North Star Vol. 19, No. 4 (2000)

In addition, we welcome 427 new members to the North Country Trail Association who have joined since our last issue of the North Star.

Guyer & Kimberly McCracken

Michelle McGinn Hugh Melling &

Denise Simon James Mihalik William Moore John & Teri Olbrot

& Family Glenn Bing Olbum David Oppenheim Martin P O'Toole John & Tory Parlin Thomas Pflueger Steve Phillos Gayle Poertner Mary Ellen Powers Joseph E Raynor Richard C Reed Margaret Reek Rick Richardson Christina Rizzo David Robinson Craig & Janet Robinson Paul Rudolph Judy Schnebly David M Schutte Mike Schwemin Stephen B Selden C Dennis Shepard Michael Shores Mike Stasik Michael Trinko Eleanore Troxel B G Vanderpol Michael M VanRyzin Martin J Voss John S Wallace Paul & Ann Warren Doug Welker Robert & Janice Wester John Wiener Idelle Winkler Dewey & Kay Wobma Rodger & Denise Wolf David Young Dan Zbrozek

Derek & Margaret Blount John & Heather Calappi Jim Cockels Dennis Collison Anthony Cook Brad W Cotton Claire L Dedow Otwell Derr John Diephouse Stewart DeWitt Dinger Ron & Jane Dziurda Randal Eshuis Jennifer Farnsworth Richard G Ferguson Don Flyckt Bettina Frisse William & Joanne Gerke Tom & Janis Gilbert Preston M Givens Larry Goldstein Donald B Gore Peter B Gradoni Gerardo L Guevara Dennis R Hansen John & Patricia

Hollowell James & Mariah Hope David A Hutchinson Hans P Kappus Louis Kasischke Shawn Kelly Robert C Kirkland Kenneth Konop Tammy Krueger Ronald Kulak John Lindholm Dency Lippert Matthew Lockhart James & Nancy Ludlow Mary Lyman William H Lynch Richard Maatman Susan D Mabee David Mack Natalie C Maki

Pathfinders ($100 dues) David E Adams LeRoy Bliven Jan Carpenter Len Cavens James Chambers James & Maureen Doull Richard D Flinn Mardy & William Gast Ray Guerrier Ruth Howell Doug Kee Tracey Kubitz Dale Lack John & Pat Leinen Edwin F Liddle Christopher &

Margo Light Ray Miller Larry Mulder Linnea J Newman &

Tony Malikowski Cader Olive Peter S & Susan E

Ordway Bob & Annette Papp Raymond & Elaine Papp J Robert Routt George Schaub Michael Schuler Betty Tableman David Tattan Turkey's Cafe David E Younger Trail Leaders ($50 dues) Kirsten Anderson Roger & Patricia Ashley Thomas & Patricia Backe R Alan Baker Jane Balcer Robert Beck Terrance Beuthling Mark Bissell George Blaske Richard D Bliley

Jan E Jefferson Cindy Jones Hope Kerr Donald & Doris Kopfman Steve & Joan Ladosinsky Sarah Lavoie Paul K Leven Lionel & Cynthia Loza Susan Lund & Harry Frank Kenneth & Margaret Lusher R J & Nancy Jo Lyons Beverly McBrien Julia S Mcilvaine Nick & Lianne Mehmed Elizabeth Miller Geraldine M Nault Adam Niemur Timothy J O'Rourke Atley N Oswald Thomas W Owen &

Pamela R Poley Todd & Connie Pease Thomas & Diane Piquet Harold A & Helen L Poole Kyle Rasikas Robert K Ruble Neil J Sanders Marjorie J Sellers Striders, Inc Christopher M &

Nancy Sundberg Rolf R Swanson Larry & Marsi Swinkey William Syverson Top of Michigan Trails Council Audre Waller John Waller Idelle Winkler John & Christine Ziomkowski

Memberships Businesses Big Prairie Builders, Inc Bill Prall Touring Gear Harbor Springs Cycling Club Organizations Barnes Co Wildlife Federation Buckeye Trail Association Finger Lakes Trail Conference John S Hogg Kent County Park Commission Michigan Mountain

Bike Association New York New Jersey

Trail Conference Northwestern Ohio

Rails to Trails Assn University YMCA USDA Forest Service, Baldwin USDA Forest Service, Manistee Valley City North Dakota

Convention I Visitors Bureau WK Kellogg

Experimental Forest

We gratefu.lly acknowledge the support of all our members and donors who share with us the vision

of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Page 2

Donations Jerry & Connie Allen Rob Alt Carole Anderson Marvin & Geraldine Anderson Fred Arney Len & JoAnne Baron Bob Beam Robert D Beckman Bob & Peg Beckwith Stephanie Black Richard D Boettner Rick & Debbie Bowling Michelle Box Dorothy Brown Ken Brown Philip & Suzane Brown Donald L Bussies Marlana Caldwell Patricia Carlin Ed & Nancy Chappel Thomas J & Beth A Conway Blair & Denise Dame Tom Dandridge &

Lynn Martin Greg Davis Patrick M Delaney Vikki Derrigan Merton & Marie Dibble John Diephouse Mary A Dineen John & Beatrice Doody Kristen Doyle ExxonMobil Foundation Richard D Flinn Frank & Catherine Gerke Tom & Janis Gilbert Grand Rapids Foundation Ronald Hand Harbor Springs Cycling Club Audrey & Robert Harrold James R Hoogesteger Bernard J & Sheila M

Jaworowski

Contributions and Special Renewals since our last issue of the North Star. TRAIL SUPPORTERS

October-December 2000 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail

Page 3

Published four times annually by the North Country Trail Association, a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization as a benefit of membership in the organization. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the North Country Trail Association. Distribution of this issue is 2600 copies.

Departments 4 Trailhead

11 Newsletter Excerpts 12 Directory 14 Public Affairs 15 Hiking Shorts 18 Chapters in Action 20 Heart and Sole 23 Who's New 24 Trail Shop 29 Director's Report 30 Letters 31 Our Special Friends

49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Phone: (616) 454-5506 FAX: (616) 454-7139

E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.northcountrytrail.org

North Dakota e Minnesota x Wisconsin* Michigan Ohio e Pennsylvania e New York

•ASSOCIATION•

22 Board Will Consider New Trail Council Plan Chapter Presidents, State Coordinators, Trail Council Chairs propose roles for state leaders.

16 Cover Story: Celebrating a National Millennium Trail Our members make new friends walking across the Straits of Mackinac Bridge.

a North Country Cache The beginning of Joan Young's odyssey along the North Country National Scenic Trail.

s Forest Service a Good Steward Complaints tum out to be unfounded, Bill Menke and Bob Tait Report from Pennsylvania.

Joan Young page 8

Bill Menke page 5

OFFICERS Werner Veit

President 49 Monroe Center

Suite 200B Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 454-5506 [email protected] David Cornell

Vice President-Financial 514 Cordes Road Delton, MI 49046 (616) 623-8659

[email protected] Pat Miller

Vice President-Trails (West) 15737 65th Avenue Milaca, MN 56353 (320) 933-5643 Howard Beye

Vice President-Trails (East) 202 Colebourne Road Rochester, NY 14609

(716) 288-7191 [email protected]

Joan Young Secretary

861 West US 10 Scottville, MI 49454


WERNER VEIT Acting Editor

JOAN YOUNG Contributing Editor ROGER MEYER

Contributing Editor

MARGIE KINDEL Project Manager

TIFFANY HALFMANN GIS Coordinator

GLORY MEYER Public Services Coordinator

HEIDI DAANE Office Manager BETH FORD Bookkeeper

BOB PAPP Executive Director

CONTENTS North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail October-December 2000

Naturally, we1l keep the old favorites like Heart and Sole and Hiking Shorts, we'll continue to ask Bill Menke for the National Park Service perspective and carry Bob Papp's Director's Report and we1l make sure we still have those great personal hiking stories that have made the magazine such a joyous experience for many of us, parti cularly me who doesn't get out on the trail very often these days, at least not as much as I wish. I'm sure you'll particularly enjoy the series of essays starting this issue by Joan Young, (who has hiked as much of the trail as anyone) and shares not just her experiences but her spirituality with us.

Joan is one of our busiest NCTAers: Secretary of the Board of Directors, founder and President of our Spirit of the Woods Chapter, Editor of Heart and Sole, leader of hikes and work parties and our newest Webmaster. If you haven't checked out our site lately, see what she's done in the several weeks she's been at it.

One of the most important additions to the web site is the Trail Shop, that list of hiking merchan dise available for sale. Until now, the descriptions were only in The North Star. Under the new system, you will be able to shop directly from our web site using a credit card, or to print out the form and send us a check. A reminder: our URL is -

www.northcountrytrail.org

So you'll find some new features in The North Star, like the Last Word in the back which will print your opinions, gripes, likes and dislikes. Communicate by letter or e-mail. Doesn't matter how; just do it. Our e-mail address is

[email protected] Another new item is a roundup

from the chapter newsletters. They1l help you get a feel of what your neighbors are up to.

... Let's work together to create an atmosphere where we talk with instead of at each other.

quarter million households could hardly wait to read what I and my colleagues thought important. Now that I have reached my dotage and understand that our readers are better judges of what's important, let's work together to create an atmosphere where we talk with instead of at each other.

By Werner Veit President, NCTA

Page 4

For better or worse-but, hope fully, for not long-your President is also going to be the editor of The North Star and I hope you will join me as we communicate with one another. That's the mission and the purpose of this magazine, to com municate with one another across seven states and thousands of miles of hiking trail.

· As you probably read in the last issue, Wes Boyd, who did a splendid job before me, decided he had to call it quits and we had to find a new editor. There were, we believed, lots of good volunteer candidates, but, as it turned out, for various reasons having to do with job or location or moving away from our member states, none could take over.

Because I've done this kind of work before-I edited a large, metropolitan newspaper for 30 years until I became a meeter of larger payrolls-I am stepping in until we can find a more permanent editor. I don't really need the practice and my priorities for the North Country Trail Association in my final year as President are somewhat different. My chief goal is to help our association to a more secure financial footing before my last term expires next August.

Not that I'm not having fun. Writing, reading copy, selecting photographs, laying out pages, recalls my happy twentyhood when I naively imagined that a

Communicating Across 7 States: The Vision for the Nortlt Star


the Allegheny, the NCT is listed as: a Sensitivity Level 1 corridor-the' most restrictive level. '

Thinking back on my 1999 hike' through the forest, I could recall i only a couple of areas where any ! timber stand manipulation had taken place-including areas that" had been thinned to present a more park-like appearance. As a profes-. sional forester I am often more · observant than most of the hikinq. public in terms of recognizing vegetative manipulation. During ·, our recent visit, we saw areas where stand manipulation had taken place. that I had not noticed during my : hike because the treatments were ~ so well designed, or screened, or ·~ removed from the trail that they simply are not obvious.

The sale that may have prompted 1 the current erroneous reports is the , Minister Creek Sale, which prompted i claims of widespread clearcutting :; along the trail. This is simply not ) true. There is one clearcut of probably less than 2 acres, visible; [ from the trail and it was specifically: suggested by and designed by the :> landscape architect as a way to ~ open up a temporary view of a little . natural depression (bowl) and · provide a break in the trait's "tunnel ·. I

of trees." Even this small clearcut is set back 50 feet or so from the NCT with only a couple of small 'i alleys opened to allow views into J the opening. A recent wind toppled 1 a half-dozen trees from the inter- ,' vening strip into the trail but the FS will be cleaning these up soon.

