January-March, 2012
The magazine of the North Country Trail Association
Volume 31, No. 1
north star
Rovers Crew Update 2011 State of the Trail Controlling ATV Damage Along Minnesota’s Remer Esker
Staff
Andrew Bashaw
Regional Trail Coordinator Ohio/Pennsylvania abashaw@northcountrytrail.org
David Cowles
Director of Development
dcowles@northcountrytrail.org
Jill DeCator
Administrative Assistant/Membership Coordinator jdecator@northcountrytrail.org
Matt Davis
Regional Trail Coordinator Minnesota/North Dakota mdavis@northcountrytrail.org
Rose Ann M. Davis Office Manager
radavis@northcountrytrail.org
Andrea Ketchmark Director of Trail Development
aketchmark@northcountrytrail.org
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula within the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter section. The people are Kay and Stan Kujawa and the outcropping is part of the Niagara escarpment. Read more about this Chapter's section of the trail on page 18.
Laura Lindstrom
Financial Administrator
llindstrom@northcountrytrail.org
Bruce Matthews Executive Director
bmatthews@northcountrytrail.org
In This Issue
Call for Nominations: 2012 NCTA Awards.....................5 2011 State of the Trail.....................8 The Amazing Bunchberry............. 15 Controlling ATV Damage Along Minnesota's Remer Esker....27 Random Acts of Kindness.............28 Summary: 2012 Staff Retreat........30 Sentiments from the Heart............32 An Anniversary And an Easement.........................34
Columns
Bill Menke
Regional Trail Coordinator Wisconsin bmenke@northcountrytrail.org
Trailhead.......................................3 Matthews’ Meanders.....................4 Trail Manager’s Corner...............29
Matt Rowbotham
Departments
Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep.
Who’s Who Along the Trail.........6
Hike the Buckeye Trail in southwest Ohio, April 26-29! Sign up and attend; go to page 35.
GIS Coordinator
mrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org
National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2012 (724) 526-5407 · joyceappel@windstream.net
Jack Cohen, Pennsylvania Rep.
(724) 234-5398 · JCohen@zoominternet.net
Bobby Koepplin, Immediate Past President, North Dakota Rep. (701) 845-2935 · bkoepplin@kwh.com
Tom Moberg, First VP, 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
Terms Expiring 2013 Larry Hawkins, President, Lower Michigan Rep. (269)945-5398 · hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com
About the Cover
Photo by John Heiam. Grand Traverse Hiking Club hike in January of 2005 along the North Branch of the Boardman River. “We had just rerouted the trail to this location that summer. It has since become the club’s favorite snowshoe hike.”
Lynda Rummel, New York Rep. (315) 536-9484 · ljrassoc@roadrunner.com
Ray Vlasak, At Large Rep.
(218) 573-3243 · highpines@arvig.net
Terms Expiring 2014 Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Rep.
North Star Staff
Irene Szabo, Volunteer Editor, (585) 658-4321 or treeweenie@aol.com Peggy Falk, Graphic Design The North Star, Spring issue, Vol. 31, Issue 1, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.
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January-March 2012
(315) 687-3589 · maryccoffin@gmail.com
Dave Cornell, At Large Rep. (239) 561-6512 · onestep@mei.net
Garry Dill, At Large Rep.
(614) 451-0223 · then321elm@yahoo.com
John Heiam, At Large Rep.
(231) 938-9655 · johnheiam@charter.net
Lorana Jinkerson, Secretary, At Large Rep. (906) 226-6210 · ljinkers@nmu.edu
Doug Thomas, At Large Rep.
(612) 240-4202 · dthomas7000@gmail.com
TRAIL
HEAD LARRY HAWKINS President
T
here’s strength in numbers! That adage is so true in a service organization like ours, the North Country Trail Association. Our Mission is to build, maintain and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier footpath across the northern tier of the United States. We are getting it done but getting it done requires “people power.” Two years ago, our Board had a dream of a membership of 4600 people, one for each mile of trail on the ground. In spite of our efforts, using e-blasts, mailings and promoting the trail through social media, membership in the North Country Trail Association has remained flat.
The truth of the matter is that you, our membership, are our best ambassadors. You are our best recruiters. It is your enthusiasm, your trail activity, and your social networking that are going to build local support for the trail and for the Association.
Your Board is committed to developing chapter resources to attract and maintain your membership, to market yourself and your activities to your local communities. The growth of our organization is in your hands. We will grow stronger as we grow in a committed membership.
Most of our Chapters do not have increasing membership as a priority. Many of our Chapters do not have a designated membership committee or chairperson. Most of our Chapters or Affiliates do not have a plan for retaining lapsing members or recruiting new members.
—Larry Hawkins, MD
Folks, we need your help. We need local people enthused about promoting the NCTA and its growth. We need chapter contacts for our Board Membership Committee and local people to serve on that Committee.
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www.northcountrytrail.org
Client: BRUNTON Media:BACKPACKER Magazine
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January-March 2012 Agency: REVO Brand Group CD: H.Tripp
Date: 08/24/10 1/2 page horizontal
The North Star 3
MATTHEWS’
MEANDERS BRUCE MATTHEWS
W
Executive Director
ho among us hasn’t felt righteously challenged by our stance advocating the North Country National Scenic Trail as a single use footpath? I can show you a few scars… This is, however, the “Desired Future Condition” (DFC) of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Coined by the National Park Service, the DFC (gotta love those acronyms!) sets forth that, in its ideal state, the entire NCNST will consist of a primitive footpath meandering through and connecting the natural, historic and cultural crown jewels of America’s northern heartlands. And we don’t need to apologize for this. Whether arguing for single track/single use with state and federal agencies or discussing Congressional intent with mountain bike advocates or snowmobile clubs, the DFC is frequently at the center of the dialogue. Unfortunately if we’re not careful we can find ourselves painted into a corner and on the defensive, where we simply don’t need to be. A quiet, intimate saunter through the natural world offers unique opportunities to re-connect with things greater than ourselves. Such a personal, slow-paced immersion in nature is tough to replicate any other way. And without our advocacy, those who prefer to experience a quieter outdoors will increasingly find themselves drowned in a cacophony of competing uses. The North Country Trail’s DFC seeks to ensure a place where contemplative Americans have sustaining opportunities to find that intimacy with nature on a world-class trail. Certainly there’s a place for the notion of multiple use. Many of NCTA’s most faithful also mountain bike, horseback ride, and snowmobile…and also deserve places to do so. As long as that use is both legal and ecologically supportable we should join our fellow outdoor recreationists in finding appropriate places for those opportunities. There are even places on the North Country Trail where sharing the tread is the only way we’ll ever get from A to B, and it seems rather extreme to be arguing DFC for the Mackinac Bridge. I’ll even admit that there are places where political expediency might dictate multiple use as the realistic and perhaps the only choice we’ve got. It’s all OK. Yet too often multiple-use management turns into de-facto single use as trail users self-select, leaving the trail to the loudest, fastest and often most destructive users. While we clearly have a role in educating all trail users, and a mandate for enforcing legal uses, why do our efforts to ensure the DFC too often fall back on the defensive? There are two reasons. The first is the elitist perception associated with single use restrictions that, egalitarian as simple hiking might seem, nevertheless conspires to
4 The North Star
January-March 2012
marginalize and even polarize our efforts. We allow ourselves to be painted as fringe radicals, unwilling to budge in considering alternatives. Sometimes our hiker constituency is not terribly sophisticated in building cooperative relationships leading to suitable places for all to recreate. Occasionally we take a perverse pride in being curmudgeonly and feeling entitled. In doing so we enable the polarization that allows us to be marginalized and cut out of the discussion. Those who might oppose us are quite happy to watch us get tangled up in our own feet. Really, who needs us at the table when we add nothing to the equation other than the National Scenic Trail (NST) cachet (the marketing of which is non-existent and a topic for another day)…which brings up the other reason. As an NST, we’re seen as federally funded. And with that deep pocket at our disposal why should anyone else step up to help out? Or listen to our needs? Conversely, as a federal project administered by the National Park Service, who needs the feds involved and telling people what to do? Yet we carry the banner for quiet recreation; we advocate for an important part of the recreation spectrum that cannot speak for itself. So the next time we get challenged to justify the DFC, I suggest we take a page from the media management experts coaching political candidates, and instead of being maneuvered into a corner by someone else’s agenda, we substitute our own by suggesting how important the DFC is for Americans seeking that intimate experience with the natural world on a National Scenic Trail. Remind our listeners how critical this is to perpetuate and share with future generations likely to be seeking those increasingly rare opportunities for quiet recreation in world-class surroundings. I suspect we’ll find some converts.
Conference Teasers from Chief Noonday What is Yarrow?
Yarrow is the name of an aromatic plant once used for a medicinal tea—and a world-class conference center where the 2012 NCTA Annual Conference is to be held. It is also one of the few places where Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is on draft. Two Hearted has been voted the favorite ale by the members of the Chief Noonday Chapter who are very dedicated ale drinkers. Raise a glass with us at Conference and let’s hear your vote!
Call for Nominations for 2012 NCTA Awards Recent Award winners:
2011 Trail Builder Keith Klos
2011 Lifetime Achievement Arlen Matson
E
ach year the NCTA honors outstanding volunteers and friends of the NCTA at the Annual Conference. The honorees are selected from nominations made by you. Take a moment and reflect upon those who have exhibited a true commitment to the trail by contributing time, money, materials, or energy to building, maintaining, promoting, or protecting the NCT. Nominate them for the appropriate award category from the list below by completing the nomination form at northcountrytrail.org/members/awards/ by May 1. Tell the awards committee what makes YOUR nominee special and deserving of recognition. By the way, sending the same letter five times from a single chapter doesn’t do any good; awardees are chosen on merit not bulk.
Vanguard :
A legislator or other public official whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the Trail. A business or foundation for far-sighted vision and support, demonstrated by significant contributions to the Trail or the NCTA.
Trailblazer:
An individual, in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions towards the dream of the Trail. Service may be performed in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Lifetime Achievement:
An individual, in recognition of exceptional volunteer service in furthering the goals of the NCTA, and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the Trail. Individual should have made a significant commitment and accomplishments over three or more years.
Distinguished Service:
Trail Builder of the Year: A volunteer, whose work in Trail construction, planning, or negotiations have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year.
A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements over the past year in maintaining or restoring pre-existing Trail segment(s).
Trail Maintainer of the Year:
www.northcountrytrail.org
2011 Communicator of the Year Eileen Fairbrother
A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership leading to significant local achievements or highly successful events.
Leadership:
A volunteer, whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the Trail.
Outreach:
Communicator of the Year: A volunteer, for exemplary work in promoting the Trail or the NCTA through a communications medium (newsletter, web site, brochure, etc.) or personal contacts. Rising Star:
A volunteer between the ages of 8 and 18, who has made significant contributions to the Trail, and whose dedication to the Trail and the NCTA sets an example to other youths and shows exceptional promise.
A volunteer, for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the Trail or the NCTA.
Sweep:
Friend of the Trail: An employee of a unit of governance or an organization whose leadership, accommodations and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail. Outstanding Private Landowner: A private landowner whose leadership, accommodation and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail. Blue Blazes Benefactor: An individual or household demonstrating vision and generosity through significant monetary or in-kind contribution(s) to the North Country Trail or the NCTA.
Write a one to two page statement that explains the reason why this person should receive this particular award. Be sure to give us enough detail so we can compare nominees. Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2012.
