The Magazine of the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION
October - December, 2009
Volume 28, No. 3
Social Networking & the Trail Take the Kids & Grandkids! Southern Ohio Hiking with Babies & Children A Trail Tribute to Bill Menke Nimblewill Nomad NCTA's Extended Outings
5 8 9 14 16 18 27
Partnerships—How NCTA Gets It Done P •
artnerships are critical to the success of our nonprofit organization. Most important is our funding partner the National Park BOBBY KOEPPLIN Service. Without President their assistance and funding we would not accomplish 1% of what we do. On behalf of the NCTA, THANK YOU to Tom, Fred, Ken, Dan, Dean, Karen and the rest of the National Park Service for all they do to help us build, sign, maintain and promote the trail through their funding assistance, expertise and resources—and dedication! Even with the availability of e-mail and phone calls the best means of communicating is still in face to face meetings. The NPS and NCTA staffs recently met in Wisconsin and participated in a one and a half day planning retreat. Also attending were Lorana Jinkerson, Board Member & Secretary, John Leinen, Partnership for National Trails Systems liaison to the NCTA, and me. Job responsibilities and draft work plans for the respective agencies were shared and reviewed. Staff from each organization shared what each could do to help the other partner be successful in attaining goals, and clarified assignments to avoid duplication of efforts. These efforts will serve to make both organizations more productive. This process was informative as all attendees better understood what was expected of each agency. Also clarified were legislative controls and regulations that might be encumbering, time consuming and at times frustrating, but still a necessary evil when public funds are used. I look forward to seeing the results of the intense meetings and discussion in the form of the final 2010 work plans for both the NPS and NCTA. NCTA’s numerous partners and partnerships are critical to our success. Members of our respective NCTA Chapters
TRAIL HEAD
and Affiliates can help NCTA grow partnerships in 2010 and beyond. Please consider: Partner by actively soliciting and increasing membership. • Partner and pledge not only to build but to maintain trail, a never-ending challenge considering what is handed to us by mother nature, and essential when we have hikers who do segment or thru-hiking on our trail. We need positive hiker experiences along the entire trail. • Partner to get permanent private easements where possible and strive to get more new trail built to NPS standards and certified (we have about 2300 miles remaining to complete the trail, most of which is private land). • Partner to market the North Country Trail to our members, potential new members and the general public and to get more users on less traveled segments. Consider joining my family in becoming a member of Founders Circle at the Trail Builder ($500.00 to $999.00) or Trail Blazer ($1,000.00or higher) level. Consider giving to the Annual Appeal mailed to you recently. Don’t forget to ask others to give or join as well. I encourage you to contact the Association if you have ideas that can help us be more successful in building and sustaining the North Country Trail, enhancing existing partnerships or building new partnerships. See you on the trail, for some of us… and sooner than we wish… perhaps on snow shoes! Thank you to the 150+ folks who registered and attended the 2009 conference in North Dakota. With your generosity the live auction raised over $6,000, an NCTA record. The SRV folks set the bar for obtaining sponsorships that guaranteed the financial success of the conference. A special thank you to the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter for hosting and to staff for their assistance in making the 2009 conference a huge success.
Come Visit Us!
The Lowell office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 Phone (866) HikeNCT • 616-897-5987 • Fax (616) 897-6605 The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, preserves and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of a premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hikers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.
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The North Star
October - December 9
Mush, Matt! Brigid Rowbotham
Staff Andrew Bashaw, Regional Trail Coordinator Ohio/Pennsylvania andrewbashaw@northcountrytrail.org
Jill DeCator, Administrative Assistant/Membership Coordinator jdecator@northcountrytrail.org
Matt Davis, Regional Trail Coordinator Minnesota/North Dakota davis@northcountrytrail.org Andrea Ketchmark, Director of Trail Development
aketchmark@northcountrytrail.org
Laura Lindstrom, Office Manager/Financial Administrator llindstrom@northcountrytrail.org
Bruce Matthews, Executive Director
bmatthews@northcountrytrail.org
Bill Menke, Regional Trail Coordinator Wisconsin/Michigan UP bill_menke@partner.nps.gov
Matt Rowbotham, GIS/IT/Communications
mattrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org
National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2010 Larry Hawkins, First VP, Lower Michigan Rep., (269)945-5398 · hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com
Terms Expiring 2011 Lyle Bialk, Lower Michigan Rep.,
(810) 679-2401 · lylebialk@sbcglobal.net
Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Rep., (315) 687-3589 · mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com
Dave Cornell, Immediate Past President, At Large Rep., (239) 561-6512 · onestep@mei.net Garry Dill, At Large Rep., (614) 451-0223 · then321elm@yahoo.com
John Heiam, At Large Rep.,
(231) 938-9655 · johnheiam@charter.net
Our mapping genius Matt Rowbotham sleds with his three dogs in Wilderness State Park outside Mackinaw City. He is getting in shape to enter competitive bikejoring and skijoring events.
Articles
Columns
Social Networking & the NCTA................................5 Take the Kids & Grandkids!........8 Southern Ohio..............................9 Grand Traverse Hiking Club Trailbuilding...............................13 Hiking with Babies & Children.................................14 A Trail Tribute to Bill Menke.....16 Nimblewill Nomad.....................18 PA Tour de NCT continues........20 Thank You! Conference Donors......................23 NCTA's Extended Outings.........27
Trailhead.......................................2 Matthews’ Meanders.....................4 Going for the Gold.....................26
Departments Hiking Shorts...............................6 Who's Who Along the Trail.......24
Alicia Hoffarth, North Dakota Rep., (701) 490-3889 · cahoffarth@hotmail.com
Lorana Jinkerson, Secretary, At Large Rep., (906) 226-6210 · ljinkers@nmu.edu
Terms Expiring 2012 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep.,
About the Cover Hikers on the NCT pass by nostalgic New Hope Bridge in southern Ohio. Photo by Joan Young.
(724) 526-5407 · joyceappel@windstream.net
Jack Cohen, Pennsylvania Rep.,
(724) 234-5398 · JCohen@zoominternet.net
Bobby Koepplin, President, North Dakota Rep., (701) 845-2935 · bkoepplin@kwh.com
Tom Moberg, Minnesota Rep.,
(701) 271-6769 · tfmoberg@gmail.com
Brian Pavek, Minnesota Rep.,
(763) 425-4195 · stn@northcountrail.org
Gaylord Yost, VP West, Great Lakes Rep., (414) 354-8987 · gaylyost@aol.com
www.northcountrytrail.org
North Star Staff
Irene Szabo, Editor (585) 658-4321 or treeweenie@aol.com Peggy Falk, Graphic Design The North Star, Fall issue, Vol. 28, Issue 3, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.
October - December 9
The North Star
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I
f you’re like me, you’ve followed Nimblewill Nomad’s journals with high interest as he completed his attempt to hike the entire North Country National Scenic Trail in one year. I’ve shared some in a previous column about what I’ve learned about our trail and our people, seeing them through his eyes. It’s been a wonderful affirmation of what I’ve always felt, that the most special thing about the North Country Trail is our people. But Nimblewill’s journals have also exposed stuff about our trail I’m less happy to see. Certified trail that’s apparently not being maintained, questionable routing decisions, difficult signage, outdated information….like anyone, I’m not immune to the criticism. The question is what are we going to do with it? My natural instincts are to get defensive; after all I’ve got a pretty fair idea of the collective heart—not to mention the oceans of sweat— in our volunteer effort to make the trail available to guys like Nimblewill. Nobody promised him a cakewalk, after all. But when I take it a little deeper, I’m equally grateful for the criticism as I am the kudos, maybe even more so, because it helps us see where we need to focus effort to create a better experience for the next set of long distance hikers following in his footsteps. We know better than anyone how much of a dream the North Country Trail still is, even after
MATTHEWS’
MEANDERS BRUCE MATTHEWS Executive Director
thirty years of hard work and more trail already built than the AT is long. We’ve still got some 2300 miles yet to build; we’ve got politics to do and funding to secure, and routes to locate and easements to obtain. Eb Eberhart’s odyssey points out, though, that we’ve also got built trail we need to do a better job maintaining. …in some cases a MUCH better job. This is one reason I love talking with Nimblewill Nomad. He challenges me, and in doing so helps me see ways I can make the North Country Trail a better experience for those following in his footsteps. I invite you to join me, maybe even getting outside the box a little, as we think about new and different ways we can build the trail and tell its story. Or, I should say, build AND maintain this great trail…
Nettie Does The NCT Wins Book Award! USA BOOK NEWS ANNOUNCES WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF THE NATIONAL "BEST BOOKS 2009" AWARDS USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL "BEST BOOKS" 2009 AWARDS (NBBA) on October 20, 2009. Jeff Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, said this year's contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries, which were then narrowed down to over 500 winners and finalists. Nettie Does the NCT: North Country Trail by Lorana A. Jinkerson, illustrated by Toby Mikle is an AwardWinning Finalist in the Children's Picture Book: Softcover Non-Fiction category of the National Best Books 2009 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. Keen says of the awards, now in their seventh year, "The 2009 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. With a full publicity and marketing campaign promoting the results of NBBA, this year's winners and finalists will gain additional media coverage for the upcoming holiday retail season." Cost is $22 per book, plus $2 shipping, and may be ordered by sending a check payable to Lorana Jinkerson, 1830 Altamont, Marquette, Michigan 49855.
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The North Star
October - December 9
Any profits will return to the North Country Trail. See the article about "Nettie" on page 5 of the JulySeptember 2009 issue of North Star, or visit https://sites. google.com/site/nettiedoesthenct/.
