North Star Vol. 32, No. 3 (2013) by NCTA Staff

July-September, 2013

The magazine of the North Country Trail Association

Volume 32, No. 3

north star National Trails Day! NCTA 2013 Awards New Segment Opens At Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

Confessions of an “Alley Cat” Cook

Dave Kunze Photography

St. Ignace’s new Trail Town Center is graced with this winter scene, one of several that make up Four Seasons on the NCT, a mural by local artist Leon Ruder. (Read about this Hiawatha-Shore-to-Shore Chapter project, page 20.)

About the Cover It’s conventional wisdom that an army travels on its stomach. Well, so does a trail crew. Multiple construction projects this season across the breadth of the trail feature crews fueled by fabulous meals made by other volunteers. Here Matt Branneman goofs over a 20-egg Mexican omelet before others can get to it, at a Lions camp housing one of the Finger Lakes Trail “Alley Cat” crews, where they are re-building the old Chestnut lean-to south of Ithaca in center state. Picture and omelet by Jacqui Wensich. (Read Jacqui’s article Confessions of an Alley Cat Cook, Page 30.) In This Issue

Columns

National Park Service VIP Awards..........................................4 2013 NCTA Awards.............................5 Dan Watson Wins Safety Award.............9 NTD: New Trail Section Opens in Tamarac Wildlife Refuge..................10 The Making of Great Trail.................12 NTD: Building Dudeck Bridge............20 Volunteer Vacations.............................21 St. Ignace Trail Town Center.................23 Wildfire Revisited................................24 A Cooperative Trailside Shelter.............28 Confessions of an Alley Cat Cook...............................30

Trailhead.............................................3 Matthews’ Meanders.........................21 NPS Corner......................................26

Departments Who’s Who Along the Trail...............18 Where in the Blue Blazes?..................22 Hiking Shorts....................................13

North Star Staff

Irene Szabo, Volunteer Editor, (585) 658-4321 or treeweenie@aol.com Peggy Falk, Graphic Design The North Star, Fall issue, Vol. 32, Issue 3 is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

The North Star

July-September 2013

Staff

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 Tarin Hasper Administrative Assistant thasper@northcountrytrail.org Andrea Ketchmark Director of Trail Development aketchmark@northcountrytrail.org Laura Lindstrom Financial Administrator llindstrom@northcountrytrail.org Bruce Matthews Executive Director bmatthews@northcountrytrail.org Bill Menke Regional Trail Coordinator Wisconsin bmenke@northcountrytrail.org Matt Rowbotham GIS Coordinator mrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2014

Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Rep. (315) 687-3589 · maryccoffin@gmail.com John Heiam, Secretary, At Large Rep. (231) 938-9655 · johnheiam@charter.net Lorana Jinkerson (906) 226-6210 · ljinkers@nmu.edu Doug Thomas, First VP, At Large Rep. (612) 240-4202 · dthomas7000@gmail.com

Terms Expiring 2015

Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep. (724) 526-5407 · joyceappel@windstream.net Jack Cohen, Pennsylvania Rep. (724) 234-5398 · JCohen@zoominternet.net Tom Moberg, President, North Dakota 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 2016

Larry Pio, At Large Rep. (269) 327-3589 · nalcoman1@aol.com Debbie Zampini, Ohio Rep. (440) 567-1894 · half-marathoner@hotmail.com Ed Gruchalla, North Dakota Rep. (701) 293-1839 · egruch@aol.com Jaron Nyhof, At Large Rep. (616) 786-3804 · jnyhof@wnj.com Jerry Trout, Minnesota Rep. (218) 831-3965 · jjtrout@tds.net Jim Noble, Wisconsin Rep. (715) 372-5680 · jimnoble@cheqnet.net Lynda Rummel, New York Rep. (315) 536-9484 · ljrassoc@roadrunner.com Larry Hawkins, Immediate Past President, Michigan Rep. (269) 945-5398 · larryhawkins45@wowway.com

TRAIL

HEAD LARRY HAWKINS President

ecently, the Board of Directors has been preparing for the change in leadership of your board, which will already have taken place in August at the National Conference at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. This change involves an evolution of the Executive Committee of the Board, including some new officers, and also a realignment of the various Board Committees. It became startlingly clear as we invited new members to serve on your Board and made new committee assignments that we really have a very limited knowledge of the pool of talent within our general membership. Great things have happened in the last two years in the North Country Trail Association. We have made major leaps forward in the area of Trail Protection. Our Trail Town program is up and growing. We have trail on the ground in Vermont ready to be added as we expand into our eighth state. We have published a very well received book on the best of the best hikes and backpacking treks on the NCNST. Our membership in Minnesota has been untiring in their efforts to make the Arrowhead reroute

a reality. Gifting to support the NCTA has grown remarkably. We have had two great national conferences, which highlighted amazing feats of dedication by our members throughout the current seven states along the NCNST. What made all those things possible? It was the efforts made by dedicated and talented individuals working at the local level in our chapters and affiliates. Now is the time to answer the clarion call and share those talents on a much broader level. We need your help to identify those same talented people who do such great work on the local level and harness some of their energy to benefit the Trail on the state and national level. One of our biggest struggles currently is the lack of growth in our membership. Our Membership Committee needs your support on the local level to make that growth happen. The Trail Protection Committee needs members on the local level to invest their talents and local knowledge in identifying and protecting our trail corridor for future generations. Are you frustrated with Field Grants? Membership on the Field Grants Committee may help your local as well as national efforts. A huge area of need has been in the field of Advocacy. We finally have a functioning Advocacy Committee, but advocacy has to take place on a local and state level as well as nationally. We need people to represent those local and state needs. Marketing and Communication is a huge need in order

for the NCTA to grow and we don’t begin to know what talent we have available. And the list goes on…Awards Committee identifying our local Larry modeling a heroes, Fund bear hat during Development a previous securing our conference auction. financial future in these perilous fiscal times, Long Distance Hiking Committee supporting our thru and long distance hikers, Extended Outing Committee providing opportunities for high adventure along the NCNST, Board Development Committee recruiting and training more varied talent to represent your interests. What we ask is that you don’t hide your light under a bushel. Share your strengths with the organization as a whole. Identify with the NCTA nationally as well as locally. Toot the horn of your talented comrades and encourage them to spread the wealth of their talents. We have a great organization with a great mission. It is built on local talent. Help us to multiply the effects of that talent nationally. —Larry Hawkins, MD President of YOUR Board of Directors

I want to be part of the North Country Trail! Join the North Country Trail Association to support our volunteers in building the trail and telling its story in communities nearby. Happy Trails! Become a member today by calling (866) 445-3628, mail this form with your check made out to NCTA or visit our website and click on Become a Member. Please choose your Chapter Affiliation:  I want to be a member of my local Chapter:  I want to be a member of the Chapter closest to my home.  I want to be an At-Large Member. (Not affiliated with any Chapter)  I want to make a tax deductible contribution of Name North Country Trail Association Address 229 East Main Street City Lowell, Michigan 49331 EMail

www.northcountrytrail.org

State Day Time Phone

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Zip

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The National Park Service enables us to thank both award recipients and those who turn in their volunteer hours. Remember: Everything you do that contributes to and supports the trail counts! In each hourly category, volunteer workers and their awards are listed. 100 Hour Award Recipients (certificate, pin, name badge) Chris Bannister Patt Bartig Jim Belote Peter Bock Sara Butler Walter Colyer Jim Eisele Shana Felenchak Jack Fitzgerald Jason Flemke

Kristine Galusz Connie Geinert Tom Gilbert Brandon Gutteridge Duane Hakanson RogerHanson Laurie Hanson Byron Henry Kaye Houk Patricia Huston

James Huston Gilford Ikenberry Ray Jarvis Linda Johnson Allan Kelly Beth Keloneva John LaFond Eric Maturi Jerry McCarty Courtney Miskell

James Noble Jane Norton Greg Polzin Jim Rakness Jeri Rakness Nick Rossmiller Mike Ryan Terry Ryan Bill (Soupie) Ryding Curt Slabaugh

Mark Smith Anzolia Stancil Tom Suter Dan Sutherland Matthew Thorn Tom Walker Linda Wilkey Amy Wilks Janae Wonlgemuth Carol Zazubek

David Harper Ellen Hass Don Hazlett Gilford Ikenberry Nelda Ikenberry Robert Kahl Beth Keloneva Bob LaFleur Duane Lawton

Donna Lynch Dave Martus Todd McMahon Robert McNamara Courtney Miskell Mary Moberg Debby Page Patti Prusila Nick Rossmiller

Ken Rugaber Pat Schlaack Anzolia Stancil Linda Wilkey Janae Wonlgemuth Dave Wright Carol Zazubek

Nick Rossmiller Merl Schlaack David Schlosser Norma Jean Scurry Anzolia Stancil Mary Stenberg Thomas Tefft Doug Thomas

Tina Toole Doug Turner Michael Wilkey Janae Wonlgemuth

Linda Sootsman John Stehle

Richard Swanson

200 Hour Award Recipients (water bottle) David Adams Greg Bailey Chris Bannister Kevin Bell Sara Butler Nancy Chappel Donnan Christensen Walter Colyer Shana Felenchak

Jeff Fleming Jason Flemke Teri Foust Peter Freiburger Eileen Freiburger Kristine Galusz Morgan Grasso Edsel Gunderson Brandon Gutteridge

400 Hour Award Recipients (embroidered shirt) Philip Anderson John Backes Chris Bannister Larry Best Sara Butler Bob Cooley Jake Erhardt Shana Felenchak

Jason Flemke Kristine Galusz Dennis Garrett Brandon Gutteridge Tim Hass Duane Lawton Jane Leedle Hank Ludtke

Norma Matteson Willis Mattison Todd McMahon Robert McNamara Courtney Miskell Richard Pomerleau David Potzler Mary Ann Rebert

1,000 Hour Award Recipients (embroidered vest) Barb Buchanan Marvin DeWitt

Harold (Lee) Fairbanks Richard Ferguson

Jerry Marek Philip Nimps

2,500 Hour Award Recipients (embroidered jacket) Charlene DeWitt

Bruce Johnson

Karen Klos

Tom Moberg

4,000 Hour Award Recipients (Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Call to Service Award-Certificate, pin, letter from President Obama.) Joyce Appel

The North Star

Brian Pavek

Ronald S. Sootsman

July-September 2013

2013 NCTA Awards To Our Illustrious Volunteers And Benefactors Irene Szabo

Matt Davis

John Stehle

Sweep: Diane Winston

Trail Builder: Tom Moberg

John Stehle

Jeff Oliveri

Sweep: Larry Blumberg

Trail Builder: Joe Hardisky

www.northcountrytrail.org

Ed Bowen

Joyce Appel

Sweep: Paul Henry

Leadership: Tim Hass

he 2013 slate of awardees was presented Friday and Saturday evenings at conference in Pennsylvania. Starting with our “Sweeps,” those whose steady contributions get the least notice, we honored Diane Winston, who has taken on the management of the Davis Hollow Cabin with an astounding amount of enthusiasm and professionalism. The cabin is a 18th century house owned by Moraine State Park, site of many annual conference events, and leased to the North Country Trail Association. It is often in need of repair and maintenance, yet she has brought the project to solvency and a high rate of bookings throughout the year. While she keeps the building upright with contractors, she also lures a team of volunteers to keep it clean and welcoming with her own infectious enthusiasm. To add income to the modest fees charged those who stay there, she holds fundraisers, many of which teach the history of the building and its era. Another Sweep Award was bestowed on Larry Blumberg from New York’s Finger Lakes Trail Conference. (FLTC) For the last 30 years he has been one of those cheerleaders who continually encourages others to accomplishment while he remains unsung. He and his wife have turned their own quest to walk the whole Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) into a years’ long caravan of hikes that include others with similar goals, even when it means he has to re-hike a segment to help others. He has been the prime mover for several FLTC weekends hosted by his own Triple Cities Hiking Club, organizes several annual FLTC special hikes, moderates the list-serve, volunteers for “Alley Cat” Crew special projects and his club’s trail maintenance sessions, and has touched the lives of untold hundreds through his long service to the Boy Scouts as a trainer of trainers. Many boys and their leaders might never have heard of the FLT or NCT if Larry hadn’t told them of the opportunities there, and they ARE hiking the trail more and more. Paul Henry from Pennsylvania was our third Sweep honoree for his long but quiet service. He has been part of the effort to build the NCT in his home state since before there were chapters or any trail outside of Allegheny National Forest. He has been part of the physical work to build trail for years, while working to help bring new chapters into existence, and has served for years now as chair of the State Trail Council. His nomination says that he has a good head on his shoulders, which has helped him work out all the negotiations required to keep the Council running smoothly. Tom Moberg received a Trail Builder nod for the many projects he has fostered over a wide area. While he lives in Fargo, North Dakota, he and his wife tend a few miles in the Chippewa National Forest of north central Minnesota, 140 miles away! He has been a primary sparkplug for recent advances in trail across the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, working on both