(Continued on page 6) ·::; Page 5 ·

Timber Sales Recent reports and Internet

references allege that the trail is "being clearcut", and "trashed with logging slash." These allegations are simply not true. We visited all harvest units that are in even close proximity to the NCT. In all instances, the FS is following the mitigated prescriptions shown in the Environmental Assessments (EA) for the projects. In fact, the timber sale crew has marked the stands even more restrictively than required in the EAs. Sale prescrip tions have been very sensitively implemented. Thinning and shelterwood cutting near the trail is very light.

The forest requires that a land scape architect provide recommen dations for modifying the cutting on all units that are near the NCT. Routinely, the harvesting prescrip tions are modified to retain a full canopy of trees over the trail. They also require special slash cleanup and removal to enhance views. In

£ L__,.." ""·c ,"".·-· .. ~:%""',_, __ ,~. --=····_-._-· .. ""x,_-_,)-''· ~

Bill Menke is the National Park Service's Manager of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Periodically, we receive reports that the U.S. Forest Service is doing or allowing something to adversely affect the 95 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail that has been certified for many years in the Allegheny National Forest. Because we continue to believe that that the Forest Service (FS) is a good, professional resource manager, we generally take these reports with a grain of salt.

However, several recent reports were adamant that the trail was being destroyed-by logging, oil and gas extraction, and a FS proposal to follow the NCT with heavy equipment to correct deteriorating toilet facilities in a couple of remote campgrounds. These reports prompted us to contact John Romanowski (the FS Regional Office person responsible for specially designated areas including the NCT) to propose a joint visit to the forest so that we could see and discuss these issues first hand. John, the NCTA's State Coordinator, Bob Tait, and I visited the forest in August to look at the sites and issues first hand. Our conclusion:

The Allegheny National Forest is most definitely exercising its authority, within legal limits, to protect the North County Trail and is more sensitive than most to the needs of the trail. The following is a report on each of the issues.

Good NeV1s: Forest Service Excellent NCT SteV1ard in the Allegheny Forest

By Bill Menke The Service is most definitely exercising its ~ authority ... and is more sensitive than most to the ~ needs of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail October-December 2000

SKILLS TO VOLUNTEER (Optio

PHONE

CITY ZIP

ADDRESS

To begin your membership complete

this form and send it with ~Sp~o~n~so~r~e~d~by!..:.:L__ __ ..:;;.;.:~--r-tr~H~~~~-------------j your $15 payment to: NAME North Country

Trail Association 49 Monroe Center NW

Suite 200B ---"-...:z__~-'--------1Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Oil and Gas Field Development

In the Little Salmon Creek area, mineral owners have recently expanded an existing oil and gas field which has moved southwest and now straddles the Trail. Wells are placed on a 700-foot grid and the resulting roads connecting them have wiped out the NCT in a couple ~ of locations. In other areas all of di

this intense development is in view j of the trail. "-John Romanowski of the Forest Service (in the stream bed), Bill Menke, of the Pa~k Service,

Unfortunate, yes, but it cannot and Julie Moyer, of the Forest Service, on one of the bridges in the Allegheny National Forest. be helped. The FS owns only the property. By law, the FS must grant The FS will construct the new surface of the land, not the mineral access. The FS's only tool is to work trail segments with a contracted rights below. Since the 1800's, with landowners to attempt to mini-excavator, a tracked vehicle Pennsylvania landowners devise access methods that minimize only 4-feet wide, equipped with a recognized the potential wealth damage to the trail. But the FS's backhoe type bucket to dig the residing in the minerals below the best efforts sometimes are not sidehill benches for the trail. We surface and retained the mineral enough. have heard good reports about this rights when they sold the surface. The NCT has been impacted equipment and we are anxious to In the earlier decades of this primarily in four places-ranging see the results. century, when .the United States from a few hundred feet to perhaps Campg:tound Rehab - began purchasmg the cut-over, 3/10 of a mile. Now that all of the Access via the NCT worn out lan~s to form the access roads are in place, and the Before the large Allegheny Allegheny National Forest only the impacts of the new development Reservoir was created there were surface rights were availab~e for are better known, the Allegheny two small campgrounds (Hopewell purchase. Conseque11:tly, mmeral NF proposes to relocate the ~our and Handsome Lake) located along owners cannot be de~ed reasonable impacted segments off-road mto roads east of the Allegheny River. access to extract then subsurface protected strips. (Continued on page 7)

Sponsored Membership Form Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just ~15.00. To qualify, Sponsored Members mus~ be new to NCTA, or no_t hav.e ~een members ~or a l~~t two years .. ~he $15.00 rat~ lS good only for the first year of membership. To use the program, JUSt fill in your name m the Sponsored by. box. Then, give the form to your friend to finish. Please choose your affiliation (check one): D Member of a specific Chapter: _

D Member of my closest loca\ Chapter (If one exists) D At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

Allegheny . (Continued from Page 5)


Page 7 1

Just call our office at 888-454-NCTA Information: (6282) and ask for a copy of the Schoolhouse brochure!

The Schoolhouse is maintained and Who Runs It? managed by volunteers from our own Western Michigan Chapter.

NCTA's Schoolhouse makes an ideal hostel for your hikes through lower Michigan. It includes a shower, cots, and a kitchenette. It's also a great site for meetings or retreats!

What's It For?

5 miles NW of White Cloud, Michigan, nestled in the southern region of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

Where Is It?

. ,

.' .l

Allegheny (Continued from Page 6) When the reservoir was flooded, these campgrounds became iso lated and only boaters and NCT hikers now use them. The nearest vehicle access is several miles to the east. Nevertheless, they are very popular (especially with the boaters) and the forest does not want to close them.

During the course of the last 30 ~ years, the facilities have deterior- ; ated. A major problem is that the i vaults on a couple of the toilet n, Confidence markers in the Allegheny National Forest are great -as long as the porcupines buildings are leaking. For sanitation leave at least part of the sign untouched. This one's been chewed pretty well. and to protect the water in the Guard troop to ferry them to the because existing waterbars were :. reservoir, these must be repaired or site using large military equipment. improperly constructed and have replaced. The forest staff studied None proved feasible. A backup plan become ineffective. Having the several solutions and settled on was proposed to "walk" (drive) the equipment on the NCT provides a installing sweet smelling toilets equipment to the site via the NCT, one-time opportunity to rework (SST) as the best alternative. SSTs the only feasible overland route. them. Halfway to the two camp include sealed, concrete vaults to That prompted my initial worry and grounds, the old road fizzles out collect the waste which is then was one of the reasons for my visit. and the equipment will have to periodically pumped into a large As is often the case, reality looks follow a new, through-the-woods "bargelike" boat and hauled to a different on the ground than on a route-but it is removed from the roaded access point where it can brief written description and a small NCT and really has no effect on it .. be transported to a safe disposal map. It turns out that perhaps half Summarizing the entire visit, all ~~ site. Getting the new vaults to of the NCT access route is on an three of us (John, Bob, and I) agreed .; the site and installing them is old, closed and nicely healed road, the Forest Service did not pull any;., the problem. wide enough to accommodate the punches, showed us everything we -'

The forest has had past success equipment. While there will be wanted to see, demonstrated a high : with floating the concrete vau~ts temporary tracks, they will heal degree of professionalism, recog- '. and towing them to the shoreline quickly and work crew, equipped nized the importance of a National ... near other installation sites. There with hand tools, will smooth any Scenic Trail, and the kind of sen- · the vaults are pumped full of water visible evidence. There are a few sitivity that we can only wish were to keep them in place until a piece areas where the old road is soggy as evident throughout the trail. of heavy equipment can move them inland to the actual site and install them in a new hole. Now for the ~Jii~iilliMillii heavy equipment.

Several alternatives to get the heavy equipment (a backhoe and a small dozer) to Hopewell and Handsome Lake Campgrounds were considered-including driving them on the shoreline when the reservoir was down, using a helicopter to ferry them to the site, hiring a commercial barge all the way from Pittsburgh, and getting a National

..


extraordinaire, buried five-gallon pails of supplies at appropriate points, ahead of time, in order to complete his thru-hike of the length of the Grand Canyon. (The Man Who Walked Through Time) In doing so, he very closely followed the example of the pioneers. And the supplies were, in his case, hidden.

Many hikers of the Appalachian Trail, and of the Pacific Crest Trail, mail packages to themselves before beginning the trek. There are towns

Joan Young is not only an avid hiker but a tireless participant in NCTA activities. She is Secretary of the Board of Directors, President of the Spirit of the Woods Chapter, editor of Heart and Sole in this magazine and webmaster of our internet site.

During settlement of the North American west, a cache was tradi tionally buried. Essential items

which were inconvenient to carry were stored in a deep hole for retrieval at a later time, perhaps on a return journey. The hole was filled and covered carefully so that its appearance was indistinguishable from the original site. The origin of the word, from the French cacher, to hide, was fully realized. Thieves and animals both needed to be prevented from finding the provisions. Requirements and language, however, evolve.

With a bank or ATM and convenience store in every town modern travelers would hardly consider making their way across the country by burying supplies that might be needed later. Long distance hikers however, seldom find towns in handy locations along the route. Most would be fairly annoyed if they did, since part of the motivation to hike is usually to get away from such plastic con ventions. Thus there is sometimes a need to locate caches along a route. Colin Fletcher, hiker Page 8

Editor's note: This collection along these routes that cater to the of essays by Joan Young needs of hikers, and these cache is the first installment of boxes are held until the weary and what will be a serial feature in hungry hikers come down from the upcoming issues of North Star. Young trail to claim their parcels. Supply has been slowly collecting miles on boxes can also be left with friends, the North Country Trail, with the short. Each one has an setting pre-arranged meeting hope of eventually hiking the entire individual character. This locations for delivery during the trail. She has been documenting her essay is something of an introduction hike. These boxes could all certainly quest with essays of varying lengths, to the project, and includes her first be considered caches, but they are one per hike. These writings will be actual hike on the NCT. Young is well hardly hidden. featured chronologically, as they on her way towards her goal, with Campers also use the word cache were written. The locations of the 1650 miles of the trail hiked. Future to describe a bag of food, and other hikes will be noted since they do not issues of North Star will continue animal-attractive items, which is progress in a linear way along the the series under the title North hung out of reach (hopefully) of trail. Some hikes are long, some are Country Cache. claws and teeth. Bear resistant

C h k h A l h li containers do not _ac; e - as ' n. p ace w ere stores, supp es even need to be

or provisions are hidden and preserved. ~~~p~~te~ilu;:a wants, but can't open the canister.

· '" ~ "Hidden" in these cases refers only to restricted access.

What has not changed is the fact that a cache is still a collection of essential items which are collected together and stored carefully for retrieval at a future date when they are needed. And from this core of meaning comes the title for this collection of essays. Each hike, no matter how short or long, seems to take on a character of its own. There is always some defining element which makes it different from every other walk. Thus each hike must be preserved, and cherished. That essence of each trek must be distilled and stored, to be recalled and savored again at some later time. Some trips are long and meaty, others are adventures-like spices .. Some may seem less exciting, but like clean, dry underwear retrieved at the midpoint of a trip, are extremely necessary for the well being of the whole person. So this book is a cache of those essential memories of my hikes along the North Country National Scenic Trail, extracted and refined for enjoyment, a North Country Cache.