Social Networking and the NCTA Kevin Sadaj
T
away from population centers, he North Country making it difficult to hold Trail Association well-attended meetings where is all about the trail a majority of the members are —hiking it, camping present. Being able to let all along it, and enjoying members know “what’s up” its beauty at every turn. in a timely way can be done As members, we want six years now. ut abo for ntry Cou r Rive through a social networking others to enjoy those on I have been hiking the Pige ely gone to one area that usiv excl ost alm e hav I h, site like Facebook where same things we love muc so Because I love it by and I saw an amazing par t of it ine Jan d ken wee electronic brainstorming about it. So what do we last But . whole time ge State y star ting at the Pigeon River Brid hwa Pat Mill gle (instant messaging and do to spread the word? Shin the ng hiki n Valley Road. posting on a member’s We tell our friends Forest Campgroup at E. Sturgeo from the bridge to the PRC tion por a profile) can take place. about the fabulous hike d hike and ay urd Sat We arrived on car dinner with cold drinks – yes, k With a Facebook profile, an we had last weekend stea t grea a r Afte ion. stat ranger wood from e – we enjoyed a great fire with individual NCTA member or the weeklong trek camping can be pretty awesom k. (The bridge has been out wor ge brid the of e aus has the power to create a we made last fall, one bec e the cut trees don a huge detour to get free chapter page that allows person to another around for a while but is soon to be completed causing us y.) stor ther ano is that him or her to create event a campfire, over a cup but … e ther of the Shingle Mill tion sec e larg a invitations, start discussion of coffee, or at work. do to y read The next morning, we got king a day pack with tons of pac r Afte forums or post pictures of But in our age of social l. tota s mile 12 ut Pathway – abo e, all the other stuff we like to hav and s pas their last work weekend. networking, we have so com aid, first h, lunc water, , it was nice to Suddenly, a community of much more available to us we got on the trail. After some serious hiking this summer . pleasure running shoes, making it a real members spread throughout to get the word out and have on shorts, light shir t and sed pas We . nice and t the four corners of the state share our great experiences san ple, but all plea Along the way, we met few peo nly mai of s tion por r othe , is brought closer together. through technology. pine and red through large por tions of white black; a ed look it n gree so For those looking for If I can tell a n gree as, hardwood; there were high vist s and tons of yellow pine of ng nkli information about a section co-worker on our coffee spri a wed sho long ago clear cut that the way. The real treat was Sec on is fall of trail, for example, links break about the fabulous that us d inde rem sweetfern that the inded us of pictures we saw of rem it blue to a chapter’s Web site weekend I had doing a so er wat with e, Lak tion 4 e off again hiking or northcountrytrail.org section near Tahquamenon Caribbean. After a short skinny dip to cool off, we wer k bac p Bowl and then a sharp turn and can provide more detailed Falls, why not set up a nor th to Grass Lake, Devils Sou sing cros e, nic overlook of Grass Lak sce a k bac way the g Alon . information than might be “Notes” page on Facebook southwards the en Tunnel.” Since a por tion of typically found in a blog or (facebook.com) where I can several two-tracks and more of the “Gre ght us e was a detour we took that brou on Facebook. Additionally, post a story or trail journal end of the Pathway is wet, ther the by just ge on E. Sturgeon Valley Road out on the other side of the brid yed connecting with other and include pictures? enjo and py to camp. We were tired but hap hiker groups to exchange Positive feedback encourages Yoga camp and then back woods. another great evening out in the best practices can be discussion and plants the another valuable function. seed for others to give it a Tell your friends, try, sometimes even people get the word out and who wouldn’t normally generate excitement. We all know how to build and maintain hike. relationships, and social networking Web sites are just another If you think that sites like Facebook are just for kids, way to keep those relationships up. The possibilities are nearly look at the numbers. As of February 2009, the fastest as varied as the trail itself. growing demographic was women over 55, with men closely Stay connected to the North Country Trail at behind. Between January 2009 and July 2009, according to northcountrytrail.org; on Twitter, twitter.com/nctrail and on an iStrategyLabs review of Facebook’s ad data, users between Facebook, facebook.com/northcountrytrail. the ages of 25-34 grew by 60 percent from 11.2 million users to 18.1. Twitter, another free Web site, enables users to send and Kevin Sadaj is a marketing and public relations professional read messages of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s for a major Michigan-based insurance company and the profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers known as owner of a public relations firm, Open Trail Communications “followers.” While many hikers consciously choose to go low(opentrailcomm.com). He is a member of the Hiawatha Shore-totech on the trail, the ability to provide trail conditions, especially Shore Chapter. He can be reached at kevin@opentrailcomm.com; with the advent of Web-enabled phones, is another possibility. facebook.com/ksadaj; twitter.com/opentrailcomm; and linkedin. For a group like the NCTA, many of our chapters are com/in/kevinsadaj. www.northcountrytrail.org
October - December 9
The North Star
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HIKING SHORTS Al Larmann
Another Milestone For The CNY Chapter NEW YORK - There are two ways
The North Star
Ed Chappel
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Mick Hawkins
to describe autumn in central New York, cold, drab and dreary or spectacularly beautiful. On September 20 we were fortunate enough to see the latter as our chapter joined the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mtn. Club for a celebratory hike to dedicate the joining of two trail sections—the Finger Lakes Trail/Onondaga Branch and the Link Trail/North Country Trail. The junction of these two trails makes it possible for the first time to hike the North Country National Scenic Trail from the Pennsylvania state line in the west to the outskirts of Rome, NY, in the east, approximately 450 miles! Two dozen of us, many with memberships to both organizations, trekked in the few miles to Holmes Road at the north end of the Tioughnioga State Wildlife Management Area where a short ribbon cutting ceremony was held to dedicate the official trail junction. As the temperature climbed into the seventies and the sun highlighted the brightening colors of the leaves around us I reflected on the past eight years of my involvement with the CNY Chapter. When I joined there were only a few miles of the Link Trail section of the NCT on the ground and the junction with the venerable Finger Lakes Trail
Marsh may not look wet in these pictures, but it’s knee deep in water for several months of every year, and almost always at least muddy for a halfmile. Over 500 feet of board walk were built this year, with two more years’ worth in the planning stages. Ed Chappel led the project for SPW, as usual, and points
Ed Chappel
Jon Bowen, Chair of the ADK-Onondaga and Kathy Woodruff, President of Central NY, cut the ribbon at the ceremonial juncture of their respective trail-building efforts.
Spirit Of The Woods Makes A Long Wet Mess Into A Nice Walk LOWER MICHIGAN - Sterling
a distant goal. I am so proud of all our volunteers and never cease to be amazed when looking at all they’ve accomplished here in Madison County. They haven’t just cut trail; they’ve fostered relationships with both new and experienced hikers, gotten to know local landowners, lovingly beautified and personalized their sections of trail and created an impressive and welcoming identity for a very young section of the NCT. Our hike continued after the ribbon cutting for a few more relaxing hours; midway we stopped near some downed trees for lunch. Not content to savor our latest accomplishment, talk turned to the next trail goal for the NCT in New York State, the path through the Adirondack Park to Crown Point on Lake Champlain. It’s clear our dedicated members and volunteers can make that happen. Onward! —Kathryn G Woodruff, Chapter President
Chief Noonday Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN -
A Partnership That Works was the name of the celebration that took place on September 26, 2009, on the NCT. Dr. Katherine Gross PhD, Director of Kellogg Biological Station, and Jeffrey Bither, Ross Township Supervisor, share the honor of opening up the last off road section of the NCT in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Dave and Jan Cornell hold the ribbon while Bruce Matthews, Executive Director of the NCTA, looks on. Also on hand were Larry Hawkins, President of the Chief Noonday Chapter and other Chapter Members. (Photo above) Ron Sootsman and Jim Martin conducted a trail building session for the Boy scouts of Troop 294 immediately following a trail breakfast. —Larry Hawkins
October - December 9
out that we can’t see the whole boardwalk at once because it twists and turns among the trees. They had funding from the US Forest Service, and help from a local Rotary Club, plus the usual chapter crew members, whom Ed appreciates immensely. He praised Rich Ferguson for coming all the way from Saginaw and John Cooley, who missed only one weekend of the project, even though he is 80, because he went to a bluegrass festival.
Chequamegon Chapter WISCONSIN - We held our last
scheduled trail maintenance of the season on October 24th. We had an astounding nine volunteers. Considering the snow, this was awesome. We basically reclaimed a section of NCT that had became an ATV trail with this trail maintenance in the City of Mellen. This accomplishment is due to the efforts of Bill Menke, the City of Mellen, Tana Turonie and Mike Trieschmann. ATV riders have been routed onto an alternative trail by City efforts. It has been a amazing year! Thank you all for your dedication. Memories for a lifetime! —Marty Swank
Western Michigan Chapter Clears New Trail Section LOWER MICHIGAN - We made
great progress on a spectacular new section of trail in Lowell, at the north end of Fallasburg Park. This trail winds past huge cottonwoods, oaks and hickories as it overlooks the Flat River. It passes large fields of cobbles and big boulders left behind during the ice age. This is an exceptionally scenic area! (Photo at left)
Brand New Ni-Miikanaake Chapter Begins With A Chance Meeting UPPER MICHIGAN - Dick Swanson
Western Michigan Chapter opened a new section of trail in Lowell.
September’s Volunteer Adventure Bill Menke
Chequamegon "before" photo.
