north star vol. 17, no. 1 (1998)

The Best of Winter Hiking •• Anil The Rest

How Long Did You Say?

End of the Trail

1 997 Annual Report

CALL FOR FREE BROCHURE 517-371-1330

310 Seymore,Apt. 61 O Lansing, Michigan, 48933

Backpacking • Canoeing • Photography Trout Fishing • Spike Camps • X-Country Skiing

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Wilderness Skills

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State Miles Change % certified since Jul 1 Done

North Dakota 61.8 +1.3 13.0 Minnesota 81.0 0 21.6 Wisconsin 71.4 +0.4 32.5 Michigan 574.9 +1.0 50.0 Ohio 289.0 0 27.5 Pennsylvania 119.3 0 39.8 New York 153.2 0 24.5

2000 miles certified by the year 2000

State Current Change Trail Members members since Aug 1 in state to goal

North Dakota 10 0 +17% 475 465 Minnesota 49 +7 +6°/o 375 326 Wisconsin 66 +4 +5°/o 220 154 Michigan 479 +24 +6°/o 1150 671 Ohio 53 +3 +6o/o 1050 997 Pennyslvania 68 +25 +58°/o 300 232 New York 72 +9 +14°/o 625 553 Other 81 +9 +12°/o

One member for every mile of trail

The Superior Peninsula Seasons in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

by Lon L. Emerick, Ph.D. Join a long-time lover

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 1998 Page2

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Regular Departments Keyboard Trails The View from Monroe Center Trail head Capitol Trai Is Hiking Shorts North Country Trail Shop Lots of coming events

Heart and Sole A new regular section, honoring those who get it done.

11 Last Mi le 11 of Trai I Certified The westernmost trailhead section, at North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea State Park, is an interesting walk.

2000 by 2000 - Can It Be Done? 2000 by 2000 once seemed like a reasonable goal.

Though harder now, it's still attainable.

How Long Did You Say? The National Park Service concedes that the NCNST will come out a little longer than 3240 miles -- about

a thousand miles longer, give or take, that is.

Special Section: 1997 Annual Report 19 A lot has happened in the past year, one of the most

successful ever for the NCT A.

Spreading The Word About the NCNST Publicity is one of the keys to the trail's growth. Here's how

Pennsylvanian Bob Tait approached the problem

Features The Best of Winter Hiking ... And The Rest 14

Just because the ground has turned white is no reason to put away the hiking boots. Joan Young tells us how to enjoy the

white season safely and comfortably.

Cover Photo: The North Country Trail Hikers Club demonstrates that winter is no time to just sit by the fire. -- Photo courtesy Gene Elzirga

The Magazine of the North Country Trail Association

hStar

Published five times annually in January, April, June, August and October by the

North Country Trail Association, a private, non-profit 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.

PRINTEDON * RECYCLED PAPER WITH

NATURAL SOY INK

Secretary Kathy Olstad, PO Box 1017,

Bismarck ND 58502 (701) 250-4242 x3618 E-Mail: [email protected]

Vice President(Trails East): Derek Blount, 906 N. Alexander,

Royal Oak Ml 48067 (810) 548-1737 E-mail: [email protected]

Vice President(Trails West): John Leinen, Jr, 111 Quandt Ct So, Lakeland MN 55043 (612) 436-1795

E-Mail: [email protected]

Vice President (Financial): David Cornell, 514Cordes Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659

E-mail: [email protected]

OFFICERS President:

Werner Veit,49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 (616) 454-5506

E-mail: [email protected]

Executive Director: Bob Papp,49 Monroe Center, Suite 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 (616) 454-5506

E-mail: NCT [email protected]

Contributing Editor: Joan Young, 861US10,

Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205 E-mail: [email protected]

Editor: Wes Boyd, 14815 Rome Road,

Manitou Beach, Ml 49253 (517) 547-7402 E-mail: [email protected]

~~· 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503

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

Email: [email protected] WWW Site:

http://people.delphi.com/wesboyd/ ncnst.htm

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January - March 1998

• •·.. Far information a~~~~)'1ding, G~l7mitti~g a ~ion prop®al (deadlin~ F~macy 28). holdin~

. ;:~(:;,;1~•·~ll~~~-~~;~1;~o~:::tai:~:.;;:=!:::.::=9•

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. The 199&. Nationall'rail~ a .. posium is spmt@ted fly: Amerir~1n Trails

Arizori;;.1 St;1te Parks « Arizona St.ate Commitr4';e~ on lr.,.Hs. Natiom! Park Service~. RJver--.:i:, Trans and Conservation Ast~it~tance Program

U.S. Dept, .of Transportation ,. Federal Highway Administrat-iori U.S. Dept. of Interior~ Bure.au of Land Mana~ement;

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1ucoon is located in t.he ht~.art of the specta~t..di.lr Sonorari Desert, and is !it.eraliy sutr"Ound:ed by public lands t:hatofferworld~dasswinter hiking. moun[tain tn1::ing,OHVt<;1~.iririg a.no horoob.ack riding withlr minutes of the cit~y. Our confertmce site {5. the Doub~tree Hdte~t. a krx:uriOt4~' !ocatgon that offers ouwtar1~::Jing va~ue. including special ·government ~tes .

You are cordially invited tojoin Americas leading traUserrt:fo..Jsiast5, advocates and proft.:s~ionak~ in sunny Tuc£>0n, Arizona for }he Pest N~tion~! Trai!e;, Symposium ever! The '98 $;y·mpos!u'n wrn feature cut:ting edge sesskms de:liverea by respected national authoritie£• .. .an array of t.en·ific programs. events and field trip5; d<'lily rec.re.atkm opport~unities, an impre:56ive t1xhibltion hat!, 1md muc:h. muc.h morn.. Yt.?u won 't/"'n:mt tamissit!

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Trails and the American Spirit

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NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 1998

NCTA offices. There's just too much to do, too many miles of trail, and no one person or office can adequately keep up with everything that's happening everywhere.

Since the beginning, the NCTA has worked on chapter development. It went very slowly; for many years, the only chapter was Western Michigan, and the only affiliates were the three long-timers: the FLTC, the BTA, and AYH-Pittsburgh. The situation started to improve a few years ago, and in the last year or so, has taken off like wild horses. Things that we had long dreamed of have started to become possible. I want to specifically point out the work of Bob Tait in Pennsylvania: the situation in that state has been near dead center for a number of years. No longer, and how! There are new chapters spring ing up, and more in the works. Long dreamed of trail projects are becoming a reality. In less than a year, a static position has been turned into a hotbed of activity.

Pennsylvania isn't the only place where that is happening; it's happening in a lot of places. All sorts of great things are being done, improvements being made, and it's fun to go through the chapter newsletters to see what's happening. (Someofthosechapternewsletters are pretty good, too; I'd like to point out the great improvement in Western Michigan's. The new editor, Dave Sheldon, is doing a bang-up job.)

That's why new funding that we weren't expecting will be going partly toward a new staff person whose main responsi bility will be working with chapters and volunteers; Bob Papp will tell you more about that in his column, I'm sure.

Anyway, the whole point of Heart and Sole is to give recognition to those people working at the chapter and affiliate level that are the people that are moving this trail from a line on a map to the reality of a pathway through the woods. We're not going to be able to get to every chapter or affiliate, every time, but hope to average at least every other time. Joan is going to concentrate on this project, and will be tacking on some other responsibilities as time goes on.

Thus, thanks to everything, there's less of my writing, my input, my viewpoint, in this North Star than there has been in about the last nine years. That's fine with me, and I'd like to see it continue that way, as we try to concentrate more on what's happening where the pulaski meets the root. But, to do this will take more than just Joan and myself -- we need contributions from everyone, and longer stories, on local progress, hiking experiences, or whatnot are welcomed. Don't worry; we'll fix up your writing or spelling if we need to. While I've come to prefer e-mail submissions, I'll still do things the old-fashioned way at the same old address. I also take faxes, but only at work, with prior arrangement: call me (do not fax) at my work number (517) 448-2611 during normal business hours, and I will give you the fax number and tum the fax machine on (we get a lot of junk fax if we leave it on all the time). If I'm not on your chapter newsletter mailing list, please put me on it.

Finally, thanks to all of you that have helped make this issue of the North Star the biggest and one of the best ever.

Pages

Winter slows things down for some people, right? Well, not me, not this year. It was one thing after another, right up through the holidays. Normally, I start on the next North Star right after the previous one comes off the press, but not this time-- too busy. Finally, on New Year's Day, I realized that I'd better get started. I've never done it that way before, and don't intend to do it that way ever again, but one very long day was sufficient to get most of the pages that I'm responsible for laying out under control (Executive Director Bob Papp nor mally builds the Trail Shop pages, and about three others; in addition, he does the Annual Report, in this issue).

One saving grace of the whole affair was that more and more stuff is coming to me by e-mail, and this issue -- the largest, by far, we've ever put out -- is indicative of that. I did have to type one feature story, where I had a faint fax to work from; I knew that I had an e-mail of that one, too, but had misfiled it someplace. Naturally, I found it while looking for something else, right after I typed it. Murphy rules ...

The other saving grace of this North Star is that it marks the debut of Joan Young as Contributing Editor. Joan is no stranger to these pages, of course; she's been a regular contributor to the North Star since 1994, and her articles are filled with wit, color and wisdom. This issue would be far less than what it is without her help.

For instance: a story that I had been expecting as the lead feature story failed to materialize. There were fall-back posi tions available; I have several things stuck back that could have been used -- but one possibility was the wrong season, another too short, and so on. When Joan called on New Year's morning to iron out a couple questions on Heart and Sole, the new section in this issue, I happened to mention my problem with the lead feature, and asked if she might have something laying around on her hard drive, like most good writers do. Sure enough; a little while later, when I checked e-mail, the timely and well-written winter hiking story that begins on page 14 was there. I really appreciate the effort.

But Heart and Sole is Joan's biggest contribution, and I know she's put a lot of work into it. Since the beginning, it's been realized that the key to successful development has to lie on the local level -- not with the National Park Service, or the

The deadline for the April-May issue of the North Star is April 1, 1998. Items received well before that date are much appreciated. The deadline for the June-July issue will be June 1, 1998.

by the Editor

Keyboard Trails


Your North Country Trail Association-flush with new members, new bylaws, the prospect of additional chapters and affiliates and renewed enthusiasm-begins 1998 with a sense of excitement about the future and confidence in our mission:

The completion and maintenance of a high quality hiking trail stretching more than 4000 miles through seven states from New York to North Dakota.

To that end, we've already begun the series of projects to cement the relationship between the Association and its chap ters and affiliates to provide the drive for the realization of our goals.

One is visible already, the section called "Heart and Sole"

by President Werner Veit

Trail Head

Trail Shop In 1997 we introduced new caps and a "trail crew" t-shirt.

This year, we have some more great ideas (suggested by volunteers) that we'll get to ASAP. In addition to these, 1998 finally will be the year we introduce our first full color topographic maps of the trail. I have a draft of the first map, the Manistee River Section, already worked up. It looks great (from a distance - it still needs a few more hours of attention before it's ready for field checking ... ). Our first map should be available for ordering in the next issue of the North Star. Pricing on these maps will be designed so that Chapters can share in the proceeds.

I'm out of room for now. I hope each of you has a fantastic new year!

Staff Since our last issue, we've had a change in office staff.

After two years of dedicated and hard work on behalf of the Association, Claudia Day resigned as Office Manager to pursue work more closely related to her training. We wish her the best! Diane O'Hara has taken up the role and she's doing an excellent job, especially given the pressures of implement ing our new accounting and membership management proce dures for 1998. At the same time, she's pursuing an advanced degree in accounting!

I'm also excited to report that soon we'll be hiring a new part-time staff person to focus on assisting volunteers and Chapters. The type of "assistance" will depend largely on what volunteers ask ofus, so this is likely to be a very diverse and interesting position!


Chapters: We now have eleven Chapters where two years ago we had

only four. Clearly, locai Chapters (and Affiliates) will be the key to this trail's success. This realization means that more and more of the resources of the Association will be dedicated to strengthening and assisting our local Chapters. Our presi dent, Werner Veit, addresses this topic in detail in his column this issue.

However, I worry sometimes that our office isn't doing a good enough job of supporting our local Chapters. Currently, only a few Chapters actively seek our assistance and guidance. We're encouraging more to do so, yet we're already spread thin. Fortunately, this will be improving in 1998, as you' 11 see under "Staff."

On the topic of helping Chapters, I was talking to Al Larmann of Central New York a few days ago about funding to Chapters. Al suggested that we should guarantee a base level of funding to each Chapter on the order of $250 or so. Although this wouldn't affect the larger Chapters (since their dues already exceed this amount) it would help out the smaller Chapters that may be struggling financially. I talked this over with our Executive Committee, and they supported the idea, on a one-time basis retroactively for 1997. Later this year, the full Board will consider this as a permanent policy. So, soon, several of our Chapters will be receiving a little extra funding from us. As an aside, at its November meeting, the Board also approved $150 start-up grants to new Chapters. If you've been thinking about forming a Chapter, now is a great time to do it!

1997: You'll find details about our achievements in 1997 plas

tered all over the guts of this magazine, so I won't repeat them here. I will summarize, though, by saying that this is a very exciting time for the Trail and the Association. We' re turning the comer into 1998 with a tremendous amount of forward momentum. Volunteers are excited (I hear new ideas almost every day), membership is surging, some great trail achieve ments are just on the horizon, our budget is healthy, and Chapters are growing stronger and multiplying. This is ali due to the efforts and support of each of you, so pat yourselves on the backs!

Lot's to say this time, so let's get to it!

by Executive Director Bob Papp

The view from Monroe Center

We began with three affiliates, the Finger Lakes Tail Conference in New York, the Buckeye Trail Association in Ohio and the American Youth Hostel-Pittsburgh Council in Pennsylvania. Subsequently, the Northwestern Ohio Rails to Trails Association joined us and three more are likely: the Superior Hiking Trail Association, the Rovers Outing Club and the Kekekabic Trail Club in Minnesota when our trail is officially rerouted along Lake Superior's North Shore.

The chapters grew even more rapidly and now number l O. From east to west, they are: Central New York, Butler County and Clarion County in Pennsylvania, Chief Noonday, Western Mi~hig~, Gr~d Traverse Hiking Club and North Country Trail Hikers m Michigan; Heritage, Brule St. Croix and Chequamegon in Wisconsin and Headwaters in Minnesota.

We've had inquiries and discussions about three addi tional chapters in Michigan, where more are needed than in other states because there are no existing affiliates with existing trail.

In_w~ys ~ifferent from these older and historic groups, our Association is composed of a numberof different elements, not always well understood. Indeed, when talking with new mem bers-and even some veterans-I've found that one of the least understood facts about our outfit is the relationship between these elements of the NCTA.

A quick look at what happened when finally Congress authorized our trail in March of 1980 explains the reasons for our setup. The trail, as put together at that time, envisioned using e~isting qua~ity trails when feasible and then connecting them with new trails. That's more or less what happened. The trail win~s its w~y _over parts of trail built and maintained by older trail associations. These associations are our affiliates. At the same time, new trail had to be and still has to be constructed. These portions became the responsibility of our chapters.

A major difference between affiliates and chapters is membership in the North Country Trail Association. While the parent affiliate belongs to the NCTA, its members do not have to bel?ng t? _the NCTA, although many do. (If they pay dues to their affiliates, they get a reduced membership fee in the NCTA). With a few exceptions-caused by grandfathering previous rules-nearly all chapter members are also members of the NCTA.

All these current efforts to involve you and your presidents

fit into a top priority of the North Country Trail Association leadership in 1998: to reinforce the relationship between all the various elements-members, chapters and affiliates-of our outfit. While each of us, depending on where we live and depending on the place of our membership have a special regard for some portion of the trail, the concept of an over-all trail can add the kind of excitement and aura and sense of anticipation now enjoyed by the older national scenic trails in America, like the Appalachian Trail, or the Pacific Crest or the Continental Divide.


of the North Star. Our thanks to Wes Boyd, North Star editor, and to Joan Young, who writes and edits the new section, for making it happen.

At the same time, we have begun to increase the financial support to those in the field and to solicit ideas for how the nat~onal office can best serve our local members and organi zations.

We have asked each chapter for its ideas on how we can serve them better. Bob Papp, our executive director and I, have mailed questionnaires to each chapter President asking for their participation and creating a needs survey. Six~ave alre~dy responded.All are interested in NCTA providinghigh quality maps of local trail segments for resale. ·

That's of particular interest because such a project is already underway. While we already have maps-and the chapters and affiliates have maps-they are all of various formats, differing scales, grades of accuracy and moreover, don't necessarily connect.

The current project will produce maps uniform in scale, accuracy, legends and be close in length of trail segments. They will also provide a great way for the local chapters and our affiliates to raise money for local projects. You will hear more from Bob, who is heading the project.

We asked the chapter presidents, and we ask you, as well, to look at the following ways we might help and to create priorities: Help fund and coordinate trail work training ses sion~; coordi~ate _and help fund "land owner" contact training sessions; assist with local fund raising; provide more national funding for local trail projects and for general operations of the chapter; provide more tools and materials for maintenance· help with local planning of trail routes; help to communicate and work with government agencies; help with or produce trail side interpretive displays; help to promote local chapter events; ~roduce handouts for flyers with local emphasis; create shde shows or other presentation materials for local talks.

We also asked the Presidents for other ideas for the role of the national. Some of the most interesting: Create a "construc tion management" team to assist each chapter to jump-start the coordination of summer work; lobby at the state level to create tax incentives to land owners who host trails; coordinate national efforts to recruit more volunteers for trail construc tion and maintenance, and the Americorps, various state programs for youth.

One chapter president also suggested we study the possi bility of reaching out in a positive manner to bikers, the majority of which have goals similar to our own. While these suggestions surely will provoke controversy, I certainly will not dismiss them. We do welcome all discussion, no matter how heated some ofus may get in the process. Even heat may provide some light and I certainly agree with the underlying assumption of the suggestion: "we can use all the friends we can get."

New officers for Wisconsin's Heritage Chapter

The new slate of officers for the Heritage Chapter (east side of state) are: Jim Burow, Chairperson 6841 S. 111 th St. Franklin, WI, 53132 E-mail JOBNatural, 414-425-5146.

Gaylord Yost, Vice Chairperson 2925 W.Bradley RoadRiverHills, WI, 53217- 2052; E-mail [email protected] 414- 354-8987.

Sarah Gokey, Secretary 258 Church St. South #2 Whitewater, WI 53190 ; E-mail [email protected], 414- 473-3386

Gary Talskly, Treasurer P.O. Box 429 Hales Corner, WI 53130-0429; E mail [email protected], 414-425- 8300 x7228.

Anti-Rail-Trail bill dies in House

Rep. Jim Ryun's (R-KS) bill (H.R. 2438), designed to disable rail-trails appeared to be on the fast-track through the House of Representatives until it was halted by American Hiking Society and other rail-trail proponents as the bill was being marked-up in the House Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee.

At the mark-up, the Democrat mem bers exhibited strong support, as ex pected. What hurt the bill most, though, were the questions raised by Republi cans Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and Joel Hefley (R-CO). Rep. Hefley's opposi tion was particularly strong and Rep. Ryun was forced to withdraw his bill before it was killed outright.

This subcommittee seats some of the most virulent anti-trail Congress Members and a victory here was unex pected. The victory may be short-lived as the bill can be re-scheduled for mark up in the spring.

Potomac Heritage Trail Progress Dear Wes, Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying the October -

December issue of North Star. And I don't just mean the new look. It is a lively, informative read.

Thanks for mentioning the Potomac Heritage Trail in the issue, too. As a follow up to our April meeting that you reported, we're planning a Nov. 13 workshop for all the recreation planners in the trail corridor- the first ever for the trail. We'll keep you posted on the outcome. The best news of all on the PHT is how the grassroots are rallying to take over. When American Hiking Society first started working on it in September 1996, we thought we would need three years to help a grassroots group get going. If all goes well, it looks like enough support will be in place for us to get out of the way by the end of 97.

