North Star Vol. 19, No. 1 (2000)

Page2 NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, October-December, 1999

upporters arol Kehrer Rodger and Denise Wolf Jerry Aungst George Girod William and Shirley Martinus R. Bart Sangal

Gerard and Karen Kempa Paul Wright Douglas B Bailey Robert Glesne Tina Martzke Daniel Sathre Dan Adsmond Brooks and Margie Kindel Richard A. II Wynalda Suzanne S. Baker Jay Good Agnes Masselink John A. and Mary SatterwMe Jerry Allen David L Kinnamon Duke Yost Paula Ballast Russell and Teresa Good John A. Mattern Phil Sauer Pat Allen and Mark Miller Martha J. Kinsman Gaylord & Marlene Yost Balloon Critters William S. Grady Richard Mattice Fran Savard Ameritech Edwin Kuehn Beverly A Zelt Bruce J. Baty Delbert L. Gratz Thomas Maxwell Daniel and Liz Scanlan Cathy Arbib Nora Kufalk MEMBERSHIPS Eric Bauer Mike Grenier Sue D. Mayer-Livingston Martin and Melissa Scanlan Annadillo Custom Drygoods Kay Kujawa Paul J. Beckmann Milton D. Griffin Ruta Mazelis Karen E. Schillinger Charles E Anhelm Richard W. Kujawa Businesses: Ronald Beilfuss Richard E. Grossa Robert McCafferty Margaret M. Schoolmeesters Thomas & Patricia Backe Rodney C. Kurzer Sandhill Marketing David and Larry Bell Stephanie A. Grozner Ronald L. McClure Mark Schuetter Jane Balcer Edward J, Lawrence Communications William Berg Joseph M. Guiney Christine T. McConnell Richard and Diana Schultz Bernice & Alphonse Baron Gary R Leff Sharp Park Campground Nick Bertram Christina Hager Joseph L. McCormick Richard L. Schwaab Steve Barrows Christopher & Margo Light Organizations: William C. Bessler Don Halley Paul McGill Robert J. Schwartz Mark Battey Janice Lindstrom Michael E. Betley Rodney Halonen Richard McGorman Kevin Schwarzbauer Eric Beck Dency Lippert AYH Pittsburgh Council Philip M. Bifulco Marshall Hamilton Sharon E. McHaney William R. Seybold Virginia Belinski Bernard Lory City of Ionia, Ml Stanley R. Bixby Kirk Hamza Patrick McLean David B. Shapiro Bob and Nancy Benham Ron Lovasz N.Dakota Forest Service Eric R. Boeker Steven Hanses Karen A. McNew Sharp Park Campground Howard S Beye Priscilla Lussmyer S.O.L.A.R Roman Bohatch Joy Marie Harvey Dale E. McNinch Kenneth D. Sherlock LI.Roy Bliven Rod MacRae USDA FS, Allegheny NF Cynthia L. Bahun Elizabeth M. Hecht Mead Family Jean Shervais Richard D. Boettner Robert S. Maruna Pathfinders: Robert L. Boice Jerry L. Heiman Ryan Merten Robert D Shipperley Steve Books Duane & Beverly Mattheis Robert & Judith Bredeweg Susan L. Bond Alberta L. Hemsley Marie Meyer Marilyn P. Shope Andrew Todd Borsum William and Donna Menke Steve Carlson Kenneth G. Borle John and Julie Herrick Thomas A. Meyer Scott Sitler &..en Bradish Catherine Miller & Bernie Douglas J. Frails Robert A. Bouchard Linda Hill Heino F. Meyer-Bahlburg Donald Smith Kathy Brehm Winter Patrick & Sharon Loomis John D. Bouws Alan Himebaugh Don Mich Roberti. Smith Jerry Brucksch Martha Molnar Michael & Erica SanDretto Carolyn Bowe Peter Hinkkanen Daniel P. Milan Terri M. Smith Jerry Brucksch William Moore Edward Scanlan Thomas R. Breckenridge Ronald F. Hoch Calherine Miller & Bernie Winter William L. Smith Jay E. Burg Geraldine M Nault Richard L. Schwaab Robert & Judith Bredeweg William Hoff Gary F. and Jane H. Miller Karel Sole Richard D. Burkross Julie Nietling Richard D Seabold Linda E. Brenneman Mark T. Hoffman Lisa A. Mink Jeff Soles Charles E Burpee Mark and Karen Nootbaar Frank Wanat Laurel L. Breyen Mike Hofman James D. Mitchell Jon Spahr Donald L Bussies Robert & Patricia Norcross Trail Leaders: David M. Briggs John Hofrichter Beverly Molbert Lyman F. Spitzer David Byrne Malcolm D. Norton Steve and Peggy Ainey Phillip C. Briggs Marc Hollander Paul Montain Gordy Staege Robert D. Cable Michael & Katherine O'Rear Matthew Anderson Charlie and Jan Brill Charlotte E. Holly Jim Montgomery Judith A. Stalder Richard Cannon Fred and Karen Olsen William J. Arthur Peter Brown Michael Hommel Kirsten Mowrey Jennifer Steffy Signe A. Carstens Jeff and Sandra Palmer Douglas B Bailey Nancy Brucken William Houck Charlotte M. Mudar James H. and Jan U. Stewart Gene Champagne Bob and Annette Papp Charles I Benjamin Bart and Brian Buchanan Melissa J. Howell Brett Nelson Al Stones Michael Clark Virginia Parks Frank S Blumenthal Norman D. Buebendorf George & Mary Hruby Valerie Nemenz Philip Stoyke Ruth L. Clausen John and Tory Parlin Roman Bohatch Cadene Burdick Anne Hughes Cindy Neubauer David P. Stromberg Walter Clawson Connie Pausils David M. Briggs Linda Bums Lucy Hulme Bob Neugebauer Mary M. Sullivan Lora & Michael A. Cochran Carole & Loren Pederson Barb & Brian Buchanan L.J. Burr Mary A. Hunt Tom Nicholls John G. Sutherland Lois Ann Cole Richard & Donna Pfeiffer John M. Conway David J. Busse Beth Hutchins Melissa Nickles Chandra Sutter Joan Conway William Phillips Ronald R. Crosby Tom Caldwell Gary Hutchison Don Nielsen Randy Swanson Robert L Crawford Aaron Phipps Ron and Jane Dziurda Steve Carlson Roger Ilsley Phillip Nolt Robert R. Swanson Elizabeth Daly Shirley G Pittenger Liz Elling Pam Carnahan Dan llten M. Debra O'Brien Elaine R. Taggart Robert D. Decker Ralph and Barbara Powell Richard Fitzgerald Thomas W. Cate Robert and Barbara Ingram David P. Olds June E. Thaden John Diephouse Janice L. Purcell Chris and Patti Gilson Gary Cera Warner P. lseppi Stephen & Allan Olilsky Raymond L. Thomas Barbara Dilworth Tyler Putman Robert Glesne Gene Champagne James and Ann Jacobs Howard L. Oppengard Genevieve Thompson Donald and Brita Dom Harold Raber Steven Hanses Perry J. Cicchini Thomas A. Jamieson Michael R. Orr Thomas Tomakich Raymond Doverspike Roger Raehl Barbara Hawke Lonnie D. Clar Mark Jastrzebski Timothy Osterman Leslie A Tompkins Terry and Mary Jo Dunlap Kathy Ralston Paul and Jerry Henry Carla Clark Beverly Jestice Milton L. Ostrofsky Duane and Gay A. Travis Peter C Eldridge Joseph Raught Mark T. Hoffman Ruth L. Clausen Glen Johnson Frances Painter Vicki Trent Liz Elling Richard C. Reed Meegan Holland Rebecca E. Clemons Jasen Johnson Nancy J. Palmer Renard and Cheryl Tubergen George Elliott Thomas J Reimers Michael Hommel Sean Coakley Roger G. Johnson Thomas Patt USDA FS Allegheny NF John Elms David Reynolds Glen Johnson James R. Coffman Connie Julien Jessica L. Paus Rudy and Nancy J. Van Dank Barbara Enger J. Robert Routt Peggy lones & Andy Zeek Daniel R. Collister Sarah Julien Scott Pavlak Mike Vanbennekom Richard Engstrom Robert Ruble Kurt Landauer Shelby & Bradley Combs Martin Katzmarek Henry Penland John & Diane VanderVeen Elwood J Ensor Eric Russell Edward J, Lawrence John M. Conway Mike Keeler Laura Pennington Phil VanDyke Richard Erickson Bruce L. Ryder Edwin & Judith Leonard J. Scott Cooper Verlyn and Dorothy Kicker Roger L. Peterson Karen Vannette Peter Farner Roy Salmon Jon G Lindgren James Cousin Mark King Scott F. Peterson Greg Volk Art and Virginia Fish William and Sue Sanger Jeffrey S Lutz Don Coutchie Anne Kirkpatrick Donald E. Phillips Stephen A. Volk Richard D. Flinn Ray Sanocki John A. Mattern Joann Cramer William D. Knopp Fred Phillips Kelli Wages Sharon R. Froeligh Merl and Patricia Schlaack Richard Mattice Robert S. Crowley Martha Koepsell Dennis Pilaske Karin Walowinski Tom and Janis Gilbert Ross B. Schmidt Karen A. McNew Verl Dasher David I. Kopf Andrew J. Plath Kevin Walsh Family Preston M. Givens Joseph C Schott Fred Muschenheim Kenneth & Maura Davenport Marcia Krater Clarence L. Pokorske John Warrick Robert Gould David M Schutte Robert W. Papapanu Laura Degolier John Kreft Christopher Pozzini Helen M. Watkins Peg Grabowski Roland & Marian William G. Perry Paul DeGraaf Larry Kress Dale Prey Andrew Watson Richard E Gray Schwitzgoebel Robert Reed Pamela J. Derry Carl Kuester Donna Purdy Michael Watson Emily S Gregor Cheryl Sharrow Harriet Rubenstein and Jared Digello Lea K. Kunze Christopher Quinn Wayne Watson Harry L Gubbins Allen and Mary Shoup Martin K. Brigham Clayton Diskerud Brennan LaGasse Tom M. Randgaard Clyde Weber Paul Haan Richard 0 Smith Carl Scarbro & Karen Reese Jack R. Dixon Stephen Laloice Thomas M. Reeber Suzy Weisman Rick and Chris Halbert Thomas J. Smith Merl & Patricia Schlaack Kathleen Dixon Neoma Laken Robert Reed Robert and Anne Wells Ronald Hand James W Sprague Brian J. Seely Ralph Doerzbacher Samuel Lamastro Rachel Rice & James Deutsch Jr Steven J. Wester Dennis R Hansen Mike Stasik Dominic Sosnowski Curtis Dyer Kurt Landauer David and Phyllis Rickabus William Wheeler Barbara Hawke Margaret Strobel Tim Travis Randy W. Ent Cheri Lang Alison S. Ricker Carl W. White Health Partners Jack Strong Phil VanDyke Suson Ertzinger Edwin & Judith Leonard Marilyn Ricks Kim Whitehead Flo and Carter Hedeen Harmon V Strong John & Diane VanderVeen Kim Fast David H. LeRoy Catherine Riseng Donald Wickstra Eunice Hendrix Rolf R. Swanson Stephen A. Volk Kathy Fauth lack L. Lewis William L. Robinson Cheryl Wiles Ken and Mary Hinchman Janette Sweasy Steven J. Wester Jay Federman Barbara Anne Linder Henry W. Roeben Scott & Julie Wilhelmsen John Hipps & Bartie Smith Larry and Marsi Swinkey Donald Wickstra Richard Fitzgerald Tim Lohraff & Jeanette Nyden Peter J. Rohan Art Wilkinson Charlotte E. Holly Thomas Szpond Reynold Zeller Lisa A. Flood Amity Luce Stephen G. Rose Jodie L. Willis James & Gladys Hoogterp Gary and Karen Talsky New Members: Bob Flynn Ryan Lynch Peggy J. Ross Magnus A. Wilson Robert L. Hooker Christy Tigchelaar Douglas I. Frails Larry and Linda Lyon Joan Roth Alexander D. Witt Dan P Hombogen Don Tinson Barbara J. Albertson Doug Frantom Ronald Lyttle Tonya R. Rott Janet L. Wolfe Keith & Katharine Homgren Clinton M Tompt Joan C. Altiere Jerry Freels Alexandra D. MacDougall Harriet Rubenstein and Martin Don Wright Ceceilia Huebner Sidney Tuinstra V. Paul s Doris Amberson John F. Gall Cynthia Maczuga K. Brigham Chuck Wurth Herbert & Suzanne Hulls Cart Anderson and Patty Grace & Ronald Hutchinson

Bruce VanDyke McDonal Howard L. Garrett Matt Malpass Carolyn T. Russell Sallie A. Wylie

Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek Werner Veit Matthew Anderson Louis Geeraerts Paul Marin Randy and Jane Ryan Thomas C. Zabriskie Paul and Ann Warren Judy Gerke Robert Marshall ~isoo Sandefur & Jasoo Gumpes Leroy and Marlene Zacher

Martha KJones Daryl Williamson William J. Arthur Sonya 0. Gindorff William Martin Russ and Donna Sandefur Kara K. Zech Donna Joyce Alex and Jane Atkinson

5 6 6

21 24 28

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Cover Photo: The Central New York Chapter was able to get some assistance from a local company in setting bridge stringers on the Link Trail last Spring.

