North Star Vol. 3, No. 2 (1983)

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VOLUME III

.APRIL 1983

Number 2

ORGANIZATIONAL SECTION

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NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 311 White Cloud,.Michigan 49349

NORTH DAKOTA

President: Larry Lemanski Vice President: Virginia Wunsch.

Secretary: Joyce Harlukowicz Treasurer: Kenneth Gackler *****************************************

PRESIDENT EMERITUS

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

THE NEWSLETTER

Honorable Wm. S. Cohen U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

The communications median for the North Country Trail Association.

Editor:

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John G. Hipps, M.D. Orchard Hill Farm Marienville, PA 16239 (814) 927-6685 ***************************************** NATIONAL BOARD QF DIRECTORS (by State) NEW YORK

Mr. Robert E. Dreis 632 Smith Street Spooner, Wisconsin 54301 Ms. Carolyn Hoffman R.D. 4 Box 217 Dillsburg, PA 17019 Mr. Robert P. Martin National Park Service 1709 Jackson Street Omaha, Nebraska 68102

Dr. William Ehling Dr. Robert Hofer PENNSYLVANIA

Honorable Gaylord Nelson 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20006

Dr. John Hipps Dr. James (Bill) Shiner

Honorable G. Wm. Whitehurst House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 *************************************

OHIO Dr. Richard Harvey Mr. Ralph Ramey Mr. Robert路Paton

NAMES & ADDRESSES OF 1983 OFFICERS

MICHIGAN Mr. Ms. Mr. Ms.

Mr. Lance Feild, Maine *************************************

Mr. Lawrence L. Lemanski, President P.O. Box路10144 Lansing, Michi~an 48901

Lawrence Lemanski Virginia Wunsch Kenneth Gackler Joyce Harlakowicz

M~. Virgini~ Wunsch, Vice President Route 4 2780 Mundy Ave. White Cloud, Michigan 49349

WISCONSIN

Ms. Joyce Harlukowicz, Secretary Metro Detroit Council American Youth Hostels 3024 Cooli~ge Berkley, Michigan 48092

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MINNESOTA Dr. Timothy Knopp ~ I

Mr. Kenneth Gackler, Treasurer 418 West Johnson Street Caledonia, Michigan 49316 -1-

THE NEWSLETTER

VOLUME III

APRIL 1983

EDITORIAL

STATE & REGIONAL VIEWS & NEWS

The following names have been suggested up to press time for the name of the NCTA Newsletter:

PENNSYLVANIA

The Trail Voice Trail Echoes Sakajewea's Voice Lance Feild The Leprechaun Away and Across The Trekker The Pathfinder

Jim Yeick, Appalachian Trail Hiker, will give his exciting and highly entertaining slide talk on April 30, 1983 at the United Methodist Church in Warren, P.ennsylvania. The Allegheny Outdoor Club extends invitation to all area hikers to take advantage of this excellent free of charge entertainment.

Robert Dreis

Trail Prints

Mary Arma & _Jim Waldron ***************************************** The NCTA Spring Meeting in Pennsylvania originally scheduled for April 16 & 17th was changed to May 7 & 8th when Bill Shiner, Larry Lemanski and myself suddenly became aware of a conflicting meeting in Pittsburgh by the Western Pennsylvania Tra i1s Conference. Bill and myse 1 f p 1 an to attend thi~ conference and will report on it at our meeting in May. ***************************************** .This Editor recently came across a reference to the North Country Trail in the Winter issue, 1979-80, of11Pennsylvania Forests". This magazine is the official publication of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. 路It seems to be the case that we have been in the news here and there for some time. As we are all beginning to realize its a matter of just getting it a 11 together. #########################################

MICHIGAN Ken Gackler, our treasurer made the news in the Grand Rapids Press January 11, 1983 in an article entitled "Caledonia Man Promotes National Trail for Hiking", written by Judy Trempre. This news item gave the North Country Trail a nice boost in public recognition in our efforts to promote the trail and attract membership. ****************************************

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The first annual Western Pennsylvania Jrai ls Conference was. hel d on. Saturday, April 16, 1983 in Allegheny County's 路 North Park, near Pittsburgh. This meeting was attended by NCTA Board Members Bill Shiner and John Hipps who will report on their experiences at the NCTA me:eting May 7, 1983 in Marienville, 路 Forest County, Pennsylvania.