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Matt Davis

Trail Maintainer: Dave Galbreath

Mary Coffin

Trail Maintainer: Tony Rodriguez Matt Davis

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Trail Maintainer: Ron Lindquist

Devin Callihan

The North Star

Communicator: Becky Heise

Devin Callihan

Deb Koepplin

route layout and the archaeological review process, and is slowly creating miles of new trail through the seemingly impossible prairie miles in west central Minnesota and nearby North Dakota. He brings to bear his skills at negotiation and outreach to gain permissions from such varied landowners as the Red River Valley & Western Railroad and Ekre Grassland Preserve. A second Trail Builder was awarded to Joe Hardisky who tends the popular and heavily used trail through the rocky stream gorge at McConnell’s Mill State Park, where many of this year’s conference participants enjoyed Joe’s constant attentions to good maintenance and frequently falling trees, and his creative rock work through a challenging 8 miles. To keep the trail useable in such challenging terrain, Joe has organized and led multiple projects with outside groups, where he contributes as teacher, trainer, and coach so that all volunteers enjoy a fulfilling session. His good relations with park staff are critical, too, to approval of each reroute he has proposed to improve this segment. Communicator was bestowed upon Becky Heise of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter in North Dakota for years’ worth of an amazing amount of written work on behalf of the NCTA and her chapter. Apparently they trust no one but Becky with any kind of written or pictorial presentation, so she has been the primary person to write all texts for brochures, local articles, maps, website, interpretive signs, and chapter reports to the NCTA. For their ambitious easement program, she developed written materials that went to 75 landowners, proposing that each of them permit the trail on their property, AND has managed their Recreational Trails Program grant paperwork! For that alone, she deserves a halo, plus she handled FEMA grants to pay for replacement culverts on the trail after flooding. In other words, any communication that comes out of that chapter has been done by Becky! Tim Hass received the Leadership Award because of his energetic work on behalf of the Superior Shoreline Chapter. As President since its revitalization in 2010 he has been responsible for re-establishing their trail section, relations with public land managers, and chapter membership. After he attends a national conference or other training program, he disseminates information he has learned to chapter members. In addition, he has spearheaded projects done with others in the area, like bringing in youthful campers to help with trail work. His style of leadership always makes other volunteers feel wanted and good about their contributions. Trail Maintainer always gives the Awards Committee fits, because there are so many good candidates, so this year we broke our own rules and gave out four awards. Dave Galbreath is a longtime maintainer extraordinaire for the Clarion Chapter in Pennsylvania who tends all the chapter tools, helps others with maintaining their sections, leads group work sessions, does all mowing for the whole chapter section, and works with Scouts on building projects like a bridge and next a shelter.

Trail Maintainer: Ed Scurry

Outreach: Todd McMahon

At the other end of the trail, Ron Lindquist is serving, in essence, as a one-man chapter on the far western end. He has re-signed 130 miles worth of trail with new Carsonite posts and decals, mowed about 20 miles in the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area in record heat (90 miles from his home in Bismarck), and has participated in many Sheyenne River Valley work sessions (170 miles from home!). He is even negotiating with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department to gain trail access to wildlife management areas near Lake Sakakawea, to eliminate a road walk. Then he could add more miles to his farflung maintenance empire! Tony Rodriguez is the trail chair for the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, which maintains 110 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail system, 83 of them the route of the North

Friend of the Trail: Dan Bickel

Country Trail. In that capacity, he has worked steadily to improve maintenance coverage by the group’s stewards, urging higher standards in his quiet gentle manner. While stewards are expected to maintain their own sections, Tony still leads two or three work sessions every month where special attention is needed, and is always a hard worker among others. He is a certified sawyer and participates in most of the special projects building reroutes or new facilities, including the addition of twenty miles over the last few years to reach the CNY Chapter’s section. He also organizes a steward picnic each summer to thank volunteers for their contributions. Our fourth Trail Maintainer is the Clarion Chapter’s Ed Scurry. Yes, two in one chapter; ironically, Ed nominated Dave Galbreath! Apparently Ed has spent literally thousands of hours maintaining trail, out there every week for 11 years now, and is always coming up with new ideas to improve the trail or pique interest among users. Last summer’s new good idea was a gardeners’ trail, where Ed put in dozens of flower beds then invited the public to put in plants or seeds, all to render a bland pipeline right-of-way more interesting. Todd McMahon rated the Outreach Award for his wide efforts to spread the good news about our trail. As his nomination said, “Todd is an evangelist for the NCT.” He presents a program at huge outdoor trade shows on the Best Backpacking Campsites on the NCT in Minnesota, which has proved very popular AND a stretch, since he lives in the center of Wisconsin. He promotes the NCT through his own website, Meetup groups, list-serves, created an Arrowhead re-route website, and thus impressed the Awards Committee with his wide outreach to the next generation. On Saturday night, the Friend of the Trail Awards went to Butler County Tourism, and to Dan Bickel of Moraine State Park, benefactors whose good works obviously shined on our conference experience. When we volunteers are smart, we try to engage the interest of our local tourism bureaus, but only a few of them respond with the enthusiasm and help that Butler County Tourism has. They keep the trail in front of visitors by frequent mention in promotional literature and on their website, their director Jack Cohen is on the NCTA Board where he has stressed our need to MARKET ourselves and our trail, and they provided a lot of assistance for conference. If every county the trail traverses had a tourism bureau this interested in the trail, we’d be light years ahead in our efforts to let the public know about this “secret trail.”

www.northcountrytrail.org

Martine Holman

Jen Bickel

Paula J. Slomer

Friend of the Trail: Butler County Tourism Director Jack Cohen

Trail Blazer: Colcom Foundation

Outstanding Private Landowner: Scott Holman

Dan Bickel was the Park Operations Manager at Moraine State Park in western Pennsylvania where 15 miles of trail and the Davis Hollow Cabin are located. From day one, Dan made trail improvement a priority, and quickly became a partner who worked with the Butler Chapter to do great things. He helped with physical projects, grant applications, and Volunteer Adventures, cut through red tape and advocated for the trail with colleagues, and performed a lot of work toward laying the foundation of a route between Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks. His transfer to Pymatuning State Park is a loss for us, a boon for them. Trail Blazer went to the Colcom Foundation, which has partnered with the NCTA since 2008 to fund three major proposals to assist efforts in Pennsylvania to close major gaps in the trail. Their mission involves conservation and sustainable land usage, so they funded research into potential routes and probable permissions through those gaps. As the Program Officer for environmental proposals, their Carol Zagrocki has been helpful in focusing our proposals, outcomes and timelines. She has provided key assistance for both our proposals and our work there. Projects are ongoing, thanks to Colcom’s support. Outstanding Private Landowner was another hard choice among deserving nominees: Scott Holman got the nod this year. From Doug Welker’s nomination text: “Years ago many of us in the Peter Wolfe Chapter recognized that a key access point to miles of NCT would be Canyon Falls Roadside Park in Baraga County in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. However, the trail would need to cross private lands to reach the Park. In 2007, we met with Scott Holman and his wife Martine at their camp on King Lake. It turned out that the most desirable route would entail a 156-foot multi-span bridge over a beaver pond on Plumbago Creek. It also turned out that Scott would benefit from such a bridge if it were made strong enough to allow him to access areas of his land on his ATV and snowmobile. Building the bridge was a cooperative effort between NCTA folks and Scott. I designed the bridge, which was approved by Certified Engineer and chapter member Phil Quenzi. Scott cut a number of trees on his land for bridge timbers, and sawed them to the proper sizes with his portable sawmill. The bridge was built as part of an NCTA Volunteer Adventure. Scott hauled two truckloads of rocks from a gravel pit on his land to fill the wooden cribs that supported much of the bridge in the pond.” Dave and Jan Cornell garnered the Blue Blazes Benefactor this year for their ongoing serious commitment. As original

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Marilyn Hoogstraten

Mick Hawkins

Blue Blazes Benefactor: Dave and Jan Cornell

Distinguished Service: Dick Naperala

Photographer unkown

John Stehle

Distinguished Service: Michael Stafford

members of the Founders Circle when it was launched in 2008, Dave and Jan Cornell have made many major gifts to support the trail over the years, the most recent involving a $5,000 a year pledge for trail protection projects. Distinguished Service Awards are reserved for those people who demonstrate long term significant service, but on a trail as long as ours, there are bound to be several such noble volunteers to honor. This year…with difficulty…the committee whittled the choices down to Joe Smith, Dick Naperala, and Michael Stafford. Joe Smith of the Butler Chapter is a local saint to those who have worked with him for years for his dedication to trail work, perfect blazes, a healthy chapter organization, mentoring, and especially for his tireless work pursuing permissions between Moraine and McConnells Mills State Parks. His painstaking and passionate work on this private corridor should eventually bear fruit, if only because he is so honest with landowners that an atmosphere of trust prevails.

The North Star

Mick Hawkins

Distinguished Service: Joe Smith

Dick Naperala has served the Grand Traverse Hiking Club in Michigan’s upper “mitten” for 19 years as one of two trail coordinators, so has been responsible for major projects to improve the route. He was the primary coordinator with Consumers Energy to negotiate a route replacing 7 miles of roadwalk, and prepared a dozen lengthy proposals to the DNR resulting in 62 miles of new trail to avoid the horsemen’s Shore to Shore Trail, the old route of the NCT. Now he is working on various spur trails to bring local communities to the NCT, again demonstrating his willingness to contribute both in the field and along paper trails. Michael Stafford’s own situation in relation to the trail in Wisconsin reflects the Heritage Chapter’s chief geographic challenge: members live all over the state, some of them, like Michael, over 350 miles away from their trail! As longtime President of the Chapter he has spent extra effort on keeping their far flung membership feeling connected, through frequent emails to all Chapter and At-Large members in the state and novelties like telephone participation in the annual meeting. As a result, work parties still are well-attended and membership has remained steady. Some of his achievements include partnership with Northland College in Ashland to bring interns to the chapter’s projects, and location of funding sources to pay for trail crews.

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Lorana Jinkerson, chair of the Awards Committee, who creates the PowerPoint presentation for our awards evenings, and emcees the program. This picture from the 2012 Conference.

Lifetime Achievement Award now, since anyone who has read her book North Country Cache knows that her quest to walk the whole trail started back in 1991. While making steady progress in increments of summer three-week hikes and occasional long weekends, her involvement with the organization grew. She has been a board member, our early webmaster, instrumental in the early history of the Spirit of Joan Young the Woods Chapter, and continues to volunteer on NCTA committees, notably one concerned with long distance hikers. Not only does she want to continue selling the fun book that she self-published, but her programs given around the seven states always serve to spread the word about the NCNST through pictures and amusing stories of her adventures. Some of her shining achievements with her chapter include the creation of a long boardwalk through a seasonally impassible marsh and National Trails Day events that lured local families to activities with their children. It is hard to end this annual article without the applause that greets these honored volunteers and benefactors! Mick Hawkins

Mick Hawkins

Joan Young and Mary Coffin were each presented with the NCTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mary has been a steady volunteer, originally with the Finger Lakes Trail through her trail-tending involvement with her Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and as a hike leader and event organizer, then gradually with the NCTA, too. As an NCTA board member and Vice President East for a half-dozen years Mary Coffin now, she has taken the lead in creating an active New York NCT Volunteer Council and has led multiple NCTA outings in widely diverse locations. She led the multi-year project to add twenty new miles to the Onondaga branch off the main Finger Lakes Trail to meet the Central New York Chapter trail and insisted on high standards of siting and construction. Even better, she “sold” several of those new landowners on granting permanent easements, and has embarked on a program of walks and talks to acquaint communities along that new trail with the resource. Mary has also spearheaded explorations for the eventual route of the NCT in the Adirondacks, involving many bushwhacking trips with GPS in hand. Joan has obviously been involved for over twenty years

2012 Director’s Safety and Health Achievement Award

Employees of four national parks were recently recognized by the National Park Service for outstanding public and employee safety achievement in 2012. The Director’s Award was presented to Daniel Watson of Ice Age and North Country National Scenic Trails (individual category). Daniel Watson was recognized for his outstanding efforts to enhance the safety and reduce injuries in the park’s Volunteers in Parks program. He secured more than $19,000 in grants for personal protective equipment and coordinated 15 chainsaw certification courses for park volunteers. Watson also developed the “Injury Reporting Kit” to streamline processes for seeking medical treatment when injured, and wrote a Tailgate Safety Series. Volunteers engaged in outside activities in all terrains, climates, and conditions with sharp tools and motorized equipment (such as saws and mowers) applied safe work practices and experienced a very low injury rate. Dan, on behalf of the North Country Trail Association: Thank you for watching out for our priceless volunteers!

