North Star Vol. 25, No. 2 (2006)

a

We're Changing to Serve You and the Trail Better ave you ever discovered that a basic assumption you've positions and with continued help from our members and supporters, we hope to continue to add regional coordinators always held and followed was flawed and actually acted until we have one in every state the trail crosses. as a hindrance to obtaining your goals? During an exciting Another major focus now will be on passage in our process of growing up as maintaining existing trail. We've always an organization, during the same year felt that this maintenance was important when we began many big projects with but we've never really tracked it to make our new Director of Trail Management, Clare, and with our first-ever Director CC) sure that all existing trail is good, well of Development and Communications, ------------------------maintained trail. The Regional Trail Jennifer, we surprised ourselves last fall JOHN LEINEN Coordinators will be a huge help in President tracking this maintenance. We need to with the suspicion that we needed an make sure that all our trail is in top conexecutive director far less than we needed dition in order to gain the reputation that will follow if we to enable those two positions to flourish.

To that end, we began in November to nurture an office do so. Since most of the trail remaining to be built requires and staff that could function without a single director but permission to cross private lands, we need to be known as an excellent steward of existing trail to have any chance at securwould grow under those two critical areas with the capable ing that permission. We've already begun: Bill is working on direction of those two program leaders. The timing problem establishing an inaugural maintenance program with one of was that each of them, Clare and Jen, were still relatively new the chapters in his region, which will serve as a model for the to their jobs, so they deserved a bit more guidance for a time. rest of the trail, while Clare is working to secure funding so Board member Jim Baldwin deserves our undying gratitude for stepping up during this transitional time to offer his we can employ seasonal trail crews.

Our last major effort is to upgrade our trail database. In knowledge of organizational functions and business practices, order to keep track of all the progress and work needed on a by acting as a volunteer advisor to our staff. Jim exemplifies 4,600-mile footpath across seven states, we need an advanced the greatest strength of our organization, the volunteer, and this particular one has contributed time and effort way above GIS database. This database will assist NPS staff in Madison by providing them with the inventory data needed to satisfy the norm. recent federal requirements. This data will also be available to The Board at its December meeting encouraged staff to our Regional Trail Coordinators, state trail coordinators, and concentrate on three main areas of concern, each of which local chapters to make everyone's job of maintaining the trail you'll see is directly related to enhancing our physical trail.

With that direction from the Board of Directors, to concenand its facilities easier. Tiffany and Matt in our GIS department have already begun gathering information for this trate on improving what trail we have, plus increasing our upgraded database. It will help local chapters monitor their mileage of new trail toward the eventual goal of a complete progress while at the same time provide our federal and state footpath from end to end, we have launched major efforts in partners with a tool to help them manage the trail's assets. the following areas.

You'll have to bear with us as we begin to focus effort Our biggest departure from the way we've conducted in these directions. We think that much progress has already business in the past is our commitment to regional trail been made. I've just returned from Washington DC and the management. We realize that if we are committed to buildAmerican Hiking Society's "Hike the Hill" advocacy effort, ing the whole trail, we must manage the effort closer to the where we found great support for our current direction and trail. As was reported in the last North Star, we began this a seeming willingness to increase the base funding for the process by promoting Bill Menke as our first Regional Trail North Country Trail. This kind of support is not easy to Coordinator. Now we are expanding this program and are in generate. We'veworked hard over the years to develop the the process of hiring two additional regional coordinators. To relationships needed even to get our foot in the door there, begin with, one will be sent to Minnesota and North Dakota, and we've delivered the results when they have provided us while the other will operate in Pennsylvania and Ohio. with the means. I'm looking forward to returning next year Savings in our budget provided by not employing a executive director will cover most of the cost of these two new staff and touting the great progress we will be able to report.

H

TRAIL 8&,[Q)

*

The mission of the North Counrry Trail Association is to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Counrry National Scenic Trail through a national network of volunreers, chapters, partner organizations and government agencies.

The Association achieves its mission by creating, encouraging and supporting programs of public education, membership services, recreational opportunities and resource and corridor protection in keeping with its Vision for the Trail.

A Glance Inside

229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 Phone (866) HikeNCT • 616-897-5987 Fax (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org

Staff Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator tiffanyscram@norchcounrryrrail.org Clare Caln, Director of Trail Management clarecain@northcounrrycrail.org

Jennifer Tripp,

Director of Development and Communications jentripp@northcounttytrail.org

Bonnie Wayman, Office Manager bonniewayman@norchcouncrycrail.org

Bill Menke, Regional Trail Coordinator bill_menke@pattner.nps.gov

Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator glorymeyer@northcouncrytrail.org

Allison Barr, Accountant n tryrrai I. org

all ison barr@norchcou

Matt Rowbotham, GJS Assistant marrrowbor ham@norchcoumrycrail.org

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2006 James Baldwin, At Large Rep., (269)382-3808

· jgbaldwin@earrhlink.com

Sarah Julien, Secretary, At Large Rep., (616)676-0172

· juliensarah@yahoo.com

Christopher Klein, VP Finance, Minnesota Rep., (218) 738-3988 · kleinll@midwestinfo.com

Al Larmann, At Large Rep., (315)697-3387

· AFLarmann@msn.com

Terms Expiring 2007 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep., (724)526-5407 · joyceappel@arm-tek.net

Lyle Blalk Michigan Rep., (810)679-2401

· lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

Carl Boesel, Ohio Rep., (740)385-0074

· gboesel@hocking.net

Bobby Koepplin, At Large Rep., (701)845-2251

Departments

Articles Hiking the Hill 2006 Felling Giants History of the NCT Emblem Spring Wildflowers Adding End-to-End Hikers Annual Award Nominations

8 10 12 16 25 29

Favorite Hikes on the NCT Milestones Hiking Shorts Trail Shop Who's Who at the NCTA Trail Supporters

Columns Trailhead On the Trail..

Going for the Gold

· bkoepplin@kwh.com

2 11 30

(651)433-4456 (585)658-4321

Vote now for your Board of Directors.

Official Ballot on Page 15.

· footpathpal@msn.com · treeweenie@aol.com

Terms Expiring 2008 Mary Coffin, New York Rep.,

About the Cover Hopefully, the sun will be shining over the beautiful rolling hills in August at the 2006 Annual Conference in Clarion, Penn. Photo by John Harkless.

(315)687-3589 · mcofflnl@twcny.rr.com

Alicia Hoffarth, VP West, North Dakota Rep., (701)490-3889

· cahoffarth@hotmail.com

Terry Serres, At Large Rep., (612)414-4116

· serrest@comcast.net

5 6 31 36 38

Election Time!

John Leinen, President, At Large Rep., Irene Szabo, VP East, At Large Rep.,

.4

North Star Staff Irene Szabo, Associate Editor Jennifer Tripp, Associate Editor Aaron Phipps, Art Director The North Star, Spring Issue, Vol. 25, Issue 2, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 50l(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of chis publication may

be reproducedin any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

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1-t~R.e Ni:;tVli(,e: Bliss Hill to Longhouse Scenic Drive Ayec;i: Northern Pennsylvania LeV\..gtl-1: 2.5 miles, one way Mc;i-p: NCTA: PA-01 USGS: Quad: Cornplanter Bridge Locc;il CoV\..tc;ict: Allegheny National Forest (814) 726-2537 www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny Allegheny Nat'l Forest Chapter, NCTA anfchapter@northcountrytrail.org The hike north from Bliss Hill Road to Red Bridge Campground is one of the most under-appreNear NCNST trailhead at Longhouse Scenic Drive. ciated hiking routes in the Allegheny National Allegheny Plateau. During fall color season this Forest. This 2.5-mile hike makes for a short but is a prime leaf viewing location. Although water challenging day-hike. sources may be difficult to locate, the edges of the Starting at the north side of Bliss Hill Road clearing have good potential campsites.

(Township Road T-308) approximately 1 mile west Soon descend: the grade is steep in places at of the intersection with State Route 321, begin the upper elevations, and then becomes more graddirectly across the road from a wooden staircase ual.

The terrain is once again dotted with larger leading to the southward route of the Trail. Hike boulders typical of the ridges and valleys of the northeast and cross a small stream, to climb the Allegheny National Forest region. opposite slopes to summit the Allegheny Plateau, Down in the Kinzua Valley, where the Trail an elevation gain of over 400 feet. The start of the passes through several truck-sized boulders, climb is somewhat rocky, and the forest is young one bears a bronze plaque commemorating the Northern hardwoods with some hemlock on the Allegheny Outdoor Club. The Club was instrumenshaded slopes along the streambed. tal in assisting the Forest Service with the initial A short distance uphill the Trail turns northlayout and construction of the Trail through the east and joins an old roadbed traversing the hillAllegheny National Forest, and several of these side, meandering to the ridge top with the contours commemorative monuments may be found along of the slope. Here the forest is older than the first the Trail in this region. part of the hike, with large hemlock, beech, black The final leg of the hike passes through open cherry, and oak trees. Soon the Trail crosses Forest forest of mature hardwood and hemlock, and then Road 257 and approaches the edge of the plateau crosses Longhouse Scenic Drive (Forest Road 262) where it rises steeply above Kinzua Creek Valley, and another patch of open forest before emerging at and intermittent views of the valrr-'l"""',.,,-.,.---r---------PA Route 321. The Trail continues ley become visible through the north along the bridge from here, trees. passing Red Bridge Campground Not far beyond a pipeline, the on its way north to New York.

Trail curves back on itself sharply Cross SR 321 to the NOT to the southwest, following the Connector Trail that emerges on edge of the plateau and emerging the back side of the Longhouse in a large clearing framed with a Trailhead.

Located a half-mile mix of hardwoods and evergreens. south of Red Bridge Campground, Here there is a spectacular view this is a trailhead for the Trail durto the north of the Kinzua Arm ing the warmer months. of the Allegheny Reservoir and surrounding rtdgelines of the

Renewal Rates for 2005

MILESTONES

Listed below are the Chapters with the highest membership renewal rates for last year. Congratulations!

Along the North Country Trail

•

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

Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its certification standards. In addition, there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but have not been certified for a variety of reasons.

State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Pennsylvania New York Totals

Percent Done and Certified

Miles Certified

46.7% 28.4% 57.5% 54.4% 30.2% 47.5% 42.7% 43.0%

221.6 106.6 115 625.1 317.5 126 266.6 1,778.4

Change Other Since Last Off-Road Issue Miles

2.5 0 0.7 1.8 0 0 1.8 6.8

1.3 4.5 5.5 126.4 39.6 44.6 87.8 309.7

Total Off Road Miles

Marked Road Miles*

222.9 111.1 120.5 751.5 357.1 170.6 354.4 2,088.1

0 0 4.9 9.0 4.4 4.9 0.6 23.8

*Marked Road Miles reflect those road miles that are both blazed and marked with NCT Connector signs.

State by State Membership Membership in the NCTA demonstrates public support for the trail. Membership dues help fund activities that benefit the trail. Here's how each state changed since the last issue of the North Star.

State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Other Total

Members Last Issue

Current Members

ChangeSince Last Quarter

67 233 268 1,413 338 292 271 139

72 223 274 1,408 341 314 307 216

5 -10 6 -5 3 22 36

Percent Change

7.5% -4.3% 2.2% -0.4% 0.9% 7.5% -13.3% 55.4%

Recruiting Members

Fastest Growing Chapters

Top recruiters since the last issue and the number of recruited members:

Highest percentage growth among our chapters since the last issue:

John Heiam Deb Koepplin Steve Vear

Wampum Greater Pittsburgh Slippery Rock Sheyenne River Valley Harbor Springs

2 2 2

25% 20% 15% 9% 7%

Adams County 100% North Dakota Sandhills 94% Peter Wolfe 91% Harbor Springs 89% Allegheny National Forest 86% Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal.. 86% Chequamegon 83% Rock 83% Butler County 82% Sheyenne River Valley 82%

Partner Support We work closely with several organizations where the NCT coincides with other trails.

Many members generously support both the NCTA and these partners. Here is what we show for overlapping membership: Finger Lakes Trail Conference .. 143 Buckeye Trail Association 97 Superior Hiking Trail Association 70 NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Assoc 13 Parks & Trails Council of Minn 12 Kekekabic Trail Club 8 Butler Outdoor Club 3 Rachel Carson Trails Conserv 1

Volunteers on the Trail Thanks to the following volunteers who have reported the most hours during the fourth quarter of 2005: John Leinen Jim Baldwin Richard Kroener Bill Brosseau Mary Coffin Anne Brosseau Bill Coffin Al Larmann Carter Hedeen Joan Young Tom Garnett Gene Elzinga Ed Scurry

366 352 258 235 216 198 192 166 148 147 142 135 126

A Hike that was Easy as Pie, Cherry Pie PENNSYLVANIA - On February 18, hikers met at the Stone House on a cold ten-degree morning for a Cherry Pie Hike. Prior to beginning the hike, Dave Dixon, a history professor from Slippery Rock University, gave a brief talk on the history of George Washington and the French and Indians in the area. He explained how the Venango Trail was a trader/trapper trail now used as part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Over 40 people survived the cold, hiked the Trail and returned to the Stone House for cherry pie, cake, and coffee. One hiker, Roger Karsten, traveled all the way from Grand Rapids, Mich., to join us! Ron Rice was the coordinator of this fun event.

Many hikers concluded the day at the North Country Brewery to warm up and enjoy a meal and a brew.

Hikers braved cold temperatures for a "Cherry Pie Hike." It started from the historic Old Stone House that is located along the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The House will be toured at this year's Annual Conference. See page 18 for more details.

Spirit of the Woods Chapter:We

- Ron Rice and Bob Tait

Late State of the Trail Two State of the Trail reports for 2005 inadvertently fell into the latrine hole at Weary Walkers' campsite, so are included here, especially since they are from very active groups.