"Adventurer" Carolyn doing serious benching near the Little Garlic River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Little Garlic River Trail Construction UPPER MICHIGAN - Marquette:
Chequamegon "after" photo, crew pictured left to right: Rick Pomerleau, Bob Erickson, John Beguhn, Lisa McGinley, Laura Nitsche, Mary Stenberg, Bob Norlin, Mike Trieschmann.
www.northcountrytrail.org
This project was intended to construct as much of a new five mile segment of trail as possible. The project attracted 24 “adventurers” who contributed a total of 813 hours! When the entire stretch is finished it will get hikers off a long dusty temporary road walk. By the end of the week, the entire project area had been cleared and it will be blazed in the near future, at least allowing hikers to follow an off-road route through the woods. More importantly perhaps, within this stretch, about ¾ mile of high quality trail (tread work) was completed. Progress was slowed by the extreme steepness and rockiness of the area. —Bill Menke
had a conversation with NCTA’s Bill Menke three years ago when the latter was staying at Dick’s Regal Country Inn in the far western end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about the lack of a group to maintain existing trail and the gap that remained at the Michigan-Wisconsin border. Because Dick has an abiding interest in tourism, he saw that a completed trail would be a local boon, so began to work with area NCTA members to create a new chapter and with local land management agencies to fix up existing trail in both Ottawa National Forest and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Volunteers have already cleared and reblazed much of the existing trail in the eastern end of their area, while alternative routes for the missing segment are being pondered with the National Park Service. With input from local native Americans, the chapter name was developed. Ni-Miikanaake means “I Make a Trail” in Ojibwa, and their logo will reflect that heritage, too. This new chapter is already working with the Chequamegon Chapter on the 2010 annual conference to be held in Ashland, Wisconsin.
October - December 9
The North Star
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Take th eK ids and Mary Coffin
O
ne neat thing about the NCT is that most of it is easily hiked at any age. And it is right out your backdoor. So take a kid along and infect him or her with a love of the outdoors. Children naturally love to explore the outdoors through play and their senses. Hiking is a great way to tap into this curiosity, instill environmental values and awareness, and spend quality time together. Adults need to consider the age of the child, fun factor, objectives, footgear, pack and clothing. Three-year-olds can walk a mile on flat terrain. I have hiked with four-year-olds as much as three miles on rolling hills and taken five-yearolds up small peaks such as Black Bear Mountain and Rondaxe in the Adirondacks. Wearing proper boots, given lots of encouragement sprinkled with many “rest-play” stops and energizing gorp, most kids will enjoy hiking on foot trails and summiting smaller peaks. Since they are not as goal oriented as adults they are more motivated by interesting fun activities along the way than by reaching a summit or a beautiful view. But they can enjoy experiencing colors, shapes, textures, smells and great vistas. Kids love to investigate stones, twigs,
Joan Young
Ramona Venegas of the US Forest Service trying to herd kids on a National Trails Day hike in the Manistee National Forest. This picture clearly demonstrates the need to attract the wildly twirling focuses of children, even though Ramona is an award-winning outreach champion.
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October - December 9
! s d i k Grand
flowers, bugs and crannies behind boulders and spend their “breaks” doing such exploring rather than resting. Playing in puddles is great fun too. I carry a plastic hand lens, Ziploc bags, and pocket guides to foster this interest in nature. When kids say they are tired they are tired of just hiking. They need variety. Usually the “break” is playtime for them and a teachable moment for the adult. Children need to understand why they cannot pick many flowers or take pocket souvenirs out of the environment. An inexpensive camera can solve this and reinforce the idea of leaving only footprints, taking only pictures. One can subtly infuse Leave No Trace ethics during bush breaks, lunch or setting up camp. By the age of eight or nine most children can carry lunch, water and light jacket or poncho in a small pack. Parents or grandparents may need to carry the extra water and warm clothing. Proper fitting footwear makes for fewer complaints. Sturdy sneakers may be suitable on level paths, but broken in boots are recommended for steeper pitches and on rough terrain where traction is important. It is especially important for youngsters to dress in many layers since they overheat and cool down more quickly than adults. As with adults avoid cotton (jeans, sweats) in favor of synthetics. Due to a higher rate of metabolism young hikers even into the teens need frequent breaks, snacks and water. It is better to eat small amounts often rather than to stop once for a big lunch. The breaks also keep young people interested. They tend to investigate the “rest” area a bit. Just hiking for hours is too much of the same thing, not enough variety for short attention spans. Many times one of my young companions has asked for a rest stop, never to sit down at all! They’ll climb on boulders or explore a crack in a rock, a bug or flower or tadpole in a puddle, tracks in mud or snow, or find a feather, deer antler or fossil. I encourage those of you who have a passion for hiking to invite a youngster to accompany you. Take the opportunity to develop environmental awareness, teach trail etiquette and cultivate enjoyment in the outdoors with another generation. I need to thank my nephew, Eric, for teaching me about hiking with kids during the many summers he spent with me.
O H n r I O e h t s l l u i H o N o e r A e r e h T STechnically Story and Photos by Joan Young
“Y
ou know that we have only valleys, no hills, right?” said Pat Abbott, who was driving me through several of those valleys and giving me a fast history tour. For a moment I was non-plussed. I had been riding—and sometimes pushing — my bike over those steep things between the valleys for several days. Then I remembered! The current rolling geology of southern Ohio was created by the erosion of the huge Allegheny Plateau; thus – no hills, only valleys. So Pat was impressed that I dredged up this nugget of knowledge from the depths of my brain, and I was impressed with his tales of retired Revolutionary War generals, stagecoach roads and Shawnee war parties. And, he spotted me for one day of hiking, letting me out of one day of riding those non-hills to get back to my car. For this most recent hike I was determined to finish the NCT miles in the state of Ohio, 116 miles, mostly on road, and alone. For much of Ohio it is difficult to find places to camp at reasonable distances for most hikers. Therefore the plan was for base camping, and spotting myself each day with my bicycle. Thanks to the kindness of several people, I actually had to use my bike only six of my hiking days; on five days people spotted me or gave me rides back to my car. The Buckeye Trail is divided into sections of about 50-60 miles each. One of their maps is devoted to each section. This trip, I hiked most of the Shawnee, all the West Union, and a bit of the Williamsburg sections. I’ve uploaded lots of information about navigating these miles in the new (Spring 2009) Wiki NCT Trail Guide, northcountrytrail.org/guide. But rather than www.northcountrytrail.org
give a blow-by-blow account of the trail here, I’d rather tell you about some of the interesting features of the area, and the people I met. The miles I was hiking were the southernmost of Ohio, and of the entire NCT. In one of those odd twists of geology the trail touches the Ohio River farther north and east, at Marietta. At the trail’s lowest latitude, N 38.7125 degrees, where Abner Hollow Road meets Wagoner-Riffle Road, it is 2.65 miles as the crow flies to the river, but a lot farther by road. At the next most southern latitude, Bat Roost Road at Buckeye Station Road, latitude 38.7162, the river is 1.25 miles away... again, if you could fly. And you won’t even get a glimpse of the Ohio from the trail here. At Abner Hollow, you are low, near Ohio Brush Creek. There are some spectacular vistas from up on Bat Roost, with views of Kentucky hills, but the river is so deep in the valley that you can catch only an occasional glimpse of silvery water. One afternoon, I did drive to the river and discovered a tiny, decaying, but once beautiful, river town named Rome, Ohio. Of course, I’m dreaming up another adventure—a canoe excursion from Rome, New York, to Rome, Ohio, via the Erie Canal, Lake Erie, French Creek (Venango River), the Allegheny River and the Ohio River. The off-road miles for me were all in the Shawnee Section. In 2007, I hiked from points 1-3 on that map, and it is one of the unknown gems of Ohio. The trail passes through Davis Memorial, an 88-acre nature preserve. You can see native bamboo, and at least two very rare plants, Gentain quinquefolia and Sullivantia. There is also a geological oddity where Peebles October - December 9
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Previous page: View into the hills of Kentucky from Bat Roost Road. Above: Sullivantia sullivantia grows only on moist, calcareous cliff faces, only in the eastern US, in a few isolated spots in Indiana, Virginia, and Ohio. Here it appears on the NCT at Davis Memorial. Brown Bridge is over White Oak Creek, just SE of Williamsburg, Ohio. It is "beside" the New Hope - White Oak Station Road. The North Country Trail crosses this bridge even though the road no longer does.
and Greenstone dolomites meet at a fault that was thrown from its normal horizontal repose to a vertical demarcation that is easily seen by even non-geologists. Interpretive signs help! About 24 miles later, the other off-road section is found in Shawnee State Forest. The trail was very hilly; say “VERY” very, very slowly! Planning long mileage days here would be foolish for most of us. A few years ago there was a terrible ice storm that dropped trees everywhere on the trail in the Shawnee. I am happy to say that the trails are clear, and I don’t want to make light of the amount of work it must have taken to accomplish that. Several of the hillsides had expertly benched and graded trail, designed and built by the Buckeye Trail Crew. This welcome section provides some of the best and easiest climbs or descents of 200 vertical feet on the NCT. But over six miles of the trail through the Shawnee SF are a rough bulldozed pathway over steep hills that was difficult to walk. The Shawnee doesn’t want the BT/NCT blazed in blue because they think it will confuse people who are looking for their blue-blazed day hiking trail. No one would ever confuse our blazes with theirs! They use messy round splotches of color, I suspect from a spray can. You may see 3 to 5 of them all at the same time, and then, when you could really use a blaze, find none at all. The Shawnee is also so heavily wooded that there were no views until the southern end where the trail follows an old forest road that is also a bridle path. Here, one could finally see farther than 20 feet away. The BT/NCT follows the west side of the Shawnee SF backpacking loop, which is a total of 40 miles (14.2 of them BT/
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NCT). The Buckeye Trail map tells us when to follow orange paint blobs or white blobs, not blue. The Forest offers many recreation options, and I think it would be an interesting place to spend some time hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and generally poking around. It’s always unwise to go on any hike with some set of expectations, but I always seem to do so. This time, since I planned to base camp at only a couple of locations, I had visions of quiet evenings alone reading books, processing my thoughts from the many trail miles of the summer, crocheting, even staring blankly into the embers of a campfire—but it was not to be. On the contrary, I met some of the nicest people I’ve encountered in Ohio. First of all, Steve and Sharon Boller of Milford, assisted ably by Nicky the dog, welcomed me into their home before and after the hike, and for a day off out of the rain. Steve’s name is likely to become known to more NCT folks if his dream for Milford comes to fruition. A few years ago he noticed that eight non-motorized trails come together at one single junction point in their small city, making it unique in the entire nation. His goal is to build a park, campground and other facilities to celebrate that position. Trail Junction Park may include a hotel, a museum, office and meeting rooms, gardens, and more. Stay tuned, as he continues to navigate the maze of local politics, environmental regulations and financial obstacles! Even now Milford is the site of the annual Trail Junction Festival, four years old this past September. I camped for several nights on the property of Mike Vogel,
These quilt patterns are painted on barns scattered throughout southern Ohio, a growing trend deserving applause.
