North Star Vol. 24, No/ 2 (2005) by NCTA Staff

Beaches, Forests and Amber Ale Petoskey is a Great Place to Visit 've spent a good deal of outdoor time in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula so I can maintain confidently that our members will enjoy coming to Petoskey in August for our 25th anniversary conference. When it comes to walking-you can't call what I do hiking without much stretch of the imagination-the area has two of my favorite places to stretch my now arthritic legs. First and foremost is the Jordan River Pathway, the place where I first encountered the North Country Trail (NCT) more than 15 years ago. What a great experience that was ... dropping down from Deadman's Hill through forest and meadow, at that time punctuated by wild mushrooms-I stick to the code of mushroomers and won't tell what kind or exactly where-to the valley of the Jordan. If you're so inclined, you can visit the pathway on two hikes during the conference. If you do, thank the Tittabawassee Chapter for its splendid work there. The trail was originally built by the State of Michigan but much of it is now part of the NCT and gets the attention it deserves. My other favorite is Wilderness State Park, where our Harbor Springs Chapter maintains the NCT. For sheer variety, rugged and sandy beaches, towering dunes, teeming wetlands and northern forest the Park has few equals in Michigan. As you will see in the article on the hike descriptions, there's an opportunity to spend nearly a whole day in the Park. It will be worth it. If you see me there, come and say hello. If not, you may find me on a bar stool in the City Park Grill in downtown Petoskey sampling Manitou Amber, brewed in Traverse City, home of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club, the third host chapter of the conference. As loyal readers of Editor's Note are aware, one of this column's missions is to conduct serious research into the merits of the various refreshment locations along the trail. The NCT follows the shoreline

WERNER VEIT

of Little Traverse Bay, within hollering distance of the City Park Grill. The NCT also goes through the campus of conference headquarters at North Central Michigan College, but to my knowledge little is on tap there besides root beer. If Manitou Amber is not to your liking, you might sample the various foamies produced by the Bell breweries in Kalamazoo, Mich., within the bailiwick of our Chief Noonday Chapter, which is always well represented at our conferences. While I cannot imagine that the meals offered to us at the college will be less than splendid, I do want to tip you off to a most unusual establishment for the North Country. Though closer to the Gulf of Milwaukee than the Gulf of Mexico, the neighborhood boasts a restaurant notorious for its monumental meals of shrimp. Boiled, deep fried, steamed-whatever-they come on endless platters borne by patient waitresses who will trudge back and forth from the kitchen to your table as long as you show any sign you can still eat. The cole slaw is no slouch either. The venue is called the Argonne Supper Club and may be found by worldclass gluttons or those willing and able to hike off the calories on the Boyne CityMammie Hutchful,

Charlevoix Road, off US-31 just north of the city of Charlevoix (or a bit south of Petoskey). Those of you less concerned with your appetite and willing to undergo more expensive entertainment could venture into Victories Casino to thread your route around 850 slot machines and various table games, but surely hikers don't gamble, or do they? No, they are more likely to bet on a sure thing and make do with all the tours and hikes and outings described on our conference pages. But you have to register. The form is on page 29.

â&#x20AC;˘ Let me introduce you to Mammie (accent on the last syllable) Hutchful, our newest cartography intern, who hails from Ghana in West Africa. Mammie, a senior at Calvin College, which sends out some outstanding geography students, will be graduating this summer (and leaving us), then seeking a master's degree in urban planning before returning to Ghana. Urban planning is virtually nonexistent in Ghana and she hopes to change all that when she gets home. She is one of quite a family of scholars: her two brothers are also at Calvin College. Mammie enjoys working at NCTA. She says the people are friendly and the work is challenging. It is good experience for her since it had been a couple of years since she last used GIS. Some day she hopes to get out and hike the trail so she can see what our work here is supporting.

our latest geography intern

A Glance Inside

*~coUNTJ?y. ~ •ASSOCIATION•

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

NCTA Staff Rob Corbett, Executive Director Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator Bonnie Wayman, Office Manager Bill Menke, Trail Foreman Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator Allison Barr, Bookkeeper Sherry Staal, Office Assistant Matt Rowbotham, GIS Assistant

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2005 Howard Beye, New York Rep., (585)288-7191

· flrc@frontiernet.net

202 Coleboume Road, Rochester,

NY 14609

Hikes at this year's annual conference in Petoskey, Mich. promise to offer some exciting vistas. Don't forget to bring your camera! For information on registering for this year's conference, see page 29.

Derek Blount, At Large Rep., (248)548-1737

· djblounr@sbcglobal.net

906 N Alexander,

Royal Oak, MI 48067

Helen Coyne, At Large Rep., (724)776-0678

· hbcoyne@zbzoom.net

212 Willow Circle, Cranberry

Twp., PA 16066

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

· cahoffarrh@hormail.com

435 Fifrh Avenue NE, Valley City, ND 58072

Mary Lucas, Secretary, At Large Rep. (715)362-0616

· dsmlucas@newnorrh.com

753 West Davenport,

Rhinelander,

WI 54501

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

· jgbaldwin@earrhlink.com

6163 Taylors Grove, Richland, MI 49083

Departments

Articles Scouting Trail in Minnesota Maps, Maps, and More Maps Board Elections Sea-to-Sea Hiker on NCT Annual Conference Time Schedule Registration Form NCTA Award Nominations

9 12 18 16 20 28 29 30

Sarah Julien, At Large Rep., (616)676-0172 1650 Tammarron,

· juliensarah@yahoo.com S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Christopher Klein, Minnesota Rep., (218) 738-3988 · kleinll@midwesrinfo.com P.O. Box 62, Eagle Bend, MN 56446

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

· AFLarmann@msn.com

7169 Forbes Rd., Canastota, NY 13032

Terms Expiring 2007 Lyle Bialk Michigan Rep., (810)679-2401

Columns Editor's Note Trail Head View from Madison View from Lowell Reaching for the Gold

2 4 6 7 15

Milestones Hiking Shorts Hiking Calendar. Trail Shop Who's Who at the NCTA Trail Supporters

!?'

5 14 19 31 36 38

Election Time!

Vote now for your Board of Directors. Official Ballot on Page 19.

· lylebailk@sbcglobal.net

54 Wells Sr., Croswell, MI 48422

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

· gboesel@hocking.net

863 Northbridge Lane, Columbus, OH 43235

Mikel Classen, Great Lakes Rep., (906)494-2458

. classen@jamadots.com

P.O. Box 249, Grand Marais, MI 49839

About the Cover Petoskey, Michigan, is known for its spectacular sunsets. This year it will be the site of the NCTA annual conference. Photo courtesy of the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce.

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

· bkoepplin@kwh.com

230 15th St. NE, Valley Ciry, ND 58072

John Leinen, President, At Large, (651)433-4456

· parleinen@msn.com

14205 St. Croix Trail, North Stillwater, MN 55082

Bert Nemcik, Pennsylvania Rep., (814)927-8303

· bnemcik@cornellcompanies.com

HC 2, Box 62A Duhring Rd., Marienville,

PA 16239

Irene Szabo, VP East, At Large Rep., (585)658-4321

· rreeweenie@aol.com

6939 Creek Rd., Mr. Morris, NY 14510

The North Star Staff: Werner Veit, Editor Irene Szabo, Associate Editor Jennifer Tripp, Associate Editor Roger Meyer, Contributing Editor Joan Young, Contributing Editor Aaron Phipps, Art Director

The North Star, Winter Issue, Vol. XXIV, Issue 2, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 50l(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

April-June

2005

The

North

Star

Membership is the Backbone of Our LobbyingEffort

s you read this, I know spring is just around the corner and some of you have already made trips to the trail to scout required maintenance accumulatedafter winter's slumber. But I write this with January just coming to a closeand I'm still deep within winter's reflectiveperiod. This is the deep winter time you might spend poring over maps hunting for the perfect trail route, minimizing the need for benching, and keeping the route interestingand exciting. However, winter doesn't slow things around here much so I've been very busy keeping up with all the activities undertaken by the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). By the time you read this we are likely to have our new Director of Trail Management and our new Development Communications Coordinator hired and possiblyalready at work at their new jobs. Both positions will be of great help furthering the effectiveness of the NCTA in building, maintaining and promoting our wonderful trail. A major issue of concern for all of the NCTA and of particular interest to Minnesotans is the Congressional Action needed to change at last the authorized route of the trail in Minnesota, necessaryif the route is to be north along the Superior Hiking Trail, across the Boundary Waters on the Border Route Trail and the KekekabicTrail and on to Ely and to existing North Country Trail (NCT) in Chippewa National Forest. This final step in this 17-yearlong process will change the official route for 60 percent of the trail in Minnesota. This Congressional action was the focus of the NCTA's lobbying effort as we took part in the American Hiking Society's"Hike the Hill" at the end of February. In addition to this action, we lobbied to achieve growth in the National Park Service'sbudget for the NCT. With the current atmosphere of budget cuts, maybe the best we can hope for is to maintain the trail's current funding level. Our membership provides us with great tools to leverageour agenda with those we visit in Congress. The rapid growth of our membership speaks vol-