North October-December 2000 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail

-~n Wanderlust

has sprinkled Wonder Dust

into my eyes and ears and brain. Wonder Dust

has tickled. Go I must,

into the wind and sun and rain. Wind's fey sweep

has prickled urges deep;

This restive spirit never tamed. Sun shaft bright

has flickered. Dappled lights

excise the crushing, brindled pain. Rain soft cries

have trickled, gath'ring sighs

to cascade, trembling: cleansing gain. Wonder Dust

has quickened Wanderlust.

Impatient voices call my name.

The Kernel 1 - September 8, 1991

Armed with maps and infor mation from their headquarters, I now am aware of the basic facts concerning the North Country National Scenic Trail. The trail was commissioned by Congress in 1980, and the route is expected to cover over 3000 miles. From the eastern terminus at Crown Point, New York, the North Country Trail (NCT) lies in the Adirondacks, joining the es tablished Finger Lakes Trail near Rome, New York.

. It follows the FLT through the Fmger Lakes and Southern Tier to the Allegheny State Forest near Salamanca, New York. Dropping sou~h through the Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest in Pennsylvania, the trail then curves west into Ohio. After a few miles

(Continued on Page 10) Page 9

Wanderlust Autumn 1991 There has been a need this

autumn to be outside that is more compelling than anything in recent memory. It has been like the sweet and painful longing I used to feel as a child when I would kneel on my bed at night, looking out the window with my elbows propped on the windowsill. I would stare at the dark woods across the road, and smell the damp leaves, and think of all the lovely places there that I knew, and all the really exquisite places that must yet be waiting to be explored. The tears would run down my face; I wanted, so much,

unplanned jaunt and I had no compass, map, or anyone who knew what I was doing. Might as well start off completely wrong ... It was late afternoon of an August day, and whether I was really on the trail or not, the appeal of sun filtering through the trees to highlight smooth asters' blue petals did not fail to capture me. As I marched deeper into the woods, following more fire roads but never seeing blazes, I realized that I was certainly not on the actual trail.

Emerging about four miles later on Scocelas Road, near the northern boundary of my home county, Mason County, the trail crossing sign could be seen some yards down the road, confirming that I was near, but not on, the trail. I reluctantly turned around to retrace my steps, needing to hurry back to the world of family responsibilities. My head again filled with questions, but they were no longer gray. "How much of this national trail is in my home county? Why haven't I ever heard of it? How long would it take to hike it?" Already my lifelong dream to hike the Appalachian Trail was morphing in response to the call of the North Country.

Introduction to the Trail August 1988

Monotone gray streamed the road beneath the tires. Dreary straight road, dreary linear, semiconscious stream of harried motherhood. Drive to Cadillac. How long will it take? Guide my boys to adulthood. What will I fix for dinner? Route M-55. Why is another summer nearly gone?

Plain brown sign: "North Country National Scenic Trail." Just time to register the words in my mind and note a parking area with an information board as I sped by. "National Trail?" I thought, "here? Right in my own backyard? Where does it go?" Now alert, I determined to stop and check it out on the return trip.

I can no longer recall the goal of the trip to Cadillac, but the message of that simple, modest signboard forever changed my life. Later that day I did indeed check the bulletin board. With amazement I read that this trail extends across the Eastern United States, from Crown Point, New York, to Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota. The headquarters address given was White Cloud, Michigan; again, just a few miles from my home. My head was spinning with possibilities and incredulity that I had never even heard of this trail. I copied the address, locked my car, and began a 4000-plus-mile trek.

The bulletin board indicated that I should be looking for blazes painted on trees. But I was about to learn lesson number one about h~king a trail which has many different groups that maintain it; some sections are marked better than others. After searching the woods all around the parking area, and not finding any blazes, I set off down the fire road, thinking that this must surely be the way to go. I needed to pay attention to what I was doing, since this was an


forest revolve dreamily around me. A late warbler calls; sparrows twitter, senseless with this imposed hush in their busy schedules. A squirrel insistently argues with me to move further off and let her world turn faster again. Some small beast rattles the leaves beside the trail. Perhaps his tail is trapped in calm, close to the hub, while his feet scrabble to keep pace with the concentric circle a body length away. A few late-season insects hum, shifting gears to pass from one spiral to the next. Farther away the world careens out-of-focus, too fast to see, beyond my comprehension or concern. Peace, an ownership of this one breath-space is the total of reality. Within the orbit defined by the acuity of my hearing, the world is tethered, Creation-fresh, forces counter-balanced at the escape-to-insanity velocity. This inner circle of tranquillity is the original Design, and I hold it tightly for another minute lest it whirl off into mad oblivion.

Releasing the universe, I begin to step along the path once again. The charmed "silence" is broken but not completely dispelled; the tone of the day is set. The woods warms in the September sun to a dry and glorious midday. Cheese and crackers fill my stomach as the spell of the morning filled my soul. I sketch a lone flower, a toadflax. A short rest, and I walk briskly on down the trail. I am concerned a bit about time. It has been years since I really hiked a trail and I have no good sense of what my pace is. But I reach Dilling Road several hours before Omer is expected to arrive, so I am glad that I have also packed a book to read. The satisfaction of sixteen miles of beautiful trail is solid soul food indeed, and the amorphous dream of renewing my love affair with hiking is beginning to crys tallize around this tiny kernel into a plan. 16 miles this hike Marilla Trailhead to Dilling Rd. Manistee County, Michigan 16 miles total

Well, I can't hike it all at once anyway ... After three years since finding it I finally have time to walk a few official miles of the NCT. Boys, like dreams, grow. The boys now need mothering less, the dreams more.

My husband, Omer, has agreed to take me early in the morning into the Manistee National Forest at Hodenpyle Dam, and to pick me up at Dilling Road. This time I am prepared. I carry lunch, compass, maps, flower identification guide, sketch pad, sweatshirt and emergency gear in a day pack.

The sounds of water pouring through the dam's floodgates and of some piece of heavy equipment fill my ears as I head across a field and into the woods searching for blazes. They are easily located, and the forest of tall pines quickly engulfs me, shutting out the "real" world. This section of the trail is well-marked and maintained. Soon the noise from the dam is left behind. In fact, when I stand still to quiet the sound of my footfalls, there are no sounds of human origin at all! This is a rare gift of the trail. During the summer months I had made several overnight or weekend campouts. Not one of these was free of anthropogenic noises. Heavy equipment backup beepers had awakened me on two mornings. The muffled pulse of distant traffic was almost impossible to escape, but was never in tune with the beating of my heart. Often, just as I thought I was free of the sound of motors a plane would roar across the sky. So, to stand quietly in the bracken and pines with only the soft swish of the breeze in my ears seems incredible. This gift swells in magnitude the longer I wait humbly and patiently to accept it. There is no feeling quite like this sense of being the lone human in the center of a circle of the natural world. I am that theoretically motionless molecule at the exact center of one turntable plane of the universe. Objects captured near me move slowly, hushed. Near sounds of the

(Continued from Page 9) the NCT joins the Buckeye Trail. This is the longest loop trail in the United States, and the North Country route sticks with it around the southern tip of Ohio and up the western edge of that state. After a jaunt along the route of the famous Wabash Cannonball Railroad, NCT hikers head north into Michigan.

· Michigan boasts the most miles of NCT, over 1100 of them! The route angles northwest to enter the Manistee National Forest, where I became acquainted with the trail. North of this forest the Shore to Shore Horseback Trail takes the NCT back to the center of the state

tt. where it must head north again to cross Big Mac, the Mackinac Bridge. Pictured Rocks and Lake Superior

t National Lakeshore miles lead west across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the Porcupine Mountains.

· Wisconsin boasts Chequamegon Forest (home of the original "North

'Country Trail"), and Minnesota paths continue through Forests with legendary names like Paul Bunyan, Chippewa, and Bad 'Medicine. The trail enters its western-most state, North Dakota, near Fargo. Sheyenne National Grassland, Lonetree Wildlife Area, and Lake Sakakawea define the prairie portions of the North .Country Trail. The distances are overwhelming.

Keeping supplies away from hungry bears is another purpose of a cache.


Page 11

,.;1;111;2~ Butler County I _..;, Chapter: As part of the Butler County

centennial and the North Country Trail Millennium celebrations, the chapter staged a hike from Parker, PA, to McConnell's Mills. Western Michigan:

Besides its usual many hikes and trail maintenance expeditions to the Upper Peninsula, the Western Michigan chapter hiked the Pent water Pathway in August which ended with an evening of country music. The chapter also raised more than $500 toward its Schoolhouse Fund with a dinner earlier in the Summer.

Chief Noonday: The Chief Noonday Chapter listed

ambitious goals for the balance of the year 2000 in its newsletter. These are: Membership: Raise the total to

150 from 141 and double business memberships from five to 10;

Marking: Blaze all the way from the Calhoun-Hillsdale County border to the Kent-Barry County border.

Trailbuilding: Complete the Augusta-Battle Creek and the Middleville State Game Area sections.

Speakers Bureau: Establish a list of members willing to serve as speakers and keep it current.

Spirit of the Woods: Its newsletter included this

description of The Hikers Side Shuffl.e by Angie Addington:

Entertaining to watch fellow hikers ahead ofme:

Occasionally a swift kick to the left, a branch goes flying;

A sideswipe of a walking stick sends a fallen twig into the woods;

Another shove, and an old rotten stump no longer threatens to trip . _ ~===-~===~ an unwary i::= trekker ...

3 B The crew does not perform Sco:T routine maintenance, nor displace

existing or future trail adopters who troops will still be responsible for main- partner tenance on their assigned sections with of trail. The trail crew will concen-

~~ ~'._~~.s~~~ chapters trate on new trail constru~tion, can -- ~,,_.,-,=··~.,.- ;;;~ be called upon to help with heavy ~~~.,,_... g \ Central New York: maintenance projects, such as after

wampum . .i 1 Cazenovia Boy a heavy wind storm and will provide

li~!iT'.i~'i0'~i~!-._ - ldlscout Troop 18's leadership for selected projects. i Eagle Scout project The core crew skilled in all ' ~valved ~uildin~ an aspects of trail ;,ork: location,

informational kiosk layout and construction, will be for the Ne~son fully equipped with handtools for Swamp Ui;uque Area up to 10 and a DR field mower, all and classic . kept in a movable trailer. puncheon bndges for wet areas. A Chequarnegon Chapter: spirited group led There has been some brief dis-

'""""=-,,,,_~ by NCTA advisor cussion about a possible merger Pete Moreau completed the kiosk between the Chequamegon and installation in late May and then Heritage Chapters but at the Spring turned to the bridges. meeting of the Great Lakes Council, Grand Traverse Hikers: it was reported that the proposal

has been abandoned. The Chequa- Max Anderson and his Troop 131 megon Chapter will continue to

from Suttons Bay, MI, built a bridge, maintain the existing trail between established a tent site near it and Copper Falls State Park and the performed trail reroute work as part Chequamegon National Forest's west of Max's Eagle Scout project. His boundary and the Heritage chapter's advisor, Harold Gardner, was of great focus will be to put in new trail assistance in getting materials to west of the Casey Sag Road. the site.

Troop 30, based at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City built a bridge across an unnamed creek on the NCT heading towards Rollways. Getting utility poles to the site was one strenuous job. Mike Norton was the advisor. Other Highlights: Brule/St. Croix:

With the help of a Challenge Cost Share grant from the National Park Service, the Brule/St. Croix chapter is establishing an elite trail crew for new construction and special projects. It will likely consist of three or four permanent members supplemented by others who can participate in some but not all projects. Bill Menke and Bob Gould are the first two members.