January-March 2012
The North Star 5
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 is an excellent technical
resource for volunteers, agencies, partner organizations, and the media. As our official trail administrator, the NPS sets trail standards, determines trail route, and provides the overall vision for the trail. The NPS maintains a duty station for the NCNST Trail Manager in Lowell, Michigan. Other management and staff positions are located at the NPS office in Madison, Wisconsin. Jeff McCusker, NCNST Trail Manager 113 Riverwalk Place, Lowell, MI 49331 jeff_b_mccusker@nps.gov • (616) 340-2004 Pam Schuler, Acting Superintendent Dean Gettinger, Management Assistant 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 (608) 441-5606 FAX
NCTA Chapters: For information about local activities or volunteering, contact the Chapter representative for your area of interest. We have almost three 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. 6 The North Star
January-March 2012
1 NORTH DAKOTA
2 1
1 Lonetree Wildlife Management Area Matt Davis • (701) 388-1883 mdavis@northcountrytrail.org 2 Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Deb Koepplin • (701) 845-2935 dkoepplin@msn.com 3 North Dakota Prairie Grasslands Chapter Ron Saeger • (701) 232-1612 • rnsaeger@cableone.net
MINNESOTA
4 Star of the North Chapter Brian Pavek • (763) 425-4195 stn@northcountrytrail.org 5 Laurentian Lakes Chapter Ray Vlasak • (218) 573-3243 • highpines@arvig.net 6 Itasca Moraine Chapter Bruce Johnson • (218) 732-8051• brucej@arvig.net 7 Arrowhead Chapter Doug Baker • (218) 326-4030 • baker_j_d@q.com 8 Kekekabic Trail Club
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Mark Stange • info@kek.org 9 Border Route Trail Association
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Ed Solstad • (612) 822-0569 info@borderroutetrail.org 10 Superior Hiking Trail Association
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Gayle Coyer • (218) 834-2700 • hike@shta.org
WISCONSIN
11 Brule-St.Croix Chapter Tim Mowbray • tmowbray@earthlink.net 12 Chequamegon Chapter Marty Swank • (715) 682-2254 martynct@gmail.com 13 Heritage Chapter Michael Stafford • GBPACKR@aol.com
UPPER MICHIGAN
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 Superior Shoreline Chapter Tim Hass • SSC@northcountrytrail.org 18 Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter Charlene DeWitt • HSS@northcountrytrail.org
3
3
Who’s Who Along the North Country Trail? 48 7
6 3
5 2 4
42
95 10 14
17
15
11 9 13 8 12
LEGEND Chapters Partners Not Yet Adopted
18
16
19
20
21
22
38
23
LOWER MICHIGAN
24
19 Harbor Springs Chapter Anne Billiard • abilliard@racc2000.com 20 Jordan Valley 45° Chapter Duane Lawton • delawton@torchlake.com Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): (231) 584-2461 21 Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter John Heiam • (231) 938-9655 • johnheiam@charter.net 22 Spirit of the Woods Chapter Ed Chappel • (231) 266-8008 ed.chappel@goldcommcable.com 23 Western Michigan Chapter Chuck Vanette • (616) 456-9725 WMI@northcountrytrail.org 24 Chief Noonday Chapter Larry Pio • (269) 327-3589 • nalcoman1@aol.com 25 Chief Baw Beese Chapter Ryan Bowles • bowlesr@msu.edu
OHIO
26 NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Tom Duvendack • (419) 822-4788 tomfortrails@windstream.net 27 Buckeye Trail Association
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Melissa Reed • (937) 381-5100 • president@buckeyetrail.org 28 Adams County Chapter Andrew Bashaw • (740) 934-2008 abashaw@northcountrytrail.org 29 Little Cities of the Forest Chapter Andrew Bashaw • (740) 934-2008 abashaw@northcountrytrail.org 30 Ohio Valley Chapter Ryan Smith • (740) 374-5666 • rsmith365@hotmail.com 31 Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley • (330) 227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org www.northcountrytrail.org
37 25
36 26
27 27 28
35 34
31 27 32
29
33
30 PENNSYLVANIA
32 33
Wampum Chapter Lee Fairbanks • (724) 847-0589 • fairbanks14@comcast.net Butler County Chapter John Stehle • (724) 256-0674 • stehles@yahoo.com Butler Outdoor Club
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
34 35
Steve Bickel • (724)794-3719 • cbickel@zoominternet.net Clarion County Chapter Ed Scurry • (814) 437-1168 • EDSDC85@yahoo.com Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Patty Brunner • (724) 325-3224 • info@rachelcarsontrails.org 36 Allegheny National Forest Chapter Keith Klos • (814) 484-7420 • nct001@verizon.net
NEW YORK
37 Finger Lakes Trail Conference
(Trail Maintaining Affiliate):
Gene Bavis, Executive Director • (585) 658-9320 FLTinfo@fingerlakestrail.org Additional Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by FLTC: Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), ADK-Genesee Valley Chapter, ADK-Onondaga Chapter, Cayuga Trails Club, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Hiking Club, and Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18 38 Central New York Chapter: Jack Miller • (315) 446-7257 • jacobr7@yahoo.com January-March 2012
The North Star 7
O
h, my friends! This is the State of the Trail issue, and what a celebration it is. I have the opportunity to view NCTA’s efforts from a truly national scope, end to end, and I get to see the aggregation of efforts and outcomes contributed by each of you and your chapters and groups. With this issue you can see it too, and I can tell you your hearts will swell and your chest will fill and your eyes will water and you will be astounded, awestruck and amazed, yet again, at who we are and what we do. I can’t wait to share it with you. I am so fortunate to be able to serve an organization accomplishing so much. —Bruce Matthews
2011 State
of the
Trail
Al Larmann
A Note of Explanation: To help the reader easily visualize where each reporting Chapter is located on the trail, we’ve preceded its account with a number for quick reference to the “Who’s Who Along the North Country Trail” map on page 6. Adirondack NCT Route Progress NEW YORK - No one organization yet exists as a sponsor for this part of the trail; however, several Adirondack Mountain Club Chapters (ADK Onondaga, ADK Albany and ADK Schenectady) have been working with NCTA and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to narrow the route’s corridor of opportunity. ADK/NCTA members have scouted most of the 147 mile route corridor picking up where NCTA’s Clare Cain left off. A short piece of trail was established and submitted for certification at the NY terminus, Crown Point State Historic Site. Look for two new NCT kiosks there this spring. To promote the Adirondack section and gain recognition and support, several volunteers made eight PowerPoint presentations to ADK Chapters and other groups in the area.
BEFORE: A quiet pathway along the old Lehigh Valley railbed that used to carry farmers’ milk to the cities had been carved out of the overgrowth by Central New York Chapter. AFTER: Gone, all gone…Read and weep.
—Mary Coffin
Al Larmann
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January-March 2012
38 Central New York Chapter NEW YORK - Through late November, 2011 was a reasonably good, if hardly dramatically so, year for the Trail in the Chapter’s area. A lengthy stretch of wet-spot puncheon 2 bridging south of Cazenovia was given some needed major rehabilitation and an equally lengthy wet stretch of the trail in the State’s Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area had new puncheons laid down. A quarter mile of trail further north in “the Tiough” was rerouted to avoid a wet area and provide a view of a beaver dam. The Chapter held its first hands-on Power Tool Workshop providing instruction and experience with DR trimmers and mowers as well as hand-held string trimmers. The Chapter began reaping the benefits, practical and political, from 2010’s chainsaw training. Working relationships were enhanced with the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation and the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, through the properties of each where the Trail runs.
Relations with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, which administers miles where the Trail runs in state forests, continued on a positive note, and the Chapter’s 5-year permit with the DEC was renewed. Coordination with the City of Rome for the extension of the Trail north from the Erie Canal Towpath Connector Trail toward developed stretches of the Trail in the Black River Valley continued (if more slowly than we would have liked), and the Chapter’s reconnaissance and route planning for extension of the Trail from its current northeast end in Forestport toward the boundary of the Adirondack Park proceeded. A number of thoroughly enjoyable recreational hikes and visits were held in Madison and Oneida Counties. All of this was overshadowed the day after Thanksgiving when (with apologies to actual veterans) Pearl Harbor Day came early, and one of our Trail stewards awoke to find a bulldozer, an excavator, and a skid loader, hired by a local snowmobile club and working under an unannounced work permit from New York State Parks Office, ripping up a mile-and a half stretch of 4-foot wide Certified treadway located along a hedgerow, tearing out three-quarters of the trees alongside it, and widening it to 16 to 24 feet in the interests of snowmobile traffic. This was a stretch of trail which the Chapter held for ten years without complaint, with a permit for development and maintenance of a hiking trail. I believe I can say, as a charter member of the Chapter who has worked on nearly all of the Trail within the chapter’s area, that this particular stretch of the Trail was the most difficult to develop, totally and thickly overgrown, and the most ecologically delicate, with a base prone to potholing somewhat restrained only by the root structure of the trees torn up by the snowmobilers’ machinery. Gone, all gone, and replaced by a dirt road which, come the spring thaw, will be a muddy quagmire for hikers. After the fact, we were informed that the State Parks Office plans on converting all of its nine-mile stretch of the Trail into a snowmobile and horse friendly “multiple-use” trail. Let it be said that Bruce Matthews, Tom Gilbert (from retirement), and, here in New York State, the Adirondack Mountain Club have been strenuously lobbying with the State Parks Office in Albany, the state capital, to, ahem, take a critical look at what the hell their Central New York Regional office was doing. —Jack Miller
Extended Outing Update The NCTA Extended Outing in New York’s wild Adirondack forest next September is now full, with a waiting list.
www.northcountrytrail.org
37 Finger Lakes Trail Conference NEW YORK - Newly Built or Relocated Trail A section of the trail in Rock City State Forest on Map M3 in Cattaraugus County that has been closed since experiencing 2 extensive tornado damage in 2010 is ready to be reopened in the spring of 2012. The new trail(s) will involve collaboration between the NYSDEC, the FLTC and the WNYMBA (a local biking club) to ensure protection of the trail as a single use footpath. Approximately 1 mile of the trail on Map M11 was relocated off a heavily traveled county road near Bath in Steuben County. After having previously built an off-road reroute in this area, only to be forced to move it back onto the road by a new landowner, our sponsor, Gary Haff, succeeded in securing a new route with different landowners. Five new switchback legs and 23 puncheons of various styles and lengths were constructed in Goundry Hill State Forest on Map M13 in Schuyler County as part of our Corbett Hollow West Alley Cat project. This project, which was funded with an NCTA Field Grant and an NPS Challenge Cost Share, completes the rebuilding of the Art Kopp section of the trail that spans 28 miles from South Bradford on Map M13 in Steuben County to the Village of Watkins Glen on Map M14 in Schuyler County. Most of the rebuilding and relocating of this section of trail was recommended by former NPS Trail Manager Bill Menke during a site visit and inspection in 2002. A new one mile loop trail, coined the Lithuanian Loop, was constructed on Map M19 in Cortland County on property owned by our Director of Trail Inventory and Mapping, Joe Dabes. The loop includes a reroute of a portion of the main trail and features an improved trailhead parking area. Upon its completion, Joe granted the FLTC a permanent easement for the new trail on his land. The Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, one of the FLT’s trail-sponsoring groups, created a relocation to reduce a roadwalk from 7 to 1.8 miles across the valley between Morgan Hill and Cuyler in the middle of the state. New Structures: A new lean-to was constructed above Hickory Hill Campground on Map M12 just north of Bath in Steuben County on private property owned by Randy Lehman. Randy first approached us about building this lean-to with trees cut from his property, and then agreed to grant the FLTC a permanent easement to forever access the lean-to from the main trail as well as from a spur trail leading through his commercial campground to the adjacent road. Randy received the first-ever NCTA Private Landowner of the Year award at last summer’s annual conference in Dayton. This project was constructed by an Alley Cat volunteer work crew with NPS Challenge Cost Share funds and fills a big need we had in this section of the trail for an overnight shelter. Two new bridges were built in Birdseye Hollow State Forest on Map M12 in Steuben County over the floodprone inlet to Birdseye Hollow Pond. The main span was constructed with 38´ long utility poles donated by Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative and white oak treads and railings provided by FLTC end-to-ender, and the person for which the bridge is named, Mahlon Hurst. The second structure is January-March 2012
The North Star 9
Steve Catherman
King post bridge along the Finger Lakes Trail, built by junior high carpentry students.
comprised of two 10´ pressure-treated timber stringer spans supported by a center crib built from the remaining cut-off utility pole stubs. This project that eliminates a seasonally wet crossing impassable at certain times of the year could not have been completed without a lot of help from the inmates from the Monterey Shock Camp Incarceration Facility. A new 16´ long king post truss bridge was constructed over a drainage ditch in a landowner’s field on Map M10 east of Hornell in Steuben County. This bridge was designed by a shop teacher and built by the students, primarily junior high boys and girls. This was a great learning experience for the kids and the start of a fruitful partnership that we hope to continue into next year with the construction of another bridge in the Hornell area. Our Director of Crews and Construction, Quinn Wright, recommended a long-term plan for new lean-to construction on the FLT. His plan locates existing lean-tos and identifies sections of the trail where the distance between shelters makes backpacking difficult, if not prohibitive. The proposal includes the establishment of a new “giving” fund, the sole purpose of which would be to fund either new or replacement lean-to construction at the rate of two structures per year, or about $7000 annually. Trail Easements: Our Vice President of Trail Preservation, Ron Navik, worked diligently with our volunteers to secure several permanent trail easements. Two of these easements have already been mentioned above, while Ron added another near Swain on Map M8 in Allegany County from longtime major landowner Bina Robinson. Two other easements were secured on the Onondaga Trail, one on Map O1 in Onondaga County from Scott and Patricia Bowen, and one on Map O2 in Madison County from Gene and Susan Reed.
10 The North Star
January-March 2012
Interactive Online Map: The FLTC’s Land Navigation Committee has launched our first interactive online map for the entire FLT system. It can easily be found on our website by clicking on the big green box containing the interactive map link. The map is segmented into 4 regions and once one of the regions is selected, the trail will appear on a Google terrain background. After reading the “How to use this map” feature, the user can pan across the map and click on various icons, like parking areas for directions, tents for camping information, red flags for hunting closures, and the FLTC symbol for information on obtaining paper maps with detailed trail descriptions. One can even obtain a profile of a section of the trail by clicking on the trail itself. Online Volunteer Hour Reporting: A somewhat lesser breakthrough than the interactive map, but an achievement nonetheless, was the development of an online form for reporting volunteer hours for the FLT/NCT. This form was modeled after the NCTA online form and will replace the tedious process of mailing out forms to all maintainers to complete and send back to the FLTC office, where they were painstakingly entered by hand into our master census spreadsheet. Many thanks to our IT whiz Don McClimans and webmaster Roger Hopkins for their efforts on this project. Finger Lakes Trail Conference 50th Anniversary: The Finger Lakes Trail Conference will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on June 15th through the 17th at the very site where Wallace D. Wood, in March of 1962, organized a group of existing hiking clubs to build a foot trail across New York. Meeting for two days at Keuka College on the shores of Keuka Lake, they established the foundation of the FLTC. Future Challenges: Aside from the usual threats to the trail from storm damage, logging, multiple use, loss of landowner permissions, and hunting closures, the FLTC faces several unique challenges in the year ahead. Currently we are searching for a new Executive Director, a Vice President of Membership and Marketing, a Treasurer, a Director of Crews and Construction, and a Newsletter Editor in addition to the annual class of new Board Members. This will be a huge turnover in our leadership and how successful we are at filling these positions with qualified individuals will go a long way in determining what our accomplishments will look like in next year’s State of the Trail report. The other major issue facing our trail next year and in the years to come is the impending gas drilling boom in the Marcellus shale formation using the controversial high-volume hydraulic fracturing method of gas extraction. The FLTC, after much deliberation, has adopted the official position of being neutral with regard to this issue in light of the fact that we don’t own the land on which the trail is located and are simply guests there. Regardless of this stance, the FLTC, its volunteers, and users of the trail have been generally perceived to be antifracking, and this perception has already cost us one landowner permission. The FLTC and other NCTA chapters will need to tread carefully in their approach to this issue. —Steve Catherman FLTC VP of Trail Maintenance
Grand opening picnic at Clarion’s first shelter.