AdirondackMountain ClubOnondagaChapter, Finger Lakes Trail: The FLT-Onondaga extension (18 to 20 miles) of the North Country National Scenic Trail continues to progress. In addition to maintaining 50-some miles of trail, a small team of hard workers made 25 new trail work trips in 2005 to work on the following projects: bench the trail up a very steep glacial slope along a ravine east of DeRuyter Lake, place puncheon on a newly certified section in New Woodstock, flag a route on recently acquired private land on the east side of Highland Forest County Park, blaze 2.5 miles, flag the route in Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area, acquire two new landowners, and

6

The North Star*

April-June 2006

HIKING~ install 20 more carsonite sign posts.

Our chapter also sent letters of appreciation to 66 NCT and FLT landowners.

New construction continues to occur only on private land and Highland County Park as new trail construction in State Forests is still on hold. So we have a few gaps in the trail but our accomplishments represent 42% of the approved extension route completed!

We are excited about our objectives for 2006 and hope some construction on state land will be permitted.

Highland Forest staff is building a kiosk by the Skyline Visitor's Center trailhead. We are planning a dedication at our ADK-Onondaga Chapter Trails Day and Open House May 13, 2006 at Highland Forest. Joan Young will be available to sign her book and talk trail tales. This event is open to the public.

-Mary Coffin

improved a lot of existing trail by regrading more than 1,200 feet of benched trail and restoring over 200 feet of badly eroded bicycle damaged trail in the Manistee National Forest. We have begun to repair another 600 feet of bicycle damage. The Forest Service installed a bench and interpretive plaque just south of Marilla Trailhead at a vista overlooking the Manistee River, and also replaced a damaged bridge with a new log structure.

We need to involve the general public more, especially young people, if we are to do a better job of tending our section of trail. This is made especially difficult by the new enforcement of safety rules which require paperwork two weeks in advance of any volunteer's work in the National Forest. Home Depot groups from Ludington have been our chief non-chapter volunteer labor this year. There are opportunities for college interns to work on projects, so wish we knew how to utilize them.

National Trails Day's ongoing outreach program was a huge success for us this past summer and we logged the highest attendance ever, over llO people, while programs at our chapter meetings are a complete flop with low attendance. We hold monthly hikes, with attendance ranging from zero to

twelve. Next year we hope to add a loop trail, build some turnpike through a cedar swamp, and get Forest Service approval to add register boxes.

-Richard Krieger

National Trails Day - June 3 The American Hiking Society is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and to coincide with new initiatives and festivities this year's National slogan is "Experience your Outdoors."

We encourage you and your family to check out a celebration in your area online at www.americanhiking.org/ Chapters planning an outreach event for the day or week-end are encouraged to register their events on this web site. You will be provided with two National Trails Day (NTD) Posters, a banner and promotion of your event on the American Hiking Society web site.

You may also wish to download the NTD Event Organizer's Manual, find event ideas and order merchandise.

Don't forget to submit your event to the NCTA web site calendar!

Movin' on Maps MICHIGAN - The North Country Trail Association's GIS Department is quite busy this year with two interns and one volunteer. Rick Beaudin, a student at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., is in his second semester of working for us. We kept him on board to update some existing hiking maps and to finish up all the new maps that are in progress. Rick, a Geography major, expects to graduate in April. Todd Burciaga is working on creating the first l" to 1 mile hiking map in New York. This map, NY-108, will replace our current NY-04 map.

Todd, who hails from Redding, Calif, expects to graduate with a Geography degree next year from Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Finally, Jelling Lai, a volunteer, is working on a hiking map in

FLT Next County Hike Series

$18.04

NEW YORK - For the fifth year in a row, volunteers are offering an opportunity to knock off a whole county's worth of the Finger Lakes and North Country Trail to those who quail at the thought of finding their way through back country dirt roads or figuring out the logistics of placing two cars. This year participants will walk the 70 hilly miles in Steuben County (Corning/ Bath/Hornell) over seven hikes, one per month from April through October, with logistics made easy: registrants gather at the ENDING spot for each hike, to be carted on school busses to the BEGINNING of each month's hike, and then walk back to their cars at their own chosen speeds. Hike leaders will guide participants in at least three different speed groups (dashing, sane, and nature-appreciative), and there will always be a sag wagon for the halt and the lame. The final hike features a picnic, awards, and presentation of embroidered patches to those who completed the series.

For information, check out the FLTC web site at www.fingerlakestrail. org or call the office Monday or Thursday (585) 658-9320.

This is the new hourly rate value for volunteer hours. Please use this number when calculating the value of volunteer hours for Field Grants and applications to the National Park Services' Challenge Cost Share program.

North Dakota that will cover most of the Sheyenne National Grasslands (ND-102). Jelling graduated from Calvin College in December with an Environmental Science degree and wanted to gain some GIS experience before beginning graduate school this fall.

-Tiffany Stram

FLT Produces New Maps NEW YORK - The Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC) is now publishing an entirely new map set, featuring computer-generated maps based on GPS recordings, which is a radical departure from the old hand-drawn maps with typed directions on the back. FLTC members are excited about the new maps, which are more readable and offer a lot more information in color, no less. Volunteer Joe Dabes, who has already walked the whole main trail six times, most recently with an antenna sticking out of his hat, spent 1,500 hours this winter at his computer creating the maps and checking text with the help from trail caretakers across the state. And, yes, he DID turn in this volunteer hours! The new maps are being printed on Rite-inthe- Rain paper, which can withstand wet and abuse.

Check out the new map and guidebook offerings at www.fingerlakestrail.org

- Irene Szabo

In Memorium Condolences to the family of our long time member, Walter (Mark) Srogi of Berkley, Michigan, who died unexpectedly January 7th while hiking in Otsego, Michigan.

His passion was hiking and backpacking. He discovered our trail on one of his many hiking expeditions to the Manistee National Forest. Among his favorite spots were areas of the Trail overlooking the Manistee River. Mr. Srogi had been an At-Large member of the NCTA since 1992 and enjoyed maintaining the trail that he frequented for other hikers to enjoy.

- IreneSzabo

Corrections Congratulation to John Heiam of the Grand Traverse Hikers for recruiting 16 members and qualifying for the Trail Promoter Patch. Also, we would like to congratulate Tom Funke of the Chief Noonday Chapter on receiving his patch for recruiting 10 new members!

In the last issue of the North Star, Joan Young was not listed on all time top recruiters. Joan, Spirit of the Woods Chapter member, Lower Michigan State Trail Coordinator and Web site Manager for NCTA, has recruited 46 members since she has been involved with the Trail!*

... "A~~·;i~j"~-1~-~"2"6.66 .•. rh·~· N-~~th. st~~- ·7·· . .

With Your Help Our Message Resonates in Congress Again this Year John Leinen NCTA Board of Directors. President

I

n February, I had the opportunity to participate in the "Hike the Hill" awareness activities hosted by the American Hiking Sociery (AHS) and the Partnership for the National Trails System (Partnership) in Washington, D.C. I have visited with members of the Minnesota House and Senate at their offices in St. Paul, so I knew what to expect and how to go about it, but I was still a bit unnerved about negotiating my way through the hallways of Congressional office buildings.

This slight misgiving was vastly overshadowed by the excitement and anticipation of raking our case to Congress and asking for further support.

First, let me state that the "Hike the Hill" program by the AHS provides great materials and support and a wonderful forum for our activities. The agency meetings set up

by Gary Werner and the Partnership again proved invaluable with the access they provided us. Within this forum, armed with the top quality materials prepared by our North Country Trail Association staff, we were ready to go out and tell Congress why they needed to increase the base appropriation for the North Country National Scenic Trail by $150,000.

The full color packet that we left during every office visit showed how our Trail fit into the National Trails System, demonstrated why our project is a true model of public and private partnership, had a page customized to explain the Trail in each official's home state, and provided the details of our funding request. Not only can I tell you that our message was well received by the Congressional staff members we met with, but the piece of our presentation that really sold them was provided by you!

Well, many, but not all of you. Actually it was just a small portion of you who have the foresight to report the volunteer hours that you contribute to building and supporting the Trail. You see, we're allowed to include our volunteer hours as a cash value when we total the contribution volunteers make both in contributed greenback dollars and in volunteer hours. The Partnership page in the packet that we left in Congressional offices contained a graph showing the federal funding for the NCT in a column right next to a column showing the combined cash and volunteer hours provided by

"... our message was well received by the Congressional staff members we met with, but the piece of our presentation that really sold them was provided by you!"

Taking a break from meetings, the National Park Service's Steve Elkinton, Program Leader for the National Trails System Program, and the North Country Trail Association 's Al Larmann and John Leinen enjoyed the American Hiking Society's reception.

us for each of the past ten years. Our contribution has exceeded the federal funding in each of those years. In 2005 we were over by $150,000 and in 2004 it was over $200,000.

Of course they were impressed by the way our Trail connects communities, by the wholesomeness of outdoor recreation and by the health benefits offered to society by our Trail, but what really impressed them was how important our Trail is to their constituents. What we contributed with both our sweat and dollars to this national project has a powerful impact. Our message, that Congressional fulfillment of our small request is a cost effective use of federal dollars, played well in every office I visited.

I truly enjoyed hiking the Hill and plan on attending again next year if possible. You can help us be even more effective next year. We know that there had to be more volunteer hours contributed in 2005 than the 35,000 that were reported to our office. Help me out here: keep track of the work that you do and report it to us. Whatever you do for the Trail counts, including travel time. You can report hours online at our NCTA web site: www.northcountrytrail.org or you can do it by mail; our office can supply you with a form to fill out.

Let's imagine that instead of the 35,000 hours, 100,000 were really reported. Wow! Then we would have to change the scale on our graph because the volunteer contribution would go off the top of the page. You have already done the work; we just weren't able to count all of it. I know it is difficult to track and report your hours, but if you thought the trail was important enough for you to work up a good sweat grubbing out those toe trippers why not greatly magnify your effort and the impact it can have by doing one more little thing? We need to count on everyone here.

*

Contact Your Legislators Our Senators and Representatives are most likely to conrinue offering us their support when they know their constituents are aware of their acrions and appreciate what they've done. So, ro help us keep up this srrong support for the North Country National Scenic Trail in Congress, please consider sending a note to your Senators and Representative, if you see them on this list, Due to screening processes, mail sent ro Congress can be delayed four to six weeks. Sending a fax is the quickest option,

Double Your Donation to the NCT Dream

SENATORS Party D D R R R R D D D D D R D D

State NY NY PA PA OH OH MI MI WI WI MN MN ND ND

Fax Number (202) 228-3027 (202) 228-0121 (202) 228-1229 (202) 228-0604 (202) 224-6519 (202) 228-1382 (202) 224-1388 (202) 228-0325 (202) 224-9787 (202) 224-2725 (202) 228-2186 (202) 224-1152 (202) 224-7776 (202) 224-1193

Name Party John M. McHugh R John Sweeney R Maurice Hinchey D Sherwood Boehlert R James T. Walsh R Thomas Raynolds R John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. R Philip English R John E. Peterson R Melissa A. Hart R R Bob Ney Ralph Regula R Ted Srrickland D Jean Schmidr R Michael Turner R John A. Boehner R David L. Hobson R Michael G. Oxley R Paul E. Gilmor R Vernon J. Ehlers R John Schwartz R Fred Upton R Peter Hoeksrra R Dave Camp R Bart Stupak D David R. Obey D James L. Oberstar D Collin C. Peterson D Berry McCollum D Marrin Olav Sabo D Gil Gurknecht R R Jim Ramstad R John Kline Mark R. Kennedy R Earl Pomeroy D

State NY NY NY NY NY NY NY PA PA PA OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH MI MI MI MI MI MI WI MN MN MN MN MN MN MN MN ND

Fax Number (202) 226-0621 (202) 225-6234 (202) 226-0774 (202) 225-1891 (202) 225-4042 (202) 225-5265 (202)226-6599 (202) 225-3103 (202) 225-5796 (202) 226-2274 (202) 225-3394 (202) 225-3059 (202) 225-5907 (202) 225-1992 (202) 225-6754 (202) 225-0704 (202) 225-1984 (202) 226-0577 (800) 278-8203 (202) 225-5144 (202) 225-6281 (202) 225-4986 (202) 226-0779 (202) 225-9679 (202) 225 4744 (202) 225-3240 (202) 225-0699 (202) 225-1593 (202) 225-1968 (202) 225-4886 (202) 225-3246 (202) 225-6351 (202) 225-2595 (202) 225-6475 (202) 226-0893

Name Charles E. Schumer Hillary Rodham Clinton Arlen Specter Rick Santorum Mike DeWine George V. Voinovich Carl Levin Debbie A. Stabenow Herbert H. Kohl Russ Feingold Mark Dayton Norm Coleman Kem Conrad Byron L. Dorgan

REPRESENTATIVES

We all dream of the completed Trail...

Charitable contributions to the North Country Trail Association help build, promote and protect that dream. Many employers provide Matching Gifts which may double or even triple your contribution.

Your gift could go twice as far!

Check with your company's human resources or payroll department to see whether it offers a matching gift program. Ask for donation guidelines and fill out the appropriate forms to ensure that the match is donated.

Thanks to these Matching Gift Companies: General Motors Foundation Harris Bank Foundation 3M Foundation J.P. Morgan Foundation Pfizer SBC Foundation

Felling Giants

Intern Alan Craig, left, with Heritage Chapter President Kevin Steffens.

Editor's Note: Alan Craig served as an intern for the Heritage Chapter during the 2005 trail season thanks to an NCTA Field Grant. The grant was the first time that a Field Grant has been used to support an internship.

The Heritage Chapter developed a close working relationship with the Sigurd Olson Institute of Northland College in Ashland, Wlsc.

by Alan Craig Heritage Chapter Intern

D

awn broke across the first frost of the year. As I drove through the foothills of the Penokee Mountains the hedgerows and pastures were shrouded in hoarfrost; the leaves of the aspen glowed golden in the low slanting October light. Smoke rose from the chimneys of the roadside farmsteads as the day's first fires were stoked, and long V's of geese worked south across the horizon, their wings beating against the old ancestral flyways.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the North Country seldom take such mornings for granted.

