Vol. VXll, No. 3
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NORTH STAR:
The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July
NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms Expiring in 1998 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large: East Central: West Central: West Central:
Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach MI 49253 David Cornell, 514 Cordes Rd., Delton,MI 49046 John Leinen, 14205 St.Croix Trail North, Stillwater MN 55082-9587 Elwood Ensor, 1304 Horizon Dr.,Fairborn, OH 45324-5816 Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander,Royal Oak MI 48067 Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(517) 547-7402, wesboyd@dmci.net (616) 623-8659, janc128@aol.com (612) 433-4456, jleinen@mtn.org (937) 879-2068, ejensor@prodigy.com (248) 548-1737, djblount@aol.com (248) 853-0292
Terms Expiring in 1999 At-Large: At-Large: East Region: Finger Lakes Trail:
Susan Nelson, 113 E Bayfield St, Box 578, Washburn, WI 54891 Kathy Olstad, PO Box 1017, Bismarck, ND 58502 Harmon Strong, 76 ShellwoodDr., Rochester, NY 14618 Howard Beye, 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609
(715) 373-2667 (701) 250-4242,x3618, kolstad@gp.usbr.gov (716) 586-3846 (716) 288-7191, fltc@axsnet.com
Terms Expiring in 2000 At-Large: At-Large: West Region: West Region: Buckeye Trail Assoc: Honorary Appt.:
Joan Young, 861 West US 10, Scottville, Michigan 49454 Werner Veit, 49 Monroe Center,Ste 200B, Grand Rapids,MI 49503 Tricia Ryan, 232 Old North Shore Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616 Paul Stone, 834 W. Bayfield St., Washburn, WI 54891 Dana Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr.Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221 Pat Miller, RR#4 Box 135 CliffwoodDr., Prairie DuChien, WI 53821
(616) 757-2205, jhy@t-one.net (616) 235-2330, wv12@aol.com (218) 834-4342 (715) 373-2664 (330) 928-8931 (608) 326-7354
NCTA East End Trail Council (New York and Pennsylvania) Chair & NY Coordinator Central NY Chapter: Finger Lakes Trail Conf: PA Coordinator: Clarion Chapter Butler Chapter Wampum Chapter AYHPittsburgh:
Howard Beye, 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609 Randall Brune, 101 Dorset Rd., Syracuse, NY 13210-3047 Harmon Strong, 76 Shellwood Dr., Rochester NY 14618 Bob Tait, 277 S. Duffy Rd., Butler, PA 16001 Don Landfried, HCl Box 176B, Leeper, PA 16233 Bryan Koehler, PO Box 165, Chicora, PA 16025-0165 Richard Lutz, Rt 1Box1341, Wampum, PA 16157 Jim Ritchie, 221 Sixth St., Oakmont, PA 15139
(716) 288-7191, fltc@axsnet.com (315) 476-9483 (716) 586-3846 (412) 287-3382, Bob_Tait@nauticom.net (814) 744-9325 (724) 445- 7528 (724) 652-8185, r_lutz_ncnst@juno.com (412) 828-0210, jlr@budget.pa.pitt.edu
NCTA East Central Trail Council (Ohio and Lower Peninsula Michigan) Chair & Chief Noonday: Ohio Coordinator: Buckeye Trail Assoc: NW OH Rails to Trails Assc: Ml (Lower) Coordinator: Bawbeese Chapter: Western MI Chapter: Grand Traverse Chapter: Harbor Springs Chapter:
Lynn Waldron, 8133 Norris Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Jim Sprague, 4406 Maplecrest,Parma OH 44129 Dana Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr.Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 Gene Markley, PO Box 234, Delta OH 43515 Arden Johnson, 600 Tennyson,Rochester Hills, MI 48307 Richard Saur, P.O. Box 673, Hillsdale, Ml 49242 Len Baron, 10822 26th Ave, Grand Rapids, Ml 49544 Gregg Law, 1953 Lardie Rd., Traverse City, Ml 49686 Robert Rutherford, 3183 Meadowland Tr., Harbor Springs,Ml 49740
(616) 623-5340, lwaldronJ@juno.corn (216) 884-4757 (330) 928-8931 (800) 951-4788, 140years@powersupply.net (248) 853-0292 (517) 437-0746 (616) 677-3598 (616) 941-4964, packrack@aol.com (616) 526-7125
NCTA West Central Trail Council {Upper Peninsula Michigan and Wisconsin) Chair MI (Upper) Coordinator: NC. Trail Hikers Chapter: WI Coordinator: Heritage Chapter: Chequamegon Chapter: Brule-St. Croix Chapter:
Pat Miller, RR#4 Box 135,CliffwoodDr, Prairie DuChien,WI 53821 Gene Elzinga, 12 Middle Island, Marquette MI 49855 Gene Elzinga, (see above) Gaylord Yost, 2925 W Bradley Rd, River Hills WI 53217-2052 Jim Burow, 6841 S lllth St, Franklin, WI 53132 Kurt Schmitt, 2121S87th St, West Allis, WI 53227-1719 Peter Nordgren,1800 Grand Avenue, Superior, WI 54880
(608) 326-7354 (906) 225-1704, im4trails@aol.com (414) 354-8987, GaylYost@aol.com (414) 425-5146 (715) 769-3527 (715) 394-8340, pnordgre@statT.uwsuper.edu
NCTA West Terminus Trail Council (Minnesota and North Dakota) Chair MN Coordinator: Headwaters Chapter: Superior Hiking Trail Assc.: Rovers Outing Club: Kekekabic Trail Club: ND Coordinator:
John Leinen, 14205 St.Croix Trail North, Stillwater MN 55082-9587 Rod MacRae, 1210 W. 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55405 Rod MacRae, (see above) to be assigned to be assigned to be assigned vacant
(612) 433-4456, jleinen@mtn.org (612) 377-0130
National Park Service, North Country National Scenic Trail Manager: Bill Menke, National Park Service, 700 Rayovac Dr., #100, Madison WI 53711, (608) 264-5610, bill_menke@nps.gov
1998
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-Julyt 998
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~路 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 Phone (616) 454~5506 FAX (616) 454~7139 Email: NCTAssoc@aol.com WWW Site: http://northcountrytrail.org
Editor: Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Ml 49253 (517) 547-7402 E-mail: wesboyd@dmci.net Contributing Editor: Joan Young, 861US10, Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205 E-mail:jhy@t-one.net STAFF Executive Director: Bob Papp,49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 (616) 454-5506 E-mail: NCTAssoc@aol.com OFFICERS President: Werner Veit,49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 (616) 454-5506 E-mail:WV1.2@aol.com Vice President (Financial): David Cornell, 514 Cordes Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659 E-mail: janc 128@aol.com Vice President(Trails West): John Leinen, Jr, 14205 St. Croix Tr. N. Stillwater MN 55082 (612) 433-4456 E-Mail:jleinen@mtn.org Vice President(Trails East): Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067 (810) 548-1737 E-mail: djblount@aol.com Secretary Kathy Olstad, PO Box 1017, Bismarck ND 58502 (701) 2504242 x3618 E-Mail: kolstad@gp.usbr.gov Published five times annually in January, April, June, August and October by the North Country Trail Association, a private, non-profit 501 ( c )3 organization as a benefit of membership in the organization. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the North Country Trail Association.
PRINTEDON RECYCLED PAPER WITH NATURAL SOY INK
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hStar
Vol XVII June-July
The Magazine of the North Country Trail Association
Features NCNST 115 miles closer to 2000!
10
The long-awaited Garrison Diversion certification in North Dakota has come!
From Dream to Planning
11
Minnesota's Arrowhead project has been a long time in the making. Now it's beginning to move away from being a dream to become a plan.
Tick ... Tick ... Tick ...
18
Time may be running out for Lyme disease, but you still have to be careful.
1998 Annual Meeting in Traverse City, Ml
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Get your registration in now for what should be one of the best NCTA Annual Meetings ever. Registration packet included.
The Importance of a Thread
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Uniformity in blazing is one of the hallmarks to making the NCNST a reality. The NPS's Bill Menke reviews the standards for doing the job.
Trail Tips from the Upper Peninsula
24
The North Country Trail Hiker's Club has come up with a couple of ideas that many might like to pick up.
The Hidden River Bridge
25
What does it take to do a big bridge? It takes a Plan. And it takes Teamwork.
Heart and Sole
26
Honoring those who get it done.
The Tip of the Mitten
34
The Mackinac Bridge between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, is one of the focal points of Michigan's north country -- and is a focal point on the North Country Trail, as well.
RegularDepartments Keyboard TraiIs The View from Monroe Center Trailhead Hiking Shorts North Country Trail Shop Lots of comin events
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Keyboard Trails by the Editor The deadline for the June-July issue of the North Star is August 1, 1998. Items received well before that date are much appreciated. The deadline for the OctoberDecember issue will be October 1, 1998. It's going to seem strange. I've been on the Board of Directors for the North Country Trail Association since 1987. I'm not sure how many board meetings that represents, but it's probably somewhere between 30 and 40, and I've been to all of them; I've never missed a "meeting, even though it's involved trips to all of the NCTA states, thousands of miles of driving, and many hours of travel. There have been some memorable meetings in those 11 years. One of the more memorable ones was the Fall, 1987 meeting, held at Lake Itasca, Minnesota. Derek Blount and I drove out there in his van, and it was about a seventeen hundred mile brainstorming session of things that could be done with the trail, to construct it, to promote it, to make it better and better known. Looking back at that trip, I'm amazed at how many of those brainstorming ideas have become reality. Looking back across those years, there have been a lot of changes. We were still a pretty small organization back then; membership was less than half what it is now, and the handful of activists seemed to know each other across the length of the trail a lot better than they do today. There are a lot of people active out there now that I don't know the way I came to know some of those people, back then. Our budget, back in those days, was tiny by comparison to today. I think we knew that someday, we'd be running with a six-figure budget, but that day seemed far away. We knew that someday we'd have a paid staff, but again, in those days it was all volunteers -- except for the NPS's Tom Gilbert, whose work on the North Country Trail was strictly limited by a host of other responsibilities. We've come a long way since then, indeed. For several years -- until 1993 -- we had two annual membership meetings a year, one in White Cloud, first at our one-room schoolhouse, and later at the Shack, and one that rotated among the states. We got to know White Cloud pretty well in those days, and it's hard to think, now, that the vast majority of the membership of the NCTA has never been there, never known the camaradarie that developed in those days. The fall meetings, though, were what taught us that there was trail elsewhere than there. We had a memorable meeting at Ithaca, NY, in 1988. In 1989, we went to Burr Oak State
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
Park in Ohio. Derek's family and mine shared a cabin, and shared our babysitting-- our daughters were both pretty small then, and they have changed a lot, too. They're not little girls, any more. In 1990, we went up to the Pictured Rocks at Munising, MI. At the time the meeting was set there, there was no organization in the upper peninsula, and we hoped that it would stir something up. It did; it was one of the best meetings we had, and one of the results was the development of a strong chapter there -- it continues to be one of the strongest points of the trail effort. The 1991 meeting was perhaps the most memorable of the fall meetings. Held in Fargo, ND, a place new to most of us, we were squired around trails in the southeastern part of the state on a charter bus. It was an interesting experience; one of the things I remember was our lunch stop in McLeod, ND, catered by the local church, and then the roast buffalo supper, in Ft. Ransom, ND, catered by the Lutheran Church. It was one of those things that built a sense of unity among those present. You were either there, or you weren't. That meeting was a sea change in another way, in that it showed the way to the future: present was our first Executive Director, April Scholtz. It took a few years, and a couple of Executive Directors, for the organization to get used to operating out of a central office, and I don't think we ever reached a point of being thoroughly successful at it until the reign of Bob Papp, our current Executive Director, in the position. By that time, the need was seen to do some serious reorganization -- a structure that had served well for a small group was not going to work as well for a larger one, with a paid staff. It took a lot of work, first at a special meeting in Grand Rapids in the late summer of 1992, then at the fall meeting in Butler, PA, to iron out all the kinks. It was then that we went to the combination of the single annual membership meeting, and more board-only meetings annually. The annual meeting in 1993 was the last one in White Cloud, although the board met there in the fall. The 1994 Annual Meeting, held in Callaway, MN, turned out to be one of the key events in matching the Arrowhead route in Minnesota with the NCNST. The 1995 meeting, in Cooper's Plain, NY, also brought a lot of focus to routing problems at the eastern end of the trail. The 1996 meeting, in Wisconsin, although it had problems with organization, was probably one of the best meetings for content we ever had. And, last year, we had a low-key but interesting one in Ohio. So, after eleven years on the NCTA Board, and tied for second with Derek Blount for longevity on the board, the May meeting was my last for a while as a board member, thanks to term limits. I haven't made up my mind if I'm going to run again in the future; perhaps the time has come for me to change my goals. But a seat on the board has been an interesting place to watch the NCTA-- and the trail-- grow from small beginnings to bigger achievements. So, who knows?
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
The view from Monroe Center by Executive Director Bob Papp Wow. In just two short years, we've seen ten new local Chapters spring up along the trail. Picture that. Two years ago, only four of our Chapters were plugging away at our 4,200 mile long trail. Today, there are fourteen. When I include the considerable efforts of our four partner organizations, I find that there's so much trail activity that I have trouble even picturing all the hot spots! Suddenly, we're playing a whole new game. This growth has led to important shifts in how we envision the role of the organization at the national level. Last year, we made some changes to the NCTA to focus more on providing support and services to our local Chapters. I truly believe that this is the future of our organization. To be successful, most trail development, maintenance and promotion must occur at the local level. Without strong local support, we have no chance of completing this trail. Efforts at the national level will be on providing a trailwide voice and national leadership, and pooling resources to better provide staff support, funding, and services to Chapters, members and the general public. Along these lines, this year we began offering grants to our Chapters for the first time ever. These "Field Grants" may be used for one of two purposes. For specific projects, we award Field Grants to the Chapters in amounts of $50-$500. For general operational support, Field Grants are awarded in flat amounts of $250. So far, only three Field Grants have been awarded. Two of these are for operational support - one to the Central New York Chapter and the other to the Chief Noonday Chapter. It seems that newer Chapters especially struggle with ongoing regular expenses of mailings, trail work supplies, promotion, etc. The $250 Field Grants for general operational support are meant to help loosen up the flow of money for these Chapters, and to allow them more creativity in planning projects, events and promotions. The Chief Noonday Chapter also applied for and received a Field Grant in the amount of $488 to support their 1998
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National Trails Day Event. This grant covered expenses like awards, a VIP breakfast, and special promotional materials and mailings. The results definitely were worth the investment. The Chapter enjoyed extensive media coverage at the event and attendance estimates ranged from one to two hundred people. Many new members and potential volunteers also resulted from this outstanding program. Currently, Chapters are limited to two Field Grants in a given calendar year. However, if funds remain for these grants after October 1st, Chapters that already have received two grants may apply for additional funding. I know for a fact that both Central New York and the Chief Noonday Chapter will be faxing me new applications on October 1. Although I'll be happy to provide additional support for more of their great work, I'm also hoping that other Chapters will request Field Grants prior to October 1st. If you're a volunteer with a Chapter and have an idea for a project that needs funding, I strongly encourage you to talk with your Chapter leadership about submitting a Field Grant application. The forms are very simple to fill out. For the $250 operational support grants, the form just asks for some general descriptions of how your Chapter will use the funds. Youdon't even need to provide a budget. The Field Grants for specific projects ($50-$500) do require a simple budget, but we'll be happy to help with that if you'd like some assistance. Finally, I'd like to welcome our new Chapters. Clarion and Wampum Chapters join the amazing growth of trail supporters in western Pennsylvania. Our State Coordinator there, Bob Tait, even holds sway with the Governor now! A suggestion of Bob's to the Governor was championed by a State Senator, and the Governor ended up declaring June 6 to be "Pennsylvania Trails Day." Congratualtions, Bob, and welcome to the new Chapters. In Michigan, two new Chapters also have formed. The Baw Beese Chapter will fill the critical gap between the Ohio. border and the trail fever of Chief Noonday territory. To the north, the new Harbor Springs Chapter will carry the trail south of the Mackinaw Straights to the border of our Grand Traverse Chapter. Again, welcome to both Chapters and their new members. We do have some important gaps that still need to be filled by new local Chapters. North Dakota, especially comes to mind, as well as portions of Michigan's upper peninsula, and eastern Ohio and eastern New York. If you live in one of these areas and are interested in forming a new Chapter, please give us a call or drop us a line and we'll get some information out to you!