34 Clarion Chapter PENNSYLVANIA - Prior to March of 2011, the North Country Trail’s route just outside of Clarion included a very undesirable road walk along Doe Run Road for approximately 1 mile; it included crossing the very busy Route 322 “River Hill” in about the worst spot possible, in an area with little visibility of oncoming traffic in either direction. The owner of the land on both sides of Route 322 granted permission for Clarion Chapter to include his properties in plans for a re-route of the trail. This also allowed for a much safer crossing of Route 322 at the bottom of “River Hill,” giving hikers a long view of traffic in both directions. The new section of trail from KiserWagner Road to the new trailhead at the bottom of “River Hill” is 0.6 of a mile. Heading west along the trail from there it is now an approximately 1¼ mile hike to a crossing of Doe Run Road. There is also a very scenic loop trail that parallels the new section of trail along Doe Run. “Doe Run Loop” allows a hiker to see Doe Run’s many cascades under a dense canopy of conifers below hillsides of rhododendron. Over the 4th of July weekend, Clarion Chapter capitalized on an opportunity both to promote the trail and raise some funds for our operations. Geowoodstock is an annual event for participants in the sport of geocaching. This big event travels to a new region
of the country every year. This year’s Geowoodstock was held at the Warren County Fairgrounds just outside of Warren, Pennsylvania. Clarion Chapter members Devin Callihan, Gene Stiglitz (both geocachers) and Ed Scurry went to the Warren County Fairgrounds for the weekend to distribute literature about the trail and sell various items such as Ed’s handmade walking sticks to the geocachers who stopped by our booth. We raised just over $700 over the A really fancy “turnpike” keeps hiker’s feet dry in Clarion section. Devin Callihan
www.northcountrytrail.org
Karen Klos
36 Allegheny National Forest Chapter PENNSYLVANIA The ANF chapter is well and alive in Nor’west Pennsylvania. Thanks to the Allegheny 100 Challenge, our membership has more than doubled. Registration will be on the NCTA web site starting February 1 and the challenge will be on June 8 thru 10, 2012. This year we will start near Marienville and head north. The 25 mile mark will be the world famous Cougar Bob’s and the 50 mile point will be Henry’s Mills. Last year, we had the fortunate use of SCA crews almost all summer. This greatly improved the trail in the southern sections. This year, they will make their way north. Maintenance has continued through winter, mainly with blowdowns being cut. Once the weather breaks, we will complete a 1.2 mile re-route south of Kelletville to move the trail off of Branch Road. By completing this re-route, we will have 98 miles of certified trail out of our 100 mile section. Plans are also being made to build a floating bridge across a troublesome beaver dam area north of Route 66. A new shelter has been approved by the Forest Service and, hopefully, will be completed this summer. Three more to go. The NCT GeoTrail continues to be a big hit with the geocachers. Chapter brochures are being printed and will be available for the Sportsmen’s Show at Salamanca. This show attracts 8,000 to 10,000 visitors and will bring the trail a lot of publicity. Thank you, NPS, for the grant to print these. Also we’re working on a chapter t-shirt we can sell to become more self-sufficient. I would like to thank the NCTA, NPS, USFS, and all of the members of the ANF chapter for their continuous help in keeping this section of the North Country National Scenic Trail up to the “Gold Standard.” —Keith Klos ANF Chapter President
January-March 2012
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Conference Teasers from Chief Noonday
Why are Michigan State’s Kellogg Farm cows so famous?
We’re famous because we milk ourselves on our own schedule! We’ll demonstrate when you attend the 2012 NCTA Annual Conference in Augusta, Michigan, from August 2–5, 2012. 12 The North Star
January-March 2012
Student Conservation Crew at the Kirkwood Farm in Beaver County, ready to help build a new mile of North Country Trail for Pennsylvania’s Wampum Chapter. Participants at Wampum Chapter’s photography hike, led by Jim Nocera, along the trail at McConnell’s Mill State Park.
James Nocera
Editor’s note: Don’t forget that the FLTC has offered to share their how-to booklet for log shelters, complete with dimensioned drawings, step-by-step instructions, and all the lessons learned from years of practice, obtainable from the NCTA office at Lowell.
Dave Brewer
weekend (this money enabled us to build a new hiking shelter near the Highland Drive Trailhead). In the fall of 2010, Clarion Chapter hosted a Keystone Trails Association Trail Care Weekend. Among other work, the crew was able to construct a very impressive 300 foot long turnpike through most of a very wet section of trail between Maple Creek Road and Maple Creek. It was decided that this turnpike was working so well that we needed to extend it through the remainder of the wet section of trail. A group from the Clarion Chapter and Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy put in the backbreaking work required to extend the turnpike by another 120 feet. Hikers can now hike through the entire area without soaking their feet on a twofoot wide bed of limestone gravel between pine border logs, all set atop geotextile material. Over the course of several work sessions in September and October, members of the Clarion Chapter constructed our first ever hiking shelter near the Highland Drive Trailhead. Clarion Chapter acquired designs from ANF Chapter and studied photographs on Facebook of Wampum Chapter’s construction of their shelter in 2010. Building on inspiration from these sources, a Clarion Chapter design was concocted and built. On October 23 Clarion Chapter held a picnic to serve as the grand opening for the shelter. Many members came out to celebrate. Clarion Chapter will be constructing an identical shelter in the Maple Creek area as soon as the weather breaks in the spring of 2011. Hikers next summer will have plenty of comfortable options for overnighting in Clarion County. Incidentally, the Highland Drive Shelter is located on the section of Clarion’s trail that will be featured in the upcoming NCT guide book. —Devin Callihan
32 Wampum Chapter PENNSYLVANIA - The chapter teamed up with the Student Conservation Crew from Pittsburgh and replaced a mile of road walk east of PA Gamelands 285 with a mile of new off-road trail on the Evelyn Kirkwood Farm. The assistance of these young volunteers was invaluable as there was major benching and switchback work to do. Building this new mile of trail also involved chapter volunteers installing a thirty-two foot bridge over a deep and wide run to connect the old section with the new. Agreements have been reached with two landowners and negotiations are ongoing with several more to be able to continue to build new off-road segments eastwards towards Darlington in 2012. Improving the trail was also a high priority over the past twelve months and caused the chapter to get involved with two major projects. A trash and tire dump near the trailhead at Watt’s Mill/Gamelands 285 was cleaned up, and by teaming up with PennDot and several county recycling agencies we were able to get 140 illegally dumped tires and a giant pile of other trash out of the woods and disposed of properly. Our second large project involved reclaiming a mile of off-road trail damaged by a logging operation. Many hours were put in removing debris, redefining
29 Little Cities of the Forest Chapter OHIO - The Little Cities of the Forest Chapter has had some renewed activity with the assistance of a part time Americorps member, Richard Lutz. The Chapter has led some group hikes in cooperation with other local events including a Labor Day Hike and Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day Hike out of Shawnee, Ohio, into the Wayne National Forest. The Chapter has organized a few volunteer work days to improve the Trail in Burr Oak State Park, Trimble Wildlife Area and Wayne National Forest cooperatively with Buckeye Trail Association volunteers in the New Straitsville Section. The Chapter is looking forward to more in 2012 with more hikes, and more trail work to help develop the area into more of a backpacking destination. The Little Cities of the Forest Chapter is actively looking for help with Chapter leadership; the Chapter President position is vacant and there is much to do. Contact Andrew Bashaw, abashaw@ northcountrytrail.org, if you are interested in lending a hand! —Andrew Bashaw www.northcountrytrail.org
Darlene Karoly
the trail treadway, and re-blazing our route. Chapter members also worked a regular, weekly maintaining schedule on our existing segments of trail in the Darlington and Wampum areas, in most cases performing the routine mowing and pruning duties, and in some others working on short reroutes and doing bridge installations in order to improve the trail route and hiking experience. Blazes were repainted on several off-road segments, and the roadwalks on the temporary connectors received a long-overdue treatment of blue rectangles on telephone poles and sign posts. Promoting the trail within our range took a large leap forward this year with Wampum being designated as the first official “Trail Town” in Pennsylvania. Thanks to the hard work of Andrew Bashaw, NCTA Ohio-Pennsylvania Regional Coordinator, Wampum Boro officials, and volunteers from the chapter we are poised to take recognition of the NCT in the area to the next level and create knowledge of a new recreation destination in western Pennsylvania. Awareness of our segments of the trail also grew immensely over the past twelve months as we teamed up with our fellow NCT chapters, other outdoor organizations like the Keystone Trails Association and Venture Outdoors, and interest groups like photographers and Meetup groups to do hikes. We were able to share with people who may not have been aware of the trail previously a positive outdoor experience along our segments of North Country Trail and then have them help us to continue to build our base of support. —Dave Brewer
Richard Lutz and Debbie Zampini gather GPS data along the Buckeye Trail.
27 Buckeye Trail Association OHIO - The BTA was as busy as ever in 2011 building, maintaining, protecting and promoting the use of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail, including 750+ miles of the NCT. The BTA has been building its ability to work closely with the scouting community through the development of a Scouting Liaison position to help coordinate scout projects and promotion along the trail. The BTA organized hikes around the state throughout 2011, and Andy Niekamp aka Captain Blue did a great service for the BT and NCT by promoting the trail and the Association during his thru hike of the 1,444 mile trail. The Buckeye Trail Crew volunteered over 7,000 hours building new and improving existing trail at East Fork State Park, AEP ReCreation Lands, Shawnee State Forest, the Miami & Erie Canal Towpath, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Lands, Burr Oak State Park, Straight Creek Prairie Bluffs Nature Preserve, West Branch State Park, and the BTA’s Pretty Run Property in Vinton County. Most notably the BTA finished multi-year projects at Strait Creek in partnership with the Nature Conservancy and 20+ more miles along the historic Miami & Erie Canal Towpath between Napoleon and Grand Rapids with a view of the Maumee River. The BTA was proud to host the 2011 NCTA Annual Conference highlighting Dayton for a change of pace. We were glad to see our NCT friends and family down in Ohio to experience the best the City of Dayton and its natural surroundings offer. The trails community suffered the loss of Russ Johnson and his family members whose legacy of love for the trail we can see in the restoration of the BTA Barn at Tappan Lake and in the BT he maintained at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 2011 had its ups and downs but we are looking forward to yet another productive year in 2012; check out www.buckeyetrail.org/events.html for what’s going on this year. —Andrew Bashaw NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator January-March 2012
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Mick Hawkins
On Chief Noonday’s section a severe windstorm in late May devastated the pine plantation at Kimball Pines. We certified six sawyers, with the help of the NPS, and they have seen extensive work at Kimball Pines that is far from complete.
24 Chief Noonday Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN - 2012 will be a busy year for the Chief Noonday Chapter as we prepare for the Annual NCTA Conference to be held in Augusta, Michigan on August 2-5. We are also hosting Andrew Skurka in a promotional event April 13 and 14 in the Kalamazoo area, thanks to winning the presentations donated by Andrew and Lorana Jinkerson at the Dayton Conference charity auction. We are looking at other ways to improve visibility for our trail, too. We have been hosting a table at Western Michigan University at the beginning of the semester, and have found a lot of interest. March 3rd will be our Chapter’s 3rd year hosting a table at the Quiet Water Symposium in Lansing, Michigan. Every other month, we have hosted speakers at our monthly Chapter meetings, and that has been quite popular. On January 1, 2012, we partnered with the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) at Yankee Springs Recreation Area in their first “Shoe Year’s Day Hike,” and 62 folks attended, along with 14 DNR and Chapter folks. Thanks to the huge amount of work by our Tom Garnett and Ron Sootsman, the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance (CCTA) will begin work this year completing an extension of the Battle Creek Linear Park in the first segment of Phase One of the multi-use Historic Iron Bridge Trail. This trail will feature old iron bridges that have been taken out of service, stored, and then re-used as needed on this trailway. This first segment will tie in and connect our current trail in the Ott Biological Preserve, Kimball Pines, and Bridge Park. Eventually the Historic Iron Bridge Trail will follow up the headwaters of the Kalamazoo River to Marshall, Albion, and Homer. We will be working to add dedicated footpath paralleling this trail where possible. 2011 saw a shuffling of our leadership as Larry Hawkins was elevated to President of the national Board of Directors. We struggled with higher than normal rainfall, and a severe windstorm in late May that devastated the pine plantation at Kimball Pines. We certified six sawyers, with the help of the NPS, and they have seen extensive work at Kimball Pines that is far from complete. Our Chapter recognition in Calhoun County has greatly increased due to the CCTA efforts noted above, the Kimball Pines work, and the large amount of work we have done in the neighboring Ott Biological Preserve to repair the boardwalk. A small reroute around an eroded area was also accomplished. Mick Hawkins continues to set the standard for websites, and has taken hundreds of photos of our activities, including the one above of Kimball Pines: A video look at the before and after effects has been provided by Rob Rumsey, a new, but close friend of our Chapter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94CRK7dXtWY&feature=youtu.be —Larry Pio 14 The North Star
January-March 2012
23 Western Michigan Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN - As the autumn skies start turning toward winter, I’ve been thinking about how quickly summer went and how numerous chores around the homestead are still hanging over my head. I realize that all the loose ends at home are the sacrifice paid for a summer packed full of BIG improvements on the trail in Kent and Newaygo Counties. In short, two exceptionally scenic new sections of trail have been added, three sizable bridges have been built, and summer maintenance went off without a hitch. One of the two new sections of trail connects the southern end of the NCT in the Manistee National Forest to the parking area at Croton Dam. The trail crew completed this one-mile section during two weekends in late March and early April. Late fall is a great time to hike this new trail, as it has high views of the Muskegon River through the trees and a nice southern exposure to take in the sun’s warming rays. The other section of new trail gives the Western Michigan Chapter its first toehold in southern Kent County and is on property owned by Schrem’s Chapter of Trout Unlimited. This scenic new path follows the north shore of the Coldwater River west of Baker Road (between 100 and 108 streets), ending at Tyler Creek. For now, the mile-long path is a dead end, but the hope is to connect this work with additional new trail in the area. This too would make a nice fall walk or wait until the spring and take in the large swaths of Virginia Bluebells that grow within a Michigan Nature Association preserve on the property adjacent to the trail. During the summer, the Chapter once again held two mowing weekends. With increasing efficiency, all sections in need of mowing were addressed in three days instead of the usual four, allowing us to focus upon trail hardening at Bear Creek on the last day. One highlight of the first weekend was exploring the massive clear-cut near Seven Mile Road. While typically we cringe to see clear-cutting along the trail, this particular cut was done by the Forest Service as part of a large-scale effort to restore the prairies and oak savannahs that once dominated the landscape in southern Newaygo County. A few beautiful prairie openings dotted the trail near Seven Mile Road in the past, but it will
be spectacular in three to five years when the new cutting re-establishes the prairie. This will be a fascinating process to watch as the ecosystem heals itself with the help of expert management from the Forest Service. By far the biggest highlight of 2011 has been the building of three large bridges. The first to be tackled was Bear Creek, just north of Pierce Road in Newaygo County. The new 32-foot bridge replaces a shorter bridge that was much lower and closer to the creek. The old bridge was nearing the end of its lifespan, and the steep banks on either side were contributing to sedimentation washing into the headwaters of Bear Creek, which is spawning ground for salmon. On the first weekend, the old bridge was dismantled and carried out of the woods. Two weeks later, two days of work built a new bridge, which was finished with some trail hardening on the fourth mowing day cited above. The second bridge to be built was at Rattlesnake Creek, south of M-20. This 28-foot bridge spans the creek where past beaver activity washed out a former logging road. This bridge was built during two days in late July with the help of an American Hiking Society “Volunteer Vacations” crew. Having the old logging road leading to the work site made this an easier build, as materials could be dropped off streamside and the heavy stringers could be placed across the creek by backhoe. The last bridge was completed on October 30, and crosses Cole Creek north of M-20. Previously, the trail crossed Cole Creek on a long twisted route, and like Bear Creek, included steep embankments that were dumping sediment into the creek. Now the trail crosses on a scenic 34-foot bridge. Due to the length of the bridge, this project required sizeable stringers to ensure the bridge would be rock-solid. Each of the two stringers was estimated to weigh about 3,400 pounds, and needed to be moved by hand about 75 yards to the bridge site. Thankfully, Tom Birdsall, who lives across the road from the Chapter’s Birch Grove Schoolhouse, came to our assistance. Tom is a former telephone lineman and knew how to move these beastly stringers into place using rollers, cables, pulleys, and winches. Just setting the stringers took a full day, wrapping up after dark. Two weeks later, the trail crew was back for another two full days to deck the bridge, build the approaches and railing, and construct 100 yards of new approach trail. As if this were not enough, dozens of Chapter volunteers spent hundreds of hours maintaining their sections of trail, John Lawton and Forrest Longworth (an Eagle Scout) built nearly twenty pairs of road crossing posts, Larry Meyer and Chuck Vannette spent a day cleaning up north of Croton with their chainsaws after a windstorm blew through, and Chuck Hayden continues to lead enormous efforts in the Lowell area to talk with private landowners to get the trail built across southern Kent County. Special thanks go out to Sharon Schaafmeyer who on numerous occasions provided hot lunch to the hard-working trail crew. And thanks to Beth Keloneva who provided hot lunch when Sharon could not, and to Diane Chandler for supporting Sharon’s efforts. I’d also like to thank Larry Meyer, Doug Boulee, and Jim Charvat, who have turned out for the majority of the workdays this year. Additional special thanks go out to the staff of the Baldwin District Forest Service who not only had the patience to work with a volunteer work crew, but who also lent engineering expertise, helped procure supplies, coordinated the AHS volunteers, provided prep work at the bridge sites, and worked right alongside Chapter volunteers. Now, to get those leaves raked, the garage cleaned out, and the snow tires on the Jeep! —Paul Haan, WMI Chapter Trail Manager State of the Trail continues on page 16 www.northcountrytrail.org
A bunchberry in “flower,” taken in Michigan by RWW Taylor from New York.