The planning session for the NCTA Spring Meeting of May 7th and 8th was held at the Bucktail Hotel in Marienville, Forest County,. Pennsylvania on March 12, 1983. The meeting was attended by Emily Traub, Marjorie Taylor, Howard Flick, Ted Grisez and Don and Brita Dorn of the A 11 eqheny Outdoor 路 Club, Judy Cochran and .Janice Crispin of Boy Scouts of America Troup 72 of Marienville, PA. Glenn Oster, American Youth Hostels, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wyndle Watson, Outdoor Writer, Pittsburgh Press and Al Flechsig, Jeannie Peak, Shirley and John Hipps, local NCTA members. An active discussion took place about back packing, NCT in Pennsylvania and the upcoming Spring Meeting. All persons present provided interest and meaningful input. A tentative program for the Spring Meeting weekend was formulated and appears on page 7 of the Newsletter. *************************************

THE NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL FEATURE #1

VOLUME III

NORTH COUNTR~ TRAIL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

PRESIDENT - LARRY LEMANSKI GREETINGS FROM YOUR NEW PRESIDENT Hi, everyone! The North Country Trail Association has a new president, and as the person now holding that office, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Larry Lemanski, and I live in Lansing, a city in the south central part of lower Michigan's "mitten". Your board of directors elected me at our last meeting in November, 1982. If you'd like to know anything more about me, I'm sure it would be my trails background. So here goes.

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APRIL 1983

Over the last twelve years, I've become involved with a number of-.trails organizations. Early among them were the Bruce and Voyageur Trail Associations of Ontario, Canada. I joined them because, after finding out about their trails, I wanted to learn more about them, hike them and lend support by my membership and dues.

I then joined the American Hiking Society and the North Country Trail Association (while still a project of the International Backpackers Association) because I saw the need to become politically· active as an advocate for the cause of foot trails. About that time I was also appointed to the Michigan Depar.tment of Natural Resources Trails Advisory Council as a representative for.hikers and backpackers. I've participated in many federal and state trails-related meetings since then. Later, for the same reasons stated in the beginning, I joined the· Buckeye and, most recently, the Keystone and Finger Lakes Trail Associations.

Furthermore, I was also interested in the prospect of involvement by these last three trail organizations in helping with the North Country Trail. But first and foremost among all such groups is one I founded myself before I joined any of the others.

In 1971, as I was nearing the end of my college course of studies in environmental science, I was fortunate enough to have started an outings·club for kids, which soon came to be known as the Great Lakes Camp and Trail Association. It began r- • simply, as a camping and hiking nature· study group setting out to discover the

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great north woods. It has since evolved into an expedition-level outings club with a broad spectrum of activities whose explorations have spanned the Great takes region.. I said I was fortunate in this, and the reason lies in the opportunities I've had to exper.ience, appreciate, and to share with others the remarkable diversity of outstanding natural features with which our north country is endowed. Through my ex.ten.~ive participation in this group, I have come to know first hand the tremendous variety and beauty of the scenic natural resources of the region. Add to that the important historic heritage of the north, and I've seen a choice assemblage of natural and historic attractions well deserving of national recognition. .A1 l of which brings me to saying , we hav.e much to offer the hiker throughout our north country, and we now have the means to do so along a continuous foot path linking together seven northern states. The North Country Trail, if · properly developed along its entire route, has the potential to bring hikers into contact with many of our very best and most scenic resources in a most intimate and wholesome way - on foot! That's where we come in. I'm sure many of you are deeply involved with trails and have had lots of great experiences outdoors like I have.

It's up to us, working with the National Park Service, to make this possible for other folks as well as ourselves. ·However, this great opportunity I envision as being made possible by the North •• Country Trail may never happen unless we, as members of the NCTA, see to it that the trail becomes a reality.