4 .... The

North Star

·····Aprii~ Jun~

JOHN LEINEN President

umes on the public's support for the trail. A quick look at page 5 in the last North Star will show you a list of 230 members who together contributed $23,300 to the organization. These public officials recognize the generosity of our members' contributions to the organization. Page 11 of the same North Star illustrates another way our membership helps us lobby effectively: Most Members Recruited, Partner Support, Fastest Growing Chapters, Volunteers on the Trail. This last category really helps "sell" the depth of our public commitment to this project, members so committed to the cause they give up their free time to our mission and trail. Over that three-month period there were 12 members who together contributed a total of 2,658 hours to the effort of establishing/maintaining our trail. They averagedover 220 hours each, more than the equivalent of five and one half 40-hour workweeks!Thank you so much for the contribution of your precious time. Your efforts combined with all of the hours recorded by members and nonmembers alike at the federally allowed rate per hour equivalent is added to the sum total in dollars contributed by the membership of the NCTA. Those twelve members, for instance, contributed almost $50,000 worth of volunteer effort in one quarter! When you add it all up, our membership contributes significantly MORE than the federal government does each year to further this trail. Your dedication to our trail and the means by which you demonstrate it make it extremely difficult for one of our Senators or Congressmen to look us constituents in the eye and tell us they support a cut in funding for the trail. So, thanks to all our membership for allowing us to lobby with such an 2005

effectiveand compelling package. And special thanks to those who record and send in their volunteer hours: the difference you make here is huge. Meanwhile, those who don't report their volunteer hours deny us the influential power of their obvious commitment during our annual lobbying efforts. I'd now like to announce our new effort to follow and influence the legislative process in each of our seven state governments. If we are ever going to finish the N CT we need to get better at affecting what takes place in these seven state houses, too. Each state legislature deals with countless matters that pertain to the trail and our ability to enjoy it. By forming a statewide legislativecommittee in each of the seven states, we can learn the process and be effectivethere. We will learn of new sources of funding and will be able to alert state members to action when contemplated OHV legislation or other pressing issues threaten our trail. Board member Al Larmann of New York has agreed to take over as chair of the LegislativeCommittee and to begin the process that will lead to a statewide legislativecommittee in each state. There may already be an existing alliance of like-minded organizations at work with these state legislaturesthat we can join and increase the rate at which we can be effectivethere. Now is the time to begin to work effectively within each state to complete the trail. Thanks to Al for agreeing to take on this huge project for us. If anyone is willing to be part of a legislativecommittee in your state, please contact our Lowell office and you will be contacted by the LegislativeCommittee as they get this program going. Trail work is not limited to backbreaking grubbing out toe-trippers or side hill benching. Writing letters, making phone calls and sending email to your state officials is just as helpful and important. Scheduling a meeting with a public official at their office to discuss, one on one, how their support can make a difference for the trail can have a huge impact. Join with us now and help do this work in support of the NCT!

2004 Renewal Rates

MILESTONES

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

These are the Chapters with the highest rates of membership renewals for last year. Congratulations! Itasca Moraine 100% Peter Wolfe 100% Harbor Springs 86% Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore 85% Spirit of the Woods 85% Brule-St.Croix 84% Grand Traverse 84% Chequamegon 82% Butler County 77% Allegheny National Forest 75% NCT Hikers 75% Western Michigan 74% Chief Noonday 73% Central New York 73% Heritage 73%

··?·· .. ·...,,..-~.- - -

Along the ,tAort Co,~ntry Trail 1~

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 have not be certified for a variety of reasons.

State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania New York Totals

Percent Done and Certified

Miles Certified

Change Since Last Issue

Other Off-Road Miles

Total Off Road Miles

Marked Road Miles

46.1% 28.4% 54% 54.2% 30.2% 47.5% 41.5% 42.5%

219.1 106.6 107.9 623.1 317.5 126 259.6 1759.8

10 5.1 0 1.4 -2.2 0 -0.2 14.1

1.8 3.4 2.0 128.7 39.6 44.6 86.8 306.9

220.9 110.0 109.9 751.8 357.1 170.6 346.4 2,066.7

0 0 4.9 8.7 0 4.9 0 18.5

······-··············

------------·--····························

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

State North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania N~w ):'..QJJ< Other Totals

Current Members

Members Last Issue

65 256 277 1,528 376 329 350 184 3,365

64 247 ----276 1,472 372

3,252 ---

Change Since Last Quarter

-1 -9 -...1 -56 -4 -5 - 3 -24 -113

Percent Change

-1.5% -3.5% -0~% -3.7% ~ -1.5% -3.7% -13.0%

Fastest Growing Chapters

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

Highest percentage growth among our chapters since the last issue:

3 2 2 2 2

North Dakota Sandhills Adams County Ohio Valley Grand Traverse Chequamegon Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore

Finger Lakes Trail Conference .. 156 Buckeye Trail Association 99 Superior Hiking Trail Assoc 65 Kekekabic Trail Club 10 NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Assoc 9 Parks & Trails Council of Minn 1

Volunteers on the Trail Thanks to the following volunteers who have reported the most hours during the fourth quarter of 2004:

Recruiting Members

Arlen Matson Raymond Bell Clayton Brennan John Heiam John & Pat Leinen

Partner Support We work closely with several organizations where the NCT coincides with other trails. Many members generously support both the NCTA and these regional partners. Here is what we show for overlapping members:

28% 8% 6% 3% 2% 2%

John Leinen Irene Szabo Jerry Trout.. Dave Cornell Al Larmann Carter Hedeen Werner Veit Richard Kroener Garry Dill Mary Kunzler Larmann

April-June

2005

279 214 206 198 187

153 147 127

116 105

The North Star

Leading by Example ~VIEW FROM

received a memorandum from the NPS Midwest Regional Office the other day. The tide was, "Park Management-Off-road Use of Motor Vehicles." The memo expressed the concern of regional managers of the Park Service that they have noticed, in recent years, an increasing level of off-road driving of motorized vehicles in our national parks "for administrative [management] purposes." Such use is specifically authorized in federal regulations and management policies pertaining to our national parks. However, the concern is that the increasing off-road use of motorized vehicles "for administrative purposes" may not be well justified, that perhaps park staff are using motor vehicles to get to off-road locations merely because it is quicker and easier. Their concern is that visitors to our parks will see NPS staff driving trucks and ATVs or utility vehicles off-road, through the woods and prairies, etc. or see the tracks and flattened vegetation that clearly point to such activity. They are concerned that this conveys a subtle message to our visitors-that such behavior is perfectly acceptable-in contrast to the mission of the Park Service to preserve our park resources unchanged by human activity, to the maximum extent possible. Sure, work needs to be done at off-road locations, but perhaps the site needs to be accessed on foot, and materials and equipment need to be carried in by hand and foot. They conclude by saying, "We must lead by example." We must ensure that our "administrative use" of vehicles off-road passes the "reasonable" test. And, finally, "When there is doubt, or uncertainty, let the principle that has served us well over these many years be your guide-making resource protection the overarching concern." Why do I bring up this matter? Because we-the partners in the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT)-face similar issues in our work to establish and manage the trail. In regard to motorized vehicles, we have the prohibition in section 7(c) of the National Trails System Act: "The use of motorized vehicles by the general

TOM GILBERT NPS Superintendent

public along any national scenic trail shall be prohibited." However, it goes on to say, "Provided, that the Secretary charged with the administration of such trail shall establish regulations which shall authorize the use of motorized vehicles when, in his judgment, such vehicles are necessary to meet emergencies or to enable adjacent landowners or land users to have reasonable access to their lands or timber rights." We have never issued regulations for this exception, but we addressed the matter in the 1982 "Comprehensive Plan for Management and Use:" "Use of motorized vehicles on or across the trail by the following parties for the specified purposes shall be permitted unless specifically prohibited by the managing authority's regulations: (a) by responsible authorities responding to emergency situations (forest fires, serious injury to a trail user, etc.), (b) by employees or representatives of the managing authority to perform trail maintenance or other official resource management functions, (c) to enable adjacent landowners or land users to have reasonable access to their lands or timber rights, (d) from time-to-time for any legitimate purpose by private landowners who permit the trail to cross their lands, and (e) by users of established off-road motorized vehicle trails which cross the NCT (only for the purpose of crossing the NCT)." Thus, just as in our traditional national park areas, we have also autho-

rized the off-road use of motorized vehicles "for administrative purposes" on the NCT. Nevertheless, there is sufficient evidence of off-road vehicle use on the NCT "for administrative purposes"-for patrolling, maintenance, resource management, etc.-that I have a similar concern about this matter. Does it invite or enable the public to do the same? Last June, I saw fresh evidence of ATV use on the Superior Hiking Trail to access and extinguish a small forest fire. According to law and our policies, this is perfectly acceptable (an emergency), yet that one use significantly altered the character of that segment of the trail, at least for a season. We probably should never restrict the use of such vehicles on the trail when there is a bona fide emergency, but when the use of a motorized vehicle is merely "quicker and easier," I hope all of us will think twice and ask, "Is this essential?"-even in this time of limited staff and budgets. Our national park areas are the superlatives of our nation's parks, and our National Scenic Trails are the superlatives among our nation's trails. People take notice of what we do and how we do it. Consequently, in all that we do on the North Country Trail, let us "lead by example." This motto has application to so many of the areas in which we work. Our volunteers-our most valuable resource-should have the best training, including how to work safely. They should have and use all appropriate safety equipment. Our communications about the trail with public officials, citizens, and landowners should be professional, transparent, and courteous, and exhibit sensitivity to their concerns. And, most obviously, our work to lay out and design the trail, build and maintain it, and sign it should be an outstanding model for others to follow.

"Our national park areas are the superlatives of our nation's parks, and our National Scenic Trails are the superlatives among our nation's trails. People take notice of what we do and how we do it. "

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

SENATORS Name

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

Party

State

Fax Number

D D R R R R D D D D D R D D

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

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

Party

State

Fax Number

R R D R R R R R R R R R D R R R R R R R R R R R D

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

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

REPRESENTATIVES Name

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

D D

D R R R R D

Volunteer Trail Work Can Mean Advocacy Work Too

ereat Headquarters we can tell spring is just around the corner becausethe ROB CORBETT number of calls and Executive Director emails is increasing as everyonestarts to think about what needs to get done when the snow disappears. This is an exciting time of year because as everyonegears up for work days and public events,we often get to hear about your machinations and help you make them real! This is a special year. In 1980 an act of Congress set forth the vision of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) and issued the challenge to you and me to make the trail a reality on the ground. For 25 years, countless people have put their brains, muscles and most of all, their spirits to work to make the dream come true. In just 25 years we've completed 2,045 off road miles with 1,755.5miles of that number NPS Certified! Last year, our National Park Service (NPS) budget for the trail, covering both the NPS office in Madison and the federal funds handed down to the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) as the primary trail building partner, totaled just $611,000. With those funds, our volunteers, chapters and affiliates leveragedan additional $932,962 dollars in volunteer labor hours and cash contributions to the trail effort. In a time when fiscal budget constraints cry out for efficiencyand thrift, we can proudly point to our public/private partnership as a model to follow! Here at Headquarters we are wrapping up the hiring process for our new Development and Communications Coordinator and filling the vacant Director of Trail Management slot. By the time the thaw is done, both positions will be going full bore to make our goal of more trail on the ground a tangible reality. Even so, our staff can't keep up with the interest along the trail. With the much anticipated completion of the Arrowhead Route Adjustment in Minnesota, the floodgates will be open. To meet the needs of the trail we need to get our Regional Trail Coordinator positions on the ground in the west (WI, MN, ND) and east (OH, PA, NY) and fill the budget needs for signage, construction projects and NPS technical support for this ever expanding trail of ours. To do this we've asked Congress for a $204,500 increase to base funding for the trail. If granted, it's a sure bet we'll leveragean ever expanding share of volunteer hours and private contributions to the trail. If it is not granted we are likely to see a widening gap between the things we need to do and the resourceswe have to do them with. If there is one way you as a member of NCTA can help the trail, it would be to remind your Senators and Representativethat you value the trail, and want them to support our efforts to put it on the ground in your state. Our elected Representativesand Senators are most likely to