Looking forward to the next North Star, David Lillard, President American Hiking Society

Letters la the Editor

NCTA sadded by William Herron death Fonner NCTA Board Member William Herron, 71, of Marquette, MI,

died December 2, 1997, at the home of his son, Gary, in Redmond, WA, after a year of declining health.

"He will be greatly missed here not only as a willing volunteer but also as a fine person and a good friend," said NCTA Upper Peninsula Coordinator Gene Elzinga. "Bill was one of our most active volunteers. He was one of the ten or so who stuck with it on the Laughing Whitefish project when it became necessary to drastically change the stair design to allow for slowly moving mud. There were many who thought we would never finish. He and his wife Denise made quite a team on this project as well as yearly maintenance on their ten miles of NCT. We could always count on him. If he said he would do something it got done, and always high quality too."

In 1996, Herron, a member of the North Country Trail Hikers of Marquette, MI, was elected to the NCTA Board of Directors, but his ill health forced his resignation in late 1997.

He lived in Marquette most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946, and earned degrees in Forestry and Engineering Administration from Michigan Technological University in 1952. He was employed as a methods engineer with Honeywell, and as a forester with several companies and the US Forest Service before returning to Marquette in 1965 to join the public services staff of Northern Michigan University. His community involvement included many years as a Boy Scout leader.

For anyone who would like to send a note, Bill's wife can be reached at this address: Denise Herron, 423 W. Park Street Marquette, Michigan 49855.

Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 1998

National Scenic Trails Cookbook planned Recipies are being collected for a new backcountry cookbook filled with trail

food ideas and tips. The book is by trail users fortrail users, and if you've hiked any of the National Scenic Trails, Christine and Tim Conners would like to hear from you.

"The National Scenic Trails are extremely challenging in and of thcmsel ves," Christine Conners says. "Yet, they are nearly impossible without good food in your backpack, and great ideas on how to prepare it in your head. So, if you've traveled any significant distance along these trails, surely your food ideas are worthy to be heard."

When the book goes to print, a significant portion of the proceeds wi 11 be donated back to the trail associations that help maintain these natural treasures. "By helping us, you'll be helping the trails, too," Ms. Conners says.

You can send in recipies and ideas by one of several methods: Website: http://users.tminet.com/conners/cookbook.html. The site has more

information on the cookbook project, and an automated form for forwarding those great tips and ideas.

E-mai/:[email protected] Postal Service: Christine and Tim Conners, 24500 Elk Court, Tehachapi, CA

93561. "Regardless of the method you choose," Ms. Conners says, "Remember to

include all measures for your recipies, a short bio of yourself, a list of the National Scenic Trails that you've visited, and a way for us to easily contact you if we need more information."

TWW is a legislative initiative that proposes to create a national trust fund for state level wildlife conservation, wildlife-related recreation, and conservation education. The current TWW proposal would apply a small tax to sales of outdoor recreation products to generate funds, although the coalition is open to otherfunding methods that stil I would meet its goals.In 1997, more than 1000 coalition members endorsed the effort, bringing the total to over 2,500 organizations and businesses. These span a wide variety of outdoor recreation, birding, hunting, fishing, tourism and wildlife associations, includ ing yourown North Country Trail Association. Businesses specializing in hunting and fishing equipment, backyard wildlife products, camping and hiking gear, and cameras and binoculars, as well as fourteen state governors also have endorsed Teaming with Wildlife. On the other side of the issue, the American Hiking Society (AHS) typifies the arguments against TWW. AHS maintains that state fish and wildlife agencies main interests and expertise lie in managing fish and game programs, rather than in non consumptiveoutdoorrecreation like hiking. Following this reasoning, hikers would see few benefits from the tax, while hunters and fishers would benefit most. Naturally, there is also strong sentiment against any new taxes, regardless of the purposes they would serve.

Both side of this issue are encouraging recreationists to contact their members of Congress to express either their support or to speak against the eff 01t. To learn more about the initiative, write them at Teaming with Wildlife, c/o International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 544, Washington, DC 20001 (202-624-7890). The American Hiking Society can be reached at P.O. Box 20160, Washington, DC 20041-2160 (310-565-6704).

Teaming with Wildlife causes squabble

Two new bridges grace the North Country Trail on the Allegheny Na tional Forest, courtesy of a cooperative Operations Team staff effort on the part of Forest Officials.

In October, 1996, a bridge incorpo rating utility pole stringers, treated lum ber decking and split railings was con structed across Nelse Run. Crossing improvements also included trail re routing to the bridge approaches. Project Engineer, Greg Porter, is known for his expertise in bridge design, and for try ing out different bridge styles on trails throughout the Allegheny National For est.

A second bridge was installed in late fall of 1997 over a small tributary that flows into Chappel Fork. Due to flooding by beaver dam construction, 1200 feet of the NCT were relocated. Beavers have been spotted in the area so this is a great watchable wildlife area, and the Chappel Fork area is very see rue.

Recently a SYMMS grant was awarded to the Forest Service for con struction of the bridge at Chappel Fork, as well as another one at Lower Sheriff Run.

In the future, it may also be pos sible to construct additional bridges over Little Salmon and Coon Creeks with grant funds.

Partners in this project are the Allegheny Outdoor Club and the North Country Trail Association.

For more information about hiking at the Allegheny National Forest, visit the web site at http://www.penn.com/ -anf, or call (814) 723-5150, or write to them at PO Box 847, Warren, PA 16365.

New bridges built in Allegheny National Forest

Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January- March 1998

On Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, seventeen students and adults who are members of the Arthur Hill High School Outdoor Club participated in USA WEEKEND's "Make A Difference Day" by volunteering to clean 20 miles of the Manistee River Hiking Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trails. The club has hiked many miles of Michigan Trails, and took the opportunity to make a difference in how the trails look for future hikers. The club wishes to thank Gander Mountain in Saginaw for their donation of equipment to make the weekend cleanup hike possible.

The section oftheNCTfromRed Bridge north to the cutoff overt he cable bridge was hiked, and the group found it quite clean, with the exception of access trails and trailheads. They picked up numerous cigarette butts, and a lot of snack wrappers. Most often, they found portions of wrappers. They also found four bicycle reflectors, usually at the bottom of a hill near a tree. The Manistee River Trail was somewhat less clean because there are more access points. The group hauled out some rusted cans, a concrete block, a large sheet of black visqueen and a number of bottles and cans.

The Arthur Hill High School Outdoor Club is in its third year, and has involved close to 200 students, parents and staff in various outdoor pursuits. The goal of the club is to show students things that are fun and challenging and can be done in the outdoors. While the club has been canoeing, rock climbing and skiing, the lion's share of activities are backpacking trips. The club usually is active one weekend a month during the school year, and schedules two fall backpacking trips to locations in northern Michigan. In spring 1997, members traveled to the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, and hiked the 40 mile Buffalo River Trail. They have also traveled west to hike in the Wind River Range in Wyoming and the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. Plans for 1998 are to hike a portion of the Appalachian NST from Springer Mountain, GA, during the spring week, but later they will be back on the NCNST.

Students ''Make A Difference'' on NCNST

ARTHUR HILL HIGH SCHOOL Outdoor Club with some debris collected from the NCNST and the Manistee River Trail in the Manistee NF.

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is accepting applications for summer employment until Feb. 15. The club will hire 40 seasonal employees to maintain trail and operate lodges. Ben efits include room and board, a modest salary, and a great setting to spend the summer. Most positions begin in early June and end on Labor Day. To apply, send a self-addressed stamped enve lope to Adirondack Mountain Club, Box 867, Applications, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

ADK seeks workers

Pennsylvania Trailwork Training will be on May 15th The Butler Chap ter will be hosting a trail work training weekend to teach design, construction and maintenance methods. We will stay at a local camp and have sessions on Basic Trail Maintenance, Water Con trol, Trail Design, Chain Saw Safety, Planning and other topics. There will be speakers in the evening. This will be a good time to learn and improve your trail work skills. Meet new people and share experience on trail work. We will have instructors from the National For est, National Park Service, Buckeye Trail Association and others sharing their skills. We will be joined by Bill Menke of the N.P.S. who will be dis cussing trail layout and design. If you are involved with trail work in either Ohio or New York you should consider joining us for these training sessions. It's a rel a ti vel y short drive for the amount of field information we'll be covering.

Ask you organization forpartial spon sorship of the $100 fee which will cover room and board costs for two days. To receive a registration form contact Bob Tait (412)287-3382 or at Bob_Tait @nauticom.net.

Pennsylvania 'frailwork 'Training weekend set


Hiking Shorts

Lots of 1998 North Country Trail action being planned in Pennsylvania

Butler Chapter looks to 98 Season Pennsylvania's Butler Chapter of the NCTA has posted its schedule for the 1998 Trail building season. Highlights include the proposed construction of a 40' bridge at Moraine State Park, the hosting of a Keystone Trail Association Trail Care Week, and of course plenty of Chapter work weekends, hikes and X-Country skiing.

Chapter Vice-President, Joe Smith is working with Moraine State Park on the logistics of the placement of a 40 foot cedar pole type bridge over one of the inlets to Lake Arthur. After approval is received from Park Superintendent Obie Derr and Park Engineers, the plan will be sent to the N.P.S. for its final blessing. "We're very excited about its location because of the quality of the scenery and because of how it will fit into trail improvements made by the park last year," Smith said at a December 7th Pennsylvania NCTA Open House near Slippery Rock, PA.

The Keystone Trail Association has been building and maintaining hiking trails in Pennsylvania for a long time. They were responsible for the design and construction of the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail at McConnell's Mill. Several years ago, they tried a new approach. Instead of gathering for the typical two day work weekend, they created a Trail Care Week. It has allowed them to work more efficiently with less traveling by members from all over the state. On June 25th the KTA will join us for a week of trail construction in Butler County. This a great opportunity to work with these veteran trail builders and we hope to accomplish a lot.

A new NCTA chapter in Clarion County has just formed. The next meeting in Clarion will be January 22 at 7:00 PM at HighGear. The chapter officers are: President: Don Landfried, Vice-President: Bob Best, and Secretary/Treasurer: Carol Atwell. They are in the process of walking the proposed corridor and trying to find their way around Clarion which is proving to be a major feat.

In Beaver/Lawrence Counties Denny Shepard and Richard Lutz are busy working with the PA State Gamelands manager on a.route across the gamelands. They are also setting up an informational meeting in late Jan. or early Feb. where Bob Tait will present a slide show and talk on the trail in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Trail Stewardship Program The most important people to the trail are the ones that have adopted sections of the trail to maintain. Here one the ones that have sections in Pennsylvania. We would like to thank them for their hard work and time. We have sections that are open if you would like to be part of the Pennsylvania NCT Stewardship Program contact Bob Tait 412-287-3382 or Bob_ [email protected]

New York State Line to Rt. 346: John & Pat Shinaberger Rt. 346 to Nesc Run: Gene Cornelius Wolf Run Rd, Tom Oliphant Swede Hill to Tionesta Scenic Area: Bill and Jack Ryding Tionesta Scenic Area - Dunham Siding; Allegheny Outdoor Club/Don Dom Baker Trail Junction to PA Rt. 66: Jim Ritchie Pa Rt. 66 to Vowinckel: Bob Roth Jennings Nature Center to Moraine State Park: Butler Outdoor Club Slippery Rock Gorge Trail: Shenango Outing Club. Visit our State web site at http://nauticom.net/www/qutdoor/nct/pa.html for

more updates on activities in Pennsylvania. -- Bob Tait

The Buckeye Trail Association an nually holds a photo contest. Categories for the 1998 contest are (1) Scenery from any Ohio trail; (2) Closeups of natural subjects such as insects, flow ers, vegetation, animals, on any Ohio Trail; (3) Activities on the Buckeye Trail only, such as walking, hiking, trail building or maintaining. Entries are lim ited to one person per category. Photos should be 8x 10 for best presentation, but may be as small as a standard sized snapshot. Transparencies are not ac cepted. Photos must have been taken after Feb. 28, 1997, and must be sub mitted by March 1, 1998. For more information, contact Richard or Donna Pfeiff er ( 614) 279-9492. -- BTA Trailblazer

BTA Photo Contest

Recent certification action by the National Park Service includes:

•Addition of 1.1 miles in Michigan's Pere Marquette State Forest.

• Addition of 1.3 miles in North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea State Park. This will be the westernmost segment of the North Country Trail; see story on page 33.

• Addition of 0.2 miles in New York's Shindigan Hollow State Forest, due to a trail relocation.

• Addition of 1.0 mile in Allegany State Forest, due to GPS trail remeasurement.

-Addition of 1.5 miles in Ohio's Tar Hollow State Forest, due to trail reloca tion.

• Reduction of 0.8 miles in New York's Bucktooth State Forest, due to trail relocation and GPS remeasurement.

The additions and deletion bring the final certified mileage of the NCNST as of the end of 1997to1350.6 miles, with an additional 16.9 signedconnectormiles bringing the total signed mileage to 1367.5

Certification News

Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January - March 1998

September 20-21 proved to be an interesting time for the NCT in Western Wisconsin. The work site was the Brule River State Forest, where a nice crew turned out from the Brule-St. Croix chapter, along with two crews and four leaders from the Youth Leadership Program at Camp Douglas. Together, they tackled one of the toughest construction segments to be found in the forest. Bill Menke, National Park Service North Coun try Trail Manager from Madison worked with the crews to lay out work and give instruction on trail layout and construction.

Brule-St. Croix chapter members Suzanne Boley, Sue Breskin, Peter Nordgren, Altey Oswald, Dominic Sosnowski and Chuch Zosel participated. Jim Rau, Brule River State Forest Manager,joined the group, and Assistant Manager Jay Gallaher helped supervise the Youth Crews. Don and Sue Hinman joined the group to work on Sunday.

The Youth Leadership crew benched a 100-yard segment on the north side of Jerseth Creek as they worked to build the section and ready it for certification. The Youth Crews, chapter members, and NPS staff built approximately two miles of trail, brushed out locations for new trail, and main tained some of the existing trail.

The Brule River State Forest is located northeast of Solon Springs, WI. A six mile segment between County Roads Sand A was brought to near completion. The segment follows the Brule River Valley, dips down to cross Jerseth Creek, then joins the historic portage trail on its way from the Lake Superior Basin to the Mississippi watershed.

Brule-St. Croix chapter members and NCTA and Na tional Park Service volunteers from the NPS Madison Office went to work again on the weekend of November 13-16 to complete additional NCT mileage in the Brule River Forest.

Bob Gould, chapter member, Bill Menke, NPS NCT Manager, and Dirk Mason, NCTA planner in Madison, camped out and worked on a two mile trail segment on Thursday through Saturday. Later, chapter members Chuck Zosel and Dominick Sognowski joined the group along with Peter Nordgren, Chapter President, and his sons Eric and Len.

Bill Menke painted the completed section of trai I, and then ran the Geographical Positioning System unit on the uncertified portions to determine how much new trail was built. An application for certification is being prepared and will be sent for approval of the NPS shortly. Menke estimates that the Brule River State Forest may now contain 7-8 miles of completed NCT.

The trail route was included in Open Houses presented on January 6-7, 1998 in Superior and Solon Springs, WI.

'frail segments added in Wisconsin's Brule River State Forest

DURING THE SAME session in the Brule River State Forest, on September 20, Bill Menke demonstrates the use of an inclinometer to members of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter. Also in the photo, f ram left to right, are Chuck Zosel and Jim Ray of the Wisconsin DNA, Sue Breslin, Dominic Sosnowski, Dirk Mason and Suzanne Boley.

NEW NCTA PLANNER DIRK MASON didn't waste any time getting familiar with trail building -- within a week of his first day on the job, he got a "familiarization session" in sidehill trail construction in Wisconsin's Brule River State Forest. Behind him is Chuck Zosel of the Wisconsin DNA.


Hiking Shorts

Congress increases funding for National Trails by Gary Werner Chair, Partnership for the National Trails System After a long and arduous effort, Congress in Mid-October finally passed an

appropriations bill to fund the Department of the Interior and the USDA Forest Service for 1998. The final package includes small but important increases in funding for many of the 20 national historic and scenic trails. What is more important, this appropriations bill also explicitly acknowledges the Bureau of Land Management's and the Forest Service's responsibility to administer five of the 20 trails by providing some money to do this work.

For the fourth year, Congress continues to direct $600,000 of the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program funds for projects supporting the National Trails System. During 1996, 63 projects valued at $1.49 million were completed throughout the National Trails System, with a similar Federal investment of Challenge Cost Share Program Funds. The House Interior Subcommittee originated this earmark four years ago and continues to favor this way of stimulating greater local and volunteer support for the National Trails System. Congress also continued its steady support for the protection of the Appalachian Trail. It provided $7.2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the Park Service and the Forest Service to purchase land and close the last gaps in the ANST corridor.

Several National Park Service (NPS) administered trails have received major increases in funding for FY 1998. The Selma-Montgomery National Historic Trail, the newest trail in the National Trails System, will start with a base operating budget of $100,000. The Senate Interior Subcommittee added funds for the Cali fomia, Pony Express, Lewis and Clark and North Country Trails. After compromising with the House Interior Subcommittee, they agreed to a final bill that includes increases of $50,000 for the California and Pony Express trails; $50,000 for the North Country Trail, and $250,000 for the Lewis and Clark Trail. Of the funds for the Lewis and Clark Trail, $50,000 are an increase to the operating budget, and $200,000 is to provice technical assistance to the Lewis and Clark Trail Bicentennial Commissions and other trail partners to foster commemorations for the upcoming 200th anniver sary.

The House Interior Subcommittee also provided funding for the Forest Service to administer and manage major components of the National Trails System. With language recognizing the Forest Service's administrative responsibility, Congress is providing $900,000 for the Continental Divide, Florida and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. Similarly, recognizing Forest Service management of more than 600 miles each of the Appalachian and North Country Trai Is, and significant segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and California, lditarod, Lewis and Clark, Oregon, Overmountian Victory, Pony Express and Santa Fe National Historic Trails, Congress is providing $300,000 for these trails.

The major disappointment for national trails is the disposition of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Although the total appropriation is as great as it has ever been, nearly $894 million, the initiative of the Senate to restore funding for the State grands program was deleted by the conference committee preparing the final bill. LWCF grants to several of the states could have assisted programs that are acquiring lands and sites along several of the national trails. The compromise bill also contains language allowing LWCF money to be diverted from resource acquisition, the purpose of the fund, to defray operations and maintenance deficits in the National Park, Forest and Wildlife Refuge Systems.

The long-awaited final routing plan of the NCT from the western border of the Chequamegon National Forest to the Minnesota State Line was revealed in early January at National Park Ser vice Open Houses held in Superior and Solon Springs. The two Open Houses, on January 6 and 7, unvieled the pro posed route of the western portion of the North Country Trail in Wisconsin.

A planning ream composed of rep resentatives of the National Park Ser vice, North Country Trail Association, Wisconsin Department of Natural Re sources, Douglas and Bayfield County Forestry Departments, and the Minne sota Department of Natural Resources has been working for over a year to identify potential routes, and one that would appear to be the most ideal for a National Scenic Trail. These two meet ings culminated the process.

The National Park Service will re view the comments received from visi tors to the Open Houses and will then finalize the route. From there, it will be up to the North Country Trail Associa tion to work toward the construction of the route, along with public land man agement agencies, and continue to assist public land management agencies such as the Brule River State Forest to com plete the segments routed over their domain.

The Association will also begin con tacting landowners, to try and acquire rights-of-way for the NCT through pri vate property agreements with the As sociation. The agreements might range from handshake 0 Ks to acquired rights of-ways on a willing seller/willing buyer basis.

Next step for the NPS Planning Process: Minnesota's Arrowhead Route.

Open Houses Unveil Western Wisconsin Trail Route Plan

Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January- March 1998

bottom of the screen is filled with disclaimers, don't discount the fun of the big picture. A cup of coffee or hot chocolate never tastes better than when it is sipped, steaming, at the end of a snowy day. Sleeping bags never felt so downy. A touch of warm sun on a shoulder is never so welcome as on a gray morning walk. Animal tracks are often easily identified in the snow, telling stories of life and death struggles.