Above: Road walking in southernmost Ohio has its frequent rewards. After all, Peter Jenkins who wrote Walk Across America left the Appalachian Trail early in his cross-country walk because he realized he wasn't seeing the America where people actually live. Right: Ben Thompson of Happy Trails Riding Stables, cooking breakfast.
a Buckeye Trail Association member who keeps a corner of his woodlot cleared for hikers to camp. Anyone who tries to hike continuously around Ohio knows that more people like Mike are sorely needed! He is a farmer, but like so many others with small holdings, works as a teacher so that he can afford to keep his cows. He showed me a notebook with pictures of hikers who have camped there, complete with letters from many. Notably, Andy Skurka, the Cottrells (who did a thru-hike of the BT), JoJo and Nomad Smiley (they did about 2/3 of the NCT), and hikers of the American Discovery Trail have all appreciated his hospitality. Finally, I have to share my experiences at Ben’s Happy Trails Riding Stable, and yes, give him a free plug. Happy Trails is located on Big Bear – Little Spruce Road, just northwest of Shawnee State Forest. I knew from reading the Buckeye Trail map that hikers were allowed to tent camp there, but that certainly did not prepare me for the extent of his kindness. I first met Ben Thompson the day I hiked over the hill from Wamsley to where my bike was waiting a half-mile past Happy Trails. That hill, Bracken Ridge, was brutal, I didn’t think I could ride up it, and didn’t think it would be safe to ride the straight gravel drop down. I had thought that there was an alternate, lower route to ride back to my car. When I discovered that this hadn’t www.northcountrytrail.org
been a public road for over ten years (it just hadn’t been removed from any maps!), I knew that I needed an alternate plan. I hiked into Happy Trails, introduced myself to Ben (and the dogs, horses, mules and chickens), and asked if I could give him enough gas money to take me back to Wamsley. He grinned, declined any compensation, and said he’d be glad to. He tossed my bike in his truck and we drove over the ridge. He chuckled at my “wimpy-ness,” and admitted that locals weren’t much willing even to drive over that hill in winter! I did go back and tent there several nights. Ben delights in fixing big camp breakfasts each morning for his campers. Biscuits and gravy with ham, bacon and plenty of fresh coffee can sure keep a hiker going all day! The rustic lodge building (this is a working ranch, not a resort) is open 24/7 for any of his clients to use. There are tables, a full kitchen, a couch and TV for relaxation, and rest rooms with showers and laundry facilities. One night he and wife Karen invited me up to their home for a dinner of fried green tomatoes, green beans with side pork, fried potatoes and pork chops. His memory of Andy Skurka? “That boy can eat!” For those who wish to sleep in better accommodations than October - December 9
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Above: Burned trunks on left and open spots show damage to Shawnee State Forest from both fire and an ice storm, but ironically give us views for at least a few more years. Yes, that's the trail on the far hill.
a tent, Happy Trails offers many options. The least expensive would be to come with your own RV. Also, there are “bunk” rooms (beds, not bunks) in the lodge that sleep two or three, and one can use the lodge rest rooms. Ben has recently built three very nice guest cottages which would sleep three or four, and have their own kitchen and bath. Of course, this is also a riding stable, and trail rides at various rates are available. Why spend so much time promoting one business? As with any real estate issue, it’s location, location, location. Happy Trails is located on one of those strategic corners of the BT/NCT route. One can stay there and day hike over 60 miles of trail (including the Davis Memorial and Shawnee SF) without traveling over 30 miles away from the base. For softie hikes (using a cottage), or just more soft than a sleeping bag (using a bunk room), Ben’s Happy Trails would be a great option. For once, an Ohio hike of mine seemed charmed. People were friendly and generous. I had no vehicle problems other than my bike chain coming off once, hardly a big issue. The weather was ideal. The last hour of the last day, hiking my last three miles of Ohio, I was rained on just enough to get damp. A bad ending? Not at all... I arrived at the car just in time to grab my coffee mug, fill it at the Russellville convenience store, and return to the car. Then, and only then, did the sky open up and dump water on the entire midwest for the next 48 hours!
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Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota are behind me. Only a few miles of New York NCT remain to pass under my feet, and about 250 miles in Michigan. Current total? 4082 miles. Come finish the trail with me near Petoskey on your way to Ashland next summer!
Finish the NCT with Joan in 2010!
On your way to the Wisconsin conference, why not join Joan near Petoskey, Michigan, to celebrate the completion of her end-to-end hike? Hike her last mile with Joan along beautiful trail on the highest hill in Emmet County. Enjoy a free picnic, compliments of Joan. If you need a place to camp on the way to Wisconsin, spend the night free on the Doug Boor property near this same part of the trail. The big event will be Tuesday, August 3, 2010. Call Joan Young for more details 231-757-2205 jhy@t-one.net
Current Trail Building Efforts of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club
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John Heiam
A Suggested Week-long Backpack in Northern Michigan Next Spring
www.northcountrytrail.org
Manistee River View
John Heiam
When this section is completed next spring, a backpacker can begin hiking at Red Bridge, walk for 56 miles, and seldom be out of sight of water. Here is how it could be done: Start at Red Bridge and follow the Manistee River Trail for nine miles, staying on the east side of the river. This trail has dozens of beautiful overlooks, and seldom loses sight of the river. Just before Hodenpyl Dam, the trail crosses the river on an elegant suspension bridge designed and built specifically for hikers by Consumers Energy. Once across the river, you follow the Woodpecker Creek spur (white blazes) to the North Country Trail. At this point, the trail pops out to the road to get around a few houses, and then it heads into the woods along the shore of Hodenpyl Pond. The trail follows the shore of the pond for eight miles (in Michigan any lake created by a dam is a “pond”), then crosses M-115 and follows the shore of the Manistee River. After four miles, the trail hits M-37 and the hiker has to walk 1.2 miles north along M-37, crossing the Manistee River to reach Number 12 Road. Turn right onto Number 12 Road, and follow it for 1.1 miles as it turns from paved to a two-track through the forest. When the road turns north the NCT plunges into the forest and follows the Manistee River for 20 miles. At Baxter Bridge the hiker has a two mile road walk around some private land, and then the trail heads into the forest again, and follows the Manistee River for another ten miles. When the NCT turns north, I suggest you follow the white blazes to the Old US 131 Campground where you can end your trip. You are going to need two cars for this hike, since there is no one running a shuttle at the present time. If you want to arrive the night before you begin your hike, we suggest you camp at either the Fletcher Creek Campground (primitive) or the Northern Exposure Campground (running water and showers) on the shore of Hodenpyl Pond http://www.northernexposureinc. com/index2.html. These are both private campgrounds on land leased from Consumers Energy. If you have more questions contact me at johnheiam@charter.net.
John Heiam
he Grand Traverse Hiking Club is working on the last section of a reroute along the north side of the Manistee River, just east of route M-37 north of Mesick. Last year we built new trail along the north shore of Hodenpyl Pond and also between M-115 and M-37. These projects eliminated many miles of road walking and put the NCT within a few feet of the water for over 12 miles. The latest reroute effort moves the trail from an unremarkable section of forest to the banks of the Manistee River. This section of trail is through some of the most difficult terrain we have ever faced. The land is laced with steep hills, ravines and many small streams. In one 1.5 mile section we have had to build five bridges! To make matters worse, the soil is heavy clay. Trying to move heavy timbers up and down steep hills of slippery clay in the rain has tested the agility of our crew. What keeps everyone going is knowing how beautiful the trail will be when we are done.
Heather Peyton smiles despite the rain.
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Hiking with Babies and Children Dr. Travis Neely, M.D., F.A.A.P., M.P.H. Pediatrics Little Cities of the Forest Chapter
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f you like hiking as much as I do, you’ll use any excuse in the world to lace up a pair of boots, get out into the woods, and put in a few miles. But what if you’ve got a baby or child? Does this mean you can’t get out there and hike? Absolutely not! Now I will make a disclaimer here and say that I don’t have children. But I do have many friends and family members who hike with children. I also have pictures that were taken longer ago than I can remember of my dad getting ready to head out for hikes with me in a pack on his back. I must have been no more than a few months old when some of those pictures were taken. The point is that it’s entirely possible for parents to hike with a baby, a child, or for that matter more than one child. The purpose of this article is to encourage you to do so by providing some guidance on what to expect and how to protect your child from the elements. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests there are significant physical, intellectual, and emotional benefits to children from spending time outdoors. At the same time, parents should limit children’s time in front of the television or playing video games. The sooner you get your child out there, the better chance he or she will want to spend more time outside later in life. So read up, get some sunscreen on everyone, and go burn some calories with your little one!
General Considerations The first is that you can take a child of almost any age past two months on a hike with you. However, you will probably have to reconsider your goals when hiking with children. Do not expect to hike 10 miles with a toddler, unless you are prepared either to carry him or listen to him complain for a good portion of the hike. Start easy, and if your child is interested in longer hikes, work up to them. It is conceivable to hike for longer distances with infants in backpacks as long as you are prepared to stop and feed occasionally. For most children, especially younger ones, it’s more important to have fun exploring the plants and animals or playing in a creek than to get to a certain destination or hike a certain number of miles. So be flexible, and allow some time for your child to explore the surroundings on a hike. You can even be prepared with some games to play. You’ll be amazed what children remember from these walks later in life; better it be having fun throwing rocks into the creek or looking at wildflowers than walking hungry all day with blisters on their feet! Most important, be patient. Your behavior at this point will impact their desire to hike for years to come.