Our first order of business must be to develop this organization past that threshold wi'l:~ire it can.sustatn itself before we can proceed to carry out the 'purposes for which 'it is organized. A primary need is mem~ership! You've heard it s.aid that the strength of any effective organization lies in its members. In our case, that can be taken literally once we get going.

Many, many members wi 11 ·be needed to

THE NEWSLETTER SPECIAL FEATURE #1 (Cont'd)

VOLUME III

APRIL 1983

NORTH COONTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

LARRY LEMANSKI - {Continued)

TREASURER - KEN GACKLER

build and maintain 3,200 miles of trail.

But even before we can attempt that, membership strength is required to pro- . vide a good cash flow for basic operating expenses and to perfonn the many jobs necessary to get a new trail organization off and running.

Right now, much of the initial work is being done by your officers and directors.· This has consisted of setting up the basic organizational framework a process not yet completed. The major workload is still on the horizon: the North Country Trail itself. To get from here to there will depend largely on you; the members, and hundreds more like you, who we hope will join us soon.

So, I'd like to close this first column with an appeal to·all of you to seek out new members in whatever way you can ..

Remember, as our membership grows, so will our ability to succeed~

************************************* SECRETARY - JOYCE HARLUKOWICZ Joyce was a surendipitous happening for the North Gountry Trail Association at our fall meeting in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She was there~ and she volunteered herself as secretary and became a member of the Board. The rest of us were overjoyed to have her and we still are.

Her. own modest.statement of herself is,

I m Executive Director for the Metro Detroit Council, American Youth Hostels, Inc., an avid hiker and backpacker, having hiked and backpacked in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest parts of the United States.11 11 1

***************************************** *********************************•·~~~+++ Lake SuperiOr

CANADA

Lake. Michigan

North Country Trail

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THE NEWSLETTER

VOLUME III Ii

SPECIAL FEATURE #2

APRIL 1983

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PROGRESS REPORT FROM NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The final Comprehensive Plan for Management and Use of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) has been completed and is in the process of being transmitted to Congress by Secretary of the Interior James Watt. As soon as the plan has been sent to Congress, copies will be distributed to public agencies, trail organizations, and private individuals which have been involved in the development of the plan and the trail.

The final plan reflects the many helpful comments and suggested improvements received during the period of public review of the draft plan. Several improvements in policy for managing the trail recommended by the North Country National Scenic Trail Advisory Council are reflected in the final plan. In total, however, the final plan is very similar to the July 1982 draft.

The maps in the final plan are slightly revised over those in the draft plan.

Accuracy is improved. Also, several additional public agencies and trail organizations, most notably the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Buckeye Trail Association, gave written permission to certify their -trails as part of the official route of the NCT. As a result of these positive decision~, Ohio will have the di~tinction of having the most miles of certified trail once the official路 notice is published in the "Federal Register".

The accompanying table provides information on the number of miles of the NCT in each State. The table indicates that approximately 1,014 miles of existing trail will or could become part of the NCT route - nearly one~third of its total length!

Thes~ ~xisting trails already provide significant opportunities for trail activities on the NCT. However, a major effort remains to connect these existing segments with approximately 2,222 miles of new trail. Private trail organizations will have to play a leading role in this effort.

Importan.t cooperative arrangements for developing and managing the trail are being formed between the National Park Service (NPS) and public agencies and private trail organizations. The North Country Trail Association was the first organization to sign a memorandum of agreement with NPS. On February 15, 1983, an agreement was consummated with the USDA-Forest Service relating to management of the NCT in the seven national forests and one national grassland through which it passes. Recently, two New York organizations - the New York State Trails Council and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference - have indicated their desire to establish formal working arrangements with NPS. These commitments to the NCT are important to the long term effort to establish and maintain the trail and reflect the type of cooperation that is needed along its entire route.