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Trail Head by President Werner Veit -Dave Cornell, our Vice President for finance and chairman of our annual conference near Traverse City Sept. 24-27, Bob Papp, executivedirectorof the North Country Trail Association, and I drove up to Lake Ann, MI, the other day to visit the site of our conference. I advise you not to miss the conference. We can promise you a great weekend. The Lake Ann Baptist Camp, where we'll be housed, fed and conferenced, is a great spot. Nestled among a large stand of hard woods and edged along Lakeview Lake, the camp boasts comfortable cabins-heated if necessary-whose bunk beds all have comfortable mattresses, modem bathrooms and some even have meeting rooms. Tum to the registration pages, elsewhere in the North Star, please, for complete details. And the price is right, as you'll note when you look at the registration pages. It's possible that by the end of the September, it may be too cool to swim from the sandy beach, but the weather should be just right for canoeing or fishing. Boats are available at the camp. The fishing, we were told, is great. As usual, there'll be plenty of opportunities for hiking on and off our North Country Trail, as well. Anyway, plan to bring the whole family and registernow. The sooner we know who is coming, the better job we can do to finalize the plans. I'll be there and I'd love to meet as many of you as possible. We're hoping for a great turnout, not only because the committee has planned a wonderful program and we hope as many members as can come will take advantage of it, but also because the annual conference is one of the few opportunities we all have for meeting fellow hikers from other chapters, affiliates and states. That's an important reason why The North Country Trail Association moves its annual conference from region to region. That gives us all a new flavor to enjoy and assures us the chance to rub shoulders with our colleagues from the farflung comers of the trail. In 1999, the annual conference will be in Pennsy 1 vania and in the year 2000-a special anniversary year-it will be held in Minnesota. • Our chapters and affiliates had great programs for Trails Day and used the opportunity to make lots new friends for the North Country Trail. I had the chance to visit two Trails Day celebrations in Michigan, one by the Chief Noonday Chapter in the Kellogg State Forest along a newly-certified section of the trail, the other by the West Michigan chapter which uses our little white school house near White Cloud as a base for its trail hikes, bird identification and nature walks and its outdoor gear exhibit. The Chief Noonday Chapter celebrated its first Trails Day in great fashion. After a VIP breakfast, there were hikes on our trail,
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
a trail building demonstration, and a chance to see migratory birds, the splendid wildflowers and the impressive tree stands around Augusta Creek. Specially noteworthy were the awards for the private property owners who generously granted rightsof-way through their property for our trail. Next year, I hope I get the chance to celebrate Trails Day in one of the other of the seven states where our trail meanders. -Another June visit for me was to Harbor Springs, MI., home of our newest-and 14th chapter. The 13th is located in Hillsdale, also in Michigan, but I haven't been able to meet those folks yet. The Harbor Springs chapter is headed by Bob (Robert C.) Rutherford, who tells me his group of 10 new members, is eager . to build and maintain trail. I know we have anumberof members in the Harbor Springs-Petoskey area. If any of you are membersat large and would like to join ranks with your fellow hikers in Harbor Springs, give Bob a call at (616) 526-7125. He'd be delighted to have you join the new chapter. Chapters are forming at the fastest pace in our history, an encouraging development for all of us who not only want to see the trail and our membership grow, but are eager to enlist more volunteers to help maintain what we have. I know of at least one more chapter that may be formed soon in Michigan. With that pace it would rival the chapter mushrooming in Pennsylvania where three new chapters were formed since our last annual meeting. That growth couldn't have come at a better time for a number of reasons: 1. Our national office in Grand Rapids has never been as well equipped to administer the needs of our association. The latest addition to our staff, Margie Kindel, our new program · . assistant whom you can read about elsewhere in these pages, joins Diane O'Hara, our office manager, and Bob to form what I can tell you is a formidable team that will make a real difference when called upon to assist the chapters. 2. The need for more volunteers to maintain trail has never been greater. A good share of the trail is now beginning to age, blazes have faded, diamonds have been vandalized or disappeared, wooded trails have overlapping branches and grassy ones overgrown. Further, a series of violent storms, particularly in Michigan, at the end of May and beginning of June have choked important sections of the trail with crashed trees and fallen ' branches. Cleanup is badly needed and all the new members from the new chapters will be a welcome addition to our dedicated corps of volunteer trail builders and maintainers. • I had to put him on the spot because he's a very busy young man, but there's a good chance that by the time you read this, Bob Papp will have our new web site up and running. Do check it out, the address is: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/ If it's not up, you'll still be able to find us at our original home at http:// www.people.delphi.com/wesboyd/ncnst.htm. Wes Boyd, editor of the North Star and originator of our web site, promises he will continue to help us with the new site. A numberofothervolunteers will be involved as well, the usual practice with NCTA, where an enormous amount of work is performed by volunteers.
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
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Hiking Shorts Xenia Station opened on Little Miami The dedication of Xenia Station was on May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in Xenia, Ohio. The Xenia Station was reconstructed and is four blocks south of Greene County Court House. US Route and SR 380 go past Xenia Station. This will be a hub of bicycling activity and a good place to start or end a hike on the North Country Trail. A number of trails intersect at Xenia Station. These include the HConnector or Creekside Trail. The H-Connector goes parallel to US 35 and will connect Xenia to Beavercreek and Eastwood Park in Dayton. The Ohio Erie Trail goes past Xenia Station to connect to Cedarville, South Charleston, London, Columbus, Coshocton, and Cleveland. The Buckeye Trail also passes the Xenia Station. Xenia Station will have rest rooms, and a conference room on the second floor.
Tiffin River bridge work under way The Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association has started work on decking the longest railroad bridge on their segment of the North Country Trail. The bridge is 210 feet long and 17 feet wide. Decking the bridge will involve approximately 350 24ft. treated 2x6's and underlying support will involve 200 2x10's. "As to the number of nails," says NORTA Vice President Gene Markley, "You don't want to know!" The bridge is located at the spot where NORTA has its widest trail ownership, about 800 feet. The project is partly funded by a Challenge Cost Share Grant from the National Park Service.
Lakeshore Trail to get new name -- NCT! Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is changing the naming of the trail from "Lakeshore Trail" to "North Country Trail." This will be phased to completion over the next couple of years, as it means changing all signs, maps, publications, and so forth. Commenting on the name change, NPS North Country Trail Manager Bill Menke said: "This is great news. Tom Gilbert and I see real benefits to stronger, continuous identity of the North Country Trail along all of its various segments. It is one of those threads of continuity along with more uniform signing and marking that helps the public at large, the trails community nationwide, and public agency officials and legislators recognize the existence and magnitude of the North Country Trail. It puts it on their "radar screen." We berlieve this can be done without diminshing in any way the individual, local identities of the various segments of the trail."
Western Pennsylvania Trail Work Training In the middle of May, the Pennsylvania chapters held a trail work training session over the weekend. On Saturday chainsaw safety and use were covered, then sessions on basic trailwork and trail design; in the evening there was a session on care of trail tools and planning good trail work, conducted as a brainstorming session. The next day there was water runoff control taught by Jim Sprague of the Buckeye Trail Association. Bill Menke of the National Park Service taught the design section and we all learned how to lay out new trails There were people from the Allegheny Forest, Clarion, Butler, and Wampum chapters, and several additional people. Everyone learned a lot and this training will go a long way to helping improve the trails on the North Country Trail and to help people understand how to build better trails and to maintain them. There were lots of new friendships developed during weekend session. A new section of the trail was moved off the power line and the only vista along the trail over Lake Arthur was laid out. Once the trail and vista site have been approved by the state, we will reroute the trail. There were also some new members of the NCTA gained during the weekend. It was a great experience and one that the attendees will remember for a long time. -- Bob Tait
More buildings along the NCNST The Schoolhouse in White Cloud has long been the only building along the trail used for trail service -- but recently, it's been joined by two others. Arrangements are not yet final, but it looks as if the NCTA, with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Chapters, will take out a dollar-a-year lease on the "Davis Hollow Cabin" in Moraine State Park. This historic cabin, currently unused, will be used for chapter meetings, overnight stays for trail maintenance, as a meeting site, and will have other uses. It's located less than 500 feet from the trail. The Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association also recently completed construction of a new pole barn near Delta, OH. The building will be used for equipment storage -- rail-trail maintenance takes larger equipment, such as tractors and graders, than is commonly used elsewhere on the trail. The new building will relieve the strain on members' garages and barns. The building may be used for meetings and an interpretive center in the future.
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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
Hiking Shorts NCTA website moves: now it's http://northcountrytrail.org The NCTA website is moving again, to its third and hopefully final location, with a domain name of it's very own:http://www.northcountrytrail.org. Though not yet in full operation, plans are for considerable upgrading of the site, wider diversity of information available, individual pages available for chapters, frequent updates of coming events, more trail news, and a North Country Trail forum, among other things. "We hope to come up with a more dynamic website," Executive Director Bob Papp says. Coordination of the website shifts to the national office with the move, and Papp is looking for volunteers with a little knowledge of
HTML to help with upkeep of various segments of the site. The NCTA first put up a website in 1995, but on a server that had reliability problems. It was later moved to North Star Editor Wes Boyd's personal account, when a better server was needed and money was short; Boyd donated the server space. However, having a domain name, and the greater potential of being able to use more advanced programming, and the potential for more flexibility and better access made another move close to imperative. In the last year, the NCTA website has averaged about 800 hits a month, and has brought in a great many inquiries to the Association.
Tom Thwaites recovering from heart surgery
Four new chapters formed in Pennsylvania and Michigan
Tom Thwaites, a familiar name in Pennsylvania trailbuilding and Keystone Trail Association circles, and an early influence on the development of the North Country Trail, is recovering from heart surgery, according to Bob Tait. The road to recovery may be slow, he's expected to be back out on Pennsylvania trails as soon as he can.
North Country Trail Association chapters continue to be formed at a record pace. At the May meeting of the NCTA Board of Directors, two new chapters in Pennsylvania were approved: the Clarion County and Wampum Chapters. This brings to three the number of chapters in Pennsylvania. Since the May meeting, applications for chapter status have been recieved from Harbor Springs and Hillsdale County, Michigan -- the latter tentatively named the "Baw Beese" chapter. The actions will bring NCTA chapters to a total of fourteen, with four affiliates.
Certification news: a record mileage of new certifications Several small certifications, and one big one have already made 1998 a record year for North Country Trail certifications, with more than half the year still remaining. •On April 17, the National Park Service certified 0.9 miles of trail along the Genessee River Greenway in New York. In addition, four other segments totaling 4.1 miles were certified on April 30, on private lands in Steuben and Cattaraugus Counties, also on the Finger Lakes Trail in New York. •On May 28, the National Park Service certified 0.7 miles in the Brule River State Forest in Wisconsin, and 115.0 miles in two segments on the Garrison Diversion Project in North Dakota -- an action discussed more thoroughly in an article on Page 10 of this North Star. The actions bring the total certified length of the North Country National Scenic Trail to 1484.4 miles, with an additional 16.9 miles listed as "signed connector section", for a total distance of 1501.3 miles. These actions, plus those reported in the last North Star, bring 1998 certifications to 134.1 miles. The previous record year, not counting the 1982 initial certifications, was 1988, with 103 miles certified. More certifications are expected this year.
New FLT maps coming The Finger Lakes Trail News reports that the FLTC is in the process of producing new trail route maps, using a GPS reciever to map more accurately the route of the FLT. The GPS trail route data along the 100 foot interval contour lines and other map data are being digitized to allow printing of more accurate and improved quality trail maps. The first map (M-l/CT-1) in the new series of improved maps is now available from the FLTC. The map and trail route description are printed in black on blue paper and will sell for the same price as the older style maps. Four-color versions of the maps will be available on special order for $2.25 each; these will be printed on white paper with the trails in red, water features in blue, contour lines in brown, and manufactured features in black. These maps will be available from the FLT Service Center, 202 Coleboume Road, Rochester, NY 14609-6733.
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The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
Hiking Shorts New NCTA Program Assistant joins Grand Rapids staff by Margie Kindel NCTA Program Assistant On May 1st I joined the staff of the North Country Trail Association and almost immediately Executive Director Bob Papp handed me an impossible assignment. "Write a brief article for the North Star, " he said. "Introduce yourself." No assignment could have been tougher! I would rather he suggested clearing a segment of trail by myself .. . in the middle of the night ... with a pair of scissors ... and the glow of a penlight! But here goes. Working with nonprofit organizations has been my "career" encompassing both paid and volunteer positions. After graduating from the University of Michigan, I spent seven years at the West Michigan chapter of the American Red Cross. There I worked on the development and administration of community service programs all with a vital volunteer basis of support. It was during those years that I gained tremendous admiration for the depth and breadth of contributions a volunteer force can make! While home with young children, I sought out volunteer opportunities which included school associations, Girl Scouts and the Junior League. Volunteering lead me to learn new skills and participate in activities I might have otherwise missed. It was my experience leading two Girl Scout Troops in California that got me "hooked" on hiking and camping. Watching the girls "unplug" and explore trails in the mountains and along the beaches was a joyous experience! My family and I remain dedicated hikers. Since returning to Michigan five years ago we have traded the rugged mountains and tidal pools of California for the seasonal splendor of the Great Lakes region. It is that love of peaceful walks through beautiful places that attracted me to NCTA. I cannot think of a more perfect legacy for one generation to leave for another than the creation of a trail promising unfettered natural beauty for the casual walker as well as for the most adventurous backpacker! Since joining NCTA, I have been awestruck by the volunteer effort that is going into the planning, construction and maintenance of the trail. It was my pleasure to attend the Board of Directors meeting on May 2nd in Romulus where they discussed the work all along the trail. One could not possibly leave that "meeting of the minds" unaffected! The shared vision and the spirit of cooperation were most evident. It is in that spirit that I have "come on board" to lend
additional support to our volunteers. It is absolutely essential that a responsive and professional team support your efforts all along the trail. I am honored to be a part of that team! Please call me at NCTA Headquarters (616)454-5506 or email me at nctamargie@aol.com. I'll do the best I can to help just don't ask me to clear trail in the middle of the night with scissors! (Editor's note: As a program assistant, Margie is primarily tasked with providing assistance to chapters and volunteers .. )
JESSICA KELLEY uses a gas-powered drill to build boardwalk during a Sierra Club service outing in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The Sierra Club will be doing further service work along Chapel and 12-mile Beach in the Pictured Rocks this summer; see "Coming Events" for details.