Well, the purpose of this article is not to get mushy and poetic. Actually, I've learned a thing or two from my winter days on the roads. So I' II pass a few of these tips along, and urge you to get off that couch and out on the trail! There is nothing profound in this article, but common sense sometimes isn't so common. If you know all this already, great! But I continue to be amazed at friends, and not just irrepressible teenagers, who tell me potential horror stories beginning with phrases like, "I headed over the mountain at noon, with no jacket or map. It was plenty warm when I left..."

HEAT First of all, you do not need a lot of expensive, special equipment or clothing unless you are into extreme sports. I am the original low-tech hiker, and centuries of other

By Joan Young Four-year-old Danny's eyes got large, and his mouth

twisted into an incredulous grin. "Naaaaw," he growled in response to my claim that his mother was going to throw Mathilda, Chips (the dog) and me out of the van on a corner, and watch us walk away in the snow. But we did it anyway! Perhaps you feel the same as Danny about winter hiking. Here's the scoop (or is that "snow shovel"?).

Personally, I want to see the red line marking my progress on the North Country Trail grow. This requires hiking a lot of road miles in addition to all the great off-road trail segments. So I figure that I might as well get some of these out of the way in the winter. And I managed to pace out 230 miles across southern Michigan last winter, in addition to 60 in Michigan and northern Ohio the year before.

The big three assets of winter hiking are: NO BUGS, NO POISON IVY, and it's not too hot. These can all be qualified, of course. There were a zillion snow fleas out in mid-February. You could get PI from burning roots or woody vines. You can easily over/under-dress and be too hot/cold. But while the

The best of winter hiking ... and the rest

WINTER IS NO TIME to stay inside with a warm TV set, as these skiiers from the North Country Trail Hikers, Marquette. demonstrate. Enjoying the winter isn't that hard, if you know a few simple principles.


To stay warm at night, trust your sleeping bag. Take those clothes off! Sleep in the altogether or in just one light layer. This allows the bag to trap the warm air next to your body. If your bag is not warm enough, put layers over and under it, not inside it. I have been amazed at the insulating ability of an inflating pad- this is one comfort I would recommend. A thermal blanket over a 3-season bag makes a big difference too. Lay a closely woven sheet or nylon tarp over this to trap even more warm air. If you are backpacking there are weight considerations, but one night two friends and I slept toasty warm while the mercury dropped to 6 degrees and the wind howled. Not one of us had a really good sleeping bag then, but we had come to the campsite with the car and brought lots of layers to bury ourselves in.

Of course, I always say that a warm puppy helps too! If you take your canine companion, remember that a dog who does not spend most of its time outdoors will need a sweater or other protection to be warm enough at night. A pad of some kind for the pup too will insulate against cold from the ground.

LIGHT There isn't as much of it in the winter! Plan mileages that can be completed leaving enough time to set up camp before dark. Pay attention to sunrise and sunset times on the days prior to your hike.

Take a friend! There can be over 14 dark hours on a mid winter day. Reading by lantern-light in the tent can be chilly ... you have to keep de-cocooning to tum the pages. Having someone to visit with seems really nice, even to a confirmed old loner like me. And frankly, the dog is not too great at holding up one end of a stimulating conversation.

TRAILS In theory, a trail that is marked can be found in any season. Maybe. Realistically, plan on extra delays and backtracking. Roads aren't usually any harder to find in the winter. But trail sections present their own caveats. Often a key marker will be missing where the trail makes a small jog. With snow cover, the treadway is not seen unless others have walked before you. So, having a well-traveled area is a good thing, right? Maybe not. Lots of winter use often means multiple snowmobile trails, or ski tracks. Which one is the correct one? Be prepared with maps, and a good sense of nearby roads or unavoidable landmarks such as rivers, in case you really lose the trail. With advance preparation and aware ness of your surroundings you won't ever need to return home, or to camp, hours late, cold, overtired, and frightened at being "lost."

Surfaces will also be more difficult to walk on in the winter. Plan on moving more slowly than in the summer. Ice, slush, mud, deep snow all conspire to slow you down. A walking stick or ski poles can be a big help for balance on uneven surfaces. Snowshoes or skis may be appropriate on some trail sections.

BODY FUEL You need extra calories to keep body warmth up in winter.You knew that already. The more com mon mistake is not drinking enough. People tend to drink less

Wind Subtract from If You See Speed mph known F temp leaves rustling, smoke lazy under 8 5 to 10 degrees leaves, twigs in motion 8-12 10 to 15 degrees small branches move 13-18 15 to 20 degrees small trees sway 19-24 20 to 25 degrees large branches sway 25-31 25 to 35 degrees whole trees in motion 32-38 Are you nuts?! Stay home! (Chart created from windchill nomograph in Metabolic Methods by Consolazio, et al. and wind speed chart in Weather by Paul Lehr.)

people have travelled safely in winter without the latest technological fabric. Just remember "layers." I even commit the significant sin of wearing cotton. Allergies to synthetics dictate a first layer of cotton next to my skin. Two or three more thin layers really insulate well, trapping warm air. I top these with a coated nylon parka and pants, for wind and water resistance. Well fitting gloves, with mittens over them when it's really cold, keep my hands warm. Just slip the mittens off to manipulate cooking utensils, tent poles, straps or zippers. If you are as good as I am at dropping things, you will want an "idiot strap" run through your jacket and pinned to the mittens. This will prevent their loss. I like a strap better than purchased mitten clips, as the clips are pressure closures. Translate this as "able to slip off." Most of body heat loss is through the head. Cover that dome! Don't forget the neck and face too. Whether you choose a scarf, face mask, and/ or close fitting hood may be personal preference. You can always take a layer off while hiking, but you can't add one that you did not bring.

One thing that is important in the winter is extra precau tion against mistakes. Losing a mitten could mean losing a finger given the right circumstances. Not sure you have a wind-barrier jacket? Take along a 30-gal (or larger) garbage bag. With a head hole cut in the center bottom, and armholes at the comers you have a wind-proof mid-layer to add in an emergency. But don't let your body get too hot either. Take the time to remove a layer if you are sweating. The moisture will quickly make you cold as soon as you are done walking. I find that if I get the basic number of correct layers, I can regulate my temperature by slipping my hood(s) on and off as I walk. What is the correct number of layers? This will vary with the individual. For me, with temperatures in the high 20' s to low 30's, I like four on top: long johns, long-sleeved shirt, hooded sweatshirt, hooded nylon water-resistant shell, and three below: long johns, hiking pants, nylon pants. Don't forget wind chill though; even a slight breeze can make you miserable if you don't have enough layers with a wind barrier. A breeze of 10 mph (leaves and twigs of trees in motion) on a 25-degree (Farenheit) day will create a skin-effective temperature of 10 degrees. Here's a quick-and-dirty way to estimate wind chill if the air temperature is between 20 and 35 degrees (don't extrapolate beyond this range, it's not a linear scale):


WATER TEMP TIME BEFORE EXHAUSTION EXPECTED TIME DEG F OR UNCONSCIOUSNESS TO LIVE 32.5 less than 15 minutes 45 minutes 32.5-40 15-30 minutes 30- 90 minutes 40- 50 30-60 minutes 1- 3 hours 50- 60 1- 2 hours 1- 6 hours (selected from "Survival in Cold Water" by Chad P. Dawson)

Don't take chances crossing streams. Getting really wet could have fatal consequences. A year ago an experienced hiker died on a 30 degree day only 350 feet from the trail after getting wet. Here's another quick-and-dirty and scary chart:

BE FLEXIBLE Have a means to "bail out" if conditions become more serious than you are prepared to handle. Carry change for public phones and phone numbers of friends who would willingly come and get you without delay if you were hurt or seriously cold. Cell phone? Not my idea of getting away from the "real world," but they certainly provide a huge safely net.

PLANNING Here's where I get on the soapbox. Most accidents that happen to hikers, aren't. There are very few accidents that were not preventable if adequate attention had been paid to preparation.

Watch those weather forecasts. They aren't perfect, but if a winter storm advisory is posted, you can certainly alter or adjust your plans. Select your gear to fit the expected weather, then upgrade it to one more level of chilliness.

Give someone a specific time for your return, after which they should assume you are in trouble and get help. Make this reasonable. If you are out for a day hike, you might plan to be off the trail by 6 p.m. Give yourself leeway for an unforeseen delay which would not be life-threatening. Per- haps you might choose three hours. This would set the time of concern at 9 p.m. Of course, this means you must be responsible to contact this person before 9 p.m. unless you really are in trouble. On longer hikes, the time between expected end and emergency cut-off should be length ened. The increased responsibility here is to carry an "emergency kit" to sustain yourself overnight

in winter because they do not feel hot. Just remember that every frosty breath you see is moisture leaving your body. Drink up.

What goes in must come out. Use latrines or toilet facilities when available. If not, always remember to pick a spot for a "cat-hole" 150 feet or more from waterways. This is extra-important in the winter as spring runoff will carry everything in the flood plain into the water column. Dig through the snow and into the ground if at all possible to bury your waste. When the snow melts, whatever you leave will not yet be decomposed and will be parked wherever you left it. (picture how a dog owner's yard looks in the spring). Itis best to pack out your toilet paper. It's easy to place toilet paper in a small paper bag (which can be stored in a plastic zip bag to contain odors). After the hike the paper bag and contents can be disposed of.

Do not assume death. Handle with extreme care - Get immediate medical help. Check carefully for any shallow breathing or pulse and apply gentle external heat (naked chest-to-back warming). Begin CPR only if two minutes with no sign of breathing or pulse have passed. (Chart compiled from several sources)

Get medical help immediately. Do not jar victim or handle roughly; this may cause cardiac arrest. No food or drink. Watch and/or restrain victim- they may either insist they are all right, or become belligerent. Warm the core, not the extremeties. Warming the extremeties will increase local circulation and cause more heat to move from vital organs. Gently warm the chest, head, neck and groin, and elevate the feet. At this point you must add external heat to the victim's body. But do not raise temperature too quickly, as in a hot bath, or heart problems may develop.

If you are alone you are in real trouble. If you are with someone who has such symptoms, do not allow them to determine what should be done. Limit exercise, and do all steps as above, expecially giving warm non-alcoholic drinks if victim is conscious.

Get warmer - this may be your last chance for a rational decision if you are alone. Add a layer, get out of the wind, build a fire, replace wet clothes with dry anything, drink something warm but non-alcoholic, increase exercise, insulate your body from the ground. Go home NOW if you can. There is no shame in being wise. Your body can still produce enough heat to re-warm itself.


• Unconscious • Apparent death

• Shivering decreases or stops • Confused, irrational • Slurred speech • Semiconsciousness • Rigid muscles

• Loss of motor control • Losing rational functions • Shivering may decrease or stop:

• Shivering becoming uncontrollable

• Numbness in limbs • Pain from cold

•'<::.:;:.. ;.·.,_:t<· · SYMPTOMS·OF HYP,O)°tlERMIA

An energy bar, space blanket, plastic garbage bag, lighter, whistle and light cord in a sandwich-size zip bag weigh only 7 oz. and fit in a pants pocket (better yet, keep the whistle around your neck). The entire list weighs less than a pound. Other items beyond what is listed here can be added depending on season and terrain of the hike.

3 soup pack sandwich zip bag

3 3

fire starters 2 safety pins

2 2 2 2 3 3

lighter 1 O ft. light cord 5 ft. toilet paper single edge razor blade orange bandana heavy foil square

energy bar

whistle

1 = no excuse for not having with you 2 = add these to be marginally safe 3 = add these for a 24 hour survival pack

RATING uses 1 Signal other members of your party. Decide

ahead of time what the signals are, who will stay put and who will move. Three blasts is universal distress signal.

1 if you are really separated from your group and are hungry, eat it. Lower energy will not help you think more clearly.

space blanket 1 keep warm, signaling, emergency shelter orange plastic garbage bag 2 raincoat, mini shelter, warmth (if windy put over

your clothes, if cold put next to your skin), keep firewood dry, cut into strips for signalling or marking, folded it can be emergency splint or neck brace start a fire for warmth or signalling ridge for a shelter, tie splint or bandage in place as t.p., pad a wound as a mini-knife signalling, many first aid uses signalling, fold into cup (you can actually heat water in this by heating pebbles and adding them to the water aid in starting a fire in wet conditions fasten bandages, remove splinters or gravel from wound extra nourishment and hot drink to carry the items

JOAN YOUNG is Contributing Editor to the North Star, a wetlands biologist, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the North Country Trail Association. She has plenty of experience winter hiking. She's somewhere around a thousand miles into her planned section hike of the NCNST -- most with Chips, the hiker dog -- with many of the miles in southern Michigan and northern Ohio completed in the winter months.

You may have started a campfire just last week, but when did you last review the symptoms of shock, or thought about how you might attract someone who was looking for you? There are lots of excellent books available to jog your memory.

Now that I've scared you silly (I hope not really) ... GET OFF THAT COUCH! So pile on the layers, collect

your maps, gather your wits and get yourself out on the trail! That blue-sky day with the white snowy icing and dark sweeping pine are waiting just for you.

ifnecessary. In the winter, "sustain" can be translated to read "preserve body heat."

EMERGENCIES Nature may be motherly, but she has teeth. Respect them. Studiously avoid small mistakes that may be far more costly in the winter than in summer. Don't go off without your gloves or hat, saying, ''I' II just be out for a couple of hours." Know where you are going, and how to find your way out of the woods. Know what to do for hypothermia, and its symptoms. General symptoms and treatments are compiled here, but you would be wise to review a first-aid book before heading out.

ALWAYS carry an emergency 24-hour survival pack. "Always" means even if you go out of sight of your tent... It won'tdoyouany good if it's in your fanny pack which is in the tent. To be specific, don't wander off to make a potty stop in the winter twilight leaving your hat, gloves and emergency pack behind because you'll "only be a minute." Becoming disoriented and failing to return to the tent could be deadly. You snicker? In March a couple died half a mile from a trail. They had

.•· ,,·)>: finished their hike, put their gear in . <1i

the car, and then went back to find their dog who was not coming when they called. They were caught by darkness, and then by the cold. End of their hikes.

MY IDEAS ON EMER- GENCY GEAR I love learning ba sic survival skills. However, the truth is that knowing how to snare and cook a rabbit, or how to make rope from dogbane are not what you need to know or have if you simply be come separated from your group or if you have arranged with someone to send help if you do not return at a specified time. What you probably need to do is to be able to survive, perhaps through one night. This means to stay calm (you can because you know help is on the way) and warm (hypothermia is the real en emy) and to be able to let others know exactly where you are. You may be in trouble because of an injury which prevents you from moving, and this kit presumes that you know some general first aid techniques.

How to signal, how to apply first aid, how to start fires are all skills that are beyond the scope of this short article. But perhaps I have at least brought them to your mind.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January- March 1998

Bob Tait has been the State Coordinator for the NCNST only a short time, but he's really grabbed hold and is making things happen, one of which is the new Butler County Chapter of the NCTA. Tait is also one of the founders of the Butler Outdoor Club, and is featured in "Heart and Sole" on page 36.

the Butler Chapter to hand out to prospective members and even stores. At the same time, they developed other brochures for counties in Pennsylvania.

During the course, we met several times. Communicating with this group was key, via the Internet and face-to-face meetings. They were using the school's computer lab with the latest equipment, which I could have never, neverused. They also developed a display that we could use at shopping malls, and meetings, with maps, pictures, and information on the North Country Trail. and, We used it later in a display at the Stone House. They worked developing a news release that went out to all the papers in Western Pennsylvania and the radio stations. From that, we had several articles on the reception but we also had an excellent article in the largest paper in Western Pennsylvania with a beautiful picture of McConnell's Mill.

I ended up doing two, on-the-air half hour radio inter views. They also prepared media packages that were available for media that showed up at the reception. Since the reception was on a Sunday this may have prevented some of them from attending, and the weather was also a factor. Remember, these students were not hikers; they did not know about the North Country Trail. In the short time from September through December -you can see what we have accomplished. We will build on this and the information they have provided us to make people aware of our public image. The cost was minimal. The things I learned in working with this group will be carried over in the future and applied.

I'm encouraging any of you that are near universities to take advantage of some of these students that need experience on real live projects. We will be following up by sending out our newsletter on a quarterly basis. The first issue will be put in the mail as you read this. If you have any questions concerning this project or would like to contact the North Country Trail in Pennsylvania, you can do so by contacting Bob Tait, PO Box 2968, Butler, PA 16003-2968.

Every club or organization needs to have some good publicity. They need to have a good public image. When I first took over the job as coordinator for the North Country Trail in Pennsylvania, one of the things I realized was that a lot of people did not know about the North Country Trail. One of the ideas that came up to publicize the trail was to work with a local university which was looking for projects for their Communication Interns.

Slippery Rock University has a Public Relations class where they offer nonprofit organizations 5 or 6 students to help them during a semester.

In the middle of September 1997, I connected with a great group of students who were like consultants with a goal of making people more aware of the North Country Trail. We met and got to know each other and talked about some of my goals, and they in turn, showed me what their project consisted of. It encompassed developing a newsletter, a video, a bro chure, doing a marketing survey, and a logo. There were other groups working with nonprofits, like the Humane Society and the Red Cross. The project ended December 7 with a reception held at the Old Stone House, which sits beside the North Country Trail in Butler County, Pennsylvania. At that time, we presented a newsletter, a video, the brochure, and a logo for the state. They had organized this reception completely. The President of the Butler Chapter and myself greeted the people that braved a snowy day to see the Stone House and learn about the North Country Trail. It was a great success.

The group started the project by developing a survey where they interviewed 100 people at two different locations to find out how much people knew about the North Country Trail. Then they had two interview sessions with two groups of people to see what they knew about the trail. From there, they started to put together what was needed.

One of the outcomes was a newsletter that they designed. I supplied some information, but they supplied the graphics and helped develop a logo. They worked with students from the video department to produce an 8-minute video on the North Country Trail in Pennsylvania. They developed a brochure for

By Bob Tait Pennsylvania NCNST Coordinator

The NCNST is relatively unknown, even in the areas it passes through. Here's how one group went about

Spreading the word about the North Country National Scenic Trail


NOTE: The paint splatters on this page are simulated. Despite the realistic effect. no cans of Trail Bla:ing Paint were in any way harmed in the production of this Annual Report.

More Great News Inside ...