VIEW FROM C1速~[1fs

-A-~-~ii~j~~~ .. -~~~; --.--rh~----N~~t_h st~~ i

continue offering their support to our effort when they know that their constituents are aware of their actions and appreciate what they've done for the trail to date. So, to help us keep their strong support as we enter this year's budget cycle, please consider sending a note of thanks to your elected representatives if you see them on the list. • Remind them that every year we use federal dollars to leverage robust support in the form of volunteer labor and cash contributions to the trail, making the NCNST a model for efficient public/private partnership. • Ask them to support legislation to make the Minnesota Route Adjustment a reality by adding 400+ miles of premier hiking trail to the NCNST. • Remind them that growing obesity rates threaten the health of our constituents and the cost of their health care. The NCNST inspires our citizens to be more physically active, by drawing attention to hiking opportunities and providing outstanding experiences of a national caliber. • Ask them to support our request for an increase of $204,500 to base funding in the FY2006 budget

North Country Trail Association volunteers and staff met with Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan during "Hike the Hill." From left to right: Derek Blount, Legislative Coordinator ; Jennifer Tripp, North Star Associate Editor; Senator Debbie Stabenow; Rob Corbett, Executive Director; and Ray Vlasak of Minnesota; Al Larmann of New York not shown. Our delegation talked with Congressional offices about increased funding for the NCT, and support for passage of the Minnesota Route Adjustment (also known as the Arrowhead Reroute).

•

Sponsored by Name (Please Print)

Daytime Phone (Area Code First, Extension at End)

Address

City

State

Skills to Volunteer

E-mail Address

1-1

I I ZIP

1-1

Preparing for Spring

0 D

{) o a

Quit 1111os

Members ofMinnesota's Itasca Moraine Chapter scout for new trail routes

~West

Q Editor's Note: Laying out a great trail is an art, a source of satisfaction and a challenge for the volunteers of the North Country Trail Association, who have been responsible for laying out and constructing much of the North Country Scenic Trail. The following account reports on a typical day in the field this winter, scouting a route. Harvey Tjader Itasca Moraine Chapter

he sun rose into a crisp, clear January sky. Morning temperatures hung close to zero and afternoon highs were not expected to exceed ten degrees, not a bad day for trail scouting: twigs wouldn't snap easily, but plastic flagging wouldn't be too brittle, either. A foot of snow lay on the ground with a hard crust half way down. That crust would prove helpful. It was thin enough to allow our feet to penetrate but thick enough to hold us from slipping backwards on steep slopes. We like scouting in the winter because it's easier to see the lay of the land when trees and shrubs are leafless. "We" are Darin Miller, Carter Heeden and myself, all officers of the Itasca Moraine Chapter in Minnesota. On the Itasca Moraine, we pay more attention to topography than vegetation. The state and county lands we are crossing are managed for timber production, so mature forest is likely to change soon to young forest. Young trees will grow up along the trail if it is located in a recently logged area. Either way, the vegetation will surely change. The topography changes much more slowly.

.•••

8••,:~oad

D \"

" ,, \\ \\

Topography, land ownership patterns, and existing roads and trails are the primary limiting factors in routing the trail through this rugged country. We frequently find places that are too steep for trail location. Sometimes these areas can't be avoided, so we plan switchbacks in the trail. Most of the land in the townships we have crossed is in state or county ownership, so avoiding private lands is not often a problem. However, some lands are designated as trust fund lands, required by the state constitution to be managed for revenue to support public education. A lease to cross trust fund lands will cost the North Country Trail Association more dearly, so we try to avoid them. We try to avoid existing roads and trails as much as possible in order to discourage motorized uses on the North Country Trail and keep the trail as quiet as possible. This area is popular with off-road-motorcyclists and ATV riders. We haven't experienced many problems with motorized incursions onto our trail yet, but it has happened on portions of the trail within the Chippewa National Forest, so avoidance is our policy. Often, due

•

Nelson

: Lake

•• ••• •• • ••• •

to limiting topography and the fact that we are the Johnny-Come-Latelies, the best route already has a road or trail established on it. So far, we have been able to find a suitable alternative route in those situati~ns. Our tools of the trade include USGS quadrangle maps to show topography, aerial photos, and forest type maps to show vegetative cover, a compass, a clinometer to measure slope, a GPS satellite receiver, and flags to mark the route. Before going out, I try to upload a prospective route from a computer mapping program into the GPS to provide a reference while we are scouting. After we agree on a route, we collect GPS data so that it can be easily plotted in the mapping program. I met Darin and Carter at the intersection of Hubbard County Road 91 and the West Lake 21 Forest Road at 9 a.m. Darin got there first and had already shoveled a parking spot for his VW Rabbit. I was thinking we could try driving on the unplowed, gated forest road for a mile to reduce our walking and spend more of our time productively. The padlock on the gate was frozen. I cradled it in my bare hands, trying to thaw it until my fingers stung, to no avail. Darin came over with some scraps of paper to ignite under the lock: some pages from an

old trashed copy of Thoreau's Walden Pond! It did the trick. I picked up the end of the horizontal wooden gate pole and started walking it backwards to its open position. The deep snow, the icy crust, and the weight of the pole conspired against me. I fell backwards with the end of the pole landing right on me. Once I was able to straighten up again, I bent over to pick up the end of the pole. I made it half way before dropping it, but not in my lap this time. One more try, and the gate was open. Carter arrived, apologizing for being late. He hadn't anticipated the icy conditions on the gravel roads. We piled in a four-wheel-drive truck and started up the forest road. The bumpers and undercarriage just barely scraped the top of the snow, so it seemed we might be successful. However, we had several significant hills to climb. Twice, my driving skills and the design of the truck were challenged as we climbed hills that were too steep and the snow too deep. Within sight of the summit, the wheels started to chatter and finally started to spin. Each time, we backed down and gave it a second run. Careful acceleration to gain as much speed as possible without spinning out was the key to success. We arrived at the point that we expected the North Country Trail would cross the forest road. I parked the truck on top of a hill to give us an easy start in the afternoon. Our goal for the day was to flag trail from Nelson Lake in Section 34 of Hendrickson Township (T. 143 N, R. 33 W) to County Road 91, about a mile and a half to the west, as the crow flies. Two small lakes lie to the west of Nelson Lake. A steep hill on the north side of the first lake influenced an unanimous decision to go along the south shore of that one. Previously, we had scouted a location on the south shore of the second lake, which was ruled out due to steep terrain. Darin had walked a route during our previous scouting mission that he thought was worth considering along the south shore of the first lake and then along the north shore of the second lake, coming out to the forest road near where we stopped the truck. We could just make out Darin's footprints,

made prior to the last 8inch snowfall. He led the way and it seemed very feasible, with gentle topography and no great trail building challenges. We hiked along the north edge of the second lake, the south edge of the first lake and almost to Nelson Lake. An old roadbed lies between Nelson and the first lake to the west. We imagined that it dated back to the early logging days, perhaps an ice road used to move logs out onto the ice of Nelson and then to a The trail scouts are, left to right, Carter Hedeen, Vice railroad. It had grown President, Harvey Tjader, Secretary, and Darin Miller, up thick with blackberry brambles. Treasurer of the Itasca Moraine Chapter. Carter had already tussled with brambles on the south Itasca Moraine have steep hills bordershore of the first lake to the west and ing them so you can't get close to them didn't care to venture further towards unless you are a mountain goat. This second lake has steep hills around 3,4 of Nelson. He was sporting several scratches on his chin and cheek. On it, but gentle terrain on the northeast our previous mission to this area, I had quarter, where we proposed to locate scratched my nose on a bramble and it the trail. We discussed the possibility of also locating a campsite on the lake. bled for a half hour. We have agreed not to locate one Our trail routing decisions are on Nelson Lake, because the DNR based on the consensus of those who turn out for the day, but are never administers a fee campground on the really finalized. The route can change east side of it and having a free campright up to the time the trail is built, site on the west side, where the trail skirts the lake, could create conflicts. and possibly even after. We had consensus on using the old ice road, The first lake to the west is too small to consider, but the second lake is a partly because its imagined history was intriguing and partly because it gem. We looked for potential campsite followed a cleavage between two siglocations, but postponed a decision on nificant hills and was probably the only it until we can look at the big picture practical route. and consider campsite spacing along Likewise, following the south the trail. shore of the first lake was a no-brainer In the course of looking for campsite locations along the shore, we because the north shore was too steep. From the ice road near Nelson, we became enticed by the thought of runbacktracked along the south shore of ning the trail along the lakeshore for as the first lake to the area between the far as we could. However, the farther we went along the lake to the west, first and second lakes, flagging and the steeper the climb got as we left the collecting GPS data as we went. Carter shore and headed north. We found wasn't happy with one short steep spot some beautiful spots along the way, in the route between the lakes, so he and a fantastic vista from the base of a looked for a way to mitigate it. We eventually reached the north shore of large, old red pine as we climbed out the second lake. of the lake basin. It was very tempting to abandon Darin's easy route for this Many of the small lakes in the

scenic, but strenuous alternative. We put this decision on hold to go back out to the forest road and examine the alternatives to the north and west and perhaps find a way we could connect back to this magical spot. It was noon and someone proposed lunch, but the intrigue of the next trail location mystery overwhelmed our hunger. Hiking northwest from the road, we immediately met a challenge. We had done some scouting in this direction on our previous trip, and had failed to find a suitable route - too many steep hills. The remaining unscouted alternative lay within a long narrow stand of 5-year-old aspen. The USGS quad showed it to have fairly gentle topography. Getting to it from our intended road crossing point, however, required either climbing a steep hill or sliding down a short cliff. We explored the steep hill option, stopping for a quick lunch when we found a good sitting log. (Leisure leads to chills in this weather, so pauses are brief.) Our lunch was punctuated with a little chatting about the bewildering political and social conditions of the day. This was the only time during the day we took the time to socialize, other than the usual greetings upon meeting in the morning and a brief discussion of 'when to meet next' upon parting at the end of the day. Upon a quick assessment following lunch, we agreed that we could find a route from this point to the west, if we could find a route to this point from the east. We headed back to the south along the west side of a pond surrounded by steep slopes, looking for a feasible route that would take us to the west end of the second lake west of Nelson and then east to our promontory near the old red pine. We failed. Nobody relished the thought of benching a quarter mile of trail traversing a 40 percent slope. At this point, we still hadn't given up on the idea of climbing northward out of the lake basin past the old red pine on 20 percent slopes and crossing the road at our originally planned point. We went back to the road and looked at the short cliff alternative on the north side of the road. It involved a prohibitive 45 percent slope.