The Amazing Bunchberry By Doug Welker
T
hose of you who read the Spring 2011 Pathways Across America, by the Partnership for the National Trails System, may have noticed the two-page spread highlighting the NCT. The flower shown near the upper right corner of the left-hand page is bunchberry, a.k.a. Canada Dogwood. Bunchberry is basically a northwoods flower, though it grows at high elevations in the central Appalachians and in parts of the West. It requires cool, acidic soil, so you’ll find it mostly in cool woods with plenty of spruce, fir, and perhaps pine and hemlock, and on bog edges. Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis, is closely related to Flowering Dogwood, (Cornus florida) a common understory tree of more southern climes. As with Flowering Dogwood, the pretty white “petals” of bunchberry are not really petals at all, but modified bracts; the petals are part of the flower, which opens later than the bracts appear. Also as with Flowering Dogwood, the bracts are in groups of four, and the fruits turn bright red when ripe. While I call bunchberry a flower, it is in fact a low, woody, perennial plant of the forest floor. Bunchberry fruits are edible, and were a part of the Native American diet where available. You may find them bland and a bit dry, but they do not have a bad flavor. They’re fine mixed with your gorp or added to cereal or puddings. Okay, so bunchberry may be a neat plant, but an amazing plant? Read on... What’s amazing about the bunchberry is its flowers. Centered among the showy white bracts are a couple dozen or so yellowish-white foursided flowers. Until earlier this century, botanists had noticed open flowers and closed flowers, but no partially-open flowers. In other words, no one Continued on page 16
January-March 2012
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Here are some useful references: http://web.williams.edu/go/ explodingflower/index.html See also Nature 435, 164 (12 May 2005) Bunchberries later in the season showing their red berries, taken in Wisconsin by Irene Szabo.
Brian Buchanan
The Amazing Bunchberry…Continued had ever seen a bunchberry flower in the process of opening. So, researchers decided to set up cameras that could take photos in very rapid succession, in hopes of “catching a flower in the act.” They had no luck until they used a camera that could take a photo every 1/10,000 of a second. It turns out that the flowers of the amazing bunchberry open completely in not much over a third of a millisecond! So what would be the advantage of opening so quickly? The answer has to do with pollination. Pollen is accelerated from the flower at 24,000 meters per second squared, 2400 times the acceleration of gravity, and at an initial speed of 4 meters per second. This assists in wind pollination, and reduces the amount of pollen that insects eat by covering the bodies of nearby insects with pollen. A little basic math comes up with an acceleration of perhaps 3000 g’s for the outer edges of the petals. The bunchberry is believed to have the fastest motion of any plant! So, next time you see one of these fascinating plants, take a closer look, and if it’s late summer or fall, snack on a handful of berries. In spring you can even try to catch one of the flowers in the process of opening, but don’t get your hopes up!
Spirit of the Woods Chapter’s Ed Chappel seated on the boardwalk now named for him, next to his plaque.
22 Spirit of the Woods Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN The 2011 accomplishment for the Spirit of the Woods Chapter is that the boardwalk through Sterling Marsh is completed! For a chapter the size of ours, with our members scattered all over Michigan and the surrounding states, it was quite an accomplishment. The original plan was for the length to be 1,864 feet and take 4 to 5 years. We knew it would probably grow some as we continued to monitor it, but we never expected it to end up at the final length of 2,697 feet. To accomplish it in three years is even more impressive. That task also included widening the 608 feet of boardwalk from the first year from 33 inches wide to 40 inches wide. The Forest Service asked us if we would widen it and we did. We named our trail the Ed Chappel Boardwalk for our Chapter President and Trail Coordinator. Appropriately John Cooley coordinated the plan to surprise Ed with a bronze plaque announcing the significance of Ed’s organization and drive to get the project done. What John did not say was that the initial idea was born because he and Vicki Kelly go to Sterling Marsh in the spring to count frogs by estimating the number and variety of calls. Before, they had to wade in with boots and now they and many other hikers can traverse the marsh on a raised deck surface. We also hosted an American Hiking Society work week with the West Michigan Chapter which was organized by Dave Jaunese of the Forest Service. This coming year we have a significant trail relocation in our northern section where the trail overlooking the Big Manistee River is continuing to collapse as it is a steep sandy hill. Previously a bridge was constructed after a 14 inch rainfall in June 2008 collapsed the trail, but now the bridge supports are entirely exposed. We shored it up but the erosion will continue. The embankment is privately owned; we have reviewed the move with the landowner and he has given his verbal approval. —Loren Bach and Ed Chappel
16 The North Star
January-March 2012
21 Grand Traverse Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN - This is the third year in which we have moved from completing major projects into our minor objectives of improving 100 miles of the NCNST. Our trail crew of 20 is a great asset in this objective and our usual Tuesday work days have enabled us to plan consistently. The accomplishments for 2011 include the following: • Rerouting the trail 1 mile away from residences and a dirt two-track in northern Kalkaska County into a forest setting. • Rerouting of a mile off a two-track lane south of Smith Lake, moving it parallel to the lake. • Installation of a short planked boardwalk in a muddy area between M-115 and Glengary along with corrective signage. • Erection of a new kiosk at the Dollar Lake Trailhead. • Installation of five Rudd type benches at scenic sites in Wexford, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska Counties. • Reroute of a mile and a half of trail away from an ATVdamaged two-track west of Anderson Creek in Wexford County. Our six new Sector Coordinators have really stepped up taking ownership and surveillance of our 100 miles, enabling our two chief trail coordinators to concentrate on other objectives. In addition to the crew work, our Adopt-a-Trail teams of some 30 workers continued their spring and fall maintenance. This included doing the same for the four DNR trail systems in Grand Traverse County. The NPS also came to our rescue in replacing our 16 year old DR Brush Mower that had lost its wheel tread and needed pushing to move forward. We also received the required kiosk, paint, and signage materials. Grant funding from the NCTA covered materials for the new benches. It also provided for a chapter brochure which included driving instructions and detailed maps to trailhead locations. A significant contribution by one of our crew resulted in the purchase of two new Stihl chainsaws, aluminum ramps for loading the brush mowers, a Stihl grass trimmer and protective covers for the brush mowers.
We continue to work with the Cadillac DNR concerning some ATV and horse encroachment along the Manistee River. The hope is to block access points as well as reconstruct damaged areas. And of course there is that road mileage that remains as a continuing challenge to eliminate. We conclude this report acknowledging with great gratitude John Heiam for his 10 years of faithful service as our president. His leadership on the board, chairing our monthly meetings, organizing public hikes, and proactive communication in our community regarding the NCNST has enhanced the stature of both the trail and the Grand Traverse Chapter. —Arlen Matson
Grand Traverse kiosk at Dollar Lake trail head.
Dick Naperala
www.northcountrytrail.org
19 Harbor Springs Chapter LOWER MICHIGAN - As the NCT in northern Michigan takes on an extraordinary beauty in the winter, 2011 began with several snowshoe outings. Being the first ones to break trail on pristine snow is always special, and there were several times hikers were thankful for the blazes marking the trail. Trail work started with the coming of spring. Trees that fell during the winter storms had to be cleared, and work crews did an outstanding job getting the 46 miles that we maintain into wonderful condition for hikers. The Chapter had one scheduled hike every month from April through October, each hike on a different section of the trail and very well attended. In April we saw Trillium and Spring Beauties, Mother’s Day hike was once again very special as Yellow Lady Slippers, Jack in the Pulpit, and even morel mushrooms were found. Dinner after the hike at a local restaurant ended the perfect day. The June hike was rewarded with Pink Lady Slippers lining the trail. Each hike had its own beauty as the flora changed with the seasons. Two of our members, Bruce Allard and Greg Billiard, attended the chain saw certification class at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. They said it was very worthwhile, and encourage NCTA members to take the training. Our maintenance issues this past year included placing more boardwalks over perpetually wet areas, mowing back the ferns and blackberries that always threaten to take over the trail, and keeping the blazes fresh and visible. Dennis Fay, Ken Kelsey, Greg Billiard, and Bruce Allard did an outstanding job of clearing trees that were blown down across the trail quickly and efficiently. Our log boxes at each trailhead provide us with the opportunity to find out how the general public regards our trail. We are delighted to say that over 99% of the comments are very positive. The negative comments were about bikes and horses on the trail. Unfortunately, until the DNR and NPS get together and discuss this issue, it is out of our hands. There were several through-hikers this year, and every one of them stated that the sections that the Harbor Springs Chapter maintains were “the best maintained of any sections” that they had hiked. These are wonderful comments that give us a great deal of pride in our work! Unfortunately, one log box was vandalized and had to be replaced. January-March 2012
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18 The North Star
January-March 2012
Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore members Bob McNamara and Gail Glendon with Bob’s maintenance cart, doing trail work.
Campground pavilion. HSS totes in the goodies for the hotdog roast/cookie buffet and the firewood for the fire in the pavilion fireplace. The event usually draws more than 40 people on skis and snowshoes. HSS member and MDNR Park Interpreter Theresa Neal supplies free snowshoes to those wishing to try the sport. The February Hike is held at Tahquamenon Falls and includes a late lunch at the Tahquamenon Brewery after the hike. Some of the hikers make a weekend of it and stay in Paradise. The April Hike is scheduled with the Annual Buffet Dinner. The event begins with a sack lunch around a bonfire, then offers a hike followed by dinner in Rudyard at the Pure Country Restaurant, which also provides a pizza buffet and meeting space for the chapter each month. The June “Hike Between the Falls” at Tahquamenon Falls State Park is co-sponsored by the MDNR and HSS celebrating MDNR “Project GO—Get Outdoors” and National Trails Day. Bus shuttles are provided from the Lower Falls to the Upper Falls for hikers to hike the four miles back to their vehicles. Theresa Neal leads the event. HSS pays for the shuttle, mans an NCT display, leads hikes, and provides a sweep hike at the end of the day. HSS volunteers gather at the Tahquamenon Brewery for dinner to wrap up the day. Below: HSS February 2011 hike at Tahquamenon Falls.