•ASSOCIATION• 1997 Annual Report

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Hod M;1cHae. 1210 W. zznd SL.. Minneapolis. MN 55405 Hod Mnckae. 1210 W. zznd St .. Minuenpolis. MN 55405 tu he assigned tu he assigned tu he assigned vacant

MN Cuorduutuu: H('(ld1mlt•t\Cl11111L1'1: S11111•ri(}r Hiking Tmil Assoc 1<01.·1·" 0111i11g c/uli: K1•kcko/Jic Tmil C/11/i: NO Courduuuat:

WEST TERMINUS TRAIL CONFERENCE (Minnesota and North Dakota)

WEST CENTRAL TRAIL CONFERENCE (Upper Peninsula Michigan and Wisconsin) Ml IU111wrl Coorduutun: Gene Elzinga. 12 Middle Island. Marquette Ml 4g855 N.C.T/'llil Hik1•1\C/111pll'1: .Gene Elzinga. 12 Middle Island. Marquette Ml 4g855 WI ((}(}1i/i1111l"1: Gaylord Yust. 2925 W Bradley Rd. River Hills WI 5321 T2052 Herilogl'Cl111pll'1: Jim Buruw.6841 S 111th Street. Franklin. WI 53132 Clwq1u11111'g(}fl Cl11111t1'1: Kurt Schmitt. 2121s87th St. West Allis. WI 53227-1719 H111h•-SI. Croix Cltopll't: Peter Nurdgren.18oo Grand Avenue. Superior. WI 5488o

Ji 111 Sprugue. 44o6 Maplecrest.Parma 0 H 44129 Dana Zintek. 236g Suncrest Dr.Cuyahoga Falls. OH 44221 Gene Markley. ID Bux 234. Delta OH 43515 Arden Johnson, 6oo Tennyson.Rochester Hills. Ml 48307 Lynn Waldrun.8133 Norris Road, Delton, Ml 4<)046 Gladys Hoogterp. 0-703 Lincoln NW. Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 Gregg Law. 1953 Lardie Rd .. Traverse City. Ml 4g686

O/ti(}((}(}rdi110{(}1: H11ckcyc Tmil Assoc NW OH Hoi/s I" Tmi/s ASS(}C Ml ti.ourr) Counluuucn: Cltic!'N(}(}tlllo.'f Cuapte«: Wcsll'm Ml Chapter: Gm11d Trm:l'rse Cl111plt·1:

EAST CENTRAL TRAIL CONFERENCE (Ohio and Lower Peninsula Michigan)

Howard LJeye. 202 Colehourne Hd .. Rochester NY 14609 Randall Brune. i o i Dorset Rd .. Syracuse. NY 13210-3047 Harmon Strung. 76 Shellwood Dr .. Rochester NY 14618 Buh Tait. 277 S. Duffy Hd .. Butler. !'A 16oo1 Bryan Kuehler. l'.O. Bux 165. Chicora. PA 16025-0165 Dun Land fried. HC 1 LJux 176B. Leeper. PA 16233 Glenn Osler. 784 Olive St .. Pittsburgh. PA 15237

NY (o(}tdi11ol"1: Ccnuu! NYCl11111te1: Finger Lokcs Tmil ((}11/:: l'A Coonluuttot: 11111/er Counti; Chapter: Cltmon C"1111ly Cl11111tc1: AYH l'illsln11).;/J:

EAST TERMINUS TRAIL CONFERENCE (New York and Pennsylvania)

Terms Expiring in 1998 Al-L!11).;1': Wes LJuyd. 14815 Hume Ro.id. Manitou lJp;1ch Ml 49253 Al-L<ll).;<': David Cornell. 514 Cordes Rd .. Dellu11.MI 4<)046 Al-Lllt).;C: John Leinen. Jr .. 1 1 I Ou.nu Cl Su. Lakel.md MN 55043 Eas! Ccuira]: Elwood E11~or. 1304 Horizon Or .. Fnirhorn, OH 45324-5816 ll'csl C1•11tml: Derek Blount: 906 N. Alexuuder.Royal 0:1k Ml 48007 Wl'sl Cent ml: Arden johnson. 600 Te1111ysu11. Hoc hester Hills. MI 48307 Terms Expiring in 1999 Al-L111).;c: Sus;111 Nelson. 113 E Bayfield St. Bux 578. Washburn. WI 54891 Al-Lrll).;<': Kathy Olstad. ID Bux 1017. Bismarck. ND 58502 Eas! Hcgi(}fl: Harmon SL rung. 76 Shellwood Dr .. Rochester, NY 14618 Fi11gl'r Lala:« Trai! C: Howard Beye. zoz Culehourne Hd .. Rochester NY 146n9 Terms Expiring in 2000

Al-Lr11).;C: joan Yuung.861 west US 10. Scottville. Michigan 49454 Al-Lrt1).;t': Werner Veil. 49 Munroe Center.Ste woB. Grund Rapids.Ml 49503 West Hcgi(}fl: Tricia Rynn. 232 Old North Shure xd. Two Harbors. MN 55616 H'l'sl Hl'gi(}fl: Paul Slone. 834 W. Bayfield St .. Washburn. WI 54891 H11ckl'yc Tmil Assoc D:11w Zintek. 2369 Suncrest Dr.Cuyahoga F:ills. Ohio 44221 Gencm! A!li{i(llC: Glenn Oster. 784 Olive SL..l'ittshurgh. !'A 15237 Houonnu Appl.: Pat Miller. Ht "I. Bux 36-A. W;1shhurn, WI 54891

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NCTA Directory 2

However. ;is we shih ge;irs for the new ch;dle11gl's faced 011 private lands. we're 111eetillg with soruc very ellcour;iging results. I 11 1997 alone. Olll' of our newer Chapters com plctcd nc.ul y tell Ill i !cs ol trail Oil private lands. with ccrt ificntiou oxpcctcd in 1998. Agreements with these lundowncrs c11m' only after considcrahlc public rcl.uions work ill the community. yet the results arc very excitillg. and bode well for the Iut ure of our trail.

Ill the heydays of our first decide of trail work. much of the trail certification c.unc in bigger chunks. as lollg seglllents of new nnd prc-cxistinu trail Oil public lands were brought into the North Country system. l 11 more recent years. though. the opportunities for expansion Oil public lctllds have been rapidly dilllinishillg. More .md more we ure faced with the necessity of crossillg private lands. Because of this. our rate for new trail ccrrificu tions has slowed.

Despite this more distant go;il. volunteers cont in ued forgillg new trail at a strollg pctce. !11 foct. total certified miles for the trail increased in 1997 by about 36 miles. to 1350.6. Certification also is pend i ng Oil more mi les that were corn plctcd d ur illg the yectr.

After ;1 careful hut geller;il review of possible routes the trail might follow. it was determined this year that the North Country N<1tio11<1l Scenic Trail will likely reach about 4.200 miles when complete. vs. <111 curlier estimate of 3.240 miles. !11 reality. nothing about the route of the truil has clwnged - we've just come up with a more refilled cstim.rtc of its projected length. Once the offici;il route of the trail is shifted to include Minnesota's Arrowhead regioll, the total projected lellgth will he more th<111 double that of the renowned Ap paluchian Trail!

Believe it or not. we picked up about 1.000 new miles of trail in 1997! That's the good news. The had news is. so for they exist only 011 p<tper.

New Trail Miles

North Dakota e Minnesota *Wisconsin * Michigan Ohto s Pennsylvanta s New York

•ASSOCIATION•

Every one of our members and volunteers should be proud of NCTA's outstunding accomplishments in 1997. Whether you're an introductory member. or" full-time volunteer. you each deserve ;1 hardy pat 011 the hack and the heartfelt thanks of Future ge11er<1tions.

As you read through the derails of this year's achievements. you'll quick ly see thut they are due mostly to the remnrkuhle efforts of our countless volunteers. With new Chapters colltinuillg to till in g;ips ;dong the trail. the resources of the Associ ation more and more will he dedicated to support ing the work of these local volunteers. On p;ige 5 of this report. you'll also rend about some impor taut changes put in place this ye<ir to strengthen the voice of our "on-the-ground" volunteers in both the 11w1wgellle11t of the Associat ion and of the trail itself

New purtucrsh ips and impor t.mt <1gree111e11ts were formed. Strong new Chapters arose From core grollps of dedicated volunteers. Older Chapters enjoyed renewed eurhus iasm and reported some gre;it nccompl ishments. The truil con t in ucd growing at " respectuhlc p<tce. in both certified and total useable miles. Meanwhile. membership in the Associat ion surged nearly 4o•x ..

1997 was au excitillg yeur for both the North Country Tr;iil Associ.u ion. and the North Country National Scenic Tr;iil.

Overview

3 Year in Review

In 1998. we expect that attention will shift to the proposed reroute into Minnesota's Arrowhead re gion. ;1s the Wisconsin pluns arc wrapped up.

111 the bll. we hired our new planner. Dirk M<1so11. Dirk is a native of Wisconsin. but kid been work ing ;is ;1 city pl<11111er in Colorado. He brings a lot of experience in outdoor recreation. computerized mapping. co111111u11ic1tio11. .md trui] study to the position. So for. we've been heciring gre<1t com ments about Dirk's work from our "ears to the ground" in the field.

A her two yecirs ol employment with the Associu tiou. our rccreution planner Kim I3<1ir resigned her position to accept ;1 job involved in landscupe pl;m11i11g <it ;1 college outside of Milwaukee. As our first planner. Kim contributed a tremendous amount of talent ;111d ideas to the trail. and we wish her the best in both her new position <111d her recent m<1rriage.

Meun wh ile. in northwestern Wisconsin. pb1111i11g begun in 1996 was nearly finished. A time consuming E11viro11111e11t;il Assessment was com pleted 011 the fovored route. selected by the plun- 11 i11g tcum in 1996. Ope11 houses to review the linul plan were scheduled for early 1998.

Early in the year. the final public ope11 house wus held in Columbianu. Ohio. to review the results of <i two year pl<urning process. The meeting was well attended. <111d interest was expressed i11 form ing " loci! Chapter to tuke 011 the ckdle11ge of making the plan <1 reality.

This ye<1r. pl<11lllillg efforts focussed 011 wrapping up plans for eastern Ohio and nwking sig11ific<111t progress on plans for northwestern Wisconsin.

Trail Planning

ye;1rs. we've nearly tripled our total Trail Shop sales' This success reflects <1 growillg interest ill the trail. and ;1 growing need for informution about the trail. Our lollg awaited new Full color topographic map series will FiiJ<iily begin produc tion i11 1998. and should help considerably with both our sales ;111d promotion of the trail.

Our membership growth was paralleled by growth in sules of m<1ps. books. and North Country N;_1- tiouul Scenic Trail merchandise. Gross revenues from our Tr<1il Shop this year reached '56.113. This beat our projections by 8'Xi. <111d represented a 4o•x, jum from our sales ill 1996. Over the past two

Trail Shop

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As of janunry 1. 1998. paid memberships stood <It 852. For each of the preceeding 20 months we've seen a net increase i11 memberships. since <1 low of 505 i11 May of 1996. Our goal for 1998 is to f inully top 1.000. With the continued enthuviasm ;111d support of our volunteers and members. we know we'll have more gre;1t news to report next year.

Membership is important for several reasons. Members help support the activities of the Associ ation and its Chapters through their dues. Volun teers typically come from the ranks of our mem bers. and virtually 110 trail work would be com pleted without our volunteers. Members also help spread the word. building public support for the trail. which is critical for its completion.

last year. we reported ;_111 18•x, increase in p<1yi11g memberships for 1996 and said that we looked forward to continuing this growth in 1997. Well. we're very pleased to report to you membership growth of 39•x, in 199]! This surge is due to new Chapters forming. some 11<1tio11<1l recruitment ef forts. and. mostly. to the great job each of you is doing in spreading the word about the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Membership

•• ~ Year in Review (cont)

•• 5

'

Eastern Conference l'e1111sylvan ia State Coord i n.n or

Hut h-r County Chapter IZ1·•p. Amvtkun Youth Hosll·•ls Hqi.

New York State Coordin.u or Central Nl,W York Ch.ipte-r llqi.

Fing.-r Lrkes Trail Conh-n-rue Hep.

East Central Conference Michigan LI' Stall·' Courdinat or

Grand Travi-r-,e- Hiking Cluh lkp. WPsll'lll l\.lichig;111 Chapter lll'p.

ChiPf Noonday Chapter llqi. Ohio State Coordinator

Northwestern Oh ill lt1i ls-to-Tr;1 i Is Hep. Buckeye Trail Association Hep.

Wiscllnsin St at« Coordi nat or llrult>-Sl.Crnix Chapter HPp. ChPquampgon Chapter Rvp.

Ht>ritagp Chapter Hep. Michigan u.r. State Coordinator Nort hCount ry Trail Hikers Cluh

West Central Conference

Western Conference Nort h Dakota StalP Coordinator lvacantl

MillIH:'Sllla State Coordiu.u or Headwater-; Chapter Hep.

The Chair of each Conference is nominated to the Board

Trail Conferences

0 00 0

East Division West Division 0 0 00 00000 "9 000

NCTA Board of Directors 17 elected seats &om three regional categories

At large

The first Conference meetings will he held in each region in early 1998. Bringing these key volunteers together is sure to result in many exciting ideas ;111d in itiutivcs!

Chairs will also sit on the Board's Executive Com mittee. This new structure is illustrated below.

A change to our bylaws in 1997 created lour re gional Tr;iil Conferences to meet the above objec tives. Each Conference consists of one appointed member from each Chapter and Affiliate within its region. as well as the region's two State Coord i nators. The regions are as follows: Li stern (New York ;111d Pennsylvania), List-Central (Ohio ;111d Michigan's lower pen insulal. West Ccntrul (Michigan's upper peninsula ;111d wisconsinl. Lind Western (Minnesota and North 0;1kotL1J. The Chair of each Conference also sits 011 the Avsor iu tion's Board of Directors. ;ind two of the four

With our recent growth in Chapters. our Board realized that a new mechanisn: was needed to strengthen the involvement of our Chapters in the ma1wgeme11t of the NCTA and of the trail itself Also, we wanted to create ;i greater opportunity for Chapters. Affiliates (partner organiz;itionsl. and volunteer State Coordinators to conunun icntc with one another about ideas. plans. ;111d achieve ments. and to coordinate goals at a region;il level. The result was a new level of orgunizution within the Association called 'Tr;iil Conferences."

Reorganization

look for reports from these and our other Chap ters elsewhere in this an n ual report!

• the Brule-St. Croix Chapter. in northwestern Wisconsin.

• the Central New York Chapter. based in Madison County. NY.

• the Chief Noonday Chapter. in southwestern Michig<lll. and

• Butler County Chapter. in west central Pe1111- sylvun ia.

Chapters are organized groups of NCTA volunteers that work on the trail and host events at the local level. The bulk of our trail work and public in volvement occurs through our Chapters. !11 1997. we welcomed four new Chapters to our vrowinv

0 0 I ist:

Chapters

Year in Review (cont.)

• The club continued m:1i11taining NCNST segments as well as four trai I systems for the DNR. with 191

Grand Traverse Hiking Club

•

Tools were acquired .md a tool policy adopted. and several mi les of trni I were completed. Also. the ti rst of many stiles. bridges and ho.irdwnlks installed.

First application for certification was submitted.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Chief Noonday Chapter • Chapter formed in June. 1997. l nit inl membership

was 1 o. hut grew Lo 43 hy year's end.

• During the summer. officers were elected, a trail crew wns formed and work schedule adopted. ;1 checking account was opened. a newsletter was instituted. and a Chapter insignia was adopted.

Established goal of completing the trail from Au gust:1 to Yankee Springs across 22 miles of private [ands and six miles o! public lands.

Contacted and made presentations to all four town ships and both county governments involved.

Made presentations to the Michigan DNR and the National P:llk Service to locate trail and construct bridge on lands under their authorities.

Contacted approximately one halt of the property owners on the proposed trail segment - received permission to construct trail horn all owners con tacted. First landowner has offered to donate a permanent easement

Contacted .ipproprinte governmental units and be gan preliminary trail planniru; on two ndditional trni I segments.

Volunteers were trained in trail construction hy Bill Menke. of the Nation.tl P;1rk Service.

•

For its First tull ye:1r of operation. the Chapter hosted four hikes - one each season. Some non members were in attendance. thanks to advertising eHorts.

A well-attended work day in spring cleared :1 lot of -hrush From the trail 011 a segment west of Mellon. Wisconsin.

• Chequamegon Chapter

signihc:mce to the Link Trail development. Ap prov.il of the Governor is expected in early 1998.

• A new. attractive membership brochure was pro duced hy Membership Chair Anne Saltman to aid the Chapter in membership development.

Central New York Chapter • Chapter was formed in the summer of 1997.

• 5.3 miles of the Link Trail have been completed. starting at the south end at the junction with the Finger Lakes Trail. in Chenango County.

• Working with New York State Agencies (DEC and OPRH Pl on the "Open Space Pl:m," the Chapter secured the support of the Regio1wl Open Space Committee tor the central NY area in expanding the Genny-Green project to include the entirety o] the Link Tr:1il up to its northern terminus at the Erie Canul Towpath Tmil. This inclusion is of major

Butler County Chapter • Chapter was formed in foll. 1997.

• Sponsored 10 Trail Care days in Butler County and beyond during the year.

• Worked with Keystone Trail Association and East ern Mountain Srorts to rebuild steps at Alpha Pass. McConnells Mil State Park.

• Recovered and relocated a 12 foot bridge on G lacier Ridge Trail.

• Reblazed Glacier Ridge Trail.

• Scouted and proposed trai I corridor for Butler County.

• Obtained the services of ;1 Wisconsin Conservation Corps crew for trail construction in the summer of

1998.

• Worked with NPS staff to plan area open houses in early 1998 to announce proposed new trail route in our section.

BruleSt.Croix Chapter • Chapter was formed on May 8, 1997 in an initial

meeting at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

• Initial officers: Peter Nordgren. Lake Neb;1g:11llon. WI. chair: Paul Hlina, South R:mge. WI, vice chair: Suzanne Boley. Duluth, MN. secretary: Chuck Zosel. Lake Nebagamon. WI, treasurer.

• Sponsored ;1 National Trails Day hike on newly certified trail in the Brule River State Forest. 18 parti ci p:m ts.

• Held work days in September and November. mov ing toward completion of ;1 new trai I segment near Solon Springs. WI.

• Chapter's trail building efforts were featured in the s.uperior Daily Telegr:1m and endorsed in an edito rial.

-- Chapter Reports

• Trail in the Lowell State Game was mostly nim pleted this year. thom~h some ot it already must lw reworked due to vandalism.

• The Chapter's successful snowshoe outing in the Manistee Nat iou.il Forest w.is repPatPd in Janu;1ry.

• Winter Trails D;1y was hosted at tlw Asscxi.u ious one room schoolhouse. with the cooperation of retailers and snowshoe ruanufacturers. !\lore than one hundred people .utended.

• A Nat ional Tr;1ils Day event was also hosted al till' schoolhouse in june. This wr-ll-rerr ivcd program te;1turPd family outings and resulted in m;111y 11\'w inquiries about the tr;1i I and tlw Chapter.

• Work continued on rerout inv till' tr.nl throuvh till' Howard Cluistensen Nature Cl'tltl'r. "

• Negotiations were completed with "Woods and \l\';1- ters." a private rt'Cn'alional property within t hv Manistee National Forest. lo reroute tlw tr.ti I oft surrounding roads.

• Membership in the Chapter topped zoo fWrsons.

• Al least one public .ut ivity w.is sthcdulod Pwry Saturday during tlw ye;1r.

• Chapter member Ginny Wunsch m;111;1gl'd n-nt als at the Assoriat iun's one room srhoolhous«. l\L111y rentals took pl.ue this yPar and t hv progr;1111 is PxpPClPd to continue growing.

Western Michigan Chapter

• Constructed about tive miles of new trail. Roughly three of these were ;dong the Marquette-Alger county line with the rest to relocate trail of road west of Old Victoria.

• Constructed several hundred feet of boardwalk over beaver tloodings along Little Garlic River with M;1rk Anderson as an E;1gle Scout project.

• Participated in construction of base for interpretive signs at Old Victoria.

• Maintained about 35 miles of North Country N;1- tional Scenic Tr;1il and .issocuued trails in Michi gan's upper peninsuln.

North Country Trail Hikers Club

• Worked with a group of teens in a drug rehahilita tion program on the trai I.

• Made several contacts with loci! agencies to pre pare for 19g8 trail work.

• Elected a new slate of officers.

• Developed topographic maps of region covered by the Chapter including current and proposed routes.

• Prepared Uller trail section for certification.

Heritage Chapter

Headwaters Chapter • Successfully published two issues of "Cal] of the

North." the new Chapter newsletter. with rave re views for editor Ginny Ruppe. About 300 copies me distrihuted to memhers. prospects. public officials and exhibit booths,

• Achieved NCNST certification status for the First five miles of the Bad Medicine section. Tr;1il route is folly blazed and ;1 draft guidebook and map have been puhlished.

• Built a new tr.iilhead and kiosk parking lot with cost-share funds on the Anchor-Matson Road serv ing Bad Medicine .md Itasca sections.

• Achieved a signed agreement with the ONR and Huhhard County concerning the Paul Bunyan For est section. National Park Service helped with GPS computer to locate ;1 close route on the topography maps. We are now seekinv a section coordinator to monitor projects on this s~ction.

• Finalized a long term maintenance ;1greement with ltascn State Park identitying the mutual responsi bilities of the partners.

• Coordinated several Boy Smut trail work projects. including a bridge across heaver d.nn in the Chippewa section.

• Mounted two display booths at the major MWM outdoor show.

hours devoted to maintenance.

• Bryan Cox received this year's President's Award. and the new Silver Sow award was given to Mike Schaeffer for 49 hours of trail work.

• A rnmp out at North Manitou Island was one of this year's featured activities. Also. regular cluh meetings featured various hands-on and travelogue presen tations,

• The cluh hosted ;1 hike with NCNST supporter. Senator C1rl Levin.