Dan Watson

www.northcountrytrail.org

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

L to R: Becca Arndt, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce; Nathan Caldwell, US Fish & Wildlife Service National Transit and Trails Coordinator; Charlie Blair, US Fish & Wildlife Service Chief of Refuges for the Midwest Region; Lori Dowling-Hanson, NW Regional Director for Minnesota DNR; Bruce Matthews, Executive Director North Country Trail Association; Ray Vlasak, Laurentian Lakes Chapter President; Tom Melius, Regional Director of the US Fish & Wildlife Service; Neil Powers, Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Manager; Mark Weaver, National Park Service SuperintendentNorth Country National Scenic Trail; Matt Davis, NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator for Minnesota and North Dakota.

National Trails Day: A New Segment Of The North Country National Scenic Trail Was Officially Opened At Minnesota’s Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge! By Matthew Davis, ND/MN Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association and Kelly Blackledge, Visitor Services Manager for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

he saying goes within the North Country National Scenic Trail community that the trail exists only because of partnerships. The partnership is often between the National Park Service (NPS), the North Country Trail Association (NCTA), and local landowners and partner agencies. Hikers and nature lovers saw the fruit of a new partnership as a 21-mile segment of the North Country Trail (NCT) in western Minnesota was officially opened on National Trails Day. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has been on the NCT’s route since the National Park Service (NPS) published the Comprehensive Plan for the Use and Management of the North Country National Scenic Trail in 1982. It wasn’t until the Laurentian Lakes Chapter (LLC) was formed in early 2007, however, that the dream of the NCT traversing the Refuge began to take shape. Acknowledging the primary mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to protect wildlife habitat, we gave careful consideration to the route location through the refuge, particularly in sensitive habitat areas where there were known bald eagle nests or other species of concern. We also needed to find a route that long-distance hikers could complete in one day given that the Refuge is closed to overnight visitor use. A retired FWS employee who loved to hike had developed a very detailed proposed route that offered a great starting point for the volunteers’ explorations. By mid 2009, the proposed Refuge route was settled upon and the NCT sought grant funding to help construct the NCT northeast of the Refuge boundary and within Tamarac. Minnesota voters in 2009 passed the Legacy Amendment which provides dedicated sales tax funding for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts projects. Working through

The North Star

July-September 2013

Becker County, the LLC applied for and received a Legacy grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to construct new miles of the NCT using the services of contract crews from the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa (www. conservationcorps.org) The next step was the Sec. 106 Cultural Resources Review on the 25 miles, which was jointly paid for by the two federal agencies, both in the Department of Interior. The NPS paid for the initial Phase 1a review for the entire project while the FWS paid for detailed surveys within the main Refuge. Not unexpectedly, several cultural sites were discovered during the detailed Refuge survey and FWS staff and the NCTA and NPS worked together to bypass the cultural sites. The partners also agreed upon a plan to protect a large cultural site by the construction of a long turnpike. After obtaining the approval of the State Historic Preservation Office, trail construction was allowed to commence in June of 2012. The entire approval process took approximately 3 years, and was detailed in North Star, July-December issue of 2012. In addition to serving as the applicant and fiscal agent for the Legacy grant funded project, Becker County’s Natural Resources Management Department agreed to host significant additional segments of the NCT on its tax forfeited lands northeast of the Refuge. Several different Divisions of the Minnesota DNR also agreed to host segments of the NCT on their lands including Forestry, Wildlife, and Ecological and Water Resources (within a Scientific and Natural Area). Two private landowners also agreed to allow short yet critical segments of the NCT through their property. One even allowed a campsite to be established just east of the Refuge boundary to aid long-distance hikers.

Matt Davis Marcus Schaeffer

Boardwalk covered by tamarack needles in the fall. Tamarack is one of those deciduous conifers whose needles turn yellow and fall every autumn, as opposed to what most “evergreen” conifers do.

Trail through the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, approaching an area of old growth basswood and maple.

Once conditions warranted last year, LLC volunteers started clearing the NCT corridor while Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa crews worked behind them constructing the trail tread. Despite the busy 2012 field season, the NCT through the Refuge was not completely finished as the long turnpike was left until the spring of 2013. LLC volunteers were working on the turnpike right up until the Grand Opening event. A combination of the amount of new trail being opened, use of Legacy funds, the great variety of partnerships, and the fact that Tamarac is the only National Wildlife Refuge that the NCT currently crosses provided the justification for treating this opening as a special event. A committee with representation from the NCTA, the LLC Chapter, Tamarac NWR, Friends of Tamarac, and the City of Frazee worked for 6 months to pull together the weekend event for National Trails Day. Noted Minnesota naturalist and nature photographer Stan Tekeila’s presentation on The Lives of Wolves, Coyote, and Fox kicked off the weekend on Friday night in Frazee. Stan’s participation in the event drew a sizeable crowd of 150 and it was fitting, given that the dominant theme for the NCT within Tamarac is the diversity of wildlife and habitats found there. Following Saturday morning remarks, a ribbon strung across the NCT was cut and then cake was served to celebrate the occasion of Tamarac Refuge’s 75th anniversary. Attendance at the ribbon cutting was approximately 125, which was great given that the weather was less

www.northcountrytrail.org

than ideal (high 40s with strong winds and intermittent drizzle). More people participated in the hikes throughout the day. Other components of the event included a 14-mile thru-hike across the Refuge and a variety of guided hikes focusing on birding, history, nature photography, hiking with GPS, hiking with kids, and wildflowers. All of these hikes were co-led by volunteers from Tamarac Refuge and the NCTA’s LLC. There was also a short “taste of the trail” hike that left right from the ribbon cutting ceremony that featured edible wild foods. The North Country Trail provides hikers a variety of scenic vistas, native culture and diverse landscapes. This section in Minnesota is no exception. From deep spruce and tamarack bogs to open native prairies, through towering pines and along quiet lake shores, visitors will see the diversity of habitats within each mile. Hikers follow in the footsteps of the Ojibwe people who traveled from traditional maple sugaring camps in the spring to the fall wild rice harvest. They will step through homesteads of pioneers of the past that reveal just enough remnant to stir intrigue. The wildlife that has been seen along the trail is as diverse as the landscape including ruffed grouse, trumpeter swans, fisher and otter. The woodland warblers provide a spectacular symphony while the loon utters a solo wail. Those who trek through the refuge will find a truly wilderness experience.

Parts of this article were previously published in Pathways Across America, from the Partnership for the National Trails System.

July-September 2013

The North Star 11

The Making of Great Trail Marty Swank

Chequamegon Chapter registration box notebook entry dated 6/4/13 located at County D parking area: “Strider…Great trail through this wilderness – this has been a highlight in Wisconsin.—www.stridernct.com”

The Trail (Solutions):

Routered North Country Trail signs with directional arrows and mounted on cedar posts (provided by USFS) were installed at confusing intersections on both of our wilderness sections. (We also maintain the equally challenging Rainbow Lake Wilderness NCT.) It has taken a LOT of lopping and brushing by volunteers to return the NCT to where it should have been in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness. This process started with only a handful of very dedicated volunteers. When a trail is well maintained it is much easier to follow even on sections that do not allow blazing. This makes proper brushing (in this case by hand) and lopping essential to maintaining a wilderness section of NCT.

The Trial:

Before 2003, picking the correct direction at intersections of Chequamegon wilderness NCT was either very good guesswork or the hiker had an excellent map and knew how to read it: no blue blazes allowed in wilderness sections! In 2005, a hiker in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness would actually have to move balsam fir branches apart to see the NCT in some sections. Getting lost in the beaver dam areas was a thing to be expected. Crossing Porcupine Creek over a log jam at the headwaters of Porcupine Creek was an adventure, especially when water was high.

Continued on page 29 Vickie Swank

his entry was in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness, by Luke Jordan (Strider) as he through-hiked from west to east on the North Country National Scenic Trail. So what makes a section of North Country National Scenic Trail “great?” First, you should have some amazing natural features. The Porcupine Lake Wilderness has 18 Mile Spring Pond, 18 Mile Creek, Porcupine Creek, Porcupine Lake, beaver dams that are up close and West Davis Lake. The second thing that makes a NCT section “great” is making the hiking a trail and not a trial. (Words stolen from Bill Menke.) This can be a little more demanding in a designated Wilderness where trail building, marking and maintenance rules are different from regular NCT. This is where NCTA volunteers, staff and trail partners enter the big picture. These dedicated volunteers and trail partners use various hand saws (and

plastic wedges), axes, weed whackers and scythes to maintain the sections of wilderness NCT in the Chequamegon National Forest. You won’t hear the buzz of a chainsaw or the droning sound of a brush mower: no power equipment allowed! A few large hardwoods down on the trail can take most of a day to remove. Swinging a weed whacker and hitting a hidden obstacle in the brush (like a smaller stump left behind by a beaver) can provide pain and an arm at least temporarily out of action.

Marty Swank

Volunteer Mikie Kuhman uses the Chequamegon Chapter’s cross cut saw to cut a large hardwood from the NCT in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness in the fall of 2007. Using wedges properly can sometimes allow you to cut all the way through a downed tree without having to cut from underneath. Have you ever cut from underneath with a crosscut saw?

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July-September 2013

Tools of the Wilderness Volunteer Left to right: Axe, two wedges, Fiskars hooked brusher, weed whip (misery whip), small geared Fiskars loppers (fits in daypack), medium geared Fiskars loppers, one man crosscut saw, Corona Professional Razor Tooth 21˝ pruning saw and Fiskars pull saw and sheath. Important gear needed in backpack: At least two water bottles, bug dope, bug dope and more bug dope and a small first aid kit for when you weed-whack your leg!

Pic by Karen Klos

HIKING SHORTS A-100 Breaks Records

Left: Scott Russel. Right: Andrew Boncella (Birthday Boy, celebrating his 50th birthday at the end of the day at the Event on Sunday 9th).

www.northcountrytrail.org

— Karen Klos

Tina Toole

PENNSYLVANIA - The Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail held the fourth annual Allegheny 100 Challenge June 7th - 9th. In June, 2012, Backpacker Magazine published the article, “Earn Your Stripes,” profiling the Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge. After the article, on-line registration for the event increased remarkably. The limit of 100 pre-registered hikers was met just 6 weeks after registration opened. Word of the event continued to travel and there were 19 walk-ins for this year’s challenge, including a gentleman from Poland who hitchhiked in from Pittsburgh. A 75 mile challenge was added for this year. Also new this year, an Allegheny 100 rocker arm patch with 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles was offered to participants. The patches were a huge success. The Allegheny 100 Challenge is the ultimate hiking challenge, a decisive endurance challenge met through unsupported backpacking. The challenge is not a race against others, but rather a test of an individual’s stamina, determination and resilience. There were no first aid stations and no watering stations along the route. The Challenge is to backpack 100 miles in 50 hours. If a hiker cannot commit to the 100 mile challenge, they can still participate in a 25 mile, 50 mile or 75 mile challenge offered that weekend along the same trail. This is for any hiker, of any skill level, who wants to test him or herself against the trail. The adventure takes place on a 100 mile stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail that meanders through the rolling hills and stream valleys of the Allegheny National Forest. Between registered hikers and walk-ins, 103 people began their adventure into the forest. On the final day, 13 exhausted hikers completed 100 miles in 50 hours. Among the finishers were two women; Kim Hrycik came in two hours behind her brother, while Ohio Orcharenko came in at the last minute, 8 PM.

Allegheny National Forest Chapter: Heather Emahizer and Josh Schrader splitting the cherry log.