my aluminum map book. He waved back. We waited until he caught up. He said he was getting tired. It was 3:30 p.m.; little more than an hour of daylight remained. We followed ridgelines.Just as one seemed like it was going to end, it would connect to another. So we made our sinuous journey to the west. By four o'clock, it looked like we were going to make this work. Carter had been near this point before, hiking from the west, and thought getting here from the west was feasible.He wanted to push on and finish the trek to County Road 91. I was concerned that we hadn't backed up our work (flagging and GPS), and the next snowfall would wipe out everything we'd done. We considered splitting up so we could do both, but finally agreed to double back together over our route, flagging and running GPS as we went. The sun had set by the time we piled into the truck. Driving back out to County Road 91, we encountered only one hill that we failed to climb on the first attempt. Failing to climb a hill on the way out resulted in a bit more anxiety than failing on the way in, but we made it on the second attempt. We agreed to get together again when the weather was suitable and said our farewells.The heater felt good and my body felt comfortably tired. I blinked frequently to remove the cold weather glaze from my eyes and looked forward to getting home.

We hiked further east on the forest road, gaining a little elevation. The topography looked promising to the northwest. To the south, we followed an old skid trail that had grown in fairly well. This looked feasible. The skid trail connected up to the route we had flagged during the morning. It

meant following less of the lakeshore, but seemed to be the only way. Darin hung flags on this route, while Carter and I ventured northwest of the road to scout a route through the young aspen stand. We split up. I followed a skid trail to the west while Carter followed ridge tops. About a quarter mile to the west, as my skid trail started to fade into the aspen sprouts, I looked ahead and realized I needed to gain elevation. I looked back and noticed a ridgeline that looked like it would provide an easy ascent to my goal. I hiked back to a point where the skid trail skirted a low point on the ridge. I climbed onto the ridge and there was Carter. He had stayed on ridges from the point we had split and thought he had a feasibleroute thus far. I told him I thought this ridge looked promising from what I'd seen up ahead. We hiked together, taking our time so that Darin could catch up. We stopped at a high point and looked back. Darin gave an owl hoot from an unseen point in the distance. I hooted back. Soon we saw the blaze orange patches on his shooting vest. I waved

Stay at t1.e liis,toric Davis

Hollow Cabin!

'Thi! stone, fo3 Pnlsfc,te cpf»n WPJ 6uift 6e{ore {he JJ.merican 'R.,evofufion Pnlcurrent§ serves /,/J the 'Penmi/vPnia Sfate .f.ol_ge for North eount"!J 'TrPifJJ.ssocipfion vofunfem anl hik.i"!j refateloufdoor 3roups . .f.ocpfe/in MorPine Sfate 'Parkri3hl on the North eounry 'TrPif!! Facilities include 11 bunk beds, full kitchen, 1-1/2 baths with shower and a great room with fireplace. Tent pads and lean-to shelter are available for hikers on the North Countrq T tail. Make the cabin the site o{ lJOUr next trail-related outing, or reserve a single bunk for lJOurPA hike! ·1.\:

I' '\_\ c' ~ ' . ~!

For information: 1-866-IiikeNCT oremailLindaMatchett i lmatchett®zoomintemet.net Tllis fa.cility is ma.inta.ined bg tbe generous efforts of NCTA ~ Pennsglva.nicl Sta.te Tra.ilCouncil

Maps, Maps, and More Maps! With spring right around the corner, pick up trail maps to plan your hikes Tiffany Stram NCTA GIS Coordinator

here is never a day when the Cartography/GIS department at North Country Trail Association (NCTA) is looking for something to do. Our staff of one full-time GIS Coordinator, a part-time GIS Assistant, and one student intern has projects just waiting for them to work on. Despite having more Cartography/GIS staff than most of the other national trails, we definitely are not lacking in work that needs to be done. Our influence most visible to the majority of our membership is the series of topographic hiking maps sold through the Trail Shop. These maps are primarily the work of our interns who come to us from Calvin College and Grand Valley State University. We have been lucky to have some outstanding interns over the past few years, who have enabled the hiking maps to develop. NCTA began producing its first hiking maps in 1999 with the debut of the 1:24,000-scale (1 inch= 2000 feet or 0.38 miles) map sets. These map sets consisted of three or four double-sided 11" x 17" maps in a plastic bag. Six of these maps were produced covering 306.3 miles of various sections of the North Country Trail. In 2000, the NCTA realized it would take quite some time to map the entire trail at this scale, and began experimenting with a 1:100,000-scale (1 inch = 1.58 miles) map. These maps are not as detailed as the 1 :24,000-scale maps, and are more suited for a long distance hiker. Over the last four and a half years years, NCTA has produced 23 maps covering 1754.2 miles at this scale. All of the trail segments that were

i2 rh-~-- N~-~t_h s_t~-~---*--;\~;ii~j~-~~

covered on the 1:24,000-scale maps are now displayed on a 1:100,000-scale maps. We have decided to discontinue the 1:24,000-scale maps because they became extremely labor intensive to keep up to date and they needed to be upgraded to the newer GIS software that we have. However, once the entire trail has been mapped, we may decide to make 1:24,000-scale maps of the more popular hiking areas. About a year ago, the cartography/ GIS department developed its first map at a 1:63,360-scale (1 inch= 1 mile). This scale was chosen because it is between the previous 1:100,000 and 1:24,000-scale maps. Currently, we have two maps available for trail sections in Ohio that were produced at this scale and we are working on two more maps in North Dakota. Since our ultimate goal is to have maps available for the entire trail, we will continue creating the 1:100,000-scale maps in states that are completely mapped or nearly so (Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin). In the remaining states, we will most likely be producing any new maps at the 1:63,360-scale. All new maps also now have elevation shading, which makes hills and valleys easier to see for those not familiar with reading contour lines. In the future, we would also like to add elevation profiles to the hiking maps. Currently, we have five maps that are being developed in Michigan (Ml01 & Ml-12), Wisconsin (WI-03), and North Dakota (ND-104 & ND-109), but all of these will not be complete by

the time hiking season rolls around. In addition to the hiking maps, the cartography/GIS department works on a number of other projects and also doubles as the computer support department at NCTA headquarters. Due to some recent computer upgrades and fixes, we haven't been able to focus as much time as we would like on finishing off the hiking maps that are in progress. Another exciting project that we are working on is creating a series of online maps that provide basic information to someone not familiar with the NCT. In addition to the trail location, these clickable maps will also provide directions to trailheads. We see these maps as part of a public relations effort to introduce new people to the NCT when they are surfing the web for a place to hike. Watch for a test version of Michigan going online by this hiking season. The cartography/GIS department also offers a number of support services to the local chapters. If you need a map for a chapter brochure, planning, trail work, promotion, etc., we're here to serve you. Nearly all of these services are done at no charge for chapters; however, a nominal fee may apply for multiple map copies and lar~e-format printing. Just give us call!

Save the opposite page as reference for ordering NCTA trail maps. Trail maps can be ordered online at www. northcountrytrail.org or through the Trail Shop on page 31.

An exciting project we are working on is creating a series of online maps that provide basic information to someone not familiar with the NCT. In addition to the trail location, these clickable maps will also provide directions to trailheads. We see these maps as part of a public relations effort to introduce new people to the NCT .. 2005

North Country National Scenic Trail Hiking Maps 109

104

Map Status

C=:J Completed In progress

C=:J

Future Map

WI NEW YORK - 1:100,000-scale NY-04 Rome to Finger Lakes Trail ('01) PENNSYLVANIA - 1:100,000-scale PA-01 Allegheny National Forest ('03) PA-02 Allegheny National Forest to State Game Land 95 ('03) PA-03 State Game Land 95 to PA/OH State Line ('04) OHIO - 1:63,360-scale (1" = 1 mile) OH-101 Pennsylvania/Ohio State Line to Minerva ('04) OH-105 Wayne National Forest: Marietta Unit ('04) MICHIGAN - 1:100,000-scale Ml-02 Marshall to Bowne Township ('02) Ml-03 Bowne Township to M-37 ('01) Ml-04 M-37 to Freesoil Trailhead ('04) Ml-05 Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Road ('03) Ml-06 Cedar Creek Road to Charlevoix County ('03) Ml-07 Charlevoix County to the Mackinac Bridge ('03) Ml-08 Mackinac Bridge to Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway ('03) Ml-09 Curley Lewis Road to Grand Marais ('03) Ml-10 Grand Marais to Au Train Lake ('04) Ml-11 Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls ('03) Ml-13 Alberta to Cascade Falls ('03) Ml-14 Cascade Falls to Ironwood ('04)

Sample of Michigan map Ml-04, it is 1:100,000-scale.

WISCONSIN - 1:100,000-scale Wl-01 Ironwood to Long Mile Lookout ('02) Wl-02 Long Mile Lookout to Solon Springs ('01) MINNESOTA - 1:100,000-scale MN-09 Chippewa National Forest to Paul Bunyan State Forest ('01) MN-10 State Hwy 64 to Many Point Lake ('04) NORTH DAKOTA - 1:100,000-scale ND-SE North Dakota Special Edition ('02) Maps are produced and sold by the North Country Trail Association *Map Status as of March 8, 2005

include sections in Paul Bunyan State Forest, Minnesota (left) and the Baldhill Creek Wildlife Management Area, North Dakota (above).