• Work was hegun on creating a Ii hrary of hooks. newsletters. reference materials and videos for use hy cluh members,

• The cluh displayed a booth at the annual "Rendezvous· event in Grayling. This event in cludes manufacturers booths for canoes. kayaks. tents and outdoor equipment. as well as seminars. guest speakers and a Him festival.

7 Chapter Reports (cont.)

• With the help of a group of students from Maumee Valley Country Duy School. a new gravel parking area is now complete on the South Fork in Colton. These students also helped with a retaining wall. general pruning. and watersealing of the Colton Bridge.

• NOH.TA also acquired 14.8 miles of former Penn Central Railroad corridor in Huron County Ohio. Although this will not affect the NCNST directly. it will become a segment of the North Coast Inland Trail crossing northern Ohio.

• Two additional bridges were completed during the summer. bringing the total to seven. with only eight more to go. just east of Fulton County. Ohio is the "AAL Bridge." so named because more than half of the cost was contributed through the Aid Association for Lutherans grunt progrum. The "Bruiley Bridge" used a different technique that resulted in 15 foot wide decking.

• Eugle Scouts erected split rail fencing at County Roads 1 and 1-2 to act us vehicle barriers.

Northwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association

• An Alley Cat work week rerouted the trail off J multi-use segment in Sugar Hill State Forest and installed u series of switchbacks to eliminate u steep climb in the l3;.1th areu on mup M-12.

• National Truils Duy projects created a loop into a cumping area in the Hume urea und installed several "gubion baskets" to stabilize hillside trail near Swain on map M-8.

• The Endowment Fund increased by about 52.CX)O

this year.

• Trail management committee has begun study ing a process to certify trail on private lands. This will involve contucting about 200 lundown ers and could result in an increase of at least 100

cert i tied Ill i les.

d istunces to major lund marks from tru i I heads and other facilities.

• Started installing destiuation signs to identify

Finger lakes Trail Conference • Built a second lean-to in Alleg~~1y State Park und

installed about 100 feet of puncheon bridging nearby.

• Paid memberships increased to 1030 units.

• Work at Bloody Run. near the north end of Burr O<Jk State Park upgr<Jded substandard. ugly trail to J surprisingly attructive relocation.

• More new trail was built on the north shore of Clendening Reservoir and the rest of the segment has been tbgged for completion in 19g8.

• Signitic<Jnt improvements have been made to the grude of the trail at Fort Hill State Memorial. The trail was moved in p<Jrt to use udjacent private land. Crude improvements have increased the total length of tru i I.

• Existing trui] at Piedmont Reservoir WJS im proved to standards, In addition. Jeff Yoest has adopted the segment and u new route has been tbgged to improve access to the south.

• Extended effort to build 4.2 miles of new trail at Tar Hollow State Forest was completely cut through and mostly benched. Bill Menke ucted imrnediately to certify new truil. Even after sub truction of decertified truil. the overall certified length increased by 1.2 miles.

• Hosted the Annual Meeting of the North Country Truil Association at Carnp Hervidu, in Beverly. Ohio.

• Most of the truil work this ye<Jr focussed on upgr<Jding substandard trail segments.

• Tr<Jil crew now numbers over 4o people who attend work parties with some regubrity. Typi cally these are weekend events. but two work events run for four days this ye<Jr. Chuck W<Jgon designed und donated by President Herb Hulls was brought to extended parties for meal prep<JrJ tions.

Buckeye Trail Association

Affiliate Reports -

Lyk: Jli<tlh. F1·;1nk BILllll\'nth;d Jim Cu-..-..itl Norm;111 C"·' 1\l:tr\'ill Dl'llt. <h.uk l 11ll'l'J1ri-..l'" l\oh Di-tvr. [\Jurl·nci Atl\'l·nlun· Cl11h l'aul aml Li? hir-..hl·t~ 1\l:mlv .uu l V\'illi:1111 C:i-..t Alonz« Hatlll:durd J\:irh:ir:i Hai'"'-'' l.unv-, .uu! 1\1:1ri:il1 l!u1w Jllhn CL1y 1-.:i1H :iid l);l\·id Ki llll;l mon Jullil ll ·i mn. Ir. Dinni-, 1\lich:il·I-.. !':it .uul 1-.::ithll'<'tl 1\lilll·r Su-..an ;111d ll"lwrt Nl·l-..llll l\llh and i\1111l'll<' !':11111 '""l'Jlh Jl:1ytllll' Alll'll .uid 1\i;1ry Sh"1q1 1\lit h.u-l Sl1111111,ay J"h11 Vinh.l'llltildl'I c;:iyllitd and 1\latll'lll' Yll-..l

TRAIL LEADERS M1·11ilwr' 1d1ojoi111·t! or n·111·11nl 1111/11· ~:)"/!'rel

Auouymou-,

Luyal cldridgt:• Tum G:mwt t Willi:1m and Donna 1\lenh.l' 1'v1ichig:1n 1\luunt:iin Bih.l' A-..suciatiun Andrew Nt·wcom llichard .md Gloria Sl':ihold

.land ll' Sw1:·:isy Wl'llll't Vl·'il

PA TH FINDERS Me111/1,·r, 1d1oj1•i111·d or tvncuci! 1111/11· ~ 1 <X> lc1...!

Miles T1111nhlc Werner Veit Ly1111 ~\'11/dru11 vvi lliam G. Weis.;; Robert and .lanict:> Wt:>slt:>r Kevin, Rohiu. Kalt:' & 1\lorgan Wil-..un 1':1ul Wright Gm1luul Yust

St11n H11ro/d llarhara Haw],e Ken <111d Mary Hinchm.m Dun:tld L. Hi 11111:111 Howard Hintz

ju/111Hi1111s11111/ Bur/1ic S111it/1 ,l;1111e-.. It Huugesteger ,l;1111es .md l'vlariah Hope Keith a ml Katherine H ornure-n Herb .uu] Susie Hulls David A. Hutch in sun Tlw .lt•nn\-'lte Family Cynthia .Junes l'el\-'r .uid 1';1ul Kli111a Mcludcc Kun111cl<cr11l1ll Etl1mnl Huntu11 Nl'lson uavitt

!\!art ha Leppanen

ju/111). Lcincn.]«. Hudcri£ i Mii( H11c Nutali« J\lah.i J'hil and Delures J\l:dpas-.. llJSt:•ph and llarhara Marroni Edith J\laynard and .Jul111 Allen

Willi1111111111/ Du11n11 Mc11kc Michigan Mountain Bih.ing Assoc. J\1:1rt in OTuull' 1!0/111ntl A1111cttc JJ111111 Kevin and Rohin Wil-..un-Jlalt·y

.Jim Rirh.uclvou Judy llippl·ntrop Jlulwrl Huleh.1:• Al and Jach.i,• lluch.a !'at ri.in Ry.m Nvil Saml,·r-.. l'vlt'rl and J'atricia Schl:t:1ch. Ju-..eph Schott Herlwrl 1\1. Schultz David Schutlt:• J\larci;1 Sl·am:111 All1:·n and 1\lary Shoup Janw-.. Si,•g,·I Ch.ulr-, I'. Sil:i-.. Scott Smith C;1rul J. Smith

J;1111e-.. W. Spragut• Jloliin Spry-C11nplwll Dt,horah Stt•wart-Kl•nt Duainv E. St ui-rk

Tom Suiter j1111cttc Sl('c11s11 Stl'lla Tlwll'll Ch.uh-, A. Thompxun

Put Allen allll Murf..: Miller Haze! Andreas Bernue Anderson Daniel and Coustunce Arnold Charle-, Axt helm Len und juAnnc H11 w11 Charles llenja111in .Jay and Joyce Billingsley Odell lljerkness Derck und Mu n;u rel 1!lu11nt john Borders Duane and .Judy Bennt'lt Howard S. lleye john Cannon Patricia Curlxon Cons111ncrs Enc1:i,111 Dut•id u111J ju net Cunrcll Shirley ll. Clark Rulwrt and Elizalwth Cut h-r William Dev ries Denn is Donat hen William G. Douheh. Eric Doyle E11gcnc 11nd jc1111 El:ingu judit h bte•1'1itw Nancy Ferrar Virginia and Art Fi-..h Paul and Liz Furslwrg Joanne Gerh.e Tum and .Janis Gillwrt Emily Gregm Tim Griffin/Griffin I'ort lulio l'vlngt. Hurry Cubhin-. De-nnis Hansvn

N111111•s in il(l/ics do1111led $1<X> 1•r 111on• 1/1;, 111·11r DONORS

Ameritech Booth Newsp:1pers Environmental Support Center The Lurie Company Nat ionul Park Service Recreationa I Equ i pmen L. Inc.

SPONSORS l'rul'ided $1.cx)() or 111on• i11li1111/i11g1/1i.< .1w111·

Donors and Key Supporters

$ 53, 165 $ 53,387 $ 33,521 5,305 6,025 2,600 1,265 1, 127 1,309 4,234 4,701 3,811 3,608 4,597 4,575 3,947 3,705 3,845 4,288 4,170 2,669 1,875 2,088 1,187 3,388 6,145 7,118 4,381 6,124 6,495 2,227 2,312 325 1,896

319 0

957 447 863 0 0 0

2,540 2,869 1,284 0

3,725 2 627 6,386 $101,433 $ 98,708 $ 73,291

0 1,000 500 4,606 0 0

386 0 600 182 4,122 5,933

4,771 7,562 30,657 2,206 2 107 1 021

s 12, 151 $ 14,791 s 38,711 $113,584 $113,499 $112,002

--1997-- --1996-- --1995--

$ 73,338 $ 77,272 $ 58,027 18,449 13,329 10,625 6, 113 4,354 2,081 7,298

835 6,574 9,524 2,928

600 $113,206 $104,479 $ 73,661

$ 10,659 $ 7,562 $ 37,389 8,331 3,800 5,100 5 678 5,093 6 091

~ 24,668 $ 16,455 ~ 48,580 $137,874 $120,934 $122,241

Po'itage Offin-' Supplies l'ri11ti11g Magazine MPetings and Training Organization<il Me-mberships Contractual Services Lohbyim; Exppnses Schoolhou-,« Operation Equ i pnu-nt Merchuudix« Lind ProtPclion M iscPl l.uu-ou-, Suhtotu I

Funded through Temporary Restrictions l nte-rn Wagp<; Consultauts Mi..,cPllaneou.., Chapter l:xpP11se<. Chall1·nge Cost Sharp Project<; Other Tra i I Projpcts Subtotal

Total

EXPENSES General Expenses

S;darie<; l3e11efit<- and FICA lnvurance !lent Headquarter Utilities and Phone Travel

INCOME Unrestricted

Cooperative Agreement Member Dues Trail Shop Donations Interest Other 195 & 96 Ilg. inchul« duuatiuu« & i11lr1l'sll

Schoolhouse Hental Subtotal

Temporarily Restricted Challenge Cost Share Grants Private Grants Chapter Income and Dues Subtota I

Total

Income and Expense

Treasurer's Report 10

Balance Sheet ASSETS -1997- -1996- -1995-

Cash and Equivalent Checking Account and Cash $ 14,080 $ 7,216 $ 2,147 Chapter Accounts 7,039 5,398 4,427 Savings Account 10,518 2 384 10.566 Subtotal s 31,637 $ 14,998 $ 17,140

Accounts Receivable $ 15,212 $ 10,266 s 16,567 Property

Buildings $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 Furniture 1,330 1,232 1,232 Tools 2,000 2,000 2,000 Equipment 6,567 4,505 4,105 Miscellaneous 2,230 0 0 Subtotal s 32,127 $ 27,737 s 27,337

Other Assets Brokerage Account $ 3 $ 259 $ 0 Certificates of Deposit 18,019 17,325 10,566 Subtotal s 18,022 $ 17,584 $ 10,566

Total Assets s 96,998 $ 70,585 $ 71,610

LIABILITIES Accounts Payable s 4,509 $ 2,284 $ 153

NET ASSETS $ 92,489 s 68,301 s 71,457

Cash Flow -1997- -1996- -1995-

BEGINNING BALANCE Cash and Check inv Account $ 7,216 $ 2,147 $ 9,097 " Savings Accounts 19,710 10,566 10,000 Chapter Accounts 5,398 4.427 4,215 Total $ 32,323 $ 17,140 $ 23,312

CASH INCOME NCTA (Pru.,raml $ 46,292 $ 68,271 s 25,504 " Accounts Receivable 82,686 71,776 72,123 Chapter Accounts ~ 5,092 2,071 Total $134,630 $145,139 $ 99,698

FUNDS AVAILABLE $166,953 $162,279 $123,010

CASH EXPENSE NCTA (Prozrarnl $ 96,084 $106,101 $ 90,981 " Accounts Payable 17,340 20,932 15,047 Chapters 3,873 4,199 5,933 Total $117,297 $131,232 $111,961

FINAL BALANCE $ 49,656 $ 31,047 $ 11,049

Cash and Checking Accounts $ 14,080 $ 7,215 $ 2,147 Savings Accounts 28,537 19,710 10,566 Chapter Accounts 7,039 4,122 4 427 Total $ 49,656 $ 31,047 $ 17, 140 Temporarily Restricted Funds (32,050) (18.770) .(lilAQfil Unrestricted Funds $ 17,606 $ 12,277 ($ 1,329)

R.E.I. Grant '97 $3,338.01 In 1997. Recreational Equipment. Jn corporuted provided a grunt to the As sociation to fund free subscriptions to the Nvrtli Star for more than 150 out door editors and land munavinv <Juen- o o o cies ulong the trail route. The grunt also will fund a full-color poster to promote the truil. which is currently in development. This fund holds the portion of the grunt which is yet to be spent on these projects.

Supplemental Trail fund $8,088.02 Balances rem<Jining from completed projects that are funded by National Park Service Challenge Cost Shure grunts are transferred to th is fund. As more Chapters are formed. more re quests are being submitted each year to the Park Service for new Challenve o Cost Shure grunts. The Supplemental Truil Fund is used to help p<Jy for new projects when Challenge Cost Shure funds can't meet the demand. The Supplemental Truil Fund also muy support other special projects related to the trail.

Land Trust fund $8,506.33 Money in this fund is held for the purposes of protecting trail corridors. These gener<Jlly will include expenses associuted with the acquisition of land or easements for the truil.

Life Member fund $4,685.38 By the direction of the Board. dues from membersjoining for Life <JS indi viduuls or couples are held in perpetu ity. Eurnings gener<Jted by these funds help cover the onvoinv ex- o o penses of membership.

Assets oitue North Countn] Trail Asso ciation include iunds that are l1eld i11 temporani resllictio11s for dedicated p111poses. These include the fol/orl'i ng:

Temporarily Restricted Funds

11 Treasurer's Report (cont.)

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL CERTIFIED SEGMENTS as of 12/31 /97 Qellified Irail

Segment Man. Auth Length Date Cert MICHIGAN Saw Beese Trail Hillsdale 4.0 7/14/92

NEW YORK M-99 Bikewar MOOT 5.0 8/2/83 FLT-Cuyler Hill SF FL TC/DEC 6.4 11/8/95 Battle Creek inear Parkway Battle Creek 8.2 7/26/95 FLT-Taylor Valley SF FL TC/DEC 2.8 11/8/95 Yankee Sprin~s SRA DNR-Parks 2.5 1/18/95 FL T-Taklor Valley SF FL TC/DEC 4.7 11/8/95 Rogue River tale Game Area DNA-Wildlife 7.0 11/8/85 FLT-Ba er Schoolhouse SF FL TC/DEC 2.4 11/8/95 Manistee NF - Croton - Spruce St USDA-FS 6.3 3/1/93 FLT-Hoxie Gorge SF FL TC/DEC 0.6 11/8/95 (connector) (2.0) FLT-Hoxie Gor~e SF (SUNY) FLTC 1.0 10/4/96 Manistee NF - 40thSt-5 Mile Rd USDA-FS 66.6 4/25/89 FLT-Tuller Hill F FL TC/DEC 0.5 11/8/95 (connector) (2.5) FLT-Tuller Hill SF FL TC/DEC 3.5 11/8/95 Manistee NF - 5 Ml Rd to RD Bdy USDA-FS 1.0 3/1/93 FLT-James Kennedy SF FL TC/DEC 0.9 11/8/95 Manistee NF - RD Bdy-Riverside . USDA-FS 10.3 1/5/95 FLT-James Kennedy SF FL TC/DEC 0.4 11/8/95 Manistee NF - Udell - Pine Creek USDA-FS 7.2 1/5/95 FLT-James Kennedy SF FL TC/DEC 1.0 11/8/95 Manistee NF - Chicago - Beers Rd. USDA-FS 23.9 7/6/88 FLT-Baldwin to Daisy Hollow Rds. FL TC/DEC 6.5 11/8/85 Manistee NF - Beers Rd to bdy USDA-FS 2.5 1/5/95 FLT-Potato Hill SF FL TC/DEC 2.0 5/15/94 P. M. SF Sec12 to No 16 Rd DNA-Forest 0.8 10/20/94 FL T-Shindaien Hollow St. Forest FL TC/DEC 5.7 7/9/90 P. M. SF Sec32 to 2-track DNA-Forest 0.8 10/20/94 FLT-Danby tale Forest FL TC/DEC 8.1 6/21/88 P. M. SF Sec20 to No 8 Rd DNA-Forest 1.3 10/20/94 FLT-Robert H. Treman State Park FLTCIOPRHP 3.5 6/21/88 P. M. SF Wheeler Cr to Sec 19 DNA-Forest 0.6 2/14/97 FLT-Robert H. Treman State Park FLTC/OPRHP .6 6/21/88 P. M. SF Sec 2 to Sec 21 DNA-Forest 0.9 2/14/97 FLT-Connecticut Hill Wildlife Area FL TC/DEC 7.5 1/20/89 P. M. SF Anderson Cr. to Sec 23 DNA-Forest 1.0 817/97 FLT-Texas Hollow SF FL TC/DEC 1.8 P. M. SF Dell Rd to Sec 2 DNA-Forest 1.1 11/26/97 FLT-Finger Lakes Nat'I Forest FL TC/USDA 2.4 8/29/91 P. M. SF Sec 2 to Sec 1 DNA-Forest 1.3 7/25/96 FLT-Watkins Glen State Park FLTC/OPRHP 4.5 12/8/88 P. M. SF Sec 1 to Old 131 SFCG DNA-Forest 7.0 7/25/96 FLT-Sugar Hill State Forest FL TC/DEC 8.4 6/1/92 P. M. SF Sec. 3 to Sec 34 DNA-Forest 1.3 5/13/96 FL T-Goundry Hill State Forest FL TC/DEC 0.6 8/5/94 P. M. SF Sec. 33 DNA-Forest 1.3 10/20/94 FL T-Goundry Hill State Forest FL TC/DEC 2.1 8/5/94 Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking Trail DNA-Forest 23.4 8/2/83 FL T-Goundry Hill State Forest FL TC/DEC 9.5 5/1/90 PM & Mac. SF: Starv. Lk Rd-Sec29 DNA-Forest 2.5 10/20/94 FLT-Birdseye Hollow State Forest FL TC/DEC 9.1 4/15/92 Mackinaw SF - CR38 - Doerr Rd DNA-Forest 5.5 10/20/94 FLT-Pvt. Land in Steuben Co. FLTC 1.9 10/4/96 Jordan River Pathway DNA-Forest 12.3 8/2/83 FLT-Burt Hill SF FL TC/DEC 0.8 3/13/95 Warner Creek Pathway DNA-Forest 2.4 8/2/83 FLT-Bully Hill, Klipnocky SFs FL TC/DEC 5.9 8/1/95 Mackinaw SF - Sec. 9 DNA-Forest 0.4 117/97 FL T-Bullft Hill, Klipnocky SFs FL TC/DEC 4.7 8/1/95 Mackinaw SF - Sec. 10 - US 131 DNA-Forest 0.7 10/20/94 FL T-Swi I Hill SF FL TC/DEC 1.6 6/10/97 Mackinaw SF - CR48 - Sec. 21 DNA-Forest 4.6 10/20/94 FLT-Farmersville SF FL TC/DEC 2.6 6/10/97 Mackinaw SF - Springvale-Harmon DNA-Forest 4.9 7/25/96 FLT-Bush Hill SF FL TC/DEC 3.5 6/10/97 Stinner land (Sec. 25-Sec 24) NCTA 0.4 7/26/95 FLT-Bear Creek SF FL TC/DEC 1.9 6/10/97 Petoskey - Sec. 25 to Sec 24 Petoskey 1.1 10/5/95 FLT Boyce Hill SF FL TC/DEC 2.6 6/10/97 Petoskey- Krause Dr to Brubaker Petoskey 0.6 10/5/95 FLT-Rock Cith & Bucktooth SF FL TC/DEC 7.5 6/1/92 NC Mich Colle9e NCM Coll. 1.7 5/1/96 FLT-Bucktoot SF FL TC/DEC 3.0 6/1/92 Petoskey-Sheridan St to US 31 Petoskey 2.2 12/21/94 Fl. T-Alle~nll Slale Eark El. TCIOEB!::lP 2!l..2 ~ Wilderness SP S bd:fr to E. bd~ DNR-Parks 10.8 1117/95 Total - ew York 153.2 Mackinaw SF- SP 8 ry to Sec. 4 DNA-Forest 9.0 6/1/92