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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
N CT 115 miles closer to 2000! In the biggest single certification action since the 1982 initial certification of existing trails as part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, the National Park Service on May 28 added 115miles to the certified length of the trail, with the certification of two segments of trail on Bureau of Reclamation Garrison Diversion Project lands in North Dakota. In the 1982 Comprehensive Plan for the trail, the route along the New Rockford and McCluskey diversion canals in central North Dakota was seen as offering "a high potential, and perhaps the only feasable, route across miles of private farmlands." Initially created to divert water from the Missouri River basin into the upper Sheyenne River basin for irrigation, a large percentage of the canal project was completed before the goals of the project were downsized. The McCluskey Canal is in limited use for irrigation purposes; farther to the east, the New Rockford Canal, once to be the center section of the project, is unwatered and incomplete. Further development, and possible completion of the project is currently under study, and is a topic of debate in the state. The recreation potential of this strip of canal lands has recently come into greater focus in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the managing agency for the land, which led to the use of the canal by the NCNST. National Park Service NCNST manager Bill Menke, who attended dedication ceremonies in Turtle Lake, ND, in early June, reports that virtually all of the trail on the Bureau of Reclamation lands will be located away from the canals, on the wide right of way. The Bureau of Reclamation plans to mow out the tread way about three times annually, and limit treadway use to hikers; horses and bicycles may use the maintenance access roads usually immediately on either side of the canal. While some campsite and other facility development potentially lies in the future, for the moment, services to hikers and other users is limited. The canals only get near a few small towns, and, in most cases, the services available there are limited. The McCluskey Canal, the westernmost segment, is 74 miles from the east end of Lake Audubon, an arm of Lake Sakakawea. The land here is rolling, and mostly farmed or grazed. Some of the canal lies in deep cuts, but the view from the top of the cuts, where the trail is routed, is of wide and open
THE MCCLUSKEY CANAL of the Garrison Diversion Project, near Turtle Lake, ND. The certified route, off to the side of the canal maintenance roads, will be mowed periodically.
prairie. The canal penetrates an area of several large lakes and many small ones, where there is a great amount of waterfowl nesting. The McCluskey Canal segment ends at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, where 32 miles of trail were certified several years ago. East of Lonetree, the New Rockford Canal stretches for another 41 miles. The canal generally goes through a much flatter and drier landscape than the McCluskey segment, and much of the canal is at grade. The canal is unwatered, except in a few places where water puddles after rains; Chet Fromm, on his hike along the canal in 1995, likened it to desert hiking, where careful water management is necessary. The segment ends one mile east of SR281, about four miles north of New Rockford, ND. A more complete discussion of the trail in central North Dakota is planned for a future issue of the North Star. 路 The action, along with other recent certification actions, brings the total certified length of the NCNST to 1484.4 miles. The 115 mile certification was long seen as one of the items that had to get done in order for the North Country National Scenic Trail to reach its goal of 2000 certified miles by the year 2000. The action also shakes up long-standing statistics about miles and percentage of trail certified among the various states. It brings North Dakota from last place to third place, behind Michigan and Ohio, for the total number of miles certified, at 176.8. In percentage of trail completed, North Dakota rises from last place to fourth, behind Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with 37 .2 percent of projected trail miles completed; Minnesota shifts to last, with 22.4 percent -- although the potential certifications of around 285 miles resulting from the Arrowhead project in Minnesota, discussed in the article beginning on the opposite page, will shake up the standings again.
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of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
A long-time dream of a route for the North Country Trail through the wilderness of northern Minnesota is beginning to become more than a mere dream, as the National Park Service (NPS), the overall administrator of the trail, has initiated a planning process to study a route through Minnesota's "Arrowhead" region. This open planning process, which will include public involvement, may lead to an amendment to the trail's 1982 Comprehensive Management Plan -- a step that is necessary before the Arrowhead Route can be promoted as a segment of the North Country Trail. The 1982 Comprehensive Plan for the North Country National Scenic Trail called for the trail to proceed east out of the Chippewa National Forest through the Hill River and Savanna State Forests, and through Savanna and Fon du Lac State Parks on the way to Jay Cooke State Park, near the Wisconsin border. Nothing was ever done about this plan, due to extensive private landownership along the way, and the fact that much of the land that would have to be crossed is marshy. An
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abandoned railroad grade was once seen as a possible route through the area, but its dedication as an ATV trail scotched that idea, leaving the only other possible route a fight across marshland - it was once estimated that the route would require as many as 40 miles of bog bridges, an expensive and nearly impossible task. As early as the late' 80s, Minnesota interests in the NCTA could see that the Savanna Portage/Floodwood route was a non-starter, and started calling for the diversion of the NCNST several hundred miles out of the way onto the "Arrowhead" route (the north shore region is commonly called Minnesota's "Arrowhead"). The fly in that ointment was that it was still farther from the Chippewa National Forest to Ely than it was to Jay Cooke State Park along the Savanna River route. The first candidate was a project at one time called the "Cross Range" trail, which later became the Taconite Trail, connecting Grand Rapids, a few miles east of the Chippewa NF, with Ely. This trail eventually became established, but as a snowmobile trail, making it uncertifiable for theNCNST. Attention then turned to a second trail, the "Mesabi Range Trail", a railtrail conversion with the same two end points, but somewhat to the south, going through the mining towns of Hibbing and
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NORTH STAR: The Magazine
The NCNST's Arrowhead Route
Virginia. The Mesabi, unfortunately, has had a troubled history, and has not proceeded as quickly as once anticipated. It now appears that it will also be a bicycle/snowmobile trail. A separate hiking treadway once was proposed, but was greeted lukewarmly. An August, 1993 Minnesota "Summit Meeting", held in St. Paul, proved to be the turning point regarding settling the trail's route. The NPS heard from various agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and others, that the original route had several disadvantages. It was at this meeting that all those attending agreed that the "Congressional" route designated in the Comprehensive Plan was probably not the best choice for the trail. It passed through vast areas of black spruce/tamarack swamp and other wetland types. Trail development would be slow and very costly -- if not impossible. Alternatively, a route through the Arrowhead Region using the Superior Hiking Trail, the Grand Portage, Border Route Trail, Kekekabic Trail, and the Mesabi Range Trail was proposed. While this relocation could add 400 miles to the trail route, much of it already existed, and would require less development of new trail. More importantly, it would take the route of the North Country Trail into territory that is superlative "North Country" -- providing users with a higher quality experience than the 1982 route. At this meeting, the NPS agreed to look at a major reroute in Minnesota, if such a reroute was supported by the local trail clubs and local interests. The idea of the Arrowhead was met with a great deal of
• • ? K B S D
of the North Country Trail, June-July
1998
Existing/plannedNCNST Original Comprehensive Plan Route Chippewa NF/Snowbimk Loke To Be Plimned Kekekabic Hiking Trail Border Route Trail Superior Hiking Trail DuluttiArea Tmils
enthusiasm. "It takes in the most scenic part of the state," said Tom Danger of the Minnesota DNR. The first step in a number of actions that needed to be taken was getting expressions of support from what would be key partners in the project. The national forests involved -- the Superior and the Chippewa -were quick to agree, and the Minnesota Rovers, builders of the Border Route, soon signed on, and the Kekekabic Trail Club soon after. The final player, the Superior Hiking Trail Association, initially turned down the idea, but in September of 1994 changed their minds and signed onto the idea. Ironically, before the North Country Trail was authorized, an early draft of proposed NCT routes across eastern Minnesota called for the route to proceed northeastward to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA W), then eastward to the Lake Superior shoreline, then southwestward to the Duluth area and Jay Cooke State Park. This plan was rejected in 1976, because there was little existing trail along the way. But, things changed in the years after 1982. First, the Kekekabic Trail, a former fire access and recreation trail in the BWCAW, had been dropped from the Superior National Forest management plan, until the maintenance of the trail was taken over by theKekekabic Trail Club, formed in 1989. Then, the Minnesota Rovers, an outing group affiliated with the University of Minnesota, built the Border Route trail east from the Kekekabic Trail through the BWCAW to Grand Portage, on roughly the alignment proposed in 1976 for the NCNST. Finally, at about the same time, the Superior Hiking Trail Association was formed, to develop a quality hiking trail down
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
Minnesota's "north shore" of Lake Superior. Development went forward rapidly, and the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) quickly became a going concern. So, independent of the NCT Comprehensive Plan, about two-thirds of the 1976 proposed route became a reality, a route perceived in many ways to be better than the Savanna Portage/Floodwood route selected for the NCNST. A second subsequent problem was that the Arrowhead is a huge deviation from the 1982 Comprehensive Plan - the largest relocation ever considered for a national scenic trail. While smaller deviations from the plan-both on the NCNST and elsewhere- have routinely been approved by the Park Service, this one was just too big to swallow without further guidance, and NPS officials wanted to be sure that they were on firm ground prior to proceeding. There the idea stalled for three years, for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being the uncertainty over what to do about the deviation from the 1982 Comprehensive Plan.In 1997, it was finally decided that an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for the North Country Trail would have to be written and approved in order to go ahead with the project. This plan is in currently in preparation by the Madison office of the National Park Service; NCTA Planner Dirk Mason in his accompanying article tells about the steps necessary before actual certification of the trail takes place. Because the planning process is still underway, no one can say for certian what will be the eventual final route of the NCNST through the Arrowhead, but following is one interpretation of what could be a feasible route.
Chippewa National Forestto BWCAW Where trail exists,_the route of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment is obvious, but a route from the Chippewa National Forest to Ely segment is still unresolved. The plan at this point is to develop a 5-mile wide "general corridor" for the trail in this area, similar to the 1982 plan, and identifying existing trail that might be worked into the process. It's anticipated that detailed planning would come later, possibly by the NPS as has recently been completed in northwest Wisconsin. Currently, park service thinking has been aimed at a new route north through the Chippewa National Forest to the west of Grand Rapids, then finding a new route east through the George Washington State Forest to Superior National Forest lands, and going through them to Ely -- but this is a rather superficial early idea, and will be thoroughly investigated; that's something that will have to be done during the planning process. Any route proposed will try to stay on public land where possible, avoiding large areas of wetland, but much of the route is higher and drier than to the south, and extensive public lands exist.
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While Chippewa National Forest officials have some good ideas of where this route could lead, and a few scattered patches of existing trail that might be worked into the project, plus enthusiasm to get started, the route there will not be easy to finish, and will have to twist around marshy areas to a considerableextent. And, the Chippewa National Forest to the Boundary Waters segment is only about twenty percent of the route to Snowbank Lake, so once the Comprehensive Plan Amendment is complete it will still be some time before the western segment of the "Arrowhead" is fully completed-- the largest segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail still awaiting development on public lands. East of the Chippewa National Forest there is fair coverage of state forest lands and a couple of interesting state parks, including McCarthy Beach State Park, which was once listed as one of the seventeen best beaches in America. The length of the section to Ely, MN, the traditional jumping off place for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is expected to be 150 to 200 trail miles.
BoundaryWatersCanoe Area Wilderness If the north country reaches its epitome in the lower 48 states, it's in the BoundaryWaters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of northern Minnesota. Wild, rugged, dotted with lakes and craggy hills, Sigurd Olson country -- well, like the beer commercial says, it just doesn't get any better than this. It's a land of rugged, forested hills, sweeping vistas of blue, green, autumn red and gold, and winter white, rocky headlands and crashing waves, cozy valleys and surging waterfalls. The Appalachian Trail may have its hundred-mile wilderness, but this will be the North Country Trail's hundred mile wilderness, wilder by far. The trail only crosses one road in the entire section, and passes the roadhead of another toward the end. For the hiker, the wild aspect is increased by the fact that this is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; most recreational use of the area is by watercraft, and few hiking trails penetratethe backcountry. Superior National Forest, the manager of the land, is not big on hiking trails in the B W CAW, and, in fact, some years ago abandoned most of the hiking trails in the wilderness. Volunteers,led mostly by the Kekekabic (Kek-uh-kab-ic) Trail Club, have come forward to rescue some of the abandoned trails, notably the Kekekabic and parts of the Border Route Trails, which are now under study for inclusion in the NCNST. It's a daunting task, if for no more reason than getting to the trails to do maintenance sometimes takes multi-day trips, often by canoe; once there, motorized equipment, especially chainsaws, are not allowed, so Kek and Border Route maintainers get very proficient with the twoman crosscut saws usually only seen on the walls of trendy north country restaurants. Afterone tough winter, maintainers
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counted 500 trees down on the 38-mile Kekekabic. The Kekekabic and Border Route Trails will be one of the few places on the NCNST where permits are needed for entry. The permits are designed to control use on popular canoe routes, and getting a permit, at no charge, forusing these trails is hardly ever a problem. Use of the trails is low; while figures for the Border Route are not available, one year recently the Kekekabic (usually called the "Kek" by those familiar with it) only had 61 permits pulled. Understandably,then, these trails are wild, and while kept open, are not immaculately manicured park trails. They're rough, remote, challenging and some of the wildest and most primitive to be found on the NCNST route. Users should expect to have to use map and compass, search out faint or missing trail, bushwhack, and ford unbridged streams and wet areas.These trails really aren't designed for casual day-hikes, and even accessing the trails can be a problem. Part of the low use on the Kek comes from the fact that an end-to-end hike on the 38 mile trail leaves the hiker over 200 road miles from their car; at a minimum, this makes shuttles a problem. The situation is not a lot better on the longer Border Route. What with everything, these trails aren't for beginners. Good map and compass and backcountry skills are necessary. The first problem in walking the BWCAW trails is getting to them. It's 21 miles by road to One Lake, near larger Snowbank Lake, where the Kekekabic Trail picks up, and finding an off-road route through the private lands here may be difficult, but shouldn't be impossible. Again, the Park Service is looking at a five-mile wide corridor through this area; there are some short existing stretches of trail that may be able to be worked into the Arrowhead Project plan. The Kekekabic Trail Club recommends planning four to six days to hike the 38-mile Kek, so you know it's not an easy trail. It winds through lake country, passing several lakes, goes through several marshy areas, occasionally uses beaver dams to cross streams, and toward the eastern end passes some old mine shafts. Parts of the Kek are hilly and rocky; it passes through patches of old growth white pine. A high point is the gorge of the Agamok River, with several waterfalls. This river ~s crossed on a KTA-built footbridge. Camping is only permitted at prepared campsites, and the KTA has built several. The east end of the Kekekabic Trail is on the Gunflint Trail, a highway that is the only major road to penetrate the Boundary Waters area, although for a buffer zone on either side of the Gunflint it's not officially wilderness area. A tenth of a mile to the north of the Kekekabic trailhead on the Gunflint Trail is the trailhead for the Border Route Trail; it could be that the NCNST will use about 75 of its 95 miles. The Border Route was constructed in the late '70s by the Minnesota Rovers Outing Club with the cooperation of the US Forest Service, the Minnesota DNR, and various volunteer and private groups. Towering cliffs, the call of the loon, and views into Canada are common sights and sounds along this
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
trail. Like the Kekekabic, it's a rugged, remote trail, not for beginners. Although reasonably marked in the western, nonBWCAW section, permanent trail markers are not permitted in the BWCAW, so trail maintainers get by with blue flagging tape. The western section is maintained by several of the lodges in the Gunflint/Loon Lake areas, along with volunteer assistance, and, since the Border Route here is part of a network of cross country ski trails, it's usually in pretty good shape. East of the Crab Lake Trail junction, it's in the BWCAW; maintenance is totally by volunteer groups: the Minnesota Rovers, the Kekekabic Trail Association and the Minnesota Wilderness Trail Alliance, but the trail is also reportedly in pretty good shape. However, east of the Arrowhead Trail, it's reported to not be in as good shape. The trail winds around to the west of Gunflint and Loon Lakes; a private land crossing problem in one area currently forces a four-mile roadwalk around Loon Lake to avoid the problem area, but it's hoped that some sort of resolution can be reached. Once rejoining the trail east of Loon Lake, the BWCAW is re-entered, and the trail winds eastward and northeastward through some extremely wild and scenic countryside near and sometimes on the historic voyageur canoe route from Grand Portage. At the east end of Rose Lake, the trail joins the Long Portage between Rose and Rove Lakes; when the Arrowhead relo takes effect, this likely will be the northernmost point of the NCNST. Once reaching the Arrowhead Trail-- another paved road penetrating the back country from US 61, this time from a small town northeast of Grand Marais, MN -- the Border Route is out of the BWCAW, and permits are not needed. The trail winds southward, then southeastward from the Arrowhead crossing; after another dozen miles, it crosses Swamp Lake Road, and joins the Superior Hiking Trail.