New Segments, Other Changes Along the Trail l

am pleased to be able to write again about new certified segments for the North Country Trail (NCT). On December 28, we posted new certifications for two new segments and three relocations; this led to a net increase of 9.8 miles. Let's begin with the westernmost segment of the trail in North Dakota. Lake Sakakawea State Park relocated a section of the trail to pass by their new Visitor Center (VC) and added about 0.8 miles of additional trail eastward to the park boundary. This is great news for a number of reasons: the visitor center is an excellent starting place for hiking the trail and by extending the trail to the eastern boundary. We now are closer to a link with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. Congratulations to Lake Sakakawea on the new VC and trail. Next as we proceed eastward, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received certification for an additional ten miles within the Lake Ashtabula project area. Lake Ashtabula provides some really interesting hiking opportunities, with unusual environmental aspects. Much of the trail is across grazing land with far more cattle than hikers. Lake Ashtabula itself is a mecca for waterfowl; when I visited I saw many varieties of ducks and geese, yellow-headed blackbirds, and huge pelicans. Congratulations to Scott Tichy,

GOING FOR

,. ...,.-,,,,,..._~ UC{]8

ÂŠ:9)[10

FRED SZARKA NPS Trail Manager

the Corps of Engineers staff, and the folks of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter for their accomplishments. Moving east to Minnesota, we certified an additional 5.1 miles of new trail in the Paul Bunyan State Forest. This trail was built with the input and cooperation of Mark Carlstrom of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, manager of the forest. However, it was the unceasing efforts of the Itasca Moraine Chapter that actually designed and built the trail and a new campsite on Waboose Lake that is reached by a short spur trail from the NCT. I had the privilege of hiking this segment with the chapter in mid-November and it was really very nice with a mixture of forest types and some harvested areas. What is particularly exciting is the chapter's goal of completing the connection between the Chippewa National Forest and Itasca State Park in time for the 2007 annual conference. The Manistee National Forest and the Western Michigan Chapter relocated trail near Cedar Creek in north-

em Newaygo County and netted 0.2 miles of trail increase as a result. This seems like a small change, bur in fact over two miles of new trail was built that avoided abused rail grade and wet areas. The old section was then abandoned. And in Ohio, the trail grew by a half mile due to relocation, this time at Salt Fork State Wildlife Area. Here the Buckeye Trail Association relocated a section of trail, which was difficult to maintain due to steep terrain, to a wildlife/fire break along a ridge. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources periodically mows the break to keep it open. We had two significant reductions in certified trail. On the Hiawatha National Forest, new GPS data led to two segments being broken into 11 with a net reduction of 4.1 miles because the trail is on open, public roads. The Buckeye Trail Association abandoned a 2.7-mile segment of trail near Zoar, Ohio, because of uncontrolled ATV abuse and flooding. There are segments of perfectly good trail out there that for one reason or another have never been submitted for certification. Sometimes chapters maintain these trail segments for years without completing the process by requesting certification. If your chapter has a section of trail like this, why not personally take on the task of completing the application for certification?

National Park Service to Encourage First Aid and Sawyer Training

he National Park Service(NPS) would like to assistchapters in meeting the safety training required by federal agencies. We will work with North Country Trail Association (NCTA) to provide funds for required sawyersafety training and for first aid, cardio-pulrnonaryresuscitation, and automated external defibrillatortraining (FA/CPR/AED). For the sawyer training, the NPS is working with NCTA and Finger Lakes Trail Conference to organize three courses later in the year. The plan calls for courses in New York and Ohio with an additional one to be located later possiblyin Michigan or Wisconsin. The key factor in choosing a location for sawyer safety training is the current lack of such training availablefrom local land managers that is open to volunteers. The sawyersafety program requires that each employee/volunteer show that they are currently certified in First Aid and CPR, and some land managers also require CPR/AED training and/or Blood Borne Pathogens training in addition to the above safety course. The NPS will give volunteers who are seeking sawyersafety training priority for this training; however, other chapter volunteerswho are willing ro provide First Aid support for chapter activities are also encouraged to take the training. In order to assist with obtaining this training and to provide additional safety coverageto chapters and affiliates, the NPS is setting up a way to reimburse volunteerswho independently obtain this training. For FA/CPR/AED training, we will reimburse two to four volunteers in each chapter (up to 50 total) for obtaining this training locally.The NPS will provide the NCTA with funding to cover the cost of the training through a Challenge Cost Share project that will be managed at NCTA Headquarters. Volunteersshould submit a receipt, copies of their training cards, and a note from the Chapter President or Trail Coordinator attesting to their commitment to be the

HIKING~ "First Aider" on work projects, chapter outings, and events. These documents should be sent to NCTA for reimbursement. Volunteerswho are willing to provide First Aid servicesat chapter activities should contact their local chapter of the American Red Cross to obtain a schedule of courses and fees. Then after completing the training and obtaining the cards, request reimbursement up to $125. The NPS recognizesthat volunteers donate considerabletime and money in support of the trail. We also understand that providing training that is required by federal policy is a good management practice. We hope these opportunities will be embraced by chapters and individuals along the trail. - Fred Szarka

National Trails Day 2005 The American Hiking Society (AHS) has set this year's National Trails Day (NTD) for June 4, 2005. The goal of NTD is to bring greater awarenessto trails, along with their many benefits and pleasures. Whether the event involvesone trail or a variety of activities, NTD is a wonderful opportunity to introduce people to trails. The 2005 NTD theme, "Take the Path to a Healthier You," emphasizes critical health benefits provided by trail-related activities. With the help of health practitioners, NTD events could offer health seminars, blood pressure readings, screenings and more. The possibilitiesfor NTD events are endless!Types of activities most often included in NTD events: trail building or maintenance work, trail opening or dedication, a hike, walk, ride, run or paddle, a trail fair, conference or education program or a sum-

mertime fitness plan, including health screenings and follow-up exams. Visit the AHS's website at www. americanhiking.org to download a free copy of the 2005 Organizer's Manual and to register your chapter's events. By registering with AHS your chapter will receiveNTD updates to keep you informed with the latest information, two NTD posters and a 2'x3' NTD banner and promotion of your organization's event.

Spreading the Word in Central and Eastern New York The North Country Trail Association and the National Park Service held a meeting in mid-January with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) personnel in Albany to get planning underway for the North Country Trail (NCT) within the Adirondack Park. The Central New York Chapter has an active effort underway to increase public awarenessand support for the NCT as we move eastward toward the Adirondack Park. Presentations were made to a meeting attended by a wide cross-section of forestry interests' representatives in Lowville, and additional presentations were made to the Chittenango Lions Club, and the Mohawk-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. In addition, Mary Kunzler-Larrnann has been conferring with both private and public sector folks about the benefits the NCT will bring in the area. Earlier, we had visited with the Tug Hill Land Trust members in Boonville. More meetings to come! In the metro Albany area, there are more than thirty trail enthusiasts listed as the Mohawk-Hudson Advisory Committee, spurred on by the fine work done by Joe Gardner and Ray Bell-possibly a hope for a future chapter. In addition, Don Hazlett and Ray Bell undertook a task to investigate possibiliesfor the future of the NCT in the area. Lastly, Bill Ingersoll has been very active in his advocacy for the NCT with the DEC and others. Local support for the NCT begins with awareness of its purpose and benefits-the work will continue. -Al Larmann

April-June

2005

.•.

Th·~··

North

St~·~· is

Cross-continental hiker Andy Skurka poses by a North Country Trail sign as he makes his way across the 7, 700-mile Sea-to-Sea Route from Quebec to Washington state. He plans to arrive at his destination in August after a year of hiking.

Editor's Note: Andy Skurka has been hiking on the North Country Trail since he entered New York in October. At press time, Andy was leaving Wisconsin; for the latest coverage on his journey go to www.northcountrytrail.org for a link to Andy's website. Kevin O'Brien The Daily Press, Ashland, Wisc.

A ndy Skurka walked into Mellen .r\saturday morning having hiked over 4,300 miles across jagged mountains, frozen plains, snow-covered hills, and secluded forests. The thin, 23-year-old Massachusetts native was dean-shaven and composed, not what you might expect for someone who spent the previous week recovering from a flu bug, traversing the Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and trekking along the windswept shoreline of Lake Superior. And, according to his travel logs, his trip was only half over... or half

started, if you ask him. Skurka is attempting to become the first person in recorded history to hike the entire 7,700-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, a series of trails spanning North America from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean, with just two gaps along the way. He is currently traveling on the North Country Trail that runs from New York to North Dakota. Taking off from Quebec's Cape Gaspe in Forillon National Park last summer, Skurka hopes to reach the end of the cross-continental route at Cape Aiava in Washington's Olympic National Park by August. As he approached the Upper Midwest in January, Skurka said he was bracing himself for a drastic climate change as winter closed in around him. "I had visions of there being ferocious snowstorms and these super, super cold temperatures where I was just going to have to hole up for a couple of days in a town or something like that," he said. "But, it's been a fairly mild winter."

Though he did encounter a few 20 below nights in lower Michigan, Skurka said he never let it slow him down. Skurka is several weeks ahead of schedule, after giving himself an early start Aug. 6 so he would have a buffer in case of injury or other unexpected delay. Before winter hit, Skurka said he wanted to make sure he had already scaled the Katahdin Mountain in Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and Mount Marcy and the Adirondacks in New York. "So, as long as I did those things, I was going to be OK," he said. "I could be anywhere west of there in the . " winter. In addition to starting early and avoiding any pitfalls along the way, Skurka said he has been traveling at a much faster speed than he expected, especially in the flatlands west of New York. "I also thought I would be losing the trail constantly, but the trails are

well-blazed and the forests in Michigan are very, very mature and very open so you can see that next blaze a ways off," he said. One of the main goals of Skurka's expedition is to raise awareness about North America's many hiking trails and the people who donate time maintaining and marking them for hikers. Tana Turonie, chairperson of the North Country Trail Association's Chequamegon Chapter, met with Skurka Saturday to go over trail maps and talk about his experiences so far. A Michigan chapter member contacted Turonie ahead of time to let her know about Skurka's arrival. "The local North Country Trail chapters have been absolutely fantastic," Skurka said. "They've basically been handing me off from one chapter to the next." Every hiking season, from spring to fall, Turonie said the local chapter spends a day working on the trail. "I just hope he has a good time and makes it safely," Turonie said. Skurka said he hopes to "energize" the "' local trail association ~ North ' c; Pacific chapters and local com~ Ocean munity members, as < well as hikers throughout the nation who are looking for a new setting to have an outdoor adventure. "I never would have planned to have spent February in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but it was somewhat rewarding," he said. "There was some really unique things about that, like the shoreline along Lake Superior." Skurka said he was fascinated by the huge chunks of ice washing up along the shore and the icefalls at Pictured Rock National Park- phenomena he would never have seen had he been hiking in the spring or summer. On the other hand, the Trap Hills east of the Porcupine Mountains provided a unique challenge with their steep up-and-down terrain and fourfoot snow drifts he sank into with

every step. "It has certainly made me a better backpacker," he said. "There is not one minute of the day that your skills are not being tested."