Hiawatha NF - FR3104 to N Bdy USDA-FS 78.4 12/5/89 PENNSYLVANIA Tahquamenon Falls State Park DNR-Parks 21.5 5/16/89

Allegheny National Forest USDA/FS 86.8 8/2/83 Lake SuperiorSF - SP - Swam~ Lk DNA-Forest 7.2 8/2/83 Baker Trail - Clear Creek St. Forest DER-Forest 1.5 8/2/83 Lake Superior SF Sec 13 to S DNA-Forest 19.7 8/2/83 Baker Trail - Cook Forest St. Park DER-Parks 8.0 8/2/83 Muskallonge Lake State Park DNR-Parks 1.5 5/16/89 Jennings Environmental Ed. Ctr. DER-Parks 1.0 8/2/83 Lake Superior SF-SP to H-58 DNA-Forest 19.3 8/2/83 Moraine St. Pk. (Glacier Ridge Tr.) DER-Parks 12.8 8/2/83 Lake Superior SF - H-58 back to H-58 DNA-Forest 1.8 817/97 McConnel's Mill State Park DER-Parks 1.6 8/2/83 connectors (3.8) Mi;;QQOOel's Mill Slale Park QE;B-Eai:Ks z.e .12l.29m Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore NPS 43.8. 8/2/83 Total-Pennsylvania 119.3 connector (4.8)

Hiawatha NF - M-94-Buck Bay Cr USDA-FS 9.6 5/16/89 OHIO City of Marquette Marquette 1.3 2/15/96

Beaver Creek State Park DNR-Parks 6.3 8/2/83 connector (1.9) BT-Tuscarawas CR82 to CR109 STA 5.3 8/2/83 Ci!Y, of Marquette Marquette 3.1 2/15/96 BT-TR 213 to TR288 STA 6.0 8/2/83 Litt e Presque Isle DNA-Forest 6.8 10/20/94 BT-US22 to Guernsey CR893 STA 4.4 8/2/83 Ottawa NF-McCormick Wilderness USDA-FS 8.1 10/20/94 BT-Salt Fork State Park BTA/DNR 2.7 8/2/83 Craig Lake State Park DNR-Parks 7.5 7/14/92 Wayne NF - Poulton to Co. Line USDA/FS 5.2 17/6/94 Ottawa NF Kenton, Ontanagon RD USDA-FS 42.5 8/2/83 Wa"if1e NF - CR 128 to SR 26 USDA/FS 31.3 12/23/92 Ottawa NF Sec. 12 to S. Bdry Rd USDA-FS 27.6 8/2/83 BT- R23 STA 1.0 8/2/83 Porcupine Mtns SP DNR-Parks 21.5 5/24/93 BT-TR232 to TR377 STA 2.1 8/2/83 Ottawa NF CR519 to Suspention Bridge USDA-FS 5.9 8/2/83 BT-Wayne NF USDA/FS 1.3 7/6/94 Ql!awa l::lE S!.!Sll!lDliQO B[ IQ Qld 513 USQA-FS 5-..a aL2Laa BT-Burr Oak State Park BTA/DNR 9.3 8/2/83 Total-Michigan 574.9 (15.0) BT-Jenkins Dam, to SR13 STA 0.4 8/2/83 BT-Wayne FN SR13 to boundry USDA/FS 2.9 8/2/83 WISCONSIN BT-Athens CR92 to Salem Rd. STA 2.4 8/2/83 Copper Falls State Park DNR 4.4 8/2/83 BT-Wayne National Forest USDA-FS 13.5 10/13/89 Copper Falls Park to Three Rivers Park Mellen 1.5 6/15/94 BT-Nunamaker Rd to Hunter Rd STA 1.0 8/2/83 Three Rivers Park to west edge Mellen Mellen 0.7 6/10/97 BT-TR44 to TR39 STA 2.0 8/2/83 connector (1.9) BT-Lake Logan Rd to Murphy Rd. STA 1.2 8/2/83 Chequamegon National Forest USDA-FS 60.0 . 8/2/83' BT-Starr Rt. Rd to Kreachbaum Rd. STA 3.2 8/2/83 Bayfield County Forest County .6 5/3/93 BT-Big Pine Rd to Ash Cave STA 7.3 8/2/83 Brule Biver SE Q.liB 12. 2lHm BT-Clark Rd - Clark Rd BTA/DNR 4.4 8/2/83 To.tal-Wisconsln 71.4 (1.9) BT-Sugar Run to Bluelick Rd BTA/DNR 2.7 8/2/83 BT-Bluclick Rd to Buffalo CG BTA/DNR 1.5 8/2/83 MINNESOTA BT-Musgrove Rd to US35 BTA/DNR 2.9 8/2/83 Chippewa National Forest USDA-FS 68.0 6/22/88 BT-Woods Hollow Rd.- Prussia Rd. STA 2.6 8/2/83 Itasca SE Q.liB .1J..Q ~ BT-Davis Rd - Bell Rd (Pike SP) BTA/DNR 12.7 8/2/83 Total-Minnesota 81.0 BT-Lapperell Rd to Bell Hollow .Rd BTA/DNR 5.5 8/2/83 BT-Bell Hollow Rd - SR41 Pike SF STA 1.5 8/2/83 NORTH DAKOTA BT-Fort Hill State Memorial BT A/OHS 4.1 8/2/83 Sheyenne National Grassland USDA-FS 25.0 7/9/90 Shawnee Trail (Shawnee SP/SF) DNR 14.5 8/2/83 Sheyenne State Forest NDFS 1.0 8/2/83 BT-East Fork State Park BTA/DNR 7.9 8/2/83 Fort Ransom State Park ND P&R Dept.2.5 11/8/85 Little Miami Scenic Park DNR 44.8 8/2/83 Lonetree WMA NDG&F 32.0 Little Miami - Hedq;s Rd to Church Rd Greene Pks. 4.0 6/3/97 L.alse Salsalsawea SE l::lQ E&BQe11lU 1QL2.9m Little Miami Park - ellow Springs Greene Pks. 9.7 1/16/86 Total-North Dakota 61.8 BT-Statler Rd. to Pi~ua Hist. Area STA 6.3 8/2/83 BT-Miami and Erie anal Trail BTA/DNR 42.0 8/2/83 TOTAL CERTIFIED MILEAGE 1350.6 BT-lndependance Dam State Park BTA/DNR 7.0 8/2/83 ~~~Zf ~T8A1~B'Ji1eEs -1.§Jl l:::leo[ll QQ QB!lA-L.ui;;as QQ L.ioe t::i.QfilA 2..1 ~ 1367.5 Total-Ohio 289.0

Over the course of the last several years, it has become more and more apparent to many people that the North Country National Scenic Trail, when completed between its legislatively authorized endpoints ("eastern New York to the vicinity of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota") will be longer than the "approximately 3,200 miles" mentioned in the legis lation. A number of different trail users, cooperators and partners have questioned the mileage figures that have histori cally been used to describe the trail. Unanimously, these individuals contend that the trail is or will be considerably longer than the 3,240 mile figure currently used.

Since completing his through hike in 1994, Ed Talone has spent considerable time developing a walkable route that approximates the trait's current and projected location. Ed estimates that the trail is about 4,500 miles in length, but his figure includes a route through Minnesota's Arrowhead re gion. Without the Arrowhead, his mileage is about 4,100 miles. Wes Boyd, editor of the North Country Trail Association's North Star, feels that the trail is "at least 4,000 miles long." As everyone knows, Wes spends a considerable amount of time researching and writing about the trail. As managers of the trail, we too can see that, when the trail is completed, it will be longer than 3,240 miles. But, how much longer, and which of these mileage figures is correct?

First, where did the 3,240 miles figure come from? As stated above, when Congress authorized the trail, they said, " ... a trail of approximately 3,200 miles." That figure was based on the Department of Interior's North Country Trail Report - 1975, which identified the trail as being 3,249 miles long. The 1982 Comprehensive Plan more or less legitimized this by using a figure of 3 ,240 miles. On the maps in the 1982 plan, there are many locations where only a straight line is shown between two anchor points -- sometimes 40-50 or more miles apart-- because a more refined trail route was not known. The estimated mileage taken from these straight line segments (the shortest distance between two points) was undoubtedly too low -- we all recognize that when the trail is eventually built, it will not be straight. Even where ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Superintendent, North Country NST Tom Gilbert

by Bill Menke Manager, North Country NST

and

How long did you say?

1997 Trail Status Report NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January- March 1998

the trail route was not straight, the measurements were made with a map wheel on small scale maps (1 :250,000). A higher level of detail was not needed in a comprehensive plan.

However, the new revision of the NPS' North Country Trail brochure provided the impetus for actually trying to more realistically estimate trail miles. As long as a new brochure was being printed, it made sense to update the general text regarding the length of the trail and update the mileage in the state by state descriptions. But, with the trail still being a "work in progress", what mileage figures(s) should be used? On the certified portions of the trail, relatively good mileage figures already existed and the trail's location was shown on topo maps. In a few other locations where the trail is being actively developed, maps and trail miles were also available. Even so, accurate mileage for2/3 of the trail was not available. As a trail is located and constructed, it wends across the face of the landscape to skirt trees, wet areas, boulders, and other barriers. It includes such features as switchbacks to ascend and descend hills. And, in areas of predominately private property, it makes 90-degree bends to follow fence lines or to reach the property of an agreeable landowner. All of these factors add miles to the trail and could not be accounted for by the 1975 feasibility study or the preparers of the 1982 Com prehensive Plan. The challenge in coming up with more accurate mileage estimates would be to fill in the gaps between currently certified segments with a route that considered the shape and condition of the land.

To arrive at a better estimate, each of the I :24,000 scale topographic maps along the route from New York to North Dakota (for you trail trivia buffs, that's about 562 maps) was examined and trail design principles were applied to sketch a possible trail location. In placing this line on the maps, as many factors as could be discerned from the topographic maps were considered. These included meandering the trail to adhere to a 10-percent sustained grade, avoiding wetlands as much as possible, crossing major creeks and rivers at logical points (in many cases an existing bridge) staying in the forested areas when possible (forest cover is an indication that the land is not being farmed and there is generally greater landowner acceptance), avoiding developed areas, staying within public or large ownership if it was shown, and similar factors. Once the trail was penciled on the topo map, a map wheel was used to measure the distance and the results were then inflated by 10 percent. The 10-percent inflation figures is one that has been in use for several years when the length of the trail segment is obtained from a map wheel -- because map wheels can't account for all of the twists and turns that actually occur on the ground. Experience has shown the I 0-percent inflation factor to be reasonable but still conservative.

Admittedly, many topographic maps are not totally cur . rent. While the topography and hydrographic features should be considered only as one possible scenario -- a place to investigate further and a possible area to do more detailed planning.

11010·;••····1------------r-------.--,,,,,,---::71 111111 2000 by 200~0 _ ____,,____:.,____.o<l"'--tl.,,,,,_.,,,,,_--1 I :3:,~i~,t'~~ule, -> .> ·:1:1.o.·;···co;o--+-------+---,,..----,,..0'----+-----+-------1 l,~A]f-+--,,-,,-~~~..i-~.::../_,,.._1--::146~-t.,-~-1-6 _129_5-+1_3_14_1_350_t--------i

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fiedin the next three years, that still leaves 250 miles to be certified, or 83.3 miles per year.

That can be done -- but it's going to take some effort, to identify potential certifiable segments, and then go ahead and apply for certification. There are still many segments existing here and there that could be certified - sometimes just a mile or two, but a few substantial sections of thirty, forty or fifty miles. Sometimes, it's just going to involve getting the local managing agency inter ested enough to file the paperwork. The NCTA office, and the NPS, just don't have the time to make the contacts and do the followup. This is where the local chapters and individuals can make a difference. *

The concept of working toward 2000 certified miles of the North Country Trail by the year 2000 first arose in 1990, in the aftermath of the successful 10 year celebra tion of the designation of the trail. The intent of the concept was to give a goal, a focus; and to give increased reason for trail managing agencies to go ahead and file the simple certification paperwork on trail that already existed at the time.

In 1990, it was necessary to certify approximately 103 miles of trail each year for the ten year goal -- a not unreasonable thought at the time, with 103 miles certified in 1988 and an additional 90 in 1989. However, since 1990, new certifications have never reached the same levels. To reach the goal of reaching 2000 certified miles by December 31, 2000, about 650 miles of new certifica tion are needed -- approximately 217 miles per year.

Can it be done? Maybe, if, and it will be close. Two big potential certifications have

waited most of the decade to be final ized: approximately 115 miles of the McClusky Diversion Project in North Dakota, and the Arrowhead relocation in Minnesota, approximately 285 miles of which are in certifiable condition today. If these two projects can be certi-

2000 by 2000 -- can it be done?

Bill Menke is the manager of the NCNSTfor the National Park Service. Tom Gilbert, his supervisor, is superintendent of the Madison, Wisconsin office of the National Park Service, and also supervises the Ice Age NST and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. *


In summary, the biggest increases have occured in the eastern states where adhering to reasonable grades in hilly topography means more miles are needed -- perhaps most noticeable in the steep hills of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Michi gan still has the most potential miles and has moved into first place in the percentage certified while Pennsylvania has dropped to second in the percent certified.

Again even though this effort must be considered only as a quick and dirty sketch on a map, the utilization of trai I design principles should result in more accurate mileage figures than have been used in the past. 4, 175 miles is at least in the ballpark with what others have been saying. If viewing the sketched route would be helpful, photo copies of the maps can be made available.

* Does not include the possible Arrowhead Region reroute, approximately 400 miles.

ND 435 475 40 12.7

MN 375 375* 0 21.6

Former New Percent State Estimate Estimate Increase Complete

NY 520 625 120 24.4

PA 180 300 120 39.8

OH 700 1050 350 27.4

Ml 875 1150 275 49.9

WI 155 220 65 35.7

- Page32

So come on -- give me the results!

NORTH STAR Editor Wes Boyd at the West Trailhead of the North Country National Scenic Trail in 1997. The trail proceeds to the right of the picture, circling the bay in the background, and far shore back from right to left. The certified section ends at the Corps of Engineers Intake Picnic Area along the far shore at the left. Water levels in Lake Sakakawea fluctuate; they were fairly high when this picture was taken.

PICK CITY, ND, 58565 is located I mile west of the Intake Picnic Area access road. Restaurants, laundry, con venience store, sporting goods, motel.

0.0 (0.0) WEST NCNST TRAILHEAD Marked trail, usually kept mowed out, and certified on

October 29, 1997 follows the lake shore southward from the picnic area. At times of very high water, parts of the trai I may be inundated, and it will be necessary, but not difficult, to bushwhack along higher ground. After 1.25 miles, the hiker reaches the Corps of Engineers Intake Picnic Area, overlook ing the Garrison Dam powerhouse intake structure; follow the road on out to SR200.

Picnic Area at the end of the road, where the west trai lhead marker is located. Lake Sakakawea State Park has 822 acres, and 300 tent and RV campsites, beaches, launch ramps, and a small camp store. For further information, contact Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND 58565. (701) 487-3315.

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LAKE SAKAKAWEA STATE PARK is located ap proximately 11 miles west of US83 on North Dakota SR200. The entrance road is 3/4 mile west of the west end of Garrison Dam, which impounds the Missouri River. (Note: the Mis souri River is the eastern edge of the Mountain Time Zone, which is also the boundary between Mercer and McClean Counties.) The park's entrance station is about l mile down the entrance road. A day use fee is charged to vehicles. If driving, tum east (right) about 0.1 mile past the entrance station, then south (right) after about 0 .3 miles, and continue to the Scotia Bay

On October 29, the National Park Service certified the last mile of the North Country National Scenic Trail -- well, sort of, anyway. Though there are many miles more trail remaining to be certified, the 1.25 miles of trail to the western terminus of the North Country Trail in North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea State Park joined the certification column.

National Park Service NPS Manager Bill Menke praised Park Ranger John Tunge, and Ranger David Leite for their efforts in completing the trail in Lake Sakakawea State Park, and for their efforts toward future extentions of the trail eastward in the Lake Sakakawea region, which are in the planning stages with the Corps of Engineers, which operates Garrison Dam, and the lake.

Leite has greeted virtually all of the few long-distance hikers to reach Lake Sakakawea in the past ten years.

The next few miles east from the certified trail end point at Intake Picnic Area provide some interesting walking, though the trail hasn't been completed yet. In addition, the auto tour road through Audubon Wildlife Refuge, when added to the Lake Sakakawea State Park - Garrison Dam area, would make another interesting walk for weekenders.

The westernmost segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail are generally located close to Lakes Sakakawea and Audubon, the latter maintained as a wildlife refuge; the new segment is located along the lake in Lake Sakakawea State Park. Water should not be a problem anywhere in this section, although camping may be once east of Riverdale. CAMPING: there are two public fee campgrounds in the Garrison Dam area.

''Last Mile'' of N CT Certified

Far out in North Dakota, the NCNST comes to an end


AUDUBON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, nearby, also provides an interesting walk in the vicinity. Though uncertifiable, the auto tour route is a potential "con necting" section for the NCNST. It receives very limited use, and is a fascinating place, especially in nesting season, and is well worth the visit if in the area.

The route begins at the Audubon NWR headquarters, about three miles northwest of the village of Coleharbor, on US83, about half a mile east of the highway.

The lake east of US83 is Lake Audubon; it's maintained at a more stable level than Lake Sakakawea. The gravel, occasionally almost two-rut auto tour road generally follows

the shore of Lake Audubon eastward for 8.5 miles through the 11,273 acre Audubon Wildlife Management Area to the intersec tion with Mercer County CH I 2N; it only gets very light use, and is a pleasant walk, with a great amount of waterfowl during nesting season, and wildlife activity during most of the year. Take note that users are not supposed to leave the road, especially during wildlife nesting season, and no camping is permitted. There are several interpretive

• displays before reaching CH 12N. For more information, contact Audubon Wildlife Man agement Area Headquarters, Cole Harbor ND58531 (701)442-5474. *

* * *

graded than have ever been built; it's much smaller than it appears on the map. Riverdale was built for housing during the construction of the dam. Joan Young reports that the Riverdale bowling alley has an interesting display on the building of the dam. There is also a small restaurant and convenience store. Private campground to the north of town; no information available.

GARRISON DAM POWERHOUSE: The dam is nearly three miles long, and provides quite a view from the top.

RIVERDALE, ND 58565 has more roads platted and

4.9 (3.3) TURN NORTH ON MISSOURI DRIVE The suggested route for long-distance hikers turns north

off of SR200 east of the dam onto Missouri Drive, which offers some fine overlooks of the lake. The projected route in this area will turn off Missouri Drive's sidewalks, and continue north; the suggested route rejoins SR200 after 1.9 miles.

DOWNSTREAM CAMPGROUND is located about 1.5 miles south of the suggested route, near the proposed route. A Corps of Engineers campground, it has 101 tent/RV sites, plus some primitive sites to the south. Fee. For information, contact US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Sakakawea Office, PO Box 527, Riverdale ND 58565. (701) 654-7411.