Superior Hiking Trail The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is indeed well-named, for in every respect, it's a superior trail. In the ten short years of its development, it's become a model of how things should be done in hiking trail development, and how a trail should be managed. It's a wonderful example of what can be done in trail development when it's possible to put together spectacular scenery, lots of public land, an enthusiastic corps of volunteers, and adequate funding. With the first trail cleared in 1987, ten years later off-road trail extended over 200 of the projected 240 miles through the rugged, beautiful hills overlooking Lake Superior on Minnesota's scenic "North Shore." Since the SHT is the only major trail in Minnesota outside the BWCAWthat's closed to snowmobiles, it has been possible to build a trail that's scenic, challenging and rewarding to hikers, without having to meet the width, clearance and grade limitations that
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
would make it a feasable project for snowmobiles. The trail is generally a few miles inland from the Superior shore, but occasionally comes out to it. It includes long, isolated river walks, many waterfalls as the short, steep streams descend quickly from the highlands, distant views of the big lake, historic lighthouses, rugged gorges, and stands of dense timber, passing through or near seven very good state parks along the way. "The trail is very well engineered," wrote Ed Talone of the SHT on his 1994 end-to-end hike. "The route is never in doubt." Gordon Smith added, "The quality of maintenance was consistently tops." Over 40 bridges span the many streams encountered along the SHT, which is mostly cleared to an 18-inch treadway. Some spots are steep, requiring a little scrambling in order to follow the trail. Though much of the trait's basic funding has come from a series of grants from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LMCR), and paid trail crews have accounted for much of the construction, much of the construction and . maintenance remains a volunteer project, coordinated by the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA), with a very small paid staff that only recently acquired a basement office in Two Harbors, MN. SHTA is continuing to push ahead with the development of the trail, which now is reaching toward Duluth from the Two Harbors area; a couple of road walk gaps remain along the trail to the north of Two Harbors, but work is proceeding to fill those in. One of the items that has allowed the SHT to develop a high degree of public awareness is its location; US6 l parallels the trail, usually along the shoreline a couple of miles away, for virtually its whole distance, with many developed trailheads and trailhead parking areas. This has allowed highway signs 路路 announcing trailheads to be placed along the length of the trail, and has caused a degree of use that has allowed the development of a service nearly unique along the trail: a regular shuttle service, independent from the SHTA. The Superior Shuttle is a '<an that makes the round trip from Castle Danger, north of Two Harbors to Grand Marais and back on a strict schedule every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from late May through late October. Also, given the many resort lodges in the area, a lodge-to-lodge hiking program has been developed, although it's not quite possible to lodge-to-lodge the whole trail, at least yet. Another standout item about the SHT is the quality of its maps and guide, "Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail". The SHTA also has a set of four pocket-sized folding maps of the trail, at the same scale of the maps in the Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail, printed on waterproof paper; these too come highly recommended. The Border Route continues on east from the point where it joins the SHT. It was the original intent of the Superior Hiking Trail to connect with the Border Route and the Grand Portage Trail at Grand Portage, but permission problems forced the connection at this point, outside the Grand Portage
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THE SHTA OFFICE in Two Harbors, MN. reservation. The route taken is not a compromise, and has scenic value of its own. The recently constructed trail ( 1995 and 1996) heads south from the trailhead through remote northern forest, with many panoramic views of the Pigeon River valley and Canada back to the north.Not far to the south, views of Lake Superior and Isle Roy ale become possible. The SHT goes through several state parks along its route, and is noted for the number of waterfalls on the short, steep rivers leading down to Lake Superior. Grand Marais and Two Harbors are the only two towns of any real size along the route. Though much of the route is near Lake Superior, within a mile or so, there's only about a mile of the route that is directly located on the lake. The first state park reached, Judge C. R. Magney State Park is best known for a famous waterfall, one of a series of waterfalls in the park, the Devil's Kettle, where the Brule River splits around a mass of volcanic rock. Half of the river plunges 50 feet into a pool, while the rest pours into a huge pothole. The next state park, Cascade River, is noted for the rushing river dropping 900 feet in its last 3 miles toward Lake Superior in many waterfalls, and picturesque, lush gorge set in a hardwood-conifer forest. Temperance River State Park is rather small, at only 200 acres, but with very intense scenery, including the deep gorge of the Temperance River; associated Cross River Wayside, to the west, has 2,250 acres. Both are located in a region famous for their bare rock cliffs along the Lake Superior Shore. George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a place for people who want to get away from the crowds. The Manitou River cascades through a rugged river valley, through yet another spectacular gorge with many waterfalls. It's mainly a backpacker's park; there are 21 backpack campsites and 24 miles of hiking trails, including the SHT. Tettegouche State Park has six inland lakes and a mile of Lake Superior frontage. It's noted for the Baptism River Gorge, with High Falls, the highest waterfall located totally in Minnesota, and the spectacular views at Shovel Point. Split Rock Light-
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house State Park is perhaps best known for its historic lighthouse in an extremely picturesque setting, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country, but also has many views of the waterfalls and rapids in the Split Rock River Gorge. The upper and lower falls of the Gooseberry River are a big attraction at Gooseberry Falls State Park, but there are other waterfalls in the park and much else to do, besides. The more or less continuous section of the SHT comes to an end at its home in Two Harbors. Trail development is under way from there to the Duluth area, though the land here is largely privately held, and it's expected to take longer to finish this 20-25 mile section.
Duluth area At one time, the fly in the Arrowhead Route ointment was seen as getting through oraround Duluth, the largest city on the whole trail. But, things changed when it was realized how highly trailoriented the city is -- as the planning process gets under way, it appears that there may be several opportunities to pass
through the city. Though not all the trail may be instantly certifiable, eventually there will be off-road trail clear through the city, except for a two-mile gap, and that sidewalked. This came about as a combination of a number of things, mostly rail-trail: first, the development of the "Lakewalk", a popular urban trail right on the Lake Superior shoreline, leading to the heart of downtown, and set to be extended northwestward; a move by the Duluth City Council to extend a rail trail southwest to the trailhead for the Willard Munger Trail, a state bicycle trail, a model of rail-trail conversion, or possibly an alternative route south of Duluth; and, finally, Jay Cooke State Park, one of the more spectacular of Minnesota's many great state parks. Though not all the pieces are in place yet -- the Lakewalk extention is scheduled for 2001, and although the LakewalkWillard Munger connection has a high priority, it hasn't been funded at this writing -- what was once seen as a problem is now seen as a unique opportunity. Other opportunities to get through Duluth are also being considered, including following portions of the Skyline Drive and trails through a series of city-owned parks. Duluth is perhaps best known as a port, shipping iron ore
â&#x20AC;˘ The planner's view: the planning effort by Dirk Mason, NCTA Planner After reading about a potential route you must be thinking, "Why hasn't this been done sooner?" or "Why will the planning process take so long?" Even though a potential route may be clearly identified in certain portions, an environmental assessment is required to fulfill the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requirements. The trail is a partnership project where actual development, maintenance, and management of the trail is accomplished through cooperating Federal, State, and local agencies, and private trail organizations. The National Park Service is responsible for the overall administration of the North Country NST, therefore, NEPA requires consideration of the environmental effects of proposed Federal actions. In this case the National Park Service's proposal to select a redefined route for the North Country NST through the Minnesota Arrowhead Region. Considering the size of the Minnesota Arrowhead reroute, the National Park Service and North Country Trail Association have formed a planning team and regional focus groups to assist in the planning. The planning team and regional focus groups consist of individuals from Federal, State, and local agencies, and private trail organizations. The planning team is a core group that will be involved in the planning process from beginning to end, thus providing consistency throughout the entire process. The regional
focus groups are organized to provide specific insight regarding particular areas within the Arrowhead Region. The Minnesota Arrowhead Planning process needs to consider and/or will take into account many things that are not normally thought of when hiking the trail. The objectives and reasons for planning are listed below: 1. To investigate and document the feasibility of rerouting the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) to take in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. 2. Fulfill environmental compliance at both the Federal and State levels. 3. Ensure that stakeholders are involved, especially elected officials. 4. Evaluate resources to "objectively" identify the best location for the trail: most scenic, most public lands, availability of recreation support facilities, best access, least impacts on endangered resources and wetlands, connections with communities, historic resources, and other points of interest. 5. Produce documentation of what has been planned. 6. Reveal and correct weaknesses in the original Plan. 7. Plan for the long-term management of the trail. 8. Take essential steps to add "permanence" to our collective efforts to establish the trail ("Planning for perpetuity"). 9. Promote greater public awareness of the NCNST.
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
from Minnesota and wheat from the great plains all over the world. But, it's also a north country town, although a rather cosmopolitan one, and oriented toward outdoor recreation. There is a wide array of sightseeing opportunities near the trail, including the William A. Irvin, a museum ship, the Marine Museum at Canal Park, a scenic railroad, Glensheen Mansion tours, Duluth Omnimax Theater, and much besides. As the Willard Munger Trail is open to snowmobiles, it probably won't be the ultimate route of the NCNST; it's more likely the trail might follow the Western Waterfront Trail to Jay Cooke State Park, but that trail is currently only open to New Duluth -- this is one of those things that NPS planning will have to answer. The Arrowhead Route comes to an end at Jay Cooke State Park, where the recently-completed NPS "Northwest Wisconsin Plan" picks up. The park is the last of Minnesota's several great state parks the NCNST passes through, and is one of the older ones, established in 1915. The water-eroded gorge, steep valleys and massive rock formations are seen thoughout the park. The rock formations along the St. Louis River are especially unique. Located on the old portage between the St. Louis and Mississippi River Basin, the Grand Portage Trail in
Page 17
DULUTH'S LAKEWALK is a potential NCNST segment. the park has been used for over 300 years. Minnesota may not have the longest mileage of trail of the NCNST states, but it will have some of the finest and most memorable, especially if and when the Arrowhead reroute takes place.
has to be a careful, coordinated project 10. Generate new members for the organizations supporting the trail. 11. Provide basis for future NPS land protection activities for the trail. 12. Defend the National interest in the trail should our collective efforts ever be challenged legally. The planning process involves several steps prior to any trail certification or even construction. The previously mentioned planning team and regional focus groups are the backbone of the planning process. Currently these teams are identifying potential route alternatives in several areas (Duluth, Grand Portage National Monument and Ely west). Following the identification of routes, scouting will take place to evaluate the potential of the routes so that an informed decision can be made using the selection criteria and decision weights developed at a previous meeting. The next step is to hold a series of Open Houses, to obtain public comments about the preliminary concepts and planning process. This series is used to primarily inform the public of what is happening and receive general feedback. At the same time as the Open Houses several review agencies (MN State Historical Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Midwest Regional Office ofNPS) need to be informed of the planning process and potential alternatives.
Following the first series of Open Houses, a Draft Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment will be prepared. This plan will describe and analyze the various alternatives and document the environmental effects of the various routes. The plan will also document the preferred alternative. Formal consultation and review of the draft will be necessary from the previously mentioned review agencies. After incorporating comments from the agencies, the draft will be made available for a 30-day public review. This review period is then concluded with a final series of Open Houses. At this time the public has the opportunity to submit any relevant comments pertaining to the Environmental Assessment portion of the plan. Following this review period a Final Trail way Plan and Environmental Assessment is prepared. Then hopefully a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONS I) can be prepared. If not, a more significant project begins, which is an Environmental Impact Statement. Typically, the planning process takes approximately 24 months to complete. This is primarily due to the necessary review periods, alternative analysis, and scheduling of team meetings. The National Park Service and North Country Trail Association are striving to complete the planning by the year 2000. This will help considerably in achieving NCTA's goal of 2000 miles by the year 2000.
Page 18
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
Tick, tick, tick . . .
Clock may be ticking for Lyme disease, but precautions still are needed With the mild winter the NCNST states experienced, reports are coming in that ticks are much worse than normal this year-- but time may be running out for Lyme disease. Tests of a new vaccine have proven to be 100% effective in protecting people under age 60 from the malady, which affects about 98,000 people in the US annually. Clinical tests began in 1994, and involved more than 10,000 adults in five states where Lyme disease is found -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin. The vaccine, which would be marketed under the name lmy Lyme, was made using genetic engineering to produce a protein that stimulates the body's immune responses. Pasteur Merieux Connaught, a Pennsylvania-based firm, is planning to seek Food and Drug Administration approval of the vaccine by the end of the year. Even when it becomes available, it will still be important to take precautions against ticks. Lyme disease is an illness that is caused by a bacteria. It is primarily transmitted to people and animals by the bite of the tick named Ixodes dammini. This disease can cause serious health problems involving the heart, joints, and nervous systems in some people. Lyme disease progresses through three (3) stages: Stage 1: People with Lyme disease may have any combination of the following signs and symptoms - headache, nausea, fever, a spreading rash, aching joints and muscles, and fatigue. Without treatment these signs and symptoms may disappear altogether, or they may recur for several months. The characteristic red rash usually appears within 3 to 32 days after a person is bitten by an infected tick. The rash is circular in shape and resembles a "bulls eye." Stage 2: Within weeks, or months, after initial exposure to the bacteria or after the first symptoms appear some people may develop complications involving the heart and nervous system. Specific heath problems include heart blockage, nervous system abnormalities, such as meningitis, encephalitis, facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) and other conditions involving the nerves. People may also experience painful joints, tendons, or muscles. Stage 3: Arthritis is the most commonly recognized longterm sign of Lyme disease. From one month to several years after their first symptoms appear, people may experience repeated attacks of arthritis.