An official marker for the NCT has been designed. The design was reviewed and approved by the North Country National Scenic Trail Advisory Council and subsequently adopted by NPS. The shape of the marker is the standard rounded triangle of the National Trails System. The distinctive symbol in the center of the marker is a yellow star design on a field of blue. In the white border around the symbol are the words "North Country National Scenic Trail". The U.S. Department of the Interior is in the process of registering the marker路with the U.S. Patent Office.

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THE NEWSLffiER

VOLUME III

SPECIAL FEATURE# 2(Continued)

PROGRESS REPORT FROM NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

APRIL 1983

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL APPROXIMATE TRAIL MILEAGE BY STATEl

Existing Trail Pending Gerti fi cation2 Other3

State

Total

0

2294

289

518

94

4

82

180

Ohio

230

8

460

698

Michigan

182

76

619

877

Wisconsin

62

21

72

155

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35

71

267

373

North Dakota

2

0

433

435

605

409

2222

32365

New York '

Yet to Be Built High Potential Routes and General Locations

Pennsylvania

Minnesota

TOTALS

lsource: National Park Service estimates based upon maps in the final "Comprehensive Plan for Management and Use of the North Country National Scenic Trail".

2These segments will become certified upon publication of a notice in the "Federal Register".

3Trails which could be certified in the future depending on various considerations.

4of this figure, the Finger Lakes Trail comprises 210 miles. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference has recently indicated its willingness to have these trails certified as part of the official route.

5The final length of the constructed trail will likely be longer because the general locations路of future trail segments are shown in straight-line patterns on the maps. 路

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THE NEWSLETTER

VOLUME III

SPECIAL FEATURE

#3

APRIL 1983

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SUGGESTIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO PLAN TO ESTABLISH A NEW HI KING TRAIL PART II OF A SERIES Lance Feild Part one of this series ended with step number three of bits of wisdom associated with starting a new trail.

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Contact the owners of the land along the contemplated trail route, or the appropriate officials in the case of ~ublic land, for permission to establish the trail. Make the approach in person. Show sympathy and understanding for the land owner's viewpoint and -prob lems , parti-cularly as you want his good will. Point out to him that foot.travelers are generally responsible people who respect the land. If the question is raised of the land owner's liability for accidents occuring to hikers on his land, show him the state's law on this point; the chances are that it relieves him of such liaoility.

Walk over the proposed trail route with the land owne~; it should be away from his residence and other buildings and surrounding grounds which, if possible, should not be visible from the trail. Get permission for the trail from the land owner, or public official, in writing, if at all feasible.

Otherwise, get oral permission and make a record of it. Written permission is better for all parties concerned.

If desirable and the moment is propitious, get permission for backpackers to camp overnight near the trail, usually at a designated site. Ascertain if wood fires are safe and will be permitted.

Check with the 1 and owner, or pub 1 i c offi ci a 1 , on the trail name and the use and color of blazes and signs planned.

If the land owner turns you down, find an alternate route for which permission can be obtained. This may require going along a road for a stretch.

5.

Lay out the precise trail route with flagging and preliminary cutting. This is best 'done when the foliage is off the trees, in late fall, but beware of the hunting season, which is usually in November or December. Keep in mind for the route such factors as angle, up steep slopes; using switchbacks if needed, as this retards erosion; include scenic iews and points of natural beauty and interest, such as ponds, waterfalls, impressive tree stands, rock formations, etc., for crossing streams, select points crossable _in high water or see about using a bridge; avoid perenially wet areas; use.existing trails or woods roads where feasible; balance off following a crest line with good views, by following a lower route through a mature forest; discourage use of trail by motorized vehic1es and horses by means of steep pitches and natural obstacles.

6.

Cut and blaze the trail. Get a group to do this. Blaze the trail in one direction at a time, using paint {preferrably) or rock cairns. Use a bright or light color to show up i~ the dark. Blaze where needed, but only as needed.

Do not detract from the natural surroundings any more than necessary. Rock cairns have proven to be the best trail markers, worldwide.

7.

Measure the trail with a wheel or pedometer, making necessary notations of detailed date, landmarks, etc ..