With the changing of the seasons comes a fresh definition of landscape.

We learn to identify with landscape and the acute sense of place that is offered within it. Eventually, the landscape begins to define us.

I had made this drive five times in as many months. It began at my little

io··1·h·~-N~~th.st~~···A~·;;i~i~~~-

2006--

cabin outside of Ashland, Wisconsin, and ended in Iron County, on the banks of Weber Lake. There I would meet Gaylord Yost and Kevin Steffens for a weekend of work on the North Country National Scenic Trail.

In the northern latitudes there is a rich heritage of travel. This is, after all, the land of the voyageur and timber cruiser, a traditional refuge for the footloose. I am luckier than most in that I have been able to experience the richness of this country in the stern seat of a canoe, and on the runners of a dogsled. I have travelled as the Cree did, by snowshoe and toboggan. Never though, have I had much interest in backpacking.

"I tried it once," joked a friend, "It was like one long portage without the canoe." Right! I have been skeptical of

trails as well. Growing up in the east, I had come to regard the trail experience as a glorified and crowded from country affair. To leave the trails behind was to experience the wild.

In all honesty, then, when offered the North Country Trail Association Internship (through the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College), I saw it as a means for healthy outdoor labor, which I have always enjoyed. The stipend would fund a wilderness canoe trip across Isle Royale.

What I did not anticipate was a lingering love for the North Country Trail, and a deep respect for the vision of its planners and those who continue to build and maintain her.

I have come to regard the trail as a ribbon of continuity, linking the landscapes and communities of the North

Country. In providing ready access to those landscapes, it fosters the potential for public appreciation. Appreciation of landscape is the first necessity of stewardship, for we don't tend to love that which we do not value. "The forces set loose in the jungle of our present civilization," wrote Benton MacKaye, father of the Appalachian Trail, "may prove more fierce than any beasts found in the jungle of the continents - far more terrible than any storms encountered on uncharted seas ... Can we control their flow before it controls us? Can we do it soon enough?"

On an early October morning we came across a piece of light rail half buried in sugar maple leaves. Cast in the iron, beneath the flange, was the date of manufacture: 1896. "The time to see this place," I said to Gaylord, "would have been 150 years ago." I pictured the logging locomotives groaning along through the big timber. I pictured the loggers with their double-bit axes felling giants with the arrogant confidence of men bent on progress.

We are the only species which can consciously choose the legacy we bestow upon the landscape. Though the big timber is lost, there are those who are eager to cut what has grown in its place. There are those too who refuse to acknowledge that in some instances the minerals are better left in the ground. These are the present day giants that we must find the courage to fell.

The government agencies charged with protecting our wild lands are under staffed, and under funded. The North Country Trail corridor is a potential barrier of protection within what MacKaye described as a "world empire of industrial and metropolitan upheaval." It is the responsibility of all of those who love the wild lands of the north, with money or muscle, checkbook or Pulaski, to make a stand.

The hemlocks are returning to the hills of Iron County, and we traverse those hills with sharp tools held firmly at our sides. Trees occasionally fall to their sharp edges. They fall so that a very young trail may one day pass through very old country, so that others may, in a future century, pass beneath those hemlocks, grown again as high as their ancestors. *

Fighting Off Spring Fever A

re others as restless as I? The Trail (AT) sticker. I was immediately cold gray weather has me feeldrawn to that sticker. The symbol ing funky, turning my eyes toward alone took me back in time, opened the computer an entire box of screen every day memories. I had instead of out to been working the trail. In the fairly diligently winter, "trailon a trail plan work" takes on a and was sudwith Clare Cain denly sidetracked different kind of Director of Trail Management focus here at the into trail memoAssociation's Headquarters. Planning, ries, adventures, and the freedoms of administration, and catching up fill life on the trail. all our hours. I think we are all anxThis small moment between my ious for the small spring peepers, the coffee and my croissant reinforced greening of the grass, the sun on our the importance of spreading our faces. name. If someone walks into a coffee shop with an NCT travel mug or Regional Trail Coordinators a stickered waterbottle, will others The North Country Trail wonder, "What trail is that?" Or will Association (NCTA) will be hirthey be, as I was by the AT sticker, ing two new Regional Trail sent into deep reverie about long Coordinators (RTC) in April. days on a special journey through These new staff will be stationed in the woods?

Pennsylvania/Ohio and Minnesota/ We need to promote our Trail North Dakota. With Bill Menke as and ourselves more actively. I our new RTC in the Great Lakes encourage everyone to take time this Region, we'll have more coverage of spring to talk to others in your comthe Trail. The staff and Board are munity about the NCT, hand out excited to bring more local NCTA brochures and stickers, talk to your staff support to the field. neighbor. You never know who will This regional approach will be touched by such a small conversaallow us to have more impact and tion. As many of you get together at presence locally. We hope that this chapter meetings to plan workdays will allow the NCTA staff to give and hikes for the coming season, ask our chapters and partners more supyourselves who else you can invite, port, commission more local service whom you can introduce to the groups to work on or adopt sections beauty and the wonder of the NCT. of our trail, build landowner relaWe need to build our membertions, recruit new members, provide ship and volunteer base as much as trails trainings, and to help connect we need to build our Trail. We all sections of existing trail. need to contribute in whatever way I'd like to send out a spewe can. There are many demands in cial thanks to our State Trail the world, many things that pull our Coordinators - Chris Klein, Joan attention. It is one thing to support Young, Doug Welker, Jim Sprague, the NCT and its philosophy, but it is Ron Rice and Howard Beye - for another to act. I call all our trail supproviding leadership in their states porters to act, to contribute, to talk for so long. with others, to join a hike, to adopt a section of trail, host a meeting, join a Spreading the Word workday, write an article for a chapI was in a coffee shop last Friday ter newsletter, become involved. We when a man came in and, on his need your help! We have many miles waterbottle, was a large Appalachian yet to go!*

ON THE

1]~[1

The Evolution of Our Trail Emblem

By Tom Gilbert NPS Superintendent North Country National Scenic Trail

T

he North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) traverses many different environments and crosses many jurisdictions of lands.

In rural and remote areas it is most often a narrow earthen path, while in farmlands it may be the edge of a field, and in a community it may be a sidewalk. The principal element that ties all of these together is the signage and marking along the Trail. The most important component of that signing is the official trail emblem-a federallyowned and controlled insignia.

How was it established? Did it always look the same as it does today?

The idea for the North Country Trail was born in 1965 during the Nationwide Trails Study. I hope, yet this year, to identify who came up with the idea for the Trail or, alternatively, to determine that that specific detail has been lost to history.

However the idea came about, the U.S. Forest Service was asked to study the feasibility of a Northern Country Trail, traversing the northern tier of states from a connection to the Appalachian Trail and/or Long Trail in Vermont westward into North Dakota or Montana. Ultimately, it was decided to terminate the proposed Trail in North Dakota because of its connection there to the route of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

In the September 1965 "Forest Service Report for the Nationwide System of Trails Study," the discussion of a proposed "Northern Country Trail" included a suggested design for a rectangular trail emblem, or marker.

While politically incorrect by today's standards, it depicted a silhouette of the head of an native American with two feathers extending upward from the rear of his head.

Based on the U.S. Forest Service report, the 1966 final national report of the Nationwide Trails Study, entitled "Trails for America," included the "North Country Trail" as

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Above: The "Northern Country Trail" emblem suggested in the 1965 Forest Service report-the first public document describing the concept for the Trail.

Right: Three possible designs for a NCNST emblem were depicted in the 1982 draft comprehensive management plan.

one of the recommended potential long-distance trails. This report, in turn, set the stage for the National Trails System Act, signed into law by President Johnson on October 2, 1968.

The North Country Trail was listed in the Act as a potential National Scenic Trail deserving further study.

The Act directed the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to "establish a uniform marker, including thereon an appropriate and distinctive symbol for each ... national scenic ... trail."

In May 1970, they adopted a rounded triangular design for National Trails System markers.

The former Bureau of Outdoor Recreation conducted the feasibility study of the North Country Trail between 1971 and 1975. The report favored establishing a North Country National Scenic Trail, but it did not

address an emblem for the Trail.

On March 5, 1980, President Carter signed legislation authorizing the North Country National Scenic Trail as a component of the National Trails System. The National Park Service (NPS) began the task of preparing a comprehensive management plan (CMP) for the Trail. The draft plan, issued for public review in July 1982, contained a page with three suggested emblems for the Trail in the rounded-triangular format.

At the very first meeting of the North Country National Scenic Trail Advisory Council in Bloomington, Minn., on August 5, 1982, the council members considered the three designs.

Left: The final comprehensive management plan included a full-color illustration of the marker adopted by the NPS. Center: The color of the blue background sometimes shifted from one sign order to the next. Right: The current North Country NST emblem, exhibiting minor changes that were made in 1997 when all National Trails System markers underwent graphic re-design to improve uniformity.

The North Country National Scenic Trail rounded triangle emblem is the official insignia for the NCNST. They are placed on all certified segments of the Trail, located on each side of every access point like a road crossing or side trail.

According to the minutes of that meeting: "An official NCNST marker was the next topic of discussion. Three possible designs were included in the draft plan on page 50. Council members discussed their merits and voted unanimously to recommend the design on the right center of the page, but with the arrowhead and 'NCT' deleted. A brown background and yellow star color scheme was suggested.

The consensus of the members was that NPS should recommend a color scheme and investigate the cost of the markers. NPS will send this information to council members."

Subsequent to the meeting, the NPS recommended and decided on a blue, rather than brown, background and yellow and black for the arms of the compass points or star. A color illustration of the emblem was included as the frontispiece in the final

CMP. On May 13, 1983, a notice was published in the "Federal Register" designating this design as the official emblem for the Trail. It is an official federal insignia protected from unauthorized use by section 701 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

The first markers for use along the Trail were produced on a plastic material in 1983. Two sizes were produced and continue to be available: 3-1/2 inch for installation along the Trail and 9 inch for trailheads. Today, the markers are produced on aluminum.

In the mid-1990s, the NPS and some Trail partners began to experiment with using fiberglass posts with printed decals as a way of marking and signing the Trail. (These are often referred to as "carsonite" posts, after the name of the earliest manufacturer of this type of product.) By the time the NPS issued its "North Country National Scenic Trail Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance," this type of marking was so favorably received that it was adopted as the trailwide standard.

By 1996, the markers for the different National Scenic and National Historic Trails exhibited a variety of minor deviations from the specifications adopted in 1970. In order to make the collection of trail markers look like they represent a "system" of trails, the Washington office of the NPS hired a graphic designer to review the markers and propose modifications to make them more uniform.

The results were a minor shift in the shape of the marker (the bottom arc now has a longer radius than the two sides), new type fonts for the lettering, and visual improvements to the "distinctive symbol" in the center of each trail's emblem. On the NCNST emblem, the blue was shifted to a medium blue and the yellow and black arms of the compass points, or star, became gold and white. That is the emblem we have today, symbolizing the Trail to which we all so passionately devote our time and energies as paid or volunteer supporters and ambassadors.

We can all be proud of what we have accomplished and optimistic about what we yet shall do.

Let's celebrate our history and accomplishments!

*

April-June 2006

*Th~路 N~~th..St~~-iJ

.

Election Time!

It's Time to Votefor Your Board of Directors

T

he Nominating Committee of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) has nominated candidates to run for the open seats on the Board of Directors. The four positions are for three-year terms ending in 2009. Appointed in 2005 to fill a vacancy, Chris Klein is running for his first full term as the Minnesota representative. Three At-Large incumbents are up for re-election, Jim Baldwin, Sarah Julien, and Al Larmann.

The ballot for voting is reproduced on the opposite page.

Jim Baldwin Jim, of Richland, Mich., and Scottsdale, Ariz., has served one term on the Board. He is an avid day hiker in West Jim Baldwin Michigan and the mountains and canyons of the desert southwest, and also enjoys alpine skiing, landscape photography and flying.

Jim worked for large manufacturing companies in production planning, manufacturing and general management positions. In 1982, he started a urethane foam manufacturing business, and in 1990 a mold and tool making business. Jim retired in 1994. Currently he is a SCORE counselor helping people interested in starting small businesses.

Jim is impressed by the enormous impact volunteers have had on the success of the trail movement across the country, and contributes to that effort.

He brings additional leadership to the Board in human resources, long range planning, and financial stability.

Sarah Julien Sarah has also served one term on the Board. She is a member of the Western Michigan Chapter and is Sarah Julien an enthusiastic outdoorswoman who has hiked all over the West and the Superior Hiking Trail with her husband, Michael.

i4.1ii·~·N·~~th ..st~;···;:~·~i1~j~~~- 20.06 .

Please note that our bylaws treat each membership as a household, and allow only one vote per membership.

Two familiar faces have been appointed to the Board to fill open positions. Dave Cornell will rejoin the Board as an At-Large representative for two years and Gaylord Yost will serve one year as the Great Lakes representative. For more details on Dave and Gaylord, read about them on the next page.

She has served several kinds of civic organizations in Kent County, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Forest Hills Education Association, a member of the board of Voigt House, (a Grand Rapids historical landmark) and as President of the Forest Hills Cultural Arts Committee. She has also worked as a docent at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, organized races for charity, written grants and has had experience in fund raising. Of possible service on the NCTA Board, Sarah wrote: "In my opinion one of the biggest challenges facing the NCT is its lack of recognition. I am surprised how many people don't even realize that the NCT exists almost literally in their back yards.

"I appreciate being considered for re-election to the Board."

Chris Klein Chris, from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was appointed as the Minnesota State Chris Klein Trail Council Chair in March 2005 and is running for re-election as the Minnesota representative.