Trail head Keyboard Trails Hiking Shorts Heart and Sole North Country Trail Shop Executive Director Report

Regular Departments

NCT Given Millennial Trail Status And we're going to have a celebration on Labor Day!

Where? The Mackinac Bridge Walk!

2000 Annual Conference 19 The Annual Conference will be in May, instead of the fall, and

will be a joint meeting with the Superior Hiking Trail Association in Minnesota -- it should be both informative and picturesque.

Legislative Alert 17 We're already working on our year 2001 appropriations, and

are hopeful thanks to friends in the House and Senate .. In addition, we have our best chance ever of getting

Willing Seller legislation passed.

Someone figured out a North Country Trail way to welcome in Y2K!.

W2K

$1,000,000 for lands in Wisconsin 13 Funding for land acquisition in Wisconsin opens new doors.

2000 by 2000 -- Is it Possible? 1 O It's actually pretty unlikely, thanks to some unforseen

problems -- but it's still possible to get close to the goal.

Features Annual Report Preview

1999 was a year of success in lots of ways. Here are a few!

Vol XIX 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. Distibution of

this issue is 2308 copies.

Secretary Joan Young

861 West US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205 • [email protected]

Vice President(Trails East): Lynn Waldron

8133 Norris Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-5340 • [email protected]

Vice President of Trails (West): Pat Miller

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

Vice President (Financial): David Cornell

514 Cordes Rd., Delton Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659 • [email protected]

President: Werner Veit

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

(616) 454-5506 • [email protected]

OFFICERS

Contributing Editor: Joan Young

861 US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 (616) 757-2205 • [email protected]

Editor: Wes Boyd

14815 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Ml 49253

(517) 547-7402 • [email protected]

Bob Papp Margie Kindel

Glory Meyer Joan Buenavista

Executive Director Project Manager Office Manager Bookkeeper

k-• NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION

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

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

Email: [email protected] www.northcountrytrail.org

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000

Clarion County Chapter Carol Atwell, President

P.O. Box 15, Marble PA 16334 (814) 354-2778, [email protected]

Butler County Chapter Joe Smith

233 E Christy Ave, Butler PA 16001-6303 (724) 287-8374

Wampum Chapter ............... Richard lutz, President -......._

Rt 1Box1341, Wampum, PA 16157 (724) 652-8185, [email protected]

Centro/ New York Chapter Al larmann, President

7169 Forbes Rd.,Conostolo, NY 13032 lormonn@worldnel .all .net

(315)697-3387 ~--.

Choir & NY State Coordinator: Howard Beye

202 Colebourne Rd Rochester, NY 14609

(716)288-7191, [email protected]

PA State Coordinator Bob Tait

277 S Duffy Rd. Butler, PA 16001 (724) 287-3382

[email protected]

reot Trail· Sandy Beaver Cano/ Chapter Brad Bosley, President -__,.;~~~:::... ~ Poo;;:~=::m

I/ Finger Lakes Trail Conference Harmon Strong, Council Rep.

76 Shellwood Dr., Rochester, NY 14618 (716)586-3846

American Youth Hostels Pittsburgh Council

Bob Roth, Council Rep. BO Roseleof Rood

Pillsburgh, PA 15220 (412) 279-6219

r-----------__.A--.F,..F1 ... L1-..AT,..E""'o""R .... GA'""N""1""zA .... r.;...;10'"'"N"'"-- Buckeye Trail Association Dana Zintek, Council Rep.

2369 Suncresl Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 928-8931

Chair, Ml (Lower) State Coordinator & Council liep. For Chief Noonday Chapter

lynn Waldron 8133 Norris Rd, Delton, Midligon 49046 (616) 623-5340, [email protected]

Chief Noonday Chapter Dave Cornell, President

514 Cordes Rd., Delton, Ml 49046 (616) 623-8659, joncl [email protected]

Bow Beese Chapter Richard Saur, President

PO Box 673, Hillsdale, Ml 49242, (517) 437-0746

__.roo,J~-u:·eritoge Chapter ~eve Frye, President

.U. Box 172, Jefferson, WI 53549 (414) 593-2694

[email protected]

WI State Coordinator Gaylord Yost

2925 W Bradley Rd, River Hills, WI 53217-1719 (414) 354-8987, [email protected]

Chequamegon Chapter Tana Turonie, President

Box 475, Mellen, WI 54546 (715)274-2521 [email protected]

MN State Coordinator & Headwaters Chapter

Rod MacRae 1210 W 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-01301 ,h

Brule·St.Croix Chapter / ) Peter Nordgren, President

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

Peter Wolfe Chapter Ml (Upper) State Trail Coordinator Doug Welker, President and President,

Rt#l, Box 59A ~orth Country Trail Hikers Pelkie, Ml 49958-9715 Gene Elzinga

(906) 338-2680 Middle Island, Morquelle, Ml 49855 [email protected] 06) 225-1704, [email protected]

Su. erior Hiking Trail Association Nancy Odden, Council Rep.

oRG· 731 7th Avenue Two Harbors MN 55616 (218) 834-2700

Chair: Pat Miller 15737 Sixty-fifth Ave., Milaca, MN 56353, (320) 983-5643

Great Lakes Tmil CouncD Chair: John leinen 14205 St.Croix Trail North, Stillwater, MN 55082-9587

(651) 433-4456, [email protected]

To be assigned: /lovers Outing Oub Kekebabit Trail Oub

OH State Coordinator Jim Sprague

4406 Maplecrest, Parma OH 44134 (216) 884-4757

Northwestern Ohio liails·to·Trails Association

Gene Markley, Council Rep. PO Box 234, Delta, OH 43515


Western Mithigan Chapter Tom learmont, President

10554 Colby Rd, Gowen, Ml 49326 (616)984-5917

Len Baron, Council Rep. 10822 26th Ave

Grand Rapids Ml 49544 (616) 677-3598

Tittabawassee Chapter Jerry Allen, President

1561 Bomonville Rd., Gladwin, Midligon 48624 (517) 345-2677

Harbor Springs Chapter Jerry Keeney, President

2385 Manitou Trail, Harbor Springs, Ml 49740 (616) 526-9597 [email protected]

OH-MI Tmil CouncD

ND State Coordinator Jon lindgren

2001 N 7th St Forgo ND 58102-5075


West End Tmil CouncD

NCTA Trail Council Directories NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000 Page4

Those of you who have worked with Melanee Weening, or used one of our popular, new trail maps, will join me in wishing all our best to Melanee, who is returning to her native Canada. Melanee, a recent graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, was instrumental in setting up our cartogra phy program. All who worked with her made an instant friend and will be sorry to see her and her willing skills go.

Eric Doyle, a free-lance graphic artist, who volunteers in our headquarters office, hopes to fill in some of the slack while we search for (and our raising money for) a full-time cartographer. The new cartographer, when we get one, will also be responsible for training the interns from Grand Valley State University and from Calvin College we hope will be involved with our cartography and Geographical Informa tion System (GIS) projects.

Interns are among the 20 or so volunteers who regularly donate time to our administrative work at headquarters. Their loyalty, skills and enthusiasm are responsible for the NCTA being able to administer the affairs of a 7-state, 2,000- plus organization with just one full-time employee and four part-timers.

At times, particularly at North Star mailing time, they' re shoulder to shoulder in our office and trying hard not to get into each other's way. But there is relief ahead. We hope to move into larger quarters in the same building, just one floor above us, sometime next month. As usual we'll depend on our volunteers to help us move and on the generosity of Grand Rapids companies to equip us. Much of our present furniture was donated by Steelcase, Inc. The additional furniture for our larger quarters was given to us by the Instructional Fair Group.

• • •

the crow flies (not that any roads, or our trail follow crow flight patterns). Cooperstown is in the area where our trail is proposed to go north before heading west with the bend of the Sheyenne River.

The chapter will be our 20th and probably be chartered at the next meeting of the NCTA's Board of Directors along with the 19th chapter, called The Rock Chapter, in western Pennsylvania. Its range will adjoin that of the Butler chapter in Pennsylvania. A 21st Chapter, based in Pittsburgh, is also in the works.

The directors will be meeting during the annual confer ence of the North Country Trail Association the first week end in May. It will be a joint meeting with the Superior Hiking Trail Association, one of our affiliates. Information about the conference appears elsewhere in this issue of The North Star. I hope you will note it carefully and make plans to attend. We can promise a great program, great hikes and the splendid scenery of the majestic north shore of Lake Superior, near Two Harbors, MN, northwest of Duluth. Do come.

Pages

Please meet Laura and Wayne Pennington and John Conway. Either the Pennington's membership or John repre sents the 2000th membership of the North Country Trail Association.

Their new memberships were recorded on the same day, Dec. 23, 1999 and they helped to fulfill a goal that seemed unimaginably ambitious just a couple of years ago: 2000 members by the year 2000.

Laura and Wayne, both avid hikers who have been active in the Boy Scout movement for many years, Ii vein Houghton, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They are the parents of teenage boys, both of them Eagle Scouts who hike as well. Although some miles from the North County trail, they have frequently hiked it, particularly in the Baraga area. Like all new members, their names were assigned to the closest chapter of the NCTA, in this case the Peter Wolfe Chapter, covering the western upper peninsula.

John, like 50% of all our members, also lives in Michi gan. A resident of Petoskey, he became a member of the Tittabawassee chapter, which maintains trail near his home but most of whose members live in the Tri-Cities area of Michigan: Bay City, Midland, Saginaw.

After our volunteers recorded the Pennington and Conway memberships, about 50 additional hikers and hiker-support ers joined up. They were among the 260, so far, who joined as part of our late fall/early Winter membership campaign. As usual, many of the new members, 85 as of this writing, were from Michigan.

Minnesota picked up 36 of the new members, Ohio and Wisconsin 35 each, Pennsylvania 27 and North Dakota and New York, 14 each. The others were from a scattering of states where we don't have trail, Indiana, Nebraska and New Jersey.

Of our entire membership, old members as well as new, 50.4% live in Michigan, 12.4% in Pennsylvania, 9.1 % in Ohio, 8.4% in Wisconsin, 7.3% in New York, 6.4% in Minnesota, 1.4% in North Dakota and 4.6% in 26 other states. (Best we can tell, around 63 percent are male and 37% female. About half are between 35 and 54 years old, about 43 percent over 55 and 7% under 35.)

The North Dakota membership will probably grow faster as the first chapter is now being organized in the State. It will be known as the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter and be based in Cooperstown, ND, about 75 miles northwest of Fargo, as

by President Werner Veit

Trail Head


Pennsylvania forest hiking trails to remain "Hikers Only"

The Pennsylvania State Bureau of Forestry has determined that three national trails -- including the North Country Trail, and segments of the Baker Trail, which the North Country Trail uses -- located on state forest land, and eighteen state forest trails, shall remain designated as "hiking only" trails, the Keystone Trails Association Newsletter reports.

The Keystone Trails Association was instrumental in reaching this conclusion after months of sometimes bitter controversy about opening all trails on state lands to all nonmotorized uses, which included mountain bikes and horses.

Assistant State Forester David Gregg said that "these trails have always been part of the state forest hiking trail system, and will remain as pure hiking trails. No other recreational uses will be permitted on these state trails, except where some permitted trail uses intersect. "

Gregg told an October summit meeting of forestry officials and representatives of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian groups that at some trail crossings, the permitted recreational user (other than hikers) will be expected to construct and maintain that section of trail. On some shared sections of trail, the users will share mainte nance on an equitable basis dependent on the type of resource damage to the trail.

Positive versus negative signing -- for example "Mountain biking permitted" as opposed to "No hiking" - was a big issue in the controversy. Gregg said there will be a combination of positive and negative signing as appro priate. Some enforcement requirements mandate that there must be some negative signing.

"We didn't get everything we wanted," said KTA President Ed Beck, "But we didn't come away empty handed, either. There are more and varied new mecha nized uses showing up all the time. The many foot users of trails have to ackonwledge that the others are not going away, but are going to increase all the time. We have to maintain our 'Leave No Trace' and 'Walk Softly' ethic, even though we are faced more and more with others who don't subscribe to these long hallowed ethics."

"The hiking community in Pennsylvania has a long record of building and maintaining footpaths," the News letter noted. "KTA was recently awarded the 'Conserva tion Volunteer Group of the Year' by Governor Ridge, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Last year, over 35,000 hours of documented hours of work on hiking trails was reported.

Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000

Ed Talone and Sue Lockwood, who did the most recent NCT end to end in 1995, had an epic hike across the country, mostly last summer. A journal of this most interesting jour ney is available on the American Hiking Society website, at http://www.americanhiking.org/news/joumallindex.html. It's worth checking out!

• • •

My real job is running a small country weekly newspa per, and one of the fun points of the week is looking over what other people in my job description have done that week in neighboring towns. I was interested when I saw a column by a reporter in the next town over that he was planning on taking off this summer to go hike the Appalachian Trail. He's a young guy, just out of college, and while a good reporter, was chafing a little at the slow, peaceful life of small town journalism.

My good relationship with that reporter's boss was probably not helped by the phone call that I soon made. "What do you want to talk to Brad about?" the other editor said.

"I want to encourage him to quit his job and go hiking," I said. His boss was a little less than totally pleased with the idea -- he'd gone through enough trouble to hire this guy in the first place. There are a lot more jobs for young reporters out there than there once were. But, he understood. He was young once, too.

