North Star Vol. 22, No. 2 (2003) by NCTA Staff

I \

April - June, 2003

The Magazine of the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIA

MUSH!! Pages

Time to Vote for Board: Ballot on Page 17 Time to Register - Conference Details Pages 4-7

EDITOR'S ~@)u8

WERNER VEIT

A Cold Bath and Welcome Help from Our New York Colleague Writers addressing The North Star, like Ernie' Clute from the Rock Chapter, tend to be an amiable lot, a quality that comes as a shock to someone who once made his living in daily journalism. For more than 40 years I read mostly nasty letters, accusing me of everything from bias against bee culture to showing disrespect to Republican mothers. Ernie, like the rest of his flock, on the other hand, writes a sweet and complimentary letter thanking the magazine for helping him to recall his pleasant hikmg memones. It's something else to hear from Irene Szabo, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference President you often read about on this page ... and for a good reason. Irene never backed away from an opinion she knew she should hold or failed to wing a zinger this way when I had it coming because of a particularly dumb boner in The North Star. Just when you're in danger of wallowing in treacle of goodwill, along comes an icy pail of water dumped unceremoniously over your inflated head. But there is one large redeeming factor in her onslaught, a quality that makes her a rare bird, or Avis rare as we are wont to write on this page, or rara Avis as some authorities, including Irene would have it. Whatever the correct Latin, Irene endears herself to The North Star volunteers because she does more than just carp; she's no backseat driver (mixed metaphor I can hear her snort). She also presents a solution, bless her. Beginning with this issue, therefore, you may find the pages of The North Star a little cleaner, a little scarcer in split infinites, a little rarer in sophistry, a little more direct in its declarative sentences, its verbs more active, its sentences less intransitive, its antecedents and pronouns in contented agreement.

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Irene, you see, volunteered to proofread these pages. I would have none of it. Not just proofread but edit, I demand, a skill well within the capabilities of this former English teacher, no matter how brief her tutoring term. Consequently, you will find her name in modest Franklin Gothic on the opposite page, listed as a contributing editor. She becomes honor-bound thereby not only to edit copy but to contribute an occasional piece herself when not otherwise occupied running her business, presidenting the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, an NCTA affiliate; sitting on the NCTA board, maintaining memberships in the FLTC, NCTA, the Florida Trail Association, the Appalachian Trail Conference, the New York-New Jersey Trail Council, and the Keystone Trail Conference in between maintaining her 20 miles of trail. Her first article, on Page 20, follows the profile of the Florida National Scenic Trail by Kent Wimmer and Judy Trotta, another in our series describing our sister national scenic trails. Kent, the Liaison for the Florida National Scenic Trail, has coordinated the planning, construction, management, and protection of the Florida Trail and has been a long-time volunteer for the Florida Trail Association serving as Vice President of Administration, a member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Apalachee Chapter and co-editor of the Hiking Guide to the Florida Trail. Judy has been a member of the Florida Trail Association since 1983 and held several leadership positions in her local chapter in Miami before she was hired by the FTA in 1989 as Office Manager in Gainesville. For the past three years she had been Administrative Director for the FTA and seen the FTA staff grow from two individuals in 1989

Irene Szabo's task, as The North Star's newest volunteer, is to look askance at the magazine's pages.

to 10 today. She also explained to me why my feet got so sore hiking her favorite stretch on the Florida Trail in the Big Cypress Preserve. I expected soft, yielding tread and wore sneakers ... bad research. I walked instead on oolitic limestone (I'm not making this up) and my bootless feet paid the price.

• Someday I may stump Aaron Phipps, our art director, with a request for an illustration in The North Star, but the time isn't yet. When I sent him e-mail asking for a photograph of a pasty, the Upper Peninsula meat pie described on Page 8, the reply came within minutes. He wrote: "Do you want it with gravy or ketchup?" (Personally, I like to eat it plain like the Cornish miners who didn't carry gravy in their pockets and never heard of ketchup). Attendees at our annual conference this Summer-read about the plans beginning on page 4-will taste the pasty as part of the program, but if you are new to Michigan's Upper Peninsula I suggest you make sure you don't pass up another UP specialty available everywhere, including roadside stands, smoked whitefish. As my late cross-country skiing buddy used to say when pulling a smoked fish snack out of his pack: "Like eating candy ... "

• Among those boners in The North Star mentioned earlier, there were a couple of real doozies on the Public Affairs Page. Somehow we placed the North Dakota map 'over the list of Senators and Representatives from Minnesota and we had the Minnesota map over the North Dakota folks. And that's not all. We managed to misname Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA). We (or rather I since your editor wrote and laid out that page) Santorini. Do your stuff, Irene and save me from my folly!

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A Glance Inside ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-,~

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•ASSOCIATION•

61' :::i

229 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 Ph. (888) 454-NCTA, Fx. (616) 897-6605 H Q@northcountrytrail.org www.northcountrytrail.org

NCTA Staff: Bob Papp, Executive Director Rob Corbett, Director of Trail Management Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator Bonnie Wayman, Office Manager Biii Menke, Trail Foreman Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator Alllson Barr, Bookkeeper Sherry Staal, Office Assistant

North Country Trail Association National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2003 Werner Veit, at Large · 229 E. Main Sr., Lowell, MI 49331 · (888) 454-6282 · wvl2@aol.com Joan Young, Secretary, at Large· 861 W. USlO, Scottville, MI 49454 · (231) 757-2205 · jhy@t-one.net Richard Harris, VP East, at Large · 974 SOM Center Rd., Mayfield, OH 44143 · (440) 4497467 · richhohi@concentric.net Daryl Wiiiiamson, VP West, Minnesota· 5901 Timberglade Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438 · (952) 835-2186 Terms Expiring 2004 John Leinen, Jr., at Large . Vice President, Finance· 14205 St. Croix Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 433-4456 · parleinen@msn.com Irene Szabo, at Large · 6939 Creek Rd., Mt. Morris, NY 14510-9638 · (585) 658-4321 · treeweenie@aol.com Gaylord Yost, President, at Large· P.O. Box 1013, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1013 · (414) 354-8987 · gaylyost@aol.com Bob Norlin, Great Lakes· PO Box 718, Iron River, WI 54847 · (715) 372-5229 · rnorlin@ironriver .baysar.ner Garry S. Diii Jr., Ohio · 4070 TradersvilleBrighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@starband.net Bob Tait, Pennsylvania · 380 West Park Road, Portersville, PA 16051 · (724) 368-3709 · Bobtait@zbzoom.net Terms Expiring 2005 Derek Blount, at Large· 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak, Ml 48607 · (248) 548-1737 · djb@sbcglobal.net Helen Coyne, at Large· 212 Willow Circle, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 · (724) 776-0678 · hcoynets'zbzoom.ner Mary Lucas, at Large · 753 Davenport St., Rhinelander, WI 54501 · (715) 362-0616 · myridgemary@netscape.net Howard Beye, New York · 202 Colebourne Rd., Rochester, NY 14609 · (585) 288-7191 · fltc@frontiernet.net Dave Cornell, at Large· 514 Cordes Rd., Deleon, MI 49046 · (616) 623-8659 · onestep@mei.net Alicia Hoffarth · 435 Fifth Ave. NE, Valley City, ND 58072 · (701) 845-0286 · alicia@hellovalley.com

Columns Editor's Note Trailhead View from Lowell View from Madison

Page 2 Page 26 Page 15 Page 35

Departments

Our Sister Trails Series

Heart and Sole Hiking Calendar Hiking Shorts Milestones Public Affairs Trail Craft Trail Shop Trail Supporters

Page 22 Page 23 Page 37 Page 27 Page 24 Page 28 Page 30 Page 39

Also: Continued ... Page 18

Annual Conference Trail Accessibility

Page 4 Page 24

About the Cover Derek Blount, who photographed the dogs on the cover and the sled ra~es on Pages 8 and 9, is a former President of the NCTA and a current member of its Board of Directors. The North Star Staff: Werner Veit, Editor Bill Menke, Contributing Editor Roger Meyer, Contributing Editor Irene Szabo, Contributing Editor Joan Young, Contributing Editor Aaron Phipps, Arc Director Jennifer Tripp, Production Manager

The North Star, Spring Issue, Vol. XXII, Issue 2, is published quarrerly by the North Country Trail Association, a private, notfor-profit 50 lc(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No parr of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

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The North Star

NCTA Annual Meeting • Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2002

Northern Michigan U · Headquartersfor the

in Marquette To Be 'A's Annual Conference

North Country Trail -

Existing Trail -

• Future Trail

he spectacular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, sparkling waterfalls deep in Northern forests, the pristine shores of Lake Superior and especially the fabled hospitality of the Yoopers, as the inhabitants of Michigan's Upper Peninsula like to call themselves,await our members who attend this Summer's annual conference of the North Country Trail Association. Mark your calendars right away-July 31 through Aug. 3-and fill out the registration form on page 6 or register on the web site and make your plans to join your fellow hikers for a fact and fun-filled four days in the North Country. The web address is www.northcount rytrail.org. Headquarters for the annual conference will be Northern Michigan University, practically on the North Country National Scenic Trail,

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which winds through the city mostly along the Lake Superior Shore. A full day hike, led by Dan Bos of the National Park Service in the Pictured Rocks, and local hikes led by members of our local chapter, the North Country Tail Hikers who will guide us to Laughing Whitefish Canyon and Falls will be among the highlights. For non-hikers, our hosts are also planning tours of some of the historic and scenic sites that abound in the Marquette area. The Pictured Rocks have often been featured in these pages but you may not know about Laughing Whitefish Falls, a series of

NCTA Annual Meeting

• Marquette, Ml • July 31-Aug. 3, 2002

Whether spelled pasty or pastie (as some insist), it's a delicious UP specialty.

cascades, about 20 feet wide and totaling 100 feet high starting with a vertical drop of 15 feet and breaking into a series of lesser falls that splash over stratified rock aprons on the bottom. The gorge north of the falls is a quarter-mile wide, up to 160 feet deep and runs for rwo miles before forming Laughing Whitefish Lake. The area has a wide variety of forest cover including some virgin pine, cedar, balsam fir and hemlock. Rare ferns and wildflowers abound. Other guided hikes will take us to and around Presque Isle, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Little Garlic River and Falls, Whetmore Landing, Little Presque Isle, Dead River Basin, Wetmore Pond and the Songbird Trail. (More details will be forthcoming in the next issue). Two half-day workshops will also be scheduled. Each will feature success stories from our local chapters or affiliates whose experiences could be duplicated at home. During the Friday morning session, chapters will share a variety of success stories. During Saturday afternoon, you'll find presentations on valuable partnerships, including some formed by our own chapters and affiliates. Registration will begin at noon on Thursday, July 21, and the first hike will be scheduled that afternoon. In the evening, there'll be a special treat, an opening picnic at Presque Isle Park featuring the pasty, which historian Ken Anderson has described as a pot pie without the pot. Essentially it's a meat pie that originated in Cornwall, England, and duplicated by UP copper and iron miners who carried it to work deep underground as a nutritious lunch than could be eaten

You'll be welcomed for registration at the Don H. Bottum University Center.

The North Country Trail follows much of the city's the Lake Superior shorellne.

with the fingers. Today, even with mines closed, the pasty is still a UP tradition, but our hosts promise to provide knives and forks. Thursday and Friday nights will feature the Association's typical fun-filled programs as well as the presentation of the North Country Trail Association's annual awards and, naturally, the concluding live auction, when our worldfamous auctioneer, Bob Papp, gets us laughing hard enough to keep us from noting the dollars flying out of our wallets and into the Association and chapter coffers. There will be all kinds of great opportunities for hikes to and from the conference as well. Members of the Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter in the eastern UP and the Peter Wolfe chapter in the West will be on hand for advice,

Father Marquette Statue among the his· toric landmarks in the city.

guidance and suggestions. So, come and join us. Just fill out the form, mail it or transmit to NCTA headquarters and prepare to enjoy the conference with your colleagues, friends and new friends. -- U:Jerner Veit April-June 2003

The North Star

Registration Form for the NCTA's 2003 Conference Each registration package includes meals, o conference collectable, and all program and registration fees. If you are staying on campus, the package cost also includes lodging. Full Conference packages cover Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. Pa;tial Conference packages cover up to three days participation and, for those staying on campus, up to two nights lodging.

Name(s): Address:

City:

__________

Phone:

----------E-mail:.

Zip:

State:

Adivity #of People Day-Long Hikes Friday: Pictured Rocks Sat: laughing Whitefish Day-Long Tour Friday: Tilden Mine and Iron Industry Museum

Full Conference (3 nights) Single Room

$150

Share a Double Room*

$135*

Partial Conference (2 nights or less) Day of arrival: ClThur OFri OSat Single Room

$115

Share a Double Room*

$105*

Full Conference (4 days) PartiaJ Conference (3 days

We'll need to plan for bag lunches, handouts, special food, etc. for some of ovr planned activities. So, if you ffllnk you'll be joining any of rile following events, please let us know.

$ 80 or less)

$ 70

Day of arrival: DThur OFri DSot

Leadership Workshops Friday: Planning for Regional Stoff Saturday: Cose Studies Special Suppers Thursday: Pasty Picnic

Please describe any needs you may have. If more fflan one person is using fflis form, indicate # of people:

Speclal Diet:

Shuttle from Marquette Airport:

Acc:esslble Accommodations:

One Day Package

Thursday

$ 30

Friday

$ 40

Check payable to NCTA enclosed

Please charge my MasterCard, VISA or American Express:

Saturday (Includes banquet)

Late Fee (.if regisleri!Jg offer June 30):

$ 50 $ 20

oUntry Trail Association 229 E Main St Lowell, Ml 49331 Ole to Fox with credit cord: 616-897

-6605

8:45 12:00 1:00

Half-Day Hike: Little Garlic River

Area Tour: Maritime Museum and Light Houses

Leadership

Lunch: Cafeteria Half-Day Hike: WetmoreLanding

Half-Day Hike: Songbird Trail

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

Free Time Su er: Cafeteria Annual Meeting and 2003 Awards Ceremon Part 1) Evenin Pro ram: Adventure on LakeSu erior

8:45

Breakfast: Cafeteria Half-Day Hike: Little Garlic River Lunch: Cafeteria

12:00 1:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:30 8:00

Workshop:

Preparing for Regional Staff

Half-Day Hike: Wetmore Landing

Day-Long Hike: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Half- Day Hike: Sugar Loaf Mountain

Area Tour: Iron Industry Museum and Tilden Mine

Leadership Workshop Case Studies: Chapter & Affiliate Success Stories

Day-Long Hike: Laughing Whitefish Canyon and Falls

Free Time Cash Bar 0 ens closes at 9:00 Ban uet Supper and Entertainment 2003 Awards Ceremon : Part 2: Distin uished Service and Lifetime Achievement Awards Live Auction

9:00 10:00

90 Minute Hike - East On the way home, details in July North Star

90 Minute Hike - West On the way home, details in July North Star

We'll visit the Little Garlic River on a half-dayhike. ------·-·············-

April-June

2003

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*The North Star 7

Six-dog teams coming home in a tight finish after a six-mile run.