Getting Around If you plan to hike with an infant or toddler, you’ll definitely want something to carry them around in. There are a number of backpacks available on the market. You’ll want enough room in it for extra diapers, food, water for a younger child (infants should stick with breast milk or
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formula), and some other supplies discussed below. Another option is to use a wrap or wrap sling; just be sure to consider how to carry everything else. A fanny pack would probably work well for this. There are a variety of packs that can be worn with your baby in the front, which could allow you to carry a day pack on your back. Another idea is to get a family member or friend to carry the pack with necessary supplies in it. You can experiment on a short walk near home to see how everything works out. I should also note that there are many paved trails on which a stroller would be entirely appropriate. For older children who can walk, hikes should be tailored to their interests and energy level. So let them set the pace, take breaks as often as they need, and let them dawdle if they want. Make sure you have plenty of food and liquid for them. You should also consider what you will do if they get tired and don’t want to walk any longer. It is possible to carry them in a backpack, but older children get rather heavy. If you aren’t prepared and willing to carry your child back to the car, make that hike a short one!
What to Pack Take appropriate clothing for the weather, including a hat and gloves if it could become cold. It’s a good idea to pack raincoats for you and your child. Boots are not an absolute necessity and can be an unnecessary expense; a good pair of tennis shoes or sandals should work just fine. I remember wearing tennis shoes for longer hikes when I was younger. Don’t let your child wear a brand new pair of shoes on a long hike. This is a setup for blisters and a fussy child. Some other things to take along are sunscreen, insect repellant if you use it, and a few medical supplies. A huge first aid kit is not necessary. You should be able to manage if you take any medications that your child takes regularly, some bandages, some acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and possibly an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine. Younger children may need naps on the hike, in which case a blanket is a good idea. If your child is old enough and apt to wander off a bit, a whistle is a good idea.
Protection from the Elements I want to start this section by dispelling a common myth, which is that children get infections like colds, pneumonias, and influenza from playing outside. I’m not sure where this idea came from, but it is something that I hear frequently from parents and it is absolutely not true. Most of these infections do tend to occur in the late fall, winter, and early spring, but this doesn’t mean that cold weather causes them. Children actually get these illnesses by being exposed to other children or adults who have them and are coughing, sneezing, or not washing their hands. This means that they may in fact be more likely to get a cold from staying inside with other folks who are sick than from
Other Considerations
being outside in the cold. Make sure, however, that if it is cold they are wearing enough to keep them warm. Taking a hat and gloves is a good idea, even if you think your child won’t want them. You can cool off pretty quickly during breaks, and a hat and gloves are easy to put on or take off and stow in your pack. The majority of heat loss occurs from our heads, so I consider a hat in the cold weather to be a necessity. Protection from the sun is very important for you and your child, especially for those of you with a light complexion. Comfortable long-sleeved clothing and a hat with a brim work great. As often as possible I try to wear long pants when I go hiking myself, plus I prefer a golfing visor for sunny days, a baseball cap for rainy). As for sunscreen, use one with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Apply it to all exposed areas of the bodies. A sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide works well for sensitive areas, such as the nose, ears, and shoulders. Many are available in colors that are fun for children. It’s best to apply the sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outside so that it has time to absorb, and to reapply it every two hours for maximum protection. I should note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping babies under 6 months of age out of direct sunlight as much as possible, which can be accomplished using clothing, an umbrella, a stroller canopy, or even shade from trees. Use sunscreen on unprotected areas of their bodies, if shade is not available.
Sopp, David and Kelly Sopp. Safe Baby Handling Tips. Philadelphia, PA Running Press 2005
www.northcountrytrail.org
One other thing to consider is exposure to plants and animals. The most important plant to avoid is poison ivy. If you don’t know what it looks like, learn before heading out, or avoid vines with leaves in groups of three. I remember when I was younger learning the saying “Leaves of three, let them be!” If you or your child gets into poison ivy, the best thing to do is wash off the skin that was exposed as soon as possible. If a mild rash develops, some 1% hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine, loratadine, or cetirizine should take care of it. All of these are available over the counter. For moderate to severe rashes, see your child’s doctor. As for insects, in most cases they are harmless and using a repellant is not absolutely necessary. In fact, doing so can potentially repel other interesting insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. Now, if you live in an area of the country where there are ticks that spread either Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, I do recommend using repellant to prevent tick bites. Some of us don’t live in such an area, but if you’re unsure whether you do, you can find out by searching on the internet (see below) or checking with your child’s doctor. Mosquito bites can be irritating, but the only potentially serious infection spread by mosquitoes in the United States is West Nile virus and it is extremely uncommon for a healthy child to get a serious infection from it. I don’t live in an area where there is Lyme disease, so I usually don’t use a repellant unless the mosquitoes are very bad. If you are going to use one, those with DEET (N,Ndiethyl-m-toluamide) are the most effective repellants available for mosquitoes as well as for ticks. DEET is one of only two products recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for protection against mosquitoes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that DEET not be used on children under 2 months of age. Repellants with DEET are available in various concentrations. The higher the concentration, the longer it will be effective; a concentration of 10% has been shown to be effective for up to 2 hours. A concentration up to 30% is safe for children; do not use anything more concentrated than this, and avoid applying it around your child’s eyes, mouth, or on skin with cuts or wounds. Continued on page21 October - December 9
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This is the largest work party ever assembled in Chequamegon Chapter history, and includes people from all three Wisconsin chapters. Left to Right: Mike Trieschmann, Mike Stafford, Laura Nitsche (and Chase the Dog), Laura DeGolier, Dan Wilshire, Valerie Kozlovsky, Phil Anderson, (Oly the Dog), Carol Gorton, Bill Brinkman, Joe Kravetz (almost hidden), Mary Beth Brinkman, Keith Weigel, Susan Gille, Mary Stenberg, Rick Pomerleau and Bill Menke, Regional Trail Director. Marty Swank Chequamegon Chapter President
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n Saturday, August 22nd, a group of volunteers, mainly newcomers to creating new trail from scratch, assembled for this very purpose. The outcome of this effort would be beyond most of these volunteers’ expectations, including my own. To start at the beginning, the Chequamegon Chapter’s sections of the North Country Trail that go through the Chequamegon National Forest were built before North Country National Scenic Trail standards where established. As a result we have some sections that are steeper than the standard 10% grade (20% allowed for 100 feet or less distance). One of our major violators of this rule was a section of NCT above, and going down to the beautiful Brunsweiler River. Part of this trail had started to develop gullies and was way too steep and rocky for the brush mower. An excerpt from a journal from one of the volunteers who contributed to the success on August 22nd illustrates the problem: “The old trail went straight up a hill at a very steep grade (more climbing trail than a hiking one) and was causing erosion problems. The re-route would more gently curve up the hill.” —Susan Gille - NCTA member/volunteer/back packer.
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During a Chapter Trail Management meeting hosted by NCTA Regional Trail staff member Bill Menke last February, the Brunsweiler re-route was mentioned as one of many trail priorities. In the fall of 2008, Bill Menke had marked (with ribbon) this section of trail for a possible re-route along with a section of NCT along “Hanson Field” (a long section of hummocks in an open field). The USFS Great Divide Section of the Chequamegon National Forest was asked to check out and approve these two trail re-routes by the summer of 2009. The less challenging Hanson Field trail re-route was completed on July 25th, 2009, while the more challenging Brunsweiler re-route required building new benched trail for about 1/4 of a mile. The August 22nd project had been scheduled on a date that would fit with Bill Menke’s schedule and was chosen for the “Heritage/Chequamegon Chapter’s Yearly Joint Trail Maintenance Event” to provide a trail building “class” for both Chapters. The USFS assured us that the re-route would be approved by that date so all seemed ready. That is when we received the news of Bill Menke’s unplanned surgery at the very end of July. That meant that I would probably have to do the “training.” Remember, the Chequamegon’s section of NCT in the National Forest has been there longer than the North Country National Scenic
Marty Swank
A Trail Tribute to Bill Menke
Bill Menke
Trail and therefore our members have little experience in building new trail. I hoped that the couple of trail benching classes I had taken at conferences under Bill’s instruction would carry me through. However, Bill Menke did make it to the Brunsweiler work day even though he probably should not have. He provided the leadership, skill and inspiration that those of us who have worked with him have come to know and respect. Not only did we have volunteers from the Heritage Chapter contribute to the success but also volunteers of the Brule-St Croix Chapter. Would we have succeeded in building the new benched trail without Bill? Probably, but it most likely would not shine as bright as it does now! Thanks to Bill, we have taken one of our worst sections and turned it into one of the best! At a cookout/picnic at Copper Falls State Park after the trail relocation was completed, Bill Menke was presented with an award from all three Wisconsin Chapters. This is what the certificate says:
NCTA Chapters of Wisconsin Major Contributor Award This Award is presented to Bill Menke in appreciation of his extensive leadership, inspiration, trail building skills and dedication that have led to significant accomplishments
Mike Trieschmann and Laura Nitsche use McLeods to finish a section of benching along the Brunsweiler.
by the Wisconsin Chapters of the Marty Swank
North Country Trail Association.
Brule-St. Croix Chapter Chequamegon Chapter Heritage Chapter The Brunsweiler trail project above is a perfect example of why Bill was presented with this special award. Where would we all be without him?
Mary Stenberg prepares a tree for blazing along the newly benched trail. www.northcountrytrail.org
October - December 9
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"NIMBLEWILL NOMAD" Completes The NCNST
…Giving The Rest Of Us A Crash Course In How Long Distance Hikers Think… Kevin Stankiewicz, with North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.