If you develop any symptoms, and recall being bitten by a tick, or if you have been in an area where ticks are present, discuss this with your physician. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics can cure the infection and prevent later complications. Treatment during later stages of the disease often requires more intensive antibiotic therapy. Animals can also develop Lyme disease. It has been diagnosed in dogs, cattle, and horses in Michigan. Symptoms include fever, severe pain, sudden onset oflameness, and poor appetite. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment can rapidly alleviate signs and pain of Lyme disease in animals. Adult ticks can remain on animals through the fall and winter. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, be sure to check your family and pets daily for ticks. Prevention of Lyme disease includes the following tips: 1. Avoid exposure during times and in places where ticks are known to be or may be present. 2. If outdoors and in places where ticks are present wear long pants tucked into boots or socks and long sleeved shirts buttoned at cuffs. 3. Wear light colored clothing which makes ticks easier to see for removal. 4. Apply insect/tick repellent to exposed skin and/or to pants, socks, and shoes. Follow directions for proper use. 5. Walk in center of trails to avoid brushing against vegetation. 6. Conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, your children, and your pets after spending time outdoors. 7. Remove any tick you find as soon as possible. 8. Mow grass short around your house, etc. to make area less attractive to ticks. When removing the tick grasp firmly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly pull straight out. If tweezers are not available use a tissue. Do not twist or jerk the tick because the head may remain embedded; this can lead to infection at the bite site. If head or mouthparts do break off, consult your doctor. Wash the bite site and your hands with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite area. To appreciate how small Ixodes ticks are, imagine placing a tick on a dime. Only the words "in God we trust" would be covered by the tick. If you have any questions, please contact your personal physician or your local health department.
Annual Conference Registration Packet This year's Conference is sure to be one of our best ever! The Traverse City area of Michigan's lower peninsula offers many unique and enjoyable opportunities to explore the North Country National Scenic Trail and other great attractions. Also, with more than half our members hailing from Michigan, we're sure to have a areat tum out and a lot of fun! Where:
15 miles west of Traverse City, Michigan at Lake Ann Baptist Camp Lake Ann Baptist Camp is a large, scenic site with great variety of facilities:
When:
•
It covers 265 acres at the edge of a beautiful spring fed lake.
•
Canoes are available for our use at the camp's sandy beach.
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The cabins are all new or renovated. They feature 8" inner spring mattresses on wooden bunks, modem heated restrooms and spacious meeting rooms. "Overflow" cabins also are in great shape, though they lack heat and restrooms for these are in a separate building (a good reason to register early!). Remember to bring your own bedding, towels, etc.
•
RV sites are available at the camp with electrical hook-ups for a reduced rate.
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Tent campers also will get a reduced rate, and will enjoy a large flat grassy area beneath a small grove of mature trees.
•
Other facilities include paddleboats, a volleyball court mini-golf, and much more!
•
Lake Ann Baptist Camp is less than 20 miles from Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the scenic Leelanau Peninsula, and Interlachen Music Camp, and is within an hour's drive of many popular North Country National Scenic Trail segments!
•
When staying at the camp, you should direct any incoming calls to: 616-275- 7329 (Office) or 616-275-7224 (Dining Hall).
Thursday, September 24- through Sunday, September 27 Attend all or part! Stay overnight or just come for the day!
NCTA 1998 Annual Conference in 'Iraverse City, Mic
Annual Conference Travel lnfonnation & General Schedule BYCAR: From the southeast, take Interstate 75 to US 10 in Bay City, Michigan. Follow US 10 west to Hwy 115, west of Clare, Ml. Take Hwy 115 through Cadillac, to M37. Follow M37 north to US3 l. Take US3 l west to Lake Ann Road. Follow this north to Hwy 610, then west to the camp. From the south, take US 131 north to Hwy 115 just before Cadillac. Then, head west to M37 (or, take M37 north instead, to avoid the Interstate). Follow M37 north to US 31. Take US 31 west to Lake Ann Road. Follow this north to Hwy 610, then west to the camp. From the north, take Interstate 131 south to Hwy 72, at Kalkaska. Head west to Traverse City, then follow Hwy 610 to the camp.
BY AIR: Traverse City has a very good airport You could also fly into Grand Rapids, or Detroit If you need a ride from the airport, let us know on your registration form. We definitely will be able to shuttle from the Traverse City airport, and should be able to arrange some carpooling from Grand Rapids or Detroit as well.
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Keynote Speaker and Live Auction
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NCTA 1998 Annual Conference in Traverse City, Michigan
Annual Conference Program Description Hikes and Tours Expect some great opportunities to explore this beautiful and popular region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula at this year's Conference. Trail hikes will include the scenic hills and valleys along the Manistee River, lakeside trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and other enjoyable trail segments in the region. We'll also organize a tour of local antique shops and will provide information about other tourism opportunities at registration.
Fun for Kids We're making a special effort this year to provide some activities that will especially appeal to kids and families. These will take place on Saturday, following the Annual Meeting.
Workshops - Sharing our Strengths Many of our volunteers have developed tremendous skills and knowledge through their experiences working on the trail. For this reason, we've chosen Sharing our Strengths as the theme for this year's Conference Workshops. Here are some of the programs we have planned for this year: Landowner Relations - A Debut Performance in Three Acts More and more. Chapters throughout our seven states are facing the critical need to gain access for the trail across private lands. Recently, the Chief Noonday Chapter has had outstanding success in this area, crossing more than ten miles in just one year! Through this humorous and informative performance, Chapter members will share their valuable experiences A question and answer period follows the skit, and take-home booklets will highlight key points and important legal issues. Stiles with Style Are you looking for creative ways to cross that fence or solve other trail building challenges? Hash those ideas out with two of the best! This hands-on session is hosted by Bill Menke, Manager of the North Country Trail for the National Park Service, and Lynn Waldron, Chair of the NCTA's East-Central Trail Council,
â&#x20AC;˘ '
Starting and Building a New Chapter In the past two years, we've tripled our number of local Chapters, from four to thirteen, and, as we all know, hindsight is 20/20! This informative and lively session will be very helpful to people thinking about a new Chapter, and those who have formed a Chapter and are looking for ideas on what to do next Planning a Knock-Your-Socks-Off National Trails Day Celebration Enthusiasm for National Trails Day is growing nationwide, and so too is the quality of celebrations along the North Country Trail. This year was no exception. Event planners from different Chapters will share their insights on boosting attendance, attracting the media, drawing on the assistance of other groups, and generating the excitement for trails that these events are meant to inspire.
NCTA 1998 Annual Conference in Traverse City, Michigan
Registration Form _
Name(s) ,__ !
Address --------------~ City State __
Phone Zip
~~~~~~~~~~
_
We'll be assigning cabin bunks. If you're staying in a cabin, do you need to room with certain people?
Do you require any special accessibility, dietary. or travel accommodations?
Cost per
Number of people
person REGISTRATION FEE for each ADULT
$ 25.00
x
REGISTRATION FEE for each CHILD
$ 15.00
x
Thursday-Sunday
$ 95.00
x
Friday-Sunday
$ 75.00
x
Saturday-Sunday
$ 50.00
x
Thursday-Sunday
$ 60.00
x
Friday-Sunday
$ 45.00
x
Saturday-Sunday
$ 25.00
x
Thursday
$ 10.00
x
Friday
$ 15.00
x
Saturday
$ 15.00
x
Sunday
$ 5.00
x
_
Total Cost
OVERNIGHT STAYS (covers meals and lodging) Cabin
RV Park or Tent:
JUST FOR THE DAY(S) (covers meals only)
â&#x20AC;˘
TOTAL AMOUNT _
Enclosed (check payable to North Country Trail Association)
_
Charge to my VISA or Master Card #:
Exp.Date:
Name on Card:
NCTA 1998 Annual Conference in Traverse City, Michigan
NORTH STAR:
Page 23
The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
6" vertical rectangle. Except where the North Country Trail
The Importance of A Thread PART2 By Bill Menke NPS NCNST Manager In the last issue of the North Star, I tried to convey how important a degree or "thread of continuity" was to a long distance trail like the North Country Trail. You may recall the statement: "On a long-distance national scenic trail, like the North Country NST, not only is it important that the trail be well blazed and signed, BUT it is equally important that the trail exhibit a 'thread of continuity.' In other words, with only a couple of exceptions, the markings should look similar along the trail-from New Yorkto North Dakota. What a hiker sees in one location, they should reasonably expect to see in another location." Last issue, I also mentioned the excellent article that Jim Sprague had written about blazing and promised to borrow many of his thoughts to write in more detail about one aspect of the thread of continuity-blazing. Throughout the rest of this article, parts of many sentences are exact quotes from Jimbecause I couldn't say it any better. Beginning in 1996 with the publication of North Country Trail - A Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance we began to openly advocate for more uniform blazing up and down the length of the trail. For complete details on the North Country Trail blazing policy, see Chapter 7 in the handbook, if you have one. We are all familiar with the excellent reputation of the Appalachian Trail (the AT)-which like the North Country Trail is another in the family of national scenic trails. The AT is marked with white blazes from Maine to Georgia. If a uniform blaze is good for the AT, why shouldn't a uniform blaze should also be good for the North Country Trail? In Ohio, the route of the North Country Trail coincides with the route of the Buckeye Trail for much of the distance. One of the Buckeye Trail slogans is "Follow the Blue Blazes." Again, if uniform blazes are good for the Buckeye Trail, shouldn't they also be good for the North Country Trail? For the North Country Trail the preferred blaze is a 2 x 11
follows the route of the Finger Lakes Trail, in New York, the official color is a specific shade of blue. More about the specific color later. Along the trail, where major changes in direction are encountered, the normal way to indicate them is through the use of two blazes- one placed two inches above the other and offset in the direction of the turn. A tree in the foreground would have a typical trail blaze while a tree in the background shows a double blaze indicating a major turn to the left. Offsetting the upper blaze to the right would indicate a right turn. Offset blazes should not be over-used to the point that they become meaningless. Use them only for major, abrupt changes in direction-such as are often found at intersections with other trails or roads. Now doesn't that sound simple enough? So what's the concern you might ask? Well, in the words of Jim Sprague when talking about some portions of the trail in Ohio: "It is obvious as I travel around the state that there are almost as many ideas of what a blaze should be as there are maintainers. I see ovals, circles, arrows, overgrown blobs-you name it, all are out there. And the colors-well, they are blue of a wide spectrum." Now compound Jim's observation by seven states. During my travels around the seven states, I observe the same wide variation in shapes that Jim observed-plus more. In many places, I also see a" x 7 diamond-shaped blazes. And the blaze colors used along the entire North Country Trail are enough to blow a poor hiker's mind. In addition to various shades of blue ranging from light sky blue, to medium blue, to dark navy blue that looks almost black, we can also find white, yellow; orange, red, green, and you name it. Why have we chosen to use 2 x 6" blazes? One reason is because this is the size that is most often used on other national scenic trails and other long distance trails. This is the size used on the Appalachian Trail for instance. It is the size that was already in use on the Finger Lakes Trail and the Buckeye Trail-both major components of our trail. Therefore it made sense to adopt it as the preferred standard for the North Country Trail. Another reason is that we think the 2 x 6 blaze is more visually attractive in the woods than is the larger d" x 7 diamonds. And, last but certainly not least, the rectangular shape is much easier to paint than is a diamond shape. Blazes are generally of two basic types-painted or nailup. While either is acceptable, we think that painted blazes have many advantages. They are less subject to vandalism and removal, less expensive, generally long lasting, and easy to apply. In some areas land managers will not allow nails to be driven in trees so paint is the only option. In other areas plastic is preferred because the trail route may not be permanent and the plastic is somewhat easier to remove and change to the new location. When painted blazes are used, the comers should be square and crisp. Not only does a nice crisp blaze demonstrate 11
11
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Page 24
craftsmanship but it also stands out in the woods. "There are no natural objects in the woods that have square comers." Another major reason for a neat, crisp blaze is that it is not easily mistaken for a timber sale boundary or property boundary-those marks are usually applied with a paint gun and tum out to be more of the blob shape. Now for the subject of color. We have chosen to use a medium blue color that stands out nicely in the woods. The particular paint we recommend is Nelson Boundary Paint. It doesn't have a fancy name. It is just "blue." Nelson Boundary Paint was selected for three primary reasons. First, as mentioned above, it stands out well in the woods and, it just happens to nicely complement the blue background of the trail emblem. Second, when considered as a whole, blue is the predominant color being used by the various agencies and groups managing parts of the trail. Third, and equally important, it is formulated especially for application on trees. It is longer lasting and more fade resistant than most paints that are typically available in the local store. Because it is boundary paint, it is meant to be long lasting. If you need to know the exact color, we think it most closely correlates to Pantone Color Chart #306. However, most paint stores can't show you this color. I've tried to obtain a common paint number (such as a Sherwin Williams number) without success. They say that their colors are not as "intense" or as "clean" as the Pantone colors. I can hear the outcry now-but this is an oil-based paint. It is harder to clean up than latex paint.Yes -- that is true. Oil-
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
based paints are a little more difficult to work with than are water-based ones. We think this is a small price to pay for the increased durability and visibility that the Nelson paint offers. Personally, I carry a jug of mineral spirits and a I -pound coffee can with a slit in the plastic lid for the paintbrush handle to stick through. If I'm in the woods for several days, I just let the brush sit in the coffee can (in mineral spirits) overnight. Then when ready to travel home, I do a little better job of cleaning the brush, pour the solvent back in the jug, and transport the brush home in the empty coffee can. I'm still on the same brush after at least six painting trips and it still looks like it will last a good while longer. A long-distance hiker depends on the blazes and emblems to get through the maze of roads and trails that must be traversed. A trail may be easy to follow-but that does not mean it is the North Country Trail. The blaze reassures the hiker that he or she is indeed on the right path. Again, to paraphrase from Jim Sprague as he spoke about the Buckeye Trail: "Because Nelson Blue Boundary paint is the official trail color, other shades of blue do as poor a job of marking the trail, as for example, passionate pink. If you have agreed to help maintain the trail, please take the trouble to use the official color-not a color of your own choosing. The time you spend getting to and from the trail, as well as painting blazes, will far exceed the short time it takes to get the correct paint." In fact, we will make getting paint easy on you. We will supply limited quantities of blue paint to volunteers, chapters, and affiliates. All you have to do is ask.
Trailbuilding tips from the North Country Hikers Hardening trails on soft soils: Trails on sandy or wet soft soils can be effectively hardened by laying a strip of silt fence on the trail surf ace and covering with woodchips or other available mulch such as pine needles. The silt fence is pinned to the ground with -12" of 114" rebar bent at the top to catch the cloth. The cloth is covered with an inch or so of chips which are replaced as needed during yearly maintenance. Using this technique several segments of trail on sandy soil have withstood 4 years of heavy foot and bike traffic without becoming soft. We have procured our silt fence material by arranging with contractors to remove installed siltfence from construction sites when it is no longer needed. The chips are also free by noting when utilities are pruning trees under power lines. They are usually happy to dump a load near your site. A great tool:Three years ago we purchased a new tool to pull out sapling stumps, the kind that are easy to catch a toe on and are forever resprouting. We had previously been removing these using a combination of beating with either
a fire rake or a pulaski and hand pulling. This can be both frustrating and hard on the back especially in cut over areas overgrown with hardwood saplings. Enter members Bob and Harriet Stephens, with experience building trails on the West Coast, where a tool called the weed wrench (RTM) is well known. We purchased one for testing and were so pleased with it that we subsequently purchased two smaller models. The concept is simple, a combination of a long lever, with a fulcrum and a self clamping grip for the stump. The clamp is set over the stump, the lever is pushed down and the stump pops out of the ground. Once the operator gets the hang of it a single levered motion can replace numerous pulaski swings. The device comes in four sizes for stumps from less than one inch to 2.5 inches. We are using the medium, light and mini models which range in weight from 18 to 5 pounds and cost from $50 to $120. They can be purchased from Tom Ness and Sophia Sparks, 5517 Riverbanks Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527 with information via FAX, 541-476-9492 or email, newtribe@cdsnet.net.