Chris is an avid outdoorsman and has spent significant amounts of time hiking and backpacking on trails throughout the United States. He first discovered a love for the outdoors through Boy Scouts, and, like many other scouts, his first backpacking adventure was in the mountains of New Mexico at the Philmont Scout

Ranch. Since that time, he has hiked extensively on many of the nation's trails, including the North Country, Superior Hiking, Pacific Crest, and Appalachian Trails.

When Chris isn't working in his insurance and financial services practice, he can often be found fly-fishing for his favorite quarry, trout. He is particularly fond of combining his love of backpacking and fly-fishing by taking backcountry fly-fishing expeditions.

Chris has been excited to be part of growing the North Country Trail Association and brings additional energy and passion to the Board of Directors.

Al Larmann Al grew up in pre-WWII once uncrowded northern New Jersey and served in the USAAF. After graduation from Al Larmann Stevens Institute of Technology in 1951, he joined the General Electric Company, where he held a number of marketing and business assignments for 36 years.

A long time general aviation pilot, he has served the Civil Air Patrol for more than 38 years in many positions.

In terms of trail activity he states, "My outdoor-oriented wife, Mary, convinced me to become active in the newly formed Central New York Chapter of the Association in 1997.

I found the activities to be challenging, consuming, and often satisfying, particularly when we could accomplish a major goal through a partnership of

effort involving both the private and public sectors.

"These efforts by many dedicated people have enabled us not only to build and maintain trails and several major construction project but they have also generated awareness and support for the North Country/Link Trail. During a second term as a Board member, major goals include solidifying the future of the North Country Trail nationally, with local emphasis on establishing a viable trail between central New York and the Adirondack

Park via Rome's Fort Stanwix, the historic Boonville Gorge, and eastward to the Adirondack Park. ''A personal goal as both a chapter and NCTA Board of Directors member is to continue to utilize my skills with others to advance the North Country Trail in total, while retaining the opportunity to contribute locally to the Central New York Chapter."

Al received the Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and the Outreach Award in 2004. He is running for his second term.

*

Familiar Faces Re-join Board Dave Cornell After graduating from law school, Dave returned to his hometown of Kalamazoo, Mich., where he established a law firm and practiced law for 30 years before retiring in 1993. After retirement he hiked the Appalachian Trail, receiving his 2,000-miler badge in 1997 and headed up a fundraising campaign to build a new library. He and his wife, Jan, were for a number of years full time seasonal volunteers with the U.S. Park Service in St. John, Virgin Dave Cornell Islands.

Dave is the founder and past President of the Chief Noonday Chapter. Additionally, he was honored by the Association in 1999 with a Distinguished Service Award and in 2003 with an Outreach Award. He has served and continues to serve on the boards of for-profit and nonprofit organizations and has served several terms on the NCTA Board.

Dave hopes to use his experience and training to enable the NCT to fulfill its potential as a National Scenic Trail.

Dave resides in Delton, Mich., and Fort Myers, Florida.

r---------,

Official Ballot

North

Dakota •

Minnesota • Ohio ·• Pennsylvania

wtsccnstn -

Michigan

" New York

2006 Election Board of Directors This is the official ballot for the 2006 election to the Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association. You will not receive a separate ballot by mail.

Each NCTA membership is categorized as a household, and our bylaws permit only one ballot per membership.

Please mark the ballot and mail or fax to: NCTA - Elections, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, Ml 49331, fax number (616) 8976605.

At Large Seats Vote for Three D Jim Baldwin D Sarah Julien D Al Larmann D Write-In

_

Gaylord Yost

D Write-In

_

Gaylord's involvement with the Association dates back to the 1980s when he was an employee of the U.S. Forest Service in the Eastern Regional Forester's office in Milwaukee, Wisc.

As the Forest Service Regional Trails Program Leader, he was involved in the funding of the trail and policy implementation relating to it. He attended Board Gaylord Yost meetings as the official Forest Service liaison with the Association and served for a time on the Board in that capacity. His Board service continued after his retirement from the Forest Service in 1994.

Gaylord is immediate Past President of the Association and has served many terms on the Board since the early days of the Association in the 1980s.

He has been a Chapter President, state coordinator, statewide newsletter editor, Great Lakes Council Chairperson, the 1997 recipient of a Distinguished Service Award and is currently an officer of the Heritage Chapter in northeastern Wisconsin. Most recently, Gaylord was honored with the Association's 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award.

D Write-In

_

*

Minnesota Representative Vote for One D Chris Klein D Write-In

_

Ballot is not valid without your name and/or membership number.

Your Name/Membership Number

. --

Your Signature

--.

Grab a Field Guide, Head for the Hills and Hollows As spring arrives and the snow melts, wildflower will start to emerge; here's how to brush up on your plant identification Article and Photos by Joan Young Spirit of the Woods Chapter

D

reary and muddy March tempts those of us who would like to be outdoors with empty promises. I know there are those folks who like the bare landscape, who like to see the contours of the land unobstructed by leaves. They have taught me to appreciate the month of gray and brown more than I used to, but I really prefer April and May when all kinds of colorful plant life begin to sprout.

Most of the plants found along the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) can be found in guides to the northeastern and north-central United States. Some of us are perhaps semi-serious flower finders, people who may want to progress beyond thumbing through color plates, but aren't quite ready for "Britton and Brown's Illustrated Flora of the Northern States and Canada" in three heavy volumes.

Serious botanical tomes need users who are adept at using keys, noting all kinds of things about how a plant grows, its roots, its flower parts, its seeds. And they use a large specialized vocabulary.

But if you want to be just a little above average in wildflower identification, you will probably need to learn a few new words. You certainly need to refresh your memory as to the basic parts of a flower and leaves, and most any guidebook that progresses beyond just color pictures will include a glossary of some basic terms.

So if you are longing to know just a little more about flowers, I recommend two books. The two are organized differently, and each system has value. The "Peterson Field Guide Series, A Field Guide to Wildflowers"

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is the book I began with. Its subtitle is "A Visual Approach," which is descriptive of its plan.

The plants are organized in the book by the color of their flowers, and then by the shapes of the various parts of the plant. These are the first features we usually notice when we take more than a casual glance at a plant.

Naturally, this method mixes biological groups of plants within the book.

However, a symbolic key beside each entry refers you to a section of the book entitled "Families of Flowers" where you can find more information about each of these groups. The drawback to this approach is that you really need to begin with a blossom. Sometimes you find a distinctive plant that piques your curiosity that may not be in bloom.

The other book solves that dilemma, and is more appealing to botanical purists while keeping things simple. It is "Newcornb's Wildflower Guide", and it is organized with a true botanical key, simplified. The key actually begins from the shape of the bloom, but you can get past this requirement if you don't have the flower in hand. You can scan the leaf choices under the flower arrangements rather quickly, instead of thumbing through the entire book looking at pictures.

I began talking about the books prior to the flowers because that order

Blue Eyed Marys

is important. You really need to carry at least one guide with you that you are comfortable using. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have tried to sketch, or remember, or photograph some unknown plant to look up later at home. There is almost always some key piece of information I don't seem to have. Take your book, and a patient companion! When you find a plant you like, just park yourself right there with it until you are satisfied that you have found it in your book, or that you are "stuck." A small notebook and pencil are great for making some notes to yourself. And like any other hobby or skill, the more you exercise it the better you will be.

Oh yes, then there are those scientific names that we love to hate. Well, I won't say that you SHOULD learn them. But sometimes the meanings of the names tell you a lot about the plant, and its relatives. Ranunculus is the genus for the hundreds of species of Buttercups. Rana is Greek for frog, and many buttercups grow in wet places, which frogs tend to like. (And by the way, you just got a zoology lesson too; Rana is the genus name for frogs!)

Or maybe a name has an interesting story to tell about the plant's history or use. Clintonia borealis is the scientific name for Bluebead. With both those names in mind you know a lot about the plant. It was named for New York's

Hepatica

Dewitt Clinton, of Erie Canal fame.

When they were scouting the route for the canal he was enamored of the plant's beautiful wide leaves. Borealis means "northern," so now you know that it probably won't be found in Florida. The one secret you'll have to remember is that it has yellow flowers, and I'll leave you to guess what the fruits look like.

Just in case you care, that hierarchy of nomenclature can be remembered by the mnemonic "King Phillip Came Over From Germany Saturday," the initials standing for kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

When you see a name like Viola pubescens, here's what you know. Viola is capitalized; that is the genus. All other plants in that genus will also begin with the word Viola. A genus has many things in common. You may have guessed that this example is cheerful springtime Violet. All Violets, in the genus Viola, have five petals with the lowest one extending back into a spur.

They also have a dub-like pistil (the female part of the flower).

Once you know the characteristics of a genus you have powerful knowledge: you can place other unknown plants that have those characteristics within the correct genus. Pubescens is the species; a species has distinguishing characteristics that make it special. In this example pubescens, which means having short hairs, is descriptive of the plant, more commonly known as the Downy Yellow Violet. Both the stems and leaves of this violet are hairy. With this knowledge you can suddenly iden-

Fire Pink

Foamfil

tify the plant even if it is not in bloom!

O.K. Now I'll stop with the botany lesson, and just talk about some pretty plants.

Naturally, southern Ohio is the earliest place to expect wildflowers to appear after the winter. And there is such diversity and beauty it would be worth a trip to see them. Many flowers grow there, which are unfamiliar farther north. Banks of 6" tall Crested Iris cascade down slopes. Bright red Fire Pinks vie with the pansy-like Blue Eyed Marys for color. Fields of light purple Wild Geraniums are punctuated with deep purple Dwarf Larkspur. Yellow Celandine has clear yellow four-petaled blooms. Look carefully and you are almost sure to see a very special orchid or two, Pink and Yellow Ladyslipper, or perhaps Showy Orchis. A white stonecrop succulent also grows wild in Ohio.

More familiar in the latitudes where most of the NCNST resides

Poison Ivy

Larkspur

are woodlots filled with pink waves of Spring Beauty. Blue Cohosh's early leaves are more interesting than its blooms. Very dark purple stems emerge and the leaves stay bundled into a "wind-swept hairdo" until they finally open to look very much like a short version of Meadow Rue. Damp locations may offer patches of Allegheny Foamflower. Its white spikes of tiny flowers do indeed look like foam from a distance. Many folks are familiar with the bright yellow Marsh Marigold or Cowslip. Other northern springtime standards are Dutchman's Breeches and Squirrel Corn, relatives of the Bleeding Heart from your grandmother's garden.

Bloodroot, Rue Anemone, Hepatica, Toothwort, followed by Clintonia (the Bluebead mentioned above), and Trilliums round out the typical array to be found from late April through the earliest weeks of May. Finally, you may not think of it as a wildflower, but don't forget to watch for Poison Ivy. Although it blooms later in the season, it's easy to get into it accidentally in the early spring. Short naked stems arise, and then those three leave appear, but they will be tiny, deep red, and folded down tight to the stem.

Believe me, they are easy to miss! Keep your eyes open.

Even if you don't aspire to be a wildflower expert, why not set a goal to learn just one or two new plants this year? The more you know about them, the easier it becomes to learn even more, because the knowledge is interconnected. And people will think you are really smart!

*

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Entering the Wilds

T

wo million acres, 16,000 miles of streams and waterways, 1,600 miles of designated trails sound like utopia. In fact, it's the Pennsylvania Wilds region and the site of this year's North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Annual Conference.

The region offers some spectacular scenery for hikes on the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) through the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) and the Cook Forest State Park (CFSP), as well as the rich cultural history you would expect from an eastern state.

The NCTA's Clarion Chapter, who builds and maintains the NCNST in the region, will serve as host for the Conference. Conference headquarters will be at Clarion University in Clarion, Penn., but we'll be traveling the rolling hills to visit some of the more than 500,000 acres of the ANF, 7,000-plus acres of the CFSP, the historic Oil Heritage Region, Butler County, and, of course, our own

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2006 ..

North Country National Scenic Trail.

You need not be a veteran of the Association to attend the Annual Conference in Clarion, August 10 to 13. It's an excellent opportunity to make friends from other regions who support the NCNST much like you do! If you're new to the NCTA, come to Clarion to see what we're all about. If you are a conference veteran, we expect to see you there as we reminisce and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Association.

In either case, we promise a great time ... on the Trail, at meals and after hours.

The time to register is here; a registration form appears on page 24. The deadline for registration is June 30.

The University will provide dorm-room accommodations with same-sex bathroom and shower facilities on each floor, meeting rooms, bag lunches, and evening meals and other amenities. (Note there is no air conditioning in the dorms, so

Thursday, August 10

7:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM

Breakfast: In cafeteria RegistrationOpens Silent AuctionOpens Airport Shuttle: Departs from Pittsburgh Half-Dav Hike: Self-Guided Hike at Cook Forest State Park Board Meeting Dinner: In cafeteria Annual Membership Meeting Evening Program: NCT Jeopardy President's Roundtable Discussion

Friday, August11 7:00 AM Breakfast: In cafeteria 8:00 AM Day-LongHike: Allegheny National Forest near Minister Creek - 7 .3 miles 12:30 PM

5:30 6:00 7:00 8:00

PM PM PM PM

Day-Long Tour Butler County: Old Stone House, Jennings Environmental Center, Davis Hollow Outdoor Center, McConnells Mill State Park

Day-LongTour Oil Heritage Region: Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, Drake Well Museum

1:00 PM

7:00 PM 7:30 PM

MorningWorkshop and Afternoon Outing: Building Green Community Relations

Half-Day Hike: Gravel Lick Road to Highland Drive - 4 miles

Workshop:Thinking Beyond Jerky and Gorp (This will start at 9 am)

MorningWorkshop and Afternoon Outing: Trail Building with NCTA Staff

Half-Day Hike: SR 1004 to Highland Drive - 3.8 miles

Workshop: Adventure Travelogues & LNT

Half-Day Hike: Cook Forest State Park Interpretive Tour of the Forest Cathedral and Fire Tower

President's Photo: Wear Your Blue Blazes Shirt!