"Don't think about it, just do it," I told the young man. "Get out while you still can. There'll come a time all too soon when you're too wrapped up in wife and family and career and mortgage and bills and all that stuff to be able to do it. Then, all too soon you'll be in no shape to do it even if you could. Time flies. Now's the time for adventure."

Well, to make a long story short, this young man and his friend are setting out from Springer Mountain on the first of March, and are looking forward to a great trip.

Adventure is hard to come by in any sense, any more, and it gets harder as you get older. Our purpose in creating a hiking trail like we are doing is to open a door for adventure -- not only for the young, but for all those that like the outdoors. But, it's too easy to get wrapped up in mundane affairs, and while most of us can't take off for a summer, it's hard to remember that we all need to get out while we still can.

by the Editor

Keyboard Trails

Page6

• • • Jan. 3

To Members April3 June 5 August 1 Oct. 2

In order to get the North Star out on schedule, and thereby make it more useful to our members, we're going to tighten up the deadlines considerably -- and we're going to adhere to them. If an item is late, it just isn't going to go in that issue. In order to help with planning, here's the deadlines for the next year:

Issue Deadline April-May 2000 March 6 June-July 2000 May 5 August-September 2000 July 5 October-December 2000 Sept 5 January-March 2001 Dec. 6

North Star deadlines revised

By popular demand, we will be re-instuting "Coming Events" later this year, the way we used to do it, (although it didn't get done in this issue due to unrelated problems) in order to get better information to those that aren't chapter members. There will be some changes, though. If you have coming events, get them to the NCTA Head quarters 49 Monroe Center, (Attn: Events), Suite 200B, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Phone (616) 454-5506 not later than the deadline above.

Recent certifications by the National Park Service put the total certified length of the North Country Trail over 1600 miles.

Certification actions include: • The addition of 6.6 miles of trail in three separate

segments along the FLTC's Onondaga Branch in New York. This is now the easternmost certified segment of the trail.

<The addition of 4.0 miles of trail on private property in Steuben County, New York, along the Finger Lakes Trail.

•Adjustments in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest deducted 2.3 miles located on roads, but added 7 .2 miles due to remeasurement. The segment located on roads was added to the "marked connector" list.

•Adjustments of five segments in Ohio for a net increase of 2.3 miles due to remeasurement and revised BTA maps.

• The addition of 3 .1 miles in the Brule River State Forest in Wisconsin.

• The addition of 2.6 miles of trail in Pattison State Park in Wisconsin, from the park entrance to the south boundary of the park.

The actions bring the total certified length of the North Country Trail to 1600.8 miles. In addition, there are 21.8 miles of signed connector sections, bringing the total to 1622.6 miles.

Trail Tale Guided by azure blazes patched on tree trunks,

blazes that look like pieces of sky pasted on bark, I set off on a spring hike on the NCT in the Yankee Springs area.

My feet and I, on ground extending from New York to North Dakota, marvel as all those miles move into muscles. Piles of fungus covered rocks like the lumpy backs of giant toads kick me backward into ages past.

Nodding daffodils in open area take me into imaginative conversations with pioneer women.

"This ground was your farm, your work-filled life. Like all women, you planted the fellowship of flowers to bring renewal after long winters."

I pause to consider. "Could your bone be under these bulbs, a forever

tombstone to remind us?" In the absence of sound around me, I cannot move

quietly enough to blend into the memorial stillness. -- Barbara Van Dyken

Two new lean-tos have been build along the Finger Lakes Trail, according to Howard Beye of the FLTC Trail Management Committee. "The first became available this past September and is located between Hornell and Bath in the Burt Hill State Forest," he reported in the Finger Lakes Trail News. "It was constructed through a National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Project with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference by the September FLTC Alley Cat Trail Crew. The second lean-to, constructed and opened in late October 1999, was an Eagle Scout project of Liam Fox, a member of Boy Scout Troop 52 in Bainbridge, NY. This lean-to was built from red pine logs cut in the spring of 1999 near the lean-to site. This shelter, to be known as the Dry Brook Lean-To, is the second Eagle Scout lean-to project built by scouts, leaders and helpful parents of Troop 52."

Beye adds that Boy Scout Troop 18 of Hammonds port, NY, plans to build a lean-to during 2000 on their trail segment overlooking Keuka Lake. Two more new lean-tos are in the works for 2000 on the Finger Lakes Trail.

New lean-tos on FLT

The program encouraging and aiding end to end hikers on New York's Finger Lakes Trail continues to be a big success, with end-to-enders now over a hundred -- in fact, reaching 112 last fall, according to the FLTC's Ed Sidote, who manages the program.

Certification News FLT End-to-enders continue

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Hiking Shorts NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000

by North Star Editor Wes Boyd The standard overview of the trail, newly revised and updated for 1999

Includes a new section on the history of the trail. • Lots of Photos! $4.95 from the North Country Trail Association

49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 Phone (616) 454-5506 FAX {616) 454-7139 Email: [email protected]

Now Available: The new, third edition of

Following the North Country National Scenic Trail

President Werner Veit, VP of Finance David Cornell, Execu tive Director Bob Papp and two appointed members who shall serve three year terms. Currently the two appointed members are myself, Pat Allen, and Gaylord Yost who serves as committee chair.

Applications for grants will be due on April 1 and November 1. The Committee will report within 60 days. The application process may be modified as we gain experience. We also may be able to develop specialized fund-raising efforts for particularly significant projects. Please look at the application even if you don't now have a specific project. It may guide some future action. We are building for the next millennium and the Land Trust Committee is looking forward to beginning grantmaking in the year 2000.

*My husband Mark and I had our single worst hiking day on Offa's Dyke Path. We arrived jetlagged at the Tourist Information Office in Abergavenny, Wales at 9:00 am to meet our leader and group. A light sprinkle had begun. By the time our shuttle reached the trail head it was pouring. We were all wearing our "waterproofs. " We immediately climbed straight up a huge hill. I invoked Bill Menke 's name and said he would never approve such a grade. As the hike continued we were constantly walking down steep grades on mossy boulders through a rushing stream. Or, we were fenced in a narrow passageway behind houses and barns. It was supposed to be a 9 mile day, - the leader chose to walk us I2 miles to meet our shuttle without mentioning it. This hike really made me appreciate water bars and the high standards being used to construct the North Country National Scenic Trail. We aban doned this hike and joined another leader and group in the Yorkshire Dales and had heavenly hiking.

by Pat Allen When the Merci an King Offa built his dyke to wall off the

Welsh border in the 780's AD, he probably didn't realize that groups of hikers would be using it in 2000. If he had, surely he would have done a better job.* I invoke Offa's name to remind us that we have an opportunity to build a great trail that will last Jong after we are gone. (Offa's Dyke Path officially opened as one of the United Kingdom's long distance trails in 1971 ).

In a hotel room near Detroit Metro, your Land Trust Committee recently met to set big priorities for NCTA's germinal Land Trust Fund. The first grants will be yeast for later donations and further grants. We need to use our fund to protect endangered corridors, link trail ends together, and give permanence to trail segments. To achieve this goal, the committee will begin awarding grants this year to assist Chapters in acquiring easements and land to protect the trail.

Each land trust dollar must be stretched through gifts or partial gifts of easements, local fund-raising, chapter funds, matching grants and every other way we can. Priority will be given to projects with matching funds or gifts. We have nearly $8,000 available for grants.

The committee will place the application form on-line at www.northcountrytrail.org/voluntrs/landtrst.htm. So, chap ters and trail councils start your engines. Look at your trail to see what we can do together. Local chapters will be expected to lead negotiations with landowners. Each trail council will have a key role in recommending projects in their area and, if there are multiple projects, in ranking them. The committee is available for suggestions and consultation.

The Land Trust Committee consists of the Association

Land Trust 2000 Building for the next millennium!


Hiking Shorts PageB

Volunteer Support (12.3%)

Trail Work and Protection (7.7%)

Planning and Coordlnltlon (12.9%)

Education and Public Services (40.11%)

Advocacy (1.0%)

Admlnlatnitlon (12.2%)

NCT A'S EXPENSES BY PROGRAM AREA IN 1S>S>S> Membership and Fund Development (13.0%)

To request a copy of our complete annual report, please contact the

NCTA office at 888-454-NCTA or NCTAssoc@,aolcom. The report

ceived, and many more will be de veloped in the coming months and years.

Land Trust Fund Our Land Trust Committee de

veloped new application guidelines in 1999 to allow Chapters access to these funds to assist in permanently protecting the trail.

Finances

2250---------- 2000+-------------F 1750 +---------=,.....e-""''--=-- 1500 +--------F------

1250t:::a;:::;::~~----- 1000+----------- 750+----------- 500+--+--+---+--+---->-<--+---+--f-+-~ JFMAMJJASONDJ

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH IN 1999

Page9

isting trail on private lands.

Volunteers in our Chapters and partner organizations continued to do outstanding work in building and maintaining the North Country Trail. When a trail segment offi cially is recognized as part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, it is "certified" by the Na tional Park Service. In 1999, the trail grew by 61.3 certified miles! Most of this w.w.th occurred in New

Y ol~ii.rhere :iE:~i~~e:

T r a i l

New Chapters Pursuing our goal to develop Membership Growth

end-to-end volunteer support for the Certainly, one of our biggest North Country Trail, we welcomed stories for 1999 has to be the three new Chapters in 1999. These, :;::,, growth jn membership and public included the Tittabawassee .GJiapt{lt!:ii::jj suppqrtfdr the North Country Trail. in northern lower .,:.:.:::::;:,,,, ::::;:::: .·.·.· Paid memberships jumped

~~~!~=dy ~:ave?~:: ••••••• , ·:11111:111~·} !~~e ~;so~::~ n:'we m:~~ nal Chapter in eastfijjjjj !!Cl.lllEllJ>>, hers to our growing net- Ohio, and the Peter'''. ' ,,,,.,,,,. work of trail supporters. Wolfe Chapter in ,(:j:pll:l,Sf The North Country Na- Michigan's western ];Jp~ !\,;:;:•• tional Scenic Trail is devel- per Peninsula. Eacli'of these.'Chap¥{:{ oping incredible momentum. Each ters fills a critical gap along the . of our members and volunteers are Despite the challenges of our t ·1 T Cha t · rapid growth, we completed our rar . wo more P ers were m contributing to its legacy. the process of being authorized at 1999 fiscal year with a slight sur- the end of the year, the Rock Chap- Annual Conference plus itji]ipµr ge9.1.~f~l operations ac-

~§.:if ~c:!~nS=: ::3!~::S~t~~:7L,, .. ~-~ffl;~ Cartography .... ·.···· ·.·.·.·.·.·.· ... Business Members, and

We also enjoyed tremendou§ to our ~jbr corporate, agency, and progress in our cartography pro- organizational contributors. gram this year. After years in de velopment, our first full color, topo graphic map sets were completed and made available to hikers. Our three initial sets have been well re-

~-~A Preview of our nnual Report

Highlights of the Year

GD GD 999

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000

miles of the Superior Hiking Trail, the Border Route Trail, and the Kekekabic Trail that could potentially occur if and when the Minnesota Arrowhead Reroute Planning Study was completed. With the departure of Dirk Mason, finishing this planning effort during the year will probably not happen. And, even if it did, the Border Route and Kekekabic Trails suffered severe wind damage during a July 4th windstorm and it is doubtful if they will be completely opened in time.

But, lets don't become discouraged by these setbacks. Based solely on my awareness of work that is taking place throughout the seven states, we can collectively make a major stride toward reaching the goal. There are many places where little effort is needed to prepare trail segments for certifica tion. Many miles of uncertified trail are already in place. Some segments require a little touch up construction or perhaps only blazing is left to do. In some cases this work has already been done and the only thing required is a certifica tion application.

To see how closely we could approach the 2000 by 2000 goal, I prepared a table summarizing the areas where I had some knowledge of ongoing work. Only areas where an estimated low to moderate amount of work remained were included. No doubt, some of these projections are outdated and there are other areas that I have missed. Recognize too that mileages shown are only estimates. In other words, there is room for error. Nevertheless, these estimates indicate there is just shy of 200 miles of trail, which could be potentially certified without a great deal of effort. That would bring our total to about 1,800 miles at the end of the year. If 200 miles are certified this year, it will become the largest certification year ever and close 50 percent of the gap. This in itself would be a proud accomplishment and a noteworthy 20th Anniver sary gift. But, it will require a lot of individuals to take responsibility for finishing bits of trail and making out certification applications. If anyone needs assistance on applying for certification, you know where we can be reached. One precaution is to not wait until next December to send in applications. We simply couldn't process them that quickly. Let's go for it!

00 97 96 94 95 92 91

1295

Shortly after the North Country Trail Association celebrated the trail's 10th anniversary in 1990, some far sighted members began thinking about appropriate activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary in the distant year of 2000. One of the ideas that has stood the test of time is the "2000 by 2000" concept. Conceived and promoted primarily by Wes Boyd, the idea was to achieve 2000 members and 2000 certified miles by the year 2000. This was a big vision considering the fact that at the end of 1990 there were only 322 members and approximately 943 certified miles. Well, the once far-off year of 2000 is here. Are we going to make either or both goals?

The North Country Trail Association has achieved tre mendous membership growth in the last several years. In 1996, when Bob Papp came on board, membership was still only 505. Today (116/00) membership stands at 2,046 and Bob projects continued growth to about 2,300 by the end of the year. So, the membership goal has been met and exceeded. This is great news indeed! !

Certified mileage is another matter. On December 29th, we certified additional miles in New York and adjusted miles in Pennsylvania because they had been remeasured. These actions brought our 1999 year-end total to 1,600.8 miles. With the exception of the 1983 certifications that came with the publication of the Comprehensive Management Plan, the next highest amount of yearly certifications occurred in 1998 when 189 new miles were certified. Considering the record over the last 16 years and the fact that there is less than a year to go before the end of 2000, gaining another 400 miles will be a major accomplishment.

Frankly, I don't think it can be done. In anticipating this goal, a major mileage addition needed was the roughly 300

By Bill Menke, Manager,

North Country National Scenic Trail

Is It Possible? -

2000 by 2000

,2Qoo.-----------,.--------,------;;;;o"l t1900 2000 by 2000 lSOO Still a chance .-----+-----~-----1 1700 1600---.---_t_o_m_a_k_e_i1t -r----:::;;ot-'~---r-----::;>"'"i"1AT--1

. 00 ............ 1601 /

Q-1------+---~--~--.,,£-----l-------l o~ 1200-+---------::7'!'-'---~""'+n'<T'T"""--t------f-----l 1100

·1000''~--=......,.,.....-1------+----t------f-----l

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000 Page 10

LOCATION LAST KNOWN ACTIONS NEEDED TO CERTIFY EST. EFFORT MILES

NEW YORK Crown Point SHS Agree on route with manager, mark existing trails Moderate 1.5 Boonville to Pixley Falls Meet with BREIA, mark existing trails Moderate 7.5 Rome sidewalks Meet with city, mark sidewalks Low 2.0 Gorge Trail, Cazenovia North Iron out details, mark existing trail Low 4.0 Cazenovia sidewalks Meet with city, mark sidewalks Low 1.0 Stone Quarry Art Park Finish trail improvements and marking Low 1.4 Nelson Swamp Finish marking trail to standard Low 1.3 Highland County Forest Agree on route with park manager, mark existing trails Moderate 3.0 FLT Onondaga Branch Obtain NYDEC approval, incorporate blue paint Low 10.3 Treman SP., Woodward - bdry Apply for certification Low 1,_Q

NY TOTAL 33.0

PENNSYLVANIA SGA#24 Apply for certification Low 2.0 Span SR-66 Obtain landowner approval, minor improvements, apply Moderate 1.0 Bridge, sidewalks in Foxburg Meet with city, mark sidewalks Low 1.0 Stone House property Finish trail, apply Low M

PA TOTAL 4.5 OHIO

BCSP Horsecamp-Sprucevale Finish constructing trail on hillside, mark, apply Moderate 1.0 BCSP Famly Campgr. to bdry Mark existing trail, apply Low 0.5 BCSP Lusk Lock to bdry Mark existing trail, apply Low 2.0 Lisbon sidewalks Meet with city, mark sidewalks, apply Low 1.8 BSA-Furnace Rd. Finish constructing trail on hillside, mark, apply Moderate 2.0 Hanoverton Sidewalks Meet with village, mark sidewalks & route thru cemetery Low 1.4 Tar Hollow, Dogwood-Poe Run Apply for certification Low 2.2 Scioto Trails -- recent work Apply for certification of completed segments Moderate 2.0 Pike SF relo Apply for certification Low 0.4 East Fork relo Finalize trail relocation, apply Moderate 18.0 Helber Bridge relo If trail is moved, just apply Low 0.5 W Union 27-28 Abandoned road. Obtain landowner permission & apply Low 0.6 Davis Memorial SkSpg 37-39 Obtain concurrence from OHS and pvt landowner Low 2.1 Musgrove-Hanna Ads Obtain concurrence from private landowner and apply Low 0.9 Newport SR47 - SR 66 Obtain ODNR Div of Water concurrence, apply Low 0.6 SR 66 to Loy Rd Install gates, obtain concurrence, apply Moderate 2.4 Loy Rd to Schlachter Rd Obtain landonwer approval, minor improvements, apply Moderate 1.5 Schlachter Rd. to Ft. Loramie Obtain ODNR Div of Water concurrence, apply Low 1.2 . Ft. Loramie sidewalks, SR66 Work with village and ODOT, blaze, apply Low 1.0 Delphos sidewalks Work with village, blaze, apply Low 1.5 Ft. Jennings Park Apply Low 0.4 Hammersmith-Ball Rd Improve blazing, apply Low 0.5 Defiance sidewalks Work with city, blaze, apply Low 2.0 Lucas Co Line to Berridge Rd Blaze and apply Low 2.2

Potential NCT Certifications Requiring low to moderate effort

Page 11 NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000

1.5 r.a 2.8

Low Low

Moderate 1.5 Moderate £.Q.

4.0

Low. 1.3 Low 5.0 Low s.o

59.0

Low 2.5 Moderate 1.3 Low 1.8 Low 0.5 Low 0.4 Low 0.5 Low 2.7 Low 0.5 Moderate 0.5 Low 1.2 Moderate 0.8 Moderate 0.5 Moderate 20.0 Low 0.5 Moderate 0.5 Low 8.0 Low 6.0 Moderate 7.0 Moderate 4.0 Low 4.0 Low 4.5 Low 3.5 Low 1.2 Low 3.0 Low 10.0 Low 1.6 Low 1.0 Low 1...Q

91.5

Low 2.2 Moderate 2...1

4.3

GRAND TOTAL, using estimates of work and mileage, 1/6/00:

NORTH DAKOTA Believe completed. Work with city, blaze/mark, apply Work with city officials, mark, apply

Barnes Co. Bikeway Valley City sidewalks

ND Total

MINNESOTA Chippewa NF to Steamboat Rd. Finish construction, mark, apply Maplewood SP Work with park manager, blaze existing trails, apply.

MN Total

WISCONSIN Finish gates (CCS project) refresh marking, apply Finish construction, apply

Banana Belt Rd - Pero Rd. Hwy 27 to Motts Ravine Rd.

WI Total

MICHIGAN Lost Nations Finalize trail construction, apply Cheff property Finalize trail construction, apply Kellogg Bio. Station Apply Gay property Apply Yankee Springs SRA Norris Rd. to horse trail, surrounding new bridge -- apply Lowell sidewalks Work with city, blaze, apply Lowell SGA Finalize trail construction, apply Fallsburg Co. Park Finalize trail construction, apply Wabasis Lake Co. Park Work with manager, construct, mark, apply Cedar Springs Sidewalks Work with city, blaze, apply Long Lake Co. Park Work with manager, construct, mark, apply Manistee - Nine Mile Bridge Construct off road north of bridge on USFS property Johnson's 93-97 DNR submiss. Shake out of DNR channels, check, apply. Mileage estimated Straits SP and St. Ignace Work with city and DNR, finish marking, apply Reio around Corpe Finalize DNR approval, construct, mark, apply Buck Bay Cr-Rock River Rd. Trail in place. Get USFS to apply Laughing Whitefish area Trial in place. Obtain private & DNR concurrence. Apply CR403 to Sand River Advised under construction several years ago. Finish and apply. Marquette Bd of PUWI Elec. Trail in place. Work with owners to remove bikes. Apply Litttle Garlic area Trail in place. Apply Silver Lk. Basin-McCormick Trail in place. Obtain landowner concurrence and apply McCormick-Craig Lake SP Trail in place. Obtain landowner concurrence and apply Craig Lake SP - Long Lake Trail in place. Obtain landowner concurrence and apply Autio Rd. to Ottawa NF Trail in place. Obtain landowner concurrence and apply FR733 to Victoria Rd. Trail in place. Finalize, apply Victoria Rd. to Section 12 Apply Porcupine SP to Summit Pk. Rd. Trail in place. Apply Porcupine SP to CR 519 Trail in place. Obtain landowner concurrence and apply

Ml Total

Trails exist. Work with staff, select route, blaze Trails exist. Blaze west leg of loop Oak Openings to CR5 - Blaze and apply

Maumee St. Forest Oak Openings Metropark Cannonball - North leg

OHIO TOTAL

OHIO (continued)

EST. EFFORT MILES LAST KNOWN ACTIONS NEEDED TO CERTIFY LOCATION


dation, and the Partnership for The National Trails System helped us formulate the needs. Later in the spring, while in Washington, D.C., during Trail Advocacy Week, they con tacted the various Congressional representatives to support increased funding for the trails.

The wonderful outcome is that Senator Kohl followed up on the idea. For the purchase of lands in Wisconsin, he secured $2 million of federal funding for the Ice Age Trail and $0.5 million for the North Country Trail. Because the Na tional Park Service still cannot purchase lands, the money is in the form of a grant to the State of Wisconsin and must be matched by State funds. Since Wisconsin already has a State Stewardship Fund for acquiring lands for conservation pur poses, including trails, the matching funds are already in place! Thus, the total amount of funds that will be spent for North Country Trail protection is $1 million. The lands will be purchased by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Re sources, which already has existing staff to handle the ap praisals, negotiations, and all the other aspects of acquiring tracts of land.

Initially, the expenditure of these funds will be focused in northwest Wisconsin where a trail way plan and environmen tal compliance has been completed across Bayfield and Douglas Counties. While most of the route through this area is public property, there are approximately 20 miles of the route across private property. Considering land prices in northern Wisconsin, the funding provided could go a long way toward completing this route-if landowners are willing to sell. Lands will be bought only when the owners are willing to sell either fee simple ownership or easements. This is the "Willing Seller" principal. It is hoped that we can complete enough of an environmental compliance process to expand the area of purchase to portions of the trail farther east in the state.

What is surely to be a huge success story is underway! Whenever there is an opportunity, express your appreciation to Senator Kohl and his Wisconsin colleagues who champi oned the request in the House of Representatives-David Obey and Tammy Baldwin. Many are already hoping that this year's appropriation is the first of many. Perhaps this idea will also spread to the Congressional delegations of the other six North Country Trail states.

What a grand way to start a new Millennium for the North Country Trail. It's time to CELEBRATE!

For the first time ever, Federal funds have been appropri ated specifically for the purpose of purchasing permanent passage for the trail. This is great news! We all know that the less than permanent handshake agreements and simple non binding written agreements, normally used to secure trail passage, are very tenuous. The mere sale of a tract ofland can

. often mean that a well-established segment of the trail will be eliminated. If the new landowner's goals for their property do not include a public trail, they can and often do request or demand that it be removed. A perfect example of this problem is now playing itself out in the short stretch of private land between Cook Forest State Park and Clear Creek State Forest in Pennsylvania. For as long as can be remembered, the Baker Trail and then the North Country Trail passed through this property. Recently it changed hands and the new owner has given both trails only 4-months to remove all blazes and signs. After April 1, he will begin pursuing legal trespass actions.Until routing arrangements across other pri vate property can be found, this 1/4+ mile withdrawal effec tively forces a road walk of several miles.

Even though some of the cooperating public and private partners have been able to purchase small amounts of perma nent easements or lands for the trail, there is a lot of land needed to adequately protect a4,200-mile route. Everyone in the trails community recognizes the handicap that is placed on the volunteer partners and on the completion of the trail itself by the current legislation that prohibits the National Park Service (or any other Federal Agency) from purchasing lands for the trail outside existing national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The authority for Federal Agencies to purchase lands is an important tool, enjoyed by the Appala chian Trail and several other national trails. However, that tool is missing from the North Country Trail toolbox. The rationale for changing the legislation and an update on efforts that are underway to do so is fodder for another entire article.

The purpose of this article is to share our excitement over new resources-Federal resources-for protecting the trail in Wisconsin. Last winter, Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl con tacted the NPS regarding some of the needs of the National Parks in Wisconsin. Funding for land protection was one of the needs identified for the Ice Age and North Country Trails. Representatives of the NCTA, Ice Age Park and Trail Faun-

By Bill Menke and Tom Gilbert

$1,000,000 For Purchasing N CT Lands in Wisconsin


pants dwindles from nine to five to three to settle at two humans and a dog. There is a possibility that the other human is more unbalanced than I! Irene and Gummy must drive for 12 hours just to join me in this mad venture.

Nevertheless, on the sunny afternoon of December 30 we set up camp on the trail at the southwest comer of Five Lake near Alba, Michigan. I arrive first and am shoveling snow into a mound to build a quin-zhee shelter. A fox-like dog incongruously wearing a red bow behind one ear approaches me through the woods, barking. Having never met Gummy, I am not certain of my facts but enthusiastically assume this must be the dog who has appeared and begin talking to her. Soon Irene emerges from behind a veil of young cottonwoods and verifies my identification. Gummy nuzzles my hand, Irene and I hug, and W2K officially begins!

I had arrived in the morning at the site which I had previously scouted out and nearly decided to move the entire venture to a different location. I knew that a snowmobile trail passes about one-quarter mile from the selected campsite, but I now discover that the holiday ski-dooers are loudly and boldly zippering through almost every possible opening in the woods. For some reason which we do not understand, but are thankful for, they are following regulations and not riding the North Country Trail except where it coincides with wider two-track openings. So by moving a bit farther back into the woods we are able to buffer ourselves from their motorized intrusion. The snowmobiles cast the only shadow on our weekend. They give a whole new meaning to the lyric "blue shadows on the trail." We have to pull all our gear three quarters of a mile back to the campsite on sleds, mostly along their highly traveled tracks. Whenever (whenever being often) groups pass in a whirl and haze of blue fumes and brain-thumping noise Gummy sneezes and rubs her nose through the snow. Irene and I wave them on their way and call to them, but they can't hear us over the whine of their motors.

Irene and Gummy in front of the quln-zhee shelter on New Year's weekend.


by Joan Young "Where do you want to be on the eve of New Year 2000?"

demanded the blaring television announcer .. I hadn't really thought about it very much and assumed I'd be staring with glassy eyes at a crowd of people watching a ball drop in Times Square if I even stayed up that long. With my usual indiffer ence to New Year celebrations, I was thereby busy verifying Newton's first law of motion. "A body at rest tends to remain at rest;" it's called inertia. Inertia rules huge blocks of our lives having a mass too large to be overcome by the force of our dreams. But suddenly I was accelerating with the com bined forces of excitement and obsession: the excitement I had felt as a child when I realized I would be alive when the century and the millennium changed, and my obsession to hike the North Country Trail. Despite the technicality that the new millennium doesn't actually begin until 2001, I knew I did not want to let this New Year slip by without notice. I also knew that where I wanted to be was on the North Country Trail.

Newton's first law clarifies that a body will remain at rest unless "acted upon by an unbalanced force." My unbalancing force became the sum of the dream and the excitement. To most of my friends whom I begin trying to convince to join me in the winter woods for 3 days, I definitely appear to be an unbalanced force! Most of them charitably accept that I am eccentric but harmless. Harmless being defined as lacking sufficient of that unbalanced force to propel them into the cold. They are secretly glad for family obligations which allow them to decline my invitation to Winter 2K without explaining that they have no interest in shoveling enough snow to build a home, sitting in the cold no matter how cozy a campfire might be, snowshoeing through heavy unbroken snow cover, or huddling in a sleeping bag through the 14 long hours of winter darkness while the mercury plummets to unknown depths. The list of even remotely possible partici-

Someone managed to figure out a North Country Trail way to greet 2000!

Page 14


It's probably just as well. They wouldn't like what we were jammies if we don't get busy! Plastic goes down first, then calling. a layer of therm-a-rest pads, topped with a Korean War era