1.6 (1.6) TURN EAST ON SR 200 The trail turns east, to cross Garrison Dam, the largest

earth-fill dam in the world, backing up the Missouri River some 175 miles to the west in 378,000 acre Lake Sakakawea, created for flood control, power, recreation, wildlife, and other purposes. Garrison Dam began in 1947, was completed in 1954, and the first power generated in the powerhouse in 1956. The five generators produce 1.8 to 2.6 billion kilowatts annually. A historic display on the building of the dam is available in the powerhouse lobby. Tours of the powerhouse are available; contact (701) 654-7411 for information. The suggested road walk route follows the top of the dam eastward, and it's a longer walk than it looks; it's 2.5 miles from the powerhouse to the spillway. The time zone changes to Central Time near the powerhouse. (Note: Lake Sakakawea State Park and Corps of Engineers officals have a proposed route for the trail that could be constructed sometime in the next few years. This route will not cross the dam, but will head downhill from the Intake Picnic Area junction, cross behind the powerhouse, loop past Downstream Campground, making use of a short trail there, then will cross the dam spillway well to the south of the dam before turning back north to Riverdale, and following the shore northward.)


MARK HITTLE

Finger Lakes Trail Conference In contrast to his work days spent as a "number-cruncher" at a computer, MARK

HiTTLE says thattrail activities offer him the opportunity for"straightforward" exercise where the folks he meets act "without pretense or hidden agendas." He shou Id know. Mark has served for many years with the Foothills Trail Club, and has been on the FLTC Board of Managers. He is now the FLTC Treasurer, is on the Membership Cammi uee, and he! ps on Alley Cat (trail building and maintenance) crews. In case this is not enough, he is section coordinator for the 172 miles of Finger Lakes Trail (not all NCT mi Jes) that the Foothi I ls Trail Club maintains. He also maintains his own section of trail in Allegany State Park. This gives him lots of that straightforward exercise since it is a section heavily damaged by gypsy moths and a beech fungus blight. He says there is always clean-up work to be done there. He has also helped tobuildabridgeand three lean-tos in Allegany. Mark must have trails in his genes since his parents helped to found the Foothills Trail Club in the 1960's. He moved away from NY for a while, but when he returned hoofed it right back into the trail community. He brings his problem-solving skills to bear on trail issues such as partnerships with other trail users. Encouraging participation in National Trails Day is anotherofMark's priorities. However, when I asked him to tell me what he would choose as his most important contribution to trails, he said, "I show up." Are you listening, all you folks who feel you don't have a lot to offer?

KATHY EISELE

Central New York Chapter: KA THY EISELE has been a long-time trails advocate. She has been a Trails Committee

member ( 1990-95) of the Onondaga Chapter of AD K for whom she co-ordinated the activity reporting of 60-65 trail stewards. She has also served on the Board of Managers for the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. Now Kathy fills the role of Trail Chair for Central NY's NCTA Chapter, but that sure doesn' tkeep her sitting down. She has personal responsibility to maintain the Trout Brook section of the FLT near McGraw. Kathy's work outfit for such activities is unique and practical- she wears her late father's "cobbler's apron." She says this provides good protection for her work supplies and other clothing. Al Larmann (Newsletter editor for CNY) wants to assure you that this is careful planning, not just something Kathy "cobbled up!" We note the fashionable color and design coordination with the marking tape! In everyday life Kathy is English Department Chair at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY. She has taught in Illinois and Ohio. A trip to East Africa with the Peace Corps in 1967-68 certainly also demonstrates Kathy's priorities. Trails that offer attractions for both the experienced backpacker and the casual day hiker appeal to her. Her experience, mentoring skills and personal goals form a synergistic combination that is hard to beat to create a great leader.

"Heart and Sole:" I've already been told the title is a little corny so you can skip to the next comment you'd like to make. But think about it... There are those of us who wear our hearts, not on our sleeves, but on the soles of our well broken in hiking or work boots. That's what this feature is to

L------------------~


I"" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , be about; to focus on those of us whose psychological II HEART II anatomy is so configured. But some of you help create trails

with pen, telephone, and computer. Maybe those of you I I whose fingers do the walking have calloused them enough I: & s OLE I: fromsuchactivitiesthattheyhavebecomesolestoo! Also, we

sure 'nuf realize that volunteers are at the heart of our success.

I I So we hereby begin, in this issue of North Star, to share I Edited by Joan Young I with all our readers the efforts of those outstanding folks who

are working to make the NCNST a reality. The goal is to feature one person from each club and affiliate in at least every other issue.

If you know someone who should be recognized for their efforts, be sure to Let me know (see end of articles for how to do this). Now, read on about these hearty soles, er. .. souls! -- Joan

periences are "almost religious" for Richard. He is one-eighth Pamunkey Indian (descendants of the half-brother of Powhatan,

RICHARD PFEIFFER

Buckeye Trail Association RICHARD PFEIFFER has always been a hiker and

backpacker, and when he moved to Ohio from Idaho he had no intention of changing that. He saw an article in the newspaper about the Buckeye Trail Association, and says he had a check for membership in the mail that same day. Soon after that he adopted a trail section of his own for maintenance. He's now on the boardoftheBTA, serving as Secre tary, a "big re sponsibility," he says. Sometimes wandering through words is as challenging as through the woods. He is also supervisor of and participant in work parties on the New Straits ville section of the trail in southeast Ohio and the Wayne National Forest. Trail ex-

Butler County Chapter Recently retired from a career with an electric company,

JOE SMITH says the company's philosophy of "corporate citizenship" has become a way of life for him. Energy conservation, environmental concerns, and personal health are pieces of that philosophy. So, says Joe, "Why not do it in the woods?" He subsequently joined a class in backpacking offered by the Butler Outdoor Club, and has been in the woods ever since. Well, maybe they let him go home sometimes, but the list of Joe's accomplishments makes you wonder when! He has participated in almost all the work weekends, and has made it his personal responsibility to keep the work shed in a state of readiness with tools, paint and other materials for trail work. From helping build a bridge, to recruiting friends to help paint blazes, Joe is always there. He's also helping to plan that May trail building seminar mentioned above. Other commu nity volunteer activities include the United Way, and he has been honored with the Butler County Distinguished Citizen Award. No matter how much has been done, Joe notes that there is always more to do. A top priority for him is to sow seeds of interest in his family, which includes three grown children and seven grandkids. He wants to be an example to them of personal responsibility, and of good health in both mind and body. There's heart and sole in action! Joe views trails as an outlet for his bottled-up energy. He is also an avid reader and he says that he "likes to get lost on the trail" the same way that you can get lost in a book. A recent good read was a book called Cold Mountain. This tells the tale of a Civil War soldier's trek home following Indian paths, deer trails and wilderness roads. This heritage of trails is ours, Joe points out, with all the requirements for hardiness and survival. "If then, why not now?" Joe asks.

American Youth Hostel - Pittsburgh BOB TAIT has given enormous amounts of time to making the NCNST

a reality in western Pennsylvania. Three years ago he started the Butler Outdoor Club and made it his major goal to get the NCT on the ground across Butler County. This led to the formation of the Butler County Chapter of NCTA. Bob then resigned from the Butler Outdoor club to create time to become State Coordinator for Pennsylvania. In this capacity, Bob is now trying to form chapters in Clarion and Beaver Counties. Other current projects include creating a state logo, a video, and beginning a state newsletter. Publicity for the trail is one of his top priorities in case you couldn't tell! He is also involved in planning a Trail Work Training day scheduled for May. Outdoor recreation, and opportunities for both solitude and companionship are trail attributes that Bob values. There is a growing closeness as you get to know folks on the trail, but you can also drop back and quickly slip into a world of solitude on a hike. He also sees hikes and work days as tools for teaching leadership. He says, "adversity teaches; people will work together on a hike to solve problems." Motivating people and keeping them involved are personal contributions he considers worth while. Bob's final comment on trail contribution? "Everyone has a ski II that they can bring and no one should hesitate to pitch in!"


BOB TAIT AND JOE SMITH

Western Michigan Chapter The Western Michigan folks unanimously cried, "GINNY WUNSCH!" She has done so much for the NCT that a full article about her will be written for a future issue of North Star. But here's a sneak preview. Any one who wrote to the NCTA for information or maps before an executive director was hired about five years ago probably received a hand-written note from Ginny. She single-handedly managed almost all the association's correspondence during that time. She loves the out-of-doors, especial 1 yon foot. She moved to White Cloud, MI to teach. The rural area offered her many outdoor pleasures, and it happened that unbeknownst to her this put her at the mid-pointofthenewlycreatedNorthCountry NST. The NCTA's first president, Lance Feild, called the Newago Chamber of Commerce looking for a building that might be donated as a headquarters.Ginny knew of the old school house, since it was only two miles from her home, and thus began her involvement. "I was so excited to have a National Trail right there," she explained. "I would go out after school, after supper, and hike and work on the trail." Ginny was Vice-president of the Western Ml Chapter for about 10 years, and has done lots of trail clearing and maintenance. She was in charge of the project to make the old schoolhouse useable as an American Youth Hostel. She admits that was a big project, but feels that it is her most valuable contribution to the trai I.

GINNY WUNSCH at a trail dedication in the Manistee National Forest several years ago.

JIMMCMELLENwithfamily, Rikki, Holly, Ali and Bud.

by accident." He awoke one Satur day morning to see a film clip on TV about the NCT (apparently the homemade video put together by Tom Gilbert in the 1960's). Jim de cided he wanted to hike some of this trail. One thing led to another and soon he was looking for volunteer opportunities, helping create trail through the Lost Nations State Game Area. When the Chief Noonday Chapter formed in his local area Jim says he "jumped on it." He values "stick-to-it-ive-ness'' and is glad that he is able to be there when work needs to be done. The "North Country Trail has fulfilled a need in my life," Jim quietly added. "It is not only a major hobby, but also gives me an opportunity to do my part."

Chief Noonday Chapter It was my pleasure to meet and work with JIM

McMELLEN on a one-day trail building seminar in south- - west Michigan. Jim is a crew leader for the gung-ho Chief Noonday group who are carving out some of the NCT's first miles across private property. Jim spends his days behind a desk working for Central Michigan Head Start, and calls being in the woods "like therapy." He sees the wilderness being gobbled up by development and other commercial needs such as forest harvesting, and he believes that building and preserv ing trails is "one thing that our generation can give to the next." Jim takes this commitment seriously. He consistently takes his family to the woods on work trips. This is no small commit ment in itself, as he and his wife have eight children, ranging in age from 19 down to just under a year. He says they spent 95 days out oflast summer in the woods. Bud, aged 10, seems to enjoy it most of all, but Jim is equally proud of his teenage daughters who are competent to do trail maintenance all on their own. All the kids enjoy the experience. In addition to work on the North Country Trail, they do maintenance in Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Jim became involved "quite


Pocahontas' father), and finds that being in the woods keeps is marked, to pull out logs and brush. This leads to his crafting him in touch with that heritage. Trails allow him to get away of hiking sticks which he makes and gives to friends. His sticks fromthenoiseandhub-bubofhisregularjobasatruckdriver. are truly mementoes of the trail as they are made from He also likes to identify birds and trees. He feels that he is most appropriately sized saplings which happened to be growing valuable to work crews in that he can work hard. When where the treadway was built. Richard says of his involve- building trail, he likes to be the first one in line after the route ment, "I live and work the Buckeye Trail."

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works in the social sciences, and sees trails as a natural extension of that interest. You need trails to get people into the

outdoors, and being in the outdoors helps people to learn moreaboutthemsclves. "You grow a little more every time you go out," he asserted. One big achievement of Jim's is in organizing work crews from the Winnebago Institute, a state youth correctional fa cility. This past summer a group of these young people

Heritage Chapter Sometimes you have to travel to learn what's in your own

backyard. Such was true for JIM BUROW. Four years ago he was hiking in the Allegheny National Forest of Pennsylva nia and saw a trail crew who told him that this was part of the NCT. When he learned that the trail extended through Wisconsin, he went home and quickly ferreted out more information. When he discovered that a good-sized group of folks had to travel many miles to take part in any chapter activities, he got the ball rolling to form the Heritage Chapter. He was its first Vice-President, and is now President. Jim

GEORGE TRESNAK

Chequamegon Chapter GEORGE TRESNAK may already be familiar to some readers. His

wonderful poem "The Trek of '93" appeared in the January 1997 issue of North Star, and attendees of the 1996 annual conference in Wisconsin had a chance to hear George himself recite his droll, sled-dogging ballad. George moved to his present home in 1985, and found that the trail passed only a mile from his house. Being a hiker and a musher he decided to get involved, and formed the Chequamegon Chapter. The "silent wilderness" appeals to George, but on reflection he commented that another of the positive things is that there are sounds returning to the woods that we may not have heard for a while. These are the sounds of coyotes, frogs, grouse, loons, and wolves. He likes knowing that we have this link with Native Americans and homesteaders; that they also heard these sounds. Another of his priorities is to collect trail history. There are many places along the trail where there are stories of past struggles and lives waiting to be told. Many people who could share these memories are aging, and George would like to see this history gathered together. George has worked hard at trail building, maintenance and publicity. He feels that he will have made a worthwhile contribution when the trail becomes a lasting reality.

North Country Trail Hikers Chapter Although MARTI LEPPANEN was truly reluctant to let us write about her, the

North Country Hikers say that she is the closest person in their area to being a living legend. Marti is a retired nurse but she certainly has never retired from living life to the fullest. In addition to being a hiker, Marti has been a long-time biker. She and a friend rode (as in pushed pedals) from Michigan to the west coast (as in Pacific Ocean) in 1951. A couple of years ago she walked six miles to a ski outing, citing the hike as a warm up for the scheduled activity! She also kayaks, swims, and gardens. One thing she especially likes about trail building is bushwhacking and scouting out trail routes. She says that she likes the challenge of the unknown that this affords. Also satisfying to her is the hard work involved. She claims she has "laborer's genes," referring to a portion of her childhood when her Finnish family packed up and moved to a Utopian community in the northern Soviet Union in the 1930's. After two years they became disillusioned and returned to the U.S. Marti discounts her talents claiming that her attention to details causes her to work slowly, and a recent wrist injury has slowed her a bit. But I have it on good authority that she still works harder and longer than many younger folks on the trail work days, and that she shows up to participate in more of them than anyone else. Personal goals and the North Country Trail? Marti says she would like to hike the whole thing when she turns 80. "That would be something," she declared.


MARTI LEPPANEN

In conclusion, a loud THANK YOU is due to all ojtliese volunteers. The trail is becoming a path through tlie woods as well as a line on paper because ofindi vi duals like this. You have read about saws and rakes. but also computers, video cameras, phones and cars. "People skills" ore important too. Whatever your skills are, they are valuable. We knov; there are lots more great folks ow there. and 11·e 'II introduce you to some more of them next issue.

Contact me with suggestions or co111111e111s: Joun fl. Young, 861 W. US IO, Scottville, Ml 49454, or at jhr@1- one.net.

video on the trail history, tools and their uses. and trail building. Since the council is in the Twin Cities area, miles from the trail, a method was needed to let participants in work projects see ahead of time what they would be doing. The video met this need. Fred says there has been tremendous response. Several Eagle Projects have been done on the trail. and troops have adopted sections for maintenance. This May there will be a regional Jamboree, and Fred's troop is planning a booth displaying the North Country Trail. It's probably not surprising that Fred feels that his most valuable contribution is in the area of promoting conservation to boys. Herc comes our next generation of trail supporters! Thanks, Fred.

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Another volunteer whose trail life is inseparably tied to young people is FRED CRAWFORD. In fact, his Scouting vocation is what led him to the North Country Trail. As part of the requirements for the Wood Badge Adult Training he helped to build a campsite on the NCT; the trail has been part of his experience ever since. Fred is the (BSA) Indianhead Council Coordinator for NCT projects. This is a council with over 16,000 registered scouts! With his great interest in conservation and teaching kids, he says that there were so many good things happening involving the trail that he "just had to be a part of it." Fred is an advisor for scouting's Eagle rank and also for the lesser known but high-ranking Wil- liam Hornaday conservation award. He also is badge coun- selor for Nature and Forestry badges. All of these posi tions give him opportunities to take boys to the trail. One unusual accomplishment is that he helped to create a Scout-produced "how-to"

Headwaters Chapter

that can be found on the trail. He also likes to help build trail. and maintains a section too. "I'm grunt labor," as he expressed it. It sure takes a good amount of that commodity to get trui Is off of paper and onto the ground.

DOMINIC SOSNOWSKI is the guy in the center, in back at this Brule-St. Croix work party.

want to develop?" Part of the answer to that question involves the development of both long and short loop routes involving sites of local historical interest, one of which is a bogus gold mine! Jim is one of those who must drive a fair amount of miles to reach the trail, but this has not deterred him. Another club member said of Jim, "he has made a flock of trips to the northland ... and he likes to get things done."

Brule-St. Croix Chapter DOMINIC SOSNOWSKI has participated in every

Brule St-Croix chapter activity. For their National Trails Day hike he made and posted signs to direct people to the meeting location. "They were just printed on my computer and stapled to lath," Dominic told me, sort of discounting their importance. But how often have you been looking for some activity and wished that someone had been this thoughtful? It's the little things such as this that often mean so much! Although Dominic had seen the near-by trail marked on maps he knew that it did not officially exist on the ground. So when he saw a notice in the local paper of a meeting, he decided to see what it was all about. The chapter has been working to make a section of an old portage trail between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes useable. The historical significance also appeals to him. Trail people are a "barrel of fun," he says. Dominic likes to take his nieces and nephews hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. This gives him a chance to get away from the stress of his job and to experience the quiet

built an 18-foot single span bridge and cleared two miles of new trail. There are plans to extend this program, and also to work with the Student Conservation Association. Jim also leads training sessions on outdoor skills for the Boy Scouts. Planning is another of Jim's priorities. He has been instrumen tal in drafting a 5-year plan, which asks important questions such as "what are our goals?" and "what kind of trail do we


January - March, 1998

Ml-A) SE Lenawee Co. to W. Calhoun Co. Ml-B) NE Kalamazoo Co.to SE Newaygo Co. Ml-C) SE Newaygo Co. to NW Wexford Co. Ml-D) NW Wexford Co. to SE Charlevoix Co. Ml-E) Charlevoix Co. to Mackinaw City Ml-F) St. Ignace to SE Marquette Co. Ml-G) Marquette area to Ironwood

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 Michigan Map Sets by Arden Johnson

Whole set wt binder $26.50 Pennsvlvania

Allegheny NF & Cook State Forest $ 4.50 ~ .......... , Ohio

"'~l",...w-

~~ . Wayne National Forest $ 2.50 .,.,.,..,~" Burr Oak-Sinking Spring $ 5.50 0 .:~~t;;, Sinking Spring to Milford $ 5.50

¢)"-~ Little Miami Scenic Park $ 3.00

'\ ~·-<'ti) Miami & Erie Canal $ 2.50 .. ~l-: Michigan

1-1, ~ ~-:-;~' r: ~+ NCT in Lower Michigan $ 8.00 '• f .... NCT in Upper Michigan $ 9.50 ,• ~\ Ml-37 to Doblesky Rd.Wilderness SP $ 5.50

•. t Ottawa National Forest $ 4.00

~~ Wisconsin

Chequamegon N.F. and Brule River S.F. $ 3.50 . Minnesota Chippewa National Forest $ 3.50'

North Dakota North Dakota $ 2.00

Certified Sections of the North Country Trail by Byron and Margaret Hutchins Detailed information and maps covering many of the longest and best off-road segments of the Trail. These are accurate route descriptions by experienced guide-book writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form.

Proceeds benefit the !Yorth Country Trail Association in its efforts to build, maintain, and promote the !Yorth Country !Yational Scenic Trail.

North Country

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. $3.50 per map Belle Valley: Bowerston: Ceasar Creek: Defiance: Delphos Loveland: Massillon:

Old Man's Cave: Hocking, Ross and Vinton Counties Scioto Trail: Ross and Pike Counties Sinking Spring: Adams, Pike and Highland Counties St. Marys: Auglaize and Shelby Counties Stockport: Morgan, Perry and Athens Counties Troy: Greene, Miami & Montgomery Co's West Union: Adams and Brown Counties

Morgan, Noble and Guernsey Counties Harrison, Carroll and Guernsey Counties Greene and Warren Counties Defiance, Paulding, Putnam, Henry & Wood Counties Putnam, Allen and Auglaize Counties Clermont, Warren and Hamilton Counties Stark and Tuscarawas Counties

North Country National Scenic Trail Mug Official trail emblem on both sides in three colors. $ 5.95 ea.