Eb Eberhart finishes the North Country Trail on October 16th at Lake Sakakawea State Park, the western end of the trail in North Dakota. He is standing with John Tunge, park manager. North Star Staff
Seventy-year-old retired optometrist “Eb” Eberhart, aka Nimblewill Nomad, renowned long-distance hiker who has already hiked most of the National Scenic Trails, has finished the entire North Country Trail in one season. It wasn’t all a cruise, nor did the weather cooperate with him. From late blizzards and flooding in North Dakota to violent rain storms in New York, the season was a rough one, full of nasty surprises. The daily details can be read at www.nimblewillnomad.com/ odyssey_2009_journals.htm.
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gainst lots of advice Nimblewill started on March 22nd at the west end of the trail, confident of an early spring. Well, North Dakota chuckled evilly and unleashed terrible conditions for the next several weeks: freezing rain and ever-present wind followed by over a foot of snow and below-freezing blizzard conditions made even road-walking difficult and dangerous. With his friend Gordon spotting him and the safety net of a warm van, Eb continued. Quoting a local at one breakfast stop, his Odyssey 2009 web account says one fellow lamented, "It's too wet to plow, and too windy to load rocks.” Eberhart looked at North Dakota’s off-road certified segments, but it was easy to see that they were still choked with deep drifts. And then rivers started rising, swollen with melting run-off and ice chunks. “Nimblewill Nomad,” as he signs trail registers, arrived in Valley City to the chaos of closed roads and trucks moving mud and sandbags. From his journal: 3 April: There are five crossings of
the Sheyenne River between Valley City and Kathryn. At the first four, the river has risen to just below the bridge pavement. At the last one, it's over the bridge. The road leaves the valley just the other side of the bridge. I can see the road where it climbs to the valley rim. But here we are, at the last crossing, and no go. A fourwheel drive pickup, local fellow no doubt, ventures on into
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it. He makes it through, a distance of some 200 yards, but not before going in over his hubs. He' d put 'er in four-wheel drive, a wise decision. Gordon and I decide no way we're going to try taking the van through. So, to keep this trek intact, it's time to do some fording, over and back. I'm in up to my knees before I know it. The water is freezing cold, and it's really moving. Seems to take forever to cross. No feeling in my feet anymore. On dry land, the other side, I turn quickly, to return, before changing my mind. I must fight the current going back. I become very fatigued—and greatly relieved to get back to the van. Gordon turns around and we head back to Valley City, a 30 miler recorded in the journal for today. In the morning, Gordon will drive around by another route to get my day started, on the other side of the bridge. The difficult hiking continued in Minnesota’s north country. By mid-April Eb was in Itasca State Park, backpacking by now through old snow rapidly changing to water. He finally took the very civilized and frequently paved Mesabi Trail toward the northeastern corner of Minnesota, just because it wasn’t under water. The Mesabi meanders through the iron mining country northeast of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where he found a lot of rusting mining equipment on both sides of Nashwauk.
The Kekekabic Trail featured in Matt Davis’s article in our last North Star was still appalling with snow and water on the trail, wherever he could find it, mostly through previously entered GPS waypoints. Wet cold feet eventually forced him to abandon the Border Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail, the latter especially because others told him of serious ice storm damage plus more promised snow on the ground! He swore to return before winter to finish this section. Early May in Wisconsin finally brought some “real” trail on actual dirt, not water or snow, but immediately Nimblewill was beset by ticks, at times with up to 50 crawling all over him. Ewww. Naturally, clouds of black flies followed. On May 8th he thought spring had finally arrived in the form of warmth and wildflowers, only to be followed on the 9th by sleet and snow. After many pleasant trail miles in Wisconsin came another section of flooded trail, complicated by blowdowns. On May 13 Eb awoke in the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to hundreds of ticks crawling all over his tent’s screen door. Ewww squared. Slippery mud after too much rain and snow-melt forced him to bypass some certified miles there, but he did report the treat of seeing sandhill cranes, wonderfully tall creatures seldom seen in the eastern states of our trail. On the 15th standing water again forced him onto a parallel roadwalk; Nimblewill found out the hard way about the heavy wet snow and resulting tree toppling from a few weeks before. On the 16th more snow fell, the beginning of a late hard frost that beset the whole northeast. On May 17 our Nomad launched himself across the McCormick Wilderness, where we are not permitted to blaze the trail by USFS rules. From his journal: Early afternoon I enter the McCormick
Wilderness, an eight-mile, little-used section of trail totally devoid of blazes. Didn't take long before I was in a predicament—no trail. The trail simply vanishes before me, no visible tread, no signs a trail has ever been anywhere near here. Good time to consult my GPS, my next fixed waypoint. Heading there, lo and behold, the trail appears again. On and on this frustration continues. Oh, I should tell you that this is not neglect on the part of the Marquette folks. Oh no! In this wilderness no blazes are permitted. Oh yes, a tough predicament! Very slow progress, much looking and searching as I trip my way. From time to time, some dear soul has placed small cairns, a rock or two here, a rock or two there. With these clues along with the aid of my trusty GPS, I weave my way. Guess I was never really lost. Kind of like Daniel Boone. (“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for a few weeks.”) Eb loved the beautiful rocky Superior lakeshore walk west of Marquette, and on the 22nd remarked that trees were leafing out at last, and trillium blooming. Several inches of rain followed Memorial Day weekend in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, so MORE soggy trail beyond Tahquamenon Falls State Park once again forced him onto a roadwalk. High praise was showered upon the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter’s trail segments, where boggy areas were crossed by either boardwalks or dry dikes. Because none of us may walk the Mackinac Bridge’s 5 miles across the open water between Lakes Huron and Michigan except on Labor Day (yes, he did make it back on www.northcountrytrail.org
September 7th for that occasion!), he accepted the $2.00 ride offered by the Bridge Authority. Overnight on May 30 the temperature was in the low twenties, with frost again on June 4th south of Petoskey! What a weird year. Naturally, five days later when he walked on the Grand Traverse Hiking Club’s new Hodenpyl Dam trail segment mosquitoes arrived in full force, while ticks remained his everpresent companions. In this area, he admitted that sometimes he stayed on the road to accomplish high mileage when the trail route meandered into the woods. This seems like a contradiction for a person who walked both ways through freezing water back in North Dakota to remain “pure” in his continuous walk, but more than once he “straightens” the route for efficiency in his quest to finish all of it. However, it’s an attitude shared by other long distance hikers, hardly unique to Eb.
The other morning, that short span of time between when I removed my wind jacket and gloves and changed to my headnet and skeeter spray, I think that was spring.
Heat and full-bore summer immediately followed, but he was just happy to have functioning fingers instead of mere sticks in the early morning. The Nomad was mostly happy with our trail from the middle of the UP through lower Michigan, but serious complaining started once he reached Ohio. Readers can find his comments in his journal. No trail caretaker offers bad trail intentionally. Host groups and trail maintainers know their weak spots, and apparently Eb hasn’t tried to whack a lot of greenbriar into submission! Nevertheless, Nimblewill gives copious thanks to all parties who helped him, and they are many. Not only did he have actual sponsors like New Balance but trail members along the way frequently hosted him overnight, fed him, or provided other logistical support. Local news outlets frequently featured his odyssey, after which he was invariably offered food, a place to stay, and other help by total strangers not even part of the hiking community! By August he was in upstate NY on the Finger Lakes Trail, but ran into a violent rainstorm with microbursts that destroyed forests and obliterated trail. Work sessions with newly-trained chain sawyers have now rendered these messes passable, but that didn’t help poor Nimblewill in August, who had no choice but to continue eastward somewhow. On the one hand Eb experienced magical chance meetings with people who offered JUST what he needed at the right moment, while on the other he kept getting slapped from behind with bizarre weather through the entire trek. After finishing up in Crown Point September 3rd, Nimblewill immediately turned back to catch the Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge, and then returned to Minnesota and North Dakota to make up miles bypassed due to flood and snow. On October 16th, staff at Lake Sakakawea State Park welcomed him at the western terminus, and his 2009 odyssey was completed at last. North Star caught up with Eb on Labor Day as we hiked the Bridge, to ask him a few questions: North Star: You're completing your seventh hike of a National Scenic Trail. And you’ve done all the long ones. What makes the NCT unlike any others? Continued on page 20 October - December 9
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NCTA Welcomes New Director of Trail Development
Pennsylvania's Tour De NCT Continues John Stehle
T
he Tour de NCT, as reported in the summer edition of the North Star, is a series of hikes to cover all the offroad sections of the NCT in Pennsylvania. We do one hike a month, alternating between coming from the Ohio line in the West and the New York state line in the North. Stages 1 through 4 were reported in the last North Star, and since then we have completed Stages 5 and 6.
Tammy Veloski
N
CTA's new Director of Trail Development is Andrea Ketchmark. Andrea joins NCTA after a highly successful stint as the American Hiking Society's Volunteer Programs Manager, where she provided oversight for AHS's Volunteer Vacations. Andrea returns to her midwest roots with a Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism degree from Colorado State and a ton of enthusiasm for supporting our NCT community and coordinating our community presence with chapters along the Trail. Welcome, Andrea!
Nimblewill Nomad Continued from page 19 Nomad: “Sheer length immediately and singularly sets it aside.” North Star: What was most memorable? Nomad: “My meeting with Michigan Senator Carl Levin. I casually mentioned this great asset the folks in Michigan have in the NCT. Unlike the other National Scenic Trails, it wasn’t created to capitalize on just one particular natural asset of America, like a mountain range, for instance. Rather, and in contrast, the NCT threads its way through a patchwork, a composite of the people and places of this great nation, providing a most unique blend of trekking experiences. It is truly unlike any other trail. Carl picked it up immediately and seemed most pleased to be viewing his NCT in a fresh and delightful new light.” North Star: Is there anything you'd like to address to the membership of the North Country Trail Association? Nomad: “Thanks for your dedication, your contagious, positive enthusiasm! All your volunteers, all your trail builders and maintainers it was my pleasure to meet, everyone flooded me with great energy. However, the Association expects way too much of them. I know they’ve undertaken an impossible task. Yet, do they not shoulder-to-it with vigor found only in the most energized, anywhere among us? It is, indeed, a blessing! North Star: What's next for the Nimblewill Nomad? Nomad: Next year I’ll take on the last of the original eight NSTs, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, good Lord willin’. I’ll be 71.