The sun has warmed the snow so that it packs well, but the down sleeping bag. Our own sleeping bags go on top of this, goal of building and hollowing the large snow shelter I had and we cover the both of us with another vintage down bag. hoped for turns out to be a bigger project than two people can Gummy settles between our legs, chilly enough to content- handle in a short winter afternoon. The plan is altered to edly remain under the covers. Her trip to the groomer which create a snow fort of walls with a narrow entrance curved to resulted in the red hair-bow also had shorn her of most of her block any wind. the roof is created with supports of branches insulating tummy-fur. The cooler (or in the winter, the anti- covered with a tarp. Snow is mounded around the edges to cooler) with a pack on top and a tarp over all is pulled in to hold the tarp in place. It is now so warm in the sun that I have plug the entrance. The predictable first remark after snug- removed two layers of clothing to keep from overheating. gling in with boots and extra clothing removed is, "Oh, Irene takes a shovel and goes to find us "a commodious spot" Dandy! I have to pee." Ever thoughtful of me, Irene in the woods. When she returns I explain to her that I've generously completes this camping requirement so that I can formed the habit of taking out the used t.p. in a sealed bag make it through the night without having to get up. She rather than leaving it for animals to dig up. "Really?" queries struggles back out of her bag, into her boots and coat, over the Irene. "I've never seen them do that." dog, and removes the door plug, all in a space only five by

"Oh, yes," I assure her and go to inspect our modest seven by three and now solidly occupied by two people and latrine. There I learn that Irene from gray-rock-hard-clay the canine. "That's my tail you're trying to use for a sock," New York has begun a tunnel to China. Her enthusiasm for yelps Gummy. Irene disappears into the cold December exploiting the ease of digging in Michigan sand has Jed her to woods. Eventually she reappears, so I know that somehow experiment with methods for even tunneling under tree roots. she has managed to keep from slipping down the tunnel to I amend my earlier dogma and admit that no animals are likely China. It's a good thing because from those depths I might not to dig up that pit when we are done with it. Indeed, either of have heard her even if she had blown her emergency whistle. us had better be very careful where we step while answering Reversing the whole laborious sequence from cooler to down any calls after dark or we might never be heard from again. bag she returns to the warm bed. We check the time. "O good,

Our kitchen area is defined by the other flat open spot not we only have twelve more hours to lie here in the dark." occupied by the snow fort, and we clear it to dig a small fire Ireneandlonlymetthis past year, and have never camped pit. Soon Irene is warming dinner on the grate in a cast-iron together before. Thus she mistakenly believes that I wake up pot while coffee water boils beside it in a classic blue as a human being, the same as I was when I went to bed. She graniteware vessel. Coals glow brightly in the fire ring. The arises cheerfully at sunrise and announces that the clouds early-winter sun is redly fading and we light the cleaned but have moved in and the temperature is up to a balmy 24. rusty kerosene barn lantern and hang it by the doorway of our "Mmmmpfh," I reply with glee and pull the covers over my hut. These points of light reflect in a soft golden gleam from head so as not to embarrass her with my exuberance. Now it the varnished wooden frames of our snowshoes as they stand is my tum to be thoughtful. I doze off again, giving her the erect in a handy snowbank. There is some quality of Jost opportunity to display her camping skills preparing the treasure, a homely honesty of simple things these objects and morning fire. Old Girl Scouts never die they just Jose their their interactions create within me. Heat, light, nourishment, fire. When I do arise, and after I gallop back from China, I shelter, transportation, friendship, a sense of well-being at catch her lighting the matches which won't strike, from her knowing that a job well-done has given us the privilege of a Zippo which won't close and go out. Well, you can't ever say comfortable evening -- what more could a person require? that Girl Scouts aren't resourceful. Those eggs and sausages As much as I love backpacking, finding the lightest and best sure taste good anyway, no matter how the fire was lit. technological solution to traveling traceless through the The day's activity is to be a snowshoe hike. After cleanup woods, the heavy, textured, old and solid camp tools call from we head down the main trail. Fortunately the blue blazes are within me a deep joy. Polished titanium and gore-tex have able to be found as we proceed through the woods. I would never yet brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. like to say "the quiet woods," but the revving of the snowmo-

"Hey," shouts Irene as she checks the thermometer,"no biles is ever buzzing through our heads. However, the snow wonderwe'regettingchilly.It'sonly7degreesouthere!"My is crisp and unbroken, the blazes lead us on and we cover warm sentimental moment is unlikely to keep our body about a mile-and-a-half before admitting that we had better temperatures up all night so we scramble around to clean up turn around if we want to be able to walk at all tomorrow. and create a nest in the hut. Irene's earlier slip of the tongue, Gummy bounds resolutely through the deep snow, disdaining "flannel chipping," while describing a search for something the comparative ease she could have of walking behind us in to watch on the motel TV the night before now sounds our packed tracks. Irene knows her trees in winter and we prophetic. We may need a chisel to remove the ice from our share the pleasures of comparing knowledge of buds, bark

Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of a premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hik ers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.

. Vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail

. rl


and other botanical miscellany. She recognizes shadbush finding a place to stow the car we expertly strap on the bark. IpointouttheMichiganjackpine. Witch hazel remains snowshoes, and our thighs immediately shout, "Hello!" attractive covered with yellow fruit capsules. We discuss Gummy,ontheotherhand,seemstobejustfine. Shepounces how to distinguish red from sugar maple in the winter by their through the drifts, hunting mice. The snow is wet and heavy, buds. Cottonwood is inferior firewood but dry bracken fem but we are not to be daunted today. We find even greater stems are good tinder. We both like white pine better than red. winter riches. Chickadees twitter and nuthatches "ank" their Ash trees are a poor choice on which to paint trail blazes waythroughthewoods. Irenehearsakinglet,Ifindajumping because the bark splits into an open diamond pattern, but the meadow mouse track. We see the trotting tracks of a real fox, shadbush (or serviceberry) remains smooth to hold the paint and of course many deer paths. Rabbit and an unknown well. White oak is one of Irene's favorites while I favor burrower also left stories in the snow. Today's trail leads over eastern hemlock. a ridge covered with beech and yellow birch then down

We return to our campsite and start a fire just for it's through a grove of red pine. Irene looks for signs of old · cheering warmth even though it's a bit early to fix dinner. homesteads but finds little evidence of any. "This tree must

Gummy is limping; her exuberance -in the deep snow has have grown up in the open, but I don't see any hedgerows or caught up with her feet. "Snow-toes," Irene calls them. old orchards," she reasons. Soon we are standing at the last Basecamping always makes me want to build things. I have blaze we can see on the edge of an opening bristling with to mentally stake myself to the ground where I can just sit and angry blackberry canes. "Do we tum around or go on?" we play with the fire or I would be up cutting down saplings to ponder, realizing that we will have to range back and forth create lashed tables, chairs, coathangers and washstands. when we reenter the woods to find the blazes. But I have no Sharing this outdoor experience with another former Scout, heart for leaving a section undone, and despite my aching who also lived for the two weeks of summer camp, has thighs I plunge into the deep wet snow with the thorns increased the power of the Pavlovian reaction to saplings, protesting my every step. I hear Irene moaning something twine, time and a basecamp. However, I am able with great about hip sockets, but I'm sure she is just trying to reassure restraint to resist leveling the forest, and we are able to fix me that hers are fine. We emerge after a time of stumbling, dinner without a corduroy camp table. tripping, and loudly calling for the offspring of the canes to

We have been smiled upon this weekend. The weather be unfruitful, from the brambles at the very tree where the remains mild. The air is calm there is no wind to chill our blazes begin on the other side of the opening. Irene is bones or remove our tarp roof. The snowmobilers have not incredulous, and she effusively charges me with having a blue invaded our campsite by more than their noise. No city lights line for a soul. That sounds so poetic, I hate to tell her it was intrude on the horizon. The dreaded Y2K bug could infect pure, dumb luck. and annihilate the rest of civilization at midnight and we All too soon the hike is over and we are back at the cars would be unaffected and unaware. The only bug we encoun- trying not to say goodbye. Newton's third law works, but ter is a dopy spider swinging lonely from a twig. We consider slower than it should. "For every action there is an equal and staying awake until midnight, but agree that we don't mind opposite reaction." sleeping through that overrated moment. We chat beside the "You're the bees knees," Irene claims as she claps me on fire for a while longer and retire to our snug home wistfully the back. I am too dumbfounded and slow to find a quick humming " .. .I'd make two wishes: a winding road that riposte. Buteventuallyl'llgetthere. Youarethecat'sflannel beckons me to roam; and then I'd wish for a blazing campfire pajamas, Irene. Now go get busy chipping while I go lash a to welcome me when I'm returning home." Don't worry if table. you don't "get it." It's old Girl Scout stuff again.

Irene hears midnight come as judged by fireworks being set off both east and west of us. I awake around 2 a.m. and learn that the snowmobiles have not failed to start as a result of some Y2K malfunction (drat!). We both welcome January 1, 2000 after daylight. Irene's campfire skills are again worthy and we feast on hash and eggs. We prolong the sad moment as long as possible, but eventually we have to begin to break camp. We take pictures, we decide to hike another mile after the cars are loaded, we take extra care to cover the fire and latrine sites, we reload the sleds, but the moment of truth arrives and we bid farewell to our short-lived but pleasant snow-home.

We do hike the extra mile, both ways of course. After

Committee. This Sub-Committee is responsible for determining the federal budget for the National Park Service. The "Dear Collegue" letter will be authored by Congressman Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and a Democratic Representative yet to be identified. Once we have the letter, we will try to get as many other Representatives to sign on to it as possible, to indicate strong support for the request.

We also are working to convince Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) to include an increase for the NCT in his appropriations requests for the year. Congressman Hinchey sits on the House Interior Appropriations Sub-Committee, and so could have a strong influence in the process.

In the Senate, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) has agreed to author a similar "Dear Colleague" letter to Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA), Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Sub-Committee. We will be working to get additional Senators to "sign on" to Senator Levin's letter. At the same time, we hope to convince Senators Herbert Kohl (D-WI) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) to request the increase. Both of these Senators sit on the Senate Interior Appropriations Suh-Committee.

During February and early March, we will be making calls and sending letters to try to achieve these goals. In mid-March, we will travel to Washington to try to advocate for the trail in person.

What You Can Do To Help:

Chances are, unless you're used to the inner workings of Capitol Hill, what I've described above may sound a little complicated to you. That's ok if it does. You can have a real impact on the process even if you don't quite follow our machinations.

Here are two ways you can help:

* Contact your own Senators and Representative, either by phone, mail, or e-mail. Tell them why the trail is important to you, to your region, and to the public in general. Then, ask them to support increased annual appropriations for the North Country National Scenic Trail. There's no need to get into any more details. If you do this, they will know that there is local support for the North Country Trail and they will know how they can help. We will provide the details when we contact them to try to "close the deal."

Page 17

Year 2001 Appropriations Background:

This year, we're making a concerted effort to substantially increase the annual funding the North Country Trail receives from the federal government. The strength and hope for our Trail lies in the excellent partnership we enjoy with the National Park Service. Private individuals like yourself contribute dollars and time to ensure that the Trail succeeds. In turn, the National Park Service provides leadership and federal dollars to support volunteer efforts on the Trail. This should be a perfect arrangement, but in reality we face severe limitations.

Although the North Country National Scenic Trail is a program of the National Park Service (NPS), the federal government currently allocates only $226,000 for the general operations of the Trail. As you may know, we have only one NPS employee dedicated to the Trail. Current federal funding of the Trail is minimal, given the challenge we face in crossing 4,600 miles through seven states.

At the same time, private support has mushroomed. In the past four years, our membership has quadrupled, and our number of Chapters has increased five-fold. Clearly, we in the private sector are striving to fulfill our share of the bargain. We are asking the federal government to do the same, by providing more realistic overall funding for the Trail.

What We're Doing About It:

Over the next couple of months, we'll be working with members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to try to lock in a substantial increase in federal funding for the North Country Trail.

On the House side, we are crafting what's called a "Dear Colleague" letter to be sent to Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH) to request an increase in Appropriations for the Trail. Congressman Regula is the Chair of the House Interior Appropriations Sub-

tive Alert


What You Can Do To Help:

This may sound like a broken record, but you really can make a difference by contacting your Senators and Representative to urge them to sign on to their respective bill. If they already have signed on, you also can make a big difference by contacting them to thank them. If they know that their constituents are noticing and are appreciative of their support of the North Country Trail, they'll be more likely to help us out again in the future.

If you're on-line, you'll find a lot more on this issue on the American Hiking Society's web site at: http://www.americanhiking.org/policy/issues/captrl2.html

This site also has sample letters that you can print or e-mail directly to your Senator or Representative. In fact, it will even send them for you!

To write your Representative or Senator:

The Honorable (full name) United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (last name):

The Honorable (full name) United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (last name):

SENATE BILL S.1729 Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) Wayne Allard (R-CO) Larry Craig (R-ID) Carl Levin (D-MI) Spencer Abraham (R-MI) Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Thomas Tancredo (R-CO) Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) James Traficant (D-OH) Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Ralph Regula (R-OH) Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) Heather Wilson (R-NM)

HOUSE BILL H.R.2267 Scott Mcinnis (R-CO) Joel Hefley (R-CO) Bob Schaffer (R-CO) Mark Udall (D-CO) John Doolittle (R-CA) Richard Pombo (R-CA) Thomas Barrett (D-WI) Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Gerald Kleczka (D-WI) Ron Kind (D-WI) Ed Whitfield (R-KY) Doug Bereuter (R-NE) Bruce Vento (D-MN) Philip English (R-PA) Clay Shaw (R-FL) Mark Foley (R-FL) Merrill Cook (R-UT) Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX)

So far, we know the following Representatives and Senators have agreed to co-sponsor the bills:

people who want to sell ("willing sellers"). The bill introduced in the House of Representatives is called H.R.2267 and the Senate bill is S.1729.

f NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000

Willing Seller Acquisition Authority Background:

The National Trails Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Johnson in 1968. The initial Act established the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails. Subsequent amendments have added 18 more National Scenic and National Historic Trails. Due to prevailing attitudes in Congress when the amendments were passed, the federal agencies assigned to the trails limited in different ways when it came to purchasing land to protect the trails. With the North Country Trail, the National Park Service (NPS) specifically is prohibited from purchasing any land for the trail.

Why should we care? Well, the Appalachian Trail largely was completed by funneling tens of millions of dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the National Park Service to purchase corridors to permanently protect the trail route. Because the NPS is prohibited from purchasing land for our trail, this very important tool is not available to us. We only can access Land and Water Conservation Funds through State grant programs, which are sporadic, at best. Further, National Park Service professionals funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund could provide much needed technical assistance in land negotiations.

What We're Doing About It:

We are working with a coalition of National Scenic and Historic Trail Organizations, and the American Hiking Society to pass an amendment which would grant the federal government the authority to purchase land to protect these trails. Land or easements only would be purchased from

* Make similar contacts with Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH) and Senator Slade Gorton (R W A). In fact, you can just about use the same letter or e-mail that you used for your own Senators and Representative. Remember, these two are the Chairs of their respective Interior Appropriations Sub-Committees. This means they have a lot of power in determining what goes into the annual budget for the National Park Service. We need their support to succeed.

• • • Legislative Alert continued

Page 18

Viking Motel (218)834-2645 In Two Harbors

Voyager Motel (218)834-3644 In Two Harbors

Country Inn (800)456-4000 In Carlson

Superior Shores (218)834-3644 On Lake Superior Resort & Cont. Site of Saturday's Ctr. activities

Silver Cliff Motel (218)834-4695 On Lake Superior 4 Miles from Two Harbors

Cliff in Shore (218)834-4675 On Lake Superior Resort 4 Miles from Two

Harbors

Camping Gooseberry (218)834- 12 miles from Confer- Falls State 3855 ence Center on SHT Fri- Park day's events held here.

Pets.

Split Rock (218)226- 19 miles form Confer- Lighthouse 3065 ence Center. Cart-in State Park campsites.

Penmaralltee (218)834- Pull-thru campsites. Campground 4603 Pets.

In Two Harbors

Two Harbors Area Americinn Suites (800)634-3444

Lodging Duluth (27 Miles from Conference Center) Many lodging choices are available at the "Harbor" and "Canal Park" areas. Call (800)-4-DULUTH.

Page 19

Lodging: Arrangement for rooms or campsites are to be made by conference attendees. To ensure you have lodging for the conference, you should make your reservations early. A list of recommended options are provided on the right. Most of Saturday's events will take place in the Two Harbors area. Friday's events will center around Gooseberry Falls 1 State Park, approximately 12 miles from the Two Harbors area. Shuttle service will be available on a limited basis.

