The Association achieves its mission by creating, encouraging and supporting programs of public education, membership services, recreational opportunities and resource and corridor protection in keeping with its Vision for the Trail.

The mission of the North Country Trail Association is to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail through

a national network of volunteers, chapters, partner organizations and government agencies.

Here's a closing request on behalf of future editions of the North Star: we visit one another's states only during the summer, and only a few dare the NCT during winter. My mother in south Jersey thinks I live in a vicious frozen wasteland in western N.Y., but I know perfectly well our blizzards aren't a patch on what the plains of North Dakota or Boundary Waters region of Minnesota or the north shore of the Upper Peninsula can dish up. A few years ago, we had an article by Derek Blount on dogsled races in northern Michigan, but that's all I can recall, other than Harvey Tjader's account earlier this year when he enjoyed scout­ ing routes for new trail on a nice day at ten degrees. Let's hear from the rest of the states with Serious Winters: what do you DO all winter? How bad is it really? Tell us about your winters! *

•

ness experience, all while he and wife Marianne have remained stellar finan­ cial supporters of our mission. Enough said: I can already hear him squirming and protesting, since I asked his per­ mission to make only a petite fuss over him.

use scotch tape and scissors, and might contribute the occasional map done in nice black pen.

I ran into a funny misconception during a moment in the woods near Petoskey, Mich., before the Annual Conference: teams of trail evaluators­ in-training were trying to formulate their assessment of a segment of trail, and a member of my team said I couldn't comment because I was "staff." Ho! I countered, offering to split my salary with him. In case there are bunches of readers out there who share that misconception, the listing on the contents page under "North Star Staff" includes VOLUNTEER writers Joan Young and Roger Meyer, photographer Aaron Phipps, and general blabbity person and critical witch, Irene Szabo. Only Clare, Jennifer, and Rob are paid as part of their jobs!

Werner, too, was a supreme volun­ teer as Editor, and contributed to the Association on many fronts. He tends several miles of trail for the Western Michigan Chapter, has served on your Board for as long as the law allows, has engineered many a fund-raising contacts through his years of busi-

"\Tes, Werner, it does take all kinds l. to walk the North Country Trail.

I'm referring to editor Werner Veit's lead-in to his previous "Editor's Note" in the July-September 2005 North Star in which he reported a swan peram­ bulating the streets of Lowell, Mich. As it turned out, that was Werner's last column as Editor of our esteemed maga­ zme.

Yes, our original Grumpy Hiker has holstered his red pencil and retired from the Editor's chair. This is a big occasion, and a sad one, for a trail celebrating its twenty-fifth birthday to bid goodbye to the man who has been only our second Editor of the North Star. We have been fortunate to enjoy the energies of Wes Boyd, followed by Werner's experienced hand, which has brought us the handsome magazine we enjoy today.

Fortunately I have pearl-handled red pens in tooled leather holsters, so the critical slash-and-burn portion of the editorial chore is still tended by the Galloping Grammarian, or as Jim Sprague of Ohio once called me, "the hatchet lady," whose zeal for nit-picking and perfection remains both reviled and unparalleled east of Lake Sakakawea. While Jennifer Tripp, already experienced at putting the articles and pictures together into an appealing package, will continue to shepherd each issue as part of her role in communications and outreach. That's a great relief because she knows all the fancy computer stuff needed to arrange the magazine; whereas, I'd

by Irene Szabo Associate Editor

Ruminations of an Old Cow

A highlight of the 2005 Conference was the bench dedication to Arden Johnson, a trallbullder from northern Michigan. Jerry Allen, pictured at right, shows off the new bench. For more Conference highlights see page 16.

Columns Editor's Note 2 Reaching for the Gold 11 On the Road 12 Trailhead 28 View from Lowell 29

Articles In Memorium: Rod MacRae 4 Board Report 8 USFS Celebrates 100 Years 9 Tale ofTwo Termini: N.Y./Vt 13 Carabiners Outing in the U.P 15 Annual Conference Highlights .. 16 Honoring Top Volunteers 23

North Star Staff Irene Szabo, Associate Editor Jennifer Tripp, Associate Editor

Roger Meyer, Contributing Writer Joan Young, Contributing Writer Aaron Phipps, Art Director

The North Scar, Fall Issue, Vol. XXIV, Issue 4, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 50l(c)(3) organization, 229 Ease Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No pare of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

About the Cover Wisconsin's Gaylord Yost was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Annual Conference in Petoskey, Mich. Photo by Kevin Steffens.

On her trip to visit the western states of the NCT, Director of Trail Management, Clare Caln found time for a hike to Mount Trudee on the Superior Hiking Trail. Read more about her trip out west on page 12.

A Glance Inside

Departments Milestones 5 Hiking Shorts 6 Trail Shop 31 Who's Who at the NCTA 36 Trail Supporters 38

Terms Expiring 2008 Mary Coffin, New York Rep.,

(315)687-3589 · mcoffinl@twcny.rr.com 328 Dccpspring Dr., Chittenango, NY13037

Alicia Hoffarth, VP West, North Dakota Rep .• (701)490-3889 · cahoffanh@hotmail.com

435 Fifth Avenue NE, Valley City, ND 58072 Terry Serres, At Large Rep.,

(612)414-4116 · serresc@comcast.net 3548 Kyle Ave. N., Crystal, MN 55422

Terms Expiring 2007 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep.,

(724)526-5407 · joyceappel@arm-tek.net PO Box 204D, East Brady, PA 16028

Lyle Blalk Michigan Rep., (810)679-2401 · lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

54 Wells s-, Croswell, MI 48422 Carl Boesel, Ohio Rep.,

(740)385-0074 · gboesel@hocking.net 863 Northbridge Lane, Columbus, OH 43235

Bobby Koepplin, At Large Rep., (701)845-2251 · bkoepplin@kwh.com

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

John Leinen, President, At Large, (651)433-4456 · footpathpal@msn.com

14205 St. Croix Trail, North Stillwater, MN 55082

Irene Szabo, VP East, At Large Rep., (585)658-4321 · treeweenie@aol.com

6939 Creek Rd., Mt. Morris, NY 14510

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2006

James Baldwin, At Large Rep., (269)382-3808 · jgbaldwin@earthlink.com

6163 Taylors Grove. Richland, MI 49083

Sarah Julien, Secretary, At Large Rep., (616)676-0172 · juliensarah@yahoo.com

I650 Tammarron, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Christopher Klein, VP Finance, Minnesota Rep., (218) 738-3988 · kleinll@midwescinfo.com

P.O. Box 62, Eagle Bend, MN 56446

Al Larmann, At Large Rep., (315)697-3387 · AFLarmann@msn.com

7169 Forbes Rd., Canastota, NY 13032

Staff Rob Corbett, Executive Director Tiffany Stram, GIS Coordinator

Clare Caln, Director of Trail Management Jennifer Tripp, Development and

Communications Coordinator Bonnie Wayman, Office Manager

Biii Menke, Trail Foreman Glory Meyer, Public Services Coordinator

Allison Barr, Bookkeeper Matt Rowbotham, GIS Assistant

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

www.northcountrytrail.org

*~coUNTJ?y

~ •ASSOCIATION•

There are strange things done in the midnight sun

By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer

sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake

Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee ...

- From the "Ballad of Sam MacGee" by Robert Service

their support and cooperation back at a time when the official DNR position was, 'We will participate only if snow­ mobiling can be allowed on the trail.'

Despite disappointments and frus­ trations, Rod's persistence eventually bore fruit both in terms of a growing membership in Minnesota, includ- ing others willing to lead, and active cooperation by the DNR and other organizations. Much of what exists in Minnesota today can be traced to Rod's efforts and dedication to the NCT."

John Leinen recalls a tradition of Rod's. "After the completion of a hard day of trail work or the conclusion of an important meeting, he would bring out a single malt beverage, pouring everyone about a finger and have us all toast to a job well done."

Bill Menke reminisces: "I recall how Rod worked for years to enlist new NCTA members throughout Minnesota and worked to establish a new chapter in the Itasca-Bad Medicine area. His efforts built the base for the very dynamic Itasca Moraine Chapter we now know.

"One of my most vivid memories is of the joy Rod had in demonstrat­ ing his Scottish heritage. In particular, when our Annual Conference was held in western Minnesota, affect­ ing a Scottish brogue and wearing his kilt, Rod enthralled us by reciting the Ballad of Sam MacGee." *

On Friday, August 26, 15 trail workers saluted Rod with his traditional toast, thank­ ing him for the work he did In Paul Bunyan State Forest, a trail route that Rod himslef had negotiated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

period of many years because there was no one else willing to spend the time to recruit new members, travel to White Cloud, Mich., and other locations for meetings, and repeatedly meet with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managers to solicit

Rod MacRae was honored at the 2002 Annual Conference with the NCTA Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 15 years of dedicated volunteer work. MacRae passed away In August.

The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) recently lost one of its

great trail pioneers, Rod MacRae of Minnesota. Rod passed away on August 26 after a long battle with cancer.

An active Association mem- ber since 1987, Rod served as the Minnesota State Coordinator and on the NCTA Board of Directors, and founded the Star of the North Chapter in Minnesota. In 1994, he was hon­ ored with the NCTA's Distinguished Service Award and in 2002 was pre­ sented with our top honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"There isn't an aspect of the NCT in Minnesota that hasn't been influ­ enced by Rod's efforts," said President John Leinen.

Tom Gilbert, National Park Service Superintendent for the NCT, remembers Rod as " ... one of the first people in Minnesota to make a deep personal, long-term commit­ ment to the Trail and the Association. Fortunately he kept leading over a

Remembering Rod MacRae, former Board member and State Coordinator

NCTA Loses a Minnesotan Trail Pioneer In Memoriam: Roderick MacRae

Al Larmann 267 Mary Kunzler-Larmann 264 Gail Blakeley 174 Cora Killinger 173 Ray Vlasak 167 Bill Majernik 163 Richard Kroener 153 John Leinen 150 Keith Klos 124 Jerry Keeney 111

Volunteers on the Trail Thanks to the following volunteers who have reported the most hours during the second quarter of 2005:

Finger Lakes Trail Conference 175 Buckeye Trail Association 124 Superior Hiking Trail Assoc 77 Kekekabic Trail Club 11 NW Ohio Rails-to-Trails Assoc 10 Parks & Trails Council of Minn 6 Butler Outdoor Club 1

Partner Support We work closely with several organizations where the NCT

coincides with other trails. Many members generously

support both the NCTA and these partners. Here is what we show

for overlapping membership;

Mary Kunzler-Larmann 5,003 Al Larmann 4,898 Bill Coffin 4,287 Werner Veit 3,836 John Leinen 3,753 Joan Young 3,367 Derek Blount 3,332 Gaylord Yost. 3,136 Ron Rice 2,538 Gene Elzinga 2,434 Tom Learmont 2,301 Irene Szabo 2,127 Charles Krammin 2,122 Rich Pfeiffer 2,099

Most Volunteer Hours These are the NCTA volunteers who have recorded the highest

number of volunteer hours. Congratulations!