In Winter, There's Mush on the North Country Trail By Derek Blount (Photographs by the Author)

ach winter the North Country Trail in Michigan turns to mush-mush as in dog-sled racing---on two weekends, raucous with the bark of excited dogs. The Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race (TCSDR) takes place on the North Country Trail in the Big Two Hearted River area north of Newberry in the Upper Peninsula on the first weekend of the year. The second race, at the beginning of February, extends along the NCT from Mackinaw City toward Wilderness State Park. Both have become two of the largest races in the lower 48 states. For this year's Tahquamenon race, mushers with their vast army of dogs arrived after a dark, 45-minute drive over snowy county roads from Newberry to Rainbow Lodge near Lake Superior where they were greeted by foot-stomping volunteers huddled around cups of warming coffee and hot chocolate as they awaited the teams and helped with the harnessing up. Then, crews of four to six helped mushers get their dogs, eager to run or run away, to the starting gate. Dogs, aware they're here to run, are anxious to get going and sometimes run over volunteers in their haste. This time, teams lefi: like clockwork, two minutes apart, all morning. A total of 115 teams in professional and amateur classescompeted for money, points and trophies in a variety of

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Spectators llne the course at the startinggate of the Mackinaw Mush.

classes. Teams had ten, six, or four dogs harnessed to the sleds. The pro classes this year attracted two mushers from the famed Iditarod Race in Alaska, rookie Rick Minard and John Oehlschlaeger. Length of the courses ranged up to 62 miles for the 10-dog, pro event, a race considered mid-distance. There

are also shorter sprints, like the event in Mackinaw City. The Tahquamenon races started in near zero degree, overcast weather and finished when the temperatures rose to 20 degrees under sunny skies. Temperature is a significant factor in racing. The dogs love cold weather but

Ten-dog team comes roaring down the hill as it heads out for a 10-mile run.

when it warms up with the sun they can overheat in their furry coats. The mushers are well aware of this and are allowed to drop off dogs at a checkpoint if they are getting over-heated. This year 18 dogs were dropped diie to the heat .. John Stetson received the Sportsman award for his stopping to help another musher with his run-away team costing him 10 minutes and two places in the standings. The weekend ended on Sunday morning with a large mushers breakfast at the local legion hall where a raffle was held followed by the awards. Sponsors and volunteers were also recognized. The Mackinaw Mush this year had sprint racing over two days for 10, 8, 6 and 4 dog teams divided into Pro, Amateur and Junior classes. Between 125-150 teams participated. The Mackinaw Mush is a great race for spectators. From the start/finish line you can watch the teams go out and

come back for more than a quarter mile down the course. The start and finish mile is on the North Country Trail. Since these are sprint races the distances are much shorter, from one to 15 miles. This year the race went out from the Interstate 75 overpass south out of town and looped around the two new giant wind generators before returning back to the finish. There were several great points to watch at road crossings and around the wind generators. In the afternoon, after the serious racing, the "Kiddie Mush" was held. Young kids could try riding a sled down a 100 yard long chute pulled by a single dog for free. It was great fun to watch the eyes of the kids get as large pie tins when the dog jump-started that sled down the chute. There were a lot of smiles among the young mushers that day and a lot of stories to tell. Races don't just happen. It takes a lot of volunteers. Volunteers lay out

the trail weeks in advance and groom it for the race. There is publicity, housing, food, raffle items, trophies, racing bibs, and sponsors to work out. A local Boys Scout Troop provides chili and hot chocolate and a place to warm up. Porta Potties present a real challenge at near zero weather for volunteers. Timers, starters, dog handlers, parking attendants, officials and vets all donate their time. Volunteers man check points all day long until the last racer is accounted for Hobo Jim performed at the "rnushers banquet" both Friday and Saturday night. Jim is the songwriter and performer from Alaska who wrote the lditarod song. He had quite a large repertoire of songs in his bag and was great fun to listen to. His songs ranged from comedy to ballads. Topics ranged from dog sledding to maritime to fishing to logging to farming to carpentering and cow punching songs. There were kids songs as well. Jim's special delivery gave the audience a real feeling of what it's like to live the "Wilderness Way." Audie's of Mackinaw gave quite a feast for both "rnushers banquets". The competitors, volunteers, and spectators went home with full stomachs and lots of stories to tell. Jim's songs spun around in ·their heads as they packed up and headed home on Sunday night, tired but looking forward to next year. Left behind was a quiet and empty race course and a lot of yellow snow.

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Portrait of the Trail: Michigan's Lower Peninsula

Birthplaceof the North Country

Trail Association By Bill Menke Contributing Editor

A n earlier issue's Portrait of The Trail .r\described how Wisconsin gave birth to the North Country Trail, based on an existing Northern Country Trail in the Chequamegon National Forest. But Michigan has to be credited as the birthplace of the North Country Trail Association. Since the early days of the trail, Michigan has always been a hotbed of membership and activity. A rather detailed accounting of NCTA's history, written by former North Star Editor, Wes Boyd in 1998, can be read at www.northcountrytrail.org/ncta/ history.htm. Largely quoting from Wes's writing, "the North Country Trail Association was built by Lance Feild upon the ruins of another association that Feild had been familiar with-the International Backpackers Association. In the late l 970's, Feild had arranged to have the Association given an abandoned You'll Pass schoolhouse in White Historic Cloud, Michigan as its headquarters. Here in Sights, Too 1980 eight volunteers interested in the concept of the North Country Trail got together for the first time. Three were to become central figures in the Association for the next dozen years or more. Those first eight at the meeting included Feild, who was to become the Association's first president (Feild was from Maine); Ken Gackler (Michigan)

Hikers encounter the Lake Michigan shore, just visible beyond the marsh in Wilderness State Park.

The NCT crosses Fallasburg Park in Kent County, site of a historic covered bridge. The monument to the Underground Railroad lies along the Linear Parkway segment near Augusta.

'路 \<II.. .

-ExistingTrall -

-iFuturuTrail

Portrait of the Trail: Michigan's Lower Peninsula who was to become the first Treasurer and hold the position for a dozen years; Virginia Wunsch, a township official in the White Cloud (Michigan) area, who was to become the headquarters manager; and John Hipps (Pennsylvania), who volunteered to do a newsletter for the association." From this, we can see that from the early days through today, Michigan was home to the first NCTA "headquarters" and a significant contingent of its earliest members. For 12 years from 1980 thru 1993, the annual spring meeting of the association was always held in Michigan (either at the schoolhouse or later at a resort called The Shack), while a fall meeting was moved among other states. The one exception that I can find occurred in 1982 or 1983 when the annual meeting was held in Slippery Rock, PA. Jumping forward to the present time, it is still fair to say that while today the association is truly a seven state entity with members in XX states Michigan remains as the anchor point for the NCTA with the national office located in Lowell. There are several other interesting facts about the trail in Michigan: • Currently, almost 50% of the total NCTA membership is from Michigan. • Ten of the 24 NCTA chapters are located in Michigan. • Michigan has more potential miles (1,150) than any other state. • Michigan has more completed miles (619.4) than any other state. • Michigan has the highest percentage of completed trail (53.9%). Enough history andfacts; let's get on with learning more about Michigan's portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The trail crosses the state's southern border in Hillsdale County, some 50miles west of Toledo, Ohio. From here, it traverses the entirety of both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas-punctuated in the middle by the spectacular 5-mile long Mackinac Bridge. The Great Lakes are definitely a feature of the NCT in Michigan. Here through-hikers can view and even walk along the shorelines of no fewer than three of the Great Lakes-Michigan, Huron, and Superior. In the Lower Peninsula, the trail passes through a mix of agricultural, rural

Lily pads dot many of the sylvan lakes in the Huron-Manistee NF.

and forested areas-all primarily gentle terrain and sandy soils. In the more sparsely populated Upper Peninsula, the terrain is much more rugged. High bluffs and waterfalls add beauty and wildness to the trail. The Ohio-Michigan border is crossed, almost straight north of West Unity, Ohio where the first Michigan segment of trail across Hillsdale County is shepherded by the Baw Beese Chapter. Beginning down at West Unity, this leg of the trail is a road walk. Some 101h miles from the state line, the first off-road section of trail is reached as the hiker enters Lost Nations State Game Area. Here almost seven miles of trail pass through surprisingly steep hills and deep forests punctuated with streams and small lakes. Another short road walk of about three miles brings the traveler to the first certified trail segment in Michigan, the four-mile long Bawbeese Trail following an abandoned railroad grade into Hillsdale. Several fast food and other restaurants tempt the hiker looking for a break from "trail food." A pleasant walk along tree-lined sidewalks through Hillsdale leads to the next segment of certified trail-the fivemile long M-99 Bikeway. This segment is technically off-road but it is basically a sidewalk along a very busy highway. The chapter is exploring alternate routes between Hillsdale and Jonesville. Beginning at the south edge of Jonesville, it is a long walk (some 43 miles) to the next piece of completed trail. At the Hillsdale/Calhoun County line, the Chief Noonday Chapter takes over trail development and maintenance.

Approaching the outskirts of Battle Creek, the traveler ends the road-walk and enters Bridge Park. Lying on the banks of the Kalamazoo River, this park preserves a collection of bridges that were going to be eliminated or dismantled throughout the surrounding area. This history of bridges and a historic spring right next to the trail add interest for the hiker. For most of the next four miles, a series of parks and preserves (Bridge Park, Riverside Park, Harper School lands, Kimball Pines, and the Ott Preserve) host off-road segments of trail completed in the last couple years. A 1 l/2-mile hike along city streets brings the traveler to the certified Battle Creek Linear Parkway segment. This very nice, paved and bricked urban trail passes through the heart of Battle Creek. Features include a huge statue commemorating the Underground Railroad, Clara's Restaurant in the-renovated depot, and the home of Kellogg Cereal. One interesting building right next to the trail exhibits a collage of old cereal box graphics. Reaching the west end of the parkway, the suggested route follows busy M-96 west to the small village of Augusta. However, efforts are well underway to build trail through the Veterans Administration Hospital and National Cemetery properties to eliminate the road walk. In Augusta, a turn to the north brings the hiker to the next off-road segment. About eight miles of off-road trail pass through beautiful Kellogg Forest, Michigan State University's Biological Station, and private lands before reaching another 15-mile road walk. In this road stretch is the Prairieville Restaurant where chapter members gather for breakfast prior to their workdays and I can attest the burgers are excellent. Turning east on Keller Road, the

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April-June

2003

The North Star

Portrait of the Trail: Michigan's Lower Peninsula hiker soon turns north into a nice grouping of hills and benched trail through a private tract of land. Soon, the hiker enters Barry State Game Area, Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, and again Barry State Game Area in quick succession totaling almost 16-miles of off road trail. Yankee Springs SRA in particular is a gem-the trail passes beautiful Hall Lake, Graves Hill, and McDonald Lake. Just south of M-37, road walking resumes for 1.9 miles before accessing the multi-use Paul Henry Trail for almost four miles until reaching Middleville. Another 6.8 miles of mostly road walking (some short segments of trail are under construction) brings the hiker to the Barry/Kent County line. At the southern Kent County line, the trail enters the territory of NCTA's oldest and largest chapter, the Western Michigan Chapter. 12.7 miles of road walking brings the traveler to the next certified segment of trail-the sidewalks in our headquarters town of Lowell. The trail actually turns onto the attractive bricked and landscaped river walk less than a half block from the headquarters. Hikers will definitely want to plan some extra time for a visit. At the north edge of Lowell, certified trail continues through hilly terrain in the Lowell State Game Area for the next 3V2 miles. Another short gap leads to more certified trail in Fallasburg County Park where the chapter recently installed a nice kiosk and interpretive panel. A long gap of 34-miles now faces the traveler. Most of this is private lands where obtaining trail passage so far has been unsuccessful but efforts continue. Along the way, Wabasis and Long Lake County Parks offer places to get off of the road for a rest even though no trail yet exists. North of Long Lake County Park, the trail enters the Rogue River State Game Area where certified trail accommodates the hiker for the next eight

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The North Country Trail leads to prime trout water of the Manistee River, which accompanies much of the trail in the Lower Peninsula.

miles. The trail in Rogue River SGA has benefited from extensive work and improvements in the last year or two. At the Kent/Newaygo County line, another 14-mile gap begins. At Croton Dam hikers reach the beginning of long stretches of certified trail in the Manistee National Forest. Two chapters share the Manistee segment-Western Michigan in the south and Spirit of The Woods

Chapter in the north. Both chapters have worked hard to improve the trail and one big accomplishment is that non-standard gray diamonds have been mostly replaced with the preferred blue blazes. Almost 125-miles of trail traverse the sandy floor of the Manistee and provide easy walking. Midway through the forest, the Spirit of The Woods Chapter takes over the maintenance and improvement of the trail. They are in the process of installing areas of turnpike to eliminate some wet areas and several years ago completed a very beautiful 600+ foot boardwalk across a seasonally flooded marsh. Upon crossing the Little Manistee River, hikers enter the more hilly terrain of the Udell Hills and north of M-55 begin paralleling the Big Manistee River where the trail is located mostly on the rim of the valley. Both areas provide opportunities for long-distance views. From the north edge of the Manistee to the north Kalkaska County line, the next 50-60 miles of trail, is watched over by the Grand Traverse Hiking Club (an NCT chapter). This segment of trail passes through a mix of private lands and large areas of the Pere Marquette and Mackinaw State Forests. Much of the route follows the Manistee River, where in places the trail is high above the river providing spectacular views of the river valley and surrounding mixed northern hardwood and coniferous forest. The trail is composed of a mix of certified and non-certified trail separated by short to moderate length road walks. According to the chapter, perhaps their most scenic section of trail is between M-37 and Baxter Bridge where there are many nice panoramic views of the river and its valley. One noteworthy feature in this area is the "High Bank Rollways"where the chapter and DNR have recently completed a viewing plat-

Portrait of the Trail: Michigan's Lower Peninsula

SAMPLER:

Early autumn landscape reflected in a quiet pond along the trall In WildernessState Park.

form and parking area. Unfortunately this section of trail remains uncertified due to mixed use. The trail eventually merges with the equestrians' Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail and continues northeasterly. Beginning at the Kalkaska/Antrim County line, the trail is handed off to the Tittibawassee Chapter, roughly from Mancelona to Petoskey. The mix of trail conditions and land ownership is similar to the last chapter segment but the Manistee River is replaced by the steep Jordan River valley. Traveling north, the hikers get their first spectacular view of the valley from Landslide Overlook, the site where chapter president Jerry and wife Connie Allen were married on the trail. Over 12 miles of the trail follow the popular Jordan River Pathway, which has undergone some recent chapter improvements to correct wet areas. After traversing the Warner Creek Pathway and more of the Mackinaw State Forest, the route eventually enters Petoskey where it follows another urban trail for a couple of miles. Portions are nicely landscaped along the Little Traverse Bay waterfront and it is here that long distance travelers get their first view of the Great Lakes, which they will now associate with for the next several hundred miles. Shortly after passing through Petoskey,we reach the Emmet County line and the territory of the last chapter in the Lower Peninsula, the Harbor Springs Chapter. Here too, the chapter has been busy improving the trail,

Brief Looks at Some Favorite Segments A pleasant stroll for an hour or two, ~r a multi-day backpacking trek and everything in between are available along the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The chapters in the peninsula chose a few, short samples of the opportunities in their areas to provide a varied taste of the route. Chief Noonday Section

including installing some puncheon. A highlight is the l l-rniles of trail in Wilderness State Park where once again, the beautiful waters and sandy beaches of Lake Michigan come into view. Reentering Mackinaw State Forest hikers soon cross the 80-foot bridge over Carp River, built by former NCTA President Derek Blount. A rather short gap brings hikers to the sidewalks of Mackinaw City and the south entrance to the Big Mackinaw Bridge. Before crossing the bridge plan some extra time to tour historic Fort Michilimackinac and perhaps even take a side trip via ferry to Mackinac Island. Remember, the bridge is open to hikers only on Labor Day when you can join about 70,000 others to enjoy the view from this engineering marvel. At this point, we're perhaps half way across Michigan. The wilder Upper Peninsula across the bridge was covered ably by Doug Welker in the Fall issue. Next issue: The North Country National Scenic Trail in Ohio.