$ 3.00 ea.

$ 1.50 ea.

$ 3.00 ea.

$ 1.50 ea. State Patches Available for all seven states.

Round Patches Yellow, blue and black on white background.

Volunteer Patch Blue thread on white background.

Trail Supporter Pin 3/4" cloisonne, gold color lettering and star.

$14.95 $12.95 $12.95 $10.95

CapA: Low profile washed cotton, khaki crown, dk green bill, buckle strap CapB: Low profile cotton twill, solid navy crown and bill, snap strap Cape: Low profile cotton twill, solid khaki crown and bill, snap strap CapD: Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, snap strap

TShirt-97 (tan) Finally, a TRAIL CREW shirt for volunteers' Tan 50/50 blend Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer M,L,XL: only $8.95! - XXL: $9.95 (sorry, no smalls)

TShirt-96 (white) White cotton pre-shrunk "Beefy-T." 3 color NCTA logo on front and 2 color trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National Scenic Trail" and includes a seven state map of the trail. S,M,L,XL: $10.95 - XXL: $11.95

For the Trail Supporter

North Country Trail Caps Embroidered design with eight thread colors is based on the NCT A logo only it reads "North Country National Scenic Trail." Adjustable sizes in four styles .. --~

NCTA Trail Building & Mainter:i ance Manual by Thomas J. Reimers This very useful manual for trail volunteers provides: 1) guidelines for planning and construction of the North Country Trail, 2) guidelines for continued maintenance, and 3) helpful suggestions regarding trail construc tion and maintenance. It covers rural and roaded natural, semi-primitive and primitive

Guide to the North Country Trail, Chippewa National Forest by Roderick MacRae Description of the route and trail log, east to west Wonderfully written by a Chippewa National Forest expert. 12 pgs. $1.25

Minnesota r

$5.95 $2.50 $7.95 $6.95

FLT in Cortland County FLT End-to-End Guide for Backpackers FLT: Conservation Trail to Hornell FLT in Steuben Co. (Hornell-S.Bradford)

NY-A) PA border - Portageville NY-B) Portageville - Watkins Glen NY-C) Watkins Glen - NW of Cuyler

Guidebooks Published by the Finger Lakes Trail Conf., these helpful books cover various parts of the North Country Trail where it overlaps the FLT in western and central New York.

Map Sets $4.00 per set These excellent looseleaf maps of the trail in NY are published by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference.

Finger Lakes Trail Resources r

Backpacker's Handbook Extremely thorough, up-to-date guide covering basics of back packing. Includes information on the latest gear, cooking techniques, skills, and environmental hazards, with an emphasis on minimizing impact and enjoying the outdoors. This book is highly educational whether you are new to backpacking or an experienced "pro." 340pp. $18.95

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - A Guide by Olive Anderson A centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail, Pictured Rocks 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. 56pgs. $6.95

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

HIKING! A fresh look at hiking and its benefits. Chapters include: philosophy of hiking, stress management, physical and health benefits, creativity and hiking, & romance on the trail. The authors also explore how hiking addresses the issues of today: strengthening family ties, improving communication, offering a healthy lifestyle for children, pursuing an inexpensive passtime and providing seniors with a natural prescription for health. A must read for anyone who currently enjoys hiking and for those who are thinking about starting out 245pp. $14.95

Trail Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R. Hansen Michigan trail enthusiasts - don't get caught without this atlas1 New Second Edition includes maps and descriptions for over 6ill1 hiking, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. Search by location or types of use' $26.95

Trails Across America by Art & Marge Miller Subtitled "A Traveler's Guide to Our National Scenic and Historic Trails," this book is the first to provide engaging descriptions and advice on all 19 trails in our National Trail System. Includes North Country, Morman Pioneer, Pony Express, Appalachian, lditarod, Lewis and Clark, Pacific Crest, Trail of Tears, Florida Trail, Continental Divide and many others. 308 pgs. $19.95

Following the North Country National Scenic Trail by Wes Boyd, NCTA newsletter editor Full of information, this book directs readers to more in-depth resources on the trail. Although not really a guidebook, it's our most inclusive publication covering the whole North Country National Scenic Trail. 64 pgs. SALE PRICE: $2.95!

Great Books ...

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Extra charge for color.

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING FEE SCHEDULE

Ohio January 17: 10:00 a.m. BT A Circuit Hike. Meet at Point 45, Mogadore Section. Questions, or for information on camping or accommodations in the area, call or write Dana Zintek, 330-928-8931; 2369 Suncrest Drive, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221. January 18: 9:00 a.m. BTA Circuit Hike. Meet at Point 11, Masillon Section. Questions, orfor information on camping or accommodations in the area, call or write Dana Zintek, 330- 928-8931; 2369 Suncrest Drive, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221. February 7: 10:00 a.m. BT A Circuit Hike. Meet at Point 33, Troy Section. Questions, or for information on camping or accommodations in the area, call or write Dana Zintek, 330- 928-8931; 2369 Suncrest Drive, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221. February 8: 9:00 a.m. BT A Circuit Hike. Meet again at Point 33, Troy Section. Questions, or for information on camping or accommodations in the area, call or write Dana Zintek, 330- 928-8931; 2369 Suncrest Drive, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221. February 15: 10:00 a.m. BTA Hike-A-Month. Zoar Canal Towpath. 9 miles, easy. Meet at 10:00 a.rn. at the Dairy Queen parking lot off 1-77 at Bolivar. We will shuttle to the end of the hike and walk back to Bolivar. Leader, Mary Hamilton, 330-343-2071. March 14: 9:00 am. BT A Hike-A-Month. Meet at Mary Jane Thurston Park 1 mile west of Grand Rapids OH (in northwest ern Wood County) for a hike along the Buckeye Trail along the

New York February 2: All FLT system trails on private lands closed for 24 hours. March 7: FLTC Board of Managers meeting, 9:30 AM, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine. FL TC Trail Sponsors and Trail Committee Meeting follows immediately afterward. April24-26. Annual Meeting of Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Genesee River Hotel, Mt. Morris, NY. Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Hiking Club and Irene Szabo. May 9: Wallace D. Wood Founder's Hike, Letchworth State Park. Contact Linda Mattice (716) 768-6167.

May 27-31: Western Michigan Chapter maintenance outing on NCT in eastern UP between Two Hearted River and Muskallong Lake State Park. Contact Tom Learmont at (616) 984-5917. July 6-11: Western Michigan Chapter day hiking in Smokey Mountains. $245 includes dormitory lodging, all meals & naturalist. Contact Mary Payne (616) 773-6986.


Michigan January 17-18: Western Michigan Chapter Snowshoe Weekend at Schoolhouse in White Cloud. Potluck Saturday night - bring a dish to pass. 5 mi snowshoe hike along NCT. For information, call Darlene at (616) 784-5050. January 24: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, Gerber Park in Muskegon. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. January 31: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, Pentwater Pathway, 7 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. January 30-February 1: Mackinaw Mush sled dog race, Mackinaw City, Ml, on NCNST. February 7: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, Hungerford Trail near Big Hapids. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. February 14-17: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, at Spider Lake in Hayward, WI. 33 miles. Fee. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. February 21: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, Cadillac Pathway. 11.3 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. February 28: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski, Ranch Rudolf SW ofTraverse City, 9.3 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784- 8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. March 3:Western Michigan Chapter board meeting, 7:30 PM at Hoogterp's. March 7: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski or hike, Allegan Game Area, 8 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. March 14: Western Michigan Chapter XC ski or hike, Nordhouse Dunes Trail, 10 mi. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. March 21: Western Michigan Chapter hike, Lost Nations Game Area, 5 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. March 28: Western Michigan Chapter hike, Muskegon State Park. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616) 773-6986. March 7: Western Michigan Chapter hike, Lowell Game Area, 8 miles. Call Dave at (616) 784-8979 or Mary at (616)773-6986.

NCTA April 1: Newsletter deadline. May 2: Board of Directors Meeting, Romulus, Ml. June 1: Newsletter deadline. August 1: Newsletter deadline. October 1: Newsletter deadline. October 1: Deadline for 1999 Challenge Cost Share proposals and reporting VIP hours.

ITEMS FOR THIS COLUMN must be received before the deadline date . We welcome listing activities of affiliated organizations, but we must be aware of them in sufficient time for publication.

CTA TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

Some risks are inherent in any NCTA, chapter or affiliate activity. Each Association member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety and the safety of minors accompa nying such persons. The Association cannot ensure the safety of any partici pant or hiker or activities. In participating in Association or Association-related activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the activity leaders and the Association, its officers, directors and members, for any accident, injury, or illness that might be sustained from participating in hikes or other Association activities.

April 27-28: National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council Annual Planning Meeting, Bismarck, ND. (503) 234-5321.

April 22: Earth Day, nationwide events.

April 13-15: March for Parks, sponsored by National Parks and Conservation Association. Contact NPCA, (800) 628- 7572 ext. 236.

March 13-15: Florida Trail Association Annual Conference, Lake Wales, Florida. Contact FTA, (800) 343-1882.

March 7-17: 26th Annual lditarod Dogs led Race, Anchorage to Nome. Sponsored by lditarod Trail Committee. Contact (907) 376-5155

January 28-31: "Making the Connection": First International Trails & Greenway Conference, San Diego, CA. Sponsored by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Contact RTC, (202) 97 4- 5151.

Other National Trail events January 26-28: Federal Long-Distance Trail Administrator's meeting, Malibu, CA. Contact Steve Elkinton, (202) 565-1177.

Wisconsin April 21: Southeastern members meeting. Mykonos on Greenfield at corner of 82nd St and Greenfield Ave. Please call by April 10 to reserve space at this dinner meeting. For more information call Jim Burow, (414) 425-5146.

- Watch for Eastern Mountain Sports picnic afterwards June 25-29: KTA Trail Care - G Ridge Trail relocation 528, GL 95, etc. June 29: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30pm @ Butler YMCA July 11-12: Gamelands trail work or other - Call Bob Tait (412)287-3382 for details August 1-2: Gamelands trail work or other - Call for details September 5-6: 8.0.C. Slowdowns & blazing on Glacier Ridge Trail. September 28: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30pm @ Butler YMCA October 3-4: Gamelands trail work or other - Call for details November 7-8: Gamelands trail work or other - Call for details December 22: Butler Chapter Mtg. 6:30pm Butler YMCA Pennsylvania schedule subject to change - call to confirm work times. Visit Pennsylvania website at http://nauticom.net/ www/outdoorlnctlpa.html to check dates and changes.

Pennsylvania January 18: Hike S.R. Gorge Trail - Bob Tait (412)287-3382. January 22: Clarion chapter meeting at HighGear. January 24: Scout/Hike NCT in Butler Co. Joe Smith. February 14: Hike Gamelands 95 with Bob Tait(412}287-3382 February 28: Hike Gamelands 95 with Bob Tait(412}287-3382. March 14: Hike at Allegheny Nat'I Forest with Bob(412}287- 3382 & Bryan. March 16: Butler Chapter Meeting, 6:30pm at Butler YMCA March 21-22: Glacier Ridge Maintainence by B.O.C. (clearing blowdowns - chainsaws). March 28-29: Bridge Abutment construction - Hidden River at Moraine State Park. April 3-5: Keystone Trail Assoc. Mtg. - Wellsboro, PA April 4-5: Pole positioning - Hidden River at Moraine SP. April 13: National Trails Days planning meeting Bob Tait. (412)287-3382 April 18: B.O.C. Backpack class to Allegheny National Forest with Bob Tait April 25: Earth Day clean up with Butler Outdoor Club April 27: Planning Mtg. - May 15,T.W.training 6:30pm (Call Bob T. (412)287-3382 for details) May 2-3: Deck & Railing - Hidden River at Moraine SP. May 2-3: B.O.C. Backpack class to Allegheny National! Forest with Bob Tait May 11: National Trails Days planning meeting Bob T. (412)287-3382 May 15: State Planning meeting Moraine State Park Call Bob T. (412)287-3382 May 15-17: Trail Work Training- $100 registration from org. at Lutherlyn Camp, Butler. (This will be a fantastic opportunity for people from western Pennsylvania clubs to learn design, construction and maintenance techniques used in the Nat'I Parks and Forests - Ask your club for partial or whole sponsorship - This is hardcore-No Wimps!) June 6-7: National Trails Day - B.O.C. led hike combined w/ Chapter demonstration of basic trail maintenance on Glacier Ridge Trail. Weed wacking on Glacier Ridge Trail. Chapter members will spend these days preparing for the KT A Work Crew arrival on June 25th; Eastern Mountain Sports support

canal towpath. This will be all flat walking along the historic Maumee River with two lengths (4.5 miles or 8.5 miles). Call Dee Dee Gladieux at 419-352-5366 if you have any ques tions. April 24-26: BT A Annual Meeting. Akron Rotary Camp, Akron, Ohio. Details to come. September 19-26: BT A. Cranberry Glades Wilderness Area, near Richwood, West Virginia. We are planning to carpool to West Virginia to hike and backpack the Gauley District of the Monongahela National Forest. There are over 200 miles of maintained trails with many access points to accommodate day hikers and backpackers alike. The Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob Recreation Area is nearby, so by carpooling, shuttling will not be a problem. The cost of the trip should be around $45 per person. Any questions or to make your reservation, call Mike Shumway, 937-434-5689, or Herb Hulls, 740-585- 2603.


Fred Muschenheim Mathilda Nance

Bob Needham Diane O'Hara Sandra Oato Eileen Oehler

Walke and Nancy Olson Jr John & Carolyn Pasquantonio

Andy and Susan Perry Edith and Dick Petzak

Kurt Pluckhom Michael Powell Chris Puehler

Barbara Rodebeck Edward Scanlan Harry Schlieff

Mary and Carl Schroeder Jan and Don Schultz

Faye H Seifrit Steve Shaffer

Cheryl and Joseph Sharrow Camille Shepler

Robert and Joan Shick Randal and Bonnie Shiffer

Janet Smith Dominic Sosnowski

Jeanne Sroka Michael Stafford

Mark and Joan Strobel Jean Trumbauer Richard Uschold Gary Vandenberg

Leonard and Joan Vetrone Frank Wanat Victor Weeks Anne Weldon

William Wesner Susan Winkert Jack Wiswell Paula Wolf

Michael Woloszyn Susan and Jeffery Wortman

Charlene Wright Reynold Zeller

Laurel Emerson Thomas Funke Richard Galli Karin Golde Peg Gramas

William Grove Robert and Jean Gurkweitz

Lawrence Hamm Debbie Harding

Chris Hawn George Helfinstine

Paul Henry Deborah Hines Carol Howell

Lawrence Hubbard Lawrence Hubert Patricia Hudelson

Rhonda Lea Hughey Chas Juhl Neil Juhl

Brandy Kadunce Conrad Kaufhold

William Kludt Doug Knepp

Thomas Kurdelsk Donald Landfried Thomas Learmont

Paul Lenz Mona Liska

Carolyn Lundberg John Manganello

David Martus and Loren Bach

Lesley Mayer John McCarty

David McDonald Charles McLellan

Joseph McMenamin Ray and Audrey McMullen

Lori Melzo-Williams Ian Meske

Dennis Michaels Al and Jean Moberly

Chuck Moll Jeffery Moore

West Country Walks Milk.away Lane, Croyde, Devon,

EX33 lNG, England

Tel/Fax Toll Free to England on 1-800-688-0194 email:[email protected]. uk

web:www.eclipse.eo.uk/wcw

Enjqy spedacular cliff&, sheltered coves and picturesque fishing harbours on England's South Wat Coast Path.

Choose 4 to 10 days of superb walking.

Self-Guided Walking on England's Smugglers Coast

Jack and Elaine Buege Richard Callehan

John Cannon Douglas Carlson

David Castro Janet Chown

Lora J Cochran Kenneth Coe Jacob Detrie

Barb Dilworth Jack and Kelly Dinnan Bob Dister, Morenci

Adventure Club Jeremy and Angela Dover

Julie Driscoll Greg Eakin

Loyal Eldridge

Arthur Hill Outdoor Club Steve and Peggy Ainey Robert and Cathy Allen

Richard Almquist Joyce Appel Carol Atwell

Barry Babcock Deena Barshney Jerry Beckham

Virginia Belinski James Bell

Karey Benedit Robert Best Don Bolvin

Randy Braum and Heather Zerkel

Dale Brewer

The North Country Trail Association welcomes the following NEW MEMBERS, who've joined the Association since our last issue of the North Star:

Welcome Aboard! NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 1998

$15 INTRODUCTORY RATE! Do you know someone who you think might like to be a new member?

Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current NCTA I Sponsored by: I members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $15. To qualify, Sponsored Members must be new to Name(s) of New Member(s): NCT A, or not have been members for at least two years. The $15 rate is good only for the first year of membership. To Address: use the program, just fill in your name as "Sponsor." Then, give the form to your friend to finish. Feel free to make as City, State Zip: many copies as you need!

Phone:

Please choose your affiliation (check one): e-mail: o Member of a specific chapter: D Member of my closest local chapter (if one exists) I would like to volunteer the following skills (optional): D Member-at-Large (not affiliated with any Chapter)

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! *y.coUNTRy To begin your membership, please complete this form and send it with your $15 payment to: .¬ ~.,\ North Country Trail Association • 49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 2008 • Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 •ASSOCIATION•

1 Dave Adams Judith Esterline 1 Lee Milner 1 Pat Allen Clarence Fredland 2 Robert & Susan Nelson 2 Jerome Allen Marty Gargaro 11 Kathy Sabel To the left is vyhat our 8 Len Baron Joan Gerke 2 Anne Saltman records currently show for 2 Robert Benham 1 Richard Grau 1 Thoma Schawa each recruiter and the 1 Howard Beye 1 Roland Grebel 2 Connie Sehl number of new members 6 Derek Blount 4 Grace Hutchinson 1 Mike Shaw they've recruited. 2 Michael Boer 1 Arden Johnson 8 Dave Sheldon 1 Wes Boyd 1 Karen Johnson 1 Carol Smith 1 Kathy Brehm 1 Bruce Johnston 3 Darlene Snyder If you think we may have 2 Jim Burow 1 Frank & Carolyn Jones 1 Irene Szabo missed crediting you with 1 W .H. Clawson 1 Margaret Jones 21 Bob Tait some of your recruits, 1 Lois Cole 52 John Kincaid 1 Nancy Uschold please let us know so we

11 Dave Cornell 2 Bryan Koehler 1 Barbara Vandyken can get up to date. 15 Claudia Day 11 Mary Kunzler-Larmann 1 Werner Veit

1 Art Diehm 2 John Leinen 6 Stephen Willeumier 1 Dennis Donathen 2 Jim Mackey 2 Ginny Wunsch Thanks to everyone for all 1 Don Dorn 3 Rod MacRae 17 Gaylord Yost your help! 1 Kathy Eisele 1 Kathryn Mehlenbacher 2 Joan Young 3 Gene Elzinga 15 Bill Menke 1 Dana Zintek

This year, we're beginning a new program to encourage you to spread the word about the North Country National Scenic Trail. Instead of holding a competition, we will begin awarding every re cruiter when they reach certain landmarks. The best part is, this program is retroactive to the first Sponsored Memberships in 1996. This means those in bold below already have qualified for prizes, to arrive in the next few months. To receive credit for recruiting a new member, just write "recruited by" or "sponsored by" with your name somewhere on the new member's form. (All types of new member ships count for credit, not just the $15 introductory ones.)

New Awards Announced for Top Recruiters!

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January· March 1998

North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008

Grand Rapids, Ml 49546

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Grand Rapids

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Major funding has been provided over the past year by the following sponsors:

north star vol. 17, no. 1 (1998)

Documents

north star

o lansing

state miles change

north counby pubushlng

special section

best of winter hiking

new regular section

new york