Kevin Steffens 3 Deb Koepplin 2 Martha Jones 2 Bob Mccafferty 2 Jerry & Beth Trout 2

Fastest Growing Chapters Highest percentage growth among

our chapters since the last issue:

Recruiting Members Top recruiters

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

Slippery Rock 55% Adams County 13% Sheyenne River Valley 10% Harbor Springs 6% Chequamegon 5% Allegheny National Forest.. 3%

Totals 3,222

Pennsylvania 324 New York 333 Other 152

Minnesota 236 Wisconsin 273 Michigan 1,467 '~~~~~~·~~~~~_.,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-- Ohio 373

64

Current Change Since Percent Members Last Quarter Change

68 4 6.3% 238 2 0.8% 277 4 1.5%

1,445 -22 -1.5% 375 2 Q.~% 324 0 0% 331 -2 -0.6% 148 -4 -2.6%

3 206 -16 -0.5% -----------------

Members Last Issue

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

Trail Building Progress on the North Country Trail The National Park Service certifies those completed miles that satisfy its certification standards. In addition, there are many more completed miles that may be enjoyable to hike but have not been certified for a variety of reasons.

Percent Change Other Total Marked Done and Miles Since Last Off-Road Off Road Road

State Certified Certified Issue Miles Miles Miles North Dakota 46.1% 219.1 0 1.8 220.9 0 Minnesota 28.4% 106.6 0 3.4 110.0 0 Wisconsin 55% 109.9 0 5.5 115.4 4.9 Michigan 54.2% 623.3 0 125.3 748.6 9.0 Ohio 30.2% 317.5 0 39.6 357.1 0 Pennsylvania 47.5% 126 0 44.6 170.6 4.9 New York 41.7% 260.9 0 87.2 348.1 0 Totals 42.6% 1,763.3 0 307.4 2,070.7 18.8

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

Carroll, Northwest Regional Forester, for dinner and program (See award article on Page 23).

On the last evening, as the Rovers plus Director of Trail Management, Clare Cain, sat watching the campfire, a pack of wolves began howling in the middle distance. Their serenade was quite long by any standards (many howls over several minutes) and pro­ vided us with the thrill of one of the most beautiful sounds in all of nature. Several times throughout the remainder of the evening and into the night, more long serenades were heard.

And last but not least, we had the pleasure of hosting several NCTA Board Members. Bobby Koepplin made the five-hour round trip from Valley City, N.D., and worked with us all day. He proved to be an excellent McLeod wielder and demonstrated his tread finishing skills. Chris Klein trav­ eled up from the Eagle Bend, Minn., area and spent a morning swamping freshly cut brush and logs off the trail. In the afternoon, we "taught" him how to swing a mattock and grub stumps-a

for receiving some extra labor to com­ plete trail, but perhaps more impor­ tantly, for the Rovers to "teach through showing" some of the intricacies of building trail to Gold Star standards.

The Itasca Moraine folks proved to be excellent hosts and good orga­ nizers. They were able to turn out as many as 12 volunteers on any one day, so many in fact, we usually had to split the group into two crews. While the Rovers brought their own food along, Beth Trout closely coordinated her food shopping and preparation for the local volunteers who camped and the two groupings of food blended seam­ lessly to provide some fantastic meals.

Free camping was provided at the Gulch Lakes Campground Complex courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This campground met our needs well and Lake 21 was an excellent spot to swim and cool off after work.

On Thursday evening, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) hosted Mark Carlstrom, Park Rapids Area DNR Supervisor, and Mike

NCTA Director of Trail Management Clare Cain traveled to Minnesota to help the Brule-St. Croix Rovers and the Itasca Moraine Chapter build trail.

BSC Rovers Travel to Itasca Moraine

In August, the Brule-St. Croix Roving Trail Crew crossed the state line into Minnesota and traveled to the Paul Bunyan State Forest. Several months ago, Jerry Trout, Itasca Moraine Chapter president, extended the invitation, which was not only

- Fred Szarka

I am pleased to report that on June 7, we added three new certified trail segments to the North Country National Scenic Trail. For the first time in many months, we didn't have any reduction in trail reported.

New York - The Finger Lakes Trail Conference submitted four new segments on private land in Schuyler County, which connect publicly owned lands in the Sugar Hill State Forest managed by the N .Y. Department of Environmental Conservation.

Michigan - The North Country Trail Hikers Chapter and Michigan Department of Natural Resources added 0.9 miles in the Little Presque Isle State Recreation Area. GPS of the trail led to a net increase of 0.2 miles.

Wisconsin - The Brule St. Croix Chapter and Bayfield County Forest submitted an additional two miles for certification. This segment fills in the "gap" between the Chequamegon National Forest and Solon Springs, Wisc. With this addition, Wisconsin passes Michigan as the state with the greatest percentage of completed trail. So, Michigan chapters, are you going to settle for second place? If not, be sure to send more applications for certi­ fication to the NPS.

New Segments Along the Trail

HIKING~ ....................... , .

Participate in the 50/50 Challenge with Teddy Keizer

Teddy Keizer is embarking on a challenge begun by wilderness legend Bob Marshall in the 1930s. He plans to hike 50 kilometers in each of 50 states in less than 100 days. Three of his state hikes will be on the North Country Trail!

streams, and how to locate trail and bridges so as not to damage the terrain. (Bill Menke would be proud.) With 96 miles of uninterrupted treadway in the ANF, we have a lot of ground to cover and have to do it right the first time.

Also included was a basic first aid class presented by Marvin Heeter, a volunteer from the American Red Cross. He understands the problems of backwoods first aid considering he is also a Boy Scout Troop leader. He covered everything from insect bites to dressing a wound. Marvin's patience was appreciated and at times necessary. Just knowing the basics could prove helpful when you are miles from a road, so every backpacker should carry a first aid kit and know how to use it.

Everyone who attended received a trail crew patch, a USFS volunteer patch, and a first aid certificate.

This event was funded using money from a National Park Service Challenge Cost Share program.

-Keith Klos

ANF Chapter Holds Training In August, the Allegheny National

Forest Chapter held a trail main­ tenance and first aid training semi­ nar.

Eric Flood, a wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, was the instructor for the trail maintenance portion. He started his career in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Eric has been our contact with the USFS and has proved invalu­ able when it comes to cutting red tape. His experience has made him a moving force in the daily upkeep of the trail.

During the seminar, Eric demon­ strated the correct ways to maintain and construct trail. Eric discussed everything from water-bars to switch­ backs, benching, how to bridge small

New Trail Affiliates The NCTA welcomes two new

Trail Affiliates from Pennsylvania to the NCTA trail family the Butler Outdoor Club, a new supporting affiliate and the Rachael Carson Trails Conservancy as a trail maintaining affiliate.

The Butler Outdoor Club (BOC) promotes outdoor educa- tion and provides year-round outdoor activities. These activities are geared for all levels and are designed to provide recreation and foster a better under­ standing of the outdoors. Visit www. butleroutdoorclub.org for more infor­ mation.

The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy (RCTC) is all about preserving and promoting cornrnu-

-Bill Menke

tough way to break in the new guy on the block. John Leinen worked with us for over a day and a half and he too proved to be a good trail finisher.

Finally, hardworking Clare spent two entire days on the mattock and McLeod and also a half day operat- ing one of two chainsaws that we had going (count our blessings-she is a cer­ tified sawyer). Speaking for the Rovers, we really appreciated the presence of all of you.

Thanks Itasca Moraine! We enjoyed the trip.

nity trails. The goals of the RCTC include raising awareness of the ben­ efits of community trails, getting more people interested in physical activities and to get more people to experience the beauty of the natural world. The RCTC is the steward of many local trails, including the Baker Trail. The North Country Trail overlaps the Baker Trail, a 141-mile hiking and backpacking trail, for roughly 15 miles. For more information visit www.rachelcarsontrails.org.

Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore ~ ~ ~ Celebrates Bridge Walk ~, J

We handed out brochures, Craisins, and walking sticks made by members Sue Deaner and Marilyn Chadwick nm tho NCT trailhead or tho ff Mackinac Bridge. 21

Leave it to the four of us to lose each other. I stopped to talk to a someone I recognized. In those few moments, I lost sight of Sue and Julia Rawlings and was never able to find them in the river of people crossing the bridge. I continued looking and decided to board a shuttle bus back. I ended up in the back seat of a bus that was filled with fresh­ men from Lake Superior State University. Remembering I still had Craisins and our HSS chapter, NCTA, and NPS brochures in the backpack I was carrying, I filled up a gallon zip-lock bag with brochures and Craisins and passed it forward.

Within minutes, the bus was filled with the crinkling of Craisin bags!

- Roger Morrison

Participants in Michigan's 2005 Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk hiked on the North Country Trail from St. Ignace State Park to the Bridge.

in 2007. The Board passed a resolu­ tion of commitment to host the event in Duluth, Minn. Gary Werner, Executive Director of the Partnership for the National Trails System, accepted the resolution and remarked on the Partnership's excitement about the program opportunities and the strong sense of partnership put forth by NCTA and NPS.

The BOD reviewed progress on the Strategic Plan and noted that all goals are being addressed. To better involve the BOD in the process, staff will add comments and draw atten­ tion to issues where BOD involve­ ment will be helpful.

Gary Werner reported that Congress passed an appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006 with an increase of $45,000 to the NCT.

Harold Chase of Senator Carl Levin's office noted that the Senator distributed information packets to other Senate members to aid the Arrowhead Route Adjustment leg­ islation effort along. September will prove a decisive time for both the Willing Seller and Arrowhead Route Adjustment issues. *

and Minnesota, and approved com­ pensation and work hour modifica­ tions for new staff.

The 2005 Year-to-Date Financial Report was discussed and a slight budgetary surplus was noted. Annual Conference attendance increased over last year to 183 attendees.

As the Association is beginning to receive gifts of appreciated stock and currently maintains a Land Trust Fund, the BOD discussed a proposed Investment Policy to guide the administration of monetary gifts and surplus funds. The proposed policy was reviewed and tabled until the December meeting when the newly formed Finance Committee can bring a revised draft policy before the BOD. The BOD moved then to create a Finance Committee to be chaired by the Vice President­ Finance. Jim Baldwin, Irene Szabo, and John Leinen will comprise the rest of the committee.

In June, the NCTA made a bid to host the l lrh Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails

Calvin Louis Stram, born June 17 to Tiffany and Mark Stram, he was the youngest participant at the Conference in Petoskey, Mich.