Bill Courtois
18 Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore UPPER MICHIGAN - HSS continues to be an active chapter by increasing membership. Joan Bennett, Bob and Ellen Berry, Lisa Berry (Student), Dan Betcher (Student), Pete and Judi Chimmer, Bill and Kathy Carady, Chris and Alicia Bostek, Susan Kielb, Charles Kruch, Elisa Pacheco, Evelyn Simon, Kay Stremler, Eve Taulee, Jim and Betty Line, Andrew Ball (Student) and Cindy Caruso joined the HSS roster in 2011. We welcome them to our team and thank them for their support of the North Country National Scenic Trail. HSS President Charlene DeWitt “secured” a Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act grant from the US Forest Service for $76,000. The act was set up to help schools and communities within the national forests. HSS presented a proposal for a project in the Hiawatha National Forest East Division. The goals are to protect wetlands and sensitive environments, address safety issues for the public and volunteers, provide trail information and safe access to the trail, and construct a shelter. At this time HSS is planning the project with the USFS and scheduling meetings and walk through evaluations with them. Presently it appears that a quarter mile of boardwalk can be eliminated and the environmental impact can be improved by rerouting the NCT to higher ground. The funds must be obligated by September 30th so much needs to be accomplished in a brief period of time. You are invited by HSS to roll up your sleeves, learn new skills, and apply your talent to the task. Contact Charlene DeWitt at dewitt.Charlene@yahoo.com for information and updates. HSS has opened the discussion with Lake Superior State University’s professor Dr. Sally Childs of the Recreation Studies and Exercise Science Department to establish a practicum for students in that field. This would create a working relationship for students to get university credit while working with HSS on a variety of projects. We look forward to having the younger people involved. The chapter has continued monthly hikes. The year begins with a Winter Trails Day hotdog roast at the USFS Soldier Lake
Kay Kujawa
President Emeritus Jerry Keeney and his wife Peggy once again hosted our August meeting with a barbeque at their house. Great food, great friends, and a great organization! At the Annual meeting and potluck dinner in October, Nancy and Gary Zebko were awarded the Harbor Springs Chapter “Volunteer of the Year” award for their outstanding work as Vice Presidents. Nancy wrote a grant to the Frey Foundation and was awarded money for the chapter to work with the local road commission to develop off road parking at two of our more popular trailheads. The Harbor Springs Chapter is very active and has great membership, especially when the population base is taken into consideration. We all look forward to another wonderful year hiking the North Country Trail. —Anne Billiard
16 North Country Trail Hikers Chapter UPPER MICHIGAN - Led by our Trail Boss Cliff Stammer we hit the trail early in the spring to begin the maintenance of our segment from Rock River Road in Alger County westward through Marquette County and ending in eastern Baraga County, roughly 120 miles. Working close to town to start, we eventually got out to the more remote segments for chain sawing, lopping, mowing, weed whacking, etcetera, as the snow melted away. In June we hosted a group of 16 American Red Cross AmeriCorps young people from Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a week of trail maintenance, building a half mile segment up a steep hill on the northeast side of the Silver Lake Basin, completing some maintenance at the McCormick Wilderness and on Segment 5 Peter White Road to Mangum Road, and finally, building/repairing several hundred feet of puncheon/board walk in the Wetmore Pond area. What a treat to have young able-bodied workers helping us out. Later in the summer we worked alongside a Boy Scout earning his Eagle Scout Badge. Along with his troop we were able to build/repair even more puncheon/ board walk on the trails in Wetmore Pond. Two big projects we took on were County Road signs and destination signs. We had never had either anywhere along our trail. We now have 5 county road crossings that are marked on both approaches, alleviating a very dangerous situation for hikers as they crossed some busy roads. Our destination sign project took some verification of mileages between access and interest points along the trail. We now have 15 destination signs up and will have another 15-20 that will go up next spring. We chose to use a plastic, polycarve, and are very pleased with the results. We were fortunate to secure a Field Grant to help with the costs. In addition, we requested chapter members and friends to “sponsor” a destination sign with a donation of $50. We were very pleased to have 18 sponsors so far. The City of Marquette completed the Marquette Bike Path along Lake Street that we share for an additional one mile of new off-road trail built this season. Our chapter worked with, and paid, the Mackinac Bridge Authority to secure the printing of the NCTA 7-state logo on the back of the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Certificate handed out to 30,000 plus walkers. In late October, the Marquette area was hit with a very strong windstorm and damage reports started coming in almost immediately. We spent about 2 weeks, working almost daily to clear hundreds of trees, many still alive and healthy, that had fallen across the trail. Some locations looked like a big set of “pick-up sticks.” I am proud to say that through the diligent efforts of many hard working members, we were able to clear the trail from Mangum Road west to the Little Garlic Falls, the most heavily used portions of our segment. — Lorana Jinkerson Left: One of three new County Road trailhead signs. Destination sign indicates distances for hikers on the North Country Trail Hikers section of the trail. Lorana Jinkerson
Lorana Jinkerson
The 2011 November Hike celebrated by hiking into the new USFS Carp River Bridge and a hotdog roast. USFS Recreational Manager Lyn Hyslop attended the hike, spoke about the bridge, and visited with 35 hikers. Theresa Neal and Kay Kujawa led a nature treasure hunt for the younger hikers! Other hikes included a Chili Cook-Off, a Christmas Potluck, camping options at USFS Soldier Lake Campground, Wilderness State Park and Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and an international hike with the Sault Naturalists on St. Joseph’s Island, Ontario. HSS continues to attend local organization meetings and events, including St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce Event Committee and Tri County Wellness Coalition Meetings. St. Ignace Fab Fridays were a great summer promotional event for HSS. The animal tracks and hiking stick activities were well received by area and visiting children while adults were interested in North Country Trail information. HSS meets annually with Tahquamenon Falls State Park Manager Craig Krepps to evaluate the past year and plan for the upcoming year. The great support that Park Manager Craig Krepps, Park Interpreter Theresa Neal, and the park staff provide the North Country National Trail is appreciated by HSS and NCT hikers. HSS values the tremendous effort of the USFS to assist the chapter in the work from general day to day maintenance and promotion to the larger projects that the USFS, NPS, and NCTA team up for. HSS especially appreciates the work of Rangers Lyn Hyslop and Patty VerWiebe and the support of District Ranger Steve Christiansen. Many thanks go out to Justin Carrick for the work he has done for the NCT. Justin retired January 1st. The third year of the Castle Rock Project has been completed, so now the work on that last 3000 foot section has begun. Marilyn Chadwick works on her days off, and Joan Cox drives from Harbor Springs. Bill Courtois squeezes in time while visiting his mother-in-law in Sault Saint Marie. Locals Walter and Kathy Coyler, Stan and Kay Kujawa, and Bob McNamara take advantage of their proximity to the Castle Rock area. The tool trailer that is part of the Castle Rock 2010 Challenge Cost Share has been an excellent asset to the project and to other work sessions along the 122 miles that HSS maintains. —Charlene DeWitt and Kay Kujawa www.northcountrytrail.org
January-March 2012
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Lorana Jinkerson
Don Watson of North Country Trail Hikers Chapter cleaning up after the wind had its way.
13 Heritage Chapter WISCONSIN The on-trail events for 2011 started in April with our annual Spring Hike, an exploratory backpack trip to map a new route for the trail from Copper Falls State Park east to Wren Falls. During six work weekends from May through November, the Chapter maintained existing trail, built a new 34´ bridge, built a 32´ boardwalk, cleared and blazed over 5 miles of new trail extending east from Copper Falls State Park, and cleared and blazed another one mile of re-route trail east of Casey Sag Road to move the trail off a forest road. In 2012 the Chapter plans to continue working on the extension of trail east from Copper Falls State Park. — Michael Stafford, President
Bill Menke
12 Chequamegon Chapter WISCONSIN - A Year Of Trials And Tribulations It was another year of trying to keep up with falling trees on the Chequamegon Chapter’s sections of NCT. Of particular note was a wind event on July 1st that devastated some of our sections. We owe a thank you to the USFS for removing some of the most dangerous tree pile-ups from the July 1st wind event. Despite the many hours of downed tree removal and being greeted with snow on our first NCT maintenance of the season (April 30th!) we still managed to make some major gains for 2011. Thanks to a Funding Request to the NPS by Chapter Treasurer Ed Ronkowski, the Chequamegon Chapter received a new DR Brush Mower, Tool Box, and Trailer for the western end of our sections of NCT. The Chapter also purchased a new chainsaw for our western sections. We spent a lot of time this past season re-claiming a previously adopted section of NCT that had been greatly neglected, an example of “not all Trail Adopters are equal in dedication.” This took two “Chapter-wide” trail maintenance events and a lot of time by the new multiple section trail adopter, Mike Ryan, to gain this section of NCT back. A LOT of LOPPING, some downed tree removal and trail marking took a majority of this volunteer time. But we gained! On September 17th and 18th the Chequamegon Chapter assisted the Heritage Chapter in the historic starting of new NCT at the Eastern border of Copper Falls State Park. How long has this been a dream? We also managed to install a wooden puncheon at a problem area caused by a beaver dam on unscheduled trail maintenance on Saturday, November 5th. This last minute gain was made possible by the efforts of Mike Trieschmann and Mike Ryan who purchased and hauled the pressure treated material to the site just before the construction date. What a great way to close out a trail maintenance year! The Chapter also managed to “re-invent” some of our current officer positions and garner some new volunteers for some previously unfilled officer positions this year. One of our major gains was in attaining a Western End Quartermaster, Rick Pomerleau, in addition to our already existing Quartermaster Mike Trieschmann who had previously tried to cover all 32 sections of adopted NCT. We also expanded the responsibilities of our Chapter’s Quartermasters to an even more important role as “Trail Managers.” So we now have Trail Mangers for both our Western and Eastern Sections. Mary Stenberg will be an important part of the Western End Trail Management team. We also gained a “Recorder of Volunteer Hours” (Mike Ryan) and a “Fun Event Coordinator” (Cheryl Trieschmann). This will be the first time that the Chequamegon has had someone filling the “Recorder” position. The Chapter also gained a new President, Laura Nitsche, at our Annual Business/ Planning Meeting on Saturday, November 12th. This was the largest attendance in history for an Annual Meeting for the Chequamegon Chapter. Our sections of NCT are once again fully adopted, probably the only reason we are mostly “open for business,” considering all of the wind events we have experienced. The Chapter has also gained a number of new and very dedicated volunteers this year and our membership remains near an all-time high. —Marty Swank, Chequamegon Communications Liaison Present for Chequamegon Chapter’s 2011 Annual Meeting (L to R:) Bob Norlin, Rick Pomerleau, Cheryl Trieschmann, Patti Prusila, Laura Nitsche, Tana Turonie, Eileen Freiburger, Mary Stenberg, Mike Trieschmann, Karen Larsen (USFS Washburn District), Rose Wooley, Ed Ronkowski, Marty Swank, John Prusila, Vickie Swank and Jay Cablk.
20 The North Star
January-March 2012
Bill Menke
Menke’s Rovers Crew Review WISCONSIN - Attached to the Brule-St. Croix Chapter is the “Rovers” team which camps in the woods multiple times per year to do special projects for both their chapter and neighboring groups’ trails, too. Bill Menke, Regional Coordinator Wisconsin, always thanks Rovers participants each year with a long account of their accomplishment with many pictures. This is a slender excerpt from his annual production.
Rovers Summary The Dorsey Creek A-frame bridge
Bill Menke
Ferrying building materials across the St. Croix River between two canoes.
Bill Menke
JoAnn Pearson working on wetland boardwalk. www.northcountrytrail.org
The Rovers team turned in a record eight sessions this last year. 2011 turned out to be “The Year of The Bridge” as we constructed three of them. We also did a lot of tread work, tornado cleanup, and completed the Herculean task of moving materials across the St. Croix River. Starting in April and May, we finished some new trail, then when we returned in June, we resumed working on the Reinsberg to Solon Springs segment. Tuesday was so hot that during the afternoon, we worked for 45 minutes, and then broke for 30 minutes. We knew it was hot but didn’t know how hot until we saw the truck thermometer registering 96 degrees on the way back to camp. At 9:00 that evening, the wind shifted and the temperature dropped 22 degrees in an hour. The rest of the week was much better! We then headed east to Iron County where we met Heritage Chapter members. Between Friday noon and Monday noon, we worked with the Heritage constructing a 34-foot bridge across Gold Mine Creek, just west of Casey Sag Road (the first big bridge for the year). July 11-15: Another month—another big bridge. This month, we worked to construct a 32-foot bridge across what we call Dorsey Creek (actually not named), which is on the series of private easements just north of Solon Springs. While last month’s bridge was 34-feet long, because of crib placement, it actually had a clear span of 24-feet. This bridge has a longer clear span of 32-feet and must be a different design to span the longer distance. When working on a project such as this, the crew unfailingly gets so enthusiastic that they choose to work late to finish some particular phase. Once again this proved true and we worked some extra long days. But, three long days later the first A-Frame bridge we’ve built was in place and we were ready to call an end to another successful endeavor. The A-Frame design proves to be a very sturdy. Looking ahead, it appears that more bridges of this style are going to be needed. August 1-5: On July 2nd, the St. Croix River area and the area southwest of Solon Springs experienced a tornado. This storm literally obliterated about 5-6 miles of our trail. Most of our past years of work, including the many areas of carefully laid stone, is covered by many layers of trees. We finally have our wetland permits and had planned to begin moving materials across the St. Croix but all of our access trails are also obliterated. And the icing on the cake is that we need to assist the chapter in opening up certified trail before we worry about building more new trail. Local chapter members have been fielding work crews and have about 3 miles already cleared. So, our August trip is devoted exclusively to clearing the existing trail. Portions are covered by layers and layers of fallen trees, to the point that we can barely find the trail and have to January-March 2012
The North Star 21
Bridge over Caitlin Creek destroyed by fallen aspen, rebuilt in one day by Rovers Crew, higher and heavier.
November 7-11: FINALLY we began the long awaited construction of puncheon on the north side of the St. Croix National Scenic River. In order to save ourselves an hour’s walk each way, we took the canoe across the river and reached the work site in 15 minutes. By the end of the week, we almost completed the structures across the three wetlands lying between our lumber stockpile and the Gordon Dam ATV trail. —Bill Menke NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator Wisconsin 22 The North Star
10 Superior Hiking Trail Association 4 MINNESOTA It was the 25th anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) in 2011 and we celebrated with a “Take the Seven Summits” challenge. If someone hiked to five of the seven listed summits, they could bring their log sheet into our retail store/office in Two Harbors, Minnesota, and get a free poster. We had close to 100 people who completed the challenge. It was a good year for the SHT. We opened a new 5.1 mile section of trail in June and featured a hike on the new section on National Trails Day. We constructed another 5.6 miles of new trail with the assistance of 100 volunteers contributing over 1,500 hours of labor. Volunteers worked both during the weekdays or participated in five weekend work campouts hosted by SHTA with marvelous meals cooked by our Volunteer Coordinator. The new section included a new backcountry campsite along the Sucker River and a small bridge. The section will be officially opened on National Trails Day in 2012 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a hike. The SHT main trail mileage is now up to 288 miles.