Skurka's passion Before embarking on the Sea-ToSea Route, Skurka's longest journey was the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. And two months before he left on this latest journey, he also did the 500-mile Colorado Trail. Skurka said he used those previous excursions to develop his hiking skills and establish a system for picking up mail, restocking supplies, and finding places to stay.

stops somewhere to restock his food and other supplies, but other than those times, he doesn't have much contact with other people. "I enjoy the time by myself," he said, adding that he spends a lot of the time thinking about his next destination or other trip details. While on the trail, Skurka maintains an intense regimen, especially during the winter months when stopping can make him more vulnerable to freezing temperatures. "I get my breaks by taking off a jacket, or taking a picture, or going to the bathroom," he said. "And that's about the only breaks I get. I very, very rarely sit down and say, 'You're getting a l Ovminute break."'

Leaving a legacy

Q_ Q_

Gulf of Mexico

As a child, he would go car camping with his family in New Hampshire, and some of the vivid memories of those experience stuck with him and motivated him to become a full-time hiker. "I've really been helped out increasingly by the number of hours in a day," he said. "Right now, I can put in almost an l l-hour day... 11 and a half hours if the terrain is right." At an average speed of two miles an hour, Skurka travels up to 22 miles a day, stopping every night to start a fire, dig out a 10-by-5 footprint for his tent, and cook his dinner before lying down to sleep. He consumes 400 to 500 calories every two hours to keep his strength up. Every two to five days, Skurka

As he gets closer and closer to his destination, Skurka hopes others will literally follow in his footsteps, even if it isn't for the entire route. "I doubt anyone will ever do the whole coast-to-coast thing North again, because I think Atlantit Ocean that someone who is ambitious enough to consider it will want to do something else," he said. Skurka said the trek most comparable to his own would be Brian Robinson's 2001 Calendar Triple Crown, a 7,300mile hike across the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail. Like many other outdoor adventurers, Skurka wanted to do "something that has a greater element of adventure to it than something that's already been done." After his journey has ended, Skurka hopes to write about his experiences on his home computer and provide some feedback for the North Country Trail Association. "People have been out there working their butts off and trying to get this trail really well-known," he said. "I have not myself gone out on a work crew, so this is the least I can do."

Election Time! It's Time to Vote for the Board of Directors

he North Country Trail Association's (NCTA) nominating committee offers the following candidates as nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the NCTA. This year, one candidate is an incumbent. Alicia Hoffarth currently serves as the North Dakota Representative and Vice President,

West, and she is running for re-election. We also have two candidates for At-Large board positions. This year's nominees include Mary Coffin of New York and Terry Serres of Minnesota; both would be new to the Board. The ballot for voting is reproduced on the opposite page. Please

note that our bylaws treat each membership as a household, and allow only one vote per membership. One new member has already joined the Board, Christopher Klein. Klein was appointed by our President to fill a vacancy on the Minnesota Trail Council. For details, see the article on the next page.

Mary Coffin, New York

as the N.D. Trail Council Representative. Hoffarth's hobbies include hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, and biking. Hoffarth Alicia Hoffarth would like to see more development of outdoor activities in the Valley City area. Hoffarth says, "I wish to serve on the NCTA Board for a variety of reasons. I believe the North Country Trail 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 awarenessof the trail, particularly among young people, to increase involvement, use and support of the trail. North Dakota needs representation on the Board, which will keep everyone within the state updated and resources available."

of Minnesota studying forest ecology. Serres has an assistantship with a professor and extension forester at the University,editing a trail manual for landowners, designing an interpretive trail, and performing other trail-related work. Since 2000, Serres has been active in the Kekekabic Trail Club. He joined the Kekekabic Trail Club board last year, and this is the second year he has coordinated the annual trail-maintenance trips. Serres has hiked more than half of the Superior Hiking Trail, and numerous trails statewide. He enjoys canoe trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico, and volunteered in prairie restoration. "I appreciate being invited to join the leadership of an organization that I admire so much. Belonging to the NCTA's board will unite my passion for the beauty of northern Minnesota with the grand vision of the North Country Trail, which I consider a close-knit family of trails. I will enjoy learning about trail management issues along the extent of our trail, and I am committed to helping guide linkage of trail segments in our state and building relationships with communities in northern Minnesota that will be enriched by the NCT. "I hope through my own activities and by strategic planning on the board to raise awarenessand spread enthusiasm for our trail. And I hope to hike much more of the trail in all seven states, making connections and hearing stories along the way," says Serres.

Mary Coffin has been a thoroughly involved trail volunteer for over 20 years, maintaining and building trail in central New York along the Finger Lakes Trail, working with landowners Mary Coffin and state agencies, and planning and leading hikes. For the Adirondack Mountain Club she has held numerous committee posts, many of which involve organizing major events that hundreds of people have enjoyed. In both her local chapter and on a state-wide organization level, she has served many years as either board member or chair, so her administrative experience is extensive. Even after tending trail since 1982, Mary still attends local NCTAsponsored trail-building workshops to help her create the best possible new pathway as her Adirondack Mountain Club-Onondaga Chapter keeps building the NCT toward its eventual eastend goal.

Alicia Hoffarth, North Dakota Alicia Hoffarth works as the Grant Manager for Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D. She is currently the President of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter of the NCTA and has served on the board since 2003 filling an unexpired term

Terry Serres, Minnesota After careers in magazine publishing in New York City and marketing for a software education company in Minnesota, Terry Serres Terry Serres is pursuing a midlife career change at the University

Minnesota State Trail Council Chair Appointed Christopher Klein of Eagle Superior Hiking, Pacific Crest, and Bend, Minnesota, was appointed as Appalachian Trails. the Minnesota State Trail Council When Klein isn't working in Chair in March 2005. his insurance and financial services Klein is an avid practice, he can often outdoorsman and be found fly-fishing has spent significant for his favorite quarryamounts of time hiktrout. He is particularly ing and backpacking on fond of combining his trails throughout the love of backpacking United States. He first and fly-fishing by takdiscovered a love for ing backcountry flythe outdoors through fishing expeditions. Boy Scouts as a child. Klein is excited to Like many other scouts, be part of the growing Christopher Klein his first backpacking North Country Trail adventure was in the Association and hopes mountains of New Mexico at the to bring additional energy and pasPhilmont Scout Ranch. Since that sion to the Board of Directors and time, Klein has hiked extensively to be an advocate for the wonderful on many of the nation's trails, footpath that is the North Country including the North Country, Trail.

April 22-24 - Spring Outdoor Adventure Expo hosted by Midwest Mountaineering, Minneapolis, Minn. Contact Midwest Mountaineering at 888-999-1077 or visit www.midwestmtn.com. April 22-24 - Buckeye Trail Association Annual Meeting at Butler Springs, Hillsboro, Ohio. Contact Mary Hamilton at oldbag@wilkshire.net, 330-602-4071 or visit www.buckeyetrail.org. April 29-May 1 - Finger Lakes Trail Conference Annual Meeting at Montour Falls, N.Y. Contact Irene Szabo at treeweenie@aol.com or visit www.fingerlakestrail.org.

--,

r -

Official Ballot 2005 Election Board of Directors

June 4 - National Trails Day events across the country. For more information events visit www.americanhiking.org.

This is the official ballot for the 2005 election to the Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association. You will not receive a separate ballot in the mail. Each NCTA membership is categorized as a household, and our bylaws permit only one ballot per membership. Please mark the ballot and mail or fax to: North Country Trail Association - Election 229 East Main Street, Lowell, Ml 49331 Fax Number: (616) 897-6605

June 18-22 - 10th Conference on National Scenic & Historic Trails presented by the Partnership for the National Trails System in Las Vegas, Nev. Contact the PNTS at 608-249-7870 or visit www.national trailspartnership.org.

At Large Seats - Vote for Two D Mary Coffin

D Write-In

D Terry Serres

D Write-In

_ Aug. 11-14 - North Country Trail Association Annual Conference Petoskey, Mich. Visit www.northcountrytrail.org.

North Dakota Representative - Vote for One North Dakota

D Alicia Hoffarth

D Write-In

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

L. -

Your Name or Membership Number

Your Signature

May 13-15 - Superior Hiking Trail Annual Meeting at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minn. Contact SHTA at 218-834-2700 or visit www.shta.org.