Dinner: NCTA Family Picnic Awards Presentation:Part 1 Evenine Proaram: Return of the Live Auction

Saturday, August12 7:00 AM Breakfast: In cafeteria 8:00 AM Day-Long Hike: SH322 to Highland Drive - 9 miles

6:00 PM

Day-Long Canoe Trip: Paddle Down the Area's National Scenic River

Half-Day Hike: Cook Forest State Park, SR 1015 to Visitor's Center - 3.6 miles

Dinner Silent AuctionCloses Awards Presentation: Part 2 Evening Program: Will Cross

Sunday, August13 7:00 AM Breakfast:In cafeteria 8:30 AM AiroortShuttle: Departs to Pittsburgh 9:00 AM Half-Day Workshop:Talking to Private Landowners Trail Shop Closes Check Out Time

I

Annual Conference

"* Clarion, Pennsylvania "* August 10-13,

2006 a trip on a vintage train through the valley that changed the world. The ride on the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad

will feature the scenery along Oil Creek while we listen to tales of the oil boom that once swept this valley and marked the beginning of the world's oil industry. There will be a $24 fee for adults and a $18 fee for children under 12 to cover tour and transportation expenses.

Educational Outings

Saturday night's speaker, adventurer Will Cross, will entertain you with his motivational story on some of his great accomplishments including walking to both the North and South Poles, and attempting to summit the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents .

Hikes at the 2006 Annual Conference will offer spectacular views, like the one above, from atop the rolling hills and from deep within the region's old growth forests, like the one on the right.

you might want to bring a fan.)

Of course, we will also stage our annual silent auction with a great array of outdoor-related merchandise. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit the NCTA Land Trust Fund, to help protect and preserve the treasured land along the Trail. And don't miss your opportunity to make purchases from the Trail Shop. All kinds of goodies, usually sold at Lowell Headquarters, including hats, shirts, patches, and maps will be on display for sale. Or, to start your shopping early, visit the Trail Shop on page 31.

Hikes This year's Conference will offer a variety of hikes over the rolling hills and down the picturesque valleys of the Wilds region ranging from three to nine miles.

Established in 1923, the ANF hosts 90 miles of the NCNST. One daylong hike of about 7.5 miles will visit the Minister Creek area in the Forest. This hike will be rigorous, involving steep climbs.

Once called the "Black Forest," the CFSP is famous for its stand of old growth forest and the "Forest Cathedral," a stand of towering white pines and hemlocks, is a National Natural Landmark. On Thursday afternoon, you are encouraged to visit the Park, a short drive from Clarion, for a self-guided hike on one of 27 marked trails in the Park, including the NCNST and the Baker Trail. Two half-day hikes will highlight CFSP areas as well.

Friday morning will feature a leisurely 3.5-mile hike from State Road 1015 to the Cook Forest State Park Visitor's Center led by local volunteers.

Friday afternoon will combine a bit of history and science with a guided interpretive hike by Dale Luthringer, the Cook Forest State Park Environmental Education Specialist.

On "A Walk Through the Forest Cathedral" you will learn how to identify old growth forest characteristics and observe different types of environmental disturbance of old growth forest ecosystems. We'll finish with an

interpretive tour of the Fire Tower and Seneca Point where we'll learn about local logging history and Indian signs, plus take in the breathtaking view from the very top of the 80-foot Fire Tower.

On Saturday morning, a 4-mile hike will go along the NCNST from Gravel Lick Road to Highland Drive.

Two additional hikes will be offered along the NCNST north of Clarion. A 9-mile daylong hike and a 3.8-mile half-day hike will allow hikers to enjoy newly built trail between Miola Road and State Route 66.

Tours The area's extensive history and rich landscape will provide two exciting daylong tours.

Friday will feature a tour of sites in Butler County, southwest of Clarion, home to the Butler and Slippery Rock Chapters. The day will start with a

guided tour of the Old Stone House.

Constructed in 1822, the Old Stone House was an attempt to capitalize on commercial traffic between Pittsburgh and Erie. Today the Old Stone House is a restored inn and tavern that has survived many historic times. Next on the tour will be a stop at Jennings Environmental Education Center for a guided walk that will feature the plants, animals, history, and geology of the unique prairie eco-systern. Program Coordinator Will Taylor will show visitors one of the few remaining pockets of the once great Midwestern prairie.

Jennings Environmental Education Center was established to protect and conserve the prairie flower, the Blazing Star, that will be in full bloom in early August. The tour will also stop at Davis Hollow Outdoor Center where visitors can eat their bagged lunch.

This old homestead has been converted

into a trailside location for hikers to stop for an overnight stay. Last visit for the day will be to McConnells Mill State Park for a guided tour of a grist mill that was built in the 1800s to harness the power of the water. The Mill was one of the first rolling mills in the country; it processed corn, oats, wheat, and buckwheat for local customers with stone wheels. There will be a $15 fee for this tour to cover expenses.

Pennsylvania's Oil Heritage Region will be highlighted on Saturday's tour. First stop will be the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Penn., and site of one of the first oil wells that helped launch the modern petroleum industry, forever changing the world. Through a guided tour of the Museum, we'll learn the story of the beginning of the modern oil industry with a video, exhibits, operating oil field machinery, and historic buildings. Next, all aboard for

"Building Green Community Relations" will be the topic for Friday's Workshop and Outing. The morning will start with a 5-mile hike on the NCNST at State Gamelands 95 over moderate to rolling terrain, where we'll visit a newly constructed campsite. After the hike, participants will travel to the North Country Brewing Company for lunch and a discussion on Green Tourism. (Luncheon will be sponsored by North Country Brewing Co. offering 20 percent off menu items for attendees; this is not included in the registration fee.) The discussion will focus on the benefits of Green Tourism and the North Country National Scenic Trail in Butler County, Slippery Rock Borough, and Slippery Rock University. The topic of "Green Tourism" opens up an avenue for an attractive business district, and for families and students considering residence in the area. A representative from the Butler Country Tourism Bureau and several volunteers from the NCTA will give their input on the role of the Trail and local communities in this up and coming trend of Green Tourism.

Take a break from the Trail on Friday to enjoy some paddling time on a National Wild and Scenic River, the Clarion River. Board member Joyce Appel and Wampum Chapter President Paul Henry will lead this outing down the Clarion River, a major tributary of the Allegheny River and the Ohio River watershed. This will be a leisurely 15-mile trip with a stop for lunch and swimming. There is a $25 fee for this activity to cover the cost of canoe rental.

Saturday will feature the ever-popular Trail Building Skills Workshop.

Roll up your sleeves as the group heads

Annual Conference into the woods with our new Regional Trail Coordinators who will use their expertise to teach new trail building techniques.

Workshops Saturday will feature workshops covering a variety of fun topics. Start your morning with "North Country Cache" author Joan Young as she shows how she ate during some of the backpacking trips that make up her tales about hikes on more than 2,000 miles of the NCNST. She will present "Thinking Beyond Jerky and Gorp," a backpacking trail food demonstration primarily using home-dehydrated food.

(Joan's book "North Country Cache" is available for purchase from the NCTA's Trail Shop and will be available at the Annual Conference.)

A workshop on the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) will start in the afternoon. An LNT master educator will cover the principles: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.

Did you ever wonder where you should plan your next vacation? Plan to attend the last session on Saturday, which will feature two adventure travelogues from your fellow members.

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Clarion, Pennsylvania

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August 10~13, 2006

Talking to Private Landowners

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The North Country Trail Association will be offering a workshop entitled, "Trail , t, .. Permission Through Private Land" on Sunday, : ;;: August 13.

Irene Szabo, member of the NCTA Board of Directors, President of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, and all-around trail guru, will lead this half-day workshop to prepare volunteers to meet and educate landowners on creating trail permissions along the North Country National Scenic Trail.

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please sign up on the Conference Registration Form.

Evening Programs After a long day of hiking and touring, sit back and enjoy some evening entertainment!

We've come a long way in 25 years and it's time to celebrate! After our annual membership meeting, Thursday night's "NCT Jeopardy" will test your knowledge of history and trivia on the nation's longest National Scenic Trail.

Friday night's program will start with part one of the annual awards presentation. Then, back by popular demand, will be the return of the world-class live auction. The perennial favorite skipped a year last conference but returns with bigger and better items for sale this year.

The finale of the conference

will be Saturday's presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the evening speaker, adventurer Will Cross.

Among Will's global expeditions, he has successfully ascended the highest peaks of North and South America, Europe, Africa and Antarctica. In 2001, he was privileged to climb 15 unmapped, unexplored mountains in Greenland. Will presently strives to achieve the NovoLog Peaks and Poles Challenge - reaching the highest peak on each continent as well as walking to both Poles. His tales of adventure will inspire you.

So please come and join us. You'll gain a new appreciation for your fellow hikers and the pleasures of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

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Sawyer CertificationWorkshop Available The North Country Trail Association, in conjunction with the Allegheny National Forest, is pleased to offer a Sawyer Certification Workshop before the 2006 Annual Conference, August 8 and 9.

Robert Wetherell, Allegheny National Forest Recreation Program Manager, will lead this two-day training course on chain saw safety, use and maintenance, and techniques in bucking and felling required for chain saw use along the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Due to the limited class size, there will be a selection process for admittance. Interested members should contact Jennifer Tripp at jentripp@ northcountrytrail.org for the short application. First aid and CPR certification is required to attend this class. Remember you can be reimbursed for First Aid and CPR certification from the North Country Trail Association.

If you are selected for the workshop, lodging and meals will be available at Clarion University for a fee.

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Annual Conference

"*- Clarion, Pennsylvania "*- August

10-13, 2006

Where Do I Stay?

In addition to the accommodations at the Clarion University, there is a limited selection of motels and campgrounds in the area.

Holiday Inn 814-226-8850

Rates: $99 clarionpa.holiday-inn.com

Comfort Inn 814-226-5230

Rates: $74-94 choicehotels.com

Super 8 Motel 814-226-4550

Rates: $58-75 supers.com

Microtel Inn & Suites 814-227-2700

Rates: $54-84 microtelinn.com

Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $18.00.

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To qualify, Sponsored Members must be new to NCTA, or not have been members for at least two years. The $18.00 rate is good only for the first year of membership.

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To use the program, just fill your name in the "Sponsored by" box. Then, give the form to a friend to finish.

Cook Forest State Park 888-PA-PARKS dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/cookforest.aspx Clear Creek State Park 888-PA-PARKS dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/clearcreek.aspx

Please choose a chapter affiliation (Each chapter maintains a specific region. They host local activities):

D chapter: Member of a specific

Rustic Acres Campground 724-863-4940

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D Member of my closest local chapter (if one exists) D Member-At-Large (not affiliated with any chapter)

How Do I Get There?

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Sponsored by

By Car: Take Interstate 80 to exit 64 (old exit 10) to Name (Please Print)

Clarion.

Address

By Air: Clarion is approximately 1.5 hours northeast of Pittsburgh International Airport (Airport Code: PIT).

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The NCTA will be running one shuttle van on Thursday, August 10 leaving for Clarion at noon; your flight must arrive no later than 11 A.M. to make this shuttle. On Sunday, August 13, the shuttle will depart from Clarion at 8:30 A.M. back to Pittsburgh Airport. There is a charge for this shuttle and you must pre-register on the Conference Registration' Form.

Daytime Phone (Area Code First, Extension at End)

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E-mail Address Skills to Volunteer

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To begin your membership, complete this form and send it with your $18 payment to: 229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

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2006 Annual Conference * RegistrationForm * Aug. 10-13 Please use one form per person!

·•• City:

State:

Phone:

__________

Saturday Night Only Banquet and Presentation

$40.00 = $ days = $

RegistrationDeadline is June 30

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Send Your Registration By Mail:

$30.00

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LODGING (Includes towels, sheets, blanket, does NOT include pillows) If you are sharing a room, list roommate here Thursday Night - Single Thursday Night - Double Friday Night - Single Friday Night - Double Saturday Night - Single

$25.00 $18.00 $25.00 $18.00 $25.00

=$

Saturday Night - Double

$18.00

= $----;=~

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TOTALLODGING

$ $ $ $

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$ $ $ $

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$5.00 $6.00 $20.00 $5.00

=$ =$ =$

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$6.00

=$ $

TOTALMEALS

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SUNDAY Workshops: Trail Permissions

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TOUR/RENTAL FEE =$

Butler County Tour Oil Heritage Tour - Adult

$15.00 $24.00

=$ =$

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Oil Heritage Tour - Under 12

$18.00

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Canoe Trip

$25.00

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LATEFEE - AFTERJUNE30 $25.00 rroTAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION COST

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SATURDAY Day-long Hike: SH322 to Highland Drive Day-long: Trail Building Morning Hike: Gravel Lick Road to Highland Drive Afternoon Hike: SR1004 to Highland Drive Morning Workshop: Thinking Beyond Jerky & Gorp Afternoon Workshops: LNT & Travelogues

$40.00 Airport Shuttle (Round Trip) Please list your arriving flight number

TOTALTOUR/RENTALS

Sign-up By Phone: 866-HikeNCT (445-3628)

Day-long Hike: Allegheny NF Day-long: Building Green Community Relations Morning Hike: Cook Forest SP Hike Afternoon Hike: Interpretive Hike at Cook Forest

$--=-=--=..J

Check here to request vegetarian meals Thursday Cafeteria Dinner $8.00 Friday Breakfast $5.00 Friday Bag Lunch $6.00 Friday Picnic Dinner $13.00

Send Your Registration By Fax: (616) 897-6605

To help us plan better, please indicate which of the following activities you plan to attend: FRIDAY

MEALS

Sunday Cafeteria Lunch

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NCTA, 229 E. Main St., Lowell, Ml 49331

TOTALREGISTRATION

Saturday Breakfast Saturday Bag Lunch Saturday Banquet Dinner Sunday Breakfast

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E-mail:

REGISTRATION FEE (Includes administration fees, program fees and materials, conference collectible) Full Conference Registration Daily Registration Rate $15.00 x

Zip:

Through Private Land

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Children's Rates If children stay in the dorm, they are allowed to sleep on the floor at no charge. You must provide your own sleeping bag.