Excerpts from Chapter Newsletters

Reporting from the Trail North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail October-December 2000

'Brule-St. Croix Chapter

Tana Turonie, President Box 475 Mellen, WI 54546 (715) 27 4-2521 tturon ie@centuryi nter. net

Chequamegon Chapter

Steve Frye, President---~ P.O. Box 172 Jefferson, WI 53549 (414) 593-2694 [email protected]

Jan Wester (906) 225-1295

Shirley LaBonte (906) 228-6666

Bettie Daly (906) 228-9018

North Country Trail Hikers

Doug Welker, President and Acting State Trail Coordinator Upper Michigan Rt#l, Box 59A Pelkie, Ml 49958-9715 (906) 338-2680 [email protected]

Peter Wolfe Chapter

Madison Trails Office Bill Menke, Manager North Country National Scenic Trail 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite l 00 Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 [email protected]

Peter Nordgren, President 11260 E. Timber Ridge Rd. Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 (715) 394-8340 pnordg [email protected]

National Park Service

(Needs to be Assigned)

t.Page 12

New York (Allegheny-PA, Adirondack-NY) Howard Beye, Trail Council Chair NY State Coordinator 202 Colebourne Rd. Rochester, NY l 4609 (716) 288-7191 [email protected]

Ohio Jim Sprague, Ohio State Coordinator 4406 Maplecrest Parma, OH 44134 (216) 884-4757

Pennsylvania Bob Tait, Pennsylvania State Coordinator 212 East Metzger Ave. Butler, PA 1 6001 (724) 287-3382 Bob [email protected]

Michigan (Lower Ml, OH) Lynn Waldron;:',-------------..:::::) Trail Council Chair Chief Noonday Council Rep. Lower Ml State Coordinator 8133 Norris Road Delton, Ml 49046 (616) 623-5340 [email protected]

Partner Organization Nancy Odden, Exec. Dir. & Council Rep 731 7th Avenue Two Harbors, MN 55616 (21 8) 834-2700

Lisa Engle, President P.O. Box 100 Cooperstown, ND 58425 (707) 797-3530

Superior Hiking Trail Association Sheyenne River Valley Chapter

Chapters of the North Country Trail Association are like local trail clubs. They build and maintain the trail, host hikes and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas. For information about local activities and volunteering, contact Chapter representatives. Partner organizations (we call them "Affiliates") are independent nonprofit organizations that are working to build and maintain certain sections of the trail. They also are good contacts. We encourage you to support their work by joining their organi zations as well as the NCTA. Each state also has a State Trail Coordinator, whose job it is to coordinate the work of the Chapters and other partners in the state. Finally, all their representatives are grouped into "Trail Councils," to further coordinate their work, improve communication and cooperation across the trail.

North Country National Scenic Trail Contact Information

Great Lakes (Upper Ml, WI) Pat Miller, Trail Council Chair 15737 Sixty-Fifth Ave. Milaca, MN 56353 (320) 983-5643 pkmiller@ecenet

Minnesota John Leinen, West End Trail Council Chair MN State Coordinator 14205 St. Croix Trail North Stillwater, MN 55082-9587 (651) 433-4456 [email protected]

North Dakota Jon Lindgren, North Dakota State Coordinator 2001 North 7th St. Forgo, ND 58102-5075 (701) 231-8809 [email protected]

Additional Contacts


Page 13

Richard Lutz, President Rt. 1 , Box 1 34 1 Wampum, PA 16157 (724) 652-81 85 lutznct [email protected]

Partner Organization Dana Zintek, Council Rep. 2369 Suncrest Drive Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 928-8931

Bob Needham, President 7 46 Jefferson Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15229 (412) 369-0777 bob need ha [email protected]

Wampum Chapter

on Rice, President 111 Ash Stop Road Evans City, PA 16033 (724) 538-8475 rice [email protected]

Pittsburgh Chapter

Al Larmann, President 7169 Forbes Road Canastota, NY 13032 (315) 697-3387 [email protected]

Central New York Chapter

Partner Organization Harmon Strong, Council Rep. 7 6 Shellwood Drive Rochester, NY 146 1 8 (716) 586-3846

Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Frank Cetera, President 221 East Water Street Slippery Rock, PA 16057 (724) 735-1133 [email protected]

Dan Landfried, President H.C.I. Box 176B, Leeper, PA 16233 (814) 744-9325 [email protected]

Partner Organization Bob Roth, Council Rep. 80 Roseleaf Road Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (4 12) 279-6219

American Youth Hostels Pittsburgh Council

Brad Bosley, President 50900 Pancake-Clarkson Rd. Negley, OH 44441 (330) 227-2432

Great Trail - Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter

Richard Saur, President P.O. Box 673 Hillsdale, Ml 49242 (517) 437-257 4

Bow Beese Chapter

Dave Cornell, President 51 4 Cordes Road Delton, Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659 janc [email protected]

Chief Noonday Chapter

Tom Learmont, President 1 0554 Colby Road Gowen, Ml 49326 (616) 984-5917 Len Baron, Council Rep. 10822 26th Avenue Grand Rapids, Ml 49544 (616) 677-3598

Western Michigan Chapter

North Country National Scenic Trail Contact Information

Partner Organization Gene Markley, Council Rep. P.O. Box 234,Delta, OH 43515 (800) 951-4788 [email protected]

Joan Young, President 861 West USl 0 Scottville, Ml 49454 (231) 757-2205 [email protected]

Spirit of the Woods Chapter

Richard Naperala, President 1086 Quaker Valley Drive Traverse City, Ml 49684 (231) 223-7903 [email protected]

Grand Traverse Hiking Club (Chapter)

Jerry Allen, President 1561 Bomanville Rd. Gladwin, Ml 48624 (517) 345-2677

Tittabawassee Chapter

Jerry Keeney, President 2385 Manitou Trail Harbor Spring, Ml 497 40 (231) 526-9597 [email protected]

Harbor Springs Chapter


historic trails. Chairman Regula also provided the necessary leadership to complete the protection of the Appalachian NST through Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriations."

The NCTA's Derek Blount, Vice Chair of the Partnership, and Secretary Ross Marshall presented Chairman Regula with a framed map of the National Trails System and a chart of the official markers for 19 of the 20 national scenic and historic trails. American Hiking Society President Mary Margaret Sloan gave Chairman Regula a walking staff. Appalachian Trail Conference Executive Director David Startzell gave him a photograph depicting a hiker completing his trek of the Appalachian Trail on the summit of Mount Katahdin. This memento was given to Chairman Regula in recognition of his leadership to provide enough Land & Water Conservation Fund grants to com plete Federal acquisition of threat ened sections the Appalachian Trail.

In reply, Chairman Regula said: "I am very pleased to receive this

recognitiort and I hope Americans will continue to value these trails which have played such an impor tant part in our Nation's history." He noted how enjoyable it is to work with a committee that shares a bipartisan dedication to protecting American's natural and cultural heritage and ranking providing the funding for the Appalachian Trail as one of his proudest achievements in his long Congressional career.

He also thanked the trail organ ization leaders for their advocacy on behalf of trails and encouraged them to continue to inform his colleagues about the importance of our National Trails System. --Gary Werner in Pathways Across America

Trail Group Honors House Interior Chair

The Partnership for the National Trails System-which includes the North Country Trail Association and the American Hiking Society have recognized and publicly thanked Congressman Ralph Regula (R- OH) for his leadership on behalf of trails as Chair of the House Interior Appropriations Committee.

Bob Tait, Pennsylvania State coordinator for the NCTA, Derek Blount, a member of the NCTA Board and Bob Papp, our Executive Director, joined leaders from 12 of the 20 national scenic and historic trails at the ceremony in Wash ington held to honor and thank Chairman Regula for his support for America's trails.

Gary Werner, Executive Director of the Partnership, praised Chairman Regula as an outspoken advocate for trails and walking as a healthy way of enjoying the natural and cultural heritage of America.

Gary said: "During the past 5 years, Chairman Regula has led the Interior Committee to increase funding for the 15 national scenic and historic trails administered by the National Park Service by $2 million, to provide one third of Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program funds each year for projects to enhance these trails, and to direct funding for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to administer five national scenic and

Derek Blount (left), an NCTA Director, presents a framed illustration of the National Trails System to Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio).

To our surprise and that of our affiliate, the Superior Hiking Trail Association, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources failed to recommend a proposal to fund a trail planning specialist that would have been employed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

At the joint annual meeting of the NCTA and the Superior Hiking Trail Association in Two Harbors, MN, last May, the SHTA and others were optimistic that $200,000 would eventually be appropriated to locate and secure a trail corridor from Duluth to Two Harbors for the Superior Hiking Trail and for a trail corridor for the North Country Trail from Ely to Grand Rapids, MN.

The North Country Trail originally was to head west from Jay Cooke State Park in Minnesota to the Chippewa National Forest. The current plan is to tum the trail northeast to follow the Superior Hiking Trail to the Border Route Trail and then the Kekekabic Trail to Ely.

Writing in The Ridgeline, the newsletter of the Superior Hiking Trail Association, Nancy Odden, its Executive Director, called on SHTA members to get in touch with their legislators, to tell them how impor tant the trail is to all Minnesotans and said:

"There is still a chance we could get legislative support to put this project back into the bill, but to do this we need your help."

NCTA members in Minnesota need to get involved as well by writing or calling their legislators. Those who need more information can call Nancy at (218) 834-2700. Page 14

Setback in Funding for Planning


Field Grant Report Attracting New Friends

Each of the North Country Trail Association chapters may apply for field grants from the NCTA office for projects that require funding. The applications are screened by a committee of NCTA directors with wide geographical distribution. When the work is completed, the chapters submit a report of the results. The following is such a report from the Spirit of the Woods chapter.

The Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Associ ation requested a Field Grant to aid in sponsoring a National Trails Day event. Our chapter seeks to provide a positive in the experience for participants, specifically targeting young people, and families. This year we planned an all- day event which included information, sales, free lunch, demonstrations, crafts for children, trail work opportunities and several hikes.

One of the hikes concluded with a fl.oat trip on the Pere Marquette River. Hikers traveled a combination of the NCT and other trails. There were 78 people who attended, and 24 of these were under 18 years of age. Several people traveled more than 100 miles to participate. We are attempting to attract people to the NCT by hosting a safe and affordable day in which they can experience a number of different opportunities and become more aware of the North Country Trail.

Page 15

aunty, Wisconsin to close soon.

the recently appropriated onservation Funds as a

Wisconsin Sen. Herb V-e Obey;.

Millions of Americans enjoy trails annually, yet many of our favorite trails are in a major state of disrepair due to a $200 million backlog of badly-needed trail maintenance.

That's why the National Trails Endowment, the only privately funded national grants program, was founded in 1998-to help grassroots organizations, like the North Country Trail Association and its chapters to save trail lands and to build and maintain foot paths.

Since its inception, the Endow ment has awarded more than $9,000 to the national NCTA and to our Butler and BawBeese chapters.

The National Trails Endowment annually awards a total of $40,000 that has been applied to projects such as: • Securing trail lands, including

acquisition of trails and trail corridors, and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements.

National Trails Endowment Accepting Applications for 2001

• Building and maintaining trails, including costs associated with on-the-ground work of trail construction and stewardship, as well as purchasing tools and materials.