On the opening day of our Annual Conference in Petoskey, Mich.,

the Board of Directors (BOD) gath­ ered to check the progress of our reor­ ganization and propel us forward.

The meeting opened by wel­ coming three new members, Joyce Appel of Pennsylvania, Mary Coffin of New York, and Terry Serres of Minnesota, to the BOD. Director Sarah Julien was appointed to the position of Secretary and the posi­ tion of Vice President-East remained open. Subsequent to the Board meet­ ing, the officers for this next year's board were determined: President, John Leinen, Vice President-Finance, Chris Klein, Vice-President West, Alicia Hoffarth, Vice-President East, Irene Szabo.

President John Leinen pre­ sented a summary of the Executive Committee's actions between April and August. The Executive Committee directed staff to begin building a Pennsylvania State Trail Management Plan, endorsed grant requests by chapters in North Dakota

Soren Nickson Corbett (little one in center) was welcomed to the world on March 29 to Nan Nickson, Rob Corbett, and big brother Benjamin.

Board Focuses on Progress

Expanding the NCT Family North Country Trail Headquarters has been treated to two new

bouncing babies. Rob, our Executive Director, and Tiffany, our GIS Coordinator, are both proud new parents to two beautiful baby boys.

We look forward to our young hikers growing up on the NCT, devel­ oping an affinity for GORP and Craisins, and blisters and blue paint.

Welcome Soren and Calvin! And welcome to the NCTA family!!! *

In Michigan, Teddy has elected to hike in the Manistee National Forest on October 27. The Lower Michigan State Trail Coordinator, Joan Young, announced the Spirit of the Woods Chapter would hold an event at the Highbridge Trailhead for people to meet and walk with Teddy. Free box lunches and shuttle service will be pro­ vided. We would like to see someone hiking with Teddy on every one of his Michigan miles!

On Oct. 19, Teddy will be hiking on Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail in the Caribou Lake-area and in Ohio, he will be in the Old Man's Cave-area on the Buckeye Trail on Oct. 29.

A patch will be given to the first 150 people who hike with Teddy for any portion on the NCT, whether in Minnesota, Michigan, or Ohio.

For more information, contact Joan Young, jhy@t-one.net or (231) 757-2205. You can learn more about the 50/50 challenge at www.thedogteam.com. *

An Expanding Mission From the 1910s through the 1930s,

the USFS implemented systems and programs to detect and fight forest fires, expand research and timber man­ agement, and address recreation and road access to forests. In 1924, at the urging of Aldo Leopold, a forester in the Southwest, the agency converted portions of Gila National Forest into the nation's first wilderness area, pro­ tecting the area from development and providing opportunities for primitive recreation. The "roaring twenties" greatly increased the need for wood products and saw expanded timber operations, while the Great Depression and New Deal expanded the agency's role in bringing economic relief to the nation through programs with the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration.

World War II and the resulting period of economic growth led to an unprecedented demand for lumber and enormous timber harvests, even­ tually followed by growing concerns about the sustainability of these prac­ tices-especially as more people visited forests for recreation and witnessed the amount of logging. The Multiple Use Act of 1960 set new priorities for the agency, giving equal footing to the five major uses and resources of national forests: timber, fish and wildlife, range, watershed, and outdoor recreation. The Wilderness Act eventually passed in 1964, after decades of work by advo­ cates and agency employees such as Leopold, Arthur Carhart, and Robert (Bob) Marshall.

USFS policies evolved further with the passage of laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (1969), Endangered Species Act (1973) and the National Forest Management Act (1976), among others. These stat­ utes established requirements for public participation, environmental impact statements, and planning. The ranks of the agency evolved to include engi­ neers, architects, biologists, economists, and a host of other scientists and pro­ fessionals. Other laws, including the National Trails System Act (1968) and Volunteers in the National Forests Act (1972), had further implications for hikers and trail volunteers, including the development of new and strength-

of forest reserves (later called national forests) in a new federal agency-the Bureau of Forestry, later renamed the Forest Service-on July l, 1905. At the time, forest management was dispersed among agencies within the Department of the Interior, but President Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, the nation's first native-born professional forester and close friend and confidant of the president, pressed for the con­ solidation of government forest work within the Department of Agriculture.

Pinchot became the first chief of the USFS, serving until 1910. During this era, the Forest Service grew rap­ idly, expanding to 150 national forests covering 172 million acres by 1910. Pinchot instituted structures and guiding principles still in effect today, including a flexible, decentralized structure for the agency with regional offices across the nation. He also estab­ lished the first forest experiment station and urged that forests be managed "for the greatest good for the greatest num­ ber for the longest time."

Gifford Pinchot, right, first chief of the Forest Service, was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt, left, and served until 1910.

Birth of the Forest Service Following the Civil War and

greater westward expansion, public concern about abuses of public lands and the future of the nation's natural resources gave rise to America's forestry and conservation movement. Forest reserves were first set aside in the late 1800s after passage of the Forest Reserve Act of 1891. The Organic Act of 1897 later provided the charter for managing forest reserves, setting crite­ ria for forest and watershed protection and timber production.

The American Forest Congress (AFC), held in January 1905, was an historic event that led to the placement

This year marks the lOOth anniver­ sary of the USDA Forest Service

(USFS), steward of more than 192 mil­ lion acres of public land, including pris­ tine wilderness, towering peaks, verdant bottomlands, and thousands of miles of trails revered by hikers across the country and the world. Commemorative activities range from the January 2005 Forest Service Centennial Congress to participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The USFS has undergone tremen­ dous change in the last century and continues to evolve as it passes the 100-year milestone. Hikers are urged to learn this rich history, visit your national forests, and engage in forest protection, either at the national or local level, through volunteer work or advocacy, with American Hiking, other trail and conservation organizations, and USFS staff.

by Celina Montorfano Vice President for Programs

American Hiking Society

Editor's Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the Summer 2005 issue of American Hiker from the American Hiking Society.

Growth Rings The U.S. Forest Service at I 00

Submit your hours online at www.northcountrytrail.org or call us at 866-HIKE-NCT to request forms.

As a volunteer, you contribute invaluable time to the North Country Trail. Whether you work on the trail, lead activities, participate in planning, produce a newsletter or lead the work of others, you are the soul of the trail.

In fact, volunteer service is the best measure we have to demonstrate public support for the trail. However, if you aren't letting us know about the hours you put in, you are weakening our stance when we approach legislators, foundations, and potential sponsors to ask for their financial help.

So please, report your hours, if not for your own recognition, then for the l&Ood of the trail.

Attention Volunteers: The North Country Trail needs your help!

For more information on the USPS cen­ tennial, visit www.fi.fed.us/centennial!*

its challenges and to ensure that our national forests provide outstanding hiking opportunities and natural expe­ riences for future generations.

The North Country Trail Association works closely with District 9 of the U.S. Forest Service. Each fall, a Triad meeting is held with the NCTA, the USFS and the NPS to dis­ cuss trail issues. The 2003 Triad was held in Ohio's Wayne National Forest with Scott Haas of the Huron­ Manistee National Forest, Fred Szarka of the National Park Service, Rob Corbett of the NCTA and John Romanowski of the Region 9 office. Here they share their per­ spectives on the placement and style of trail blazes.

changed, land- and forest-management issues were as hotly debated 100 years ago as they are today. As a partner, supporter, and justified critic of the agency, American Hiking Society looks forward to working with the USFS over the next hundred years to address

The USFS Today and Beyond Today the 30,000-employee USFS

manages more than 155 national for­ ests, 133,000 miles of trails, 4,000 campgrounds, and related lands and facilities on 192 million acres. Its accomplishments are numerous and worthy of praise, but its past and present are not untainted. New and ongoing challenges are multi-faceted, ranging from natural resource deg­ radation and development threats to accounting problems. Dale Bosworth, current chief, declares that the four greatest challenges and priorities fac­ ing the agency today are fire and fuels, invasive species, loss of open space, and unmanaged recreation, particularly off-highway vehicle use. These threats are exacerbated by controversial poli­ cies and actions, including rollbacks of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, changes to National Forest Management Act regulations, and enactment of the Healthy Forests Initiative, among others.

While some of the topics have

ened partnerships. The early 1990s brought recognition of ecosystem man­ agement as critical to forest protection and proper stewardship. Recreation became an ever-increasing and impor­ tant use of forests, with nearly 80 percent of the gross domestic product generated from National Forest System lands.

Dryness - avoid wet areas, or cross them using bridges, puncheon, or turnpike as appropriate.

Running Slope - less than 10% (20% up to 200')

Tread Out Slope - 5%

Unpaved Tread - 24" wide, smooth with no roots, stubs, rocks, or other trip­ ping hazards.

Trailheads, if present, identify the NCT and have local informational trail maps. Interpretive panels, while not necessary, are well maintained, if present.

Design - the trail lies lightly on the land with well thought out alignment, gentle slopes and curves, and takes advantage of scenic features without undue twists and turns.

Benching - as appropriate for terrain

Blazes - 2" x 6" blue, (except white on the FLT) well maintained and inter-vis­ ible (a new one comes into view as hiker passes previous one)

Bridges - 36" wide

Cleared Prism - 4' wide x 8' high

Complete Signing - Carsonite™ posts with appropriate stickers at all road crossings or other access points.

ROS RuraljRoaded Natural Standard

Star. At the Conference we received a suggestion that we will implement. Chapters which submit successful applications for Gold Star Certification will receive "scholarships" for volun­ teers to attend the NCTA Annual Conference. We are also working on a way to mark the segment in the field.

How does a chapter apply for this certification? First, the segment to be nominated must be a significant, con­ tinuous portion of trail between two logical termini. The whole segment from "Road N' to "Road B" should meet the design standards. Standards vary somewhat between the Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) categories, but 85 to 90 percent of the trail falls into Rural/Roaded Natural ROS. (See box for more information on ROS Standards.)

Both well-maintained existing segments and new con­ struction are eligible for Gold Star recognition. Once a chapter has determined that they believe a segment meets the Handbook standards, they should contact the NPS and arrange a visit to the segment. At least two trail evaluators will walk the nominated segment with chapter representa­ tives. To ensure impartiality, evaluators will be from another chapter and the NPS will make an effort to be on the team.

Each segment nominated will be visited by trail evalua­ tors who will approve the Gold Star recognition on the spot, make recommendations for improvement prior to award­ ing Gold Star, or approve regular certification for previ­ ously uncertified segments that do not meet all Handbook Standards.

Now all we need are trail segments for certification! *

Grand Traverse Hikers member Richard Naperala and Board member Lyle Bialk practice taking clinometer sightings at the Gold Star Trail Evaluators Workshop in August.

Certification. Implementation of this new certification stan­ dard was delayed until we could arrange to train volunteer evaluators to assist the National Park Service (NPS) in making site visits to each segment proposed for Gold Star Certification.