Registration: Registration for this year's conference will be conducted by SHT A All NCTA members will receive a mailing in March with a detailed schedule and a registration packet. Registration fees will cover activities and meals only.

The shores of Lake Superior, and the scenic beauty of the Superior Hiking Trail are backdrops for this year's Annual Conference centered near Two Harbors, Minnesota. NCTA members are invited to join the membership of the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) for a weekend which promises to be both informative and picturesque.

A JOINT CONFERENCE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY

TRAIL ASSOC/AT/ON AND THE SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL

ASSOC/A TION

A SUPERIOR NORTH COUNTRY TREK

Conference


Duluth Numerous restaurants at Canal Park

Duluth to Two Harbors Emily's

Castle Danger (10 Miles North of Two Har bors) Rustic Inn

Local: Millers, Judy's, Vanilla Bean, Blackwoods

Two Harbors Fast Food: Pizza Hut, Subway, McDonalds, Bur ger King, Hardees, Dairy Queen

Dining

Sunday, May 7 7:30 AM. Continental Breakfast 8:00 AM. Early Bird hike on the

Sonju Walking Trail in Two Harbors

9:00 AM. SHTA Board Meeting 10:00 AM. Guided Hike- Highway 1

to Silver Bay

8:00 P.M

he

Lunch 1:30 P.M. 4:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. North

10:00 AM.

Saturday, May 6 (Most activities at Superior Shores Resort) 8:00-9:30 AM. Registration 9:30 AM. Hike Shuttles begin 10:00 AM.-2:00 PM Hikes - four choices

Birding Hike Wild Flower Hike Photography Hike Non-Guided Hike - Castle Danger to Gooseberry Falls State Park Trail Maintenance Demonstration with Bill Menke, Nat'I Park Service, and Ken Oelkers, SHT A Box Lunch on the Trail Silent Auction Begins SHTA Annual Meeting Dinner "Flora and Fauna of Shore" Speaker: Mark "Sparky" Sensaas, naturalist and outdoor writer. Live Auction

8:00 P.M.

6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.

1:30 P.M.

12:00 Noon 1:00 P.M. 1:30 P.M.

11:00 AM.

10:30 AM.

8:30 AM. 9:30 AM.

Continental Breakfast Registration (continuing throughout the day) NCT A Trail Council Meeting Interpreted Hike - Gooseberry State Park Loop NCT A Chapter President's Meeting Geology Hike - Gooseberry Falls area Lunch NCT A Board Meeting Interpreted Hike - Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Non-guided Hike - Split Rock River Loop Dinner-TBA "Sentiments from the Heart" slide presentation about the SHT by SHT A President and Photographer, Rudi Hargesheimer NCT A Annual Meeting NCT A Award Ceremony

7:30 AM. 8:00 AM.

Friday, May 5 (Most Activities will be at Gooseberry Falls State Park)

NCT A Executive Committee Early Bird Registration

Thursday, May 4 2:00 P.M. 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Page 20 NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000

2000 Conference continued • • • t Tentative Conference Schedule

Chapter she serves on the Planning Committee. The chapter regularly meets at her house. Gail points out that "a chapter is only as good as the members we have." She sees one of her roles as that of making people feel welcome, accepted and valuable. Sometimes this means taking care oflots of details to make sure that activities run smoothly. Gail has also been involved in contacting landowners to attempt to connect the trail between two sections on public lands. Blakely seems to prove the saying, "If you want something done, ask a busy person!" Thanks, Gail, for bringing your organizational skills and knowledge of nature to the trail community.

GAIL BLAKELY

The newest chapters tell me that they need a little more time before nominating volunteers, but we can look forward this year to hearing of new sections of trail where we can wear down our soles thanks to the heart of recently discovered volunteers.

Some people seem to live on the trail, but GAIL BLAKELY literally does! The trail crosses the Beaver River on a bridge at the small town of Wampum, Pennsylvania, and Gail lives on that corner. When PA director Bob Tait spoke at a Sierra Club Pittsburgh meeting he asked, "Does anyone know where Wampum is?" Much to his surprise a number of people did because of Gail. But then it was her tum to be surprised when she learned that the trail passes by her front door. She joined the NCTA on the spot! Gail likes to keep busy and she belongs to many other organizations too: Order of the Eastern Star, Society for Creative Anachronism (a medieval re-enactment society), League of Women Voters, Western Pennsylvania Botanical Society, Ohio Mushroom Society, and North American Mycological Association. These last two transition her into one facet of her involvement in the trail community. Many NCTA members had the pleasure of learning about and sampling edible mushrooms under Gail's knowledgeable and energetic leadership at the August con ference in Pennsylvania. Gail finds time for all these activi ties since she retired from teaching, and she likes being able to have a flexible lifestyle to allow for her many interests. The availability of trails makes it easier for her to pursue her love of identifying plants, trees, animals, insects all the natural wonders to be found in the wilds. "I'm a walker," Gail explained, "I'm not there to see how many miles I can cover in an hour." The more she knows what plants and creatures are to be found in the woods the more comfortable she is there. "Some people are afraid of nature because they don't understand it, " she added. Gail received a head start in understanding nature because her parents took her camping as a child, and that interest persisted. Within the Wampum

WAMPUM CHAPTER

The NCTA is growing steadily. We've reached the goal of 2000 members in 2000. New chapters sprout like mushrooms (read on to see why that metaphor came to mind). The goal of 2000 certified miles in 2000 is a little more remote, but it won't be for lack of effort by outstanding trail workers.

ART Please feel free to nominate a volunteer for this feature. Contact me to find out how. Joan Young, 861 W US JO, Scottville. MI 49454 or [email protected]


time hiker, backpacker, and canoeist. "Nature is my absolute sanctuary," he commented with reverence in his tone. "It is there that I find the things that are real, and I can find God. I am really blessed; the trail and this chapter are the most satisfying things in my life right now." Juhl also sees himself as a steward of the trail, and working on it allows him to give back to others. Building and maintaining trail gives him the most pleasure. He has customized a backpack for his trail tools and he loves to bench trail into side hills. It takes a long time to do this right, he explains, but his favorite tools are the Pulaski and McClod. He also maintains a section of the trail on a regular basis. Another Chief Noonday member elabo rates: "Neil's sense of humor and singing add much more than just his active participation. Jambe's manners and playful ness are a part of this special team." "Trail work is 'where it's at' for me," concludes Neil. We assume Jambe would "woof' to that!

Some of you readers have noticed that I try to sum up the efforts of each issues' selected volunteers. Once again the featured members showcase a range of important talents and attitudes. Knowledge of nature, service to and encourage ment of volunteers, planning, promotion, administration and actual trail work have all been mentioned. No one of these disciplines alone will build the trail. No one person's talents can cover all the requirements needed to create a National Scenic Trail. We've been reminded of the larger; seven-state picture, and the local, hometown scene. As the North Country Trail has been selected as one of the National Millennium Trails let's continue to work together to build this great national treasure. Pat a fellow volunteer on the back and remind him or her of the great trail community to which we belong! Oh, and if we've not seen that person here, contact me to learn how to submit a name to this feature. Joan Young, 861 W. US JO, Scottville, Ml, 49454, 231-757-2205, [email protected].

NEIL JUHL and JAMBE are a "special team." Neil serves as Chapter Clown (his own description) and Jambe is the chapter's official Trail Dog. We know, however, that Neil does much more than clown around. When he is not busy selling music at his store, Flip Side Records, he serves on the Chief Noonday board of di rectors and National Trail's Day commit tee. He is a regular liaison to the radio sta tion and a sports store, and works hard to keep information kiosks stocked. This last activity is important to NEIL JUHL and JAMBE him because of how he learned about the trail. While hiking in the Manistee National Forest he stopped at a ranger station and picked up some info about the trail he was walking. By this means he learned that he was on a National Scenic Trail, and he knows that many people who use the trail have no knowledge of this larger picture. One of the special times Neil describes occurred last New Year's Day in Yankee Springs Recreation Area. He suddenly had a sense of that "thread of continuity," and he felt connected to the whole trail stretching from New York to North Dakota! Neil is a long-

CHIEF NOONDAY

days, and she has noted that trail work helps build healthy appetites. She is glad to be able to help the trail effort in this way. Being on the trail gives Monica the chance to have some quiet time and to stay in touch with nature where she enjoys the beauty to be found there. She is glad to have met new people and made friends in the trail community. "This is something that I enjoy and is also MONICA HAMILTON worthwhile," Monica con- cluded. She has recently been elected as Chair of the Member ship Committee for this fast-growing chapter. Others in the chapter praise Monica for being "willing to do what's needed." This short but precise definition of service describes what makes a great trail volunteer.

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000 .,

MONICA HAMILTON has always liked the out-of doors. She grew up in the Girl Scouts and played softball. As an adult she looked for ways to pursue her outdoor interests in contrast to her job which keeps her indoors at a plant where they coat metal panels for paint testing. When Rich Saur placed an ad in the paper about the formation of a local hiking club, Monica looked into it, and became a member of the young Baw Beese Chapter of the NCTA. She enjoys the chapter's work outings. Hamilton says, "I look at the trail more on work days than I do when I'm on hikes. I take time to see what will make other people enjoy it." Monica's service on work days has included a lot of cooking. One cold, rainy day when they were putting up heavy barriers to keep ATV's off the trail Monica took sloppy joes and hot chocolate to the work crew. We can smell those aromas and feel the warmth right now, Monica! She told me of Bar-B-Q events and homemade salads that made me wish for summer trail

BAW BEESE CHAPTER Page22

Where do I get * COUNTf? more information? ~X.. Y h

Jusl call our office at 888-11511- ..p~ . ~ NCl'A and ask for <1 copy of <, .. < the Schoolhouse Brochure! • A s s o c I A T r o N •

~,.ii Miltll • M~LA it \'\1h1cnn.l11 • Ml .. :Mpn OhJa .. Pnvl!!.YiV.SnlA ... Nrw Yur•

Who runs it? The Schoolhouse is maintained and managed by volun

teers from our own Western Michigan Chapter.

Is it close to the North Country Trail? You bet! Just one and a half miles from the NCNSTl

Where ls it? 5 miles NW of White Cloud, Michigan, nestled in the

southern region of the I Juran-Manistee National Forest,

}tent the NCTA's aootn Schoo.Ibo

O~e ~Se/ What's it for?

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

Easy paced, naturalist led, gourmet food provided NATURAL OUTINGS

1-800-668-8911 [email protected] www.naturaloutings.com

We are well-known in Canada for high quality, low-priced trips. In US dollars they are 30% lower -- maximum $600 per week.

• West Coast Gulf Islands & Olympic Park • Ontario's best - Killarney Park - canoe/hike • Quebec - Gaspe & Saguenay - whales & trails • Newfoundland & Labrador - day hikes, Viking trail • Yukon River canoe trip, Kluane Park hiking • Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Escalante • Virginia's Shenandoah - hikes from hillbilly cabins • Costa Rica ecotour - coast to coast • Belize reef sailing, Maya ruins, jungle hikes • Mexico's Copper Canyon - ultimate explorations

BARGAIN ECOTRIPS By Van, Foot & Paddle to Premier Wild Places

Last summer, the White House Millennium Council named the North Country National Scenic Trail one of only sixteen National Millennium Trails. The only other National Scenic Trail to receive this award was the Appalachian Trail. To celebrate this honor, we will be hosting a special event in Mackinaw City, Michigan on Labor Day of this year.

All of our members may not realize this, but the North Country Trail crosses from lower Michigan to upper Michi gan on the 5 mile-long Mackinac Bridge. This presents a bit of a challenge to hikers, since the Mackinac Bridge is a four lane highway, with no sidewalks. During 364 days of the year, hikers must take a shuttle to cross the bridge. However, . on a singe day each year, the bridge is closed to regular vehicle traffic, and two lanes are opened for people to hike the Bridge.

This event draws a lot of attention. Typically, more than 50,000 people set out each Labor Day morning to join in the adventure. At it's center, only a metal grating separates hikers from the choppy waters 200 feet below!

This year, we'll be working in cooperation with the Mackinac Bridge Authority and Emmet County to plan our National Millennium Trail Celebration in conjunction with annual Bridge Walk. We plan to have some V.I.P. speakers at a park on the south end of the Bridge after the walk. We'll also have a large booth set up, some give-aways and other special activities are being planned. In addition, our Board of Directors will be holding it's fall meeting in conjunction with this event.

As you might guess, with this many people in town, lodging is difficult to find. We have arranged for the use of two guest houses owned by Emmet County for the nights of Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3, but space is limited. If we get crowded, you may need to bring a sleeping bag and could find yourself assigned to a cot, couch or even the floor. For people who would like to take advantage of the guest houses, we are requesting a $20 per person per night contribution, which would cover lodging, linen and towels. We also are working on a group camping arrangement for tent campers. To reserve a space, call our office at 888-454-NCTA. We hope to see you there!

National Millennium Trail Celebration Planned for Labor Day

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000 Page 23 ....--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-=-----.

Back Design

Front Design

NCTA r .. shirt (c101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T". Three color NCTA logo on front and two-color trail map on back. Slogan on back reads "Going the Distance on the North Country National Scenic Trail" and includes the seven state map of the trail. (color: natural) L, XL: $10.95 (color: natural) XXL: $11. 9 5

·*~.:o~,.~ r

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

the map is actually a list of all seven state names. (color: sage) Was - S, M, L, XL: $49.95 XXL: $4+.95 Now S, M, L, XL: $8.25 XXL: $8.95 Trail Crew T00Shirt (C102) A TRAIL CREW shirt for volunteers! Tan 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. (color: tan) M, L, XL: $8.95 XXL: $9.95

J ... Shirts

c. Moss Green Cap (C206) ••••••••••••••• $14.95 Embroidered association logo. Low profile distressed washed cotton twill. Constructed with soft lining. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. o. Light Khaki/Navy Cap (C207) ••••••• $14.95 Trail emblem design. Low profile washed cotton, unconstructed. light Khaki crown with washed navy bill. Adjustable buckle on fabric strap. E. Royal Mesh-Back Cap (c201) •••••••• $10.95 Mesh back, cotton twill front, royal blue, plastic snap strap.

(Clockwise from bottom) A. Natural Colored "Bucket Hat" (C208) $16.95 The North Country National Scenic Trail compass point design on a bucket hat in a tone on tone khaki color. Washed cotton, one size fits most. B. "Denim" Blue Cap (C203) ••••••••••• $15.95 "Pro-wash" cotton twill with extended bill, deep blue crown and bill (looks like denim), adjustable buckle on a leather strap.

HATS

: .. :: -~,; ::::·::._-~

are accurate mute "r'( descriptions by experienced guidebook writers who have walked the sections with a measuring wheel. In easy to use looseleaf form. Penn~lvania

NCT in Pennsylvania, 37pp (M201) ....••••• $5.25 Oltio

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

Mithi9an . NCT in Lower Michigan, 66pp (M401) ..•• $12.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, sspp (M402) .•• $12.50

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

Minnesota Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24pp (M601) .•••..••••..••••....• $4.00

North Dakota NCT in North Dakota 1spp (M701) •••....•• $3.00

NCT Map Sets NEW TRAIL MAPS Printed in full color on durable paper these new maps come in a clear plastic bag to assure complete water protection. They have been carefully field checked for accuracy. Each map unfolds to a full 11" x 17". (T401) Michigan Huron-Manistee National Forest: North Segment (T-402) Michigan Battle Creek to Chief Noonday Road (T-201) Pennsylvania McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks ~\. Slf0 (T-202) Allegheny National Forest

~-.., North Section $6.50 ~-i (T-203) Southern Allegheny National Forest I[ and Cook Forest State Park $8.00

Volunteer Patch (P121) $1.50 ea. State Patches New York (P111), Pennsylvania (P112), Ohio (P113), Michigan (P114), Wisconsin (P115), Minnesota (P116), North Dakota (Pll?) $1.50 ea. 3" Round Patches North Country Trail Association (P122) $3.00 ea.

(~105) . . . . . NCTA Tra uilding Silver, pamted m color Hiking Stick . d M tntenan ce M- a nual Medallion $4.00 an a1 . ·

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

North Country National Scenic Trail Mug

lion $4.00 (P103) NEW lastic trail mug taper · cup holder $5.00

Finger Lakes Trail Resources Map Sets These excellent looseleaf_!Uaps of the trail in N~W: ~are published by the Finger ~es Trail Cqnterence. $4.00 per set~ )_

j Pl

(~111)--f?A-bafcfer - Portageville I (M112) Portageville - Watkins Glj;n

)M113) Watkins Glen - NW of Cuyter

Guidebooks , \ Published by the Fin~~!~'s Trail Conference, these helpfulf ~~ various parts of the North try Trail where it overlaps the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) in western and central New York.

FLT in Cortland County (M121) •..••.••••••. $5.95 FLT End-to-End Guide for Backpackers (M122) ..................•.•• $2.50 FLT: Conservation Trail to Hornell (M123) .......•.....•..............• $? .95 FLT in Steuben Co. (Hornell-S.Bradford) (M124) •.•...•...•..••. $6.95

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

Guernsey Counties Bowerston (M312) Harrison, Carr ll and

Guerns ou ies and War en Counties

Defiance, Paul ing, Putnam, Henry and Wo Counties

Delph s (M315) Putnam, Allen nd Auglaize Coun ies

Lovela d (M316) Clermont, Wa en and Hamilton Co ties

Massilon (M317) Stark and T arawas Counties New S raitsville (M318) Athens eking, Morgan,

Per aunties (M319) H c ng, Ross and

1{ ton Counties Scioto Trail (M320) oss and Pike Counties Sinking Spring (M321) Adams, Pike and

Highland Counties St. Marys (M322) Auglaize and Shelby Counties Stockport (M323) Morgan, Perry and

Athens Counties Troy (M324) Greene, Miami and

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

""'"'~.::.';;:"'",.=;""""-

_·· •f=J ~~~l~Jil~~.

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

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

MinnesptaYGuUU: to t~e · North countJY rrailzewa National Forest by Roden~k MacRae (, 611) Description of the route and trail log, east ~owes~. W$nderfylly written by a Chippewa.National Forest exJle__rt. 12p~g~$~ $1.25 .i Hiking Stick Medallions

4[L s Add the NCNST insignia to your hiking stick. Brass and silver colored metal. The · allion is painte ·

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

50 Hikes in Michigan

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

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

Porcupine Mountains

PICTURED ROCKS An Illustrated Guide NATIONAL LAKEsttORE by Olive Anderson.

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

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

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

;11: ~,,.1 s11<:>"-

By John G. Hipps, M.D. Stories recount the full spectrum of humankind's experi ences. Sometimes informative and ed ucational, frequent ly humorous, often whimsical, the stories will entertain and

charm you with their simple philosophy, wisdom and wit. Includes advice on home remedies, herbal and alternative medicine that promotes the common sense caring of one's self. 363pp, (L115) $19.95

The Country Doctor, Alive and Well

Comprehensive guide for be_ginning vu.11Tl'R'S wanderers and those explonng new .111 All