Children sharing a room with parent but requiring a bed will be charged the full rate. There are no discounts on meals.

D My check to NCTA is enclosed.

D Please charge my registration to D Visa

D Discover

D Master Card

Card Number Name as it appears on card (please print) Signature

D American Express Exp. Date

Adding End-to-End Hikers

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

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LAKE SAKAKAWEA STATE PARK

In 2005, Don Beattie and Allen Shoup completed end-to-endhikes of the NCNST

By Roger Meyer Western Michigan Chapter

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on Beattie and Allen Shoup recently finished hiking the entire North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST). Each hiked it in his own way, differently from each other and, perhaps, differently from what most of us expect from an end-to-end hiker.

Don lives in Commerce, Mich.

He hiked the NCNST over a 25-year period starting in August 1980 and completing the Trail in October 2005.

Well, he really hiked it almost twice.

Don day hikes. He parks at a trailhead, hikes with a daypack and goes "as far as I get." Then he returns to his car at the rrailhead. So, he hiked most of the NCNST twice, out and back.

Occasionally, he accepts a return ride

on road portions of the Trail and that's why he didn't walk the entire Trail twice. Once, he even got a ride in an Amish buggy.

Don Beattie says he is the first person to hike the longest trails in both Canada and the United States, both the NCNST and the 17,000 kilometer Trans Canada Trail. The Trans Canada Trail goes from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Vancouver, British Columbia. He has also hiked the Bruce Trail in Canada, the Buckeye Trail and Superior Hiking Trail.

Don claims he sees more of the trail than a backpacker because he makes a point of observing nature. One of his most memorable experiences was in Ohio. He sat watching the sun set through the trees and enjoyed the view.

Then birds filled the air with wonder-

Who's Hiked the NCNST?

Hiker Don Beattie Chet Fromm Carolyn Hoffman Allen Shoup Andy Skurka Ed Talone Peter Wolfe

Mileage* 4,387 3,600 3,200 4,300 4,371 4,473

"Due to the ongoing construction and route changes on the Norrh Country National Scenic Trail, mileage varies over rime.

Making end-to-end hiker history Don Beattie, top, and Allen Shoup, bottom, both stopped for a photo at the west end of the Trail in North Dakota.

fol song. Don says it was a beautiful occasion.

Don doesn't hike in the rain or bad weather because he wants to see the NCNST at its best. He also visits historic and scenic spots within 30 miles of the trail, something few backpackers even think about doing.

In a daypack, he carries some food, water, a camera, raincoat and a first-aid kit. Don dayhikes because he dislikes backpacking. "Backpacking along roads is folly," he says and notes that 60 percent of the NCNST is on roads. He planned to carry a 55-pound backpack in the Boundary Waters, but managed to find a way to dayhike instead.

Hiking on roads seems to influence people to stop and offer him rides. He's turned down some of these offers so he could really hike the entire trail, rather than ride along parts of it.

Don keeps a list of all the people who offered rides and keeps in touch with some of them. He often talked to these

people for a half hour or more about the NCNST and gave them literature about the trail. Don has 15 pages with the names of people who gave him rides.

Don relates a conversation while riding with a Native-American elder.

Don asked if the youth of the tribe went on vision quests anymore. The elder replied, "The old ways are gone."

Don feels after seeing so many kids drifting aimlessly without a purpose in life a vision quest would be a good idea, maybe even for all of us.

On one wet portion of the NCNST in Minnesota, Hefty trash bags worked as waders to keep his boots dry. After wading through 12 such areas, his boots were still dry.

Sometimes Don stays in motels to get away from the mosquitoes, but most often stays in a base camp and dayhikes from that camp or motel.

Generally, between New York and Grand Rapids, Mich., he stayed in motels and between Grand Rapids and North Dakota he camped.

Don prefers to hike alone. He feels if you hike with someone you appreciate their companionship, but then don't really see or appreciate the trail. He says he remembers all of the NCNST while other hikers can't remember everything about their hike or the trail. Usually, he hikes four weeks in the spring and four weeks in the fall. The longest hike in one day has been 30 miles while the longest day was a little less than 13 hours. Once, he hiked all day in the snow.

Don stops and speaks to the man-

Above: The Silver Lake Basin, Marquette, Mich.

Right: The "best towpath segment" is along the Sandy and Beaver Canal in Magnolia, Ohio.

agement of all the public land near the NCNST. Sometimes he is the only person who has ever stopped and spoken to the staff about the Trail. He has also spoken to the staff of areas that the NCNST passes through who have never heard of it, so he feels he is helping to promote the Trail.

Don has never been to an NCTA annual conference because he wants to hike, not socialize. He doesn't carry a cell phone, GPS or anything that would detract from his experience of the trail. Don likes to live simply without e-mail, a microwave, or a computer.

He worked for General Dynamics, has worked in San Diego and Cape Canaveral, taught in Iran, and taught high school for 30 years in Detroit.

At 67 years old and retired since 1996, Don is a North Country Trail Association charter member, Life Member and member of the North Country Trail Hikers Chapter. He is also a Life Member of the John Muir Society, the Bruce Trail Association, the Buckeye Trail Association, and the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

Allen Shoup hiked the NCNST over a 10-year period, beginning in Michigan in 1995 and finished with 1,458 miles in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota in 2005.

Allen lives in Palatka, Florida, and does trail maintenance on the Florida National Scenic Trail two days a week.

You might ask why a Florida resident has an interest in the NCNST, but his roots are in Michigan and Indiana.

Allen was born in Flint, Ind., and lived there until the 2nd grade. He lived in Colon, Mich., until the 9th grade and then moved to Sparta, Mich., and graduated from high school in 1951.

Allen served in the U.S. Marine Corps between 1952 and 1979, a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, serving two tours in the latter in the Intelligence Section. After retiring from the military, Allen became the Environmental Compliance Manager for the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel until 1994 when he retired again.

He started long distance hiking in 1994 on Vermont's Long Trail.

Since then he has hiked on the Alaska Inside Passage and Chilcut Trails, the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama, the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and 1,584 miles of the American Discovery Trail. He has hiked the New York Conservation Trail, Niagara River Trail, Bruce Trail, Pennsylvania Horseshoe Trail and 486 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

Hogback Mountain, north of Marquette, Mich., offers 360째 view of Lake Superior and the surrounding forest.

"The Trail has been a real education for me," states Allen, "I never knew that Indians had lived in the caves in Ohio and had traded as far south as Florida.

Above: Pattison State Park in Wisconsin.

Allen frequently hikes with family members. Grandchildren Amanda and Nathan joined him for his hike in Pennsylvania.

Allen has been an NCTA member since 1998. He is a member of the American Hiking Society, Florida Trail Association, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Bruce Trail Association, Continental Divide Trail Association, Green Mountain Hiking Club, Rails to Trails Association, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance.

Over an l l-year period, he hiked 10,662 miles, most of the time with a family member. In Michigan, he and his wife, Mary, averaged 14.6 miles a day. On the last 1,458 miles of the NCNST in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, he averaged 22.l miles a day. The average increased because he needed to be in Lansing, Mich., to prepare the rehearsal dinner for his

nephew's wedding. He backpacked with his wife until her knees gave out on the Appalachian Trail. Then he hiked with his son-in-law, Allan, and his grandchildren, Nathan, Amanda, Arni, and Arlene.

Allen spent three days on a hilltop in Ohio waiting for water to recede after a heavy rain. In New York, he and his grandson, Nathan, lost the trail in a new clear-cut area. They backtracked and road-walked around the clear-cut.

Once, they lost the trail on a poorly blazed section in Southeastern Ohio.

After wandering onto private land, they were escorted off.

Allen had several favorite sections of the NCNST including the caves in Ohio, most of the trail in Pennsylvania, all of New York, the falls in Wisconsin

Left: Allen explores trail-side caves in Ohio.

and the Superior Hiking Trail and the Boundary Waters Trail in Minnesota.

He also liked the Pictured Rocks area in Michigan; he has nothing bad to say about any part of the NCNST and loved it all.

Allen says, "I did not use food drops. We found on the Long Trail that hikers who used food drops were either hurrying to get to town before the Post Office closed or were waiting in town for a package to arrive." He had no problem getting food and the amount he carried depended mainly on how far he had to go before resupplying. He ate a lot of oatmeal, Ramen noodles, and spaghetti. He also ate at diners, restaurants or coffee shops as often as possible.

Allen carried flat bread or taco

shells and summer sausage for lunch along with candy bars and dried fruits.

Talking about Trail Magic, Allen says, "I can't tell you how wonderful the people we met were. Numerous times at restaurants, someone paid for my meals. In Michigan, a man stopped us on the road, told us of a good camping spot, and invited us to a pancake breakfast at the fire station the next morning. One morning when it was raining a man stopped and gave us the key to his cabin and told us to make ourselves at home and leave the key in the mailbox when we left. A woman jogging on the trail passed us and then waited for us with muffins and coffee. A woman passed me on the road near Battle Creek, went into town and returned with a burger, fries and a large coke from Burger King and a bottle of water for me."

"A farmer came out of his drive way and invited me in to a potluck lunch they were having. In Ohio, the owner of a bed and breakfast saw us passing and invited us in for breakfast.

A man sitting on his porch asked me up and offered me iced tea. It turned out that he was also a retired Marine.

Also, in Ohio on the section I was hiking by myself, the owner of a gas station came out, said that we were under a tornado warning, and took me into her basement with other travelers and her family. She served us coffee, sodas & sandwiches. In Cook Forest, Penn.,

a family invited us to their campsite for chili & beer and sodas for the grandkids. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. " "The only bad times I had with people were law enforcement moments.

We were stopped twice in one day

by Pennsylvania highway patrol and checked out. They thought it was suspicious that two old people were walking with two young kids. They actually called our son-in-law at work to be sure we were okay. In Michigan, I stopped at a convenience store. I bought a cup of coffee and a Danish and was sitting on the curb checking my map when a sheriff's deputy pulled in and told me I couldn't be loitering in front of a business and to move on. In Underwood, Minn., I dropped my pack at the campground and walked into town to have dinner. I discovered that there

In Michigan, Allen (above at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore) and his wife, Mary (left), averaged 14.6 miles a day on the North Country National Scenic Trail. Mary also backpacked with Allen until her knees gave out on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

was a motel in town so I rented a room there and was walking back to the campground to get my pack when I was stopped by the chief of police who checked me out and said that he had been keeping an eye on me since I first entered the campground and he wanted me out of town first thing the next day.

"The worst thing that happened on the Trail was the tornados and flood in Ohio. The best thing, except for finishing, was taking our grandkids on the Pennsylvania section."

For his stove and tent, Allen uses a MSR Whisperlite and carries two canisters of fuel. He says, "It is reliable and easy to maintain. I also use wood fires whenever possible to save fuel. We have two tents, a Sierra Design Meteor Light for when I am hiking with someone and a Eureka Zues EXO when I am hiking alone, I try to keep my pack weight between 40 and 50 pounds. I used to go as high as 80 pounds when Mary was hiking with me."

"The Trail has been a real education for me. I never knew that the British mined copper in Michigan or that the Indians had been mining

there for thousands of years. I never knew that Indians lived in the caves in Ohio and had traded as far south as Florida, as far north as Canada, as far west as Mississippi and as far east as the Atlantic Ocean. I hiked a portion of trail that generals used on their way to the battle of Lake Champlain. I have seen battlefields of the Revolutionary, French & Indian and Civil Wars. I never knew that a Catholic missionary, Father Baraga, had come to Minnesota to help the Indians at Grand Portage who were afflicted by an epidemic. I never knew that Colonel Covill commanded the 1st Minnesota Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg where 215 of his 262 men were killed or wounded. I also walked part of the trail that Lewis and Clark took on their expedition."

This summer, Allen plans to hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. Next year, he hopes to complete the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and then the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. He says, "The only recommendation I have for others is just do it. Every trail is magic."

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Help Honor Our Top Volunteers

Recent Lifetime Achievement Award winners: 2003 Gene Elzinga (left), 2005 Gaylord Yost (center), 2004 Jim Sprague (right).

Do you know someone who devotes countless hours to build or promote the North Country Trail?

Someone who silently maintains a section the North Country Trail year after year?

Nominate them for a North Country Trail Association award.

These awards will be presented at the annual conference in Clarion, Penn., this August.

I would like to nominate -------------------------- for the following award (check one): Lifetime Achievement: An individual, in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the NCNST. Service may be performed in a voluntary or paid capacity.

Distinguished Service: An individual, in recognition of exceptional volunteer service in furthering the goals of the NCTA, and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the NCNST. Individual should have made a significant commitment and accomplishments over three or more years.

Trail Builderof the Year:A volunteer, whose work in NCNST construction, planning, or negotiations have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year.

Trail Maintainer of the Year: A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements over the past year in maintaining or restoring pre-existing NCNST segment(s).

Leadership:A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership leading to significant local achievements or highly successful events.

Outreach: A volunteer, whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the NCNST. Communicator of the Year:A volunteer, for exemplary work in promoting the NCNST or the NCTA through a communications medium (newsletter, web site, brochure, etc.) or personal contacts.

Rising Star: A volunteer between the ages of 8 and 18, who has made significant contributions to the NCNST, and whose dedication to the Trail and the NCTA sets an example to other youths and shows exceptional promise.

Sweep: A volunteer, for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the NCNST or the NCTA. ___ Vanguard: A legislator or other public official whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the NCNST. ___ Trailblazer: A business or foundation for far-sighted vision and support, demonstrated by significant conrriburionfs) to the NCNST or the NCTA.