• Constituency building surround ing specific trail projects. You can help local clubs secure

funds, volunteers, tools and materials for our American trails by supporting the National Trails Endowment now. For NCTA mem bers, supporting the Endowment is an opportunity to help cherished trails besides our own.

At the same time, those of our chapters who have a project they believe merits Endowment funding, should apply now. Because the NCTA is an Alliance member of the American Hiking Society, our Chapters get extra points on their applications. Applications are due by November 30, and awards will be announced in March 2001.


Page 16

Much of the funding for the celebration came from American Express. Its representative, Pat Small, told our group how proud she was to participate.

Ed Chappel and his wife, Nancy from the Spirit of the Woods chapter; his daughter, Lianne Mehmed and her husband, Nick, plus their children, Nathan and Stephanie, are all members of the North Country Trail Association and turned out to volunteer their services at the Millennium Day celebration. That's our executive director, Bob Papp, peeking out from in back alongside (left to right) Ed, Nathan, Nancy, Stephanie, Lianne and Nick.


More than 1, 700 bandanas telling the trail story were handed out to bridge walkers by NCTA volunteers, most of them two-legged. But a few went to our more active friends, like this one, poised to cross the bridge.

National Millenniwn

Trail

NCTA Volunteers wore t-shirts that invited visitors to "ask me about the trail." The back in this picture is a famous one in the annals § of the North Star, it belongs to Bob Tait, our ,s Pennsylvania coordinator, who previously ~ contributed his back in a photograph of bridge- _g. building in Moraine State Park, PA. The front j view belongs to Annette Hollister-Papp. -

Tundra Outfitters of Mackinaw City gracefully gave the NCTA space in its parking lot for the

Associations trail shop and information booth, south of the bridge.

Our members turned out in force to help celebrate National Millennium Day on Labor Day at the Straits of Mackinac, the one day a year you're allowed to walk across the five-mile bridge linking Michigan's two peninsulas. More than 70 of our volunteers handed out bandanas

to some of the estimated 75,000 who turned out for the bridge walk to let the visitors know they were walking on the North Country National Scenic Trail and to invite them to join our association.

National Guards, including this one smilingly enjoying her job, were present to help matters along and provide security along the route of the 5-mile march. Hundreds of Thousands

Touched the NC Trail

Crowds came early to line up for the school buses that would take them to the St. Ignace side and the start of the bridge walk.


Bulletin Board Section Hiker, 44, seeking partner(s) or a group for

a three-week hike in late April/ early May 2001 on the Appalachian Trail, starting at southern terminus on Springer Mountain, Georgia, heading northward. Contact Ken Fritsch, 54425 North Avenue, Macomb, MI 48041. (810) 749-9782.

Page 18

Looks like members of the two chapters manage to tire out Hannah, the Johnson's Basset hound, taking her ease in the foreground. Still standing are (left to right) Barb Kersjes, a guest of Char Holly, and Vicki Kelly, both from Spirit of the Woods; and Marty Johnson, Grand Traverse Hikers, Frank Hayes, director of the Newcomers Hiking Club of Traverse City and Bob Johnson from Grand Traverse.

Last year, Congressman David Obey and Senator Herb Kohl, both from Wisconsin, collaborated to secure $500,000 in federal Land and Water Conservation Funds to Rep. David Obey addresses members of the Brule/St. Croix chapter in Solon Springs, WI. help protect our trail route in the NCTA Vanguard award. In future sentation. In accepting the award northern Wisconsin. The State of years, we will use the Vanguard Congressman Obey congratulated ' Wisconsin has since pledged another award to bring recognition to public volunteers on their successes and $500,000 to match these funds, seryants whos~ ~ark is of a similar also stressed the need for building marking an unprecedented new caliber, establishing unparalleled much greater public awareness of effort to permanently establish the hope and excitement for the future the trail. He also encouraged us all North Country National Scenic Trail. of the North Country Trail. to build stronger partnerships with

In May of this year, the NCTA On August 2, the Brule-St.Croix other Representatives along the trail Board of Directors voted to recognize Chapter hosted a special award route, to ensure that the North this significant effort by Congress- ceremo~y to present Congressm~n Country Trail continues to enjoy a man Obey and Senator Kohl by O~ey with the award. Our Executive bright future. recognizing each with a new award, Director, Bob Papp, made the pre-

··········································································· Grand Traverse Hikers - Spirit of the Woods Memorial Benefits NCTA Neighboring Chapters Take a Hike The North Country Trail Association ~·

and our hiker friends and members ." " 11 ,i/ are the beneficiaries of several //J generous gifts made in memory of 1

Randall M. Heckman. The contributions honor the memory of Randall Heckman, of Ada, MI, who died at the age of 44 in August.

The North Country Trail passes near '• the family cottage near Baldwin where \~ Randall Heckman shared his love of the \\ outdoors with his family and friends.

Th~ fun~ was created with the help of Adam Niemur, a fanuly friend and NCTA member and swelled by friends of Randall who sent contributions to the NCTA in lieu of flowers.

~P.~f.~ .. io.Ati!?.!! Brule/St. Croix Vanguard Award Presented to Con~ressman David Obey


Page 19

Harbor Springs Detailed Mae, Brochure for Top of Michigan

The Harbor Springs Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has produced a wonderfully-detailed brochure and access map of its section of the trail and placed it in trail boxes at the trail head.

The brochure, designed by Melanie Chiodini as a volunteer project, not only shows the route of the trail from the Little Traverse Wheelway in Petoskey to Mackinaw City through Wilderness State Park but describes and locates each of 11 trailheads in great detail.

The support of a number of businesses and individuals made the project possible. They included besides Melanie: Jerry Keeney, President of the chapter and his wife, Peggy; Andrew Fedus, Lee Milner, Dr. John Tanton, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Preston Feather Building Centers and Skip's Petoskey Glass.

The North Country Trail Associ ation headquarters in Grand Rapids has a supply of the brochures for anyone who would like a copy. You may call toll-free at {888) 454-NCTA to get one.

later to be installed across the Battle Creek River.

Our next stop was Riverside Park and the start of a tour to locate

·where the trail could be routed. We started at an underpass which the trail will pass through and walked Riverside Park and Bridge Park. We then walked northward through Kimball Pines Park. After crossing East Michigan Avenue we entered the Ott Preserve which covers a large

· area and takes us almost to the certified portion of the North Country Trail that passes through Battle Creek.

Then it was back to Marshall where we were shown a layout of their future planning to improve parks and greenways in Calhoun

.county. Our thanks to Dennis and Annette

for their hard work and a real eye opening day. I'm sure this is a great start to a promising partnership between Calhoun County and the

·North Country Trail. -Robert Benham, Vice President and Treasurer, Chief Noonday Chapter.

At the July meeting of the Chief Noonday Chapter, President Dave Cornell appointed a committee which was given the responsibility of marking the trail from the east side of Battle Creek, southeastward through Calhoun County, toward Hillsdale County, ML The commit tee consisted of Lynn Waldron, Charles Krammin, Bob Benham and Tom Funke.

We decided to start by meeting with the Calhoun County Community Development Director Dennis Randolph and his assistant Annette Chapman to see what Calhoun County had in the planning for the east side of Battle Creek and beyond.

The meeting took place in Marshall, MI at the headquarters of the Calhoun County Road Commis sion where planning was indeed in progress and in the exact area we were hoping to take the North Country Trail.

After a short meeting to plan the mornings activities, I we were given a tour of the area where the restoration of an antique bridge . was taking place. The bridge is

Chief Noonday Plans Underway for Next Sections of Trail in Southwestern Michigan

Tom Funke (back to camera), and (left to right) Dennis Randolph, Calhoun County Development Director; Charles Krammin, Annette Chapman, Dennis' The North Country Trail will pass through this underpass assistant, and Lynn Waldron discuss the plan on the in Calhoun County, MI on its way to Ceresco. banks of the Kalamazoo River.


,,

Ed Chappel

from Ford Motor Company where he was manager of the Dimensional Control Department of Engineering. Ed describes his years in the city as "giving up a part of my life." On retiring, he and his wife, Nan, headed for the Michigan woods. They discovered the NCT near their new home and then stopped at the Freesoil Trailhead in the Manistee National Forest. "Let's go for a walk," he said. Within 100 yards he had seen a porcupine; "I was hooked right then," he admits. Just two weeks later his trail introduction was reinforced when he saw an article in the paper about forming

SPIRIT OF THE WOODS CHAPTER

Twenty-five years from now ED CHAPPEL' s kids and grandkids may be telling a similar story of being coaxed to the Trail. Chappel retired

of spontaneous maintenance. But Norlin, like many local folk near Iron River wasn't really aware that the trail had joined the National Scenic Trail system. Just two years ago Bob was searching the internet for hiking trails and discovered the NCTA. He joined immediately and has a passion for extenffi?g th~ trail corridor through the W1sconsm woods. Anyone familiar with the Chequamegon will recognize "County Road K' as the end of the trail. Not any more! Norlin has been almost single-handedly building trail westward. He has nearly two miles of trail finished, and reports that as soon as he reaches a stretch which joins a county trail he only has to mow and there will suddenly be four new miles of trail instead of two! After that, there are about five miles to go and the new trail will connect with the western section which is already under construction. Will Wisconsin be the first state completed? Semi-retired from a company which installs . industrial wood-burning systems, he finds many available hours for trail work, "and it's only fifteen minutes away from home," he commented with quiet satisfaction. Bob laments that it is often difficult to infect his Northwoods friends with his enthusiasm for the Trail. Many people tend to take it for granted, still assuming that the NCT is the responsibility of the Forest Service, and is a local trail. He hopes to educate people about the larger picture. One way he is ac~omplishing this is by hanging a laminated NCTA poster on the trail: Bob _reports that this has resulted in quite a few comments. We've also heard that "he's seen everywhere in his blue NCTA hat." With understated humor, Norlin calls trail work "better than sitting on the couch!" Hooray for staying off that couch, Bob!

Page 20 Bob Norlin

Welcome back to your armchair and this installment of Heart & Sole! Now that the summer season of trail work is winding down it's time to think about all that has been accomplished and some of the folks who helped to make it happen. The heart can be a symbol of caring, courage, boldness, endurance and more. This issue, it symbolizes relationships. Each of these volunteers has strong ties to the Trail with other members of his or her family. The strengthe~ing of relationships is reinforced with new experiences within the Trail Commu nity. And the North Country Trail means enough to these people to keep them involved in working to. build, promote and protect the trazl. This is the "sole," the shoe-leather symbol for the w~rk requ~red to make a 4200-mile trazl a reality. BRULE-ST. CROIX CHAPTER

About twenty-five years ago BOB NORLIN's dad retired at age 65. Twenty-five years ago, the North Country Trail was not a National Scenic Trail. But it was the name of a trail through the Chequamegon National Forest of Wisconsin. Bob's dad would ski the five miles to the trail eat his lunch and ski home. He kept trying to get Bob to join him, but Bob hesitated ... "I didn't want to be out-skiied by a 65-year old," he quipped. In just a !ew years the NCT had bequeathed its name to the national trail and Bob was out on the path, often with a pair of clippers in his pocket to do a bit


We know there are lots of worthy volunteers whom we've not featUred here. You can nominate them! Contact me to find out how.