In August, 30 volunteers from all seven states met in Petoskey, Mich., before the Annual Conference, for the first Gold Star Trail Evaluators Workshop. These brave individu­ als joined with North Country Trail Association staff, the NPS's Ken Howell and me to practice reviewing trail design, construction, blazing, signing, and maintenance of segments of the North Country Trail (NCT). Upon completing the course, the volunteers will assist the NPS in evaluating trail nominated for Gold Star.

The concept of Gold Star recognition is simple: the NCTA asked the NPS to develop a way to recognize those segments of the NCT that are built and maintained in com­ pliance with all of the standards in the Handbook. If the trail is designed, constructed, blazed, and signed according to the standards in the Handbook and if it is maintained properly it is indeed a section of trail to be proud of.

Recognizing this accomplishment as Gold Star is largely a training effort. By encouraging trail builders to adhere to the design, construction, and maintenance standards, we hope to improve the quality of the entire trail over time.

Until recently, we hadn't determined how to recognize chapters who successfully nominate trail segments for Gold

NPS Trail Manager FRED SZARKA

GOING FOR

F or months now, we have been working to implement a new standard for recognizing trail segments that were designed

and built fully to the standards outlined in the "North Country National Scenic Trail - Handbook for Design, Construction, and Maintenance (Handbook)." Officially, this standard will be "Certified to Standards" but most folks refer to it as Gold Star

Are You Ready for the Gold Star?

tons of planning for the many, many miles before me. I have an enormous respect for all the volunteers I've met on my trip. I look forward to spend­ ing more time on the trail in the future with those of you I met at the Annual Conference. I am confident that the more we can bridge the barri­ ers between us, utilize the State Trail Councils as a forum for broadened discussion on the NCT, build Affiliate partnerships, and promote joint work­ days and cross fertilization between chapters, the more the NCTA family can grow, expand, and strengthen.

Many thanks to the Trouts, the Hedeens, the Rover Crew, Chris Klein, Sue Breskin, Steve Miller, and all the others who participated in joint work­ days and housed, fed and generally spoiled me as I traveled east!!!! *

Left: Wisconsin volunteer Sue Breskin takes a break on the Swinging Bridge over the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park, Minn.

Board member, kept us moving as we walked a few miles of the 38-mile stretch that follows the Lake's shore­ line.

I also was able to attend another State Trail Council meeting in Pennsylvania in July. The Council decided to host next year's annual con­ ference in Clarion, Penn. The town of Clarion will offer great hiking opportu­ nities in the Allegheny National Forest, surrounding state parks, and an oppor­ tunity to hike into the North Country Brewing Company (owned and oper­ ated by an NCTA member). The NCTA also welcomes two new Trail Affiliates from Pennsylvania to the family- the Butler Outdoor Club and the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.

So tonight in Bemidji I am rest­ ing. I have more traveling ahead and

Above: North Dakota Board Member Bobby Koepplin, left, with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Scott Tichy near Lake Ashtabula, N.D., on a newly constructed stile.

This evening I am holed up in a motel in Bemidji, Minn. I am sore

and roughed up and recovering. I can still hear the swinging song of tools, the howling of wolves after dark, the pulse of conversation around the campfire, and can feel the slow heat of new blis­ ters forming. I've spent the past two days out with volunteers building trail in the northern country of Minnesota. The Itasca Moraine Chapter hosted us out-of-towners in Paul Bunyan State Forest. The Wisconsin Rovers traveled to Minnesota, local volunteers appeared in large numbers, a die-hard North Dakotan crossed the border and we all descended on the forest to begin to con­ nect the NCT through the Paul Bunyan west to Itasca State Park. We built new trail, older trail was improved and rela­ tionships were established. This was an amazing pooling of resources, good spir­ its, and a joint effort that went a long, long way.

Prior to trail building in Minnesota, I was out on the western edge of our trail in North Dakota. We had the first ever North Dakota State Trail Council meeting in Valley City with chapter members and three land managing agencies in attendance to open discussion on the management of the Trail in North Dakota. Everyone was rewarded with pizza and a chapter hike around Valley City after the meet­ ing. The next day I was treated to big sky, small cactus (probably the only patch on our trail), and the trials and beauty of trail building in the prairie. I did learn a few native trees from Scott Tichy, a ranger from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who is stationed at Baldhill Dam on Lake Ashtabula and maintains several miles of trail around the Lake. Bobby Koepplin, an NCTA

Director of Trail Management

Visiting the Western NCT

Roaring Brook Falls on Giant Mountain in New York State's Adirondack Park.

New York and Vermont study teams decided to drop the long southward sweep and instead route the trail directly from Crown Point into Vermont, crossing the bridge over Lake Champlain, continuing east and a bit south, crossing the Long Trail in Green Mountain National Forest, and reach­ ing the Appalachian Trail near West Hartford. From there, a hiker could continue northeast on the AT to its terminus at Mt. Katahdin in Maine, or southeast on the AT including the portion that follows the Long Trail beginning at a point

east of Rutland, Vermont. That is the route shown in a 1974 preliminary final report that was never released to the public.

What intervened to prevent its release was a letter from then-Governor of Vermont Thomas P. Salmon to then-Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton asking that the Vermont portions of the proposed NCT route be deleted from the final report. The Green Mountain Club (GMC) that maintains the Long Trail became very con­ cerned that there would

Many have wondered over the years about the beginning and ending points of the North Country National

Scenic Trail (NCT). In the last issue of the North Star, we discussed the story behind the location of the western terminus in North Dakota. In this issue, we address the story behind the eastern terminus at Crown Point, New York.

The original concept behind the NCT was that it should connect to the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Vermont, as evi­ denced in the legislation calling for a feasibility study of the route:

"North Country Trail, from the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, approximately three thousand two hundred miles through the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, to the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota."

During the study (1970-1975), several possible connec­ tions to the AT were explored. In fact, the route displayed in the 1973 draft report that went out for public review showed the trail reaching Crown Point and then turning south to Fort Ticonderoga, passing east of Lake George, fol­ lowing the Hudson-Champlain Canal and Hudson River south to Saratoga National Historical Park, and then turn­ ing east along the Hoosic and Walloomsac Rivers into Vermont, connecting to the Appalachian Trail-Long Trail near Bennington, Vt. As a result of public comments, the

By Tom Gilbert Superintendent, North Country National Scenic Trail

National Park Service

View west from near summit of Camel's Hump on Vermont's Long Trail.

A Tale of Two Termini:

considering the bill that eventually passed on March 5 authorizing the NCT, the GMC Board of Directors adopted a position that "neither sup­ ports nor opposes" the legislation. Knowing trail proponents still had hopes for an eventual linkage with the Long and Appalachian Trails, their position stated that " ... until the location(s) of such a linkage and its associated impacts can be assessed, the Club reserves judgment .... "

Through recent work by New York officials and NCTA and NPS staff, the choices for the NCT route in Adirondack Park are becoming clearer and Crown Point, N.Y., continues to be the logical and viable eastern end point of the trail. The day may be drawing near when it will be appropriate for the NPS and NCTA to initiate discussions with the GMC to begin to explore the possibility ef. a connection to the Long and Appalaillhian Trails. *

NEW YORK / I .-

/

state through which the trail passes. When the trail was authorized in 1980, a staff member in the National Park Service (NPS) Washington Office erro­ neously sent a letter to the Governor of Vermont (by then Richard A. Snelling) asking for his nominee. He responded by nominating Preston Bristow, then vice-president of the GMC. Preston attended the advisory council meetings during his 2-year appointment. When the first 2-year appointments ended, the NPS realized its error and did not request a new nominee from Vermont.

However, during hikes that were always part of each Advisory Council meeting, Preston indicated that senti­ ments might be changing and that a day might come when the GMC would at least be open to discussing the pos­ sibility of a connection. Occasional conversations with GMC leaders since 1980 have echoed the same possibility.

In early 1980, when Congress was

be large numbers of eastward-heading North Country Trail hikers who would descend upon their already-overused trail. Their board adopted a policy opposing creation of another National Scenic Trail in Vermont (besides the AT) and persuaded Governor Salmon to send the aforementioned letter. The Interior Department complied with the request and the 1975 final feasibility study indicated that the eastern ter­ minus of the trail should be at Crown Point, New York, while mentioning that future planning for the NCT might explore possible feasible connec­ tions to the AT.

When Congress authorizes a National Scenic Trail or National Historic Trail, the law provides that an Advisory Council be appointed by the administering Secretary (in this case, the Secretary of the Interior) and that the council include a representative nominated by the Governor of each

Crown Point, N.Y., the eastern ter­ minus of the North Country National Scenic Trail, offers a good hike with great history. Hikers can see the ruins of the original 18th-century forts and structures as well as the Visitor Center exhibits on the French, British, and American history of Crown Point.

pitched our tents. All of us were tired, hungry, and sore. We agreed to dinner on the beach. Alison and Lianna cooked but stable flies attacked part way through. We ate our dinner standing in the water and turned in early.

Finally, we hiked to Au Sable East which should have been 8.2-miles, but we had to go only 2.5 miles. We walked through the deep, clean smelling woods along a wide path. We visited the Au Sable

East Lighthouse, and had a delicious lunch of Ramen Noodles. Arriving at our camp, we pitched our tents. Later we walked to the log slide which was breathtaking. There were lookouts for viewing dunes across from us, but unfortunately we didn't have enough time to hike them. We viewed the his­ tory of the log slide and were saddened by the loss of life because of one log.

Our final day was spent on a boat cruise along Pictured Rocks. I found the cruise fascinating, for I was unaware of several facts the captain shared with us. If you made Lake Superior five feet deep all through­ out the lake, it would be as big as the United States. In addition, pouring all of the water of the other four Great Lakes into a hole the size of Lake Superior, it still wouldn't fill the basin.

After arriving home I was sad the trip was over but overjoyed to shower and use the bathroom. I was never so thankful for my cushy bed and my pil­ lows. I did miss my family and it was strange not talking to them for seven days. I agreed with Madison, "The North Country Trail was an exquisite place to hike and hope to come back." Nancy's final remark summed up all our thoughts, 'T d like to hike the whole trail once it is finished." *

The Carabiner girls backpack­ ing along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore section of the North Country Trail in Michigan. From left to right: Lianna Bowman, Kayla Barr, Tracy Ritsema, Madison Opperman, Nancy Mcintyre and Alison Mueller.

the beach we decided to go exploring. About a quarter of a mile down the beach, there was a beautiful waterfall coming from a creek flowing into Lake Superior. We began climbing rocks to look at the water and while climbing I slipped and broke my camera. While hiking stairs chat were made for an 8-foot person we found ourselves sore and wanting level land.