Allegheny National Forest Chapter’s National Trails Day: Split a Cherry Log to Build a Bridge for a Bog

PENNSYLVANIA - National Trails Day was celebrated across the United States on Saturday June 1 with trail events and maintenance projects. Members of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) spent the day building a bog bridge over a twenty foot wide wet area near Chappel Bay. The bog bridge consisted of two thirty foot half cherry logs, placed on footers. See the rest of our ANF crew on page 15. — Tina Toole

July-September 2013

The North Star 13

Jacqui Wensich

Tina Toole

ANF Chapter’s Mike Toole, Heather Emahizer, Josh Schrader, Tina Toole and Shoshana Ochocki sit on the completed bog bridge.

Finger Lakes Trail: While the log shelter takes shape in the background, Matt Branneman and Paul Warrender prepare logs to fit with the others.

NEW YORK - Alley Cat crews will attack four projects this summer along the length of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) in upstate New York. The first crew cut new trail out of the woods, some of it along a railbed abandoned in 1957, and built several small bridges over washouts, in the Catskills, in forest owned by the NY City Water Authority around immense reservoirs that provide water for the downstate city. We have been enabled to replace roadwalks with these routes by a change in Water Authority policy and permissions negotiated by new trail hero, Rick Roberts. The second crew, including several people from the first project, rebuilt the Chestnut Lean-to in the center of the state along the NCT. Demolition of the old one, over 40 years old, was performed by the Ithaca-area Cayuga Trails Club in May, while new construction took place in mid-June. For the second Alley Cat in a row, Jacqui Wensich did all the cooking, feeding ravenous men and women who have worked all day outdoors, this time at a Lions camp nearby, including the impish Matt Branneman on our cover. Matt is the Director of Crews and Construction, so organizes all Alley Cats with the assistance of local project managers. For the Chestnut Lean-to, the manager was Paul Warrender who explained material sources: “Logs and some dimensional lumber from a harvest at Sugar Hill State Forest were used for the Chestnut Lean-to, donated to the FLTC by the Department of Environmental Conservation. (DEC) Bill Lindloff of ProCuts (Bill is a professional logger and expert Game of Logging trainer) donated his time and expertise in felling and limbing the trees (American Larch/Tamarack), and member Mahlon Hurst milled the logs and lumber (purlins, rafters, and roof boards) as a donation to the FLTC. We are blessed to have such relationships. All other materials were purchased with funds set aside by the Cayuga Trails Club through two donations from Ithaca’s Eastern Mountain Sports via their yearly kayak raffle. All raffle proceeds are donated to the Cayuga Trails Club; the winner of the raffle gets a new kayak! Any remaining financial needs are from other various funds of the Cayuga Trails Club.” Paul and the Cayuga Trails Club will also be replacing a bridge over Shindagan Creek for Alley Cat 3, while a new shelter will be

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July-September 2013

Jacqui Wensich

“Alley Cat” Projects on the Finger Lakes Trail

Yes, this shelter on the FLT looks a lot like the one built in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Hiawatha Shore-toShore Chapter (page 26), because they both used the FLT step-by-step design.

built east of the NCT route along the main FLT in September, led by Tom Bryden of the Bullthistle Club, where the fourth crew will stay at a YMCA camp. Their logs have been cut and milled by the DEC, in whose State Forest the shelter will be built.

The group then began the roof repair. Stopping the leaks was ultimately the most important task necessary to preserve the shelter. Furring strips were nailed horizontally on the roof and spacers set vertically. Some drip edges were installed. Then sheets of metal were hoisted to the roof and screwed in place. With the new timbers underneath and sturdy metal roof on top, Amsler Springs Shelter is more than ready for another 40 years of protecting travelers and outdoor adventurers. Now it’s on to the next new shelter. This one will be built from scratch using the same design employed at Amsler Springs. The location is north of State Route 6 two miles past Ludlow. The project is planned for middle to late summer of 2013. Raising funds for the project is ongoing, a difficult, unending task for any nonprofit organization. —Patti Huston

Karen M. Klos

PENNSYLVANIA - The Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail (NCT in the ANF) has three shelters on its portion of the trail. The original structure at Amsler Springs, a 10 by 16 lean-to, was also the first one in the ANF and was beginning to show its age. It was built more than forty years ago by the Allegheny Outdoor Club and the Forest Service. The simple three-sided structure has protected many hikers, hunters and fishermen from rain, snow, and ugly weather. The roof had been replaced many times with mineral tar paper, but it was leaking badly. The frame had been sitting on the ground and needed to be lifted. The goal was to maintain the natural beauty, yet give the ol’ gal a facelift. On a soggy April 13th, the refurbishing of Amsler Springs Shelter took place. Holes were dug at each corner and in the middle of the open-fronted side first. An A-framed bipod with a ratchet hoist was attached at each front corner. A farm jack was set under the middle. Volunteers slowly jacked up the front top frame until the required height of 18” had been reached. Next, a rope was strung under the shelter and attached to a 6” X 6” framing timber. The timber was pulled under the shelter by the rope at one end and pushed by volunteers at the other until it was set properly in place. Three treated six by six’s were pulled under quickly through some impressive team effort.

Chuck Zosel

Karen M. Klos

Amsler Springs Shelter

Luke “Strider” Jordan, aspiring endto-ender, happened to be in the BSC chapter’s neighborhood for National Trails Day, so stayed to chat with visitors to the Brule-St. Croix display.

Brule-St. Croix Marks 17th National Trails Day (NTD) WISCONSIN - Wisconsin’s Brule-St. Croix Chapter partnered with the Brule River State Forest for its 17th National Trails Day celebration. The Forest annually sponsors a Family Fun Day and open house at the Brule Fish Hatchery. A spur trail runs from the hatchery to the NCT, less than a mile distant. The Fun Day attracts large numbers of parents with children, so our focus was on introducing these to the NCT, hiking/backpacking/camping, and our local chapter’s activities. A backpacker campsite set up by the spur trail drew interest, as did giveaway items from the NTD kit and from our friends at North Bay Trading Company in Brule. Our biggest attraction was thru-hiker Luke Jordan. Strider arrived in Brule-St. Croix territory on the eve of NTD, and graciously took a half day to join us at the event, talk about his experiences on the trail with kids and parents, and appear in numerous photos. We’ve previously celebrated this annual event with picnics, birding hikes, trail building projects, dedications, and a span of other outdoor activities, but this was our first family-focused event. We learned we should focus on the “meet and greet” aspect of this kind of partner event, where most in attendance didn’t come to learn about the trail, but are open to hearing more about it, finding out where it goes, and learning what they can experience on a hike along the NCT.

Amsler Spring Work Crew, Front Row L to R: Roger Duffey, Patti Huston, Jim Huston, Heather Emahizer, Josh Schrader, Bert Nemcik. Back Row L to R: Mike Toole, Dave Galbreath, Keith Klos.

www.northcountrytrail.org

July-September 2013

—Peter Nordgren

The North Star 15

Mary Stenberg

Chequamegon National Forest, with huge hemlocks, oaks, and maple trees, was forever changed following a devastating wind storm in July 2011, and subsequent salvage logging.

Three Times a Charm

WISCONSIN - During the late fall of 2012, the US Forest Service in Chequamegon National Forest completed a salvage logging operation in the area hardest hit by a totally destructive 2011 wind storm. By the time the loggers were finished, it was too late in the season to schedule another trail maintenance day so reclaiming the trail had to wait until spring 2013. The first trail maintenance day on the 2013 calendar, April 28, was set for volunteers to work to re-establish the trail located southeast of Drummond, Wisconsin; however, a major spring snowstorm hit on April 18 dumping more than a foot of wet, heavy snow in the area on top the deep snow that had yet to melt. The trail maintenance day was rescheduled for May 18, only to be canceled a second time after another spring snowstorm pounded the area with 18 inches of snow that not only prevented access to the trail, but left broken and downed trees in its wake. Adopters for this section of trail, Mary Stenberg and Rick Pomerleau, asked, “Will the detour signs ever come down and will the trail ever be re-established?” So Chequamegon Chapter officers decided to celebrate National Trails Day on June 1 with a day of trail work reclaiming the trail rather than with the fun hike and potluck dinner originally planned. Eleven dedicated Chequamegon Chapter volunteers answered the call on June 1 and the work to rake, smooth, pick rocks, remove limbs, and chop roots slowly but surely transformed the trail. Approximately 1 mile of trail was re-established, marked, and readied for NCT hikers. The detour signs came down and hikers and backpackers will now have no difficulty following the reclaimed trail in this area. —Mary Stenberg

Chuck Zosel

Brule-St. Croix camp setup intended to lure visitors to their NCT display on National Trails Day. (Story, page 15.)

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July-September 2013

Strawberry Pie Rescue

PENNSYLVANIA - Just when you think you have heard everything along the NCT, something else pops up. Like many, the Clarion Chapter has a monthly hike regardless of the weather. Each May the Clarion Chapter sponsors the Strawberry Pie hike, one in a series of pie hikes throughout Pennsylvania. Butler has the Cherry Pie hike in February, Wampum has the Pumpkin Pie hike in October, and Clarion has the Strawberry Pie hike in May. Each year the Clarion Chapter hikes from the Northern terminus of the Clarion Chapter on Route 66 near Vowinkel about six miles to the Environmental Center in Cook Forest. At the Environmental Center the hikers enjoy strawberry pie made by two chapter members. The Environmental Center is the perfect location to end the hike as it is an old building that has many informational placards about the trees and animals that make Cook Forest their home. Additionally the Environmental Center has plenty of rustic furniture and an adjacent four unit unisex restroom with flush toilets, hot water and electric hand dryers, certainly a step up from many state parks. May 4th could not have been a much better day for a hike, slightly overcast, 55 degrees at the start, shortly warming to 70 degrees. It is often said in the hiking fraternity that it is within standards to have a 10% body count loss from the beginning of the hike to the conclusion. Since we had 30 intrepid hikers, a one person loss would have been well within the aforementioned standard. In this instance that standard probably should not have applied as the hike had concluded, the Strawberry Pie consumed, and everyone was sharing their adieus. One of our women hikers chose to use the restroom before embarking on her trip home. No such luck. The dead bolt on the restroom door died leaving the hiker hostage to Cook Forest State Park. Word travelled quickly through the group and someone contacted the Park Ranger, who contacted the Assistant Park Ranger, who contacted maintenance personnel to assist with the rescue. The Clarion Chapter President indicated that as a combat veteran, though now a pacifist, he was qualified with a 9 mm hand gun and could dispatch the broken lock, but better sense prevailed, and the Ranger declined the offer. Had this hike been scheduled a week earlier, the park maintenance personnel would not have been available, and this narrative would have been much different. Fortunately the screws holding the ventilation louvers above the restroom door were accessible from the outside of the door. Once the louver was removed our hostage was able to climb through, ending her ordeal. After hiking with Clarion Chapter the past two months, the hostage indicated that she intends to join the Chapter, probably reasoning that things could not get much worse. There are photos available showing the escape, though this writer is not brave enough to post the same. With the rescue done the body count loss improved from 3% to zero. —Ed Scurry

Hiking Shorts continued…

National Trails Day 2013: Petoskey Trail Town Celebration

LOWER MICHIGAN - The Jordan Valley 45° held an NTD event in the Petoskey Bear River Recreation Area, celebrating the recent designation of Petoskey as a Trail Town. We were honored to have remarks by Bill Fraser, Petoskey Mayor; Jeff McCusker, National Park Service Trail Manager of the NCT; and Al Hansen, Petoskey Parks and Recreation Director. Sharing a canopy with the Harbor Springs Chapter, we offered those passing by news about the national trail just across the Bear River. Al unveiled a sign that highlights the NCT as it passes through Petoskey via the Bear River Valley. The sign is temporary, pending determination of appropriate content. Potentially it will provide information on Petoskey hiker services for backpackers, as well as information about the North Country Trail and its local features for the casual passer-by. For now, the heading says “Across this Footbridge Passes America’s Longest National Footpath.” It was suggested this could become an annual event. We’ll see. There wasn’t any organized hiking, which would have been nice. It will be interesting to see how much growth we experience as a result of this outreach. — Duane Lawton

www.northcountrytrail.org

Jo and Bart arrive at the Moss Hill Lean-to in New York to end their hike from Alabama on the new Great Eastern Trail.