Joan Young 861 w. us 10

Scottville, MI 49454 (231) 757-2205, [email protected]

Page 21

a week. Amazingly, the current office space is not much larger than Ginny's kitchen, but houses seven workstations, multiple office machines, the Trail Shop and a constant hum of activity. The portion of this activity which is Char's domain is as necessary a piece of trail work as that done by the guys whose stories appear above. Char says the accounts are "more my line than slinging a hammer!" She is retired from working in Accounts Receivable at Bignall Metal Supply. Char volunteers for several other organizations as well, includ ing her church and the Blandford Nature Center. She is a dedicated member of the Audubon Society. She joined that group when it was first reactivated after World War II in 1951, and is one of the few remaining charter members. Full time volunteer is a good descrip tion of Char and we appreciate her ability to tally those growing figures as the Association grows in support of the North Country Trail.

Rapids it may be difficult to visualize the amount of activity which is packed into one small space. The National Office gives local chapters real "bang for the buck, " and Char is part of the team that makes it all happen. She's been volunteering at the office for as

· long as Bob Papp has been Executive Director. This sequence is explained by the fact that she also assisted Bob at the Blandford Nature Center where he previously worked. When Bob came to the NCTA, Char said to him, "Let me know if I can help." "Well, Bob never forgets something like that!" she assured me. Another staffer tells it this way, "When Bob was hired, one of his first calls was to Char." Every Monday, so regularly that the staff checks the time by her arrival, Char comes in to prepare the week's deposits for the bank and record the revenues. In the five years she has been volunteering, the Association has grown from 4 to 21 chapters, so this task is an ever-increasing challenge. "I first learned about the Trail from my cousin, Ginny," Chandler explained. That's Ginny Wunsch, a familiar name to all NCT old-timers! As the NCTA outgrew the Wunsch kitchen (remember those hand written notes?) Ginny recruited Char to answer the phone two days

•

a new local chapter of the NCTA, and the first activity was a hike. The grandkids were visiting, and Ed was concerned that the hike might be too long for them so he and Nan took their own hike on the trail that same day. Those kids, of course, did fine! Next, Ed and Nan came to the chapter's start-up meeting, and he was quickly thrust into the role of Treasurer. When the chapter took on the daunting task of building a 600-foot boardwalk in their first year of existence, Ed was one of the mainstays of the organizational and construction crews. The project was completed on time and Ed is pleased to have been able to put in many hours toward reaching that goal. He rather plaintively added, "But it's done." He and Nan are always eager to bring the family along. "When the grandkids see stuff along the trail and get excited it brings tears to my eyes," he admits. "Trails are a tremendous way for young people to see nature." Ed was raised on a farm, was a Boy Scout, and has always loved being outdoors. "Trails give us a way to get closer to nature, and that's a way to get closer to God where He can share with us." Ed has a goal to hike all of the NCT in Michigan. He has dreams of forming mobile work teams to help other chapters. He fills in wherever he is needed in his own chapter, and received the Volunteer of the Year award, 2000, for Spirit of the Woods. Don't worry about the boardwalk being finished, Ed, we're sure there is more trail work for you to do!

NCTA HEADQUARTERS CHAR CHANDLER enjoys

working with the people in the NCTA office and it's a good thing she does! If you've never visited the NCTA office in downtown Grand


• Each council will continue to be composed of one representative from each chapter and each affiliate and will be guaranteed one vote. Councils would be free to appoint other members such as agency representatives, key volunteers, or others who may contribute to the success of the council. Each council would determine, for itself, whether such additional council members are entitled to vote.

• The current bylaws calling for the election of directors from the eastern states, the western states as well as at-large directors would be amended. The new Board would consist of the representatives from each council plus enough at-large directors to create a Board of 17 directors. A committee to draft the

necessary changes in the national bylaws to accommodate these changes and also to draft guidelines for the responsibilities of the trail councils, council chairs and state coordinators was appointed at the September board meeting. The directors will vote on their proposals in December.

and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan may either have separate councils, or the Upper Peninsula may join with the Wisconsin Council, depending on the wishes of the individual chapters.

• Each council will appoint a chair and a state coordinator who may or may not be the same person, depending on the wishes of the council and the individuals involved. General guidelines will be developed by a committee of the NCTA board to define the responsibilities of each post, but these guidelines will be broad enough to leave ample room to accommodate local skills, interests, needs and conditions.

• Each council will nominate one of its members to serve on the national Board of Directors. That individual could be the state coordinator, council chair or any of the council members. The nominee would be subject to the regular Board election process. The current restriction preventing directors from serving on the national board for more than two consecutive terms would continue to apply.

· .

Chapter presidents, chairs of the current trail councils and state coordinators responded to a questionnaire soliciting their opinions on how the councils should be constituted, the geographic areas they should represent, the scope of their responsibilities, their relationship with the board of the NCTA and the respective roles of council chairs and state coordinators.

Some years ago the North Country Trail Association established a network of four regional trail councils to help our local chapters coordinate their work and to create a more localized entity to deal with trail issues and to make· recommendations to the national Board of Directors.

After operating in this fashion, a number of the councils, who now cover two or more states each, found their multi-state responsibility unwieldy and also that their role needs tighter definition.

To deal with these problems, a proposal to limit the scope of the council to a single state and to make a number of other operating changes is under consideration by the Board and will be voted on during the directors' Winter meeting in Milwaukee, December 2.

After the subject was introduced at the annual meeting in Minnesota last May, chapter presidents, chairs of the current trail councils and state coordinators responded to a questionnaire soliciting their opinions on how the councils should be constituted, the geographic areas they should represent, the scope of their responsibilities, their relationship with the board of the NCTA and the respective roles of council chairs and state coordinators.

The responses led to the latest proposal drafted by Werner Veit, President of the NCTA, and Bob Papp, Executive Director, and presented to the Board for study at the directors' fall meeting in Mackinaw City on September 3.

Highlights of the proposal: • Each council will represent a

single state except that the Lower Page 22

NCTA Board Will Consider Trail Council Reorganization


member of the Onondaga chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Most recently, he traveled to Costa Rica this year for extensive hiking through the rain forests and central mountain range there.

Rich has been a member of the Buckeye Trail Association, an affiliate of the North Country Trail Association, for 3 2 years and supervisor of its 54-mile Burton Section for 10. He is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising the local supervisors who work with the volunteers who blaze and maintain the trail. Among his other duties are to liaise with local park districts and to negotiate for trail rights-of-way.

He is currently serving on the Buckeye Trail Association's Board of Trustees where he is involved in program and policy decisions, planning and activation of the Association's new "local chapters" program. He has received the Association's "Star Performance" award for leadership and teamwork.

Rich holds a PHd in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois and spent several years as a research chemist before entering the financial field as financial advisor and stockbroker. He retired from "paid employment" as he puts it, in 1990.

Since then, he has been deeply involved not only in trail work but in lobbying for the Association, holding trail building workshops, organizing and leading hikes, serving as a volunteer tax advisor for seniors and working on exhibitions for visitors to the Great Lakes Science Center.

He represented the NCTA Board and the Buckeye Trail Association at the National Trails Symposium in Redding, CA, in September.

Page 23

Tony Rodriguez, New in 1946. He grew up in East Harlem and graduated from City University of New York.

After a 28-year career with the New York State Department of Health in the Central New York Region, he retired in 1995 and devoted much of his time to his great love of hiking. Since 1996, he has hiked about 1,000 miles of the Appalachian trail and looks forward to completing the whole trail.

He has hiked extensively throughout New York and has been an active volunteer in the Adirondack Mountains and in the Finger Lakes Trail system, as a

Beye, who was absent from the board for one year, the board again will have representation from Ohio and New York.

Tim Cullenen, a director from Ohio, moved to New York to a new job which kept him too busy to participate in trail activities, and he declined to run for re-election. Rich Harris then was nominated. That assures representation on the Board from Ohio.

Both Tony and Rich have long been active in trail work, particularly with two of our long-time affiliates, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the Buckeye Trail Association.

Tony was born in Puerto Rico in 1937 and migrated to New York City

Richard Harris, Ohio They were Richard Harris, of

Mayfield Village, Ohio, and Tony Rodriguez, of Syracuse, NY. Rich was elected to a three-year term in the Spring balloting and Tony was appointed in July by President Werner Veit to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Tom Reimers, of Ithaca, NY. He will fill out Tom's unexpired term and then, presumably, will run for his own, first three-year term in 2001.

Rich was elected to one of three at-large positions decided in the Spring balloting with 342 votes. Joan Young and Werner Veit were re-elected to at-large seats with 346 and 342 votes respectively.

Daryl Williamson, West Division director, was re-elected with 349 votes. The Allegheny-Adirondack Council seat again went to Howard Beye with 327 votes and the OH MI Trail Council Chair to Lynn Waldron with 330 votes. Heather Honerkamp, of Pennsylvania, and two Michigan members, Gladys Hoogterp and Arlen Matson received write-in votes.

With the seating of Rich and Tony, and the rejoining of Howard

Two new directors took their seats when the North Country Trail Association Board held its fall meeting in Mackinaw City during the Labor Day weekend.

1Wo Ne"" Directors Join NCTA Board


•1

Back Design

Front Design

Sage NCNST T-shirt (c-103) North Country National Scenic Trail - Just Beyond Your Backdoor. It's made of heavy weight, 100% cotton, color sage, and features a front design in brick red, forest green, and ivory. The trail line on

the map is actually a list of all seven state · names. (color: sage) Was - S, M, L, XL:~ XXL:~ Now S, L, XL: $8.25 XXL: $8.95 Trail Cirew 1-smrt (c102) A TRAIL CREW shirt for volunteers! Tan 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. (color: tan) M, L, XL: $8.95 XXL: $9.95

(. M'.oS5i Gre:e: (api (C206) ••••••••••••••• $14.95 Embroidered association logo. Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Constructed with soft lining. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. D. l!.ig,ht Khaki/N'avy(api (C207) ••••••• $14.95 Trail emblem design. Low profile washed cotton, unconstructed. Light Khaki crown with washed navy bill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. E. Rnyam Mesh-Back (api (C201) •••••••• $10.95 Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap.

NrtTA 'J~Shirt (C101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T". Three- color NCTA logo on front and two-color trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National Scenic Trail" and includes the seven state· map of the trail. (color: natural) S, M, L, XL: $11.95 (color: natural) XXL: $12.95

T-Shirts

(Clockwise from bottom)

A. N.aturaJ <t:ofaredl "Ru.cket Mat'" (C208) $16.95 The North Country National Scenic Trail compass point design on a bucket hat in a tone on tone khaki color. Washed cotton, one size fits most . Bl. "Deni'mt Blue (api (C203) ••••••••••• $15.95 "Pro-wash" cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustable buckle on a leather strap.