-To Be Continuedr

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THE 'NEWSLETTER

VOLUME I II

APRIL 1983

SPRING MEETING PROGRAM--MAY 7 .& 8> 1983'·-·---------------Place - Marienville Areg Civic Association Park Marienville Forest County, Pennsylvania Information and Business Meeting - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Lunch - 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Work Shops - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

SATURDAY 9:00 a.m. - Welcome - William Snyder, Forest County Co111Tiissioner 9:05 a.m.

Business Meeting

Larry Lemanski - President Ginny Wunsch - Vice President Joyce Harlukowicz - Secretary Ken Gackler - Treasurer 10:00 a.m. - National Park Service Update on the North Country National Scenic Trai 1 · 12:00 noon - Lunch Afternoon - Work Shops, Slide Show WORK SHOPS 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Trails in Western Pennsylvania - Glenn Oster of the 1:30 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00

p.m. p.m. ~.m. p.m. p.m.

to to to to to

2:00 3:00 3:30 4:00 5:00

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

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American Youth Hostels, Inc~, Pittsburgh Volunteer for Trails Trail Design and Construction Trail Maintenance To Be Determined Slide Shows of various parts of the NCNST

SUNDAY The Allegheny Oudtoor Club is arrangdng for the NCTA Hike in the Kinzua Dam area of the Allegheny National Forest. There will be one hike of 5.5 miles led by Don Dorn and another of 9.4 miles led by Ted Griez. ttnese two groups will meet at the Marienville Area Civic Association Building in Marienville prior to the hike. You will be captivated by this hardwood mountain country when your feet touch it in Maytime and your whole sense of this holy place wi 11 keep you wa·l king on. . .

There will also be opportunity for an all day canoe trip on the Clarion River which is an alternate water trail that parallels the foot trail through Clarion Coun~y from Baker Trail in Cooks Forest to the Allegheny River. This river valley is one of the most lovely in the entire Applachian Mountain Range and Spring will be bursting out all over tnear ly May. This group will also meet at the Marienville Area Civic Association Building in Marienville.

There ar ample places for plug9-;ng in your camper and for lodging for those who do not plan to camp out. ·

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VOLUME IU

THE NEWSLETTER

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REGISTRATION

APRIL 1983

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APPLICATION

Please use the following for registration of your attendance, lodging facilities and which of the Sunday events you are interested in.

Please Remit

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REGISTRATION FORM North Country National Scenic Trail Association Spring Meeting May 7 and 8, 1983 Marienville Area Civic Association Park Marienville, Pennsylvania NAME

-----------------------------ADDRESS ----------------------------TELEPHONE ---------------------------~ AFFILIATION --------------------------~ Camping Facilities -----------Lodging Short Hike __

Long Hike

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Canoe Trip __

Please send $2.00 Registration Fee to:

John G. Hipps Orchard Hill Fann Forest Road Marienville, PA 16239

Please have registrations in by April 28, 1983 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION We do hope you plan to attend.

- - -Pie.se Remi~ APPLICATION FOR ME.i\\BERSHIP I believe in the concept of promoting, building, maintaining and protecting the North Country Trail whlch is the basic purpose of the Nori h Country Trail AssociatiQn and desire to support their work.

SIGNED I hereby make application for membership m the North Country Trail Association and enclose $.. . . . . . . . . . . as full dues for checked membership.

Name~------------------~Address Country Phone No.

Postal Code Date.

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The membership year runs from June l to May 31st. Dues paid after March 31, .will be applied to the next membership year. · Pleue eend membership application with check or money order to; N.C T.A.. P,O. Box 311, White Cloud, Michigan 49349

PLEASE CHECK THE TYPE MEMBERSHIP DESIRED: Adult •••..••.•••••• $10.00~~~ Family ••••..•...••• $15.00~. --~Student •.••.••••••• 5.00 Any Organization ••• $25.00.-~-Supporting ••••.•.• $50.00 _ Donor •.••••••••••• $250.00 Pc t r cn , . ••••• ; ••• $5000.00 Lifetime ••..•••••• $500 .. OQ . . . --Special Gift •••••

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