Please write a statement of your reason for nominating this person. Include name, address, phone number and e-mail address for both nominee and nominator. Deadline for nominations is June 1, 2006.

Send nominations to: North Country Trail Association, Attn: Awards Committee, 229 E. Main Sr., Lowell, MI 49331 or e-mail to hq@northcountrytrail.org, please put "awards nomination" in subject line.

······:,;:~·~;i::.1~~~- 2006··· rh~-N~~t·h··5t·~~··29··

Certifying More Miles of the NCT I

'm pleased to report that we again have an increase in trail miles. These four segments, totaling 6.8 miles, bring the total of certified mileage for the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) to 1778.4.

New York The Finger Lakes Trail Conference applied for certification along 1.8 miles of trail on private property owned by a single landowner. The Trail has for years followed an abandoned hillside railroad grade not far from the Village of Swain, through dark forest that had grown up since the railroad was abandoned in 1947. Swain features a ski resort, and this long single-owner trail segment is part of the original property owned by the family who began the ski slopes in the late 1940s.

Remnants of a large earthen horseshoe curve in the village valley are visible to hikers as they approach the old rail grade walk; this curve enabled the little Pittsburg Shawmut & Northern to cross over the much busier Erie Railroad, which is still active through the valley as the current Norfolk Southern. It is the long-dead remnant of the Pittsburg Shawmut & Northern where hikers walk today, frequently on earth blackened by the coal cinders of

;,-.r~.

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-

GOING FOR FRED SZARKA NPS Trail Manager

steam engines.

Michigan The Grand Traverse Hiking Club negotiated with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to relocate 7.2 miles of the NCNST off the Shore-to-Shore Trail, a primarily equestrian trail, by building 9.0 miles of new trail in the Pere Marquette State Forest.

This results in a net gain of 1.8 miles of trail. It is a major improvement separating hiking use from the equestrian trail in this area of very sandy soil. While this is still a multiple use trail, access by horses is not allowed.

Wisconsin The Brule-St. Croix Chapter added another 0.7 miles of trail in the Douglas County Wildlife Area popularly known as the "Bird Sanctuary."

This segment is part of the new work area of the "Rovers" trail crew. The Bird Sanctuary is a mostly open oak savanna landscape with numerous small ponds and sandy ridges. It is being managed for Sharp-tailed Grouse and other wildlife. The open nature of the area is a sharp contrast to most of the trail in northern Wisconsin.

North Dakota The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter added an additional 2.5 miles

The Rest of the Story These new trail segments are welcome additions to the Trail. I would like to provide more colorful descriptions of the Trail involved. Unfortunately, I have been able to visit only the Bird Sanctuary trail, and that in January. I would appreciate a brief note along with the application for certification providing a description of the features and attractions for hikers to include in this column and a couple of photographs of the Trail, its construction or structures (bridges, boardwalk, etc.).

Digital photos can be e-mailed to the NPS or sent via CD (see page 36 for NPS addresses). Thanks - Fred

This past fall, FLTC volunteers Ron and Barb Navik built new trail route to a walk along the Robinson family railroad grade, cutting through a snarl of honeysuckle bushes grown up around a farm machinery graveyard. Ron decided that "blazing" the protruding handle was easier than trying to move the whole contraption.

of new trail on private property near Baldhill Creek in Barnes County.

The chapter was able to secure permanent easements for the trail from the private landowners, by working closely with the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway Commission and Barnes County which holds the easement.

The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter's newly constructed 2.5 mile segment of trail connects existing segments from Baldhill Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the west Ashtabula Crossing. This new segment travels along the north bank of the Baldhill Creek. The terrain is gently rolling and provides some great vistas of the creek and the WMA to the south. It is a great area to view shorebirds and waterfowl. Two major loafing areas for white pelicans can be found along the segment. In October, this area is a major staging area for Canada and lesser snow geese. The WMA to the south is a major yarding and fawning area for white-tailed deer, so bring your binoculars!

Most of the segment travels through grazed mixed grass prairie, but there are some prairie thickets of American Elm and Hawthorne. This segment is the final piece of the NCT puzzle along Lake Ashtabula and means that hikers can now hike over 35 miles of uninterrupted NCT.

*

Proceeds

benefit tile-North

CountrtTrail

Association

in its efforts to build, maintain,

and promote the Norttr Country National

Scenic Trail

APPAREL A. Blue Polo Shirt

(c112) Cotton/Poly pique polo with collar. Embroidered with seven state logo. Color: blue

S, M, L, XL, XXL B. Fleece Vest (caos)

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Embroidered trail logo. Color: grey

M, L, XL, XXL

$38.95

~ c. Polo Shirt (C106)

Cotton/Poly pique polo with collar. Embroidered association logo. Color: tan

M, L D. Compass T-Shirt

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Willow Green, Short sleeve (no medium) (C-113) Pumpkin, Short sleeve (no small) .. (C-114)

M, L, XL.. ... $15.95, XXL ..... $19.95 Willow Green, Long sleeve

(C-113A)

S, M, L, XL. $21.95, XXL ... $24.95 E. Trail Crew T-Shirt (c102)

$0~' "'OlQa.

A trail crew shirt for volunteers! 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. Color: tan.

M, L, XL.. ... $10.95, XXL.. ... $12.95 F. Rediscover Nature The 100% cotton "leaf" shirt available in: Dusty Blue (C-110) Pale Plum (C-110A)

S, L, XL.. $15.95, XXL..

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Short sleeve (C-109)

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Fleece Jacket (c115) Navy, full-zip fleece, lined jacket with matching collar, cord drawstring at hem, elasticized cuffs, inside pocket, zip outside pockets. Embroidered with the 7-state trail logo.

$11.95, XXL

$13.95 (C-109A)

$15.95, XXL $17.95

NCTAT-Shirt (Not Pictured) (c101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Going the Distance" "BeefyT." Three-color NCTA logo on front and twocolor map on back. Color: natural.

S, M, L, XL.... $11.95, XXL... $12.95

Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Bobcat

(P-2005) Celebrate the 25rh anniversary of the North Country National Scenic Trail with our first limited edition "furry friend," the Bobcat. About 12" in lengrh. Comes with adoption papers. .

.

$12.00

llortll Country THI/ •ssHitttlon

Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Mug (P-2007) This hefty cobalt blue ceramic coffee mug features the seven-stare map 25rh Anniversary logo. Perfect for your morning coffee!. $6.00

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

North Country Cache Hikeable Segments of the North

by Joan Young ~No_"_h<-o•_"'_''-c.-,h•• --~~. Country National Scenic Trail

Follow the Blue Blazes

by Robert J Pond

The first book by a hiker of the North Country Trail. This book includes adventures on 2300 miles (half) of the trail, section-hiked, including some in each state.

402 pages (L134)

This guide lists all the hikeable segments of the trail and presents accurate mileages along and between segments. Each trail segment on the map is numbered and corresponds to a description of that segment. 112 pages (L133) $5.95

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

300 pages. (L130) $19.95

Porcupine Mountains

by Jim DuFresne

The authors provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state - from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to Newport State Park. (L129)

$24.95 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

by Olive Anderson

PICTUHED ROCKS NATIONAL

l,,AK~llORE

A GUIDE

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

Revised in 2002, includes maps and excellent descriptions of recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56 pages (L110A)

$7.50 Hiking Minnesota by john Pukite This edition has descriptions, maps, and basic elevation profiles for 87 hikes in Minnesota.

273 pages (L132)

Hiking Minnesota

Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls.

160 pages (L108) $11.95

Take a Hike

by Rich and Sue Freeman Explore N.Y.'s Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley with ease and convenience.

51 walks are completely described. 264 pages (L119) $16.95

$14.95

Edible Wild Plants

by James Kavanagh

50 Hikes in Michigan

by Jim DuFresne

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

Describes the best trails in the Lower Peninsula.

Includes access, parking, hiking times, contour maps, and explicit trail directions.

252 pages (L109) $17.95

$5.95

Atlas of Michigan

by Dennis R. Hansen This third edition has descriptions and maps for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan.

789 pages (L102A)

$34.95

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then how to protect a victim.

252 pages (L125) $6.00

Lightweight Backpacking & Camping Edited by Ryan Jordan A book full of ideas and tips for hiking with all you need to survive without breaking your back. 434 pages (L135) $24.95

Backpacking Wisconsin

by Jack P. Hailman & Elizabeth D. Hailman

$19.95 Dayhiker's Handbook~---~

By J Long and M. Hodgson . .

Comprehensive guide for beginning wanderers and those exploring new country. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes. 216 pages(L107) $14.95

-DAYHIKER'S HANDBOOK - AnAtl·.!1~'!:.."!!*:Gvld"'

~=====~

Hiking with Kids

by Robin Tawney Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking.

This answers any questions and gives valuable tips. 70 pages (L123) $6.95

Babes in the Woods

by Bobbi Hoadley The women's guide to eating well, sleeping well, and having fun in the backcountry.

125 pages (L131) $12.95

The Appalachian Trail Food Planner

by Lou Adsmond

F~;d'-:l:ner

Proven food tips for a short backpack to a six-month thru-hike.

Includes recipes for easy trailside cooking. 128 pages (L126)

~·~--~ ..-·.

$16.95

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE

NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

Lipsmackin ' Backpackin'

by Tim and Christine Connors Dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheesecake in the backcounrry i nsread of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky.

232 pages (L118)

$15.95

The Well-Fed Backpacker

rJJâ&#x20AC;˘l!ll"'"1

by June Fleming Make ahead meals as well as on the rrail. Ir is packed with tons of recipes and food tips for the outdoors. 181 pages (L128)

HATS

C. Navy Cap

A. Sun Protection (C210)

Solid navy with cream trim and NCTA silhouette logo with adjustable buckle

Wide bill, Supplex" tan nylon, soft and breathable. Adjustable clip back

$18.50

B. The Aussie Hat

(C212)

$14.95

D. Khaki Cap

(C211)

Natural color, cotton canvas with full brim and rope cord with adjustable slider

Stone washed cotton khaki hat with North Country National Scenic Trail emblem with adjustable buckle

STATE PATCHES 2.00 ea.

VOLUNTEERPATCHES2.ooea.

(C209)

$24.50

$12.95

$14.95

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT

By Byron and Margaret Hutchins Derailed information and maps highlighting the off-road segments of the Trail. In easy to use looseleaf form.

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

$6.00

OHIO Wayne N.F., 14 pages (M301) $3.00 Burr Oak S.P. to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages (M3032) $14.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages

$7.00

(M304A)

Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 30 pages (M305A) $5.00

New York Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota

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

Volunteer 2004 Volunteer 2005 Volunteer 2006 Trail Crew Hike Leader Trail Mapper Organizer

(P141) (P142) (P143) (P136) (P137) (P138) (P139)

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 8r pages (M401) .........

$13.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages (M402) ........

$14.00 WISCONSIN Iron County Forests; Chequamegon N.F., Brule River S.F., 27 pages (M501B) $5.00

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

$4.00

(M601)

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

$5.50

MEDALLIONS, PATCHES & PENS Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick, jacker, or backpack.

A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 C. Patch of Trail Emblem (P125) B. Brass (P104) $4.00 0. NCTA Ballpoint Pen (P106)

$3.50 $5.00

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

NCT TRAIL MAPS 1:100,000 SCALE $4.50 per map One inch to 1.578 miles. This full-color pocket size map unfolds to a full 11" x 17", double sided and are now being printed on "Dural'aper," waterproof, tear-resistant, soil resistant and extremely durable because it is an extra heavyweight, specially coated with 4 mil polyester.

1:63,360 SCALE

WISCONSIN

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

(Wl-01) (Wl-02)

MINNESOTA Chippewa N.F. to Paul Bunyan S.F.**. (MN-09) State Highway 64 to Many Point Lake .. (MN-10)

PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest (PA-01) Allegheny National Forest to State Game Land 95 (PA-02)** State Game Land 95 to Pennsylvania/Ohio Stateline (PA-03)**

OHIO Ohio State Line to Minerva Wayne National Forest-Marietta Unit

-

MICHIGAN

(OH-101) (OH-105)

** Unavailable, out for revisions.

_.,_.,_ic-r

.·····---, -.. . . .

Marshall to Bowne Township (Ml-02) Bowne Township to M-37 (Ml-03) M-37 to Freesoil Trailhead (Ml-04) Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Rd (Ml-05) Cedar Creek Rd to Charlevoix County (Ml-06)** Charlevoix County to Mackinac Bridge. (Ml-07) Mackinac Bridge to Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway (Ml-08) Curley Lewis Road to Grand Marais (Ml-09) Grand Marais to Au Train Lake (Ml-10) Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls (Ml-11) Alberta to Cascade Falls (Ml-13) Cascade Falls to Ironwood (Ml-14)

$4.50 per map One inch to a mile. This full-color pocket size map unfolds to a full 11" x 17", double sided and are now being printed on "DuraPaper," waterproof, tear-resistant, soil resistant and extremely durable because it is an extra heavyweight, specially coated with 4 mil polyester.

i' .

J..

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Map shown: 1:100,000 scale, Ml-10 Grand Marias to Au Train Lake

34

The North Star*

April-June 2006

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org NCNST Nalgene

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE Bottle

NCT

www.northcountrytrail.org

(P144) .... $9.98

North Country National Scenic Trail Vinyl Sticker (P-2006) Decorate your favorite water bottle with this North Country National Scenic Trail sticker!

50¢ each or 12 for $5.00

Trail Emblem Cloisonne Tack Pin (P102)

MEMBERSHIP

$2.00

Be TRAIL SHOP ORDER FORM

The top form maybe used for new and renewing members.

The lower portion of the form is for Trail Shop Merchandise.