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Tour hikers cross bridge in Pennsylvania.
In August, seven hikers ventured up to the Allegheny National Forest for the 5th stage of the Tour. This was an 18 mile section that continued from where we left off on Stage 2. We went from Sugar Run (about 12 miles south of the NY state line, to Route 59, then down to Chapel Bay, and then to Red Bridge (not in that order), all within the Allegheny National Forest. A big thanks to Keith Klos and his crews who keep those trails in great shape in spite of the rainy season we have had. We did about 7 miles on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. One extra nice thing was the great number of mushrooms springing up on the forest floor due to the very wet conditions. Some of the colors were red, yellow, orange, purple, green, black, and white. I have never seen such numbers and variety of mushrooms. In September, tour hikers enjoyed a perfect fall day for hiking Stage 6 in Moraine State Park on the north shore of the lake, going from Rt 422 to Rt 528. The trail is one of the most pleasant sections of the trail in Pennsylvania because of its gentle hills, beautiful woods and well maintained tread. A special thanks to Dick Boettner and Joe Smith and their crews from the Butler Chapter for keeping that section in such great shape. A nice treat was to stop at the 200 year old Davis Hollow Cabin, operated by Diane Winston and her team of NCT volunteers. With summer drawing to a close on that last day of summer, the meadows were aglow with goldenrod, ironweed, asters, and many other colorful flowers with Monarch butterflies. For Stage 7 in October, we are looking forward to hiking in the old growth of the Tionesta Scenic Area of the Allegheny National Forest. Hopefully the fall colors will be in full display. John Stehle Cell 724-256-0674, stehles@yahoo.com
Hiking with Babies and Children Continued from page 15
There are also repellents with chemicals other than DEET available on the market. The only other product recommended by the Centers for Disease Control is picardin, which is a compound derived from plants and is now available in the United States in 7 and 15 percent solutions. It does not have an odor, isn’t sticky or greasy, and hasn’t been reported to be toxic in humans. It has been studied and shown to be as effective as DEET in higher concentrations, which are unfortunately available only outside of the United States. Another product that is popular with many people is IR 3535, which is a synthetic compound available in SkinSo-Soft. Unfortunately, there are limited studies on how effective it is. One study has shown it to be less effective than DEET, while another has shown it to be comparable. I should mention that another effective option for protection from insects is mosquito netting, or screens for baby strollers.
A bit of trail related humor from Safe Baby Handling Tips, 2005
As for other animals, including those that people frequently worry about such as snakes and bears, the chances of even encountering these are very slim and the chances of getting attacked by them are greatly exaggerated. They tend to avoid people and generally attack only when they feel threatened. In fact the odds of getting attacked by an animal in the wild are much smaller than the odds of getting into an automobile accident on the way to the trail. So I’d encourage you to use a car seat appropriate for your child’s age and to make sure that they are securely fastened if you are driving to a trailhead, and not to worry too much about the wild animals. And remember that children are very resilient. Prior generations took their children out in the woods all the time, and they did just fine. So I’d encourage you not to let the possibility of a mishap keep you from taking your child out on the trail. www.northcountrytrail.org
Conclusion I hope this article has encouraged you to take some walks with your child. Below are some websites I referenced while writing this, as well as a few others that I think are good resources for parents. The website for the Children and Nature Network is one I highly recommend. Its chairman is Richard Louv, who wrote the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Have fun exploring with your little one, and enjoy creating some stories you can share for a long time!
Web Resources
www.childrenandnature.org/ (The Children and Nature Network, reconnecting children with nature) www.backpacking.net/featured4.html (guidelines for hiking with children) www.newmango.com/backpack/ (guidelines for hiking with children) www.seattlepi.com/getaways/176068_toddlercamp03.html (Article by a mother who did a backpacking trip with her baby) www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00177. html (An article from about backpacking with children) aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/e200399v1 (American Academy of Pediatrics’ advice on using insect repellants) www.aap.org/publiced/BR_SunSafety.htm (AAP advice on sun safety) www.aap.org/publiced/BR_LymeDisease.htm (AAP information on Lyme disease) www.aldf.com/index.shtml (American Lyme Disease Foundation’s website, with map where ticks that spread Lyme disease are located) www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/rocky_mountain_spotted_fever/ (Centers for Disease Control’s website on Rocky Mountain spotted fever) www.aap.org/ (The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website, access to all kinds of good medical information about babies and children) www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html (Up To Date’s patient information website, access to current evidence-based information on all kinds of medical conditions) NORTH STAR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Articles for North Star need to be submitted as Microsoft Word files with a .doc suffix. We cannot use files with a .docx suffix. Picture files may be sent separately, attached to email. Please do not embed photos in your text document. Sorry, we will not glean photos and text from your website for an article. Please compose an article especially for North Star, selecting several of your own favorite photos. Write captions for your photos. If the photos are not yours, please indicate credits. We will use your submission, appropriate to the season, as space allows. Send your submissions to Irene Szabo, treeweenie@aol.com, or fax 585 658-4438, or mail your hard copy to: 6939 Creek Rd, Mt. Morris, NY 14510. October - December 9
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Proceeds benefit the North Country Trail Association in its efforts to build, maintain, and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail
Check out the latest logo wear at northcountrytrail.org, or phone 866-445-3628. Order your stocking stuffers now! A
A. NCTA Logo Meshside Nylon Cap Tactel nylon fabric with mesh fabric side panel; Relaxed, contoured crown shape; Reflective fabric trimmed visor edge, back opening and back strap; StayDri moisture management sweatband; Pre-curved, low density PE visor with two rows of stitching; Cloth back strap with Velcro closure. Royal blue w/grey trim.
Adjustable, one size fits all. $22.50
B.NCTA 7-State Logo T-Shirt
B
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C. NCTA Logo Men's B-Dry Core T-Shirt 100% polyester, moisture wicking fabric. Men's fit. Sand color only
Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL. $20.00
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100% polyester, moisture wicking fabric. Women's fit. Silver color only. Sizes S, M, L, XL.
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The North Star
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22
rices P t u o Close Jackets on atshirts! e and Swizes available)
October - December 9
E. Award Winning Children's Book about the North Country Trail Nettie Does the NCT: North Country Trail is a children's book about four friends who are members of the North Country Trail Association and love to hike the North Country National Scenic Trail. As the story of their adventures unfolds, Blue Blazes provide the reader with interesting and useful facts about the North Country National Scenic Trail and hiking it, thus making this book a teaching tool for parents and teachers as well as a fun book to read. Written by Lorana Jinkerson, illustrated by Toby Milke. Copyright 2009. 100% of profits from book sales support the NCT. $22.00
To Our Sponsors of 2009 North Country Trail Annual Conference In Valley City, North Dakota, Thank You! Local Sponsors Valley City State University Valley City Chamber of Commerce North Dakota Game & Fish North Dakota Tourism Division
NCT Champion Sponsors ($2500-$5000) Kadrmas Lee & Jackson Cass County Electric TransCanada USA Services, Inc.
NCT Blazer Sponsors ($1000-$2499) ND Parks & Recreation Department SCHEELS Valley City–Barnes County Development Corp.
NCT Hiker Sponsors ($500-$999)
Butler Machinery Valley City Convention and Visitors Bureau
NCT Supporter Sponsors ($250-$499) Dakota Plains Cooperative Garmont Bakkegard & Schell, Inc. Johnston Fargo Culvert, Inc. RJ’s Plumbing
NCT Financial Sponsors (under $250) Granite Gear Dacotah Bank Wells Fargo Bank
www.northcountrytrail.org
October - December 9
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Who’s Who Along the North Country Trail? If you have questions about the North Country Trail, there are many different places to go for information. This directory provides you with key contacts. When in Doubt, Try NCTA Headquarters: If you’re not sure whom to contact, or prefer to talk with our office instead of contacting a volunteer at home, your best bet is to connect with the NCTA’s National Office. If we can’t help you, we’ll be able to put you in touch with someone who can. Staff members are listed on page 3 (table of contents page). North Country Trail Association 229 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 Toll-free: (866) HikeNCT Fax: (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org HQ@northcountrytrail.org Visit our web site; it’s a sure bet that you’ll find most of what you need. Here you can join or contribute to the NCTA, browse the events calendar, explore NCTA Chapter pages, purchase maps and trail-related products, follow links to Partner organizations, read up-to-date news items, report volunteer hours, and, of course, learn more about the trail itself!
National Park Service: The NPS office in Madison is an excellent technical resource for volunteers, agencies, partner organizations, and the media. As our official trail administrator, the NPS sets trail standards, determines the trail route, and provides the overall vision for the trail. 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 Fax: (608) 441-5606 Tom Gilbert, Superintendent: tom_gilbert@nps.gov 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. 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.
