 256-0674, stehles@yahoo.com.

John Stehle

"Nimblewill Nomad" Eb Ebersole with Bruce Matthews at the 2009 Bridge Walk. Ebersole had to return to the bridge on Labor Day in order to complete his NCT through-walk along with thousands of others.

Rocks are a central feature of many Pennsylvania hikes.

www.northcountrytrail.org

January-March 10

The North Star 35

north star

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

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

PAID

Grand Rapids, MI Permit 340

Finger Lakes Trail, by Ray Kuzia, New York State

Happy trails to you. Our eight newspapers across Michigan cover the great outdoors, including the best nature walks, day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Read us, then find a slice of heaven of your own on foot. Booth Newspapers: The Ann Arbor News, The Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, The Grand Rapids Press, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, The Kalamazoo Gazette, The Muskegon Chronicle and The Saginaw News.

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