The following day we hiked to Coves Group site, a 7.4-mile hike. Even though we saw the beautiful sights above the cliffs into Lake Superior, Tracy found herself homesick. This was her first backpacking experience, but she clearly enjoyed herself. She said to the group at the end of the trip, "I may be a first timer, but I stuck it out. I hope to come again soon and see the other wonders of this place."

On the fifth day of hiking, we came to the Seven Mile campsite, but unable to find the group site we con­ tinued on. We figured it was down further, for all the other group sites had been at least a mile from the regu­ lar sites. All of us walked, talked and walked some more. "How much fur­ ther," we all asked from time to time. After another 2.6 miles, we came to the Twelve Mile drive-in campground. We filled up our water bottles, and

!hiked from Sand Point to Log Slide in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on

the North Country Trail (NCT). For the second year I have been involved in the Carabiners through the Girl Scouts. I attended a meeting to find out what exciting intermediate hiking trips were planned for this summer. I found the trip I wanted, hiking on the NCT through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I had taken the beginner's trip the previous summer and enjoyed myself. I found the trip expensive but wanted to go so I was willing to do additional chores to go.

There were two leaders and five girls ranging in age from 13 to 20 years old. About two weeks prior we hiked part of the NCT in Lowell, Mich.

Our trip began at 7 a.m. with all of us tired but excited to get underway. Many of the girls read the latest Harry Potter book on the way. We arrived at the T ahquamenon Falls at lunchtime, ate and hiked the Falls. We continued our journey by arriving at the camp­ ground where we spent our first night.

Day two began with breakfast and purchasing our backcountry per­ mits. Our first stop for the day would be Cliffs Group site, a 6.1-mile hike. After arriving, we hung our bear bags and took a day hike to Miner's Castle, a huge rock formation overlooking Lake Superior. We stepped out onto the observation deck for no one was allowed on the rock directly. The water was a crystal clear aqua blue, and I could see the water splashing on the rocks. No beach sand was visible along the water edge.

The next day we hiked to Mosquito site, a 5.8-mile hike. On

by Kayla Barr At-Large Member

Editor's Note: Kayla is the daughter of Allison Barr, the NCTA 's bookkeeper. Kayla also volunteers at the Headquarters office from time to time.

Carabiners Outing on the NCT

Past NCTA President Derek Blount and Martha Jones with current President John Leinen celebrated the 25th anniversary of the North Country National Scenic Trail with a very large anniversary cake during Saturday's banquet dinner.

North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, site of the 2005 Conference, offered North Country Trail hiking right on campus.

O ur hosts, Harbor Springs and Tittabawassee Chapters, and the

NCTA Lowell staff brought us an unusually lively array of programs for this year's annual meeting.

The audience was uniformly impressed with our Thursday intro­ duction to local history by a man who looked like a trapper wearing frontier leggings, on Saturday evening, fasci­ nated listeners kept asking questions for a long time after Lou Kasischke's chilling account of his horrid climb up Everest, and varied reactions to Ron Strickland's Friday prescriptions for our trail kept conversations going for days.

Some of our members chimed in with comments. Scott Tichy from North Dakota wrote,

"Just about every NCTA Conference I have attended has included a program that introduces us to the area we are visiting. Some

by Irene Szabo Associate Editor

U> ::T ., 0 ::> -0 ::T -o· -o "' Highlights trrom the

2005 Conference

2005 Annual Conference ~ Petoskey, Michigan

Because Ron has experience with creat­ ing both a new trail and its shepherd organization, the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, he also shared with the audience his own prescriptions for advancing the cause of the North Country Trail. While none of us would argue with his premise that the NCT desperately needs to be better known, experienced members did not always agree with his advice for marketing ourselves to long distance hikers. Some in the audience felt our typical walk­ ing "customers" are more likely to be shorter distance participants, and therefore deserve greater attention and marketing efforts than do the relatively

trade is something that ties almost all of the NCT states together. This was probably the best area background presentation I have seen at an NCTA conference. It was well researched, interesting, relevant and just plain entertaining. Hope we have more pre­ senters of this caliber at future confer­ ences."

Friday night's program featured Ron Strickland, speaking on his con­ cept of a Sea-to-Sea route using several existing trail systems. It was his idea, published in Backpacker Magazine in 2003, which inspired Andy Skurka to undertake his own monster hike across the north country in 2004-2005.

More than 25 volunteers from all seven states attended the pre-Conference workshop on Gold Star Trail Standards. Ohio's Jim Sprague, left, talked with Richard Lutz of Pennsylvania, center, and NCTA GIS/ Cartography Assistant Matt Rowbotham.

Hiker and author Joan Young, left, released and auto­ graphed her new book, "North Country Cache" at the Conference. Get your copy of her NCT adventure from the Trail Shop on page 31.

of these programs have been the stan­ dard canned Chamber of Commerce presentation and therefore a little dry. This was not the case with the pro­ gram we were treated to on Thursday night. Sam Bohl from the Upper Lakes History Company brought to life the colorful history of the Petoskey area.

"Sam was dressed in period cloth­ ing from the late 13th and early 19th century while he gave us a broad overview of the native and European peoples who lived in this area 200 years ago and what brought them to the area. He talked a lot about the fur trade that I found extremely interest­ ing. When you think about it the fur

Members enjoyed the six northern Michigan hikes at this year's Conference. The weather started wet one day but clear skies were out once the hiking was underway!

2005 Annual Conference "* Petoskey, Michigan ~r-~--:-"'.'7)'."~~;::'g'~NCIOl'!lll>=!!l''):":"l"""'l!"!!!l'l'!l!""'~~~~~'IGll'I c: ~ r-····""'" .. .,.w.-;:L. •. c:

~ ~:'tir~•~"''i1'

Right: Tom Bailey, left, of the Little Traverse Conservancy, and Neal Mccue of the Top of Michigan Trails Council held a workshop on incor­ porating land trust activi­ ties, and tools for protect­ ing trail corridors.

Above: Ron Strickland, pic­ tured here at a shelter on the NCT in the Allegheny National Forest, talked at the Conference on trans­ forming the NCT into a thru-hiker friendly trail.

small numbers of true long distance hikers who stay on trail for months on end. Nevertheless, having a speaker who made us look hard and with fresh eyes at our approaches to the hiking public can only be a good thing!

Chris Klein of Minnesota was among many who found Saturday's program on the ill-fated 1996 Mount Everest expedition riveting: Lou Kasischke spoke as one of the members of that trip who lived to tell the tale, and centered his presentation on the theme of good decision making. When the group was still two hours from the summit, only one hour was left before the previously agreed-upon turn around time. Said Chris, "Some kept going, while Lou kept his commitment, and therefore lived to tell about an experience that was unbelievably dif­ ficult anyway." The physical extremes faced by climbers at such an altitude put humans near death even when all is going well. The audience found it hard to stop asking questions about the ordeal after the presentation, while Al Larmann of New York later observed that no one's questions addressed the very central fact of that expedition, and

Lou Kasischke spoke on Saturday night as one of the members of the fateful 1996 Mt. Everest trip who lived to tell the tale. His presentation pivoted around the theme of good decision making.

2005 Annual Conference -3k- Petoskey, Michigan

Marie Chestney: writer, hiker and woman of the Earth . . . . and her connection to our recent annual meeting ...

Marie joined the Harbor Springs Chapter of the North Country Trail after retiring from the Petoskey News Review in 2001. I contacted Marie a year later about organizing a hiking club for our Chapter. Marie said under normal circumstances she would love nothing better than to help with that project since hiking was her passion, but she was not well and could barely walk, let alone hike.

A year passed, and I received a call from Marie. She had a large collec­ tion of hiking and camping books and was trying to find an organization that would appreciate them and share them with ocher hiking/camping advocates. I told her I would be honored to find a home for her beloved books.

She was in good spirits when I went to pick up the books May 28, 2005, joyful for what the Earth produced in her garden, proud of her home on the Maple River, and thankful for friends and family. She was facing her own death with serenity. I was overwhelmed by her courage and generosity chat she could reach out at such a time to share some of her per­ sonal treasures.

One of my personal goals while attending the Conference in Petoskey, Mich., was to find a home for Marie's collection. I told her story and that of the books to many dedicated hikers, I had just about given up on find­ ing the right person and place for the books when Richard Naperala of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club magnanimously offered to take Marie's books. He not only welcomed the collection of books, but most impor­ tantly, displayed compassion for Marie and empathy for my quest. Thanks to Richard, the collection will become part of the library of the Grand Traverse Hiking Club.

Lou Kasischke, a survivor of the ill-fated 1996 Mount Everest expe­ dition, spoke to the Conference on Saturday night in Petoskey. He told how his character had been tested by the possibility of death as he con­ templated the last 400 feet to the summit. At that moment he realized that the most important treasures in life were nor to be found at the top of Mount Everest but within himself and back home with the people he loved. The dramatic speech was received by the audience with spellbound attention. It was fascinating, however, char most of the questions after the speech were about mountain climbing not how facing death tests one's character. Unfortunately most of us avoid the subject of death until it is too late and we find we are not the person we thought we were and have not used our time to be the person we could have been.

The speech brought me back to my visit with Marie on May 28, lis­ tening to her extolling the pleasures of her garden and home on the Maple River while facing death with equanimity. May we all meet our "Mount Everest moments" with her grace. (Marie passed away on September 14, 2005, just as I was preparing this article for the North Star.)

The highlight of the conference for me was getting to meet for the first time with many of the people I had communicated with by email or phone. I was touched by the modesty and commitment of Tom Gilbert, Fred Szarka, Bill and Mary Coffin, Denise Herron, Roger Morrison and Dave Cornell. Arlen Matson's poetic tribute to Arden Johnson was out­ standing.

The Trail's future looks bright and the Conference helped strengthen each of us, as we renewed our enthusiasm and commitment to the Trail.

-Jerry Keeney

that is death itself. Reports from first-timers were

positive, too: Kevin Steffens, President of the Heritage Chapter in Wisconsin, hadn't known what to expect, but enjoyed all three evening programs, making new friends, and the late evening tours of local Petoskey estab­ lishments. He especially liked a trail building workshop that was a new part of our conference program, led by Bill Menke and Clare Cain. He learned "why we lay the trail the way we should and how to build it. In the afternoon, we had a hands-on experience by going out into the field to practice what we had learned indoors. Bill had us using clinometers to practice laying out the trail at no more than a ten-degree slope. The motto he gave us was that the trail should be a trail, not a trial!

"Then we got down and dirty. Clare had us actually building a water bar along the nature trail on campus where erosion was taking place. I will be using this technique during our Copper Falls work weekend."

Bravo to the headquarters staff and the host chapters for creating such a good meaty conference! *

A first-time Conference attendee, Wisconsin's Heritage Chapter President Kevin Steffens, was the lucky winner of the "Treasure Trove" in the raffle. One of the "treasures" was the ever-popular and frequent auction item, the "Wear 'n' Share" smelly socks!