For a list of events happening in your area or for your local chapter's events, visit www.northcountrytrail.org/ events/trailcal.htm

. April-June

2005

The

N~~th St~~ -ig

It's Time to Register for the Annual Conference in Petoskey Werner Veit Editor, The North Star

s there a better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the North Country Trail (NCT) than to attend the Association's annual conference in northern Michigan, site of some of the most scenic examples of the NCT? If you are a veteran of the Association, come to Petoskey, Mich. on Aug. 11 through 14, to renew memories and greet old friends. If you're new to the North Country Trail Association (NCTA), come to Petoskey to see what we're all about and make new friends. In either case, those of us who have attended for years can prom-

ise a great time .. .in the field and in the banquet hall. The time to register is here. A registration blank for that purpose appears on page 29. You may also register online on our website, www.northcountrytrail.org. In either case, deadline for registration is June 30. Conference headquarters will be at North Central Michigan College, but we'll be ranging far and wide across the splendid countryside of the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula including the splendid Lake Michigan coast, historic Mackinac Island, the majestic Straits bridge, forts, museums, galleries and, of course, our own North Country National Scenic Trail. The college will provide the accommodations, meeting halls and food. But for those who prefer to stay off-campus or camp nearby, there is a list of alternate accommodations on page 22. Our hosts are three of the chapters who build and maintain trail in the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula: Harbor Springs,

HighlightsAlong the North Country Trail in Michigan A - Mackinac Island B - Colonial Michillimackinac

â&#x20AC;˘

Historic

State Park

C - French Farm Lake Hike D - Sturgeon Bay Hike E - Warner Creek Pathway Hike F - Jordan River Valley Pathway Hike G - Pinney Bridge Hike H - Spirit of the Woods Hike I - Western Michigan Hike J - Chief Noonday Hike

. â&#x20AC;˘

Legend @

Cities

Annual Conference ~ Petoskey, Michigan ~ August 11~14, 2005 Tittabawassee and the Grand Traverse Hiking Club. Their areas of responsibility include a national forest, three state forests, a state park and two of Michigan's most scenic rivers, the Manistee and the Jordan. Just getting to the conference provides an extra opportunity to see these and other splendors. Check out the article on page 27 on special NCT places found on the way to and from Petoskey. As always, the conference will include great hikes, historical tours, and time for making new friends. Along with all the fun and games, it will also be a time to learn trail craft from our experts. Below is a detailed list of hikes and tours:

How Do I Get There? From the south: Take 1-75 north to M-32, exit 282, toward Gaylord/Alpena. Turn left onto Ml-32 and follow Ml-32. Continue on US-131. Follow US-131 as it becomes US-31, look for the Petoskey signs. From the north: Take 1-75 south. Merge onto US-31 south via exit 336 toward Petoskey.

In addition to the accomodations at the North Central Michigan College, there are a variety of motels, inns and campgrounds in the area. Michigan is a popular vacation spot, especially this area, so please make your reservations early!

Best Western Inn of Petoskey 1-888-738-6773

Comfort Inn 1-800-228-5150

Planned Hikes Duneland and woodland, hills and valleys, famous trout streams and wilderness rivers and, of course, the incomparable shore of Lake Michigan - all will be accessible to hikers attending the annual conference. Difficulty ranges from challenging to easy so that plenty of activity will be available to those of all degrees of hiking fitness. The hikes:

Apple Tree Inn 1-800-348-2901

Bay Winds Inn 1-800-204-1748

Rates: $62 to $400 www.bestwestern.com Standard: $136.50 www.comfortinn.com Rates: $65 to $120 www.appletreeinn.com Rates: $65 to $99 www.baywindsinn.com

Petoskey State Park

Rate: $23 per night 1-800-447-2757 Two modern campgrounds on M-119, 1112 miles north of US-31, north of Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay.

Wilderness State Park

Campsites: $23 per night 1-800-447-2757 Rustic cabins: $55 to $70 per night. On Lake Michigan, 32 miles northwest of Petoskey.

Jordan River Valley Pathway Length: 8.5 miles Time: 5 hours 35 minutes Hike Level: #3 - Challenging The hike starts at Deadrnan's Hill overlooking the Jordan River Valley. The hike first goes downhill for a half mile to reach the bottom of the valley. The first stop is at an informative sign that helps us understand the ecology of the watershed system. Traveling on, we come to a boardwalk over the wet area that flows into the river, an active beaver area where it is a constant battle to keep the boardwalk from being used as a dam. We follow an old logging road built in 1910 and come to a large clearing that was the site of logging at the beginning of the century. Further on we encounter the famous Jordan River where we will have our lunch. The Jordan River was dedicated in 1972 as Michigan's first Natural Scenic River. The river and its tributaries derive 90 percent of their

2"2 rh-~---N~~t_h st~~--.--A~;;i~j~~~-

â&#x20AC;˘

Where Do I Stay?

Haakwood or Weber Lake State Forest Campgrounds

Rate: $10 per night

No Reservations. 18 rustic sites for tent or small trailer, located 30 miles, east of Petoskey. Vault toilets and potable water.

Petoskey KOA Campground

1-800-993-1574 Two miles north of Petoskey at 1800 North US-31. Cottages, cabins, RV hookups, tent sites.

How Do I Get Across Lake Michigan? For those driving, a delightful alternative to driving all the way around Lake Michigan is to travel on one of two car ferries across the lake. The SS Badger plies the lake from Manitowoc, Wisc., to Ludington, Mich., the closest port to Petoskey. The Lake Express goes from Milwaukee, Wisc., to Muskegon, Mich. Either trip ends at US-31, the lakeshore route to Petoskey. Either can be booked online or by phone as follows: www. ssbadger, com. (888) 337-7948, or www.lake-express.com (866) 9141010.

2005

Rates: $32 to $77 per night

â&#x20AC;˘

Annual Conference ~ Petoskey, Michigan ~ August 11~14, 2005

The route to Sturgeon Bay, destination for Saturday's all-day outing in Wilderness State Park.

flow from springs created by the hills. The hike continues along the riverbank and then follows old logging railroad beds. It ends after climbing up and down steep hills, one of which has a beautiful view. We finish at the Pinney Bridge Campground and its parking lot. - Cora Killinger French Farm Lake

•

Length: 3 miles Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Hike Level: #2 - Moderate, no restrooms or water We will drive along a scenic road overlooking Little Traverse Bay to reach this hike. Although this hike is short on miles, it is not short on beauty. French Farm Lake is a joy to hike. The hike skirts the lakeshore and goes through patches of sweet fern that emit a pungent smell as you brush by them. There are ducks and geese with their families and sometimes you surprise a deer coming for a drink. The breeze usually blows across the lake and whispers through the white pine trees that line the shore in some areas. This hike is mostly on sand dunes

that have grown over with vegetation, but the footing is solid and the hiking is easy. -Cora Killinger Interpretive Walk in College Natural Area

Length: 2.6 miles Time: 2 Yi hours Hike Level: #1 - Easy Join biologist Kathy Colby for a hike through North Central Michigan College's 200-acre Natural Area. Participants will have a chance to see the Bubbling Spring, the Russian Creek, the Bear River, the Siebert Farm Historic Site and the 50-acre Russian Swamp. The trail is sand, dirt or boardwalk, so tennis shoes are fine. A hat is recommended to ward off potential deer flies. Sturgeon Bay

Length: 2.8 miles Hike Time: 2 Hours Lunch & Beach Time: 3 hours Hike Level: # 1 - Easy This is an all day hike east of Sturgeon Bay on sand dunes along

Lake Michigan in Wilderness State Park, which is a 45-minute drive from the conference site in Petoskey. The venture is challenging at times, with climbs switch-backing the dunes and through several mixed forest ecosystems. We have taken our young grandchildren on this hike, although it took considerably longer! The hike begins in a pine forest, which in the spring is trimmed with Pink Lady Slippers. As the season progresses other flowers and blueberries follow. The trail then ascends sand dunes to a beautiful vista that overlooks the forests and fields of the village aptly named Bliss. The hike ends appropriately in a picnic area adjacent to the beach. The highlight of this hike is time to walk on the beautiful sand beach, take a refreshing dip in the lake and eat a leisurely lunch. Be sure to wear a swimsuit under your hiking clothes. The drive back to Petoskey (time permitting) will be through the famous "Tunnel of Trees" with a brief stop in Cross Village. -jerry Keeney

April-June

-~·~·~·;···· Th~·

.North ..

S.t~-~ .. ·2·3

Annual Conference

"*- Petoskey, Michigan "*- August 11~14,

2005

Pinney Bridge to Landslide Lookout

Length: 3.1 miles Time: 2 hours Hike Level: #3 - Challenging Starting at Pinney Bridge on the Jordan River Valley Pathway, the hike climbs a long hill that taxes your car-cramped muscles. Once on top of the hill, the path is fairly level as it winds through hardwoods and pines. Crossing a manmade clearing that was created to provide grassland for wildlife, we drop back into the forest and hike on an old road. The trail gets a little hilly from here on, and at the bottom of the hill there is a small stream. We hike up and down hills through the woods and are rewarded by the sound of a babbling brook. This is Cascade Creek, one of many creeks that are formed by springs that flow out of the ground in this area. These spring-fed creeks all flow to form the Jordan River in this valley. The spring-fed source of the next creek is just above a small waterfall that is visible from where we cross the bridge. The trail sticks to the hilly terrain and ends at Landslide Lookout where there is a beautiful view of the valley.

Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Mich.

Experience the Rich History and Attractions

Right: An 18th century British Redcoat watches over Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

The historic and scenic tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula affords great sightseeing and will be the scene of all kinds of interesting tours as an alternative to the hikes scheduled during the conference. Historic forts, productive fruit farms, art centers, candy shops, a museum or two and even a factory using Michigan hardwoods will all welcome visitors attending the Petoskey conference. The schedule of tours: On Thurday after registration, visit the Mackinac State Parks on the Straits of Mackinac, the junction of Lakes Michigan and Huron and site of the Straits of Mackinac Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. We'll tour Fort Mackinac and its fourteen buildings dating back to 1780 as well as colonial Michilimackinac, an authentically recreated French fur trading village. Also on the tour is historic

Mill Creek, which offers demonstrations of l Sth century sawmill operations. Friday features a day-long visit to Mackinac Island, a journey back in time where automobiles are banned and transport is confined to feet, bicycles and horses (pulling carriages). You will cross the Straits of Mackinac together on a ferry from St. Ignace, then be met by a chamber of commerce representative who will list the island's sites and activities, then turn you loose to explore this scenic, historic jewel. On Saturday enjoy a day-long tour

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

that will explore some of the interesting sights, buildings, museums and businesses in the Petoskey area. The highlights: Crooked Tree Art Center, a landmark in downtown Petoskey. Formerly a Methodist Church, the Arts Center is a 115-year-old fully restored Victorian facility. Two galleries feature art exhibits, and the Art Tree Gallery displays