First Thru-Hikers Finish The New Great Eastern Trail

NEW YORK - Barely more than a decade ago a galloping good idea seized a few Virginia trail people when they saw the possibilities of connecting several existing long distance trails that paralleled the Appalachian Trail, but a few miles WEST of that heavily used path. An incredible number of miles of new connections have already been built, from Alabama up through Pennsylvania on the Mid-State Trail and into New York on the new 55-mile Crystal Hills Trail, a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail, where the Great Eastern Trail terminates at the main FLT and NCT northeast of Corning. Corning’s prominence in the glass industry provided the name for this new FLT Branch. See the GET website at www.GreatEasternTrail.net to learn more. And already two people have hiked the whole thing! Jo “Someday” Swanson and “Hillbilly Bart” Houck ended at the Moss Hill Lean-to on FLT Maps M13 and CH1 where the trails meet, on June 18th after starting in Alabama on January 10th, 1800 miles in six months. They were greeted there by a few FLT members and one member of the local press, after which various board members of the GET drove Jo and Bart back southward by stages to West Virginia. Lynda Rummel remarked that it was noticeable they still seemed to like one another even after all that hard hiking!

Bruce M. Johnson

Lynda Rummel

Duane Lawson

“Across this Footbridge Passes America’s Longest National Footpath.”

Itasca Morraine Chapter: Bemidji State University’s Waboose lake loop trail work crew July 2013. Back row: Collin Sainio, Caitlyn Schuchhardt, Erika Bailey-Johnson, and Matt Johnson. Front row: Reed Johnson and Noah Johnson.

Teamwork on the Waboose Lake Loop Trail

MINNESOTA - Round one of maintenance on the 3.9 mile Waboose Lake Loop Trail was completed the second week of July. Adopters (see photo) Matt, Erika, Noah and Reed Johnson (Itasca Moraine Chapter members) have teamed up with the Sustainability Office at Bemidji State University (BSU) to do the work. Caitlyn Schuchhardt, a GreenCorps member hosted at BSU, and Collin Sainio, a BSU graduate student, helped with the effort. It was Collin’s first time on the trail as well as his birthday! Both Caitlyn and Collin hope to explore more of the North Country Trail. The Waboose Lake Loop Trail runs concurrent with the North Country Trail for about 0.75 miles in the Paul Bunyan State Forest, 7.5 miles north of Nevis, MN. It was completed last September with the help of an AmeriCorps Team. The Campsite on Waboose was recognized as “one of the coolest” on the NCT in Minnesota by Todd McMahon (aka Tman). It was also featured in an article appearing in the July August 2013 MN-DNR publication, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ volunteer/julaug13/north_country. html)

July-September 2013

— Bruce M. Johnson

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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 2 (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. Mark Weaver, NCNST Superintendent Mark_Weaver@nps.gov • (616) 430-3495 Jeff McCusker, NCNST Trail Manager jeff_b_mccusker@nps.gov • (616) 340-2004 P.O. Box 228, Lowell, MI 49331 www.nps.gov/noco

Daniel W. Watson, Volunteer Coordinator Ice Age & North Country National Scenic Trails 111 E. Kellogg Blvd., Suite 105, St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 293-8452 Office • (715) 441-7717 Cell (651) 290-3214 Fax • daniel_watson@nps.gov

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.

The North Star

July-September 2013

NORTH DAKOTA

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 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 llc@northcountrytrail.org 6 Itasca Moraine Chapter Bruce Johnson • (218) 732-8051• brucej@arvig.net 7 Arrowhead Chapter Doug Baker • (218) 326-4030 arw@northcountrytrail.org 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 • (414) 403-4575 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 • (906) 226-6210 nct@northcountrytrail.org 17 Superior Shoreline Chapter Tim Hass • SSC@northcountrytrail.org 18 Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter Kay Kujawa • HSS@northcountrytrail.org

Who’s Who Along the North Country Trail?

LOWER MICHIGAN

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Harbor Springs Chapter Anne Billiard • abilliard@racc2000.com Jordan Valley 45° Chapter Duane Lawton • delawton@torchlake.com Friends of the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (Trail Maintaining Affiliate): (231) 584-2461 Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter Jill Ciszewski • mauna42@yahoo.com Spirit of the Woods Chapter Loren Bach • (231) 266-8584 • bachlobach@gmail.com Western Michigan Chapter Chuck Vanette • (231) 408-5664 • cvann30643@aol.com Chief Noonday Chapter Larry Pio • (269) 327-3589 • nalcoman1@aol.com Chief Baw Beese Chapter Mike Dundas • BigD102430@comcast.net

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):

Andrew Bashaw • (740) 394-2008 director@buckeyetrail.org 28 Adams County Chapter hq@northcountrytrail.org 29 Little Cities of the Forest Chapter Richard Lutz • (740) 394-2008 30 Ohio Valley Chapter hq@northcountrytrail.org 31 Great Trail-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley • (330) 227-2432 • bbosley@cceng.org

www.northcountrytrail.org

PENNSYLVANIA

32 33

Wampum Chapter Dennis Garrett • (724) 827-2350 • Dcgcag@gmail.com Butler County Chapter John Stehle • (724) 256-0674 • stehles@gmail.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):

Dick Hubbard, Executive Director • (585) 658-9320 FLTinfo@fingerlakestrail.org Additional Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by the FLTC: Genesee Valley and Onondaga Chapters of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Cayuga Trails Club, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Hiking Club, Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18 and Dansville Boy Scout Troop 38 Central New York Chapter: Jack Miller • (315) 446-7257 • jacobr7@yahoo.com

July-September 2013

The North Star 19

National Trails Day 2013:

Building the Dudeck Bridge Story and pictures by Bill Menke

uring the six days spanning National Trails Day 2013, the Brule-St. Croix Roving Trail Crew constructed a major bridge across Spring Creek on an easement acquired from landowner Dave Dudeck. Knowing how tight it would be to complete this project in one work trip, the crew expressed the desire to forego participating in the chapterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NTD event and instead, continue to work on the bridge. So, in essence, we had our own NTD event. Quite some years ago, an easement was purchased jointly by the National Park Service and the Wisconsin DNR across the Dudeck property located at the northern outskirts of Solon Springs. Subsequent to the purchase, a significant fisheries initiative was undertaken to make the stream once again passable for its population of native brook trout through a large culvert just upstream from our easement. A large series of steel and rock fish ladders was installed to elevate the water level to the height of the formerly suspended culvert. This very worthwhile and beautiful project did require us to rethink our bridge plans and install a significantly larger bridge than was anticipated when the easement was purchased, but the scenic and fishery values of the improvement make that a small price to pay. Eight to nine volunteers labored a total of 437 hours to construct a 32-foot clear span bridge with complex angled ramps. Additionally, during that time, a graveled path across a rough rock emergency spillway and the installation of the deck boards on a 76 foot section of Type 3 Puncheon was completed. This effort all began on Friday morning when a section of guardrail along the highway was taken down to allow passage of trucks (permission had been secured from the county). Soon the two trucks full of lumber and the dump truck with 5 yards of gravel arrived. Some crew members worked on constructing the two main trusses for the bridge, some on crib construction, while still others worked on the puncheon and the walkway across the spillway. While the two cribs were filled with stone (secured over two years ago as a donation and placed on site by the National Resource Conservation Service when the fish ladders were being built) and the trusses were completed, the Griphoist highline system was rigged and employed. This system makes moving the trusses into place a rather easy task. Once the trusses were in place, joists, decking, and railing were installed while another group of crew members worked on the ramps. Extra effort was required on the project when several cubic yards each of stone for filling the far cribs and gravel for the pathway was zip lined across the creek, two 5-gallon pails at a time. All in all, the project was a huge success and the bridge is a beautiful thing to behold. Thanks go to crew members: Phil Anderson, Pete Bock, Tom Hicks, Dick Kroener, Bob Leedle, Jane Leedle, Dave Schlosser, Mark VanHornweder, and even I helped out a little bit. I did the design while Don Penly entered it into the CAD system to create drawings. The National Park Service paid for the lumber.

Our bridge had to accommodate this fish ladder, a happy compromise, considering the native trout.

Several cubic yards of stone and gravel were carried across the creek via two 5-gallon pails on a zip line.

Raising bridge trusses: teamwork with our grip hoist made the task relatively easy.

Finished! Our crew can be proud of providing a beautiful bridge for hikers on the NCT.

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July-September 2013

t’s called lobbying because influence peddlers of yore were allowed to buttonhole their elected representatives only in the lobbies and hallways of legislative buildings. The lobby was the place of persuasion. In recent years the term “lobbying” has acquired something of a negative connotation, most particularly among those of us in 501(c)3 non-profit groups who are restricted in the lobbying efforts we’re allowed to undertake. So it may be a euphemism, but now we call it advocacy. And our primary efforts are focused on educating members of our various legislative groups about the righteousness of our various positions, and the impacts certain legislation might have on, in this case, the North Country National Scenic Trail, or the National Trails System. The North Country Trail passes through 24 Congressional Districts and 7 states, making a total of 38 Members of Congress representing us (41 if you count Vermont). In the 113th Congress, 20 of our 24 representatives in the House are Republican, many of them of Tea Party persuasion. Among our Senators only 4 of the 14 are Republican. Can you see where this is going? Personal politics matter not when our job is to persuade EACH one of these folks to support the NCT’s agenda. Now, that might sound easy enough—after all, what’s not to love about a hiking trail? Right up there with mom and apple pie, right? We wish. I won’t recite the litany of issues preventing

Want To Recruit More Volunteers For A Significant Chapter Trail Building Or Trail Maintenance Project? Want to draw interesting and experienced people from far afield who have never been to your area? If so, learn more about using the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations program at http:// northcountrytrail. org/2013/07/19/ more_volunteers/. The deadline for requesting a 2014 crew is this September!

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a love-fest in today’s Congress because you’re already way too tired of hearing them, which is why the approval rating is so low. And my point today isn’t Congress-bashing, though I’ll admit to the temptation. No, my point is illustrated by something that happened earlier this year, when members of an NCTA chapter got pretty upset about a chapter event at which a legislator was invited to appear, a representative who was not in favor politically among many in the chapter. The details don’t matter and the appearance was orchestrated in part to help build relationships with the staff of this representative. However some members of the chapter took exception to the invitation and chose to see a partisan political motive, in itself symptomatic of the extreme polarization we’re experiencing in America today. Arguably the main reason we’re in this pickle nationally is because we’ve lost sight of the fact that good effective politicking is way more about relationships than party dogma and partisan positions. Now clearly we all need to guard against being used for partisan advantage. Equally clear is our own personal right to choose political viewpoints whatever they may be. NCTA is not asking anyone to vote a certain way (that would actually NOT be legal), but we ARE saying that building healthy relationships with each one of our 24 Republican and 14 Democratic Members of Congress is the best way to ensure the perpetuity of the NCNST. We need our members to work with NCTA’s Advocacy Committee to help educate Congressional Members about who we are, what we do and why that’s so dang valuable and important…and WAY more important than partisan politics. We have a ways to go. And Congress is only the starting point; we have seven (soon to be eight) state governments, not to mention hundreds of local governments, which also require our attention. If you’re inclined that way we can sure use your help on NCTA’s Advocacy Committee!

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 do NOT embed pictures within your article, but send them separately as .jpg attachments. Do not refer me to your entire picture collection hosted by some other site! Front cover photo candidates: prefer vertical format, and if digital, at least 300 dpi, AND we are always looking for great cover photos! Take pictures at the highest resolution your camera offers, 4800 pixels ideally, then send candidates via email at a reduced size for approval. Save that original high resolution picture! Same advice goes for interior pictures, too, where at least 1000 pixels are required in one dimension. Next deadline for Vol. 32, Issue 4, is 11 October 2013. Authors: let’s help people find sites mentioned in your stories. From now on, we’ll try to include the NCTA map # along with the name of the nearest town or landmark, so please include same in your text. Thank you! —Your volunteer editor, Irene

July-September 2013

The North Star 21

Where In The Blue Blazes?

Above: Last issue’s mystery photo was taken in 2009, standing on the trail through cattle pastures, by Mary Kunzler-Larmann of the Central NY Chapter, with pelicans out on the water. It’s Karnak bridge, active BNSF Railroad trestle (formerly Great Northern) across Lake Ashtabula well north of Valley City, North Dakota, during a hike at the 2009 annual conference.