2005 Annual Conference *- Petoskey, Michigan

Hikers stop to take in a lake-side view.

:io··T·h·~·N·~~th .. St°~~-.-o~~~b~-~~-D~~~~b~~-~~05

Right: National Park Service NCT Trail Manager and gour­ met Fred Szarka led the trail­ side cooking workshop. Fred showed attendees how to prepare a tasty, trailside feast for a hungry workcrew.

Above: John Heiam (left), Marty Swank, Carter Hedeen listen to a description of trail construction performed during the Trail Building and Design Workshop.

On Saturday there was a bench dedication to Arden Johnson, a builder of trail in northern Michigan, who left an indelible mark on the NCT as a state coordinator, chapter officer and board member. Arden was particularly active in this area, where he worked on trail from his summer home. His long-time friends, Jerry Allen and Arlen Matson, led the moving dedication and memorial.

Starting a new tradition, Jerry Keeney, Harbor Springs Chapter President, passed the new "NCTA Conference Torch" to Helen Coyne of Pennsylvania, home of the 2006 Annual Conference.

The second annual "President's Photo" was taken near the NCT trailhead at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, Mich.

Right: Taking a break from the Conference action to enjoy lunch, long-time NCTA members Shirley Schmidt, left, and Ginny Wunsch.

Above: More than 50 hikers turned out for an interpretive hike led by North Central Michigan College Biology Professor, Kathy Colby (at left in blue hat).

Sam Bohl of the Upper Lakes History Company entertained members Thursday night with his history of trappers and trade in the region.

2005 Annual Conference ~ Petoskey, Michigan

Setting up for the record setting auction and raffle, from left, Clare Cain, Director of Trail Management, Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Board Member, Jennifer Tripp, Development and Communications Coordinator, and Alicia Hoffarth, North Dakota Board Member.

Thank You to the Generous Donors for the Free Conference Giveaways!

Cherry Central Clif Bar

Embroidery House Gander Mountain

Ocean Spray Sportline

Vances' Rehabilition Center

Thanks to the many local supporters who provided items to baskets or collections!

LEKI USA Littlbug Enterprises Inc.

Bill Menke Michigan Snowshoe Center

Moosejaw National Park Service

Orivs Streamside Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Patagonia Petoskey Chamber of Commerce

REI Royal Robbins Lynda Rummel

Sheltered Wings Sheynne Valley Chapter

Snow Peak Robert & Elaine Sulaski

Irene Szabo Fred Szarka Scott Tichy

Tinta Pottery U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Wilderness Press

Equinox Ltd. Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Florida Trail Association Forestedge Winery

Tom Gilbert Granite Gear

Green Mountain Club Harbor Wear

Florence & Carter Hedeen Alicia Hoffarth Horizon Books Jansport Inc.

Jay's Sporting Goods Inc. Martha Jones Sarah Julien

Katadyn Kekekabic Trail

Chris Klein Bobby & Deb Koepplin The Koss Corporation

Al Larmann Leatherman Tool Group

John & Pat Leinen

Joyce Appel American Hiking Society

Antigravity Gear Backcountry Outfitters

Bahnhof Sports Bear Cub Outfitters

Lyle Bialk Jann Bidwell Derek Blount

The Blueberry Store Brunton

Campmor, Inc. Canoe Hut

Chateau Chantal Mary Coffin

Coleman Company Continental Divide Trail Alliance

Doug Murdick's Fudge Douglas Lake Steakhouse

Eagle Optics EMS of Farmington Hills

EMS of Grand Rapids EMS of Traverse City

This year's silent auction and raffle raised more than $3,400 for the North Country Trail Land Trust Fund.

Thank you to all those who generously donated items to this record setting event.

Thank You to Our Conference Donors

Vanguard Gaylord Nelson

Trailblazer Lowell Area Community Fund

of the Grand Rapids Foundation

Friend of the Trail Dorian Grilley, Mark Carlstrom

Leadership Peggy Jones

Outreach Andy Skurka

Communicator of the Year Ginny Ruppe

Bump in the Road Dave Myers

Trail Maintainer of the Year Rich Krieger

Sweep Char Chandler

Trail Builder of the Year Carter Hedeen

Blue Blazes Benefactor Byron & Margaret Hutchins

Rising Star Stratton Lucas

Lifetime Achievement Gaylord Yost

Distinguished Service Jim Burow, Bill Coffin, Pat Leinen

2005 NCTA Award Winners

state coordinator, and statewide news­ letter editor, served many terms on the Board of Directors and is the immedi­ ate past president of the Association. Gaylord's interest has been so strong that even when he was employed by a federal agency he persuaded his supe­ riors to allow him to serve as a voting member on the Board of Directors. His extreme length of significant service makes him worthy of the Lifetime Achievement Award," commented Bill Menke in his nomination.

Each year, the NCTA also chooses Distinguished Service Award recipi­ ents to recognize their exceptional vol­ unteer service in furthering the goals of the NCTA.

One was presented to Bill Coffin of Chittenango, N.Y., who was nomi­ nated by his wife Mary.

"Bill is my husband and I know how hard he has worked for many years to promote single-use hiking trails in Central New York State. He has been a very active, long-time volunteer for both the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and Adirondack Mountain Club. His major contribution and strength is networking with local organizations and land trusts, and negotiating with private landowners. Without this work, there would be no trail to construct. Bill has recruited all of the private

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too numerous to men­ tion, dating back to the mid-1980s, when his involvement began during the infant days of both the trail and NCTA.

"He has recruited significant num­ bers of new members, and encouraged them to organize into chapters. In fact, we would have to say that without his continual encouragement and facilita­ tion, the three chapters in Wisconsin probably wouldn't exist today."

"He has been chapter president,

exceptional volunteer service to the NCTA.

Distinguished Service Award winners Bill Coffin of New York and Pat Leinen of Minnesota were honored for their

The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) awarded this year's

Lifetime Achievement Award to long­ time member Gaylord Yost. Gaylord, a member of Wisconsin's Heritage Chapter since 1986, received the award "in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT)."

The Lifetime Achievement Award was one of 11 major awards presented by the NCTA at this year's Annual Conference in Petoskey, Mich. Each year, the Association recognizes its key volunteers and agency partners with honors in various areas. Nominations are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed every June by the Board's Awards Committee. This year, the committee was composed of

Chair Pat Leinen of Minnesota, Derek Blount of Michigan, Helen Coyne of Pennsylvania, Sarah Julien of Michigan, and Mary Lucas of Wisconsin.

NCTA President John Leinen com­ mented on Gaylord's nomination, "His contributions to the NCT and to the Association are almost

Volunteers honored for their work and support of the North Country Trail

Burow, Coffin, and Leinen Receive Distinguished

Service Awards

as well as from the Hubbard County Environmental Services Department for a latrine.

"Carter has a great sense of humor. He read a grant application that I had prepared for a federal high­ way recreation trail grant. In response to a question about accessibility, I had indicated people with canes or walkers could traverse the trail. Carter, a retired physician, told me he thought I was pushing the envelope a bit. I told him that he could not see the forest for the trees. A few days later we were scouting a route and Carter deadpanned to me that the beaver dam we just crossed was really going to slow down the people with walkers.

"Carter is a taskmaster. After a day in the forest, an exhausted trailbuilder asked Carter for advice to recover from all the work. Carter said, "Go home, take two aspirin, and call me in the morning for your next assignment."

At the pre-conference Gold Star Certifiers Workshop, Rich Krieger of Michigan's Spirit of the Woods Chapter was honored as the Trail Maintainer of the Year. Rich was nominated by Joan Young as a volun­ teer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements in main­ taining the North Country Trail.

Joan explained in her nomina­ tion, "Rich has a dedication to creat­ ing a premier hiking experience that is exceptional. He and his wife Deb maintain one of the most popular seg-

her constant help has enabled him to be an effective President of the NCTA as well as Minnesota Trail Chair. She performs untold tasks that most people aren't even aware of, while her work as Awards Chair has been very visible. She even invented the Bump in the Road Award! Readers will surely notice how many nominations John Leinen made, and now won't wonder who prompted him.

A volunteer whose work in "NCT construction, planning, or nego­ tiations have resulted in the develop­ ment of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year" receives the Trailbuilder of the Year Award. This year, Minnesota's Carter Hedeen was presented with a new Pulaski whose custom woodburned handle will turn heads in admiration.

Jerry Trout and Harlan Liljequist nominated Carter with these remarks: "In 2004, Carter led the effort to study various route alternatives. Carter typi­ cally flags the trail not once but more likely three times before he selects the most desirable route from all design and aesthetic standpoints. Then he led the actual work of whittling 5.1 new miles of trail out of dense aspen forest with thickets of hazel brush and alder in the Paul Bunyan State Forest.

"Carter organized college vol­ unteer work parties, in addition to constructing a new campground. This involved getting the necessary approv­ als from the Paul Bunyan State Forest

Spirit of the Woods Chapter member Rich Krieger, right, with Clare Cain and NCTA's Trail Foreman Bill Menke. Rich was presented with the Trail Maintainer of the Year Award at the pre-Conference Gold Star Trail Evaluators Workshop.

landowners to date for the 18-mile NCT Onondaga Extension Trail. For his dedication and support of the NCT, I feel Bill is a worthy candidate for NCTA recognition.

Since 1997, Bill has worked hun­ dreds of hours per year on certification, reblazing, scouting routes, landowner negotiations, and actually construct­ ing trail. His work hours are under­ reported."

Jim Burow, a member from Wisconsin since 1993, was also hon­ ored with a Distinguished Service Award.

"Jim was a co-founder of the Heritage Chapter of the NCTA some 10 years ago. He has been a devoted officer for all 10 years and was Chairman until health issues forced his retirement this year. He has organized and conducted the annual membership meeting and has faithfully attended most of the scheduled trail work and other Chapter events ... he deserves to be recognized as a volunteer who has been moved by the NCT vision and has worked hard to see it attained," commented Gaylord Yost in his nomi­ nation of Jim.

The third Distinguished Service Award took some sneaky planning, since several nominations called for Pat Leinen to be so honored. Because she is chair of the Awards Committee, sly plots took place behind her back, so she was doubly surprised. John Leinen will be the first to admit that

Mary Lucas, left, watched as Star of the North Chapter member Carter Hedeen was named Trail Builder of the Year Award and presented a Pulaski by the NCTA's Director of Trail Management, Clare Cain.

This program benefits the entire NCTA by the dissemination of infor­ mation on the trail and opportunities to join and help develop the trail for interested hikers. In all honesty, our chapter has made far more contacts with the hiking public through the Ridgerunner program than our many efforts on National Trails Day. For this we wish to recognize Peg Jones for her efforts."