-- Submitted by Gene Elzinga
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-Ju/y1998
Page25
The Hidden by Bill Majernik Butler Outdoor Club members getting set to move stringer logs for the Hidden River Bridge in Pennsylvania's Moraine State Park. Flotation blocks on the logs, Check! Everything ready to go ... well, uhhhh ...
What am I doing? Am I crazy? Have I completely lost control of my senses? It's six in the morning, it's cold out, it's wet out! I should be sleeping, dreaming! Dreaming dreams of trails and sails, of good times and foxy females! But no, here I am, bleary eyed, half-asleep, driving east on Route 422 because of some guy named Bob! And to compound matters, my stomach has not yet had its morning jolt of java to jar it to life. OK, let's see! Bryan and the others are meeting for breakfast somewhere down the road, east of Rt. 428 at a place called Roxie's. Wasn't I dreaming of her last night when that dern alarm brought me to reality? Ahhhh, there it is, and there's Bryan's truck, "Cherry Valley Landscaping" boldly written on the side. And look at all those cars, must be a dozen or more Butler Outdoor Club members in there. They must be hanging from the rafters! Open the door, walk inside-- I see Bryan's face surrounded by what appears to be the annual convention of the Geritol
Generation. "Where is everybody? Bryan, where is everybody? "I begin to panic, but Bryan assures me that all we need
is one more member to get the job done. What an optimist! What an optimist! A hearty breakfast finished, nerves now calmed by several cups of coffee, we head over to McDaniels Launch, there to be greeted by Jake and two of the biggest, ugliest logs one would ever want to lay eyes on. Eighty plus feet of unmoveable mass! Let's see, there are two of them and three of us -- we have them outnumbered! More members start arriving! There's Deb Hines, and Jerry Heckathorn, and Virginia Rozic, and Joe Smith, with helpers, and Joe Hardisky, and Bob! The odds of success are shifting in our favor. "Teamwork will do it. Yes! Teamwork will do it." After taking care of some minor logistics such as moving the tow boat from the east to the west side of the lake we were ready to execute "The Plan. " The plan, which was a marvel of simplicity, was to lash the two forty foot logs together, attach flotation blocks, connect a line from logs to boat and tow them to their final destination, Hidden River. What could be more simple, more excellently con'rived -- we had a plan! Logs lashed together, check! Flotation blocks secure, check! Line ready to make fast to stern cleat, check! Start :he boat - errrrr, eerrrrrr, eerrrrrrr -- no check! Start the boat - errrrr, eerrrrrr, eerrrrrrr, will someoneplease startthe boat! The%"&*(*#@! boat just would not start! After 7 ,200 seconds of frustration, after emptying a can of starting fluid, after Jerry pulled and dried the spark LAYING OUT THE BRIDGE. The Hidden River Bridge do much toward plugs at least six times, after changing and improving the usability of the NCT in Moraine State Park.
Page 26
charging the battery it was obvious -- we needed another plan! Now, I'm not sure who came up with Plan #2, but I'm sure that it must have come down lashed to that solitary beam of sunshine that momentarily pierced the gray, drab and dreary sky! We had a plan! Shifting into action, Plan #2 was quickly initiated. Remove the flotation blocks, check! Raise the 40ft. logs onto the 20 ft. trailer (ends slightly draggin'), check! Chain down the logs securely, check! Start Bryan's truck engine, VARROOM ! We were under way. Quite a sight to see as we moved through the roads of Moraine State Park. The "Cherry Valley Landscaping" truck and trailer (with logs 'a draggin', followed by two trucks, a Jeep, a park truck, and bringing up the rear was Bryan, driving his skid-loader. A virtual menagerie of migrating mammals dragging their kill across the tundra. And we made it! Well, at least to the bike rental parking lot, that is! But now, the problem! The logs, you know, those two big, ugly things, now had to be moved nearly a quarter mile through field, through woods, and down a 50 ft. ravine, there to be positioned over the river. That thought alone was thought enough to make one wonder whether floating them to the site would have been a more prudent route. With the. held of Bryan's loader, many eager hands and thinking minds, and not to mention a couple buckets of sweat, we pressed on! Now, I'm not really sure how long the entire process took. But, with each foot we moved, we knew we were one foot
Setting the logs in place over the Hidden River. It's beginning to look like a bridge!
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
BUILDING A PIER for the Hidden River bridge, which the big, heavy logs will span. closer to accomplishing our goal. Teamwork! And even though I wasn't there on the prior project, building the cement bridge support, it likewise also took Teamwork to get the job done. With the help of the loader, some cable, the crew, and a scroungy, tall thin locust tree whose crotch was used as a lifting point (did I mention luck?) we were finally able to maneuver the logs into position. One end resting on a rock outcrop, the other lifted on the cement support on the other shore. We had spanned the river! There are many other thing this short accounting has failed to bring to mind, to work into the tale, such as Jake and Jerry finally getting the boat going, dinner in "Virginia's Cafe", the guy with the mad chainsaw (no names mentioned), or the guy who was "one sack shy" (again, no names mentioned). These are memories of those who were out there! But, as we made our final trek out of the Hidden River ravine, we looked back over our shoulders. There down below, surrounded by the newly budded trees, sat the bridge. It's now not so ugly members horizontally spanning the water. The setting sun now painting from its pallette the scene a crimson gold. Teamwork! Or, as a friend of mine from Texas would say, "You done good, boy."
Working on the approaches. The finished bridge is on the cover of the this issue of the North Star.
NORTH STAR: The Magazine
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of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
r.------------------,
:HEART !& SOLE I
I 1 Edited by Joan Young
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!
I I
It's a sure bet that early summer with its long evenings has arrived. Folks are outside filling their souls and wearing out their soles, not sitting beside the phone waiting for me to call and ask them questions. And we wouldn't want it to be any other way! These are the kind of people we have at the heart of our trail community. One volunteer pointed out that you meet kindred spirits and receive blessings while working on the trail. We hope that in reading about such folks across the seven states spanned by the NCT that you will feel that spirit too.
Central New York Chapter Do you think of woods when someone says to you, "New Jersey?" Probably not, yet that was where RANDALL BRUNE learned as a boy that he preferred being in the woods to anywhere else. Perhaps the present scarcity of New Jersey woodlands is one the reasons Randall is so passionate about trails. "Human nature needs the natural world for the fullest kind of life," he says. "If we don't rescue some stretches of woods, there won't be any." Trails give us one reason to preserve the woods, he concludes. Randall is currently president of the Central NY Chapter, but his involvement with the trail goes way back. Together with Charles Embree he designed over 100 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail. They were a good team, Charles was the engineer with technical knowledge, and Randall brought an artist's eye to the trail design process. Much discussion and compromise resulted in beautiful and well-laid-out trails. For years they worked together on the trail at least once a week, no matter what the weather. In recognition of their work on the FLT the pair jointly received the esteemed Wallace Wood Award in 1993. Randall is retired from a distinguished career as an educator in the arts, and still teaches appreciation of art and literature in the Elderhostel Program. Another accomplishment of Randall's is the building of trails near the Syracuse University campus so that he could take the "long route" to work. One CNY member describes Randall with a quote from a past U.S. President, "It's amazing what we can get done if we don't worry about who gets the credit."
RANDALL BRUNE
Butler County Chapter
Brian Koehler
BRYAN KOEHLER was a backpacker who looked at a map of Pennsylvania and saw a red line labeled North Country Trail. The all too familiar story follows that the trail was only a line on a map, not a path on the ground. But Bryan decided to help change that. He learned trail construction and maintenance, and got involved with the Keystone Trail Association and then the Butler Outdoor Club. He led the team which constructed a 40-foot bridge over the Hidden River. Somehow the bridge grew to 60 feet 11/2 inches! How did you stretch those telephone poles, Bryan? (0 .K., so you poured a pier, but a pole stretcher sounds like it would have lots of uses if you could invent one.) He says they make it a point to have fun even though there is lots of work to do. "We haven't lost sight of the good camaraderie," he says. Bryan is now in charge of maintenance and construction for the Butler Outdoor Club, and is president of the Butler County Chapter of the NCTA. He has laid out miles of trail in Pennsylvania Game lands. He says his original intent was to focus on construction and maintenance, but with leadership responsibilities he feels that the time he spends is a valuable contribution. There are "phone calls, meetings, paperwork, organizing of tools, organizing, organizing .... " His career as a landscaper gives him experience in leading work crews, knowledge of equipment and skills needed for quality work. Bryan says that trails seem to lend themselves to meeting two separate needs. They both allow people to escape from daily stress, and can also "promote a sense of community which often seems to be lacking in our society." It is important to him that trails be available to help meet these basic human needs.
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
Page 28
Buckeye Trail Association JIM SPRAGUE, a retired Chemist for SOHIO, says we must blame Emily Gregor and the Cleveland Hiking Club for his involvement in the Buckeye and North Country Trails. The club began hiking the northwest comer of Ohio, mostly road miles in level farm country. Jim says he became fascinated in spite of himself. He began to sense the experience as being comparable to canoeing down a winding river. The com stalks waved like wild rice, and hikers disappeared around comers like canoeists around the next bend. As he hiked more and more of the trail he found it to be in terrible condition. When he complained to Emily, she said, "Fix it!" And he began to do just that. Nearly 20 years later, he's still at it. He's also one of only 50 or so people who have hiked the entire Buckeye Trail. After Emily's challenge, Jim came on the BTA board of directors and soon "dropped into" the position of president. He also started weekend campouts to get people interested JIM SPRAGUE in working on the trail. He describes these as a learning process as he had to organize for any possibility, whether a few or many volunteers showed up. He has built trail near Old Man's Cave, in Tar Hollow Forest, and has upgraded the trail quality in Pike Lake State Forest. Jim has also served as Ohio's State Coordinator for the NCTA and as the BT State Trail Coordinator. "Trail building is fun," says Jim. "To see trail coming behind you is a nice feeling." His ability to impart that sense of satisfaction to volunteers is a contribution worth remembering. He wants to establish high quality trail miles and asserts that workers will come back to work again if they can see that they are able to create good trail. So Emily, we thank you for one more favor, and many thanks to you too, Jim.
West Michigan Chapter
Dave Sheldon and Len Baron by pedestrian bridge with Kent County installed specifically for the NCNSTto cross the Flat River at Fellesburg Park
It's happened to all of us. We arrive at a meeting only to discover that it's not the gathering we thought. Thankfully forus, DAVE SHELDON decided that he liked the North Country Trail Chapter better than the group meeting he had planned to attend! The West Michigan Chapter often went hiking, but Dave said, "Let's do more," so he began leading treks. That was in 1991, and over the years that he's been organizing hikes, he has only missed two of the W MI Saturdays. Dave is a retired weather service specialist, so he also has to bravely put up with taking the blame for whatever weather appears on outing days. He has loved the outdoors since he was a boy. He was a Scout and has continued hiking, camping, and enjoying nature photography as an adult. He sees trails as a great opportunity for people to stay healthy and physically fit, whether they are able to hike 2 miles or 20. Recently Dave's activities have expanded to taking over the chapter newsletter, but this doesn't keep him out of the woods. At the request of the National Park Service he's walking the NCT from Lowell to Mesick, MI (over 100 miles) taking an inventory of trail conditions including erosion, treadway condition, water sources, bridges, boardwalks, parking, etc. Dave is also spearheading a project to take the trail across a campground, a small section involving private property easement, and construction of a bridge. This effort will re-route a connecting segment that is currently on roads. We always like to see those off-road miles increase! The person who nominated Dave described his dedication this way, "He is there come rain, sleet, mud, snow, hail, or mosquitoes ... He never runs out of places to lead us, ... and has stored maps in his computer of every nook and cranny in Michigan."
North Country Trail Hikers ROLAND SCHWITZGOEBEL has "a passion to keep moving through the woods." At age 86 he suspects he's moving a bit slower than he used to, but he says he just loves "locomotion by using my legs." This devotion is verified in the fact that he was also a marathon runner. Retired from teaching Educational Psychology at Northern Michigan University, he's on the NCT Hikers Chapter board and has many ideas to contribute. He is the one remaining member of the original group from when the chapter first formed. He still leads work parties to maintain a 3-mile section of trail he and his wife have adopted. Roland recounted one of their biggest challenges when a timber company did some cutting along the trail. It took a lot of work to clean up the brush they left behind. His wife Marion always works with him, and this fact is the lead-in to a great trail story. There was a log crossing over the West Branch of the Peshekee River. It was about 20 feet above the water in a rocky gorge. Marion refused to traverse this bridge, and thus they did not participate in any work parties or outings on that side of the river. So the NCT Hikers got busy and built
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
Page 29
a bridge to replace the log. Marion was the first to go across the new structure, and it is now known as Marion's Crossing! Roland says that he has unlimited enthusiasm for the trail. He enjoys the fellowship of being with people of different ages, and to work with them. "There is an afterglow when you extend yourself that reverberates through your physical and mental being." Speaking for Marion and himself, he concluded, "we relish it!"
Chequamegon Chapter It's not very often that a person's formal education has a direct tie-in to their trail involvement, but such is the case for NANCY FRANZ. Her college degree is in Environmental Education and Outdoor Recreation. She now works for the University of Wisconsin Extension, working with youth programs such as 4-H. She became acquainted with the North Country Trail while attending college; the students worked with the Forest Service to maintain the trail through Chequamegon National Forest. When I spoke with her, Nancy was getting ready to leave for a hike on the Ice Age Trail. That's the story of her life. She's been on lots of the NCT besides Chequamegon. The Ottawa NF, the Porkies, and the Superior Hiking Trail (soon to be part of the NCT) are in her quiver of hikes. She's done parts of the Ice Age Trail, and some on the AT and PCT as well. "Hiking is the best way to see the world," she claims, adding, "When you put people in the natural environment it keeps them in touch with themselves." And this is her Nancy Frantz greatest contribution to the trail community. She serves as a guide for many hikes on the NCT, getting people on to the trail. She has led groups for college orientation, Youth Conservation Corps, Girl Scouts, Women Outdoors (a national volunteer group), juvenile offenders, and "friends by ones, twos, sixes, or tens." She's helped with a few workdays as well, but sees her role as guide as her primary purpose. She really appreciates all the time that people put in to maintain trail, and she believes that North Country Trail folks are especially dedicated. Thanks for the compliment, Nancy, and many thanks to you as well.