Puncheon along new trail segment of Superior Hiking Trail.
Kim Fishburn
October 3-7: Another windstorm had hit the area on August 1st. This forced us to construct our third bridge for the summer. Fortunately, the destroyed Catlin Creek Bridge was one of our more simple bridges. However, since the time when it was constructed several years ago, we had often stated that if it were ever washed out, we would make it a little higher and more substantial. A big aspen tree gave us the opportunity. With a nicesized crew, we removed and replaced the bridge in just one day.
The power wagon with 6x6 posts strapped on each side makes quick work of carrying materials over land.
Bill Menke
Finally, September was the month when we began to move all of the puncheon materials across the St. Croix River. We had a good-sized crew on hand but this is nevertheless a Herculean effort with different crew members assigned to different tasks and then switching off for variety and carrying relief. While some cut the boards to length at the road, others hauled them 0.3 miles with the power wagon to the edge of the bluff south of the river. Other crew members then carried everything by hand for another 500 feet down the bluff and across a bog to the edge of the river. Here, more crew members loaded them into a “canoe barge” and ferried them across the river to yet another pair of crew members who received and stacked the materials for later use.
Bill Menke
carefully scout ahead to find it before moving forward with saws to clear it. One person worked his way forward to find the trail and then directed the sawyer which way to progress. This was a massive and dangerous effort but by Thursday afternoon, we had reached Gibson Cabin.
January-March 2012
We had volunteers who adopted 75 trail sections, 88 backcountry campsites, and 49 trailheads, helped with five scheduled maintenance work projects, including some new, heftier boardwalks on old beaver dams, and a new 36´ bridge over the Encampment River. Our favorite high school engineering class also built a new 32´ bridge on Hane Creek and re-habbed a bridge on Durfee Creek. We offered eight guided hikes and one backpack trip. Yet again, the Superior Hiking Trail is still not an “official” part of the North Country Trail, but some year this is going to happen! Our biggest challenge remains keeping the trail cleared of fallen trees with the small number of certified chain sawyers that we have. It seems like storms have gotten worse over the past several years. —Gayle Coyer, SHTA Executive Director
Bruce Johnson
working a total of 167 volunteer hours, and fourteen miles of trail were cleared, trimmed and swamped. Three new adopters joined our ranks. With the help of several “regulars” and a few days with an AmeriCorps crew, progress was made on the Waboose Lake loop trail. The NCT already skirts part of this pristine lake located in the Paul Bunyan State Forest, north of Nevis. New trail will connect to the existing NCT and loop around the lake providing a quality trailhead at the public boat landing parking lot. The corridor around the lake is mowed and trimmed back and ready for tread work. Just over one mile of tread is finished and has been given rave reviews by those who have hiked it. The boundaries of the Itasca Moraine Chapter have expanded to the east into the Chippewa National Forest to Cass County 125 near Longville. Now we are responsible for maintaining about 70 miles of the NCNST. It is exciting to have expanded into what locals call “The Chip.” We have a very good partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Walker Ranger District Staff. All have been very helpful and show a strong interest in the NCT. Occasionally I am asked if there are many who use the NCT. This is a good question and hard to quantify; however, we have comment boxes at our kiosks and they provide a “snap shot” of use. Following are some entries from this summer taken from the kiosk box located at the Hubbard County 4, NCT intersection. “Came through and enjoyed the NCT. The campsite east of this kiosk in this section was outstanding! Thanks,” —G&J “Beautiful trail! So well cared for. Went east had fun.” — ATA
L to R: Tom Moberg, Linda Johnson and Mary Moberg. (Bruce Johnson is behind the camera.) The four hiked from Nelson Lake to Itasca State Park’s Douglas Lodge (30 miles) last September, taking two nights camping at NCT campsites and three easy days hiking on the Itasca Moraine section of the trail.
6 Itasca Moraine Chapter MINNESOTA - We had a productive season. Bench-tables were installed at our four campsites, while two benches were built and placed along the trail at scenic overlooks near Nelson and Upper Teepee Lakes. Another bench was placed at the kiosk where the NCT crosses Hubbard County 4 south of Lake George, Minnesota. Of course, regular maintenance including mowing, pruning and swamping tallied up hundreds of volunteer hours. Jerry Trout spearheaded two different things involving trail maintenance. The first was a plan to better equip trail adopters. Most were presented with a pair of Toro loppers as well as a folding saw to help them better maintain their section of trail. One has reported to me that the folding saw works so well that he will not be taking his chain saw with him until he knows that it is needed on a really big tree that is down. He is very satisfied! The second involved a new way to get members and others who might be interested in helping out on the trail. Five trail tune-ups were organized and advertised this fall. Twenty nine participated, www.northcountrytrail.org
“Needed a hike…hiked east to Steamboat Pass and back. 3 hrs 40 min. GREAT TRAIL!! Blessed to have it.” —R “I have hiked from Anson Rd. west of Itasca State Park to this kiosk at different times of the year. A walk in nature’s garden on a bad day beats a good day working all to heck. Great job everyone.” — C. “Wonderful trail! Thanks B and L for guiding us through these beautiful woods.” —M&T “Hiked to Schoolcraft River bridge. Excellent trail. Love the boardwalk. Can’t wait to see more of the trail!” — JW “Hiked from here to Spider Lake Road (3 hrs 30 min). The section along Schoolcraft Valley is TOO scenic.” — B. D. A. From these log book entries, it is apparent that the trail is being used and enjoyed. — Bruce Johnson January-March 2012
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Both Photos: Ray Vlasak
Laurentian Lakes Chapter Snowshoe Hike, March 5.
5 Laurentian Lakes Chapter MINNESOTA - Our first years of trial and error have developed into a pattern of activities, construction, maintenance and promotion that function smoothly for this 5 year old chapter. New construction remains the primary goal, but with more miles to maintain and more interest in guided hikes, the focus has expanded. The chapter board plans to increase the use of committees to serve the growing membership. On the activities front the chapter held its traditional anchor events of Winter Trails Day, National Trails Day, and Hiking Fest in late August. These activities all include hikes, meetings, entertainment, and meals. This year the chapter sponsored a series of twice a month hikes entitled “Hike to the Headwaters.” This series started in April and ended at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park at the Hiking Fest. Though the season started with some rainy Saturdays for the first couple of hikes, it didn’t dampen spirits and in some ways added to the beauty of the trail. The series of hikes introduced many “first timers” to the trail. The chapter again hosted an AmeriCorps-NCCC group that arrived on August 5th and worked for 3 weeks. They had planned to do trail work for 8 weeks, but were called to assist with national disasters in Missouri and New England. They did mostly treadway and some boardwalk construction for both the Laurentian Lakes and Itasca Moraine chapters. The chapter also had two Conservation Corp of Minnesota groups working in July and an Eagle Scout project added another campsite. 24 The North Star
Trail construction along the North/ South continental divide was finished and work moved into the Hudson Bay drainage this year. The topography is much wetter and chapter volunteers constructed 9 boardwalks totaling 292 feet. In total about 3 miles of new trail construction were completed in 2011. The chapter expected to begin trail construction within the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in 2011, but it was delayed due to archaeological and environmental review issues. While the delay was disappointing, participating in the review process with the Refuge staff was enlightening and educational. The trail route and construction were subjected to a rigorous review more than any previous area. Fortunately the State extended to the end of 2012 the initial County sponsored Parks and Trails Legacy grant for hiring the Conservation Corps. The review noted above identified specific needs for puncheon, boardwalk, and encapsulation materials, and another Legacy grant was approved to cover these needs. The chapter has joined local Chambers of Commerce to promote the NCT. These memberships along with the Lake Country Scenic Byway have expanded promotional opportunities. Chapter membership continues to grow and new faces are seen at most activities. Both volunteer and financial support is strong. In addition there is some activity and interest west of the chapter’s chartered area toward closing the gap to the Sheyenne National Grasslands in North Dakota.
January-March 2012
—Karen Stenberg
Laurentian Lakes Chapter's boardwalk crew Gary Narum, Chuck Church, Ed Gunderson, and Steve Sondrol.
4 Star of the North Chapter MINNESOTA - What a place to be! The Chapter has experienced a metamorphosis. We have a completed trail section that is built, blazed, and newly cleared of all debris. Our section of trail also has a wonderful relationship with our property managers, the USDA Forest Service’s Chippewa National Forest. (CNF) What more would a woods want? The answer: Adventures and adventurers of all kinds…hikers, backpackers, hunters, birders, any outdoor people on foot. That’s what we are getting now, but we anticipate even more users to come. In 2011, we met people from neighboring states who came to the trail in the CNF for the express interest of enjoying the trail. There were hunters. There were people hiking and geo-caching. Newly updated sign kiosks have been placed at parking areas throughout "the Chip." Trail brochure holders are built and will be placed at trailheads. However, many of the trailheads cannot be found by potential hikers without more widespread information. Our outreach specialist (volunteer Philip Nimps who is possessed of missionary zeal to spread the word about the NCT) is on the ground improving relationships with local communities throughout the completed trail areas of Minnesota. This will enable Chambers of Commerce to provide information to tourists and other interested parties so they can utilize the trail. He is providing communities with brochures and membership applications, and this
Becky Heise
includes website information where further information and maps can be obtained. We will also be placing registry boxes at campsites, and directional signage at trailheads with mileage to points of interest on the trail; for instance, to next parking area, major road, campsite, etc. In addition, some scenic vistas will be opened up so all can enjoy the beauty of the trail, and lakes will be identified by signage. This will enable users to better identify progress on trail maps. —Brian Pavek
Installing appropriate stickers on a Carsonite post in Sheyenne River Valley Chapter’s section. There isn’t much to paint a blaze upon for many miles of North Dakota.
A photo opportunity during a Sheyenne River Valley Chapter hike. Look at those beautiful rolling lumpy prairie lands!
Becky Heise
www.northcountrytrail.org
2 Sheyenne River Valley Chapter NORTH DAKOTA - The year 2011 was not without its frustrations as we tried to reach our goal of 25 new miles of trail on the ground under a Recreational Trails Grant. The chapter work plan had been to acquire easements for complete segments (located between proposed trailheads) and start working on those as they were filled in. Unfortunately, we had completed only one segment acquired by the end of 2010. The funding for our easement acquisition contractor ran out before we had acquired the needed trail easements to complete any more full segments. A volunteer took over the easement acquisition portion of the project. Many of the remaining easements were for property owners located out of state. Those we have been able to contact via phone but that makes it very difficult to negotiate routes as we cannot point out exactly where we or they want the route to be located. Winter weather and road closures caused delays of landowner meetings as well. Spring flooding again caused us problems in reaching whole segments of trail for trail building activities and in almost completely washing out a segment of existing trail. We were not able to get out and get trail on the ground until National Trails Day on June 4th but we had a great turnout of volunteers to get trail mowed, fence stiles built, and new trail blazed! Since we had not heard back from some of the landowners who had given us verbal approval of their easements, we sent out reminder letters to them. To our dismay, we found that they had changed their minds and would not sign their easements. This caused us to have to scramble to research adjacent landowners, create new easements and contact more landowners. Because of this, especially with out of state landowners, we were unable to acquire easements to some important connections. Some of those landowners have given us verbal approval but we have learned not to count on those easements until we have them signed and in hand! On a brighter note, we were successful in obtaining 24 easements over the course of our Recreational Trails Grant project for approximately 29 miles of trail. Two landowners donated their easements and several donated some of their easement payments back to the chapter. We were most appreciative of their support! Chapter volunteers and others donated approximately 1,090 hours in total towards this project with a value of $14,432.81! That does not include regular trail maintenance and other chapter activities! North Country Trail information panels have been or will be installed at each trail head in our chapter region, along with brochure holders which will carry national and local brochures. North Country Trail, North Dakota segment information and local chapter information panels have been developed and will be installed on a kiosk January-March 2012
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Matt Davis Matt Davis
Sheyenne River Valley Chapter’s Ron Lindquist marked the NCT through Lonetree’s North Dakota prairie.