Lots of possibilities, short and longer, are afforded to sample the North Country Trail in the section built and maintained by the Chief Noonday Chapter, particularly in the Yankee Springs Recreation area and environs. A 10-mile stretch with numerous chances to cut it short would head south from a trailhead and parking area on Peets Road in Barry Township, 10 miles west of Hastings and one-half mile south of M-37. The first stretch would take you to Bowen Mills Road, a half-mile east of Yankee Springs Road. Then, you could continue south until crossing Yankee Springs Road at a parking area. If you continued south, you would cross Chief Noonday Road (Ml 79), reach McDonald Lake and then the west shore of Hall Lake. Next, cross Gun Lake Road and continue south and east to near Duck Lake where the trail turns due south again and then east to cross the "Little Mac Bridge," to finish at the Yankee Springs Inn and parking area. -Tom Garnett

Western Michigan Section The Trail in the Rogue River State Game Area is within twenty-five miles of Grand Rapids, among the largest metropolitan area passed by the NCT. Yet within minutes, the hiker can find solitude, an abundance of summer wildflowers and wild game including deer, squirrels, rabbits, muskrats, grouse and turkey. A good section for a short stroll begins north of 18 Mile Road in Solon Township. Trailhead parking is on the west side of Red Pine Avenue just north of 18 Mile. An out-and-back walk of April-June

2003

*The North Star 13

Portrait of the Trail: Michigan's Lower Peninsula 5-6 miles will provide the hiker with numerous river views. The Trail in this section has been freshly blazed, and wanders through huge hemlocks, stately beaches and stands of 100-year-old oaks. Most remarkable are some of the magnificent cherry trees chat were spared the logger's axe. Crossing 20 Mile Road, the Trail follows the river on a new section, constructed in the summer of 2002. The Trail quietly follows the river north for another 1.5 miles before exiting out onto a woods road, a good point for turning around and heading back to the car. -Paul Haan

Spirit of the Woods Section A good introduction co the trail along Spirit of the Woods chapter's section in the northern portion of the Huron-Manistee Forest is a pleasant and easy 234-mile walk from the Marilla Trailhead south co Forest Service Road 8020. Along the way you will encounter a scenic vista overlooking the Manistee River. A good turn around spot is Eddington Creek, 1-Yi miles south of Marilla, also a good place for a lunch. The terrain is mostly flat but includes a few rolling hills. Or if you spot a car at Forest Service Road 8020, continue for another 1 1A miles. There is a long grade climbing up from Eddington Creek after which the trail is relatively flat and easy as it follows the high ridge above the Manistee River. Marilla Trailhead is west of Mesick. To reach FR 8020 from there, go 3/4 mile ease on Beers Road to Hodenpyl Dam access road (gravel) and travel that for Yi mile south to Upper River Road (gravel). Follow Upper River for 2.37 miles to FR 8020. -Rich Krieger

GT Hikers Section A truly scenic section, one of your editor's favorites, is the stretch of North Country Trail chat winds up and down the Manistee River banks from Baxter's Bridge in Wexford County southward co the High Rollways-a distance there and back of about five memorable miles. You hike mostly through mature woods but every so often a spectacular vista opens co the river until you arrive at the Rollways, the climax of the great overlooks. In

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autumn, particularly, the view is breathtaking. Ac that point you can retrace your steps co Baxter's Bridge if there is no time co go farcher. Of course, you could drive co the High Rollways parking lot and walk north instead but then you would begin the hike with dessert. To find the Baxter Bridge crailhead from US-131, turn west in the village of Manton on M-42 and proceed about 12 miles co No. 19 Road. Turn right (north) about two miles. Right after you cross the Manistee River at Baxter's Bridge, drive halfway up the hill and find the trailhead on the left (west side) of the road. There is no designated parking area but parking is available in a state campground at the bottom of the hill or you can pull off the road. -Werner Veit

TittibawasseeSection A section of the Jordan River Pathway, one of the Lower Peninsula's most popular trails, lies along the North Country Trail and affords several opportunities to sample the NCT's delights. An easy access is from Deadman's Hill, accessible by heading west from US-131 on Deadmans Hill Road, just south of the M-32 junction. A walk downhill from the parking lot leads to the blue-blazed NCT. Once at the junction, you can turn either left or right to follow the trail. For a shore hike, turn left and walk to a boardwalk from where you can retrace your steps about a 1A mile to find a trail heading straight up the hill. Ac the cop of the hill, you'll run into the Jordan River Pathway, where you can turn left to get back to the parking lot at Deadman's Hill. Or, you can keep going past the boardwalk to the Jordan River Road. There is a parking lot where the trail meets the road. The distance from Deadrnans Hill is about four miles. Ac that point, you can retrace your steps to the junction past the boardwalk and return as above. By turning north from the bottom of Deadman's Hill, you could fashion a fourmile hike co the parking lot at M-32.

Harbor Springs Section One of the treasures of Michigan's Lower Peninsula is Wilderness State Park, home to very special sections of the North Country Trail. Reach it by

following M-119 from Harbor Springs. The trail begins two-tenths of a mile east of the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Sturgeon Bay Trail. The trailhead box has a number seven on the post and the trail proceeds north through sand dunes and conifers. The trail is located in a prime example of a healthy second growth forest that approaches old-growth status. le traverses an area rich with small treasures, precious gene pools and known and unknown biological legacies for the future. You move up and down hills, in and out of hardwood and cedar, over sand dunes and cross wetland areas. This section of trail ends in a deciduous forest chat is being preserved with its abundance of blown down trees, nurse logs and vernal springs, which provide the necessary structure and habitat for new growth and other forest creatures. Going over the Carp River on a bridge built by members, one enters a small park that has water, picnic benches and toilet facilities. This section of trail is 2.8 miles. The next 2.5-miles of the trail begins in a sand dune area overlooking a cedar swamp and leads north into an area dominated by small lakes and streams. The hike through sandy overlooks ends at Sturgeon Bay Trail on the western end of Wilderness Scace Park. The hiker now has an option of going east on trails going back into the park or north co a westward opening that leads co beach. Then enjoy a 3-mile hike along the beach of Sturgeon Bay back to trailhead 7. -Jerry Keeney

What's Ahead for the NCTA? Highlightsand Crossroads

uring its April meeting, the NCTA Board of Directors will adopt a new strategic plan for the Association. We'll put the plan on the website, once it's finalized. We also can send copies on request to those without Internet access. In the meantime, though, I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some highlights of what we see on the road (or traill) ahead. We've been talking about setting up regional trail management offices for a few years now. These regional coordinators would provide needed technical assistance, coordination, training, and encouragement to volunteers while also serving as focal points for media relations and public interest. In addition, the support centers would serve as liaisons to state and local agencies, to forge and strengthen critical parrnerships along the trail. The strategic plan sets ambitious goals for establishing these regional coordinators. We'll strive to have four regional people in place by the end of 2005, and one in each state by the end of 2008. While we can't know for sure whether or not we'll reach these goals, the plan ensures that we'll dedicate the resources of the Association to attaining this vision. Currently, we expect to phase in regional staff. So, we'll start with a couple of large regions, and then gradually break these down as we secure additional funding for new coordinators. With a funding increase we received last year from the National Park Service (NPS) we'd hoped to get a jump on this process by hiring two coordinators. However, we'd also been looking for better funding for our Trail Foreman position, which to date had been temporarily funded. Our Trail Foreman provides critical training, skills and assistance to vol-

unteers trailwide, and also plays a pivotal role in our relationship with the NPS. So, in the end, our Board decided to hire a trailwide Director of Trail Management (DTM) and stabilize the funding for our Trail Foreman. Now, our next phase is to secure funding for two new regional positions, one in the east and one in the west. The strategic plan also sets the bar high for us to start permanently protecting the trail corridor, through fee and easement acquisitions. We're continuing our struggle in Congress to pass a bill providing the National Park Service with the authority to acquire land from willing sellers. Yet, even with this authority, the government alone cannot provide the most efficient means of protecting the trail. Government acquisitions will be slow, deliberate and, possibly, complicated. Many landowners who otherwise would like to sell their land to benefit the trail may not have the time or patience to see a government acquisition through. So the NCTA must be prepared to serve in an intermediary role, working alone or with partners to step in quickly to protect land before the opportunity is lost. The plan also recognizes the need for an active communications program. In order to make significant progress on the North Country Trail, we need to get the word out that the trail not only exists, but also that it is visionary. The North Country Trail should be a source of pride for the communities it touches and the partners it needs. We can't afford to

' ... We'll need to do a betterjob of identifying and cultivating major donors, building our membership, and working with people who would like to remember the trail in their estateplans. '

remain the best-kept secret of the hiking community. In order to meet these goals and others, the plan itself actually lays the foundation for our efforts to create an active fund development program. With the strategic plan in hand, this spring we'll contract with a consultant to help us create an organizational fund development plan. We've already received a grant to cover these costs. Once the fund development plan is complete, we'll approach foundations and corporations to secure the funding needed to hire our first development director. It seems sometimes that, while people recognize we'll need a lot of new funding sources to do everything that's on our plate, somehow, the idea of creating a formal fund development program is distasteful. Really, though, we've been bumping along on sporadic foundation grants and minimal corporate support for too long. This trail is an enormous undertaking - twice the size of the Appalachian Trail. To come true, our hopes and dreams for the trail will need significant funding. Our budding development program also will focus on increasing gifts from individuals. Rest assured, this doesn't mean that we'll start sending you multiple appeals each year to try to drain you of your spare change. It does mean that we'll need to do a better job of identifying and cultivating major donors, building our membership, and working with people who would like to remember the trail in their estate plans. Currently, I know of only four members who have included the NCTA in their estate plans. My wife and I count as one of the four. The gift we set aside in our will is not that big, but I know that it's important, and it will have an impact. Ironically, we set this up about a year ago and I never told anyone at NCTA. Now, in our donor file here, there's a notation that any bequest should be restricted to NCTA's endowment fund (meaning our gift cannot be spent, but earnings will support the NCTA). In any case, I wanted you all to know how the NCTA is moving ahead. The strategic plan is just the first step; now we have to roll up our sleeves and make it happen! April-June 2003

*The NorthStar 15

It's Time to Vote for Your Board of Directors T

he nominating committee of the Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association has nominated candidates to run for the three at-large seats on the board to be filled in the 2003 election. Please mark your choices on the ballot below. You may vote for the nominees, or write in a different name.

At Large Seats Rich Harris, Ohio Rich Harris is currently completing his first term on the NCTA Board of Directors, as at-large delegate from Ohio. He currently serves as Vice PresidentEast, serving Lower Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. He is also chairman of the board's Field Grant review committee. Rich also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Buckeye Trail Association Rich Harris in Ohio, one of the NCTA's Alliance members. He has been a member of the BTA for 30 years and is active in the Northeast Ohio chapter of the BTA. Back when he worked "for money" as he puts it, he was a chemical and plas-

In addition, the Minnesota Trail Council has nominated Daryl 路 Williamson to fill one of the two trail council seats open this year. This selection requires ratification by the membership at large. Your approval can be indicated on the ballot below. Biographies and nominees' statements follow:

tics research manager for 25 years. Why does he want to serve on the board? "Because I want to do what I can to see that the Vision of the NCTA for the Trail is realized, both now and for the future. Last August, I took advantage of some extra time, on my way to the Annual meeting in North Dakota, and traced some of the route of the Trail as I drove from Ohio. I crossed "THE Bridge" (Mackinac), and crisscrossed the route across the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, the planned Arrowhead reroute in Minnesota, and down across Minnesota into North Dakota. I was SO impressed with the beauty and diversity of the territory we cross. I want it to STAY that way!"

Al Larmann, New York Al Larmann grew up in preWWII, then non-crowded northern New Jersey-and served in the USAAF 1944-46. After graduation from Stevens Institute ofTechnology in early 1951,he

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Official Ballot... 2003 Election This is the official ballot for the 2003 electionto the Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association. You will not receive a separate ballot in the mail. Because our membershipsare categorized as households,our bylaws permit only one ballotper membership.Please mark the ballot and mail to: North Country Trail Association , 229 East Main Street, Lowell, Ml 49331 or fax to (616) 897-6605

At Large Nominees,Vote for 3

Council Nominee. Vote for 1

Rich Harris, Ohio

Daryl Williamson,Minnesota

Peter Schmitz, Minnesota

Other

Al Larmann, New York

Ballotis not valid withoutyour name and/or membershipnumber

Other

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The North Star *April-June 2003

joined the General Electric Company and held a number of marketing and business assignments for 36 years, acqumng a MBA degree from Syracuse University along the way. In parallel, he secured a FAA pilot's license, served the Civil Air Patrol in a number of command and staff Al Larmann positions, and continues in that role-36 years to date. He says of his trail life: "My outdoors-oriented wife, Mary, convinced me to become active in the newly formed Central NY Chapter in 1997. Working closely with the late Randall Brune, I found the activity to be challenging, consuming, and often satisfying-particularly when we could accomplish a major goal through a partnership of both the private and public sectors. "These efforts by many dedicated people have enabled us to not only build and maintain trails and several major bridges-they have also generated public awareness and support for the North Country/Link Trail. A major goal of our chapter is to extend the NCT on to historic Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY and thence to the Adirondack Park "blue line" boundary. "My personal goal as a NCTA Board member is to utilize my experience and skills in concert with the other Board members to advance the North County Trail in total, while retaining the opportunity to continue my contributions to the CNY chapter."