Brule-St. Croix Chapter ATLEY OSWALD felt shy about being featured. ''I'm just labor," he alleged. But where would we be without labor? You may remember not so many issues back when the northwest Wisconsin route was being selected. Atley is one of the people who are now building that section of new trail. "I would like to see it go faster," he said. Nevertheless, they have put about seven miles of quality trail on the ground in the past year. He will be the leader of the chapter's August work crew. A retired chemist for the State Bureau of Grain Regulation, on the side he restores old cars, keeps a one-acre garden, and is helping gather data for the Wisconsin Bird Atlas. He likes to walk, often taking the dog on a six-mile block near his home. But backpacking, he says, is "special." He says there's a rhythm you get into after about three days on the trail. He and his wife have packed on several long hikes; "you don't need much-just need good shoes and a decent pack." He likes the independence of backpacking- to have everything you need with you. This enjoyment of the trail created the realization that it takes a lot of effort to keep a trail in good repair. So when he saw an article in the paper about the formation of a local chapter he was quick to get involved. Building trail is his favorite activity within the group. He likes to see the transformation from following some flagging tape through the woods, to the return walk on newly created tread way. Sometimes if only a small group can make a workday, they can only complete 100200 yards at a time, but we know that's how the miles add up. When you "get a core of people that know what they are doing, before you know it you are down through the woods," Atley said with Atley Oswald (rear) the pride of someone who has participated in a job well done.
We owe so much, our trail in fact, to people Like these. They may be young or older, shy or bold, but each has given us all a gift. There is no need for me to fabricate an eloquent ending for this column, they have given us that as well: Satisfaction.fun, camaraderie, community.fellowship.fascination, dedication, a full Life. These are words that this issue's volunteers have used to describe their trail experi-
ences. This is the HEART of what volunteering is all about. Design, compromise, pour concrete, organize, inventory, guide, clean, flag, build. More words from our volunteers. This is the SOLE of the trail effort. HEART and SOLE. Don't forget that you may nominate anyone you think deserves to be featured. This is your column. Contact me at 861 W US. JO, Scottville, Ml, 49454 or jhy@t-one.net."
N
Trail路Shop Proceeds benefit the North Counby 1ral1.Aaodadon in its ej/ort.11 to build, maintain, and promote the North Counby National Scenlc 'lraU.
Certified Sections of the North CountryTrail by Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed information and maps highlightingthe longest and best off-road segments of the Trail. These are accurate route descriptions by experienced guide-book writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form. Pennsylvania NCT in Pennsylvania Ohio Wayne National Forest Burr Oak-Sinking Spring Sinking Spring to Milford Little Miami Scenic Park Miami & Erie Canal Michigan NCT in Lower Michigan NCT in Upper Michigan Ml-37 to Doblesky Rd.Wilderness SP Wisconsin Chequamegon N.F. and Brule River S.F. Minnesota Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P. North Dakota NCT in North Dakota
Michigan Map Sets by Arden Johnson
$4.00 per set
An excellent reference for the entire North Country Trail in Michigan. Includes all off-road segments and suggests onroad routes where the trail is incomplete. Also provides good general information about access points, terrain, markers, camping and water, etc. Ml-A) Ml-B) Ml-C) Ml-D) Ml-E) Ml-F) Ml-G)
SE Lenawee Co. to W. Calhoun Co. NE Kalamazoo Co.to SE Newaygo Co. SE Newaygo Co. to NW Wexford Co. NW Wexford Co. to SE Charlevoix Co. Charlevoix Co. to Mackinaw City St. Ignace to SE Marquette Co. Marquette area to Ironwood
June - July, 1998
~~~~ffEf-::::~ , ~~
$ 5.00
$ $ $ $ $
3.00 5.50 5.50 2.50 3.00
$ 8.00 $ 9.50 $ 3.50 $ 3.00 $ 3.50
$ 2.50
North country Trail caps
Embroidered design with eight thread colors. Similar to NCTA logo only it reads "North Country National Scenic Trail." Adjustable sizes in five
For the Trail S uppo rter
Cap A (lower left): $14.95 Low profile washed cotton, khaki crown, dark green bill, adjustable buckle on fabric strap. Cap B (upper left): $12.95 Low profile cotton twill, solid navy crown and bill, plastic snap strap Cap C (upper right): $12.95 Low profile cotton twill, solid khaki crown and bill, plastic snap strap Cap D (lower right): $10.95 Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap. Cap E (center): $16.95 _, "Pro-wash" cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustable buckle on a leather strap.
TShirt-98 (sage)
s,M,L,XL: $10.95 - XXL: $11.95
Just In: TShirt 98! Too new for photo!
Brand new t-shirt reads: North Country National Scenic Trail - Just Beyond Your Backdoor. It's made of heavy weight, 100% cotton in sage, and features a front design in brick red, forest green, and ivory (illustrated to the right). The trail line on the map is actually a list of all seven state names. ,
:fr.4
1~
-~路
- '-~"'1
Designed by Jeannie Thomas.
TShirt-97 (tan)
M,L,XL: only $8.951- XXL: $9.95
A TRAIL CREW shirt for volunteers! Tan 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer.
NCTA Trail Building & Maintenance Manual by Thomas Reimers This great manual for volunteers provides helpful guidelines and suggestions for planning, construction and continued maintenance of the North Country Trail. Covers rural & roaded natural, semi-primitive & primitive trail. 22 pgs. $2.00 State Patches Available for all seven states.
$1.50 ea.
Round Patches Yellow, blue and black on white background.
$ 3.00 ea.
Volunteer Patch Blue thread on white background.
$ 1.50 ea.
Trail Supporter Pin 3/4" cloisonne, gold color lettering and star.
$ 3.00 ea.
North Country National Scenic Trail Mug Official trail emblem on both sides in three colors. $ 5.95 ea.
Buckeye Trail (Ohio) Section Maps These convenient and detailed maps cover the North Country Trail where it the Buckeye Trail Association. per map Belle Valley: Morgan, Noble and Guernsey Counties Bowerston: Harrison, Carroll and Guernsey Counties Ceasar Creek: Greene and Warren Counties Defiance: Defiance, Paulding, Putnam, Henry & Wood Counties Delphos: Putnam, Allen and Auglaize Counties Loveland: Clermont, Warren and Hamilton Counties Massillon: Stark and Tuscarawas Counties
overlaps with the Buckeye Trail. They are published by $3.50 Old Man's Cave: Hocking, Ross and Vinton Counties Scioto Trail: Ross and Pike Counties Sinking Spring: Adams, Pike and Highland Counties St. Marys: Auglaize and Shelby Counties Stockport: Morgan, Perry and Athens Counties Troy: Greene, Miami & Montgomery Co's West Union: Adams and Brown Counties
Great Books ... and his pal Rascal the Raccoon share their considerable wisdom and wit. Wonderful color illustrations are filled with humor and countless tips and trivia. Though at first glance this looks like a book for kids, adults also will find this guide irresitible and informative. 54pp.
HIKING!
Dayhiker's Handbook
A truly fresh look at hiking. Read about: philosophy of hiking, stress management, creativity and hiking, and trail romance. Also explore today's issues through hiking: strengthening family ties, improving communication, a healthy lifestyle for kids, an inexpensive passtime and providing seniors with a natural prescription for health. A new twist for anyone who currently enjoys hiking and for those who are thinking about starting out. 245pp. $14.95
Comprehensive guide for begin-ning wanderers and those exploring new country. Choosing proper clothing, selecting footware and raingear, using a map and compass, predicting hike difficulty, when to turn around, managing food and water, weather lore, walking techniques, traveling with kids, first aid, and more. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes. 216pp. $14.95
Followingthe North Country National Scenic Trail
路DAYHIKER'S HANDBOOK
by Wes Boyd, NCTA newsletter editor Full of information, this book directs readers to more in-depth resources on the trail. Although not really a guidebook, it's our most inclusive publication covering the whole North Country National Scenic Trail. 64 pgs. SALE PRICE: $2.95!
Trails AcrossAmerica by Art & Marge Miller Subtitled "A Traveler's Guide to Our National Scenic and Historic Trails," this book is the first to provide engaging descriptions and advice on all 19 trails in our National Trail System. Includes North Country, Morman Pioneer, Pony Express, Appalachian, lditarod, Lewis and Clark, Pacific Crest, Trail of Tears, Florida Trail, Continental Divide and many others. 308 pgs. $19.95
Trail Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R. Hansen Michigan trail enthusiasts - don't get caught without this atlas! 2nd Edition includes maps and descriptions for over 6.QQ hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. Search by location or types of use!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - A Guide by Olive Anderson A centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail, Pictured Rocks is a rugged, beautiful, and unique coast on the Lake Superior shore. This revised guidebook includes maps, and excellent descriptions of the many recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56pgs.
Backpacker'sHandbook Extremely thorough, up-to-date guide . covering basics of backpacking. Information on the latest gear, cooking techniques, skills, and environmental hazards, with an emphasis on minimizing impact and enjoying the outdoors. This book is highly educational whether you are new to backpacking or an experienced "pro." 340pp.
,
,
Finger Lakes Trail Resources
Minnesota
Map Sets
Guidebooks
$4.00 per set These excellent looseleaf maps of the trail in NY are published by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference.
Published by the Finger Lakes Trail Cont., these helpful books cover various parts of the North Country Trail where it overlaps the FLT in western and central New York.
NY-A) PA border - Portageville NY-B) Portageville - Watkins Glen NY-C) Watkins Glen - NW of Cuyler
FLT in Cortland County FLT End-to-End Guide for Backpackers FLT: Conservation Trail to Hornell FLT in Steuben Co. (Hornell-S.Bradford)
$5.95 $2.50 $7.95 $6.95
Guide to the North CountryTrail, Chippewa National Forest by Roderick MacRae Description of the route and trail log, east to west. Wonderfully written by a Chippewa National Forest expert. 12 pgs. $1.25
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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
Trail Focus:
The Tip of the Mitten The Mackinac Bridge between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, is one of the focal points of Michigan's north country -- and is a focal point on the North Country Trail, as well. Hiking on the NCNST is one of several interesting things that can be done in the area.
THE MACKINAC BRIDGE -- Big Mac -- between St. Ignace and Mackinac City, Ml, the largest bridge on the North Country National Scenic Trail. Thousands walk the bridge on Labor Day, the only time the bridge can be walked.
0.0 MACKINAC BRIDGE TOLL BOOTH (ST. IGNACE) The Mackinac Bridge - "Big Mac" - is the fulfillment of a century-old dream of bridging the Straits of Mackinac and connecting the two peninsulas of Michigan. In 1957, after four years of labor by 10,000 men, the four-lane span from approach to approach stretches from St. Ignace in the upper peninsula to Mackinaw City in the lower. Length of the center suspension is 3 ,800 feet, and the distance between anchorages is 8,614 feet. Underclearance is 155 feet. Total length of the bridge, with approaches, is 26,444 feet. CROSSING THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC: The Mackinac Bridge, known as "Big Mac", may only be walked one day a year, the morning of Labor Day, when an annual bridge walk is held. At that time, the bridge can be walked southbound in a mob of 50,000 to 70,000 people. At other times, hikers must find other ways across the Straits. The Mackinac Bridge Authority operates a shuttle bus, leaving from the Bridge Authority Offices at the north end of the bridge, and dropping riders at J amet Street in Mackinac City. Northbounders may call the Bridge Authority at (906) 6437600 to arrange pickup from Jamet Street. An alternative to taking the bus is to take a ferry to Mackinac Island, and then to Mackinaw City (or St. Ignace if northbound). The ferry terminals in St. Ignace are on N. State Street along the harbor; in Mackinaw City, at the east end of Center Street. MACKINAW CITY, MI, 49701 (Pop. 900), like St. Ignace is a tourist town, with the bridge, ferry docks, and the motels being the focal point of the town, along with the gift shops and the like along Central Avenue, the town's main street. Established with Ft. Michilimackinac in 1715 by French settlers, and held successively by French, British, Indians, and British again, before the latter moved the fort complex to Mackinac Island in 1780. LODGING: Over 30 motels, most only open seasonally; only on the busiest summer weekends, especially Labor Day when the bridge walk comes
NORTH STAR:
The Magazine
of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
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to town, is it impossible to find a room in Mackinaw City. RESTAURANTS: Again, many; but notably Mamma Mia's Pizza, Central Ave., downtown. When nobody else was interested in starting a museum about the epic building of the Mackinac Bridge, MammaMia' s took on the job, and came up with a great museum with many unique displays. Free, if you can resist the pizza, which is excellent. OTHER: Medium sized grocery, suitable for short-term resupply, hardware/ sporting goods, some backpacking equipment, bank, pharmacy. There are lots of gift stores, etc., along Central Avenue; don't miss Tun-Dra Outfitters, just west of the I-75 overpass. POINTS OF INTEREST: Old Fort Michilimackinac, built by the French in 1715, was occupied by the British 1761-1781. Also, Mackinac City -- and St. Ignace, across the straits -have several ferry lines across to popular Mackinaw Island, a popular tourist spot, where all motor vehicle traffic is banned. FOR MORE INFORMATION about the Mackinac City area, contact Mackinaw Area Tourist Bureau, 708 S. Huron St., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 (616) 436-5664 or (800) 666-0160, or FAX (616) 436-5991.
5.0 JAMET STREET EXIT OFF BRIDGE Follow Nicolet St. south. Central Ave. crosses at the stoplight. Continue south; just past the IGA, the old Pere Marquette railroad grade crosses.
5.3 TURN SOUTHWEST ON OLD RAILROAD GRADE The NCT route ducks under the I- 75 overpass, and follows the old railroad grade south out of town. This route is used as a snowmobile trail and cannot be certified.
THE CARP RIVER BRIDGE, built by NCTA volunteers led by Derek Blount.
11.4 CROSS FRENCH FARM LAKE DAM 6.7 CROSS TRAILS END ROAD This is hardly the trail's end; there are aboutanother2500 miles to go to get to that point. A KOA campground is about 112 mile east, with all the Winnebagos you can stand; for primitive camping, continue on. The trail continues south along the railroad grade on a separate treadway past the city sewage plant for about half a mile, then turns west along a marked pathway.
Once across the dam, the trail turns to the west, and after a mile or so, angles to the southwest through mixed growth forest. This area is flat, and there maybe some muddy spots. The well-marked and cleared trail then angles to the southwest, and just before reaching Cecil Bay Road, crosses the Carp Riveron a bridge built in 1996 by NCTA volunteers, and parallels the road for a short distance south.
14.4 CROSS CECIL BAY RD. 7.2 TURN WEST ON MARKED TRAIL The trail enters Mackinac State Forest land, where trailside camping is permitted. The route turns northwest along a pipeline right of way for about 0.5 mile until turning west toward the north end of French Farm Lake. NOTE: Beaver activity may force a relo in this area. The trail follows near the 'shoreline of French Farm Lake until reaching French Farm Lake Road, a dirt road running down to French Farm Lake Dam. The trail turns south to more or less parallel French Farm Lake Road, crossing it several times, until reaching the dam, passing several informal camping areas along the lakeshore.
There is a small parking area, suitable for several cars, about 0.2 mi north of the crossing; the site is also used for informal camping. The trail crosses Cecil Bay Rd., then turns west on an old logging road that turns into the Spruce Ridge Trail in Wilderness State Park. Trailwise, there's plenty of other interesting things in the Straits area; completed trail continues west, then south, from this point through Wilderness State Park to Wycamp Lake State Forest Campground. North of the Mackinac Bridge, an uncertifiable rail-grade snowmobile trail leads north to a crossing with the certified trail in the Hiawatha National Forest.
NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July 1998
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I
PENNSYLVANIA
CTA TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES ITEMS FOR THIS COLUMN must be received before the deadline date . We . welcome listing activities of affiliated organizations, but we must be aware of them in sufficient time for publication.