Philip Nimps, from Star of the North Chapter, mows the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area trail segment.
at Fort Ransom State Park in the spring. Lake Ashtabula segment map panels have also been developed and will be installed at the kiosks along the trail there in the spring. The Recreational Trails Grant also allowed us to buy gravel to fill in low spots along new and existing trail and to install culvert flares on two culverts that have washed out twice in the last three years. According to the Barnes County Highway Department this should fix the problem. Hopefully we will never have to worry about those culverts again! We are also experimenting with two products called grasspave and gravelpave to see if they will work in wet areas along the trail in the Sheyenne State Forest that gets a lot of horse travel. In addition, we installed five fence stiles and two wooden plank boardwalks. The chapter enjoyed recreational activities along with the hard work. In May, the chapter surveyed the damage on the Ladies Line segment and hiked a short distance of the new trail which had been constructed in October, 2010. We had planned on hiking only the new segment but much of a two mile section of that was flooded. After the hard work on National Trails Day, the chapter enjoyed a cookout, bonfire and camped over at Clausen Springs Recreation Area. The next day, we hiked around the lake in the very pleasant morning air! The July chapter hike at Fort Ransom State Park was cancelled due to a heat index of 115 degrees. Several chapter members attended the NCTA Conference in Ohio and the Hiking Fest at Itasca State Park in Minnesota in August. National Public Lands Day was enjoyed by many with a hike in the Sheyenne National Grassland near Milnor. It was a beautiful day in a beautiful area of North Dakota. In 2012, we will be busy developing the remaining miles of trail that we didn’t get done this year as well as maintaining our almost 36 miles of trail. It will be challenging but we have a great group of dedicated volunteers and we have lots of fun as we work. —Becky Heise
26 The North Star
January-March 2012
1 Lonetree Wildlife Management Area NORTH DAKOTA - In 2011, the NCTA again held a workweek in July out at Lonetree mowing the Trail. Despite a record heatwave (95 degrees and sticky), a small team of volunteers (Philip Nimps, Ron Lindquist, and Matt Davis) spent three and a half days mowing about 15 miles of the NCT, including the segment to be hiked by Ron Strickland and included in the guidebook. Additionally, Ron Lindquist re-signed (installing new Carsonite posts and stickers on existing posts) the entire McClusky and New Rockford Canal segments. This work was badly needed. —Matt Davis
North Star Submission Guidelines Without your material, we cannot have a magazine, so we eagerly request your submission of pictures and text for every issue. Please send both to Irene Szabo at treeweenie@aol.com, or 6939 Creek Rd., Mt. Morris NY 14510. Please don’t embed pictures within your article, but send them separately as .jpg attachments. Do not refer me to your picture collection hosted by some other picture-hosting site! Do not send your North Star submissions to the NCTA office, because they will just have to re-send them to me, and it HAS happened that precious articles have thus been lost in the shuffle.Front cover photo candidates: need vertical format, and if digital, at least 300 dpi, AND we are always looking for great cover photos! Deadline for Vol. 31, Issue 2, is 15 March 2012. Thank you! —Your volunteer editor, Irene
Existing trail in the Chippewa National Forest southwest of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, was being abused by legally excluded ATV’s and snowmobiles, when new Arrowhead Chapter member Katie Jo Blau adopted part of the NCT along the Remer Esker in 2009. (An esker is a winding ridge of debris left by a melting glacier as run-off snakes beneath the ice sheet.) She has been inspired to go to great lengths to battle the illegal usage that has damaged HER trail. —Editor
Posts with rebar, ready for installation.
Remer Esker Segment Update
Story and Pictures by Katie Jo Blau
I
n the summer of 2011 I discovered that the steps and the “NO ATV” sign at the Milton Lake boat landing trailhead were ripped out. Back in January of 2010 a snowmobiler ripped off the top portion of the steps when he drove over them to go up the steep hill. Signs had been used for shotgun target practice and a nice bench at my campsite was ripped out and partially burned by vandals in 2010. All the wood was taken from the wood rack I had built, and the rack itself was knocked over. So my goal this fall was to deter ATV (all terrain vehicle) and snowmobile traffic on the first half of my segment, from Milton Lake boat landing to Forest Service road FS2321B. At the FS2321B crossing, I cemented in four round wooden posts, provided by the US Forest Service, about 10˝ deep into the ground. 3/8˝ diameter rebar was hammered into each post in four directions to make it impossible to pull them out of the hard clay. To prevent someone from cutting the posts off with a chainsaw, I wrapped them with barbed wire, secured to the posts with large fencing staples. I installed “NO ATV” signs facing both directions. I will just be able to get my Jari sickle bar mower between the two center posts next summer. At the Milton Lake boat landing trailhead I fixed the step, replaced the “NO ATV” sign, and added more boulders as a barrier. The posts for the steps are secured to one another with 3/8˝ diameter rebar and into the ground as well with rebar and a concrete block “dead man.” The new steel sign post (two bolted together!) is cemented into the ground 18˝ deep. I hired an excavator to add eight more boulders since the current arrangement wasn’t keeping out the ATVs. As a funny side note, I dreamed that someone took the time to cut off the barbed wire from a post at FS2321B and then cut off the post with a chainsaw. They left a note that read, “RIDE ON!” So far, however, through December 21st, 2011, nobody had vandalized anything. The wood rack survived the season at the campsite, and a simple bench I added has remained intact. Only because the editor asked, I’ll confess that I used all my own money to do this work, including hiring the rock guy. The USFS supplied the wooden posts, as well as the post driver to install the steel “NO ATV” sign posts. Tom Schackman and Mitch Bouchonville at the USFS office in Walker, Minnesota, have been very helpful since I first started maintaining the trail. www.northcountrytrail.org
Posts installed at trailhead.
Steps under (re-)construction.
Additional boulders to deter illegal usage. January-March 2012
The North Star 27
Random Acts Of Kindness
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ver had one of those experiences that make you stop and think—a brief experience that breaks the routine and brings a smile to your face? The other day coming back from a quick trip to the Upper Peninsula, I stopped for the toll booth at the Mackinac Bridge to wait for the car in front of me. It was a hectic day, filled with obligations and distractions. Thinking about the need to get back to the office and a dozen other daily details, I noticed a sticker on the back of the car in front of me that said “NCT.” What could that mean? After the car departed, I drove up to the booth and the attendant said that the lady in front of me had paid the toll. She handed me a business card and sent me on my way south across the bridge. At the top of the card was a book title, “Nettie does the NCT.” The card’s intent was to promote a children’s book about the North Country National Scenic Trail. Oh yeah, NCT meant North Country Trail. The book is written by Lorana A. Jinkerson, who must have been the lady that paid my toll the other day. On the back of the card was a sticker that described another book called “Random Acts of Kindness.” I want to thank Ms. Jinkerson, if she was the lady driving the car, for her random act of kindness. And a book for kids about the North Country Trail sounds like a good idea.
The trail is an excellent resource for visitors and communities along the trail in Michigan. I’ve hiked sections of the NCT in the central Upper Peninsula and in Gogebic and Ontonagon County, and lived close to the trail in Alger County and Iron County, Wisconsin. The NCT winds its way in our neck of the woods through the Mackinaw State Forest. North of Petoskey great hiking opportunities exist in Wilderness State Park, where the trail follows the Lake Michigan shoreline. As one leaves Wilderness State Park and heads towards Mackinaw City the Mackinac Bridge can be seen. Snowshoeing or cross country skiing the trail in winter makes a great excursion. Too often folks living close to a great resource, like the NCT, are the last to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize the asset. We live in an amazing four-season location that offers diverse outdoor recreational advantages. The North Country Trail is just one of many. And be on the lookout for an opportunity to commit one of those random acts of kindness. They can make someone’s day. By Gary A. Lambert, Publisher Cheboygan (Michigan) Daily Tribune Reprinted with permission
Tour de NCT hike number 18 in Pennsylvania.
Tammy Veloski
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January-March 2012
Making the North Country Trail Accessible TRAIL MANAGER’S
CORNER JEFF McCUSKER
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NPS Trail Manager
e’re all getting older, and that should give us the wisdom and perspective to appreciate that well thought-out trail design will not only let the trail get from A to B, but also let us get from A to B, as our knees, hips, stamina and general mobility start to fade with age. Luckily, (some would say amazingly), the federal government through the efforts of the United States Access Board, is making it easier to build trails that are easier for all to use. The Access Board is in the final stages of setting standards for the construction of trails and other outdoor recreation facilities such as tent pads, campsites, picnic areas and view points by the federal government, or on land owned by the federal government. These standards recognize that outdoor settings present special conditions, and that maintaining the “nature of the nature” is part of why people want to use the facility. One tendency of folks designing and building trails has been to look first at all the reasons the trail they are building cannot be made accessible, and with thinking like that, meeting any kinds of standards for accessibility quickly falls by the wayside. The North Country Trail: A Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance provides a good perspective on accessibility from 1996 when it was written. For instance, Chapter 5 on trail structures covers the need for accessibility several times, such as in the discussion of why constructing stairs is not the preferred way to ascend grades. However, the new federal standards will make it clearer what accessibility for trails means, and the NCT handbook will need to be modified to incorporate the new standards. The first draft rule was released for comment in 2007, the final draft in 2009, and has involved over 15 years of study, comment, review, comment and more comment by the public, trail builders, and all levels of the government. The Access Board plans to issue the final rule by September 30, 2012. In general, the rule is a huge step forward in clarifying how to determine when trails need to be made accessible, and then providing much more realistic standards for trail construction. Although the federal accessible trail standards are not yet official, they are considered current best practices for accessible trail design by the federal government. Some of our NCTA chapters that work with the Forest Service (which will be adopting the government-wide rule when it is official) have already had them applied to their projects, such as making sure trail bridges have a clear tread width of 36 inches, and building ramps, not steps, for approaches. There are plenty of arguments www.northcountrytrail.org
that have been made for not destroying the recreation setting by providing for accessibility, and the rule takes this into account. It’s a matter of careful, well thought-out design to meet the standards with the resources you have, project by project, and not destroy the character of the place you are working in. The final draft rule can be found on the internet at: www.access-board.gov/outdoor/draft-final.htm#text Some of the key parts of the draft rule are that it would apply to: • All recreational trails being designed for pedestrian use. • Alterations that change the original design, function, or purpose of a trail. • Construction of alteration of any trail on federal lands, being built on behalf of the federal government by others, or being built with federal grants or assistance on nonfederal land. • Any trail that leads from an accessible trailhead, or another accessible recreational trail. Four exceptions where an entire trail, or sections of a trail, may be exempted from application of the rule: • Compliance is not feasible due to terrain. • Compliance cannot be accomplished with the prevailing construction practices. • Compliance would fundamentally alter the function or purpose of the facility or the setting. • Compliance is precluded by Federal, State, or local law, the purpose of which is to preserve threatened or endangered species, the environment, or archaeological, cultural, historical, or other significant natural features. There are measurable standards for creating segments of more accessible trail and facilities which are part of the rule and which are easy to teach your trail designers and builders, and we are eager to help you learn them. The most important principle to commit to heart is that we are not here to declare that any piece of trail is “accessible” but to describe it through signage or map info in a clear enough way, using those measurable standards, that a person with disabilities can decide for himself whether he wants to try to use that trail. As we move forward on trail construction and improvements, keep accessibility in mind. This year the National Park Service provided a Connect Trails to Parks grant to the North Country Trail to hire an intern and identify three accessible portions of existing trail in each NCT state, and enter it into a web site on accessibility for recreational facilities, and we will be contacting chapters to guide us to their existing accessible trail segments for this effort. Jeff McCusker Trail Manager, North Country National Scenic Trail 113 Riverwalk Place, Lowell, MI 49331 (616) 340-2004 or jeff_b_mccusker@nps.gov January-March 2012
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Summary: 2012 NCTA Staff Retreat Rose Ann Davis
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orth Country Trail Association’s staff gathered January 23-27 at a location historic to the organization’s early years, The Shack in Jugville, Michigan. Annually hosting gatherings of the NCTA faithful in the early years of the organization, The Shack is only a couple of miles off the North Country Trail near White Cloud. The Deurs, long time owners and proprietors of The Shack, hosted NCTA in the 80’s and 90’s and many long-time NCTA’ers will remember their banana splits tradition. The NCTA staff closed the circle by returning this year for a planning retreat. The banana splits were still forthcoming!
Staff last gathered to plan in 2009. NCTA staff gathers for that rare peaceful moment set aside to examine their NCTA’s staff is dispersed, with regional goals and progress, plus plan for the future. trail coordinators living in Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin in addition to the seven Lowell-based staff. closely they were living the original vision set for themselves While most of the staff attend conference, the whirlwind in 2007. They celebrated the growing maturity of the atmosphere and pressing responsibilities at conference don’t organization they serve, its relative position in the world of allow much time or energy for planning. The planning volunteer trail organizations, and the longevity of the staff. retreat enables face-to-face focusing of significant time It is truly remarkable in a non-profit world characterized by and effort on outstanding issues as well as building and high turnover rates that NCTA’s staff has “stuck with it,” nurturing the staff team. continuing to serve in many cases at two or three times the average tenure of program staff in organizations like NCTA. Staff noted and celebrated progress on many fronts 2012 Objectives as they continue to adapt, modify and proactively address For their 2012 retreat, NCTA’s staff identified success as: opportunities to advance NCTA’s vision. They particularly • A renewed commitment to one another and our recognized the progress made by the board of directors over organization as evidenced by an updated and “owned” the past couple of years. In noting this, Executive Director statement of the NCTA staff Values, Vision and Bruce Matthews said “Our board has adopted best practices, Guiding Principles. matured by leaps and bounds, demonstrated a willingness to look both in the mirror and at the tough issues, and is setting • A better understanding of NCTA’s strategic plan and performance objectives for staff based on the strategic plan. performance goals/expectations for 2012 and how each NCTA’s staff is very encouraged by this.” staff member’s work plan supports them. • A greater appreciation of one another’s jobs and role in organizational success. • Critical input and feedback on key projects. • Trainings in a number of areas. • A greater sense of camaraderie, shared accomplishment and celebration for the many good things we do and are on behalf of the NCNST, NCTA and its members.
Celebration
Most important, the staff celebrated many things during this year’s retreat. They developed a new set of staff values, vision, and guiding principles while noting with delight how
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Highlights
The staff agreed that among three days full of highlights, the panel discussion with volunteer NCTA members topped the list. In a session entitled “Do we love our members? Let us count the ways…” the staff looked hard at how to improve staff/chapter/member relationships, and invited three panelists to help focus the discussion. Ron Sootsman (CND), Brian Buchanan (SPW) and John Heiam (GTHC) shared their thoughts on member/volunteer perceptions of NCTA. Discussion centered on how staff can better serve as well as communicate the value of their service to NCTA’s members. Other highlights included a series of team-building exercises led by Director of Development David Cowles, synchronization of individual work plans with the
strategic plan and board of directors performance goals, brainstorming social media marketing applications, coordinating web and resource support responsibilities, GIS training, and discussion on land partnerships initiatives. The banana splits weren’t bad, either!