Mrs Jean Pitt, one of our enthusiastic landowners and easement donors, passed away, July 19. She was very proud to host the Finger Lakes Trail and North Country National Scenic Trail. She was very attached to the land as she had many fond memories from rambling there in her youth and even asked to have her ashes spread on the trail. Her easement on Finger Lakes Trail Map O2 is very significant as it allows hikers to access Highland Forest from the DeRuyter Dam Road. She was a dear, sweet lady with lots of interesting stories and a pleasure to talk to.

Kay Kujawa

In this second picture of the Karnak Bridge, there is already a tick on that long brown dog leash on my pack in the foreground, and we will soon walk UNDER the Karnak bridge.

Above: The Hi-Line Bridge that soars over Valley City’s Sheyenne River valley is further south, and is currently also BNSF, formerly Northern Pacific. Running diagonally underneath it, east and north of Valley City, is Canadian Pacific, former Soo. Everybody who sent me answers picked this one, all except one North Dakotan, of course. I took this picture in January 2010 in Chautauqua Park on the north side of Valley City. Cockiest was Bill Menke, NCTA Wisconsin Regional Trail Coordinator, who said, “Too easy! This should be the high viaduct near Valley City.” Sorry, Bill. On the other hand, Becky Heise said, “Bridge on the north end of Lake Ashtabula in the Karnak Wildlife Management Area.” You’re right: she’s from the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter.

Landowner And Easement Donor Passes Away

Next Mystery Location: Email your guesses about the location shown below to editor Irene Szabo at treeweenie@aol.com, and send me the next mystery photo, please! Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter: What put smiles on these young hikers faces? Walt and Stan cut walking sticks, drill a hole for the string, and carve off two slots for “NCT” and a child’s name or initial. We keep a supply in the Trail Town Center. When we get a family that is thinking of taking a hike we ask the kids if they would like to make a hiking stick. The sticks go like hot cakes! We have string and a dish of wooden beads for kids to “decorate” their sticks. Stan takes loppers and cuts them to the child’s desired length. I do not even know who dreamed up this idea! Read about St. Ignace’s Trail Town Center, next page.

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July-September 2013

St. Ignace Trail Town Center

Above: Four Seasons on the NCT Mural by Leon Ruder. Thanks to Dave Kunze Photography.

Kay Kujawa, HSS President & Communications Coordinator

www.northcountrytrail.org

Martha Stuit

ary Lynn Swiderski became interested in the NCT while attending tri-county Wellness Coalition meetings in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Recognizing the potential economic impact that the NCT could have on the St. Ignace community she hoped to become involved in pursuing that avenue when she retired. At about the same time that Mary retired, the Fort de Buade Museum Director approached the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter about using a storage room as an office space. After a great deal of research the chapter remained indecisive over the possible merit of a HSS office space in downtown St. Ignace. Mary Lynn stepped up to the plate and accepted the Trail Town Coordinator position. More research led to a plan for a “Trail Town Center” that would be used by the St. Ignace community as well as the NCT. Jill Eyre assisted Mary in writing two grants for the remodeling of the space. HSS volunteers removed old shelving and disposed of the materials; meanwhile the Fort de Buade crew removed all the museum pieces to other storage areas. HSS volunteers removed a wall and the ceiling tile, awaiting news of the grant applications. NPS NCT Superintendent Mark Weaver connected the HSS chapter with NPS Exhibit Specialist Roberta Wendel who assisted in the design and planning the center. The plan included a 24 foot mural, a 2 ft. by 8 ft. moveable counter with storage, 20 feet of bulletin space behind the counter, a bulletin board for volunteer and membership recruitment and information, a space for small local flyers, an area for children’s activities, display cases, and a bench. In May it was announced that HSS had received both the Community and the Sault Tribe 2% grants. Mary Lynn immediately cajoled the local 511 Program crew under direction of Deputy Sheriff Robert St. Louis into removing the old carpet and tile and painting the walls. She enticed local contractors into installing new drywall and removing the exterior logs that had hidden a large window to the street. Local residents provided barn wood for paneling and a HSS crew gathered, prepared, and installed it. Dan Betcher constructed the moveable counter and delivered it to the site. The only contracted work for the whole project was the electrical and carpeting installation. The highlight of the center is the 24 feet wide by 4 feet high “Four Seasons on the NCT” mural painted by Leon Ruder, a local retired art teacher. Leon visited sections of the NCT and spent 62 hours sketching and painting what has rapidly become a local attraction. He included 31 animals that children, young and old, love to “discover” within the picture.

Community and HSS crew taken in front of the Trail Town Center: left to right, Leon Ruder (the artist), Kay Kujawa, Mary Lynn Swiderski, Dennis Peronto, Fred Sweet, Stan Kujawa, Walt Colyer. Leon and Fred are community members, while the rest are HSS members.

The Trail Town Center opened on June 14th with an Open House that correlated with the Fort de Buade Museum’s seasonal opening. The center is manned Tuesday mornings by Visitor Bureau Director Mindy Rutgers. The rest of the week is covered by volunteers from the community and HSS. Several people work a half day every week. HSS member Dennis Peronto works all day Wednesdays! The center is also open during summer’s Fab Fridays when HSS volunteers entertain children with hiking stick and animal print activities and promote the NCT on the sidewalk amidst all the tourists. With both grants there is funding for a Smart TV for use as a monitor, a wall hung clear plastic brochure and magazine holder, a street sign, a sandwich board, and recessed ceiling lighting. When asked about the Trail Town Center, Mary Lynn responded, “The Trail Town Saint Ignace Center is an exciting new destination for visitors and locals to learn about the NCT and other local attractions and events in and around Saint Ignace. We are excited it came together so well with grants and great volunteers assisting in helping to renovate this space. The great attraction no one should miss seeing is the incredible artistic ‘Four Seasons on the NCT’ mural. St. Ignace is a true Trail Town and the new Saint Ignace Trail Town Center is a great addition to our City.”

July-September 2013

The North Star 23

Wildfire Revisited Story and pictures by Tim Hass, Superior Shoreline Chapter

n May 23, 2012, a thunderstorm spawned the Duck Lake fire, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, destroying 21,127 acres, including three miles of our trail. The hottest area of the fire was in those three miles and the destruction was total. (See page 28 in the July-December 2012 North Star.) Since first entering the Duck Lake fire area on June 11, 2012, I have been drawn back to it more than a dozen times. It beckons as did the sirens in Greek mythology. Our Superior Shoreline members rather accurately call it my obsession! Three of the trips were work trips in the company of others, most recently May 23, 2013 when a new chapter member and I finished blazing the new trail and officially removed the “TRAIL CLOSED” sign and reopened the trail. While natural regeneration is occurring, to someone who has not spent countless hours observing and studying the landscape, it would be difficult to discern whether one is seeing the area the day after the fire versus one year later. The blackened canopyless charred “sticks” are still present, although there are fewer of

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July-September 2013

May 23, 2013, one year after the devastating Duck Lake Fire, Superior Shoreline Chapter has again blazed their beloved trail through this charred and eerie landscape.

them, as many of them have fallen. Despite 300 inches of snow last winter the ash remains on top of the ground and walking sends up small clouds of ash that coat one’s legs and footwear. As immediately after the fire there is an occasional deer track or coyote track but no animal presence in an area that once teemed with deer, bear, coyotes, wolves, squirrels, chipmunks and birds. Simply, there is as yet no food for them. With the absence of foliage one can see great distances and readily appreciate subtle changes in topography, but it is eerily empty, almost dead feeling. Nevertheless, we have a trail to care for and nurture. Each trip into the fire area provided its own lessons on how to deal with the carnage and scars. On that first inspection of the damage it was realized that hard hats are definitely in order, along with leather gloves. Hearing and seeing trees and limbs fall will readily make one a believer in wearing PPE, or personal protective equipment. One of the first steps that we undertook was to flag the new trail. One of the many lessons learned is that plastic flagging may not survive a winter, especially in a very windy area such as

the shore of Lake Superior and in an area that received over 300 inches of snow over the winter of 2012-2013. Less than 5% of our flagging survived the winter making the completion of the blazing this May more difficult. Original plans for re-blazing the trail were to use a bark knife to scrape off the burned outer layer of the tree to get down to good wood that would accept paint. It did not take long to scrap that idea. Before the first scrape was finished our gloves and arms were full of soot and ash. Making it worse was the fact that our arms were sweaty. It truly is a messy endeavor. It is also very time consuming. The National Park Service Signs, Tools & Equipment Order Form contains the following advisory: “Painted blazes are always the preferred blazing technique. Where suitable trees are not available, adhesive blazes on composite posts are acceptable. Nail up blazes on trees are a last resort.” In contrast the Forest Service prefers blue vinyl on trees or posts with aluminum nails. We chose the vinyl blazes. They stand out prominently on the blackened trees and install quickly. A long distance hiker recently through the fire area was concerned that he would not be able to follow the trail until he came to the first vinyl blaze and realized how visible they are. This portion of our trail is located on “critical dunes.” Due to the fragile nature of the soil the dead trees cannot be harvested per the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The burned trees do make convenient sign posts. The drawback is that these posts will fall within 2 to 5 years. If the roots at the tree base are burned up, the tree will go down within 2 years especially when the wind is factored into the equation. In an attempt to get as much time as possible out of each post, we do plan on felling each tree above the blaze. It is estimated that within 12-15 years there will be sufficient natural tree growth that we will again have trees to blaze. Until that occurs as we lose dead trees to blaze, alternative suggestions have been to carry in 2 x 2 wooden posts or Carsonite posts. The latter are expensive and since the newly laid out trail meanders by design we would need an inordinate number of posts. Then there is the matter of the heavy Carsonite post driver that would need to be carried in 3 miles and then back out. We had planned to have the trail laid out, flagged and blazed by the fall of 2012. We did succeed in laying out and flagging the trail and on a very nice early fall day our team consisting of three sawyers and three swampers set out to clear the trail of fallen and leaning trees. We split up into three teams. As the old saying goes about the best laid plans of mice and men, we got off to an inauspicious start. Within the first 20 minutes we experienced critical failure of two of our three saws. At least that left us with extra gas. The remaining saw belonged to and was operated by our chapter’s best sawyer. He is somewhat akin to a one man wrecking crew or one of the machines that goes up to a tree, cuts it at its base, then turns the tree sideways to cut off the limbs and cut the tree into sections, all in one continuous motion. He kept cutting until all three tanks of gas were exhausted. While he cut, the remainder of us rolled logs off the trail or put up the vinyl blazes. We completed about 40% of the planned work. After we finished the blazing of the remainder of the trail this May, the DNR was notified that the trail was reopened although there will be work to be performed for years to

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come. In the June 2013 DNR division reports, NCTA and in particular our Superior Shoreline Chapter were commended for our hard work in clearing and reopening the trail. Early in our chapter’s history (we formed in 2010) we made it a point to forge a good relationship with the DNR and other owners along the trail. Immediately after the fire the DNR left to us the decision to close the trail or keep it open. By August at least two additional trips into the fire area are planned. There are many more trees to cut and new things to be observed and photographed. Perhaps, we will have an opportunity to photograph wildlife returning and not merely an occasional track.

Blue vinyl blazes are added by chapter volunteers, almost a year after the original fire.

July-September 2013

The North Star 25

National Park Service

CORNER

Mark Weaver

Superintendent North Country Trail

Arts On The Trail

n mid-July I participated in the unveiling of the new North Country Trail mural on the exterior wall of the Association headquarters in Lowell. This represents a huge, huge success for all. I want to personally thank LowellArts! for origination and coordination of the project, and Bruce/NCTA for the guidance and support provided the artists during the entire process. And the Artist(s)! Local artist Erwin Erkfitz and about a dozen talented young artists from Lowell toiled 200 hours developing the mural concept and producing the panels. Congratulations to you all for an excellent project!! Like the mural, arts and events on the trail offer so many opportunities for increased visitation, inspiration and volunteerism. It also gives you the chance to showcase the tremendous work that you have done on the trails. Those of you involved with Trail Towns have the added opportunity of an “in-house” venue; that is, cultural organizations chomping at the bit for the chance to share their talents with the community, local businesses chomping at the bit to get more people to come to town, and Trail Chapters chomping at the bit to increase membership.