~~~~:· ~~~~~~~ f~~pr~1~~~,i~in NDBOOK g di g • • g - An J!.ti·T11>nu!o. xn-secsoe Guide a map and compass, pre cting 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, (L107) $14.95

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

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

Hiking! By Philip Fatranti and Cecilia Leyva

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

Trail Atlas of Michigan

By Art & Margie Miller Subtitled A Traveler's Guide to Our National Scenic and Historic Trails, this book is the first to provide engaging descrip tions and advice on all 19 trails in our National Trail System. Includes North Country,

Morman Pioneer, Pony Express, Appalachian, Iditarod, Lewis and Clark, Pacific Crest, Trail of Tears, Florida Trail, Continental Divide and many others. 308pp, (L105) $19.95

Trails Across America I

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

Long Distance Hiking By Roland Mueser

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

Buck Wilder's Hiking & Camping Guide

Please mail, fax or phone your order to:

49 Monroe Center NW, Suite 3B Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Toll free telephone: 888-454-NCTA If ordering by credit card you may

fax your order to: 616-454-7139

NAME

ADDRESS

cm I STATE IZIP

PHONE

E-MAIL

SKILLS TO VOLUNTEER (Optional)

D Member of my closest local Chapter (If one exists)

D At-Large Member (Not affiliated with any Chapter)

Membership Form If you are purchasing or renewing your membership please fill in the following information and add the amount to your order form. D $25 Regular D $45 Organization D $35 NC Explorer D $100 Pathfinder D $50 Trail Leader D $150 Business

Would you like to be a Chapter Member or At-Large? (There is no extra charge to be a member of a local Chapter.)