Annual Conference

~ Petoskey, Michigan

~ August 11~14, 2005

Lou Kasischke, Everest Mountain Climber, to be Featured Speaker Lou Kasischke, lawyer, businessman, and also an experienced mountain climber, dared Mt. Everest in 1996 when he was in his fifties. He didn't make the last 400 feet to the summit, and that has made all the difference: he is still alive. When a May blizzard caught the expedition just below 29,000 feet (yes, that's five and a half miles above sea level!), Kasischke had already wisely turned around with the last shred of sense left in his oxygen-starved brain, while others in his party died or were permanently injured. Kasischke has had to deal with the inevitable survivor's guilt, while his wife says he is now a kinder, gentler person. Clearly the experience has left a lasting imprint on him, and he has much to share with others about the power of decisions. Decisions, indeed: for every four who have reached the top, one has died, while many have turned back before the summit. All this grim history is relatively recent, too, since Sir Edmund Hillary was first to scale the peak in 1953. Everest is a deadly mountain that tests physical endurance, but such effort and focus can come only out of intense will and desire. Therein lies the tale. - Irene Szabo

Lou Kasischke

works by local artists. The beautifully restored Ross Stoakes Theatre is the stage for various world-class musicians, dancers, actors and entertainers. Friske's Farm Market offers lunch at the Orchard Cafe, fresh donuts from its bakery, fresh fruit from the Fruit Stand, and crafts, gifts, collectibles and home decor in an old-fashioned general store. At Kilwin's Quality Confections you can watch candies being made and see how Kilwin's homemade centers are coated using a "chocolate waterfall." And you can sample one of their most popular candies, genuine pecan turtles. Next, the Little Traverse History Museum, on Petoskey's beautiful waterfront, features exhibits from Ernest Hemingway's life in Michigan, rare Odawa Indian artifacts and dis-

plays which highlight the history of the Little Traverse Bay region. A most unusual stop is Northern Michigan Hardwoods, a working sawmill in Petoskey. You can see the entire milling process, from de-barking the logs to making lumber; from selective harvesting in local woods to molding exceptional quality hardwood flooring. A showroom displays unique gifts.

Workshops and Evening Events Trail Manager Bill Menke will conduct a workshop Friday morning on trail building and maintenance and then lead those attending on an afternoon hike on the NCT to critique the trail according to the principles outlined in the morning session. Simultaneous sessions on Friday

will teach use of map and compass as well as the GPS. On Saturday, the Little Traverse Nature Conservancy, one of the most effective regional land protection agencies in the country, will hold a morning workshop and then lead an afternoon tour and hike of some of its successful projects (and there are many of them). Two other workshops on Saturday are sure to please anyone attending, one session on how to take better photographs, particularly in the digital age, and the other entitled Trailside Gourmet, a guide to eating great foods you have to carry on your back to enjoy. Our evening events should prove real winners beginning with a barbecue cookout Thursday evening. After dinner, the Upper Lakes History

-A~-;ii~i~~~---~~~-;--.--rh-~----N~~th

!it~-~---:.z-s

Annual Conference

'*- Petoskey, Michigan '*- August 11-14,

2005

A storm approaches Cross Village, a destination on Saturday's Daylong Tour.

Company will present a program on Michigan's history. Our annual membership meeting will be held after dinner Friday evening followed by part one of the Association's annual awards presentation. (See award nominations on page 30.) The presentation of awards will culminate with the major honors to be announced at the Saturday banquet, which also will include a particularly special event, the appearance of Lou Kasischke, who lives in the area. Those members who follow the world's mountain adventuresand most of us do-will remember that Lou participated in one of the most fateful Mt. Everest climbs, the disastrous 1996 expedition. His mountaineering adventures present a gripping story. (See the box on page 25.) All this time, of course, we will also stage our annual silent auction. Sherry Staal at the headquarters office already has gathered

a great array of outdoor-related merchandise. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit the NCTA Land Trust Fund, to help protect and preserve the treasured land of the trail. Most of it is in the care of Glory Meyer, the Trail Shop manager, who also will load her van with all kinds of goodies usually sold at Lowell headquarters including hats, shirts, patches and maps. For more Trail Shop items, visit the Trail Shop on page 31. Making its debut at the conference will be Joan Young's book North Country Cache, excerpts of which have appeared in the North Star. The book recounts Joan's farflung hikes on the North Country National Scenic Trail. Meet her at the conference and maybe hike with her and get the details first hand. So come and join us. You'll get a new appreciation for your fellow hikers and the pleasures of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Bring the kids ... they'll have a ball playing in Little Traverse Bay.

Annual Conference ~ Petoskey, Michigan ~ August 11~14, 2005

A Visit to Michigan Should Include These Great Hikes Along the Way Editor's Note: Ifyou are thinking of visiting any of thesefavorite North Country Trail hikes on the way to the conference, don't forget your trail map; orderyours from the Trail Shop on page 31.

he North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) is easily accessible from the principal highways in Michigan's Lower Peninsula leading to Petoskey, Mich., site of the 20th annual North Country Trail Association conference. Many sites offer access to the trail for those who wish to stretch their hiking legs for a few hours while on their way to or from the conference. The principal highways leading to Petoskey from the south are US131, much of which is limited access freeway and M-37, which parallels the NCT through much of the HuronManistee National Forest. Since the two highways are not far apart, all the sites are relatively easy to reach. Starting from southern Michigan, the chapters maintaining the NCT include Chief Baw Beese, Chief Noonday, Western Michigan, Spirit of the Woods, Grand Traverse Hiking Club, Tittabawassee and Harbor Springs. The suggested hikes, none of them longer than a half day at most, were proposed by members from the Chief Noonday, Western Michigan and Spirit of the Woods Chapters.

Chief Noonday Sector Map Ml~02 The setting for this hike is where the glacial Saginaw Lobe from the east and the Michigan Lobe from the west came near each other during the last ice age. Large amounts of glacial debris were deposited. A quarter mile from the NCT is the impression of a large block of glacial ice that had been buried called Devil's Soup Bowl. Follow the signs near the end of the hike to get there. Take exit 61 from the US-131 expressway. Go east through Bradley on M-179 (Chief Noonday Road) for

10.9 miles to the trailhead on the left side of the road. Watch for the North Country National Scenic Trail sign beside the road. For the hike, cross the road and go south following the blue blazes. It is 1.7 miles through the woods to the Bassett Lake Trailhead. Continue from there through the woods, brush and open spaces past McDonalds Lake for 3.1 miles to Hall Lake, the turn-around point. -Tom Garnett

Western Michigan Sector Map Ml~04 One of the easiest places to reach the NCT in the Huron-Manistee National Forest is from a roadside park on M-37, halfway between the towns of Newaygo and White Cloud. A short spur trail from the roadside park (free parking!) leads to the NCT. A right turn (north) provides the hiker with almost six miles of bikefree NCT before encountering the first paved road. There is a variety ofterrain, including oak savannah prairie, oak forests, pine plantation, wetlands, and numerous stream crossings at the north end. It is a seldom used section. Unfortunately, it will have to be an "out-andback" hike for those with one vehicle. For those with two vehicles, a car could be spotted at Echo Drive, which is due west out of White Cloud on the main road leading west out town. -Paul Haan

Spirit of the Woods Sector Map Ml~04 One of the more interesting sections maintained by the Spirit of the Woods Chapter is the Bowman Lake Semi-Primitive Area (BLSPA). To reach it: From M-37 in Baldwin turn west at the Wesco Station on Lake St. This becomes 52nd St. and then curves south to become 56th St. About 4.5 miles from M-37 you will cross Bowman Bridge over the

Pere Marquette River. The trailhead is about a mile more on the right. There is a sign, but it's easy to miss the turn. From US-10/31, continue east in Scottville on US-10 to Walhalla. Turn south at the blinker and continue to Kinney Road. At Kinney take a 90degree left turn following the main traffic pattern (although it is possible to continue straight). Now heading east, continue about eight miles to the corner of Evergreen. Kinney is now called 56th St. The road makes a slight jog, but continues on 56th St. The trailhead is about a mile more on the left. There is a sign, but it's easy to miss the turn. The Bowman Lake Semi-Primitive Area is located within the Manistee National Forest (MNF). The MNF is characterized in general by dry mature oak- maple- pine forest with sandy soil with occasional plantations of red and white pine, and jackpine. The 1,000-acre Bowman Lake area is uniquely sculpted by glacial forces. Within the BLSPA there are three miles of NCT, and an additional five miles of trails used for other explorations. It is possible to make several loops of varying lengths. From the parking area (National Forest Parking Fee required, self-pay, $3/day), take the trail which heads downhill behind the information kiosk: this is a spur trail to the main NCT. When you reach the bottom of the hill, turn left on the main trail. In a quarter of a mile you will come to an old twotrack crossing the trail at right angles. Take a small detour here to the left. In just a few steps you will reach Bowman Lake. This is a kettle-hole lake. It was created when a huge chunk of ice calved off the glacier and was left here. It has no inlet or outlet, but is fed by deep springs and rain. Kettle holes eventually dry up, and there are several other holes left in the BLSPA, but none of the others is still a lake. There are four newly re-furbished, walk-in, primitive campsites around the lake as the result of contributions to the Randall Heckman Memorial Fund, the cooperation of the U.S. Forest Service, and volunteer labor provided by the Heckman family and the NCTA. -Joan Young

Annual Conference

•ASSOCIATION•

"*- Petoskey, Michigan "*- August 11-14,

2005

2005 Conferenee Schedule

See the Julyissue of the North Star for schedulechanges

Thursday, August 11

10:30 1:00 6:00 7:30 9:30

Registration Opens Afternoon Tour: Colonial Michilimackinac Barbecue Dinner Michigan History Program Campfire

Friday,August 12 7:30 Breakfast 8:15 Day-long Hike: Jordan River Valley Pathway 8.5 miles 12:00

Day-long Tour:

Half-day Hike:

Mackinac Island

French Farm Lake 3 miles

Morning Workshop & Afternoon Hike: Bill

Gear Guru: Map &

Lunch

Menke

Lunch

1:00

5:00 6:30 8:00

I Board of Directors Meeting

Compass

Half-day Hike:

Gear Guru:

Pinney Bridge to Landslide Lookout 3.1 miles

Using GPS

Free Time Dinner Annual Membership Meeting with Awards '"'""

Saturday, August 13

7:30

Breakfast

8:15

Day-long Hike:

Day-long Tour:

Half-day Hike:

Sturgeon Bay Hike 2.8 miles

Crooked Tree Arts Center, Friske Orchard, Kilwin's Quality Confections, Little Traverse History Museum, Northern Michigan Hardwoods

Interpretive Hike with Biologist Kathy Colby 2.6 miles

12:00 1:00