Key Takeaways/Outcomes
Among our accomplishmens: • Reviewed and reached consensus on a new statement of NCTA staff Values, Vision and Guiding Principles. • Reviewed NCTA’s srategic plan (currently under BOD review), makng recommendations for Board of Directors’ consideration during the February conference call. • Discussed BOD’s performance goals statement for integration as appropriate in each staff member’s work plan. • Discussed a best practices based social media strategy, including use for marketing (awareness, membership). Plan under development. • Clarified and re-committed to various staff responsibilities for managing and updating content on NCTA website. • Discussed how NCTA can better serve volunteer training, resource and information needs. • Gained a better understanding of volunteer needs and the key intersects where staff can best serve them. • Our National Park Service landscape currently remains uncertain. We made progress proactively managing NCTA’s relationship with the NPS as well as began outlining key elements going into our next cooperative agreement with the NPS. • Got down into our administrative “weeds” and hashed out key next steps in VIP reporting, volunteer hours reporting, chapter reporting, membership records management, etc. • Revisited NCTA’s strategy for trail information management. • Developed next steps in implementing NCTA’s Trail Town initiative. • Trail development staff trained in GIS/mapping. • Outlined a plan for improving relationships with Forest Service. • Discussed strategic response to growing need for trail protection. www.northcountrytrail.org
Recommendations for BOD consideration
The NCTA staff also surfaced a number of issues and policy concerns, and elevated them to the Board for further consideration and possible action. They included : • Greater allegiance to the Strategic Plan. Staff particularly applauds the 2012 performance goals passed by the BOD in December and note their high level of congruence with the Plan and our operating landscape. Staff applauds the direction the BOD is taking under Terry Horton’s guidance regarding establishing realistic goals and objectives as well as more clearly recognizing current organizational (including staff) limitations and adjusting accordingly. Staff also notes potential problems when the BOD or individuals on the BOD request or direct action with projects competing with or outside of the Plan or the BOD’s own priorities. • Consideration for adding a new lower rate “bare bones” membership category. • Need for policy regarding ATV use and training for mowing trail in prairie-like areas. • Need for better understanding on part of chapters of financial management policies, why they exist and how they ultimately benefit all chapters and the Association. • Noting that the value proposition associated with what the Association and its staff provide for its members is not well understood, staff asks the BOD to consider how it can play a stronger advocacy role with the members they represent.
“We were grateful to have significant quality time together again,” said Matthews, noting the almost three year budget-driven moratorium on planning retreats. “I’m confident NCTA’s membership will reap the benefits of this time together. We’ve just got an outstanding team, and we’re truly blessed to be part of NCTA’s family.”
Conference Teasers from Chief Noonday Who carried the Great Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, from the field of battle after he was shot? Chief Noonday did, and you will see Noonday's final resting place which is located in Barry County, Michigan, not far from our trail when you attend the 2012 NCTA Annual Conference in Augusta, Michigan, from August 2–5, 2012. January-March 2012
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Sentiments From The Heart Contributed by Gayle Coyer, Executive Director Superior Hiking Trail Association
“Sentiments from the Heart” is what Superior Hiking Trail Association calls excerpts from their register books which they periodically publish in The Ridgeline, their newsletter.
Winneboujou Bluff
Book 1: July 10, 2003 to December 19, 2009
8/4/03 I guess we all love the way these trails weave their magic on all who follow them. 4/13/04 I came with my Mom and Dad for a walk after school. 4/30/04 We are loving the trail— today in 50’s and sunny. 6/21/09 Wonderful coyote serenade below camp on Monday night. 9/26/04 Gorgeous fall day— absolutely perfect. Thanks, trail volunteers! 10/20/04 Having a great day in this place of God’s beauty. 11/14/04 Thanks to the trail crew for providing this opportunity to all who enjoy being at one with nature. 3/9/05 A wonderful trail—what a blessing. 4/3/05 Out for a short hike to celebrate the arrival of daylight savings time. 7/20/05 A beautiful couple of days here to add to life’s memories. 8/12/05 Nice to see a beautiful trail go up when so many have been turned over to ATV trails.
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Really appreciate what is being done here.
Judy Erwin
7/26/03 Glad to have such a nice trail in the area. Hats off to the trail association.
8/23/05 Walking today. Moments full of love and connection— presence of God’s love. 9/16/05 How fortunate we are to be here in this place. 10/06/05 Love this trail—thank you. 7/8/06 This is our first hike on the NCT—it is breathtaking.
New register box being installed along the Finger Lakes Trail.
9/30/06 Went for a walk to induce labor—hasn’t worked yet.
10/6/07 I’m quickly falling in love with this area.
11/12/06 (scratched out month) Having such a good day forgot what month it was. Enjoying God’s creation with my wife.
11/2/07 I fell in love with this area a long time ago—it has just become more special.
4/8/07 Breezy song of the pines on gorgeous, sunny Easter.
2/16/08 Walked here in the moonlight—contemplating a recent life change.
5/31/07 Walk in the woods— quiet and pristine with Father and Son.
3/8/08 First time bringing my sons on the trail—they had a blast.
7/21/07 What a blessed day with friends—the best place in the world.
3/30/08 I think I’ve convinced my Mom to camp here for one night this summer—it will be her first time camping in 15 years.
8/22/07 Just finishing a five day hike. What a beautiful part of the country. God Bless!
5/28/08 Doing a short hike with three year old grandson.
9/23/07 Happy first day of fall, everyone.
9/12/08 A beautiful hike with a beautiful friend.
9/23/07 Too nice to be doing anything else but hiking.
10/5/08 My first time on this national trail—I plan to come back many more times.
January-March 2012
Conference Teasers from Chief Noonday Vinnie Collins
Is there a National Scenic Trail that crosses a National Cemetery?
The NCT traverses the Fort Custer National Cemetery. It may be the only trail anywhere that crosses a National Cemetery. Hike and pay your respects to those who served our country when you attend the 2012 NCTA Annual Conference.
Tufted titmouse.
Midwest Mountaineering presents the 54th Bi-Annual
100 FREE Presentations
80 Exhibitors including the NCTA
Everything on Sale! Canoe and Kayak Auction
April 27-29 in Minneapolis, MN at the Midwest Mountaineering store, Big-Top Tents and U of M Campus.
FREE!
except Radical Reels and Reel Paddling Film Festivals
Midwest Mountaineering was named the 2010 Outdoor Retailer of the Year! 309 Cedar Ave. So. Mpls MN 1.888.999.1077
www.northcountrytrail.org
Beer and Gear Social Huge Canoe and Kayak Demo on the 26th.
Radical Reels Film Festival Reel Paddling Film Festival All details in March at
OutdoorAdventureExpo.com Featuring: Backpacking and canoe campingwith kids! January-March 2012
The North Star 33
An Anniversary and An Easement By Mary Zuk Domanski
Mary Zuk Domanski
The 1962 dedication of the original portion of the Conservation Trail, a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail system. Trees surround that pond today. Photographer unknown.
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oothills Trail Club, the Finger Lakes Trail, and a branch to Niagara Falls, the Conservation Trail, will all be celebrating their fiftieth anniversaries in 2012. Foothills is a hiking club from the Buffalo area that built and maintains both the westernmost part of the main FLT (and therefore NCT) and the long Conservation Trail. We hikers owe much to the dedicated and unsung heroes of our past, those who founded the club and built and maintained the trail, and those landowners who graciously gave their permission for us to cross their land. But rarely does something this large (the Conservation Trail) get accomplished without a first person having vision. In western New York we had such a person in Mabel James. Born in Connecticut, Miss James graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1909 receiving a degree in mathematics and science. She taught high school in her native Mansfield and in Ridgeway, New York. While attending college Miss James met Ester Pratt of Holland, New York. They became such good friends that in 1926 Miss James moved to Holland (a small country village well south of Buffalo) and lived with Ester who had married Elmer Becker. Miss James became “Aunt” Mabel to the Becker children. Old newspaper articles abound with the name Mabel James. She was hailed as Conservation Pioneer, Trailblazing Ecologist, Matriarch of Conservationists, among other phrases of praise. Perhaps she is most hailed for founding the Conservation Forum of New York in 1939. At first there were only 15 comprising societies. By the time of her death in 1972 there were 82. She was involved with wildlife sanctuaries, nature trails, gardening, horticulture, birding, and botany. Miss James joined the Buffalo Museum of Science in 1936, becoming its associate curator of conservation for almost 30 years and retiring in 1964.
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2004 re-dedication as the Mabel James Trail on Becker’s property with a wonderful carved sign.
Today she is most remembered for her vision of creating a hiking trail. It was during this time that “nephew” Denny Becker was a Boy Scout. As a project for earning a badge “Aunt” Mabel had Denny lay out and establish the beginnings of the Conservation Trail, which eventually connected Niagara Falls in the northwest corner of the state with the forested hills immediately north of Allegany State Park on the southern border. The Beckers owned many acres in Holland on Vermont Hill, so the original trail started out near their pond and weekend cabin, on what is now FLT map CT6 in southern Erie County. When the trail was first dedicated in 1962 the pond was in an open field; as the years went by a beautiful forest grew. When Mr. and Mrs. Becker passed away, the property was held by Denny. With his love of nature handed down by Aunt Mabel, he had planted a variety of trees, some of which were carefully harvested for his personal woodworking projects while the sugar maples were tapped for sap. Today the sap is no longer collected, but the spider web of sap lines can still be seen. When the trail had to be moved down Vermont Street its position on the Becker’s property moved away from the pond. As the years rolled by newer hikers never even knew there was a pond. On June 5, 2004 (National Trails Day) Foothills Trail Club dedicated two trail sections to departed club and conservation heroes of ours: trail between Carpenter and Humphries Roads was named for Art and Olga Rosche, while the trail between Humphries and Vermont St. was rededicated as the Mabel James Trail. People had just plain forgotten that the Conservation Trail was once known as the Mabel James Trail. Today you can travel several miles south of Holland on the Conservation Trail and find a few oldtime landowners who still call it the Mabel James Trail. There are even those who personally remember Miss James.
A serendipitous event occurred on June 5, 2004. Denny Becker was able to attend the dedication ceremony. At this point he had become a “snowbird” spending his winters in Florida. Sadly, it wasn’t too long after this that Denny suddenly passed away. The Becker property now went to Denny’s sister, Linda Ruckdeschel. Linda demonstrated her love for her brother by leaving a legacy for him. She asked that Denny’s mourners give their gifts of condolence to the Foothills Trail Club in his name. Not long after that Linda allowed us to establish a bivouac site on the property and donated $500 to the club. The club also obtained permission from Linda to put in a nature trail. This nature trail and a bench were dedicated to the memory of Denny Becker. After the trail was laid out and marked, a scout working toward his Eagle Scout status cleaned and established the trail. The old saw, “What goes around, comes around,” seems so fitting as Denny was our first Boy Scout. It was Linda Ruckdeschel who for three years provided the FLT Alley Cat crews with drinks as they toiled on reconstructing trail in the “Holland Ravines” above the village. In the fall of 2010 Linda granted Foothills Trail Club and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference a permanent easement. When approaching from Vermont Street you will know you are on the Becker property by sap lines. Take a walk on the nature trail to the pond. Look for the original orange blazes next to the newer blue blazes. Sit on the bench. In early summer look to see if the daylilies from Art and Olga are blooming. Wonder at the beauty of the lily pads in bloom. In fall enjoy the brilliance of the leaves and their crunch underfoot. In winter look for animal tracks in the snow as you listen to the muffled stamp, stamp of your snowshoes. Enjoy and love this place as those who came before us did. It is for hikers now and forever. Thank you, Linda! Happy Anniversary, Foothills!
What Kind Of Legacy Will You Leave? When you think of the North Country Trail, do you wonder about its future? Have you thought about how you might help the trail eventually connect across the entire northern heartlands of our country? If you have, then one great way to do that is to put the trail in your will.
NORTH COUNTRY LEGACY SOCIETY ES
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For more information about making the trail part of your estate plan, contact NCTA Development Director David Cowles. He will be happy to talk with you about the opportunities. dcowles@ northcountrytrail.org or (616) 897-5987
Buckeye Trail Fest:
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April 26–29
ark your calendars now for the first annual Buckeye TrailFest, to be held April 26–29, 2012 in southwest Ohio at the beautifully located King’s Domain Conference Center. Buckeye TrailFest is a gathering of Buckeye Trail enthusiasts, hikers and trail maintainers. Activities will include hiking trips of all skill levels, workshops, presentations, and programs all related to hiking, backpacking, trail design, trail maintenance and trail construction. The hikes will take place on the Buckeye and North Country Trails in the Little Miami Scenic State Park, Caesar Creek State Park, and Fort Ancient area. Buckeye TrailFest is a chance to get valuable tips on hiking and meet lots of new people with similar interests. The Buckeye Trail Association annual meeting will be held at Buckeye TrailFest. There are plenty of non-hiking activities nearby too! Visit the ancient Hopewell Indian earthworks, ride the Ozone zip-line, bicycle, fish or canoe the Little Miami River, tour historic Lebanon, shop the antique stores in Waynesville and see Pioneer Village at Caesar Creek State Park. Dayton or Cincinnati are less than an hour’s drive and provide attractions including the Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Zoo, National Museum Of The Air Force, Dayton Aviation National Historic Park, and the National Underground Railroad Museum. There are several lodging options to choose from at Buckeye TrailFest including cabins, bunk houses, trailer camping and tent camping. All lodging options on the grounds of Kingdom Domain are within walking distance of the conference center. If you prefer, there are several nearby hotels or motels. There will be meals available or you can bring your own food. Come for the whole weekend or come for the day! There is something for everyone! The choice is yours! The event begins at noon on Thursday, April 26 and continues until noon on Sunday, April 29. Be sure to plan your time off as you will not want to miss a moment of this weekend! Registration begins in January! For more information and to register visit: www.BuckeyeTrailFest.Org Buckeye TrailFest is sponsored by The Buckeye Trail Association.
www.northcountrytrail.org
January-March 2012
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north star
NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
North Country Trail Association
Grand Rapids, MI Permit 340
229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331
Ed Morse
A “Rudd style” bench (as made by Bob Rudd of Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter) offers a trailside resting spot overlooking the Manistee River in Michigan. This overlook is one of many historic “rollways” where logs were dumped over the edge into the river, in order to transport them to downstream mills. Read more about this Chapter's work on page 17.
Come Visit Us!
The Lowell office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 (866) HikeNCT • (616) 897-5987 • Fax (616) 897-6605 The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners. Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of the premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hikers and backpackers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.