Home Phone with Area Code

Name (Please Print)

I

Address

I

1-1

I

I

1-1

I

I

I

E-mail

I

City

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

D $30 Regular D $50 Trail Leader D $100 Pathfinder

D $45 Organization D $150 Business D $250 NCTPatron

I ZIP

State

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

D D D

Member of a specific Chapter :

_

Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists) At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

TRAIL SHOP PURCHASES Item Description

- [ w~]

Size

Quantity

Price Each

Total

Merchandise total:

[~] *~coUNTJ?y r.; r.

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

Item Number

NCTA Members deduct 10%: Subtotal after discount: Ml Residents add 6% sales tax: + Shipping and handling: +

~ •ASSOCIATION•

(See shipping info below)

Membership dues (if included): + GRANDTOTAL:

Charge Card Number

Please mail, fax or phoneyour order to: 229 East Main Street Expiration Date

Name on Card

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

Lowell, Michigan 49331 Toll free telephone: 866-HikeNCT (445-3628) If ordering by credit card, you may fax your order to: 616-897-6605

Shipping and Handling Charges Amount of Order $00.00 to $10.00 $10.01 to $25.oo $25·01 to sso.oo $50.01 to $100

over $100

····--;:~~;i::_j~~~- '.ioo6··-Th~-N~~th

Charge $2.50 $5.oo

°

$$68·.00 0 $10.00

St~~·-g5··

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

This directory provides you with key contacts.

When in Doubt, Try NCTA Headquarters:

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

North Country Trail Association

229 E Main St, Lowell, Ml 49331 Toll-free: (866) HikeNCT Fax: (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org HQ@northcountrytrail.org Visit our web site; it's a sure bet that you'll find most of what you need.

Here you can join or contribute to the NCTA, browse the events calendar, explore NCTA Chapter pages, purchase maps and trail-related products, follow links to Partner organizations, read up-to-date news items, report volunteer hours, and, of course, learn more about the trail itself!

National Park Service:

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

NORTH DAKOTA Trail Council Chair: Curtis Vanek · go4trails@sbcglobal.net

State Trail Coordinator: Bobby Koepplin • bkoepplin@kwh.com

1. Lonetree Chapter Elden Ehrman • (701)465-3387

2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Alicia Hoffarth · (701)490-3889 · cahoffarth@hotmail.com

3. North Dakota Sandhills Chapter Curtis Vanek • (701)282-0339 · go4trails@sbcglobal.net

MINNESOTA Trail Council Chair: Chris Klein · kleinl l@midwestinfo.com

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

NCTA Chapters:

For information about local activities or volunteering, contact the Chapter representative for your area of interest. We have more than two dozen local volunteer trail clubs scattered along the trail that are Chapters of the NCTA. NCTA members can affiliate themselves with any Chapter they'd like. Whether or not the member volunteers, a portion of their dues will help support Chapter activities. Chapters build and maintain trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas.

State Trail Coordinator: John Leinen · footpathpal@msn.com

Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota (Affiliate) Dorian Grilley · (651)726-2457 · dgrilley@parksandtrails.org

4. Star of the North Chapter Gerald Johnson • (612)789-7965 · johns018@umn.edu

5. Itasca Moraine Chapter Jerry Trout · (218)675-5448 · jbtrout@tds.net

6. Kekekabic Trail Club (Affiliate) Terry Bernhardt · (800)818-4453 · info@kek.org

7. RoversOuting Club (Partner) John Elliott · (612)829-5142

8. Superior Hiking Trail Association (Affiliate) Gayle Coyer • (218)834-2700 · suphike@mr.net

Affiliate Organizations:

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

Trail Council Officers:

Our Chapters and Affiliates work together to achieve common goals through statewide Trail Councils. Each state has its own Trail Council, though Wisconsin and Upper Michigan share the "Great Lakes Trail Council." Trail Councils have one or more officers, typically including a Chair and a State Trail Coordinator.

GREAT LAKES Trail Council Chair: Vacant State Trail Coordinator:Doug Welker • dwelker@up.net 9. Brule-St.CroixChapter David Zosel · zosel@cencurytel.net

10. ChequamegonChapter Marty Swank · (715)682-2254 · marty808@centurytel.net

11. Heritage Chapter Kevin Steffens · (262)878-0220

· steffens@wi.net

12. Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker · (906)338-2680 · dwelker@up.net

13. North Country Trail Hikers Chapter Denise Herron · (906)225-1030 · dherron906@aol.com

14. Grand Marais Chapter: Vacant 15. Hiawatha Shore-to-ShoreChapter Roger Morrison • (906)322-0993 · rmorrison@sault.com

i LEGEND -chapters

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Partners

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LOWER MICHIGAN Trail Council Chair: Lyle Bialk · lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

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Joan Young • jhy@t-one.net

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State Trail Coordinator :

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16. Harbor Springs Chapter

L ,__.

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Jerry Keeney · (231)526-9597 • keeneylO@ charter.net

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PENNSYLVANIA

Trail Council Chair: Vacant State Trail Coordinator : Ron Rice · ricel@nauticom.net Butler OutdoorClub (Affiliate):

Joyce Appel · (724)526-5407 • joyceappel@arm-tek.net

Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy(Affiliate):

17. Tittabawassee Chapter Gary Johnson • (989)842-3478 · gwj2@charter.net

18. Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter John Heiam • (231)938-9655 • johnheiam@charter.net

19. Spiritof the Woods Chapter Richard Krieger • (231)398-9193 • rndkrieger@jackpine.com

20. Western Michigan Chapter Charles Vannette • (616)456-9725 • cvann30643@aol.com

21. Chief NoondayChapter Larry Hawkins • (269)945-5398 • hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com

22. Chief Baw Beese Chapter Steve Vear • (517)439-5485 • steve@vear.com

Patty Brunner · (412)366-3339 • info@rachelcarsontrails.org

28. Wampum Chapter Paul Henry • (724)347-3282 • joyceappel@arm-tek.net

29. ButlerChapter Jerry Hoffman • (714)625-2056 • jhof270271@hotmail.com

30. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Michael Kaizar • (412)421-0842

· gptncta@yahoo.com

31. Rock Chapter Greg Koller • (724)794-3498 • gbjk48@zoominternet.net

32. Clarion County Chapter Ed Scurry • (814)437-1168 • edsdc85@yahoo.com

33. AlleghenyNational Forest Chapter

OHIO

Keith Klos · (814)484-7420 • klos@westpa.net

Trail Council Chair: Garry Dill • vetfarm@starband.net State Trail Coordinator : James Sprague • jimsprague@msn.com 23. NW Ohio Ralls-to-TrailsAssociation (Affiliate) Vacant

24. Buckeye Trail Association (Affiliate) Garry Dill · (937) 834-2891 • vetfarm@starband.net

25. Adams County Chapter Myrna Hixson · (937)544-4808 · myrna@bright.net

26. Ohio Valley Chapter Ryan Smith • (740)374-5666 • rsmith365@hotmail.com

27. Great Trail-SandyBeaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley · (330)227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org

NEW YORK Trail Council Chair and State Trail Coordinator : Howard Beye • fltc@frontiernet.net

34. Finger Lakes Trail Conference (Affiliate): Gene Bavis • 585-658-9320 • information@fingerlakestrail.org Additional Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by FLTC:

Adirondack Mm Club (ADK)-Finger Lakes Chapter, ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter, ADK-Onondaga Chapter, ADK-Niagara Frontier Chapter, Adventure Recreation Club at Ithaca College, Cayuga Trails Club, Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 748, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Hiking Club, Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18, and Town & Country Bushwhackers

35. Central New York Chapter: Kathy Eisele • (315)492-2273 • eiselek@dreamscape.com

· · · A~;;i::.j~~~·2006··· ;:h~··N~~t·h

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Trail Supporters We gratefully acknowledge the support of all our members and donors, and especially wish to recognize the following individuals, businesses, foundations and agencies, for their generous contributions over the past 12 months":

Businesses, Foundations, and Agencies

$10.000 or more

Lowell Area Community Fund National Park Service $2.500 to $9.999

Booth Newspapers â&#x20AC;˘ Frey Foundation $1.000 to $2.499

The Conservation Fund â&#x20AC;˘ Universal Forest Products $250 to $999 North Country Trail Relay Sedona Trading Company T & C Markets IM, Inc.

$150 to $249 Adirondack Mountain Club AntiGravity Gear, LLC Butler Outdoor Club Campmor, Inc. Lee's Sports and Sportswear

Michigan Mountain Bike Association Moraine Sailing Club FS 80 North Country Brewing The Outfitter

Trail Supporters

Individuals $500 or more James Baldwin Betty Benson Carl Boesel Bob & Judith Bredeweg Sonja & Andy Buertsch Dave & Jan Cornell Donald Cornue Kathryn Denhouter Roy Dray Bobbie Hineline Lou & Sandy Kasischke Bobby & Deborah Koepplin John & Pat Leinen Christopher & Margo Light William Lynch & Barbara Manger Margaret MacRae Atley Oswald Harmon Strong Werner & Marianne Veit

$250 to $499 Jerry & Connie Pausits Allen Len & JoAnne Baron LeRoy Bliven Kristen & Glen Bruxvoort John Diephouse Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge Daniel Gold Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek Sarah Julien Mary Lunt Guyer & Kimberly McCracken Linda O'Donnel Martin O'Toole Raymond & Elaine Papp Aaron & Sharon Phipps Joseph Raught John J.H. Schwarz Rolf Swanson Irene Szabo David Tattan

$100 to $249 David & Jean Adams Walt Alexander Pat Allen & Mark Miller John Allen & Edith Maynard Michael & Holly Angileri Daniel & Constance Arnold Brian & Elizabeth Bachynski Frances Barnes John Barrows Dan Baumhardt & E. Joyce Krause Brian Becker Mitzi Beckman Lewis & Mary Bender Dawn Bennett Howard Beye Lyle Bialk Bert Bleke David Blewett Richard & Sue Boettner

Ren & Carol Brander Doug & Kathy Brehm Joshua Buchman Robert Burpee Brian Burt James Byrne Joe & Sharon Callahan Benjamin Carlson Janet Carpenter Richard Causley Fred Chadwick Frances & Steve Cheyne Rose Clack William Clark Bill & Mary Coffin Pearl Compann Tim & Christine Conners Robert & Romayne Corbett Gene Cornelius William Currie Carl Daiker Mary & Bill Davis Robert Davis John & JoAnne Davis Dale DeGirolamo Claire Dedow Jeffrey Dennis Garrett Dill Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Dixon Steve & Betsy Duede Kathleen Eisele William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas Gerard Engler Paul Erisman Randal Eshuis Alan Fark James Filiault Joan Filla Herb Finke William Fletcher Richard Flinn Joanna Frank Eric Frick & Pam Salaway David Galbreath Tom Garnett Tom & Janis Gilbert George Girod Preston Givens James Glockner Donald Gore Richard Gray Paul & Julie Nietling Haan Scott & Gail Haebich William Hamilton Chuck Hayden Denise Herron Gail Hill & Jim Overzet J. Daniel Hitchens Chris & Alicia Hoffarth Carolyn Hoffman James & Mariah Hope

Tom & Mary Hord Keith & Katherine Horngren Lucy Hulme Noel Jackson Ken Jeffery Richard Jester John Judd Thomas Kaiser Hans Kappus Valda Karlsons Jerry Keeney Shawn Kelly Chris Klein Stephen Kobylarz Jeff & Janet Lalonde Kurt Landauer Paul Lane Al & Mary Kunzler Larmann Terrence Larrimer John Lawther Raoul & Jan LePage Robert Leedle Michael Lorente John & Marianne Ludwick Gary & Barbara Lyall George & Patricia Maas Tom Mack James & Elizabeth Mackey Ann Maddox Raymond & Kristen Majkrzak John Malcolm Stephen L. McKenney Laurie McMurray Hugh Melling & Denise Simon Bill & Donna Menke Larry Meyer Pat & Kathleen Miller Catherine Miller & Bernie Winter Bernie Miner Diane Morand John & Ruth Morton Denice Nelson Joan Newberry John Norlund Anthony & Kim Notario Timothy O'Rourke Eugene Ollila Chris Olson Bob & Laura Otwell Roberta Padur Bob & Annette Papp Derrick Passe Fred Peachman Richard & Kaye Pfeiffer Thomas Pflueger Thomas & Diane Piquet Chris Puehler Holly Puk Jett Craig & Sue Quimby William & Avis Rambo Charles Reep John Regenhardt Paul & Evelyn Reid

Douglas & Kathleen Rhine Neil Rinne Michael Rochowiak Robert & Grace Rudd Christine Rundblad & John Brander Michael & Erica SanDretto Edward Scanlan Mike Schaeffer & Debby Page Rolland & Scheels Merl & Pat Schlaack William & Linda Schmidt Peter & Emily Schmitz Mary & Carl Schroeder John Schroeder Fred & Susan Schultz Richard Schwaab Stephen Selden Perry Severance David & Elvera Shappirio Jeffrey & Frances Shepard Tim Shepardson Randy Shoemaker Dena Smith Kevin Smith Donald Snowdon & Lynn Moon James Sprague Mike Stafford Wayne & Nancy Steger Nancy Stewart John Strom & Nancy Strom Nancy Sussex David Swanson Betty Tableman Robert Tafel John & Mary Lou Tanton Mike Thompson Bruce Thompson David Tonnies Jerry & Beth Trout Roger Tuuk John Underhill Betty Van der Smissen Gail VanHaren Yerian VanRheenen Jim & Kathleen VanVliet John & Diane Vanderveen Steve Vear Michael & Diane Veen Raymond Vlasak William Wagner Gary Werner Peter Wester Neil Whitbeck Donald Wickstra Kevin, Robin, Kate & Morgan Wilson Dewey & Kay Wobma Gary Wright Michael Yff Gaylord Yost Beverly Zelt

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

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NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

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

Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340

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Please Place Postage Here

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 229 EAST MAIN STREET LOWELL Ml 49331-1711

Yes! I want to help build and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail!

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