Peter Schmitz, Minnesota Name(s)

Signature (s}_

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Peter Schmitz, a retired lawyer, has his feet in two trail states, in Minnesota, where he lives most of the year, and Wisconsin, where he is a member and former treasurer of the Chequamegon Chapter. That makes it rather fitting that

he was recruited to run for the North Country Trail Association's Board of Directors by Daryl Williamson, the Minnesota coordinator, Gaylord Yost, board president from Wisconsin, and Mary Lucas, national Board member from the Chequamegon Chapter. Back in 1994, Peter had never heard of the North Country

One of his important interests is politics and the impact of government on daily life, including trails. Among his hobbies are travel, the history of the West, photography, music, tennis, hiking, cross country skiing, berry picking (and the resulting pies). Daryl wants to serve another term

on the NCTA board particularly "to push the completion of the governmental process of the Minnesota reroute, to see significant trail progression across northern Minnesota and to help to develop a larger volunteer base in the state."

New Coordinator, New Director Are Appointed for North Dakota

Peter Schmitz

National Scenic Trail when he learned that the trail crossed the driveway of the cabin he and his family occupy during the summer on Lake Owen in Northern Wisconsin's Chequamegon National Forest on land leased from the U.S. Forest Service. He not only became interested in the trail but also became one of the most stalwart members of the Chequamegon Chapter. Why is he willing to serve? "Now that I'm retired I can give my time to a larger cause ... and the North Country Trail is an incredible resource that will require a monumental effort to complete. I want to be a part of that effort."

Minnesota Trail Council

Last year's resignation of Jon Lindgren, of North Dakota, created a vacancy on the NCTA Board of Directors that was filled by the appointment of Alicia Hoffarth by Board President Gaylord Yost. She will serve until 2005 to fill the unexpired portion of Lindgren's term. Lindgren served both as North Dakota coordinator and as the state trail council's representative on the national board. His duties will be split between Alicia and Lisa Ringstad (formerly Engel), who was appointed state coordinator by Daryl, Vice President West. A new term for Lower Michigan's trail council seat on the Board also begins in 2003. The Council would like to nominate its new trail coordinator, Joan Young, but Joan has just completed two full Board terms and is ineligible for another year. So the Council has chosen to leave the seat vacant until next year's election.

Daryl Williamson Daryl Williamson, a current director of the North Country Trail Association, was nominated for another term by the Minnesota Trail Council, which he serves as chair. A retired physician, Daryl has a great interest in both historic and scenic trails and has hiked and traveled extensively through the U.S. and Canada. His cabin on the north shore of Lake Superior is right on the Superior Hiking Trail, a stretch scheduled to become. part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. He is Daryl Williamson also on the board of the Superior Hiking Trail Association, an NCTA affiliate.

Alicia Hoffarth Alicia Hoffarth is currently the Office Manager for the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce/CYB and Development Corporation. In addition, she serves as the co-chair of the Valley City NCT Committee. Her job allows her to work AliclaHoffarth first hand with all aspects of tourism, but her particular interest is nature-based tourism. Alicia also facilitates clients through a High Ropes Course to enhance personal and group development. Growing up on a small farm allowed Alicia the opportunity to spend much time outdoors and learn to appreciate nature. Her hobbies include hiking,

camping, cross-country skiing, and biking. Alicia would like to see more development of outdoor activities in the Valley City area. Says Alicia: "I wish to serve on the NCTA board for a variety of reasons. I believe the NCT has developed substantially in the last few years. However there is significant work, which needs to be done to develop and market the trail. I would like to increase awareness of the trail, particularly among young people, to increase involvement, use and support of the trail. North Dakota has great potential within the NCT. North Dakota needs representation on the board, which will keep everyone within the state updated and resources available."

Lisa Ringstad Lisa Ringstad (formerly Engel), President of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, has been appointed the Association's trail coordinator for North Dakota, by Daryl Williamson, Vice President, West of the Association. Because of her duties with the Cooperstown Community Activities Authority and her Lisa Ringstad participation in tourism groups and economic development organizations throughout the region, she is in a unique position to further the aims of the North Country Trail. She said of her post with the Association: "As North Dakota coordinator, I can educate others in North Dakota about the importance of the North Country Trail, and to help provide them with the resources to develop new trail throughout the State."

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Our Sister National Scenic Trails: The Florida Trail 100 Kilometers

100 Miles

I • •

FNST Completed Trail and Under Development FNST right-of-way to be acquired

•

National Park System

National Forest System

Gulf Islands NS

No Mountains, But There's

2!~!! ~~~!~.li~!~~!!~!L~~!, eight national scenic trails. Earlier articles dealt with the lee Age, Continental Divide and Pacific Crest Trails. Subsequent issues will deal with the remaining three. By Kent L. Wimmer and Judy Trotta Florida Trail Association

"\VJhen people think of Florida, they W commonly think of theme parks, beaches, golfing, and condominiums by the ocean. A lady we know was telling us about how much she enjoyed her backpacking trips to the Rocky Mountains. When asked if she had ever hiked in Florida, she replied you couldn't hike in Florida because there are no mountains. Well she may be right about the mountains, but there are over a thousand miles of trail to hike here in the Sunshine State on the Florida Trail. The Florida Trail, formally known as the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST), is a 1,300-mile long footpath that explores many of Florida's most significant natural areas. It meanders from Fort Pickens in the Gulf Islands National Seashore to Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida. Like the North Country Trail, the Florida Trail is one of the nation's premier longdistance hiking trails, one of only eight Congressionally designated national scenic trails. To date, 685 miles or 53 percent of Florida Trail have been open to the public and certified as FNST. Another 316 miles (24 percent) are eligible for certification on other public lands. The trail, which includes temperate and subtropical sections, is enjoyed

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by thousands of hikers, backpackers, photographers, birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts from Florida and around the world. It is especially delightful in the cooler months when most users enjoy the trail. The trail route was carefully plotted to allow the hiker a variety of ecosystems to experience. In addition to the Florida Trail, which follows the rural central spine of the state, there are nearly 400 miles of loop and side trails closer to the population centers along the coasts that allow users to explore nearby historic sites and other points of interest. The FNST forms the southern leg of the Eastern Continental hiking trail that will reach through Alabama and Georgia to Cape Gaspe in Canada. In 1983, Congress designated the Florida Trail as a national scenic trail and charged the USDA Forest Service with the responsibility to administer the FNST. As federal administrator of the FNST, the USDA Forest Service is responsible for certifying trail segments as FNST with nearly two dozen federal, state and local land managers along its route. The Forest Service also oversees the planning, development and management of the trail by the Florida Trail Association, the major private partner for the FNST. The Florida Trail Association, Inc., is a 5000-member volunteer-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that

has been building and maintaining the trail since 1966. In 2001, the Chief of the USDA Forest Service recognized FTA for voluntary contributions on behalf of the FNST. Also in 2001, the Regional Forester of the USDA Forest Service presented the Collaborative Stewardship Award to the Florida Trail Association and the National Forests in Florida. Since 1999, the FTA has the lead responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the FNST as established through a Challenge Cost Share Agreement (CCSA) between the USFS and FTA. The CCSA provides FTA with funding for trail construction, management and protection, which FTA matches with the

Our Sister National Scenic Trails: The Florida Trail value of its volunteers' cash and labor contributions. In the last four years, Florida's congressional delegation has responded to FTA's advocacy by appropriating nearly $12 million to the USDA Forest Service to support the FNST. These appropriations have included $2.6 million for constructi~~ and management of the trail, and $9.3 million to purchase land to protect the route of the trail. (Unlike the National Park Service, manager of the North Country Trail, the Forest Service is not prohibited by law from buying land for the trail from willing sellers). Trail construction funds are used to support and provide volunteers with trail tools, equipment, and materials needed to build and maintain the FNST. The FTA and USFS has cemented this partnership through its jointly staffed FNST office located within the Supervisor's Office of the National Forests in Florida. This partnership emphasizes and capitalizes upon the strengths of each. Since 1994, the FTA's volunteers have donated nearly $1 million and 400,000 volunteer hours in constructing and maintaining the trail. Over the past four years, this funding has allowed FTA to: • Construct and open to the public 150 miles of the FNST including over 50 · bridges and boardwalks; • Maintain nearly 1000 miles of hiking trails • Inventory and GPS nearly 700 miles of trail and build a geographic information system to enhance our ability to manage the trail; • Assist the USFS in acquiring over 600 acres of land for the FNST; • Hire trail and administrative staff and

The trail winds through Ocala National Forest in North Central Florida.

Unencumberedby Law Like the NCT, the Trail Grows Rapidly recruit volunteers to reach the goals of the work programs. In addition to FTA's volunteer members, the Association has recruited volunteers through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to establish three crews of six persons who perform difficult, labor-intensive trail work that otherwise could have overwhelmed local FTA volunteers. Through these cooperative efforts, the FTA and USFS are well on the way to completing the FNST. During 2002, the USDA Forest Service and the Florida Trail Association kicked off the land acquisition program for the FNST. The USDA Forest Service acquired 614 acres in three private tracts protecting 2.8 miles of trail in north and central Florida. to

Currently, seven acquisition projects are underway with willing sellers that should result in the acquisition of an additional 1,178 acres and valued at more than $5,000,000. The USDA Forest Service is also pursuing an additional 5,000 acres that will protect 60 miles of trail corridor valued at an estimated cost of $12,000,000. It is estimated that $77 million will be needed over a 10-year period to complete the entire trail. In the next 12 months or so, most of the remaining 210 miles of trail on public lands within the FNST corridor will likely be certified as FNST, leaving approximately 219 miles of the trail on private lands which are unprotected and not available for public use.

Hikers can cross busy· I- 75 using a spectacular land bridge along the Cross Florida Greenway in North Central Florida. -----·-································-·--··········-··-·-··········

April-June

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*The North Star

Our Sister National Scenic Trails: The Florida Trail

The trail in the Big Cypress Preserve (at left) courses through sawgrass at the southern end of the FNST, west of Miami.

FTA plans to build or reconstruct nearly 90 miles of trail, and start the design and construction of six major bridges. FTA will also continue to inventory and GPS the trail and improve its capability to manage the trail using our greatly enhanced geographic information system (GIS). The resulting maps will support land acquisition, trail construction, trail certification, and the updating of the hiking guide to the trail. After 35 years, the Florida Trail Association and partners finally have the critical mass and resources necessary to make a serious and concerted effort to complete the trail.

The Florida Trail Association's Mission: To develop, maintain, promote, and protect a continuous public hiking trail the length of the State of Florida called the Florida National Scenic Trail and other side and loop trails, together called the Florida Trail System; and to educate the public by teaching appreciation for and conservation of the natural beauty of Florida; and to provide opportunities to hike and camp.

A new bridge (above) for the FNST has been built on the grounds of Eglin Air Force Base in the Northern Panhandle.

Florida Trail Association:5,000 Members, 17 Chapters Strong im Kern, a Miami real estate broker, founded the Florida Trail Association TA) in 1966. Today, more than 5,000 volunteer members are organized into this non-profit association. Seventeen local chapters and several sub-chapters are the vital organs of the FTA body. Each chapter is dedicated to a portion of the trail it calls its own. The chapters are responsible for the development and maintenance of the trail in their area, and for providing activities for members. The goal of the FTA is to create and maintain 1,300 miles of continuous footpaths throughout the state. Currently, 1,000 miles have been completed. A Hiking Guide to the Florida Trail that describes the terrain and outlines special requirements of the area is available as well as a series of regional map packages. Chapter activity leaders schedule day hikes, extended backpacking trips, canoeing runs, and maintenance hikes throughout the year. Listings of events are posted in the FTA's bi-monthly newsletter and the chapter newsletters.

Chapters also hold monthly meetings; a program is presented about some aspect of hiking, backpacking, canoeing, nature studies, or other items of interest to outdoor enthusiasts. FTA and local Chapters host regional conferences and one statewide conference annually. Approximately 600 activities are offered to members each year. Members are also free to hike the trail at their leisure or in groups. Through sweat, thousands of volunteer hours and monetary donations from our members and Chapters, the FTA continues to grow. Members donate their skills and their time to making the Florida Trail a successful organization. Statewide elected officials include a 24member Board of Directors and eight officers: President, Vice President for Membership, Vice President for Trails, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Public Relations, Secretary, and Treasurer. For more information, check out the Association's web site at www.floridatrail.org or call toll free 1-877-HIKE-FLA.

Our Sister National Scenic Trails: The Florida Trail

Florida and Its Scenic Trail throughNorth ~ CountryEyeballs By Irene Szabo Contributing Editor

n my first visit to Florida, I felt like an alien from another planet who was sent to check out Florida for its suitability as habitat for Our Kind. The place is just that different from my New York woods: no rocks, no hills or valleys,in fact, a bicyclist'sdream flatland, and creatures strictly from Mars. Less than one hour's drive outside of Orlando's airport I halted suddenly and U-turned to go back and examine an armadillo along the shoulder, my first and an utter surprise to me this far east of Texas. Little did I realize these "sand rats" are common, docile, and easy to approach. What a silly creature: the armadillo waddles around wearing two sections of a jointed plastic football shoulder pad around his torso, with tiny fuzzy sparse hairs sticking out, has little pantalettes of hair on his ankles, an armored long nose with which he pokes and tunnels in the sand for grubs and ants, and two improbably large and delicate ears, most of which are nicked and chewed. Fortunately it's never far from the aqua, pink, and neon tourist alleys of the REST of the state, which is, in fact, mostly rural with several immense National Forests, and the Florida Trail=a perfect path through the interior. Next on that road was a sign to a state preserve which accounted for a large area on the road map with nothing on it, the Tosohatchee, where the entrance bulletin board map showed miles of woods and river swamps laced with dirt roads, horse and hiking trails, and signs described the bears and alligators which would be encountered there. Also it was hunting season for wild hog. Wow! This was NOT the Florida of Miami Vice, hurray. The bulletin board stood under an immense wide-spreading live oak, with Spanish moss hanging down from branches that looked like they had little pine trees sprouting out of them. Bromeliads!