The NCTA presents the Outreach Award to a volunteer whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the North Country Trail. This year transcontinental hiker Andrew Skurka of Massachusetts received the Outreach Award for the awareness he raised through his trip.

John Leinen wrote this of Andrew, ''Andy, through his efforts to thru-hike the Sea-to-Sea Route, has connected the NCT and its volunteers together better than anyone else has in a very long time. The publicity Andy and his trip have generated across our nation and the route of the NCT has raised awareness of the NCT, the Association,

rnents of NCT, one that is often combined with the Manistee River Trail for a weekend loop trip. This section is heavily used and has needed lots of main­ tenance for years, but it had not received this until Rich joined the Spirit of the Woods Chapter. He has cleaned, tended, and fussed over these miles.

"Rich directed a Boy Scout project to stabilize an eroded bank that threatened the trail. He is meticulous in his commitment to maintain a primitive experience as much as possible while keeping a clean inviting trail. He would rather go out twice to cut back brush than make one wide gash and wait for it to grow back.

"Rich is also our chapter president, and as such often hears of other main­ tenance needs and even minor crises along the trail. When those cannot be taken care of by others, Rich is the one out there fixing things. He is definitely one of our top trail folks, and we need to reward him!"

Michigan's Peggy Jones received this year's Leadership Award for her "exceptional leadership leading to sig­ nificant local achievements or highly successful events."

Peg, a member of the Tittabawassee Chapter, was nominated by Jerry Allen with these remarks, "Peg has carried the ball for our Chapter's Ridgerunner Program for the past three years, developing the materials to be handed out to hikers as well as orga­ nizing and training the Ridgerunners.

Below: Stratton Lucas, left, was presented with the Rising Star Award by John Leinen.

Left: Cross-coun­ try hiker, Andrew Skurka, was award­ ed the Outreach Award in honor of the outstanding public awareness raised on his trip.

and its volunteers in an unprecedented manner. .. and what a fine spokesman he has turned out to be, articulate and considerate. As the local press interviewed him along his journey, he always thanked volunteers for their help, stating that NCTA Chapters have been, "absolutely fantastic." Andy says, "People have been out there working their butts off and trying to get this trail really well known. I have not gone out on a work crew, so this is the least I can do."

Ginny Ruppe of Minnesota received the Communicator of the Year Award for her "exemplary work in promoting the trail or the NCTA through a communications medium or personal contacts."

"Ginny had already been editor of the Minnesota newsletter Call of the North for years when I became Minnesota State Trail Coordinator in 2000," John Leinen said in his nomi­ nation. "Since then, we have regularly published four issues each year. She is always cheerful and helpful making the process of delivering our next issue a pleasure. Through Ginny's efforts to be as efficient as possible she has developed a relationship with her local printer who does more of the process for us at a very favorable rate. And I don't want to forget to mention the quality of the finished product! I've heard many compliments on the Call of the North newsletter.

"Ginny also is Webmaster for the Star of the North Chapter's webpage and has been the Star of the North Chapter Secretary since 2000."

Each year, a volunteer between the ages of 8 and 18 who has made significant contributions to the trail and whose dedication sets an example to other youths receives the NCTA's Rising Star Award. Stratton Lucas of Wisconsin was our honoree.

"Stratton has participated in Chequamegon Chapter activities since 1999, when he was 11 years old. He has blazed trees (not to mention the dog) and maintained trail, often engulfed in mosquitoes and rainstorms, every year for the past five years.

"On occasion Stratton has been the only other volunteer to help along­ side the chapter president and vice-pres­ ident. He has hiked numerous sections

NCT." Mark Carlstrom, a forester with

the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for 20 years, was presented with the Friend Award.

"Mark has served as the Area Supervisor of the Park Rapids area office. In that capacity, he has been encouraging to volunteers building trail through the Paul Bunyan State Forest," Flo Hedeen wrote in her nomination.

"He advocates for the NCT and offers assistance to minimize the impact on the footpath from other for­ est uses, including logging and OHV incursion. He was instrumental in securing a no-cost lease of DNR man­ aged land for the trail. He encourages and supports his staff in cooperating with the local Itasca Moraine Chapter.

"Mark has assigned a specific forester in his office to be the on-the­ ground contact for approving the place­ ment of the trail so that work on build­ ing the trail continues with little delay. Computer mapping using forestry per­ sonnel and equipment is another way in which he has supported the trail."

Dorian Grilley, Executive Director of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, was honored with the sec­ ond Friend of the Trail Award.

"Dorian and the Parks and Trails Council have been at the forefront of all major NCTA activities conducted in Minnesota for a number of years," John

Menke presented the award in Minnesota at the Rover's Trail Crew outing. Also pictured at far left is Jerry's dog, Teddy.

Department of Natural Resources for 20 years, was honored with the Friend of the Trail Award. Jerry Trout, center, and Bill

Mark Carlstrom, left, a forester with the Minnesota

Chandler is our volunteer of longest stand­ ing at NCTA headquarters. She began help­ ing in 1995 shortly after the association moved out of the schoolhouse in White Cloud to Sparks Drive in Grand Rapids. She committed to preparing our bank deposit on a weekly basis and has been doing a superb job ever since. Char is a dependable volunteer and the association has come to rely on her talents to keep us on track with daily incoming funds. She is a very deserving person."

The Bump in the Road Award is our only traveling award, created to honor folks who have endured special and unusual hardships. This year's Bump, a lovely polished ... well, it's a rock. .. was given to Pennsylvania's Dave Myers. He has always insisted that he was up to his ears and had no more time to give. Yet, Dave's commitment has grown to include President of the Butler Chapter, Chair of the State Trail Council, and Chair of the Davis Hollow Outdoor Center Committee. This past year he planned a number of events including Student Conservation Corps workweeks, Volunteer Vacations, a Trail Awareness Day and a Trail Training workshop. However, despite good planning, Dave's events were plagued by state funding reductions, bad weather, and a number of other factors well outside his control and still he keeps plugging along and continues to do so when weaker souls may have called it quits.

The NCTA presented two Friend of the Trail Awards to "employees of a unit of government or an organization whose leadership and active collabora­ tion have substantially benefited the

The NCTA staff nominated her: "Char

of local trail, has participated in two annual conferences, plus the Mackinac Bridge walk, and as a 12-year-old mus­ tered the courage to accompany Bill Menke's Roving trail crew for a 3-day trail construction binge.

"Most recently, Stratton (now 16) was one of five volunteers to spend a solid day amid non-stop rain helping reconstruct a trail bridge. He carried tools a mile and a half each way to and from the site, worked diligently, hefted heavy timbers, stood in the middle of the creek, didn't complain, and put forth a Scout's honest effort (without being one). With his contributed share, the bridge was completed by the end of the day."

Margaret and Byron Hutchins were honored with the Blue Blaze Benefactor Award for their immense contribution in producing the Hutchins Guidebooks over 20-plus years. The NCTA staff nominated the Hutchins for "demonstrating vision and generos­ ity through significant .. .in-kind contri­ bution to the NCT or the NCTA."

"The Hutchins have collaboratively contributed to the NCT in an enor­ mous way. For over 20 years, Margaret and Byron have hiked and mapped long sections of the NCT. They took their intimate knowledge of the trail and translated it into the guides hik- ers of the NCT know and love. They traveled the trail collecting mileage data, trailside features, and other user information. Hikers feel that they are reading guides by real hikers, especially since the maps are hand-drawn and the text produced on a good old-fashioned typewriter. The booklets are sold and distributed through the NCTA office in Lowell, Mich.

"The Hutchins recently met in Lowell with staff to turn over produc­ tion of the Hutchins' legacy to the NCTA. The Hutchins have devoted incredible effort to the mapping of our trail before such technology as GPS and GIS were available. Map guides of the NCT would not have been avail­ able as early as they were had it not been for the concerted effort of these two amazing hikers and trail icons."

The Sweep Award was presented to Char Chandler of Michigan for her tireless work and achievements behind the scenes.

400 Hours - Allegheny National Forest, Thomas Plueger; Brule-St. Croix, Sue Breskin; Butler, Joe Burton, Helen Coyne, Glenn Oster; Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Howard Beye, Lynda Rummel, Mary Zuk Domanski; Grand Traverse Hiking Club, John Heiam, Mike Schaeffer; Hiawatha Shore­ to-Shore, Stanley Kujawa, Kay Kujawa, Kirt Stage-Harvey; Itasca Moraine, Richard Kroener; Star of the North, Harlan Liljequist; Tittabawassee, Bob Schrems; Western Michigan, Aaron Phipps, Sharon Phipps

200 Hours - Butler, Glenn Oster; Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Bill Coffin, Mary Coffin; Grand Traverse HikingClub,Arlen Matson; Dick Naperala; Harbor Springs Chapter, Jerry Keeney; Itasca Moraine Chapter, Dick Kroener; Sheyenne River Valley Chapter, Chris Hoffarth; Tittabawassee Chapter, Gary Johnson, Cora Killinger, Vern Killinger; At-Large, Rick Adamson

100 Hours - Allegheny National Forest, David Brewer; Brule-St. Croix, Peter Edmunds, Mark Vanhornweder; Butler, Joyce Appel; Clarion, David Galbreath; Chief Noonday, D. James Heaton; Central New York, Jeanpierre Moreau, John Scott; Finger Lakes Trail Conference, John Andersson; Greater Pittsburgh, Michael Kaizar; Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore, Joan Leach, Karen Sandberg; Heritage, Kevin Steffens; Itasca Moraine, Harvey Tjader; North Country Trail Hikers, Susan Heitzmann, Aileen VanBeynen; Sheyenne River Valley, Becky Heise; Spirit of the Woods, Barb Buchanan; Tittabawassee, Dave Estrada; Wampum, Paul Henry; Western Michigan, Max Boyd, Gene Schmidt, Lynn Martin; At-Large, James Baldwin, Cecilia Hartman; Non-Members, Elisabeth Loos, Linda Parlato, Sean Redmond, Tanya Rice

2005 Hourly Volunteer Awards

ership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the North Country Trail."

Gaylord Nelson

Leinen noted in his nomination. "The Council's 2003 Minnesota

State Trail Conference, which promi­ nently featured the NCTA, proved to be a great networking opportunity for the Association. It provided the introductions and contacts that were developed into the very successful 2004 Minnesota State NCT Summit.

"Perhaps Dorian's most signifi­ cant contributions have been demon­ strated shepherding the Northeast Minnesota Route Adjustment process in Minnesota. His contacts at the state legislature and with county boards, chambers of commerce, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and community leaders have been invaluable through this process. His willingness to go to bat for the required federal legislation needed to make the route adjustment official are proving to be a significant factor in secur- ing Congressman Oberstar's support. Dorian's contribution here could cer­ tainly be the difference in securing this trail route change."