A Few Ideas For You To Ponder...MOST IMPORTANT! If you do ANYTHING after reading this, you must visit the New England Trail’s website (www.nps. gov/netr). I have known the Trail Manager Charley Tracy for many years and his creativity is something for all of us to aspire to. The Trail has a number of postings on youtube as well; check out the Rap video. No kidding--- it is EXCELLENT! It gives me shivers every time I view it. (http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=rTxJyRzKmGM.) New England Trail also has a photographer in residence, Barbara Bosworth, who is chronicling the way people interact with their natural surroundings. And, also on youtube, view “Hespera Stones” (http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=6zRfLAbWPUk), another great way to inspire activity on the trail.

people taking on the character of historically important persons, and was usually held at a cemetery; hence, “talking (head)stones.” At my previous assignment as superintendent of the Nicodemus National Historic Site, descendants of the original settlers took on the character of their ancestors in a Town Hall setting. This proved to be one of the most popular events during my time there.

Literature A story I like to share is when I was taken on

a tour of Chinese Gardens (in my previous life as a landscape architect). My friend Liming had taken me up the stairs of, I think, the 100th garden tower, and to be honest, the experience was getting old. Upon reaching the top, I viewed a number of typical trashed backyards outside the garden walls. Out of courtesy, I asked Liming what the Chinese character panels said at the entry to the tower: “Pavilion of the Billowing Clouds.” My attention turned upward, I forgot about those backyards and I focused on the beauty of the sky above me. That, my friends, is the power of words. Does your particular area have a relationship with literature? Perhaps a nationally, regionally or locally known author, whose words could inspire if carved on a bench or hung (sustainably) on a tree? And if you don’t have a local author connection, scour the work of Aldo Leopold, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir; you’ll certainly find inspiration there.

Cairns Hold a contest to see who can create the most inspiring “Cairn Sculpture.” The City of Cadillac, Michigan, has a widely recognized “Sound Garden,” a musical sculpture made of logs and metal ( http://www. pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=676). What a wild opportunity to create musical instruments from downed trees and recycled materials!!! Scatter a few of these along the trail and every eight-year old will drag his/her parents kicking and screaming to make music in and with nature!!!

Music Do you have a local school ensemble? Maybe a Jazz band? A quartet? Consider a progressive music party where small assemblages of musicians are spaced about a quarter mile apart, providing a variety of music for the passers-by. Painting and Drawing Perhaps local artists could set up a temporary gallery of works along a popular segment of the trail. Talking Stones This idea is originally based upon 26

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July-September 2013

Prospective end-to-ender Luke “Strider” Jordan shares the joy in front of Lowell’s new mural on July 11th.

Poetry On The Trail

Linking Trail Towns

Are there any closely spaced towns near you that could sponsor an event between them? Way, way back in my NPS days, I worked with American Trails on “Cool Trail Solutions.” (http:// www.americantrails.org/resources/ cool/). Click on “Artistic Trail Surfaces” for some cool ideas. There are TONS of possibilities to be found, and it’s a lot more entertaining than most television these days! I bet that many of you have already held arts-related events on the trail. We need to hear from you so we can share your successes with others. Remember: the sincerest form of flattery is idea theft. If your chapter is in need of new membership, these events might be just what you need to inspire appreciation of the trail and surroundings. Eventually those inspired visitors will ask the question we all love to hear: “How can I help?” Here’s hoping that the CNY Chapter invites Mark to the Stone Quarry Art Park next time he’s in our state, and sends the magazine a photo essay about the trail’s passage there among dozens of fanciful sculptures. (Editor)

Pictures by Jacquie Wensich

Making Mark’s point is this partial collection from one private property along one of the branches of the Finger Lakes Trail System. Even before Bill and Ellen Garrison hosted our trail, my introduction to their welcoming personalities was this roadside sign with a verse from Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” Rare creatures indeed, they actually INVITED the trail to move sideways to enjoy their property, and with this sign as a

greeting, anybody could see this would be a wonderful place for us. Not only did the Garrisons become the first landowners to offer a permanent trail easement, but they also built the Evangeline shelter in their forest, cherished by all as THE nicest shelter on the Finger Lakes Trail.

Modern Photographics–Lowell, Michigan

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The trail uphill through hemlock and oak forest comes to a fork in the ancient tractor path, which was graced by this weathered old sign about just such a choice in the trail by Robert Frost, and inside the Evangeline shelter is an excerpt from the long poem of the same name. Bill liked to quote this one about Ellen, to her discomfort. And before a stroke hobbled his memory, he could quote whole pages of that oeuvre. We’re grateful for their forward-thinking easement. Since those happier days, the aging Garrisons had to move away, the next owner took down all the wonderful signs, and now we’re hosted by yet a third landowner there, all within less than ten years. — Irene Szabo

July-September 2013

The North Star 27

A Cooperative Trailside Shelter Charlene and Marv DeWitt, Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter

Dewayne Cox

Marv De Witt

Built next to a large picturesque pond in Michigan’s Chippewa County, the shelter began with the construction of a carefully leveled and solid foundation.

Once the sidewalls and roof began to take shape, the heavy lifting of the logs was left to the adult scouters with mechanical help when possible. See the completed shelter on our back cover.

he old adage that “many hands make for lighter work” certainly was evident in the recent construction of a log trail shelter built on a spur of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Chippewa County of Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula. This cooperative project began in the spring of 2011 with the U.S. Forest Service [East District of the Hiawatha National Forest] asking that a Resource Advisory Committee [RAC] be formed to suggest and approve projects that federal money being returned to Chippewa County might be spent on. A fifteen member committee was formed by Chippewa County’s Emergency Manager. After reviewing twelve proposed projects in August of 2011, the RAC selected the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter as the number one group to be funded with approximately $87,000. Theirs was a multifaceted proposal with one of the components being that a three-sided log shelter, based on the design published by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, would be built. [Note: What a wonderful and thorough set of instructions and notes! This pdf booklet is available from Jill DeCator at NCTA headquarters.] After the final grant approval in June of 2012, vendors were contacted and building materials were ordered. The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter is located in three counties, all of which have vast stands of timber and few populated areas. Haske Post of Cedarville was the vendor that won the bid for the logs and cedar boards that were needed for the shelter. Mr. Charles Haske, proprietor, informed HSS that he would need a year to get into the woods to select the correct trees, get them cut, dried and milled to specifications for the project. Other materials were purchased from Soo Builders in Sault Ste. Marie

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July-September 2013

and Tri-County Building Center in the designated trail town of St. Ignace. The Forest Service allowed the use of their Raco workstation as a marshalling point for personnel, supplies and materials. Forest Service Recreation Technician Patty VerWiebe, following NCT guidelines, identified the location within the National Forest for the construction of the shelter. VerWiebe also reopened, for chapter use, a closed two track now part of the NCT allowing the chapter and construction crew to truck the building materials and a loader to the construction site, saving many hours of intensive hand labor. Because the HSS chapter is a red flannel, gray haired group of volunteers, it didn’t take long to decide help would be needed for the actual construction of the shelter. The local Boy Scout Troops of the East Hiawathaland Scouting District frequently use the NCT the year around and also help to maintain the trail. When approached with the project, the Boy Scout leaders felt that this particular project was something that the Scouts could do and were excited at the opportunity. On Father’s Day Weekend, June 14-16, 2013, the local scout troops held their spring camporee in the general area of the cabin site. Leader Mark Rice organized a group of dads along with thirteen Boy Scouts for the purpose of this construction project. Rice divided the project into three parts. The phase one of his plan was to move all equipment and materials to the site and to prepare a solid floored foundation for the shelter. This portion of the project began early Friday morning and lasted well into the early evening. Phase two was to cut to length and notch the logs, then fit and secure them forming back and the two lower sidewalls to the foundation. This began early Saturday morning and was finished by mid-afternoon.

Marv De Witt

Dewayne Cox

In order for the shelter walls to be square and plumb, the centerline of each log had to be determined. Star Scout Andy Spohn, a 15 year old of Troop 120 of Detour Village, Michigan, intently assists the nearly invisible scout in accurately determining the centerline of a log being prepared to be fastened to the one below it.

The third and final phase of the plan involved the roofing crew. Their task was to complete the sidewalls with the addition of the upper portions and the installation of the roof. This began after a dinner break on Saturday late afternoon with completion of the project being about 9:15 PM Saturday, just before it stared to rain. On Sunday morning, the HSS project leader praised the Boy Scouts and their leaders for their dedication to this project and for providing a solid and aesthetically pleasing structure. Each of the participants was awarded a NCT/ HSS volunteer shirt as a small but barely adequate token of the Chapter’s appreciation for their hard work. Because it was a scout camporee, they provided their own food and the scouts who weren’t involved with cabin construction prepared the food for all of them. When they left, the place was spotless. We think one of the reasons that this went off so well was that so often the only projects scouts get are the menial tasks, like picking up litter. This project had some teeth to it and because it was Father’s Day weekend, these kids had some quality time with their dads and in some cases the Moms who also came out. So COOPERATION was essential to this project: first the East District of the Hiawatha National Forest for forming the Resource Advisory Committee for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and all of their support and help,

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14-year-old Star Scout Scott Bosley, from Troop 120 in Detour, Michigan, quickly learned to drive 10˝ long wafer-headed screws and took charge in seeing that logs were properly secured as the two side and the back walls went up.

the RAC for review and selecting the project, the local vendors who were very accommodating with supplies and deliveries, the Boy Scouts of the Hiawathaland District, their leaders and fathers, and for the Hiawatha Shore-toShore members who also came out and participated. The HSS chapter added some finishing touches to the completed project by adding a line that wet gear could be hung from, six pegs inside and outside the shelter for hanging gear, two shelves for holding minor gear, a step to assist access to the shelter and two safety posts at the back corners of the shelter to keep hikers from inadvertently walking into the corners of the roof which end at a head high level. It should be noted that this shelter also conforms to the Forest Service’s current guidelines for accessibility.

The Making of Great Trail… Continued from page 12. New NCT trail re-routes were established and maintained in the beaver pond areas in the effort to keep people from becoming lost. Further improvement included recent earthen turnpike in the beaver dam areas. While people were not getting lost, the NCT around the beaver dams was still a bit of a “trial” instead of a trail. After all, beaver drop trees all the time, each of which must be cut with manual saws. A two log bridge, engineered by Bill Menke, was built over Porcupine Creek to allow easy (and safer) crossing of Porcupine Creek and to regain the original NCT route. Many volunteers including Chequamegon members, the BruleSt. Croix Rovers crew, and the USFS took part in this major step. A lot of time was spent on the approval effort and the active construction took almost a full week to complete. Last year a one log bridge was installed over 18 Mile Creek making this crossing much easier and safer. So what makes a section of North Country Trail great? It takes a lot of dedicated volunteer hours. It takes coordinating efforts with the NCTA and other partners to reach positive conclusions to existing NCT problems. Primarily, it takes turning a major trail negative into a major highpoint of a hiker’s experience and in this case blending the improvements with the existing wilderness look.

July-September 2013

The North Star 29

Confessions of an Alley Cat Cook Jacqui Wensich

was expected to perform. We prepared our own bagged lunches after breakfast. Howard had large storage tubs of cooking utensils, paper goods, campfire items, etc. He supplemented lunches with donated items like two cases of dried cranberries. Remember the year NPS’s Fred Szarka showered all of us with those cranberries? The setting was relatively primitive but we did have refrigeration. We also used the campfire and Coleman stove to warm up food, make breakfast and heat water. The Tamarack Shelter Alley Cat Project at the Lions’ Camp Badger June 2010 was my first full cooking assignment. I planned with a menu spreadsheet, shopping lists, checked and double checked, and a small notebook for ideas and recipes. I tried to think of this as cooking for Thanksgiving without all the side dishes and only one dessert! Camp Badger has a professional kitchen (twelve burner gas stove, large grill, industrial dishwasher and walk-in freezer and refrigerator with lots of large cooking pans). I admit I was a little intimidated at first. The caretaker Dave was very helpful, including lighting the stove and showing me how to use the dishwasher. The final ingredient was Laurie Dando whom I call the “queen of chopping” from our days organizing food for the yearly Board of Managers’ Retreat weekend. No one is more pleasant to work with than Laurie. We had a large number of workers and guests but Laurie and I survived. She has since cooked for several Alley Cats with her husband Roy as project manager. Dave Drum invited us to his beautiful home on Keuka Lake for the first dinner for the Hickory Hill Shelter Project September 2011. Hickory Hill Family Campground also has a professional kitchen which we used for the balance of meals. Randy Lehman (NCTA Outstanding Landowner in 2011) owns the campground and the land where the trail was going to pass the new shelter a half-mile away, so his staff could not have been more helpful. They even invited us to their regular Saturday chicken dinner, so I had the night off. Donna Flood also helped for a few days. Besides prep work, she made the most delicious apple pies. Author Jacqui Wensich serving barbecue pork to Matt Branneman and crew at Camp f an army travels on its stomach, so do trail crews. Previously we’ve enjoyed articles by John Forslin and Bill Menke about the culinary delights offered to the deserving and starved crews out there in Michigan and Wisconsin, among them Bill’s steaks and John’s epicurean specialties, but food remains the unsung highlight on many other crew projects, too. The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) has used separate crews for special projects for years now, set up somewhat like the BruleSt. Croix Chapter’s Rovers in Wisconsin. They do up to four week-long projects per year, all over upstate NY, ranging from building new trail to building facilities like bridges and shelters. My first experience with any Alley Cat (the FLT goes from “Allegany” to “Catskills;” hence, Alley Cat) was September 2005 in Allegany State Park with legendary AlleyCatters Howard Beye and Ron Navik, who had been using vacations to work on these for years. In previous years Howard had planned menus and bought all the food, then expected tired workers to cook their own meal! Mark and Susan Hittle had organized this project with Sue supervising the food preparation while I was on the work crew. Except for breakfast, Sue prepared food at home and brought it in. She had an assignment list for jobs like washing, setting the table, cleaning up, that everyone

Roger Hopkins

Badger, wearing her lovely NCTA Cazenovia 2008 Tshirt.