NCTA August 1: Newsletter deadline. September 24-27: Annual Conference. Lake Ann Baptist Camp, 15 mi. west of Traverse City. Emphasis on family activities and strengthening chapters. Call 616-454-5506. October 1 : Newsletter deadline. October 1: Deadline for 1999 Challenge Cost Share proposals and reporting VIP hours. January 1: Newsletter deadline.
NEW YORK June 20: FLTC Board of Managers meeting, 9:30 a.m., Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Geneva, NY. June 22-26: ALLEY CAT Trail Crew Work Week #1 at the Cayuga Nature Center's Hammond Hill camp, Dryden, NY. July 25: FLTC President's Hike for all members and guests on the main FLT in the Hoxie Gorge area (FLT map M-20). Leader George Zacharek (315/635-8438). August 17-21: ALLEY CAT Trail Crew Work Week #2 at Little Pond Campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve for Mill Brook Ridge Trail (FLT) project.
June 17: Ramble State Gamelands Bob T. (724)287-3382 June 20: Working with Landowners Training Deb Hines MAY RESCHEDULE June 27-28: Hike on ANF Joe Smith 724-287-8374 June 29: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30 PM @ Butler YMCA July3-12: 95 miles hike Allegheny Forest Call Bob Tait (724)2873382. Limit to 12 hikers, we will meet others along the way. If people would like to sponsor a hiker at so much a mile contact Bob Tait 724-287-3382 or Jim Cannon 814 452-0228 July 11-12: Trail work Bryan Koehler July 11: Clarion Chapter Hike 9:00 am ANF/Cook Forest Carol Atwell 814-354-2778 July 18-19: Davis Hollow Outdoor Center Workday Bob Tait. (724 )287-3382 Aug. 1-2: Trail work or other - Call Bryan Koehler for details Aug 8: Clarion Chapter Hike 9:00 am ANF/Cook Forest Carol Atwell 814-354-2778 Aug 22-23: Davis Hollow Outdoor Center Workday Bob Tait. (724 )287-3382 Sept 1: Challenge Cost Share Grants for 99 due to State Coordinator Sept. 5-6: B.O.C. Slowdowns & blazing on Glacier Ridge Trail Sept. 11-13: KTA North Country Trailwork Butler/Moraine Sept 18: Penna Fall meeting 5:00 at Cook Forest call for location Sept. 19-20: NCTA Penna. Camping, Hikes & Trailwork in Cook Forest area 1st annual state cam pout an get to know people Carol Atwell 814-354-2778 Sept. 25-27: KTA Crystal Lake Camp near Hughsville in Lycoming County Sept. 28: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30 PM @ Butler YMCA Oct 2: 30th Anniversary signing of National Trails System Act Oct 31- Nov. 1: Davis Hollow Outdoor Center Workday Bob Tait. (724)287-3382. Close up the cabin for winter, tools maintained Dec. 22: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30 PM Butler YMCA Sept. 99: NCT A Trail Conference Penna. This schedule subject to change - call to confirm work times Visit Pennsylvania NCTA web Site at http://nauticom.netlwwwl outdoor/net/pa.html to check dates and changes.
OHIO
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Backpacking • Canoeing • Photography Trout Fishing • Spike Camps • X-Country Skiing Mountain Biking •Winter /Summer Survival Environmental Education Wilderness Skills CALL FOR FREE BROCHURE
51 7 -3 71 - 1330 31OSeymore,Apt.610 Lansing, Michigan, 48933
June 20-21: BTA Trail Crew Work Party: Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County. Put trail on side hill along Lake Shore towards C-15 from Bloody Run. Call Jim Sprague, 440-884-4757 or Herb Hulls, 740-585-2603. June 27-28: 10:00 a.m. STA Circuit Hike. Meet at Point 28, St. Mary's Section both days (at 9:00 AM Sunday). For more information, contact Dana Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, 44221; 330-928-8931. July 25: 10:00 a.m. Combined STA Hike-A-Month and NE Ohio BT. Headlands Beach State Park, Lake County. Meet at easternmost parking lot (P-1) at BT sign. Leader Pat Cameron. Homemade salads will be provided, so reservations must be made. Call Lee Shainker for reservations, 641-5791. July 25-26: 10:00 a.m. BTA Circuit Hike, Bowerston Section. Meet between Points 33 & 32, 10:00 a.m .. Will carpool past Point 25. Hike is 13.8 miles. Sunday, meet between Points 33 & 32,
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The Magazine of the North Country Trail, June-July1998
9:00 a.m. (see July 25 Circuit Hike above for directions). Will carpool to Point 39. Hike is 10.6 miles. For questions or more information, contact Dana A. Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, 44221; 330-928-8931. FAX 330-926-9574. August 8: 10:00 a.m., BTA Hike-a-Month. Meet at the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir to hike and explore a stretch of the Mogadore Section of the BT with Jay Abercrombie. Meet at the boat launch/ picnic area on Rock Spring Road, south of Ohio 5 and north of the causeway. Bring lunch and water. Questions? Call Jay at 330-628-6098. August 8-9: 10:00 a.m. BTA Circuit Hike, St. Marys-Delphos Sections. Saturday, meet just past Point 7, Delphos Section, on Bloomlock Road, 10:00 a.m. Will carpool to Lock 14 Rd. in the St. Marys Section. Will be hiking about 14.8 miles on flat land. Sunday. meet at Point 13, behind the Fire Station in Fort Jennings on Rt. 190. Hiking 11 miles on flat land. For questions or more information, contact Dana A. Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, 44221; 330-928-8931. FAX 330-926-9574. Sept. 9-13: BTA Trail Crew Work Party: Clendening Reservoir in Harrison County. Return to Clendening Reservoir to build more new trail on north side of Reservoir. Call Jim Sprague, 440884-4757, or Herb Hulls, 740-585-2603. Sept. 27-28: BTA Trail Crew Work Party: Scioto Trails State Forest in Ross County. Improve grade on trail between Higby Bridge and South Ridge Road in this State Forest. Call Jim Sprague, 440-884-4757, or Herb Hulls, 740-585-2603. Oct. 10-11: BTA Trail Crew Work Party: Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County. Improve trail that has eroded into the Lake between Boat Dock #2 and the Lodge. Call Jim Sprague, 440884-4757, or Herb Hulls, 740-585-2603. Oct. 17-24: (note date change): BTA. Cranberry Glades Wilderness Area, near Richwood, West Virginia. We are planning to carpool to West Virginia to hike and backpack the Gauley District of the Monongahela National Forest. There are over 200 miles of maintained trails with many access points to accommodate day hikers and backpackers alike. The Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob Recreation Area is nearby, so by carpooling, shuttling will not be a problem. The cost of the trip should be around $45 per person. Any questions or to make your reservation, call Mike Shumway, 937-434-5689, or Herb Hulls, 7 40-585-2603. Oct. 29 - Nov. 1: BTA Trail Crew Work Party: Riddle Forest Products in Hocking County. Build new trail on private properties belonging to Dale W. Riddle Forest Products. This company has invited BTA onto their property to assist in oversight of trespassers. They have also offered to provide materials to build a leanto. We anticipate at least 8 miles of new, off-road trail when this project is complete. Call Jim Sprague, 440-884-4757, or Herb Hulls, 7 40-585-2603.
MICHIGAN June 16: North Country Trail Hikers (Marquette) join Sierra Club for cleanup and hike of Little Presque Isle area. Call Dave at (906) 228-9453. June 20: North Country Trail Hikers (Marquette) New trail construction at Sand River area. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. June 27: North Country Trail Hikers (Marquette) New trail construction at Sand River area. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704.
July 6-11: Western Michigan Chapter day hiking in Smokey Mountains. $245 includes dormitory lodging, all meals & naturalist. Contact Mary Payne (616) 773-6986. July 11: North Country Trail Hikers Trail work East of Marquette. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. July 18: North Country Trail HikersTrail work East of Marquette. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. Aug. 1: North Country Trail Hikers Trail work East of Marquette. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. Aug. 8: North Country Trail Hikers Trail work East of Marquette. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. August 10-14: New trail construction along 12-Mile Beach in Pictured Rocks, with nearby camping. Food provided by Sierra Club. Camping equipment available. Send SASE to Dave Box. 337 E. Crescent, Marquette, Ml 49855. Aug. 15: North Country Trail Hikers Hike to Canyon Falls. Call Russ Fure at 226-7669. Aug. 16-19: North Country Trail Hikers Old Victoria area new trail construction. Fee, all meals included. Advance reservations required. Call Gene at 225-1704. August 19-23: Chapel Beach bridge construction. Worksite and campground in heart of Pictured Rocks. Backpacking required, equipment available. Food provided by Sierra Club. Send SASE to Steve Hicks, 148 Saddlebag Lake Rd., Woodland, Ml 48887. Sept. 5: North Country Trail Hikers Ninth annual Public Hike. 1 O A.M. Donelly Tract, Little Garlic River. Volunteers needed. Call Gene at 225-1704. Sept. 6: NCT Hikers Public Hike rain date. Decision made by 8:30 A.M. on Sat. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. Sept. 7: North Country Trail Hikers Labor Day mountain bike trip to Seney NWR. Seventeen miles on good gravel roads which are closed to motor vehicles. Bike rentals available in nearby town. Call Richard at (906) 226-7934. Sept 12: North Country Trail Hikers Softies hike west from Dishno Creek Rd. Call Jan at 225-1295. Sept 19: North Country Trail Hikers Trail scouting in Silver Lake Basin area. Call Gene at (906) 225-1704. Sept. 26: North Country Trail Hikers Softies hike east of Peshekee Rd. Call Jan at 225-1295. October 6: W Ml board meeting 7:30 pm at Hoogterps. 616-6771621 December 8: W Ml Chapter Meeting and Christmas Party 6:30 pm. Call Ruth Arthur 616-453-8622 for reservations.
WISCONSIN Sept 17: Brule-St. Croix Chapter Meeting, Contact Peter Nordgren, 715-394-8528 Sept 26&27: Brule-St. Croix Fall Work Days, Contact Peter Nordgren, 715-394-8528 Oct 15: Brule-St.Croix Chapter Meeting (elect officers for next year), Contact Peter Nordgren, 715-394-8528 Some risks are inherent in any NCTA, chapter or affiliate activity. Each Association member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety and the safety of minors accompanying such persons. The Association cannot ensure the safety of any participant or hiker or activities. In participating in Association or Association-related activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the activity leaders and the Association, its officers, directors and members, for any accident, injury, or illness that might ~ sustained from participating in hikes or other Association activities.
Awards Given to NCTA's Top Recruiters! Public support is critical if we are to complete the North Country National Scenic Trail, so, we now offer awards to people who help recruit new members to our organization. Those listed in bold below already have qualified for prizes. We've also listed everyone who has recruited at least three new members, so you can keep an eye on where you stand. To receive credit for recruiting a new member, just write "recruited by" or "sponsored by" with your name somewhere on the new member's form. (All types of new paid memberships count for credit, not just the $15 introductory ones!)
Our Top Recruiters to Date: David Adams Jerry Allen Carol Atwell Len Baron 6 Derek Blount 11 Dave Cornell 4 Claudia Day 6 Gene Elzinga 8 Richard Grau 4 Grace Hutchinson 4 3 7 8
John Kincaid 3 Bryan Koehler 11 Mary Kunzler-Larmann 6 Al Larmann 3 John Leinen 8 Rod MacRae 16 Bill Menke 58 NCTA Office 7 Bob Papp 15 Kathy Sabel
61
4 9
3 43 4
6 3
19
Anne Saltman Dave Sheldon Darlene Snyder Bob Tait Werner Veit Stephen Willeumier Ginny Wunsch Gaylord Yost
Our records for recruiters go back to the fall of 1996.
If you think we may have missed crediting you with some of your recruits. please let us know so we can get up to date. Thanks to everyone for all your help!
NCTA's goals for Dlemberships and new trail
One for
One 2,000 by 2000
One member for every mile of trail projected State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Other TOTAL
Current members 12 49 73 516 56 106 80 77 969
Change since last issue 0 + 3 7% + 5 7% + 24 5% + 1 2% + 16 18% + 8 11% - 4 {5%} + 53 6%
Trail miles 475 375 220 1150 1050 300 625 n/a 4195
2,000 miles certified by the year 2000 State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York TOTAL
Miles certified 176.8 83.9 79.3 577.9 289.0 119.3 158.2 1484.4
Change since last issue + 115.0 0 + 0.7 0 0 0 + 5.0 + 13.1
% Done 37.2 22.4 39.7 50.3 27.5 39.8 25.3 35.6
Members to goal 463 326 147 634 994 194 545 n/a 3226
Trail Supporter s Contributions, Special Renewals and New Members since our last issue of the North Star
Donors: Alamo Rental Mitzi Beckman Suzanne Boley The Grand Rapids Press James Davis Harry Gubbins Orville Peterson
Trall Leaders: Touring Gear Harbor Springs, Ml Kevin & Robin Wilson Family
Organizations: Bureau of Reclamation Bismarck, ND Greg Pupillo
New Members: Anonymous (2) Lou Alaksin Lorraine Andrews
Ron Andrews Kevin Bell Andrew Benedict James Bethke Baxter Brings Dorene Brokaw Robert Brown Patricia and Family Brunner Mike Burgess Jennifer Butler James Dahl Nicholas Daum Linda DeCaria John Dreher David Drumm Mary Jo and Terry Dunlap Gilbert Enderle Lanny Fields Stanley Garber Adam Gough Alice Grogan Dennis Hayman Darle and Carol Helms Susie Isaksen North Bay Trading Company Ray Jarvis
Donna Joyce Brooks and Margie Kindel LeRoy Kramer Mort Kurman Stefanie Lawler Bill Leek Mary Beth and John Lohse Gloria Long Richard Long Dirk Mason Bob Mclaren Marie McMahon Jim Meinke Joe and Jane Meredith Kevin Monroe Eleanor and Edward Neukirch Mary Nishik Walter O'Connor Mitch & Carol Olszak/Colaizzi Mary Pitzer Greg Pupillo Clarence Puska Craig Quimby Patricia Ramos Nancy Ramsey Tom Reaume
Ronald Rice Larry Sanback Richard Saur Second Wind Running Club Deborah Shaner Charles Shearer Steve Slaughter Susan Smith Janet Standing Theodore Thomas Touring Gear Anthony Veit Mary Lou Veneklase D. Kosia Wakeley Peter and Marilyn Walilko Kieth Watson Terri White, Girl Scouts 727 Dana Wilson
We gratefully acknowledge the support of all our members and donors who share with us the vision of the North Country National Scenic 'Irail!
$15
INTRODUCTORY
RATE!
Do you know someone who you think might like to be a new member? Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current NCTA members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $15. To qualify, Sponsored Members must be new to NCTA, or not have been members for at least two years. The $15 rate is good only for the first year of membership. To use the program, just fill in your name as "Sponsor." Then, give the form to your friend to finish. Feel free to make as many copies as you need!
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! To beginyourmembership, please complete this formand sendIt withyour$15 paymentto:
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North CountryTrail Association•49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 2008 •Grand Rapids, Ml 49503
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NORTH STAR: The Magazine
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of the North Country Trail, June-July
1998
Major funtiinl has lle,e,n proW•ed o1Ver the .past rear •~ tlte followiol s·rtoosors:
eritech Quality Outdoor Gear and Clothing Since 1938
Environmental
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= Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340 North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008 Grand Rapids, Ml 49546
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