HAlS

Wis.ctonsin Chequamegon N.F. and Brule River S.F., 19pp (M501) $3.50

M~nnesota, Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24pp (M601) $4.00

N'orth Daltota1 NCT in North Dakota 15pp (M701) ......... $5.00

Page 24

. ~

·:::...~~}J. :.:::.-~'!< ~ l

Certified Sections of the orttl Country Tran

by Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed informa- ---- '!<!~

tion and maps ~ Yt'. highlighting the · ' longest and best .1 ~-.· .. 1.' . off-road segments of the Trail. These are accurate route -- descriptions by _ experienced guidebook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form. Penn~lvania1

NCT in Pennsylvania, 37pp (M201) $5.25 Ohio

Wayne National Forest, 14pp (M301) ...... $3.00 Burr Oak - Sinking Spring, 51pp (M302) .. $7.00 Sinking Spring to Milford, 38pp (M303) $5.50 Little Miami Scenic Park, 19pp (M304) $3.00 Miami & Erie Canal, 14pp (M305) $3.00

Michi!la NCT m Lower Michigan, 66pp (M401) $12.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, BBpp (M402) $12.50

I a lap Sets NEW TRAIL MAPS Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a clear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy. Each map unfolds to a full 11" x 17". (T 401) Michigan Huron-Manistee National Forest: North Segment (T-402) Michigan Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road (T-201) Pennsylvania McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks $5.00 (T-202) Allegheny National Forest North Section $6.50 (T-203) Southern Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest State Park $8.00

NCTA lirai l Building and Maintenance !Manual by Thomas Reimers (L101) This great manual for volunteers provides helpful guidelines and suggestions for planning, construction and continued maintenance of the North Country Trail. It covers rural and roaded natural, semi-primitive and primitive trail. 22pp $2.00

Page 25

North Country !National Scen'ic T1rail Mug (P103) NEW plastic trail mug tapered to fit in cup holder $5.00

Canvas Tote Bag (P124) Light blue silk screen pattern of trees with NCT blue blaze. 17" x 141/2" with bottom gusset. Webbed hand carrying straps. Great for groceries or books. $ 7 .50 ...__......,

Volunteer Patch (P121) 1" x 31/2'' $1.50 ea. State Patches 2" x 2" New York (P126), Pennsylvania (P127), Ohio (P12s), Michigan (P129), Wisconsin (P130), Minnesota (P131), North Dakota (P132) $2.00 ea. Round Patch (P122) 3" North Country Trail Association $3.00 ea. Patch of Trail Emblem 31/2'' bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (P125) $3.50 ea.

Hiking Stick Medallions Add the NCNST insignia to your hiking stick. Brass Hiking Stick Medallion on left (P104) $4.00 Silver, painted in color Hiking Stick Medallion on right (P105) $4.00

(M411) SE Lenawee Co. to W. Calhoun Co. (M412) NE Kalamazoo Co. to SE Newaygo Co. (M413) SE Newaygo Co. to NW Wexford Co. (M414) NW Wexford Co. to SE Charlevoix Co. (M415) Charlevoix Co. to Mackinaw City (M416) St. Ignace to SE Marquette Co. (M417) Marquette area to Ironwood

Minnes· : oid . to the North untry Tra1 ewa Nation l Forest by Roderi5k MacRae ( 611) Descriptiin of the r ute and trail log, east o west. W nderfully written b a Chippew National Forest ex 12 a es $1.25

Pins The Trail Emblem cloisonne pin is 7/s" and features the updated North Country triangle design. The National Millennium Trail pin is Y2" x 11/4" in vivid red, white and blue with a gold metallic border $3.00 ea.

Trail Emblem (P102) Millennium (P2000)

Troy

St. Marys Stockport

Scioto Trail Sinking Spring

Lovela d

Buckeye Trail (Ohio) Section Maps These convenient and detailed maps cover the North Country Trail where it overlaps with the Buckeye Trail. they are published by the Buckeye Trail Association. Each map $3.50 Belle Valley (M311) Morgan, Noble and

Guernsey Counties Bowerston (M312) Harrison, Ca!JJ)H and

,.....--.,----,.,.,._ Guernsg.y{oun~res Caesar Creek (M 11')Jreen/and Warr.en Counties Defian e (M314) Defiance, Paull'ng, Putnam,

Henry and Woo Counties Delph s (M315) Putnam, Allen nd

Auglaize Coun ,·es (M316) Clermont, Warren and

Hamilton Co~nties Massil n (M317) Stark and T~carawas Counties New S raitsville (M318) AthenyHocking, Morgan,

PerfY_founties Hotlting, Ross and v·nton Counties

oss and Pike Counties Adams, Pike and Highland Counties

(M322) Auglaize and Shelby Counties (M323) Morgan, Perry and

Athens Counties (M324) Greene, Miami and

Montgomery Counties West Union (M325) Adams and Brown Counties Williamsburg (M326) Brown and Clermont Counties

--rr.·..:!I:"'" • .:"- ... ~~~~~~:.~~. Michigan Map Sets by Arden Johnson An excellent reference for the entire North Country Trail in Michigan. Includes all off-road segments and suggests on-road routes where the trail is incomplete. Also provides good general information about access points, terrain, markers, camping and water, etc. $4.00 per set

By Jim DuFresne From one of Michigan's leading outdoor writers comes this compre hensive guide to the best trails in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Each hike write-up contains all the basic information you need: access, parking, trail dis tance and difficulty, hiking time, contour map, and explicit trail directions. Formerly titled 50 Hikes in Lower Michigan. 252pp, (L109) $15.00

' 50 Hikes in Michigan

By Jim DuFresne. This detailed guidebook provides backpackers, hikers, campers, and skiers with all the information they need to plan a trip to the tranquil Porkies in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Includes history, wildlife in the park, fishing

opportunities, cabins and shelters, camping areas, family day hikes with complete information on trails, access points, waterfalls and backcountry treks. 160pp, (L108) $11.95

Porcupine Mountains

Page 26

rrcruaeo Roms An Illustrated Guide NATIONAL LAKt:sttrnu; by Olive Anderson.

A GUIDE The centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a rugged, beautiful, and unique coast on the Lake Superior Shore. This

revised guidebook includes maps, and excellent descriptions of the many recreational opportunities available at Pictured Rocks. 56pp, (L110) $6.95

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

By John G. Hipps, M.D. Stories recount the full spectrum of humankind's experi ences. Sometimes informative anded ucational, frequent ly humorous, often whimsical, the stories will entertain and charm you with their simple philosophy, wisdom and wit.

Includes advice on home remedies, herbal and alternative medicine that promotes the common sense caring of one's self. 363pp, (L115) $19.95

By Dennis R. Hansen Michigan trail enthusiasts, don't get caught without this atlas! 2nd Edition includes maps and descriptions for over 600 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. Search by location or types of use. 581pp, (L102) $29.95

Trail Atlas of Michigan

The Country Doctor, Alive and Well

Comprehensive guide for beginning wanderers and those exploring new country. Choosing proper clothing, selecting footware and raingear, using a map and compass, predicting hike difficulty, when to tum around, managing food and water, weather lore, walking techniques, traveling with kids, first aid, and more. Many short features, fun tips and anecdotes. 216pp, (L107) $14.95

Dayhiker's Handbook By J. Long & M. Hodgson

A truly fresh look at hildng. Read about: philosophy of hiking, stress management, creativity and hiking, and trail romance. Also, explore today's issues through hiking: strengthening family ties, improving communication, a healthy lifestyle for kids, an inexpensive pastime and providing seniors with a natural prescription for health. A new twist for anyone who currently enjoys hiking and for those who are thinking about starting out. 245pp, (L106) $14.95

Hiking! By Philip Farronti and Cecilia Leyva

By Tim and Christine Connors Tired of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky? Would you like to dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheesecake in the backcountry? Here is a guide to satisfying, sumptuous dining on the trail. You no longer have to sacrifice nutrition for taste. A new kind of outdoor cookbook, this all-in-one guide is filled with trail-tested recipes providing at home preparation directions, trailside cooking instructions, and nutritional information. 232pp, (L118) $15.95

Lipsmackin' Backpackin'.

Lessons from the Appalachian Trail. Blending sage advice with personal experiences and anecdotes, this unusually thoughtful, highly readable account of long-distance trekking on the AT. Mueser draws upon extensive interviews to examine unorthodox yet relevant topics. He covers all the questions providing the basis for planning your own long-distance hike. 180pp, (L111) $16.95

Long Distance Hiking By Roland Mueser

By Tim Smith and Mark Herrick One whole lot of fun! Buck Wilder and his pal Rascal the Raccoon share their considerable wisdom and wit. Wonderful color illustrations are filled with humor and countless tips and trivia. Though at first glance this looks like a book for kids, adults also find this guide irresistible and informative. 64pp, (L103) $12.95

Buck Wilder's Hiking & Camping Guide

Page 27

Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 2008

Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCTA

(888-454-6282) If ordering by credit card

you may fax your order to: 616-454-7139

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By Wm. Chad McGrath Follow in the footsteps of the early voy agers, ramble beside river rapids, trek through tall trees, and savor a scenic overlook as you discover some of Minnesota's finest walking trails. In this book, Chad McGrath guides you to some of the state's most beautiful and interesting paths. 168pp, (L117) $16.95

Special T-Shirt Sale Commemorative Bridge Walle 2000 t-shirt. Get it now while supplies last. Beautiful photo of the Mackinac bridge with seven state map of trail. S, M, L Was $11.95 Now $8.50 (P2001)

Too New to View!

Special 2001

Merchandise Total:

Great Minnesota Walks

Great Wisconsin Walks

S/H Charge $2.50 $3.50 $5.00 $6.50 $8.50

Amount of Order up to $10.00 $10.01 to $25.00 $25.01 to $50.00 $50.01 to $100 Over $100

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Following the NCT By Wes Boyd Third By Wm. Chad· Edition of Following McGrath the North Country Experience the National Scenic Trail. serenity of a A Classic! Includes stately birch general descriptions forest, the rush of of the Trail and a river in spring efforts to build it in and the excite each of our seven ment of an urban states. This new amble as you dis edition also includes cover Wisconsin's appendices on finest walking

through-hiking the NCT and the history trails, In this of the Trail and the Association. 96pp, book, Chad McGrath guides you to some (L112) $4.95 of the state's most beautiful and

* interesting paths. Whether you are in cOUNTJ?_y search of a long, healthful hike in the