Irene never ran into one of these on the Finger Lakes Trail

A sampler hike on the FNST in the Ocala National Forest followed a clearly blazed and freshly maintained trail. Winter is when they do trail work there, while torrid summer offers barely ANY hike schedule for chapter members. I enjoyed a sandy path through longleaf pines and assorted small oaks, with a thick understory of twisty shrubs and palmettos, a waist-high plant that looks like the top of a palm tree with its trunk removed. Orange blazes are sometimes hard to distinguish from the funny brilliant pink lichen that grows on many trees here. The Forest is threaded with good orange-dirt roads, sometimes seemingly a few more than show on the excellent Florida Trail Association maps, and trailheads on paved highways are refreshingly well signed. There are sometimes even welcome Forest Service brown posts that say "FNST 1/4 mile ahead." I teased myself with another Florida Trail hike on the southern coastline of Florida's panhandle at St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge, where a blazed woods road through tall magnolia and pines led to a dirt dike between marshy impoundments of mixed salt and fresh water. Wonderful arrays of nearby wintering ducks, coots, egrets, herons, and ibis enjoyed the shallow water, while a barred owl hooted from the woods landward and a redtail hawk perched above in the branches of a leafless bald cypress. Yes, some trees do lose their leaves in Florida's winter but red maples' buds were just pinking up in late January. Horses and bicycles are obviously allowed on the dikes, but there was none of either

this day: only an armadillo who ambled ahead of me down the road, and alligators stretched like 12-foot pieces of heavy rubber tire tread with sly eyeballs and 80 teeth, lining the opposite banks of watery ditches like so many silent visitors from the Jurassic. East of St. Mark's, in the armpit of the state before land turns southward, the road map looks empty because vast tracts of pine are owned by lumber companies. Here passageon the Florida Trail is limited to card-carryingmembers of the Florida TrailAssociation,a legal oddity caused by landowner demands, a condition we are thankful other trails don't endure, even if we do wish every hiker were a member supporting the trails they enjoy. On the south edge of Osceola National Forest I sampled another patch of trail at Olustee Battlefield, now a gently rolling piney forest. I had not even known that the Civil War, as we Northerners antiseptically call it, was fought this far south, but they still breathe in that conflict with their first spanking down here. As one native told me, "Oh, yes, they learn teed Off 101 from first grade onward." Alas, I was weeks too early for a reenactment festival. Trail guides tell me there is so much more I haven't tasted yet: grassy prairies, swampy areas riddled with streams and rivers with frequent bridges, and the more tropical southern end of the state. A surprising number of our Finger Lakes Trail members spend the winter in Florida and are active with the PTA, too. What a great way to have your cake and â&#x20AC;˘ eat it, too! April-June

2003

The North Star

-~ - --

Heart & Sole

by Joan Young

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A Classic Trio on Behalf of the North CountryTrail "Classic:" what images does this word bring to your mind? Hopefully, such qualities as "timelessness," of "universalappeal," "containing truths" spring into your thoughts. This month our volunteers comefrom classicprofessions:a teacher, a surveyor, and a nurse. Each of them has been involved in classic components of trail work: building and maintenance of the trail, and guiding others there, too. Each of them came to our Trail with a long-standing love of the outdoors and hiking. Each of them has worked closely with other outstanding volunteers.

Finger Lakes Trail Conference Since 1966 Tony Preus has been hiking with the Triple Cities Hiking Club (Binghamton, NY) and their hikes often took them to the Finger Lakes Trail. Soon Tony was busy writing guidebooks for the trail. "I would spot a bike at a high point, then push the measuring wheel up to the bike, strap on the wheel and ride downhill." Using this sensible method he eventually finished guides to Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, and Ulster Counties of the main FLT, and also for the Onondaga FLTC's Tony Preus Branch where the North Country Trail turns north, basically all the FLT east of Ithaca. One day Ed Sidote (featured August 1999) said, "You should hike the whole thing." So Tony did just that, becoming Finger Lakes Trail end-to-ender #7. He now is actively involved in helping others reach that goal. Some time ago, he scouted and flagged a section of the FLT that is east of the portion concurrent with the NCT, in Bowman Lake State Park. Tony, Ed Sidote and helpers from the welfare-to work program chipped in for the clearing and building process. Now Tony maintains that section. He tries to get his Scout troop

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involved when he can and was pleased to share his son's Eagle Scout project which Ed Morse, the other half of Spirit If the Woods "Two Eds" Team. was involved in the elaborate undertaking of recycling a Coordination with Ed Chappel (featured bridge made of railroad ties and 4x4's October 2000). Affectionately called "the Eds," these two have worked together to into puncheon to span root holes left by tree throw. assess the maintenance and repair needs Tony says that the most intereston the aging section of trail their chapter ing project is always the one that he is maintains, and are currently working on currently working on. He traded in the writing a Manual for Trail Adopters. measuring wheel for a GPS unit, and Morse was honored by the chapter keeps his guidebooks up to date with this past summer for outstanding service, this newer technology. Following a trail and the task which prompted that award "beats bushwhacking!" exclaimed Tony. is one which has brought him a sense of Seriously, he added, a well planned trail satisfaction because it was something that "can enhance the outdoor experience. It really needed to be done. The chapter's can lead you to views, sights or interestbrush mower had never been put to use, ing vegetation" that you might not find and Ed took it upon himself to load it on our own. Keep leading us on, Tony! in his truck and take it to many places up and down 80 miles of trail that had Spirit of the Woods Chapter never been mowed. "It was quite a job to do alone," he admitted. He discovered Ed Morse found the North Country Trail when hiking in the Manistee which places you can't get the mower to, National Forest with his son more than as well as the ones you can! 10 years ago. They would often drive the He especially likes getting ready for three hours from Lansing (their home large tasks. This past fall the Eds spent then), just to hike this favorite section. two days planning, measuring, and getEd says that he picked up literature about ting set up so that about 15 volunteers the NCTA more than once before he had could finish building 200 feet of punthe time to follow through. But when he cheon and re-benching the trail down retired he knew that supporting the Trail a high bluff on one Saturday morning. was something he needed to do. Spending the winter in Florida, Ed commented, "I drove 180 miles yesterday One day about three years ago he showed up for a chapter work day to just so I could hike in a State Forest. But paint blazes, and he has been one of when I'm home, in less than a half hour I the most faithful members ever since can be on the NCT where you can walk despite long drives to attend meetings forever!" He echoed the sentiments of many of us when he added," To be in or events. He served as secretary one year, and is currently sharing Trail Work the woods is a freedom we have."

North Country Trail Hikers Bea Anderson calculates that there are only two days out of the past 52 years that she was not outdoors at all! "I was raised on a farm, and I've always loved being out," she says. She explored places in the county and skied all winter. In "every time of year it's different." When she retired 16 years ago, Don Elzinga asked her to a meeting of the recently formed NCT Hikers Chapter, the first chartered chapter of the NCTA. She and her brother wanted to do trail work, but they didn't think they would like group hikes. So Bea teamed up with Marti Leppanen (featured January 1998) and they began maintaining a long section of trail. Neither one of these gals was exactly young when they took on this project, but only recently have they turned it over to others and taken on a shorter piece. Bea was also one of the team who helped to build the bridge over the Laughing Whitefish River. It took them three years to complete. They had to drive an hour and then carry all the tools and lumber for a mile in to the site. Old pilings were donated by the city of Marquette and sawed by a portable mill. They hauled all this wood to the site, down a steep hill and then back up for a distance, only to have it stolen! They eventually found the lumber hidden in a cave, and the bridge was built. In the meantime she discovered that hiking with a group has its own rewards.

You won't find NC Trail hikers' Bea Anderson indoors much. She works on the trail (like the Laughing Whitefish bridge at left) all summer and skis all winter.

Bea's friends say that she always is cheerful and tirelessly tells others about the Trail, and encourages them to do the same. Bea believes that being dependable is one of her best qualities. "We are a small group and it's important to be able to count on people." She has served the chapter as Publicity Chairman. She is characterized as an excellent environmental steward. She has encouraged youth projects on the NCT, and has been a hike and trail crew leader. Her friends also say that Bea has an "attitude that makes her a joy to work with." And don't we all wish that final statement would be so classic that it could be

said of everyone we have to work with! Timeless classics? Folks who have been involved with the trail for many years- as hikers and as volunteers. Universal appeal? Who doesn't love hard workers who are willing to go out of their way to help complete projects... , and with a good attitude? Truth? We do have the freedom to hike in the woods. We are more likely to appreciate trails which lead us to interesting places, and which aid us in preserving those special places due to their good design. Whom do you know who is a "classic?" Or perhaps you know an eager new-comer. In either case, please nominate a worthy volunteer to be featured here. Contact me at 231-757-2205 or at jhy@t-one.net

AccessibilityGuidelinesfor Trails Will Impact NCT By Bob Papp Executive Director, NCTA

ack in 1990, Congress passed landmark legislation to improve access to new and altered facilities for people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) set new standards for facilities such as State and local government buildings, places of public accommodation, and commercial sites. Beyond these more developed settings, the law even affected remote "facilities" such as the North Country National Scenic Trail. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) was charged with developing guidelines to implement the new law. In 1991, the Access Board issued its first ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). ADAAG clearly defined requirements for buildings and some other facilities, yet guidelines for "outdoor developed areas," such as trails, were lacking. The thought that ADA should apply to trails, especially one like the North Country Trail, may surprise many readers. Yet, given the choice between visiting a city hall or shopping mall, or exploring a trail, I'd pick the trail any day. Most of us think most sane people would make the same choice, right? People with mobility impairments have interests that are just as diverse as yours or mine. As trail advocates, we recognize that a passion for the out of doors can- . not be determined by our own personal abilities or impairments. Passion is passion. Either you have it or you don't. ADA ensures that those who have it also have a means to fulfill it. That being said, clearly, the entire North Country Trail cannot and should not be built to accessible standards. The trail is meant to provide a remote, mostly primitive hiking and backpacking experience. It provides access to backcountry, an opportunity to escape development and civilization, and a chance to reconnect ourselves with what is primary. So the question is, how do we meet the intent of ADA without compromising the vision and purpose of the NCT? In the summer of 1997, the Access Board established a "Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility

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report has languished and no further public action has been taken. The Office of Management and Budget currently is reviewing the report in order to determine the impact the guidelines would have. Our understanding is that it could be 2006 or later before national trail accessibility guidelines are finalized. In the meantime, public agencies are at a loss. They recognize that trails are subject to ADA and that they have an obligation to provide accessible opportunities. Yet, without clear federal guidance, land managing agencies are reacting in various ways, from banning all new trails until this is sorted out, to mandating that all new trails be built to fully accessibly standards, to ignoring the issue and hoping to avoid civil rights challenges. Since the North Country Trail is not exempt from ADA, the lack of direction for land management agencies is a growing problem that directly We can improve trail accessibility without building a affects our volunteers. sidewalk through the woods. In early 2002, the USDA Forest Service (FS) Guidelines for Outdoor Developed set out to develop its own set of guideAreas" (RegNeg Committee) to try lines for trails. Like other agencies, the to answer questions like this. For two FS was struggling with the need to comyears, the RegNeg Committee wrestled ply with ADA when there were no offiwith the challenge of developing suitcial guidelines available for trails. There able accessibility guidelines for trails is a chance that the RegNeg Committee and other facilities traditionally found guidelines will not survive to implemenin parks. What emerged in the spring tation in a recognizable form, but the FS of 1999 was an approach that treated all believes that the guidelines essentially trails the same, but allowed trail planners will prevail. So, the new Forest Service to opt out of meeting certain provisions Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) if specific conditions were found along are based on the RegNeg Committee the trail. I'll describe this "exceptionsrecommendations. based" approach in more detail below. A first draft of FSTAG was posted The RegNeg Committee issued its on the FS website toward the end of final report in September, 1999 (online 2002, for a revolving period of inforat www.access-board.gov/outdoor/ mal public comment and revision. outdoor-rec-rpt.htrn). Unfortunately, the FSTAG has since undergone a number

Passion for the Outdoors Isn't Confined to Hikers without Disabilities of revisions. You can find a link to the most current version online at http: I/www.fs.fed.us/ recreation/ programsI accessibility/. You'll also find a link there to the FS Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG), which cover outdoor facilities like restrooms, shelters, picnic areas, etc. It's important to note that, technically, both FSTAG and FSORAG only apply to trails and facilities within the boundaries of National Forests. Unofficially, though, we expect that many agencies will adopt these guidelines as their own, in the absence of anything official from the Access Board. So, the new FS guidelines could have a significant impact on the North Country Trail, wherever it goes, and it's important that we understand them and influence them, if need be. Like the initial RegNeg Committee guidelines, FSTAG is complex and somewhat bewildering. The guidelines are applied during the planning stage for all new trails, to determine if, and to what extent each trail will need to be built to accessible standards. The complexity kicks in because many new trails will be required to meet only certain provisions in certain areas. Even so, as explained below, we expect that the actual construction of most new segments of the NCT will not be greatly affected by these guidelines, though the planning stage will be. Certainly, there will be areas where accessible trail will be required, just as there will be areas where we will want to build accessible trail regardless of whether or not we are required to do so. As I mentioned, the guidelines are complex, so I can't fully explain them here. There are some general aspects that I'd like to share, though. Hopefully, this will give you a better feel for what's involved and how it might impact the N CT and other trails. To begin, the guidelines only apply to new or significantly altered trails that connect to an accessible trail or a designated trailhead. So, all maintenance and minor reroutes will be exempt. A designated trailhead is basically a trailhead that is managed for transfer between different types of transportation. So, a trailhead with a parking lot is "designated" but a trail crossing a road where parking

facilities are not provided is not. This initial review will filter out much of our regular trail work. FSTAG includes ten "Provisions" that define accessible standards for grade and cross slope, resting intervals, surface, width, passing space, tread obstacles, protruding objects, tread openings, edge protection, and signs. When we talk about building accessible trail, many people jump to the conclusion that we're talking about "paving everything." However, paving is only one way to address surface requirements, and a firm and stable surface meets only one of the ten Provisions. FSTAG also defines four conditions under which a portion of the trail would be exempt from one or more of these Provisions. Two of these conditions are likely to come up frequently along the North Country Trail. These address Trail Class and prevailing construction practices. One condition states that a Provision need not be met if doing so would substantially alter the setting or "Trail Class." The FS defines five Trail Classes: Primitive, Simple, Developed, Highly Developed, and Fully Developed. Under most circumstances, the NCT is in one of the first two classes. As you might imagine, often, upgrading the NCT treadway from a primitive footpath to an accessible trail would knock it into a higher Trail Class. However, FSTAG allows a trail to be exempt from meeting a provision if doing so would change the Trail Class. Another important condition is that accessibility provisions need not be met if it's not feasible to do so because ofterrain or prevailing construction practices. Bringing in heavy equipment to meet the grade provision, paving the tread so the surface is firm and stable, or blasting rock to widen a narrow passage are all examples of trail work that wouldn't meet prevailing construction practices on the NCT. So, if this type of work were needed to meet certain provisions, the trail segment would be exempt from meeting those provisions. A key point with these and other conditions is that the exemptions they allow only affect certain provisions and only for the section of trail where the condition exists. Trail planners will

immediately pick up on the notion that this could lead to a very complex situation on any trail segment. Each of the ten provisions is looked at separately, and application of each provision may vary along the length on the trail. So, with this on-again/off-again treatment, eventually, we have to ask, "What's the point?" Recognizing the problems this approach may create, FSTAG also includes two types of "limiting factors." One type of limiting factor would be a point along the planned trail where departure from accessibility standards is so severe that it just doesn't make sense to continue to try to meet any standards farther down the trail. Examples include a surface that is not firm and stable for 45 feet or more, or a grade that exceeds 20% for more than 40 feet. A different type of "limiting factor" looks at cumulative deviations, and says that if certain provisions (like grade or surface) are not met for 15% or more of the trail, than the trail is exempt from all provisions after the point where the problems start. As I mentioned, applying these guidelines is fairly complex, and difficult to fully describe in a short article like this. As we get used to using them, they should start to become more intuitive, and, we'll probably find that most of the new trail we build is exempt from the provisions. Even so, we should keep the provisions in mind, and meet them where we can. Steep grades lead to erosion and are difficult to climb. Steep cross slopes are difficult to walk. In short, while we may not be required to build to accessible standards, improving the accessibility of trail segments without sacrificing the nature of the trail could benefit all users (and maintainers!). Though it's currently in an informal period of review and revision, later this year FSTAG will enter a period of formal public comment. Following that, the FS expects to implement it on an interim basis, which means it will come back up for review and revision after "field testing." The NCTA encourages its members to monitor the development of FSTAG, and submit comments if they see the need. While general reactions are ok, remember that specific comments are much more likely to be helpful to the FS and thus have an impact on the process.