D Member of a specific Chapter:

By Don Jacobson Fresh Food on the Trail. Tired of eating dried and preserved goods in the back country? Here's an alternative from an outdoor chef who takes his spice rack and fresh food with him. Covers plan ning, packing, preparing and - most important - eating savory meals on the trail. Geared toward the three-day trip, this book includes over 150 trail-tested recipes, prepared in one pan, pot or oven. 157pp, {L114) $12.95

•ASSOCIATION•

Shipping and Handling: + ,_____ ___, (See shipping info below)

Membership Dues (If Included):+ ,_____ ___,

GRAND TOTAL:

MI Residents Add 6% Sales Tax: + Subtotal After Discount:

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The One Pan Gourmet

Merchandise Total:

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

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

Signature Reminder: We cannot process your order without a signature and the expiration date. Shipping and Handling Charges

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~~~'!!~!ehq~~~;ns about your order.) I I I I - ~I ~~~I - I I I I I I I I Area Code Extension

D Check or monex order enclosed (Made payable to 'NCTA")

D Please charge my credit card

[ZJ-

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

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

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

Trail Shop Order Form

Woman's Guide to Backpacking

By Wes Boyd Brand new Third Edition of Following the North Country National Scenic Trail. A Classic! Includes general descriptions of the Trail and efforts to build it in each of our seven states. This

new addition also includes appendices on through hiling the NCT and the history of the Trail and the Association. 96pp, {L112) $4.95

Following the NCT

Membership To date, our fall direct mail

campaign has brought in about 250 new members. Welcome to all of you! As you may have read in Werner Veit's column and in an article this month by Bill Menke, this means that we've reached and exceeded the goal of 2000 mem-

the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Although this is a competitive funding program, we are optimistic about our chances for success. We owe thanks to Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, for spear heading this effort!

Over the next few months, we also will be working with our lead ers in Minnesota to evaluate the need for additional Chapters in the state, and hopefully to identify some people who are willing to help form such Chapters. Cur rently, the Headwaters Chapter is the only Minnesota Chapter, but with such a large state and with so many members, Headwaters is stretched very thinly. Minnesota membership has climbed from 41 two years ago to 120 today. It's very important to us and to our leaders in Minnesota that these members have opportunities to be come more involved with the trail, if they wish. If you live in Minne sota, you'll be hearing more on this in the coming months.

I have some good news to re port here, too. The Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota is working with us and the Superior Hiking Trail Association to request more than $150,000 in state fund ing. If awarded, this grant would support trail planning and corridor negotiations in NE Minnesota, through a cooperative effort with

Minnesota Reroute

very pleased that we've set aside $7,500 for Field Grants in 2000. The increased staff support will free up valuable time for myself and others to develop a much needed fund development program to ensure the continued success of our Association and the Trail. Lastly, with all of our recent growth, having a little extra money set aside to serve as a budget buffer really is critical. It's very difficult to accurately project a budget when we are experiencing 80% growth in a single year!

This still leaves some serious long term funding challenges. Our year 2000 budget is held together with some $30,000 in one shot funding opportunities. We'll need to make up this difference in the year 2001 with more permanent sources of funds. Our efforts to increase federal appropriations for the trail (detailed elsewhere in this issue) are one attempt at this. We'll also be developing other fall backs as the year progresses.

By Executive Director, Bob Papp

Last issue, in my column and in a separate article, I wrote about some difficult funding challenges we were facing. I also mentioned that we were working to alleviate our problems, both for our short term need and for the long road be fore us. I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that we've reached the light at the end of our first tunnel.

As part of our recognition for being named a National Millen nium Trail (NMT), we expect to receive grants totaling $20,000 from American Express this year. Part of this funding will go toward the costs of a "celebration" that we are being asked to host in conjunc tion with our NMT designation. Another portion will be used to supplement our Field Grant pro gram (grants to Chapters) to bring funding up to nearly the level that we provided in 1999. Yet another portion will fund a much needed increase in staff support at our headquarters. The remainder will be held as a buffer during this still uncertain budget year.

That all might sound a little dry, but to me it's actually pretty exciting. Elsewhere in this issue, you'll find information on our NMT celebration planned for La bor Day. This program will create incredible exposure for us and the Trail. I feel very strongly about our Field Grant program, and am

Our Funding

Director's Report Updates and Commentary to NCTA Members

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000 Page 28

Last summer, the North Country National Scenic Trail was named one of 16 National Millennium Trails by the White National House Millennium Millennium Council. The only Trail other National Scenic Trail to re ceive this honor was the Appala chian Trail. (The Council also has named a Millennium Legacy Trail for nearly every state. In Ohio, the Buckeye Trail was named.)

As I mentioned earlier, we will be receiving a significant grant from American Express in recog nition of this award. We also will be hosting a celebration on Labor Day, as described elsewhere in this issue. If you'd like to learn more about this program and have access to the internet, I recommend a visit to www .millenniumtrails.org. You'll find a lot of information on this constantly evolving site.

I haven't written about this much yet because, until recently, I wasn't too sure what the honor would mean. Now, though, we have a little more information which I would like to share.

Legislative Action If you haven't already, please

take a few minutes to read my "Legislative Alert" elsewhere in this issue. We are working on a couple of very important initiatives in Congress, and your help would be greatly appreciated.

National Millennium Trail

utilizing motion sensors and infra red detectors.) In other words, our cartography program will be evolv ing from a trial run to a regular part of our programs and services.

Page 29

•ASSOCIATI

track to get the sets done on time, State Coordinator Bob Tait also provided a great deal of help on these sets, which we think are our most appealing yet!

We also owe tremendous thanks to our Cartographer for the past year and a half, Melanee Weening. Melanee started with us as our first cartography intern, and evolved to become an integral and highly valued member of our staff. All of you who have been involved in the development of our first five map sets (and the two others cur rently in production) know how much Melanee has brought to this program. She is leaving us at the end of January to return to her na tive country of Canada and will be greatly missed.

"So, what do we do now," you may be asking. Well, as you read this we are working to assemble funding to hire a full-time cartogra pher to pick up the reins of the pro gram, hopefully this fall. We also are proceeding (though at a slower pace) with a new cartography in tern this spring, to keep the pro gram moving forward. The fund ing package would allow us to gradually absorb the cartography program into our regular budget, over the course of three years. Also, Melanee is leaving behind a detailed manual for future cartog raphers, which will be a priceless resource for us. (When it's not in use, we will store it in a vault equipped with an alarm system

Cartography Program As you'll see in the Trail Shop

section this issue, we have added two more new map sets to our col lection of topographic trail maps. Both are in the Allegheny National Forest, and together they cover 111.6 miles. We owe our thanks to Brenda Adams-Weyant of the USDA Forest Service who pro vided invaluable help in proofing, editing, and completing the maps. Also, in addition to keeping us on

hers by the year 2000. I'm repeat ing it here, because I think this is a horn that just can't be blown enough.

Why is membership so impor tant? Well, members bring us vol unteers, financial support, and a much stronger voice in our advo cacy work for the trail. These things in turn lead to growth, im provement and permanency for the North Country Trail. What a long way our organization and the North Country Trail have come in our first two decades! Thank you to all who have worked so hard and given so much to bring us so far.

We now have adopted direct mail campaigns to solicit new members as one of our regular tools in building the constituency for the North Country Trail. We plan to conduct at least one such campaign each year for the fore seeable future. The next campaign will be this spring, with a mail date sometime in April. As I've men tioned in the past, current members should not receive these mailings. Sometimes, though, they slip through. If you do get one of our membership solicitation mailings, please pass it along to a friend who might be interested!

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

State Miles Change certified since last issue

North Dakota 176.5 0 Minnesota 90.0 0 Wisconsin 87.0 5.7 Michigan 580.7 0 Ohio 303.7 2.3 Pennsylvania 128.3 7.2 New York 234.6 10.6 TOTAL 1600.8 25.8

o~~e l!~i~!lll.l~!! --------------------~-~-.~--1 --------------------~-~-:: __ ~ 38.3

2,000 miles certified by the year 2000

0 ne member for every mile of trail projected State Current Change Members

members since last issue Trail miles to goal North Dakota 30 + 14 87% 475 445 Minnesota 133 + 47 55% 375 242 Wisconsin 177 + 36 25% 220 43 Michigan 1044 + 102 11% 1150 106 Ohio 191 + 191 26% 1050 859 Pennsylvania 255 + 255 23% 300 45 New York 152 + 19 14% 625 474 Other 97 + 97 2% n/a n/a TOTAL 2079 + 307 17% 4195 2213

One 2,000 by

2000

One for

Update on our goals for members and new trail

Our Top Recruiters to Date: 9 David Adams 20 Gene Elzinga 6 John Leinen 49 Richard Saur

11 Jerry Allen 7 Tom Garnett 9 Rod MacRae 18 Dave Sheldon 11 Carol Atwell 9 Richard Grau 5 Susan Makrianis 89 Bob Tait 9 Len Baron 7 Grace Hutchinson 16 Bill Menke 18 Barb VanDyken 9 Derek Blount 6 Neil Juhl 10 Richard Naperala 8 Werner Veit 9 James Burow 70 John Kincaid 11 Geraldine Nault 14 Doug Welker 17 Dave Cornell 11 Mary Kunzler- 11 Bob Papp 21 Gaylord Yost 5 Claudia Day Larmann 16 Kathy Sabel 26 Joan Young 6 Kathleen Eisele 17 AILarmann 5 Anne Saltman

Because public support is so critical to the success of the Trail, we award people who help recruit new members to the NCTA. Those

listed in bold already have received awards. We've also listed every one who has recruited at least five new members, to track their progress. To get 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 paid memberships

count for credit, not just the $15 introductory ones!)

You can Win an Award for Recruiting New Members!

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March, 2000 - Page 30

C.momized corporate teambuilding and

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

F'l1n. • .A.d"V'e:n.ture 3..!.!_~: Kilgore • Porta~~~ ~9002 ~ ~!~381-77~

Downhlll & XC Siding• Snowtio1rd1 • Bactpactlna •Camping Kayaks• Canoes• lnllne Skates• Technical Outerw11r

Boy Scouts •~venture A Travel Wear for Men A Womem

or Large Groups We.ckcnd & Extended

Families PO Box 1478 Portage, Ml 49081 (616) 327-5379

(Teamhui/ding and ReaeutWnul St!T'l'kes)

225 East Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, WI 53066

(414) 567-6847

10730 West Janesville Rd Hales Corners, WI 53130

( 414) 425-6888

Backpacking Canoeing

Rock Climbing Winter trips

for

TRecs Inc.

Prairieville Family Inn 10484 S. Norris Rd. Prairie, Michigan

(616) 623-6150 (A favorite of the Chief Noonday Trail Crew!)

Law Offices of Barry S. Cohen

N9661 Willow Rd., Elkhart, WI 53020 (920) 565-4225

Thank You NCTA Business Members! The North Country Trail Association has a "Business Membership" program, with annual dues of $150. In addition to supporting a worthy cause, our Business Members enjoy benefits including a reduced rate on ads in the North Star, and regular placement of a business logo and contact information both here and within our web site.

Allegheny-Adirondack Tr.Council Chair: Current Chair is ineligible to serve on the Board until mid-year 2000 East Division: Helen Coyne, 212 Willow Circle, Cranberry Twnshp. PA 16066-4572 (724) 776-0678, [email protected]

(715) 362-0616, [email protected] (701) 223-8659, [email protected] (248) 548-1737, [email protected]

(616) 623-8659, [email protected] (724) 287-3382, [email protected] (607) 535-8814 (607) 272-8679, [email protected] (320) 983-5643 (414) 354-8987, [email protected]

(616) 623-5340, [email protected] (651) 433-4456, [email protected] (612) 835-2186 (330) 928-8931

(888) 454-NCTA, [email protected] (231) 757-2205, [email protected]

Mary Lucas, 753 Davenport St., Rhinelander WI 54501 Amy Clark, 1646 Capitol Way Apt.101, Bismarck ND 58501 Derek Blount, 906 N Alexander, Royal Oak, Ml 48067

David Cornell, 514 Cordes Rd, Delton Ml 49046 Bob Tait, 277 S Duffy Rd, Butler PA 16001 Tim Cullenen, 113 East Second St. #3, Watkins Glen NY 14891 Tom Reimers, JC Wildflower Dr, Ithaca NY 14850 Pat Miller, 15737 Sixty-fifth Ave., Milaca MN 56353 Gaylord Yost, 2925 W Bradley Rd, River Hills WI 53217-2052

Werner Veit, 49 Monroe Center Ste 200B, Grand Rapids Ml 49503 Joan Young, 861 West US 10, Scottville Ml 49454 Appointment pending Lynn Waldron, 8133 Norris Road, Delton Ml 49046 John Leinen, 14205 St. Croix Trail North, Stillwater MN 55082-9587 Daryl Williamson, 5901 Timberglade Drive, Bloomington MN 55438 Dana Zintek, 2369 Suncrest Dr Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221

Terms Expiring in 2000 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large: OH-Ml Trail Council Chair: West End Trail Council Chair: West Division: At-Large (temporary seat): Terms Expiring in 2001 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large: East Division: Great Lakes Trail Council Chair: West Division: Terms Expiring in 2002 At-Large: At-Large: At-Large:

North Country Trail Association Board of Directors


North Country Trail Association 49 Monroe Center, Suite 2008

Grand Rapids, Ml 49546

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Grand Rapids, Ml

Permit 340 hStar

NORTH STAR: The Magazine of the North Country Trail, January-March 2000 Page32

North Star Vol. 19, No. 1 (2000)

Documents

frails robert

mchaney william

boettner robert

mccormick richard

mcconnell richard

nault richard

ronald beilfuss richard

margie kindel richard