~~ ./>.. woods or a short, casual stroll in the ~ ~~ ~ ,A. -1> city. Great Wisconsin Walks will help you

~~~ plan your rou~e. 160pp, (L116) $16.95

•ASSOCIATION•

By Adrienne Hall You'll find the knowledge and skills you

need to become a self-sufficient backpacker. Yes, you can light a camp stove ... set up a tent by your self ... take your kids with you - and keep them entertained ...

survive (and even learn to love) a week in the woods without hot showers! Hall's fresh perspective and up-to-date presentation of techniques and equipment provide all the tools you need to become a confident, comfor table, capable backpacker! 160pp, (L113) $14.95 .

Trail Shop Order Form

Woman's Guide to Backpacking

II

... ....

Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 2008 • Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCTA (888-454-6282) If ordering by credit card you may fax your order to:

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D $25 Regular D $50 Trail Leader D $100 Pathfinder D $35 NC Explorer D $45 Organization D $150 Business Would you like to be a Chapter Member or At-Large? (There is no extra charge to be a member of a - local Chapter.)

D Member of a specific Chapter: _

D Member of my closest local Chapter (If one exists) D At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

....

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Page 28

The story of the North Country Trail has only begun to be written. It is being written by dedicated public officials." ------l citizen volunteers, and private landowners captivated by the vision of the trail and the----" many experiences it will offer to those who follow it in quest of the North Country's scenic treasures. You can help write that story by becoming involved as a volunteer, joining in the effort to build, promote, and maintain sections of the trail. The North Country Trail Association was formed in 1981 to organize and coordinate the massive volunteer effort necessary to establish and maintain segments across private lands, as well as assist public agencies in establishing segments on their lands. The association works closely with the National Park Service in promoting development and use of the trail. You can help establish, promote, and protect the North Country National Scenic Trail by joining or supporting the efforts of these organizations and other local groups working on the trail. Landowners along the route of the trail can make a significant contribution by giving permission for the trail to cross their lands or by donating lands or easements for the trail. Financial contributions can help support and accelerate the activities associated with establishing and maintaining the trail. Donations of money, land, and easements may qualify as tax-deductible gifts.

.··· ·· .. ··· ..

Your Help is Needed 1----~

Page 29

With a full-time cartographer now on staff, we also can start producing special maps for planning meetings or promotional handouts for Chapters. We're already working on prototype map handouts and are continuing to produce new hiking maps that will benefit all our Chapters.

Three years ago, developing hiking maps was ranked the highest priority by Chapter presidents. I have to say, though, that today our volunteers seem most eager for assistance with trail and land-related issues. This would include help with route planning, negotiating with land owners, managing easements and other legal necessities, as well as recruiting and training volunteers.

As the NCTA continues to grow and become a more mature organ ization, we must develop much greater technical expertise and resources to keep pace with the growing needs of our volunteers. With our mapping program now well under way, we must set our sights to these higher goals, to keep reaching for the full potential of our own organization, and of the trail itself.

$15, this amounts to $3.75. If a Chapter sends out quarterly or bi monthly newsletters, this amount covers printing and postage. (Obviously, the more a member pays in dues, the more the Chapter receives. For $100 Pathfinder members, $25 goes to the local Chapter.)

We also provide Field Grants to Chapters in amounts of up to $750 for trail work, special events, or other projects.

Beyond financial assistance, we also offer support services, For instance, we manage the accounts of most of our Chapters, paying their bills, processing their revenues, and sending monthly financial statements.

By Bob Papp Executive Director

Our Accomplishments since the last issue of the North Star: • Hired a full-time Cartographer/G.I.S. Coordinator, and signed on

a cartography intern for the fall semester. • Hosted a National Millennium Trail celebration that placed our

web site and toll-free number in the hands of 40,000 people. • Created an on-line Trail Shop at our web site and redesigned our

series of patches and pins for trail hikers. • Developed a prototype topographic hiking map at 1:100,000 scale. • Officially adopted charters for the Rock Chapter (PA) and the

Sheyenne River Valley Chapter (ND). • Recognized 13 volunteers for contributing over 400 hours each.

· • Welcomed 403 new NCTA members. • Certified 20.2 new miles of the North Country Trail!

This summer, two of our Chapters invited me out to attend events they had planned. I don't get to travel to visit with Chapters as much as I'd like, so I really enjoyed these brief journeys.

My first trip was to a meeting hosted by our Sheyenne River Valley Chapter, in North Dakota. Bill Menke, our trail manager from the National Park Service also was there. Together, we talked with the group about the roles of the National Park Service, the national NCTA, and our Chapters, and explored how we might be able to help each other.

This was a great meeting, with a solid mix of NCTA members and representatives from other North Dakota agencies and organizations. I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm of this group, and am excited about the new prospects for our westernmost state.

Later in the summer, I visited with the Brule-St.Croix Chapter in northwestern Wisconsin. At this event, I had the honor of present ing our Vanguard Award to Con gressman David Obey, recognizing him for his help in securing $500,000 in federal funds to protect trail corridor in the state.

For me, though, a highlight of this meeting was the hike that followed, during which I bounced ideas around with Chapter mem bers and officers. I always am keenly interested in the thoughts of our volunteers on how the national organization can better assist them. This hike got me thinking.

Currently, we help volunteers in various ways. To begin, Chapters receive 25% of the dues of their NCTA members. For members paying our lowest (introductory) rate of

Director's Report


But it's time. It's time for the nation to discuss the effect of immigration in a rational, knowl edgeable forum. Your column could be a good start. If you are interested in addressing the root cause of urban sprawl, then please include immigration in your future essays on the loss of open space. Sincerely, JOHN F. ROHE

From a deserving member Dear Bob (Papp):

- What a really great surprise, after being out-of-town for some time, to arrive home and find the package from the NCTA containing a Distinguished Service Award plaque. I was truly touched and will display it proudly in my Office.

Being one of MANY members who struggled in the early years with the numerous challenges and frus trations of getting the Association under way, keeping it focused and growing, I can say that it's with great interest and joy that I've watched the Organization, and the trail grow in recent years. With so much good leadership these days, good ideas, so many wonderful volunteers and a few good breaks along the way, it has really forged ahead. The North Country Trail Association is proving that a good concept CAN become a great reality!

For whatever minuscule part I may have played in the Association's progress, I am proud to be a part of the North Country Trail Association. Thank you for the vote of appreciation. Most sincerely, MARTHA K. JONES

dissent was urban sprawl and its companions: ineffective zoning laws, rampant expansion, hell-bent for leather development without concern for the cost of infrastructure, the resultant need for highways, sewage disposal, water distribution, school facilities."

Another "companion" of urban sprawl; no, its soulmate, was conspicuous by its absence in your essay. All studies on urban sprawl look to demographics. People are still the multiplier. We cannot lift ourselves out of the equation.

When Paul Ehrlich sounded the population alarm in 1968 with his Population Bomb, we responded to the call. Population was the big issue on Earth Day 1970. In the early 1960s, for every two parents in the United States, there were 3.5 births. By 1976, our fertility rate plummeted from 3.5 to 1.7! And for every year since 19 7 6, we have remained at or below "replacement level" fertility. In other words, our children will not fill our shoes.

With fewer children, there should be less urban sprawl, less compe tition for land, and more opportun ities to "preserve some of the green left- the green where," as you respectfully observe, "we walk and rejoice in our world and glory of being alive."

If our fertility rates have been below replacement level for about one-quarter century, then why are the 276 million U.S. residents projected to exceed 500 million by the year 2050? Why will the prob lems you discuss become twice as bad in a mere 50 years? There's only one answer. And you are not alone in overlooking it. By accident or design, we seemingly choose to not discuss it.

LETTERS

Page 30

On urban sprawl ... Dear Mr. Veit:

I enjoyed your ... commentary on sprawl. It is a great concern to me. At times, I feel few others are really aware of the way development is literally robbing Michigan of its lifeblood.

I disagree with you on one point. In your piece, you state, "Who can blame the family owning (the property) for selling out to a developer?" Well, I, for one, blame them. I, too, own land. I'm an avid hunter, and hence a conservationist. I subscribe to the land ethic of Aldo Leopold. I believe we have a moral and spiritual responsibility to remain good stewards to the ground entrusted to us, regardless of whether we inherit it, purchase it, find it, or steal it. These people who sell out to developers are simply manifesting the same greed that fuels the developers themselves. They know full well that once they sell their land, they are condemning it to destruction. Thousands of years of natural beauty and sustenance, all gone with a pen stroke and a hand shake. That is a crime. Future generations will judge these people harshly.

We are the wealthiest people to ever live. We should be using our good fortune to preserve and restore not pillage. The very standard of living we profess to enjoy depends upon it. Sincerely, TOM BASCH

More on sprawl ... Dear Mr. Veit:

You recently commented on our "most serious environmental problem" in the NCTA newsletter. "The consensus" according to your essay, "with nary a murmur of


Thank: YoUt NCT Patrons:

Walter M. Srogi and Robert J. Schwartz NCT Patrons are individuals or households that generously contribute $250 or more each year in membership dues.

Page 31

Our business members contribute annual dues of $150 to the NCTA. In addition to supporting a worthy cause, our business members enjoy benefits including a reduced rate on ads in the North Star, and regular placement of a business logo and contact information both here and within our web site.

T/uutk YoUt NCTA Business Members!

Customized corporate teambuilding and team management programs.

Winter Trips

for Families

or Large Groups Weekend & Extended

P.O. Box 1478 Pottage, MI 49081 (616) 327-5379

(Teambui!din.g and Recreational Services)

Backpacking

Canoeing

Rock Climbing

TRecs Inc.

225 East Wisconsin Ave. Oconomowoc, WI 53066

(414) 567-6847 10730 West Janesville Rd. Hales Corners, WI 53130

(414) 425-6888

Mar:r.~~~u9c~iH! Kalamazoo, Ml 49004

(616) 382-2561

Werner Veit At-Large

49 Monroe Center, Ste. 200B Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(888) 454-NCTA [email protected] Joan Young

At-Large 861 West US 10

Scottville, MI 49454 (231) 757-2205 [email protected]

Richard Harris At-Large

974 SOM Center Road Mayfield, OH 44143

(440) 449-7467 [email protected] Lynn Waldron

Ohio-Michigan Trail Council Chair 8133 Norris Road Delton, MI 49046

(616) 623-5340 lwaldron3@juno. corn

John Leinen West End

Trail Council Chair 14205 St. Croix Trail North Stillwater, MN 55082-9587


Daryl Williamson West Division

5901 Tirnberglade Drive Bloomington, MN 55438

(612) 835-2186

Terms Expiring in 2002

Mary Lucas At-Large

753 Davenport St. Rhinelander, WI 54501


Amy Clark At-Large

1646 Capitol Way, Apt. 101 Bismarck, ND 58501


Derek Blount At-Large

906 N. Alexander Royal Oak, MI 48067


Howard Beye Allegheny-Adirondack

Trail Council Chair 202 Colebourne Rd. Rochester, NY 14609

(716) 288-7191 [email protected] Helen Coyne East Division

212 Willow Circle Cranberry Township,

PA 16066-4572 (724) 776-0678

[email protected]

North Country Trail Association Board of Directors

B 0 A R D Ter1!1s Expiring m 2003

Terms Expiring in 2001

David Cornell At-Large

514 Cordes Road Delton, MI 49046 (616) 623-8659

[email protected] Bob Tait At-Large

212 E. Metzger Ave. Butler, PA 16001 (724) 287-3382

[email protected] Pat Miller

Great Lakes Trail Council Chair

15737 65th Avenue Milaca, MN 56353 (320) 983-5643

[email protected] Anthony (Tony)

Rodriquez East Division

127 Manor Drive Syracuse, NY 13214

(315) 446-3586 Gaylord Yost

West Division 2925 W. Bradley Rd.

River Hills, WI 53217-2052 (414) 354-8987

[email protected]

'

Harbor Springs Cycling Club P.O. Box 364 <Harbor Springs, Ml 49740

Prairieville Family Inn 10484 S. Norris Rd. • Prairieville, Ml

(616) 623-6150 (A favorite of the

Chief Noonday Trail Crew!)

I~aI.~,~

Bill Prall Touring Gear 108 E. Third St.• (231) 526-7152

Harbor Springs, Ml 49740

Stores in: Pittsburgh, PA

(412) 364-8078. (412) 835-0315 Monroeville, PA (412) 380-4012

Erie, PA (814) 866-7600

Law Offices of Barry S. Cohen

N9661 Willow Rd. Elkhart Lake, WI 53020

(920) 565-4225

Butler County Chamber of Commerce

281 S. Main Street » Butler, PA 16003 (724) 283-2222

MIDWEST MOUNTAINEERING

/L~lt ~ • Ad'ITen..~e

311 W. Kilgore • Portage, Ml 49002 • 616-381-7700 Downhill & XC Skiing• Snowboards• Backpacking• Camping

Kayaks• Canoes • lnline Skates •Technical Outerwear Boy seuuts> Adventure & Travel Wear for Men & Womern

AGR International


)· ...

Grand Rapids, MI Permit 340

NONPROFIT U.S. Postage

PAID

North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B Grand Rapids, MI 49503

rth, Star

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North Star Vol. 19, No. 4 (2000)

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