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April-June

2003

*The North Star 25

Two Suggestionsfor Helping to Spread the Word About the Trail. y the time you read this column, I'll have participated in my second "Superior Days" at the State Capitol in Madison, WI, and in the North Country Trail Association'sannual pilgrimage to Washington, DC. Both trips are part of our organization's efforts to keep state and federal legislators aware of the progress being made on the North Country Trail. NCTA's representatives at these sessions make sure lawmakers know of our organization's and volunteers' roles educating the public and helping the National Park Service and its partner agencies construct and manage the trail. Last year, Peter Nordgren of Wisconsin's Brule/St. Croix Chapter . invited me to join him and others from the Superior, WI area for their annual trek to the State Capitol to visit the State's northwestern legislative delegation. Each year, a large contingent from the Superior area, made up of entrepreneurs, private citizens, and organizational representatives, journeys to Madison and sets up shop for a two or three day whirlwind tour of their state Senators' and Representatives' offices. The group's mission is to make these lawmakers aware of a wide variety of accomplishments, issues, and opportunities in which this diversified group of people is involved. The NCTA portion of the visit includes one-on-one discussion with legislators concerning construction of the trail and the interest and involvement of their constituents in the work. We also cover where we hope to go in the future. Invitations are extended to each lawmaker to join us at one of the coming year's events or to take a hike on an interesting portion of the trail in their district. Since the trail brings definite recreational benefits to their districts, legislators usually volunteer their services to help our organization in any way they are able. The offers are recorded in non-fading ink in Peter Nordgren's little black book for future reference. Superior Days also includes meeting with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) brass and making sure they're aware of what we're doing, too. Wisconsin DNR has long been trail oriented and friendly. Currently, the DNR is working with

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IL the National Park Service in purchasing available rights-of-way, easements, and land for the NCT using pooled federal and state funds. With that kind of cooperation, we want to show our gratitude by periodically shaking their hands and letting them know how grateful we are for their help. The point of all this is that if you aren't already scheduling visitations or having contacts with your state legislators or land management agencies, there are definite benefits in doing so.

• Is anyone out there collecting postage stamps among you trail folk? Those of you who do probably will know that over the last 70-80 years there have been a number of U.S. postage stamps publicizing conservation related subjects. The very first such stamp was issued for Arbor Day in 1932. Since then, National Parks, National Park Service,John James Audubon, wildlife, soil, forest, water, range, waterfowl, and energy conservation, desert plants, coral reefs, fish, horses, honey bees, pheasants, cranes, sea creatures, endangered flora, migratory bird treaty, and beautification of America are among the many subjects relating to the outdoors and natural resources that have been featured on U.S. stamps. Only one trail has ever shown up on a stamp. The Oregon Trail was featured on a stamp that was issued in 1993. The stamp was denominated 29 cents and had a map of the western states with a heavy dark line representing the Oregon Trail superimposed on it. I've just let fly a letter to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) in Washington, DC in hopes of remedying the situation. I've proposed that they issue a set of stamps on which the National Scenic and Historic Trails are depicted and featured. The small vignette shows a 1930s stamp honoring one of the country's national parks. The US Postal Service could issue a set of 20

similar stamps with each stamp featuring artwork that would capture the essence of a Scenic or Historic trail. The CSAC has the role of selecting suitable subjects for U.S. postage stamps and postal stationery and recommending them to the Postmaster General. Approximately 25 subjects for commemorative issues are selected each year according to the CSAC's web site. The Committee meets four times a year in Washington to review the proposals accumulated since the previous meeting. More than 50,000 inquiries are received annually recommending stamp subjects and/or designs. The catch is that they must meet a set of fairly stringent criteria set up by the CSAC to screen out those unsuitable for postal issue. For instance, no consideration will be given if the subject ' has been featured on stamps during the past 50 years or is of a religious nature, or for fraternal, .political, sectarian or service/ charitable organizations or promote or advertise commercial enterprises or products. Subjects considered will primarily be American or American-related, and can be events, persons, and themes of widespread national appeal and significance. There are twelve criteria that each subject must meet before the Committee will consider it. What can you do to help us get a set of stamps honoring our scenic and historic trails? Collect a petition from your chapter with names, addresses, phone numbers of members and send it to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 5670, Washington, D.C. 20260-2437. The petition should ask the Committee to consider featuring the National Scenic and Historic Trails on a future commemorative stamp issue. Say that an individual stamp could be issued for each trail in a sheet that features the entire system. If you need further help in this or more information, please give me a ring or send email. The web site for CSAC is www.usps.com/ communications/ organization/ csac.htm

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

Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its standards. In addition there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but cannot be certified for a variety of reasons. Percent Done and Certified

Miies Certified

Minnesota

26.1%

97.7

4.7

Michigan

54.1%

621.6

Pennsylvania

42.1%

Totals

40.8%

State

Increase Other Since Last Off-Road Issue Miies

Total Off Road Miies

Marked Road Miles

0.0

97.7

0.0

2.4

60.9

682.5

112.2

126.2

-3.7

28.9

155.1

6.6

1,704.6

7.2

167.2

1,871.8

187.5

BIG"*

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

........ State

Minnesota

Other Totals

Current Members

Change Since Last Quarter

210

213

+1.4%

102 2,808

107 2,813

5 +5

+4.9% +0.2%

Members Last Issue

Percent Change

As of Nov. 30, 2002, membership in the North Country Trail Association rose to 2,808, the first time membership has ever climbed over the 2,600, mark. The largest number, 808, is in the at-large category, but the chapters are growing as well. Western Michigan continues as our largest, with 323 members, followed by Star of the North with 157, and Chief Noonday with 152. Others over the century mark are Grand Traverse Hikers, 129, Central New York, 125, and North Country Hikers (Marquette) with 114.

April-June

2003

The Nortn Star

Trail Craft with Bill Menke, NCTA Trail Foreman

Wet Areas: The "\Tou will recall that in the

hem Altogether

to protect the environment, including the soils, water, and Tom Gilbert wrote that dryness sensitiveplants that often grow in was one of four major factors that wet areas. affect the hiking experience. Amen! To protect the wet environIn the last issue, we talked about ment and provide a pleasant how the running slope and cross hiking experience, some kind of slope of the trail tread influence trail structure such as puncheon, overland water flow and conseboardwalk, or turnpike/causeway quently also directly influence erowill have to be built. All of these sion. Proper design and construcstructures are labor intensive and tion of the trail tread is essential to all (with the possible exception of eliminate the potential for running turnpike/causeway) will eventuwater to damage the trail. Now, I ally deteriorate and have to be would like to move on to talking replaced. It is much better and about other "dryness" issues. less expensive to design the trail While perpetually or seasoncarefully to avoid wet areas in the ally wet areas and standing water first place. do not have as much potential to The type of structure that damage the trail itself, they are should be installed will vary every bit as bothersome to the tremendously depending on the hiker. I don't know of many hikers depth of any standing water, flucwho like to wade through water tuations due to spring wetness, or muck or through extremely soils, width of crossing, etc. But muddy, soggy areas. Doing so is there are some generalizations hard on equipment and is simply that may be helpful. not a fun thing to do. Of equal Turnpikes are used to elevate concern, repeated hiking in these the trail above wet ground. Fill wet or mucky areas can be very material from parallel side ditches damaging to the environment. and other areas is used to build Wet areas include marshes, the trail surface higher than the Photograph by Bill Menke conifer swamps, hardwood surrounding water table. The fill If you can't bypassa wetland, a well-constructed boardswamps, cattail sloughs, and many walk like this one by the Spiritof the Woods Chapter, is is placed between parallel poles other conditions. Hummocky defining the edge of the trail. But the ultimatesolution. areas are also a concern. This is turnpikes require some degree of when the area consists of small Design new segments of trail and drainage. Therefore, if the site is mounds interspersed with depressions reroute existing wet segments to pass over too wet to allow the digging of drainage that hold water. dry ground. Routing the trail through a ditches, some other technique is needed. Rather than attempting to list all the wet area causes nothing but headaches, A causeway is a more environmenlocal nomenclatures for the various types increased construction costs, and ongotally friendly relative to the turnpike. of wet areas, for our purposes, wet areas ing maintenance expense. The exception It is essentially a turnpike without side include anywhere surface water stands for to this rule is when there is a conscious ditches. Picture it as two parallel poles more than a couple of days or where a decision to take the trail through a wetlying on the ground about three feet high water table causes the soil surface to land for interpretive purposes. apart and filled with granular material for indent and become mucky with repeated Of course I realize that when we are a walking surface. Causeways can be very use. Many of you probably recognize talking about a 4,200 mile trail there effective for crossing seasonally wet areas wet areas by the plants that grow there. are going to be times when avoiding all and correcting braided trail areas. But Cattails are obvious, but bluebells, marsh wet areas is unavoidable. In many places they too are limited if the soil is highly marigolds, skunk cabbage, and many where the North Country Trail is located, saturated because they will eventually other plants also indicate heavy, wet soil. extensive wetlands exist. Obviously, some sink into the ground. Just as there is only one true north, I of them will have to be crossed. The trick Puncheon is an effective structure think there is only one cardinal rule conis to scout the area carefully and cross the especially when crossing an area only seacerning trails in wet areas: avoid wet areas wetland at its narrowest point. This alone sonally wet or one where the water depth at almost any cost. will minimize the costs and labor needed is very shallow. Puncheon is a walking

L October-December 2002 issue,

路2a路--rh~--N~rth--st~~-----Ap-;ii~j~~~--~~;----

Trail Craft surface of parallel planks resting on sill logs, which are perpendicular to the trail. There are two types of puncheon used in the east, native logs and milled, treated boards. The latter is by far the easier construct and is used in most cases. Native split logs are used only when the structure is very remote and then only if suitable roe-resistant trees are available for cutting. Boardwalks are used to get across areas of deeper standing water. A boardwalk is a series of support posts (pilings) chat are driven into the bottom of the marsh. These upright posts then support an understructure similar to joists in a floor and eventually the planks of the walking surface. Perhaps the best way to imagine a boardwalk is to picture it as an elongated deck. Boardwalks and decks share almost identical construction techniques. Boardwalks are very difficult to construct and the services of skilled craftsmen or someone with engineering design skills will be needed. Obviously, I can't get into the details of how to build these different types of wee-area structures. If you encounter a need for chem, there are several excellent resource books and videos chat describe in detail how to do it. But remember the cardinal rule! Avoid the wet area at almost all costs.

and a willingness to learn while working. The crew provides all tools, base camp equipment, safety gear, and training. Hearty food is also provided. Depending on the trip, you will gain experience in trail layout, blazing, clearing and tread construction, signing, or maintenance. You will camp in a natural setting near the worksite. Past participants say they worked hard but also had a Your headquarters In the field with the B-SC Rovers. great time swapping experiences around the campfire, swimming after work and hiking the North Country Trail during the evenings. If you are interave you always wanted to learn more ested, please get in touch with Bill at bdmenke@charter.net. You may also call about designing, constructing, or him at (608) 273-0087. maintaining the trail? If so, here is your The crew outings for 2003 are April opportunity to get some on-the-ground 28-May 2, July 7-11, August 11-15, experience in a crew setting while enjoying September 15-19, Octoberl0-14, and northern Wisconsin. Join our Trail Foreman Bill Menke November 3-7. and the Brule-Sc. Croix Roving Trail If you act quickly (and chis issue reaches you in time) there may also be Crew for a week of camping and trail room at Bill's maintenance workshop in activities. There'll be six separate opportunities to participate chis year, starting White Cloud, MI on April 5 and 6. To check on openings, e-mail Werner Veit the end of April. at WV12@aol.com, or call NCTA headAll you have to bring is your own quarters at (616) 897-5987. personal gear, sleeping arrangement,

This Year: Sharpen Trail Craft with the Foreman and Enjoy Wisconsin

Sponsored by

I Daytt 7ne

Name (Please Print)

11: lode lirst) I

Address

City

State

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April-June

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The North Star

benefiphe

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HATS

SHIRTS

A. Royal Mesh:-Back Cap

G. Tran Crew T路shirt

(C201)

Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap $10.95

B. Light Khaki/Navy Cap

(C207)

Trail emblem design. Low profile washed cotton, unconstructed. Light khaki crown with washed navy bill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap $14.95 C. Denim Blue Cap

(C203)

Pro-wash cotton rwill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustablebuckle on a leather strap.$15.95

D. Grey-Moss Green Cap

(C206)

Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap ... $14.95

E. Sun Protection (C210) Wide bill, Supplex庐 tan nylon, soft and breathable. Adjustable clip back..... $18.50

F. The

Aussie Hat

(C209)

Natural Color, cotton canvas with full brim and rope cord with adjustable slider $24.5

(c102)

A trail crew shirt for volunteers! 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. Color: tan. M, L XL $8.95, XXL $9.95

H. NCTA T-Shirt

TWO NEW T-SHIRTS! Designed by Max Boyd

(C101)

Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T'. Threecolor NCTA logo on front and two-color trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the Nonh Country National ScenicTrail" and includesthe seven state map of the trail. Color: natural. S, M, L, XL $11.95, XXL $12.95 I. Sweatshirts M, L XL $34.95, XXL $37.95 Goldenrod (C107A) Khaki Green (C107B) Denim (C107C) Light Raspberry (C107D) J. PQ(Q Shirt Color: Tan (C106) Embroidered association logo. M, L XL XXL $31.95 K. Fleeee Vest Color: Grey (C108) Embroidered trail logo. M, L XL, XXL $38.95

Rediseover nature The 100% cotton "leaf' shirt available in: Dusty Blue (C-110) Pale Plum (C-110A) S, M, L XL: $15.95, XXL: $17.95

"Blue BlazeS' 50150 Poly Cotton blend on ash gray shirt. Short sleeve (C-109) S, M, L XL: $11.95,XXL: $13.95 Longsleeve , (C-109A) M, LXL: $15.95,XXL: $17.95

The North Star

A April-June

2003

ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-888-454-NCTA ( 6282)

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org

1:24,000 SCALE

MAP SETS

NCT TRAIL

1~100,000 SCALE Printed in full color on durable paper, this pocket size map unfolds to a full n" x 17", doubleside. These maps do not come in a plastic bag.

Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a dear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy. Each map unfolds to a full n" x 17".

NEWVORK

PENNSYLVANIA McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks

Rome to Finger Lakes Trail

$3.50

(NY-04)

$3.50

(Ml-02)

Bowne Township to M-37

Southern Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest State Park

MICHIGAN

Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Road (Ml-05)

$3.50

Huron-Manistee N.F.: North Segment

$3.50

Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road

$3.50

Huron-Manistee N.F.: South Segment

Grand Marais to Au Train Lake

(T401)

(Ml-10)

Alberta to Cascade Falls

(T402)

(Ml-13)

Cascade Falls to Ironwood

(T403)

$6.50 $8.00

Map shown: Grand Marias to Au Train Lake NCT Trail Map Set

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

$3.50

(Wl-01) .. :

Long Mile Lookout to Solon Spring

$3.50

(Wl-02)

MINNESOTA Chippewa N.F. to Paul Bunyan S.F.

$3.50

(MN-09)

NORTH

DAKOTA

Showing four sections of trail

$3.50

(ND-SE)

Legend N

North Country Trail (Cer@ed)" North Country Trail (Not Certified) Temporary

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Road UTM Grid and 2002 Magnetic North Declination Di9!J'"am Is approximate

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Marshall to Bowne Township

Two Track Public Land

Fishing

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CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT By Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed information and maps highlighting the longest and best off-road segments of the Trail. These are accurate route descriptions by experienced guidebook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form.

$5.00

(T201)

Allegheny National Forest North Section

MIClilt;AN

www.northcountrytrail.org

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

$6.00

OHIO

Wayne National Forest, 14 pages (M301) .................................................• $3.00 From Burr Oak State Park to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages (M3032) $14.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages (M304A) $7 .00 Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie S.P. to Napoleon, 30 pages (M305A) $5.00

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 81 pages $12.50

(M401)

NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages $13.00

(M402)

WISCONSIN Iron County Forests; Chequamegon N.F., Brule River S.F., 27 pages

STATE PATCHES New York. Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota

VOLUNTEER PATCHES

2.00 ea.

Volunteer2000 (P127) Volunteer 2001 (P128) Volunteer2002 (P129) Trail Crew (P130) Hike Leader (P131) Trail Mapper (P132) Organizer "'-"1'9iJl!IPPIJ!!ffll!!!~~""!W!I~ (P126)

(P133) (P134) (P135) (P136) (P137) (P138) (P139)

Check the website for availability of new milage patches and NCT 2003 Voluntw' parch. $4.50

(M501A)

MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24 pages (M601) $4.00 NORTH DAKOTA NCT in North Dakota 15 pages $5.00

(M701)

NCT PATCH Patch ofTrail Emblem 3V2 " bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (P125) $3.50

NCT PHOTO

MEDALLIONS AND PINS Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick. A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 B. Brass (P104) $4.00 C. The Trail Emblem cloisonne pin is 'l's" and features the updated North Country triangle design. (P102) ••••••••••••••••••••• $3.00

MICHIGAN MAP SETS ByArden Johnson An excellent reference for the entire North Country Trail in Michigan. Includes all off-road segments and suggests on-road routes where the trail is incomplete. Also provides good general information about access points, terrain, markers, camping and water, etc. Ohio State Line at Waldron

Augusta $4.00 Augusta to Rogue River State Game Area (M412A) $4.00 Coates Highway at Manistee River to M115 West of Mesick (M413A) $4.00 M-115 West of Mesick to M-32 West of U.S. 131 (M414A) $4.00 M-32 West of U.S. 131 to Mackinaw City (M415A) $4.00 St. Ignace to SE Marquette (M416A) $4.00 Marquette to Ironwood (M417A) $4.00 to

MUG

(M411A)

North Country National Scenic Trail plastic trail mug tapered to fit in cup holder. Back (P103) $5.00 Front

Wooda11dScene on pebbleta1 ce-105) S, M, l., XL: $12.95,XXL: $13.95

ORDERTOLLFREE!1-888454-NCTA (6282)

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Take a Hike by Rich and Sue Freeman

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Great Wisconsin Walks by Wm. Chad McGrath

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook

Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Includes walks in the woods and in the cities. 160 pages (L116)

This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then what to do to protect a victim. 252 pages (L125) $6.00

Peak Experiences by Gary Pallesen

$16.95

A guide to the highest points in every New York county. Includes maps, directions to trailheads, and some alternate routes. 288 pages

Lipsmackin' Backpackin' by Tim and Christine Connors

Great Minnesota Walks by Wm. Chad McGrath

Explore the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley with ease and convenience. 51 walks are completely described. 264 pages (L119)

(L120)

$16.95

Hiking the HighestSummits lnNeWYork, County bV County

$16.95

50 Hikes in Ohio by Ralph Ramey They range over the entire state and includes hikes from easy to vigorous. Some overnight backpacks. 272 pages (L121)

$14.95

50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim DuFresne Describes the best trails in the Lower Peninsula. Includes access, parking, hiking times, contour maps, and explicit trail directions. 252 pages (L109)

$17.95

Dine on spaghetti, chicken the backcountry instead of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky. 232 pages (L118) $1S.95

Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls. 160 pages (L108)

Tiidaâ&#x20AC;˘

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This third edition has descriptions and maps for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. 789 pages (L102A) $34.95

History, the present condition, points of interest, and other details for each of the eight national scenic trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail. 306 pages (L122)

$19.95

and charm you. Has advice on home remedies and alternative medicine for self-care. 363 pages

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

$19.95

Hiking! by Philip Farranti and Cecilia Leyva A fresh look at hiking including its philosophy, health aspects for kids and seniors, and stronger family ties. 245 pages (L106)

$14.95

$11.95 Trail Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R Hansen

.....

SUPPORT GROUP REFERENCE GUIDE

America's National Scenic Trails by Kathleen Ann Cordes

The Country Doctor, Alive and Well by john G. Hipps M D. His stories will entertain

(L115)

Porcupine Mountains by Jim DuFresne

$6.95

FIR~AID a 'I.MILT DID:GDICY

$16.95

(L117)

Hiking with Kids by Robin Tawney

(L123)

New

Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. Includes walks beside river rapids and scenic overlooks. 168 pages

salad, and cheesecake in

Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking. This answers any questions and gives valuable tips. 70 pages

.............

The Appalachian Food Planner by Lou Adsmond Proven food tips for a short backpack to a six-month thruhike. Includes recipes for easy trailside cooking. 128 pages (L126) $15.95

Edible Wild Plants by James Kavanagh

$5.95 Backpacking Wisconsin by jack P. Hai/man & Elizabeth D. Hai/man The authors provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state - from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to picturesque Newport State Park. (L129)

lfli"

Quldt

$19.95

__ ... ..

Guide to NCT, Nonh Country Trill Chippewa National ,, MIMHotl CHlpjHWI HiUOftll ,erttt Forest, Minnesota by Roderick MacRae Description and trail log written by an expert. 12 pages (M611) $i25 April-June

2003

*The NorthStar 33

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Buck Wilder's Hiking & Camping Guide by Tim Smith and Mark Herrick Great color illustrations filled with humor with tips and trivia. Appears to be a book for kids, but adults find it's lots of fun and informative. 64 pages (L103)

(6282)

NCTA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual by Thomas Reimers This provides guidelines for planning, construction, and maintenance of the North Country Trail. 22 pages (L101) $2.00

www.northcountrytrail.org

Following the NCt

by ~s Boyd This is the third edition of a classic. It describes the trail and efforts to build it in each of the seven states. It includes details of through-hiking and a history of the Trail and Association.

$12.95

96 pages (L112) $4.95

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What Do Those Folks in Madison ActuallyDo? Exploring the National Park Service Office, Part II ast issue, we began a series exploring the work done by the National Park Service (NPS) staff in Madison, Wisconsin-work that often seems invisible to those who are more directly involved with building and maintaining the trail. The National Trails System Act is clear in directing the federal administering agency-in the case of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST), the NPS-to seek and encourage the involvement of other federal, state, and local agencies as well as private organizations, landowners, and individuals in acquiring, developing, operating, maintaining, and protecting the trail. All such involvement is completely voluntary; the Act contains no authority by which the NPS can require the involvement of others in these activities. In fact, if no one voluntarily participated in this effort, the entire job of creating and managing the North Country NST would fall upon the NPS. Realistically, we all know it would be impossible for the NPS to do this without active partners. Fortunately, many public and private interests have stepped forward to share in this work. The Act, anticipating this, describes the federal administering agency's role as primarily providing guidance, technical assistance, and resources to cooperators. Repeatedly, the Act directs the federal administering agency to provide those things "in accordance with written cooperative agreements." There are 21 references in the Act to using written agreements. The most comprehensive reference and authority is in section 7 (h): "When deemed to be in the public interest, such Secretary may enter written cooperative agreements with the States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private organizations, or individuals to operate, develop, and maintain any portion of such a trail either within or outside a federally administered area. Such agreements may include provisions for limited financial assistance to encourage participation in the acquisition, protection, operation, development, or maintenance of such trails, provisions providing volunteer in the park ... status

... to individuals, private organizations, or landowners participating in such activities, or provisions of both types." Our first agreement, renewed several times since, was a 1982 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NPS and the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) describing how we would work together to maximize the effectiveness and avoid any duplication of our efforts. MOUs serve the purpose of defining the general "roles and responsibilities" relating to the trail of the partners who are parties to such an agreement. Presently, we have two MOUs-the one with NCTA and another between the NPS, NCTA, and U.S. Forest Service covering the portions of the trail within national forests. Eventually, we would like to have a series of seven MOUs covering the partners working on the trail in each of the North Countty Trail states. State Coordinator Bob Tait has taken initial steps toward developing such an MOU in Pennsylvania. Other types of agreements include: "Certification agreements" are applications to have a completed trail segment approved by NPS as an official part of the trail. They describe a segment and how it is marked and managed. The application is signed by the agency or organization that manages the segment. After review of the application and oftentimes field inspection of the segment, the NPS countersigns and it becomes the agreement for management of that segment. "Challenge cost share agreements" are applications for federal cost sharing for a project benefiting the trail. If approved, the application is signed by NPS and it becomes the agreement for management and funding of the project, and for completion of the work promised in the application. "Landowner agreements" document

a landowner's willingness to permit the trail and trail users to cross their land, usually for 5 years. It is not permanent and does not affect their property rights. These are required when a cooperating landowner wishes to have the protections provided to volunteers as Volunteers-inParks. "Volunteers-in-Parks agreements" record the commitments of groups or individuals to work on the trail as volunteers. They include a brief job description. The NPS in turn agrees to assume liability for work done by volunteers and to pay medical expenses of a volunteer injured while working on the trail. "Cooperative agreements" describe work to be done by a cooperator for which NPS will reimburse certain specified work expenses. Presently, we have one cooperative agreement with the NCTA through which we underwrite a significant portion of the operational expenses of the association on behalf of the traii. "Grant agreements" provide for reimbursement of a portion (usually 50%) ofland acquisition costs incurred by a cooperating agency. We have one grant agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources providing a total of $500,000 for acquisition of lands in Wisconsin for the North Country NST. "Programmatic agreements" are between the NPS and a State's Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) describing the responsibilities of NPS (and by extension its cooperators) in regard to historic and archeological resources that might be affected by development and management of the trail. We are presently working on one with the Wisconsin SHPO and there is an old out-of-date agreement with the Ohio SHPO. So, what does the NPS staff in Madison do? A large portion of our work involves making arrangements with public and private partners regarding how we will each work on the trail, preparing agreements documenting this, obtaining necessary reviews and approvals, monitoring their implementation, and processing requests for reimbursement for agreements that provide financial assistance.

· · · "A~;ii~j~~~·~~;;·····;:h~.N~rth.st~~·35

North Country Trail Association

Trail Councils

Chapters of the North Country Trail Association are like local trail clubs. They build and maintain trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas. For information about local activities and volunteering, contact Chapter representatives. Partner organizations are independent 5 6 groups that are working to build and maintain ,.,,,,,,,,,, .,, . ,,~ certain sections of the trail.

.. ..,...,....··''""'7-'",/..;-r-"'"'~~ G

NORTH DAKOTA TRAIL COUNCIL 1. Lone Tree Chapter Eldon Ehrman· 2940 15th Avenue, NE Anamoose, ND 58710 · (701) 465-3387 · ejje@ndak.net 2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter Lisa Ringstad ·P.O. Box 100 Cooperstown, ND 58245 · (701) 797-3530 · lisamengel@invisimax.com

MINNESOTA TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Daryl Williamson· 5901 Timberglade Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438 · (952) 835-2186 · putswilli@earthlink.net Trail Coordinator : John Leinen,Jr. · 14205 St. Croix Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082-9587 · (651) 433-4456 · padeinen@msn.com 3. Star of the North Chapter John Dreher· 7641 lOth St. N, Oakdale, MN 55128 . (651) 738-3717 4. Itasca Moraine Chapter Jerry Trout · 4379 Maple Lane Nw; Hackensack, MN 56452 · (218) 675-5448 · jbrrourtstds.ner 5. Kekekabic Trail Club (Partner) Peter Sparks· (800) 818-4453 · pjsparks@isd.net 6. Rovers Outing Club (Partner) John Elliott· (612) 829-5142 7. Superior Hiking Trail Assoc. (Partner) Gayle Coyer· (218) 834-2700 · suphike@mr.net

GREAT LAKES TRAIL COUNCIL Chair:BobNorlin· PO Box718,IronRiver,WI54847 · (715) 372-5229 · rnorlin@ironriver.baysat.net Wisconsin Coordinator: Brad Gingras · PO Box 416, Cable, WI 54821-0416 · (715) 7983890 · ncrrail@cablemuseum.org Upper Michigan Coordinator: Doug Welker · 26344 Tauriainen Road, Pelkie, MI 49958 · (906) 338-2680 · dwelker@up.net 8. Brule-St. Croix Chapter Charles (Chuck) Zosel· 6697 S. Degerman Rd., Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 · (715) 374-3489 · ezosel@presscenrer.com 9. Chequamegon Chapter Tana Turonie · P.O. Box 475, Mellen, WI 54546 · (715) 274-2521 · tjt@wageswebworks.com