The North Star

July-September 2013

Laurie Dando made racks of meatballs at Camp Badger for the typical crew of 6 to 8 people.

Jacqui Wensich

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enjoys my cooking but he is very strict about fats, carbs and desserts, so cooking for a hungry, appreciative crew who wants to load up on calories is very enjoyable and fulfilling for me. I still prepare a tentative menu and keep a small notebook with things to do, recipes to try, ingredients to purchase, including when a food item takes too much time or is not really loved by the crew. Example: trying not to use lunchmeat, I roasted a black angus round roast. Tasted fine but I could not slice it thinly enough so it was really chewy. Thanks to Marcus Coppola for eating it anyway. I am looking for a used slicer. I also tend to make too much food at times but I would HATE to run out of food. See the cover!

Jacqui Wensich

Donna made one for the staff to thank them for all of their help. On the last night, we got a big kick out of our crew’s delight in making their own ice cream sundaes. By my third Alley Cat, I was pretty confident and organized. I prepared roasted potatoes, onions, yams for dinner then used the leftovers for home fries…stuff like that really helps. I also tried to limit the amount of lunch meat by having suitable leftovers for lunch. I purchased re-usable lunch containers and asked the crew to put their names on each piece to use throughout the project. This saved paper and protected the food. I did two Alley Cats in 2012 finally earning my coveted two-project green hat. At the Alley Cat Catskills 2 the camp at the far eastern end of our trail was pretty basic. We had a canopy outside by the fireplace where we ate most meals, but there was a stove, sink and fridge and some hot water. I cooked chicken, hots, beans and roasted potatoes on the grill and brought in BBQ pork and pasta sauce that I made earlier at home. I would have to re-think my menu if I had to cook exclusively on that fireplace! The McCarthy Hill Shelter project in July 2012 was a delight. Pat, Sue and son Isaac Monahan opened up their home for us only a short commute away, so I invaded their kitchen. Mary Ellen helped me clean up, serve, set the table and did some prep work. We ate in the dining room or on the patio. Nice!! In 2013, I have completed two Alley Cats with one more to go. Rick and Rosemary Roberts opened their beautiful rustic Catskills palace for the crew. Rosemary loves to bake so she prepared several desserts and assisted me as needed. We also did some shopping together. I took Scout their happy beagle with me everywhere. He ate all the dog biscuit crumbs out of my van. By now I know what the crew members really like: a favorite breakfast is omelets…ham, cheese, spinach, mushroom…home fries with roasted potatoes, onions and yams, English muffins, pancakes, homemade jam and cantaloupe. Dinner favorites include BBQ pork with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, broccoli, baked chicken thighs, homemade spinach lasagna served with grilled Italian sausages and a fresh salad. I can my own tomatoes so the sauce makes the dish. For dessert I make an ice cream cake, or some type of fresh cobbler or apple crisp and sometimes home-made ice cream if I have the time. Just one week later, another Alley Cat was scheduled in the middle of the state. I really had no intention of doing three Alley Cats but when I saw that Camp Badger’s wonderful facility was being used again I did not hesitate. So I did not unpack my boxed basics, (spices, baking items, oils…) just restocked and off I went. Robin Peck, wife of project manager Paul Warrender, proved to be a sous-chef extraordinaire who also loves to chop. She actually sliced quarts of fresh strawberries for shortcake. (I would have just clipped and mashed them.) We were able to shop locally and purchase fresh eggs: what a treat. After assisting me, Robin plans to “chef ” Alley Cat 3 in August. She will be great. My last Alley Cat this year will be for the Bullthistle Hiking Club in the eastern third of the FLT in September, at a YMCA camp. Obviously, I really love to cook. My husband

Donna Flood making apple pies at Hickory Hill Campground kitchen.

July-September 2013

The North Star 31

The Adventure Starts Nearby…Literally David Cowles, NCTA Director of Development

Though very different from one another and living 1,000 miles apart, NCTA members John Schroeder and Ken Buran share a unique commonality. John Schroeder lives in Ithaca, New York, and has been an NCTA member since 2004. Ken Buran, a GI doctor who recently moved to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, just joined this year. What makes them uniquely similar? The North Country Trail goes through their back yards. When I called John this spring to thank him for his generous contribution to the annual spring appeal, he explained that he is an avid supporter of linking green space for trails and the conservation of wild places. He is also a member of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. He went on to say that what caught his eye about the North Country Trail was a map. When he saw that he could literally walk from his back yard in New York to his mother’s back yard in Ohio (“if he had a week”), Jennifer Schlick (left) and Debra Eck finishing a four-day hike in he was not only intrigued, he was motivated. He New York, near Pennsylvania. Reprinted with permission from the wanted to see the trail done so he joined the NCTA Finger Lakes Trail News. and began to support it. As we member. “When I bought my closed our brief conversation house a little way out into the I challenged him to consider stepping out his back door and “When he saw that he could literally walk from country, my new neighbor told going for a long walk to visit his his back yard in New York to his mother’s me the North Country Trail ran through my back yard,” replied mom. He replied, “It’s not out of back yard in Ohio, he was motivated.” Ken. “I looked the NCT up on the question!” the web and felt I should start Ken Buran’s first gift to the supporting it.” Ken loves his new north country surroundings NCTA launched him into the Founders Circle which caught and gets out hiking every chance he can. We’ve now linked my eye. A phone call to the chapter folks in his area yielded him up with the local chapter and he’s already signed up for no info on Ken – no one knew him. After tracking down his the next trail work day. phone number, I gave him a call. When we finally connected and I thanked him for his gift, I asked him what prompted From the October 2012 issue of The North Country Tribute. such a generous first gift, particularly for a non-NCTA

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. 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

The North Star

July-September 2013

Teresa Zweering

Mike Ciccon e

Waterfall along Hells Hollow Hike, where hikers had to climb the rocks.

Along the Hell’s Hollow Trail, John Leinen of Minnesota takes a break.

Teresa Zweering

Slippery Rock,

Pennsylvania 2013 National North Country Trail Conference or…what you missed

Sarah and Mike Julien and Teresa and Rick Zweering on the bike ride on the Allegheny River Trail, at the entrance to a long tunnel along what was once the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad. Further north the NCT follows this trail.

by a passing walker

gift of perfect summer weather graced our near-week of excursions, hikes, and workshops. Projects ranged from toddlers mucking about in a stream to capture water striders and a crawfish to instruction in technical skills like using grip hoist gear to move rocks. A plane ride, a bike ride, tours of historic sites, a walking tour of downtown Pittsburgh’s junction of three mighty rivers, and hikes of every stripe from 3-milers to all day grueling 14-mile treks filled our dance cards. We doubt anyone would mind repeating Friday night’s excellent pig roast followed by truly special fireworks, and by Sunday morning as we all bid farewell, many of us for a whole year, everybody was smiling and hugging. Thanks, Pennsylvania, for a fun gathering. One of the grip hoist training sessions involved using steel …Continued on next page.

Tammy Veloski

cables and pulleys to enable mere mortals to move major rocks. When they had finished the project, a badly eroded root-riddled slippery patch of trail was turned into nicely placed rock steps, and passing hikers thanked them.

Teresa Zwee ring

Right: On a hike to the Schollard wetlands, Dale Veloski collected a bag of coal from the old railbed we walked on.

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Joan Young

Dave Brewer

Group ready to hike outbound along Slippery Rock creek from McConnell’s Mill. Right: NCTA staffer Andrea Ketchmark with first aid and safety kit donated to chapters by Shell of Pennsylvania. Dave Brewer

4000 Hour Awardees: Friday evening at the pork and chicken barbecue, the National Park Service awarded volunteers for various levels of hourly commitment with an assortment of shirts, vests, and pins, culminating in those who have given a cumulative 4000 hours of service. This year’s awardees are, left to right, Brian Pavek of Minnesota, Joyce Appel of Penna., and Ron Sootsman of Michigan. Between them are Jeff McCusker and Mark Weaver of the NPS.

— Diane Winston

Wanda Shirk from Pennsylvania, whose evening program told of the bizarre efforts required of Survivor contestants even before they get to the show!

Ire

jan Gilbert

Tammy Veloski

Above: Dutch oven cooking demonstration at NCT’s Davis Hollow Cabin; corn bread is baking inside. Our own John Forslin, renowned for luxurious trail cookery, came from Michigan to add to the cabin fare and brought his own Lake Superior white fish with him.

I can see what I’ve been missing by not coming to these things!

Tom Gilbert sampling dutch oven cookery at Davis Hollow Cabin.

Tammy Veloski

Left: Dale learned to strike a spark from flint at the fire craft workshop.

Below: Pennsylvania volunteer Dan Ochs sports a “tattoo” that popped up at conference.

Dave B r ew er

Tammy Veloski

Left: The fire craft workshop taught even old hands new tricks.

Mike Ciccone

Tammy Veloski

Irene Szabo

A plane trip was included on the menu of treats at conference. This shot covers the confluence of the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, both pivotal along the trail’s route.

Bryce Gross of Pennsylvania (left), and Adelaide Bashaw of Ohio (above) delight in the Kids’ Stream Exploration.

Tammy Veloski

Fireworks Competition took place Friday evening at Moraine State Park after our divine pig roast. Truly special and fancy fireworks were thoroughly entertaining, and the park was such a great host to our event that they gave us a flashing police escort to get our busloads to a good viewing spot through all the traffic aiming for the same area.

“Mary Agnes” gives a living history first person account of life in Boston when the British passed the Quartering Act, forcing Americans to host British soldiers in their homes. Several historic re-creations offered during the conference were enjoyed by those who love history.

pirited bidding at Saturday night’s live auction included one battle over a backpack. Brian and Barb Pavek of Minnesota won that one, and then turned around and presented it to their friend Harlan Liljequist, whose own backpack had recently given out. Tears were reported on Harlan’s cheeks. It was THAT kind of week. Tammy Ve

Irene Szabo

Below: A long view from the trail in state forest high above the Allegheny River. The railbed on the far side has become the Allegheny River Trail, where the NCT also travels further north.

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Dave Galbreath

A hike through State Gameland 95 featured multiple bridges and puncheon segments through wetlands in a mining reclamation area, and ended at a hot glass sculpture demonstration, a great treat.

loski

In the reconstructed town of Old Economy interpreters in period dress make the place come alive for visitors to a town founded by the Harmonists from Germany.

Irene Szabo

Penguins at National Aviary in Pittsburgh, where live birds cavorted in different displays, from tropical wetlands to dry grasslands.

Joan Young

Tammy Veloski

north star

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

North Country Trail Association

PAID

Grand Rapids, MI Permit 340

229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

Marv De Witt

Oh, to spend a night in this new shelter, surrounded by the wonderful smell of cedar logs! Built by local Boy Scouts using the Finger Lakes Trail shelter plans, Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter now offers hikers this shelter in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

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 â&#x20AC;˘ (616) 897-5987 â&#x20AC;˘ 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.