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1
1 2
5 3
NORTH DAKOTA
1. Lonetree Chapter Scott Peterson • (701) 324-2211 • speterso@nd.gov 2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Deb Koepplin • (701) 845-2935 dkoepplin@msn.com 3. North Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter Ron Saeger • (701)232-1612 • msaeger@cableone.net
MINNESOTA
4. Star of the North Chapter Brian Pavek • (763) 425-4195 stn@northcountrail.org 5. Laurentian Lakes Chapter Ray Vlasak • (218) 573-3243 • highpines@arvig.net 6. Itasca Moraine Chapter Jerry Trout • (218) 675-5448• jbtrout@tds.net 7. Arrowhead Chapter Doug Baker • (218) 326-4030 • baker_j_d@q.com 8. Kekekabic Trail Club (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Mark Stange • info@kek.org 9. Border Trail Route Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Ed Solstad • (612) 822-0569 info@borderroutetrail.org 10. Superior Hiking Trail Association (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Gayle Coyer • (218 )834-2700 • hike@shta.org
GREAT LAKES
11. Brule-St.Croix Chapter David Zosel • zosel@centurytel.net 12. Chequamegon Chapter Marty Swank • (715) 682-2254 marty808@centurytel.net 13. Heritage Chapter Michael Stafford • GBPACKR@aol.com 14. Ni-Miikanaake Chapter Dick Swanson • (906) 229-5122 nmk@northcountrytrail.org 15. Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker • (906)338-2680 • dwelker@up.net 16. North Country Trail Hikers Chapter Lorana Jinkerson • ljinkers@nmu.edu 17. Grand Marais Chapter Bill Menke • bmenke@northcountrytrail.org 18. Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter Kay Kujawa • (989) 350-2826 kay1940@lighthouse.net
4 2
6 3
48 7 42
95 10 14
17
15
11 9 13 8 12
LEGEND Chapters Partners Not Yet Adopted
18
16
19
22
20
21 38
23 24 LOWER MICHIGAN
37 25
36 26
31
35 34
19. Harbor Springs Chapter 33 27 Jerry Keeney • (231) 526-9597 32 27 keeney10@charter.net 29 27 20. Tittabawassee Chapter 30 Gary Johnson • (989) 842-3478 gwj2@charter.net PENNSYLVANIA Friends of the Jordan River National 28 32. Wampum Chapter Fish Hatchery (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Lee Fairbanks • (724) 847-0589 • fairbanks14@comcast.net (231) 584-2461 33. Butler County Chapter 21. Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter Dan Mourer • (724) 445-3315 John Heiam • (231) 938-9655 • johnheiam@charter.net mamourer@embarqmail.com 22. Spirit of the Woods Chapter Butler Outdoor Club Joan Young • (231) 757-2205 • jhy@t-one.net (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 23. Western Michigan Chapter John Stehle • (724) 256-0674 Werner Veit • (616) 776-1630 • wv12@aol.com 34. Clarion County Chapter 24. Chief Noonday Chapter Ed Scurry • EDSDC85@yahoo.com Larry Hawkins • (269) 945-5398 35. Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 25. Chief Baw Beese Chapter Patty Brunner • (724) 325-3224 • info@rachelcarsontrails.org Ryan Bowles • bowlesr@msu.edu 36. Allegheny National Forest Chapter Keith Klos • (814) 484-7420 • nct001@verizon.net OHIO 26. NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association NEW YORK (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): 37. Finger Lakes Trail Conference Tom Duvendack • (419) 822-4788 (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): tduvendack@earthlink.net Gene Bavis, Executive Director • (585) 658-9320 27. Buckeye Trail Association information@fingerlakestrail.org (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): Additional Maintaining Organizations Patrick Hayes • (937) 962-4884 • president@buckeyetrail.org Coordinated by FLTC: 28. Adams County Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), Andrew Bashaw • abashaw@northcountrytrail.org ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter, ADK-Onondaga Chapter, 29. Little Cities of the Forest Chapter Cayuga Trails Club, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Travis Neely • tneeley@holzerclinic.com Hiking Club, and Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18 30. Ohio Valley Chapter 38. Central New York Chapter: Ryan Smith • (740) 374-5666 • rsmith365@hotmail.com Kathy Woodruff • (315) 697-7017 31. Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter kwoodruff001@twcny.rr.com Brad Bosley • (330) 227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org www.northcountrytrail.org
October - December 9
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Trail Maintenance is Sexy
GOING FOR
THE GOLD
FRED SZARKA NPS Trail Manager
A
few years ago Kenny Chesney had a hit Country and Western song titled “She thinks my Tractor’s Sexy.” Well, I would like you to think that trail maintenance is sexy too. Here’s an old saw that explains why: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Nearly everybody feels great about building new trail, but going back and doing maintenance is sometimes less appealing. It shouldn’t be
Your first impression
Your chapter/affiliate’s trail segment is attractive to hikers only if it well maintained. Hikers will form their opinion of your group’s care for the trail (and your group itself) by the degree of maintenance they witness when they visit it. This summer we had two experienced long distance trail hikers hike large portions of the North Country NST and writing about their experiences on line. In many areas, their comments were not very flattering.
Hikers go around
Hikers deciding to “road walk” around overgrown segments just don’t reflect well on our entire trail community. My favorite justification for poor maintenance is “We don’t have any hikers on this segment of trail” or alternatively “at this time of year.” This is sort of the opposite of the philosophy “If you build it, they will come.” We might call it “If you don’t maintain it, they will stay away.” Of course, you don’t have many users on a segment of poorly maintained trail. Would you hike it? Do you enjoy fighting through brambles, hazel brush, or waist high grasses and weeds? How about a trail that is so poorly marked that you are in doubt if you are even still on the trail? It is no wonder that some stretches of trail are little used.
Handiest maintenance tool
Probably the single handiest tool we have for maintaining a pleasant trail setting is the DR Mower. A quick pass out and back once a month keeps briars, tall grass, ferns, and brush at bay. Add to that a little trimming with a pruner or lopper and the trail is a pleasant place to walk again. Yes, deadfalls and blowdowns need to be cleared, especially when there are lots of them after winter or major storms. But if the trail corridor is inviting, hikers will take the occasional detour or step up and over in stride.
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Grab a small paint brush
The other chore that really needs to be attended to is blazing. Nelson Boundary Blue “brush type”, the paint that the NPS provides for blazing, lasts 5-7 years under most circumstances. There are exceptions. Aspen trees seem to be particularly difficult to keep blazed. But in most cases, well chosen trees will retain their paint blazes for years. Because of the long life of the paint, most of the time our care of blazing consists of making sure that dangling leaves don’t block them and making sure that the blaze can be seen when it should be. We’ve said this before; it is not necessary to over-blaze. Hikers should be able to see their next blaze as they pass the one they are beside, when on built woodland trails. When it is necessary to relocate blazes, be sure to remove or scrape off the old blaze so that it is no longer obvious, to minimize the potential for criticism due to over-blazing. Canal towpaths and abandoned rail grades need not be marked quite so closely where they are the only feature being followed. Where other trails cross, or diverge from the North Country NST alignment, several inter-visible blazes should be used even on these trails.
Identify the North Country NST
Road and trail crossings should be clearly marked with the trail emblem and appropriate regulatory strip. Generally the easiest way to do this is with the composite posts provided by the NPS. If there are incursions by illegal users, the trail should be posted with “NO” stickers as required. We don’t recommend posting every one of the prohibitions but for example, if ATVs are a problem post No ATVs. The same goes for bikes or horses or snowmobiles. Be positive when ever possible. Remember though, the North Country NST should be viewed as a hiking and backpacking trail (positive), not a trail where a whole bunch of uses are prohibited (negative). Those uses are not appropriate and if they become a problem be sure to post closure, but be judicious.
Share the work
Chapters and affiliates who have developed and use regular trail section adopters, seem to be able to manage maintenance work better than those that don’t. The work is broken into manageable pieces. No individual is asked to handle more work than they wish, and often an adopter becomes very attached to and proud of his or her trail, which always results in better tended trail. Not everyone is asked to do the same tasks. Some folks really love blazing, others just don’t. Of course the same goes for running the DR or organizing the adopter program. But working as a team makes doing routine maintenance a lot easier. I have written many times that chapters need to engage as many of their members as possible to give each member a sense of ownership and belonging to the chapter and attachment to the trail. Developing a team of trail adopters, including specialized blazers and mower operators, will get more folks involved and result in a trail that is a joy rather than a chore to hike. Trail maintenance really is Sexy!
Hurry, Hikers Are Lining Up Already. Make Your Reservation Soon! Joan Young
NCTA’s New Extended Outing Program This program will offer extended hiking trips of a minimum of 5 days in length and feature sections of the North Country Trail. NCTA’s Extended Outings are designed for like-minded hikers who wish to bag a few miles of the NCNST and enjoy the camaraderie of hiking with a group while the leader plans the route and logistics. Leaders are NCTA approved, experienced volunteers who may or may not contract with outfitters. Membership in NCTA is required for hikers. Mowing the trail in Minnesota.
Cora Killinger with her blaze-painting kit in Michigan.
www.northcountrytrail.org
OUR FIRST TRIP! Day Hiking the NCT on the Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota Sept 8-15, 2010 NCTA’s first Extended Outing will feature sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. It is a day hiking and camping trip on the North Country National Scenic Trail where it is concurrent with the Superior Hiking Trail. Each day we will hike with day pack for 6-10 miles using vans to shuttle between base camps and trail heads. We will set up tents in state parks with flush toilets and showers, and cook and eat outdoors. Wilderness Inquiry, a not for profit outfitter, will take care of all planning and details. Enjoy fall color, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, scenic vistas contrasted with deep deciduous woods, Lake Superior views, lighthouses, wildlife, eagles, waterfowl and moose. It is said that there are no uninteresting sections of trail on the Superior! Contact leader for detailed itinerary and application packet. Leader: Mary Coffin, 328 Deepsprings Dr., Chittenango NY 13037. 315-687-3589. mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com Mary has 20 years’ experience leading group trips as a volunteer. Cost $770 Includes: Guide for 6 days, 5 nights, van transport during trip, all meals and snacks starting from lunch on day 2 through lunch on day 7, Eureka tents, cooking equipment, stoves, campground fees, and NCTA leader for days 1-7. Not Included: Airfare, dinner and hotel on day 1 and day 7. Please bring your own personal items, and sleeping bag plus pad. October - December 9
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NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
North Country Trail Association
Grand Rapids, MI Permit 340
229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331
Joan Young
The leaves of the pawpaw tree, a very southern specimen our trail sees only in southern Ohio. See Southern Ohio, page 9.
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. LV19892