LEGEND

Chapters '""'"" Partners =

Not Yet Adopted

10. Heritage Chapter Jim Burow · 7067 Oakwood Circle, Neskoro, WI 53496 · (920) 293-8023 · glorim@wirural.net 11. Peter Wolfe Chapter Doug Welker · 26344 Tauriainen Rd., Pelki, MI 49958 · (906) 338-2680 · dwelker@up.net 12. North Country Trail Hikers (Chapter) Jan Wester· 352 E. Hewitt Ave., Marquette, MI 49855. (906) 225-1295 Bertie Daly· 126 HC 1, Marquette, MI 49855 · (906) 228-9018 Denise Herron · 423 W. Park St. · Marquette, MI 49855 · (906) 225-1030 · dherron906@aol.com 12. Hiawatha Shore to Shore Chapter Kirt Stage-Harvey· 950 Huron Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781 · (906) 643-6379 · Stahar950@lighthouse.net

LOWER MICHIGAN TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Arlen Matson· 1045 Draca Road Traverse City, MI 49684-8837 · (231) 941-4152 · as3 l 9@tcnet.org Trail Coordinator: Joan Young· 861 W. US-10, Scottville, MI, 49454 ·(231) 757-2205 · jhy@tone.net 14. Harbor Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney· 2385 Manitou Trail, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-9597 · Keeney@freeway.net 15. Tittabawassee Chapter Jerry Allen· 5516 Bensch Road, Alger, MI 48610 · (989) 345-2677 · killingc@m33access.com 16. Grand Traverse Hiking Club (Chapter) John Heiam · 3947 Havenhill Lane, Williamsburg, MI 49690 · johnheiam@aol.com

17. Spirit of the Woods Chapter Richard Krieger · 364 First Street #2, Manistee, MI 49660 · (231) 398-9193 · mdkrieger@jackpine.com 18. Western Michigan Chapter Werner Veit · 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 · (616) 897-5987 · wv12@aol.com 19. Chief Noonday Chapter Tom Garnett· 1715 Glendale Blvd, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 · (616) 382-2561 · garnettt@triniry-health.org 20. Baw Beese Chapter Richard Saur· P.O. Box 673, Hillsdale, MI 49242. (517) 437-5033

OHIO TRAIL COUNCIL Chair: Garry S. Dill Jr. · 4070 TradersvilleBrighton Road, London, OH 43140 · (937) 8342891 vetfarm@starband.net Trall Coordinator: Jim Sprague · 4406 Maplecrest, Parma, OH 44134 · (440) 884-4757 21. NW Ohio Rall-to-Trails Assoc. (Partner) Gene Markley· P.O. Box 234, Delta, OH 43515 · (800) 951-4788 · norta@hotsheet.com 22. Buckeye Trail Association Garry Dill · 4070 Tradersville-Brighton Rd., London, OH 43140 · (937) 834-2891 · vetfarm@starband.net 23. Great Trail Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter Brad Bosley· 1210 Pancake-Clarkston Rd., Nefley, OH 44441 · (330) 227-2432

PENNSYLVANIA TRAIL COUNCIL Chair and Trail Coordinator: Bob Tait · 380 West Park Road, Portersville, PA 16051 · (724) 368-3709 · bobtait@zbzboom.net

24. Wampum Chapter

Paul Henry· 469 Superior Sr., Hermitage, PA. 16148. (724) 347-3281 25. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter Michael Kaizar · 933 Norfolk St., Pittsburgh, PA

15217 · (412) 321-0842 · mike@greenmarkerplac e.com

Monthly, Weekend Hikes Underway in Ohio Along NCT

25. Rock Chapter

Robert McCafferty · 141 South Main St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 · (724) 738-0060 26. Butler Chapter

Ron Rice· 111 Ash Stop Rd., Evans City, PA 16033 · (724) 538-8475 · Ricel@nauricom.net 27. Clarion Chapter

Caroline Lundberg-Schroeder · Rose and 30 Craig Street, Brookville, PA, 15825 · (814) 8493459 28. American Youth Hostels-Pittsburgh Council

Bob Roth· 80 Rose Leaf Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220. (412) 279-6219

NEW YORK TRAIL COUNCIL Chair and Trail Coordinator: Howard Beye ·

202 Colebourne Road, Rochester, NY 14609 · (585) 288-7191 · fltc@fronriernet.net 29. Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Irene Szabo · 6939 Creek Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510-9638 · (585) 658-4321 · creeweenie@aol.com 30. Onondaga Chapter, ADK

Mary Coffin · 328 Deepsrings Dr., Chittenango, NY 13037 · (315) 687-3589 · Mccoffin721@worl dnet.att.net 31. Central New York Chapter

Al Larmann · 7169 Forbes Road, Canastota, NY 13032-9999 · (315) 697-3387 · larmann@worldnet.att.net

im Runk, a member of the

Board of Trustees of the uckeye Trail Association, has begun leading a series of hikes on the 250 miles of North Country Trail in Ohio that are not part of the Buckeye Trail. He and his volunteers are also blazing the trail as needed as they hike along. Three weekend hikes were to have been completed by now in Fulton County, on the Wabash Cannonball Trail and near Wauseon and Colton, Ohio and near Napoleon, Ohio. The hikes will continue for the next seven months. To participate, call Jim at (937) 289-2481. The BTA website, www.buckeyetrail.org, also carries information on dates and locations. If all goes well, The North Star will get regular reports from the weekend outings beginning with the July-September issue. While much of the North Country National Scenic Trail follows the Buckeye Trail, there are a number of stretches, notably in the Wayne National Forest, in the southeastern part of the state, which lie outside the Buckeye Trail corridor.

Award for Trail Excellence

NATIONALPARKSERVICE Tom Gilbert, Superintendent Fred Szarka, Trail Manager Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist National Park Service 700 Rayovac Drive Suite 100 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 tom_gilberc@nps.gov fredrick_szarka@nps.gov ken_howell@nps.gov

Alex Gonzalez has won the Finger Lakes Trail Conference's Clar-Willis Award, given yearly for excellence and dedication to trail stewardship. He maintains a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, which also lies along the North Country National Scenic Trail. It's located south of Dryden, NY, along the border between Tompkins and Cortland Counties. His stretch has drawn particular praise from Joan Young, a member of the North Country Trail Association's Board of Directors, and one of the Association's most accomplished long distance hikers. She particularly noted Alex' special help to hikers like the rope railing on steep stretches and tidy rock borders to define the path in difficult places. --Finger Lakes Trail Conference News

........,.. Buckeye Trail

Ohio Barn Raising The Buckeye Trail Association, an NCTA affiliate, has acquired a lease on a century-old barn located on the south shore of Lake Tappan in Harrison County, southeast of New Philadelphia, for use as a field office, meeting place, dormitory and recreation area. There are also plans for an outside tenting area. The lease includes access and beach rights. The association also hopes to build a dock. A series of fund-raisers and a request for donations from members will pay for needed repairs and renovations. For questions or offers to participate e-mail Rick Adamson at radamson@earthlink.net --Rick Adamson in The Trailblazer

Check Out Finger Lakes at www.fingerlakes .org The Finger Lakes Trail Conference opened its new website March 1 and invites hikers to check it out at: www.fing erlakestrail.org. About half of the 800-mile Finger Lakes Trail in New York State is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Not online? The Finger Lakes folks say they'll be glad to hear from you if you telephone (585) 658-9320. April-June

2003

*The North Star

Our Labor Worth Over Half Million During Last Year

Mary Kunzler-Larmann from Central New York led all the Association members in volunteer hours during 2002.

A Record Number of Hours Reportedon Behalfof Trail ary Kunzler-Larmann of Central New York, who more often than not heads out to the boonies by herself according to Al Larmann, the chapter President and himself no slouch when it comes to trail work, was the grand champion among those reporting volunteer hours during 2002. Mary was credited with an astounding 906 hours of work on behalf of the North Country National Scenic Trail, including difficult tasks like planning drainage structures as well as the more common maintenance chores so necessary to Mary Kunzler-1.armann keep the trail in tip-top Ron Rice shape. Al Larmann Thanks in large John Leinen part to Mary and husRichard Sau band, Al, who reported 767 hours, Central New York led all 24 chapters of the North Country Trail Association in the average number of hours per capita. The chapter's 129 members contributed nearly 3,700 hours to the trail during the year, just ahead of the tiny Peter Wolfe and Hiawatha Shore-toShore chapters of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on an average hours per member basis. With its indefatigable President, Doug Welker, leading the way, the 25-member Peter Wolfe chapter reported 26.6 average hours per member and Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore, led by Marilyn Chadwick's 169 hours, averaged 24.4 hours per member. The individuals with the most hours, besides Doug and the Larmanns, were a familiar bunch, most of whom labor long and diligently year after year: Ron Rice, Butler, 855; John Leinen, Star of the North, 742; Rich Saur, Baw Beese, 655, and Joan Young, Spirit of the Woods, 604. The chapter with the most total hours, Western Michigan with 3938, is also our largest chapter with 329 members, 63 of whom performed at least some volunteer work during the year. That 19 percent participation is better than average but still well below Central New York, which seemed to lead in everything. Of its 129 members, 45 or 35 percent reported volunteer hours during 2002. These results do not include the hours reported by the North Country Trail Association's affiliates, most notably the Finger Lakes Trail Conference which habitually reports more than 8,000 hours of work on the North Country Trail. For the Buckeye Trail Association, Garry Dill, Herbert Hulls, Suzanne Hulls and Jim Sprague were significant contributors to work on

The Big Five In 2002

·as·· Th~ ·N~rt·h· ·st~~-·*· "A~·;ii~ j~~~- -~~~;·· · ·

the North Country Trail during the year. Besides the hours donated by chapter and affiliate members to the North Country Trail 33 at large members contributed another 1,439 hours. Non-members and organizations like the Sierra Club and Boy Scouts were other important contributors. The result was a total of 35,000 hours reported by high volunteers on behalf of the North Country Trail, an all-time report by nearly 10,000 hours. The National Park Service values each hour as worth $16.05 for purposes of Challenge Cost Share calculations. That would make our labor worth $561,750. That's probably conservative. Even Central NY's Larmann, one of the Association's most diligent record keepers, acknowledges that volunteer hours consistently are under reported. That's unfortunate because the volunteer hours we are able to show make a significant impact on our relationships with government and the public. As our executive director, Bob Papp, says: "Keep those reports coming ... folks."

How NCTA ChaptersStacked Up Number of Members

S irit of the Woods ltasca-Moralne

Beaver

Total Chapters

Average Per Member

26.6

21.1

1563

18.8

367

14.7

433

6.2

210

5.8

526

107

4.9

3.6

21,771

1,928

11.3

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

INDIVIDUALS $500 or MORE

$250 to $499

LeRoy Bliven Dave & Jan Cornell Garrett Dill David & Carol Dixen Cecil & Joanne Dobbins Richard Harris Brett & Lynn Harris John & Pat Leinen William and Donna Menke Harmon Strong Irene Szabo Bob Tait Werner & Marianne Veit Gaylord Yost

Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge James Mackey Robert Norlin Linda O'Donnel Timothy O'Rourke Bob & Annette Papp Raymond & Elaine Papp Joseph Raught Janette Sweasy Daryl Williamson

$100 to $249

David & Jean Adams Alan & LouAdsmond Pat Allen & Mark Miller Jerry Connie Pausits-Allen John & Edith Allen/Maynard Kirsten Anderson Daniel & Constance Arnold Francis Azur Frank Ballo Michael Bard Len & joAnne Baron Jason Beam Richard Beil & Dana Burkley Lewis & Mary Bender Howard Beye Steven Biskie Bert Bleke Derek Blount Richard Boettner Patrick Bradley Terry & Diane Brant Brian & Barb Buchanan William Buell Carolyn Butcher James Byrne Jay & Mary Campbell Frances & Steve Cheyne Chang Choi Bill & Mary Coffin Pearl Compann Eugene Conte Dan Converse john Conway Robert Davis Dale DeGirolamo Claire Dedow Patrick Delaney William Dixon Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Kobylinski Dixon Dennis Donachen Cathy Drexler Terry Duncan Kathleen Eisele William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas John Fenner Jeff Fleming Sue Funk & Wood Kidner John Gall Tom & Janis Gilberr Marc Gilbert George Girod Daniel Gold Jim Gratz Harry Gubbins Paul & Julie Nieding Haan Chuck Hayden

Shelby Haynes Paul & Jerry Henry Denise Herron Bobbie Hineline Carolyn Hoffman Tom Hord Keirh & Karherine Horngren Joe Hyrman Gerald Johnson Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek John Kallman Hans Kappus Brooks & Margie Kindel Stephen Kobylarz John Koschik Robert LaFrenierre Kurt Landauer Raoul & Jan LePage Philip Lenko Christopher & Margo Light John & Marianne Ludwick William Lynch Angus MacDonald Rod MacRae Cynthia Maczuga Charles McKay Roger & Glory Meyer John & Diana Meyer Pat & Kathleen Miller Laura Miller Mark Misuik Larry Mulder John Norlund Patricia Norman Martin O'Toole Peter & Susan Ordway Wayne & Laura Pennington Harold Petrimoulx Thomas Pflueger Aaron & Sharon Phipps Thomas & Diane Piquet Thomas Prieto William & Avis Rambo P. S. Reichelderfer Michael Robinson Dan Regalia Michael & Erica SanDrettO Edward Scanlan Mike Schaeffer & Debby Page Lynne Scheer Merl & Patricia Schlaack Peter Schmitz Richard Schwaab Richard Seabold Stephen Selden Joseph Smith James Sprague Kevin Staunton

Carol Stetrer Rolf Swanson David Swanson Beery Tableman John & Mary Lou Tanton David Tartan William Thomas jerry & Beth Trout Donna Turrie RogerTuuk Betry Van der Smissen Gail VanHaren Jeffrey & Nancy VanWinkle John & Diane VanderVeen Steve Vear Michael & Diane Veen Bob & Barbara Vos Gary Werner

$'250 to $999 General Motors Follndatio.n Princeton,NJ08543 Mead Corpo,a:a'ti9n , Dayton, OH 45463

$150 to $249 Adirondack Mountain Club Onondaga Chapter 304 Windsor Dr., Dewitt, NY 13214 Bill Prall Touring Gear 108 E. Third Sr., Barl;){i~Springs, MI 49740 231-52622594

Butler Outdoor Club P.O. Box 243, Butler, PA J6003 (253)395-3780 "))'.\'

Campmor Inc. 28 Parkway Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 (253)395-3780

Dental Associates of Marquette 708 Chippewa Square, Marquette; MI 49855 (253) 395-3780

, Steelca!le Foundatiop P.O. Box 1967,Grand'Rapiqs/Ml. (253) 395-3780

Down Wlntl Sports ~uth, Inc.

se.

514 N. Third Marquetre,.Ml4985~ (253) 395-3780

The Outfitter

Lee's Sports and Sportswear .311 Kilgo~e St.,Porcage, MI 49002 (253)395:3780 " 路.'.~i

Michigan Mountain Bike Association 511,9 Highland Rd., Waterford, Ml 48327 . (253)395-3780

"Includes cumulative gifts, membership contributions and grants receivedbetween March 1, 2002 and February 28, 2003 . ...................................

April-June

2003

*The North Star

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

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

Grand Rapids, Ml Permit 340