The late Senator Gaylord Nelson was remembered with the presentation of the Vanguard Award. NCTA's Executive Director Rob Corbett nominated the late Senator as "an elected official whose lead-

Trails Council of Minnesota, was presented the Friend of the Trail Award by John Leinen.

Dorian Grilley, left, Executive Director of the Parks and

of Wisconsin was often considered one of the founding fathers of the North Country National Scenic Trail and had a distinguished career as a public servant and cham­ pion of the environ­ ment and outdoor recreation. He is known all over the world as the visionary founder of "Earth Day," celebrated every April 22 to stir the

nation to consciousness of environ­ mental issues. He served as Wisconsin Governor from 1958 to 1962 and U.S. Senator from 1963 to 1981.

Nelson passed away in early July at the age of 89.

This year's Trailblazer Award was presented to the Lowell Area Community Fund of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for their far­ sighted vision and assistance, demon­ strated by acts of considerable support for the NCTA.

Established in 1997 by the estate of Harold Englehardt, the fund sup­ ports Lowell, Mich., and surrounding communities through funding local initiatives. In 2004, they granted $39,000 to the NCTA for Capacity Building, allowing us to hire the first Development and Communications Coordinator. In the past, the Lowell Area Community Fund also provided the NCTA with a grant to relocate the national headquarters from Grand Rapids to downtown Lowell.

Volunteers who submitted their hours working on the trail were also honored. Trail maintenance and con­ struction, resource management, lead­ ing hikes, promoting the trail, recruit­ ing members, talking to landowners, and leading meetings are just a few of the ways people donate hundreds of hours every year. The NCTA rec­ ognized 100-hour volunteers with a personalized name badge and 400-hour recipients with a personalized shirt while the NPS presented 200-hou~ vol­ unteers with a Nalgene bottle. *

Senator Nelson

•ASSOCIATION•

If you have photos, written memories or any other memorabilia related to the 25th anniversary of the North Country Trail Association,

please contact Jennifer Tripp at the NCTA Headquarters, 866-HIKE-NCT.

Your Help is Vital to Preserving the History of the Association.

ce\ebrating 25 Years *~ couN:rl?r ~'P ».

~

thing he saw upon looking down from those heavenly heights was our toast to him; he would have enjoyed it.

For those of us left here to carry out the vision of this Trail, it is fit­ ting we all reflect upon those pioneers whose hard work and efforts brought us where we are today. Just as 2005 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the North Country National Scenic Trail itself, 2006 is the twenty-fifth anni­ versary of the North Country Trail Association. We plan on having a cel­ ebration next year and you can help.

We are planning on having a his­ tory wall at next year's conference and we don't want to miss anyone whose presence belongs there. Many will be obvious, while some others who contribute a great deal may be known only within their chapter, so please let us know who they are and what their accomplishments have been. Don't forget to share with us pictures and clippings you have saved so they can be included. Remember to include those who still toil for the Trail and the Association; their efforts too are vital and need to be noted. Then join all the fun in Clarion, Penn., for the 2006 Conference and help pay tribute to all these visionaries. If that's not possible then join in one of the Association's many trail building, maintaining or just plain hiking events. While you are there, spend a little time reflecting, in thanks, on the great contributions of those whose work brought us to where we are today. While you're at it, make sure you have some fun on the North Country Trail, too. *

all they've done to advance both the Trail and the Association. It was their vision and contributions which now enable us to make the great strides for­ ward we are taking today.

On Friday evening around the campfire during the Minnesota trail building effort, we had an opportu­ nity to honor another pioneer, Rod MacRae. During the conference, we learned that Rod's health was deterio­ rating rapidly and he wasn't expected to live very long. Rod also was a past board member and he served the NCTA as Minnesota State Trail Coordinator for over a decade. During a period when NCTA membership in Minnesota scarcely amounted to more than a handful, Rod was the visionary who kept the Trail alive here. In fact, I first heard about NCT from Rod while he exhibited at Minneapolis' Midwest Mountaineering. At the campfire, we saluted Rod with about a finger of a single malt beverage (this was Rod's way of honoring his volunteers after a hard day's trail work) and recorded the toast with a picture. I hoped to visit Rod and share our salute with him but received a call from his wife Peggy, informing me of Rod's passing. As it turned out he left us on the very day we were saluting him. I hope the first

President JOHN LEINEN

Most of the work done by the North Country Trail Association's Board

of Directors is satisfying and fulfilling for these dedicated people who volun­ teer to serve in this way, but not many would call it fun. Nonetheless, this past August I had the pleasure of partaking in two events that justly deserve to be referred to as fun. My last Trail Head article was devoted to the first event, our annual conference, which celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the North Country Trail, and it was just as enjoy­ able as I predicted it would be. Over 180 of you joined us in Petoskey, Mich., and more than half of you were first-time conference attendees. I don't have to rely on my own perspective to report to you the success of this year's conference; all I have to do is mention the many par­ ticipants who sought me out Saturday evening and Sunday morning to tell me how much they had enjoyed their expe­ nence.

The second fun event that month was taking part in the trail building effort undertaken by Minnesota's Itasca Moraine Chapter in Paul Bunyan State Forest. This probably is the way most of our active members join the effort. The enthusiasm shown by all who joined in was unbelievable and they all had fun. Yes, they found the hard trail building work fun and enjoyed each other's company. The volunteers enjoyed camping out and eating together, comradeship around the campfire, and meeting folks who became new friends by the end of the weekend. Even though we all worked up a sweat and sore muscles, all will tell you they indeed had fun.

Both events also contained their sad moments. During the conference, we dedicated a bench right on the North Country Trail at North Central Michigan College to the memory of Arden Johnson. Arden was a member of the board when I showed up at my first board meeting. By that time, he had been one of the most active work­ ers for the Association for a very long time. At the dedication we were invited to share a memory or reflection about Arden and I stepped forward to thank Arden and all of the other pioneers for

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

of local government is the diversity of experiences that our individual trails provide. Each trail may have a spe­ cific focus, yet together we make up a network of unique cultural and recre­ ational experiences that exists nowhere else but in America.

Over the space of the week, we discussed the potential of hosting the next conference in 2007. Our NPS Superintendent Tom Gilbert pledged his office's support.

At the Partnership's Leadership Council Meeting, the NCTA officially offered to host the 2007 conference and to lend support to the Potomac Heritage Trail for the 2009 conference. At our Annual Meeting in Petoskey, Mich., the NCTA Board of Directors formally agreed to host this national event in Duluth, Minn.

Duluth and its sister city Superior, Wisc., have an excellent mix of trail opportunities including the NCT in western Wisconsin, the Superior Hiking Trail along the north shore of Lake Superior and newly completed trail through the city of Duluth. We proposed the first two weeks of September so we can take advantage of some of the best weather conditions in the upper Great Lakes Region: fall color should be appearing while the black flies and mosquitoes will be

springs, historic ranches, and an early Mormon fort, located in the middle of downtown Las Vegas!

The conference program focused on travel and tourism and how trails, as local and regional assets, could become a catalyst for creative working relation­ ships among private sector tourism interests, local governments, and trail advocates.

The most dynamic aspect of this event was sharing what the sixteen Historic and eight Scenic trails held in common, and how they differed. Scenic trails endeavor to create a con­ tinuous hiking trail while Historic trails seek to protect significant cultural and historic sites along their routes. Despite somewhat different perspec­ tives on "trail making," it remains clear that our National Trails System has something in it for every inter- est because it incorporates nearly every facet of America's history, scenic beauty, and outdoor interest. The system is so eclectic yet the issues all the trails face come down to a small few when we begin to discuss how to increase support and interest in the sys­ tem and its individual member trails.

As the conference progressed, it became clear that the strength that all the trails must rely on to attract private sector tourism interests and the support

Building relationships and sharing knowledge is a key focus of the Partnership for National Scenic and Historic Trails. At the 2005 Partnership Conference, the des· ert offered a scenic location and an opportunity for discussion among the NCTA's Jennifer Tripp, American Hiking Society's Public Lands Fellow Seth Levy, Florida Trail Assoicatlon President Eileen Wyand, Florida Trail Assoication Executive Director Deborah Stewart-Kent and Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation Board Member, Rod Bartlow.

In the last issue I told you that North Country Trail Association (NCTA)

staff would be teaming up with our National Park Service (NPS) counter­ parts to attend the 10th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails out in Las Vegas, Nev., and that we did!

The conference was hosted by the Old Spanish Trail Association, volunteer stewards of the travel route established by Spanish explorers around 1829 and running from Santa Fe, N.M., to the wee little Pueblo de Los Angeles in California. The Old Spanish Trail was actually a group of trails that followed 1,000-year-old Native American trade routes. In any case, all the routes, new and old, made a midpoint stop at a little oasis known as Las Vegas, which is Spanish for "the meadows." Far from a little oasis these days, the Las Vegas Metro Area now supports around 1,950,000 people, and is continuing to grow!

As a National Historic Trail, the Old Spanish Trail is somewhat dif­ ferent in that it is designed to protect, interpret, and share the region's history rather than to provide a continuous hiking experience as our National Scenic Trail aims to do. Working together with the Bureau of Land Management, the Old Spanish Trail Association has the daunting task of protecting and interpreting myriad significant sites along the braided route in the face of ever increasing urban growth along the trail's route.

So conference attendees could get a clear perspective on the trail, the history and ecology of the region, we were treated to a number of field trips to significant sites along the Old Spanish Trail including ancient Native American dwellings, palm shaded

Executive Director

Partnerships and Diversity

£WFROM [1®~[1[1

ROB CORBETT

To begin your membership, complete this form and send it with your $18 payment to:

229 East Main Street Lowell, Michigan 49331

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

D Member of a specific Chapter : ------------

0 Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists)

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

Sponsored by

Name (Please Print) I Oaytte Pl°"" 1i: lo-Oe l'"'i I 1-1 I I I Address

City State I ZIP

Skills to Volunteer E·mail Address

Our Sponsored Membership Program allows current members to sign up new members at an introductory rate of just $18.00. To qualify, Sponsored Members must be new to NCTA, or not have been members for at least two years. The $18.00 rate is good only for the first year of membership. To use the program, just fill your name in the "Sponsored by" box. Then, give the form to a friend to finish.

SPONSORED MEMBERSHIP FORM

Check with your company's human resources or payroll depart­ ment to see whether it offers a matching gift program. Ask for donation guidelines if your company does offer a matching gift program. Donate through the matching gift program, filling out the appropriate forms to ensure that the match is donated.

Your gift could go twice as far!

Many employers provide a Corporate Matching Gift which may double, or even triple, your contribution.

Charitable contributions to the North Country Trail Association help

build, promote and protect that dream.

We all dream of the Trail ...

Double Your Donation to the NCT Dream

disappearing, and, some tell me, the northern lights could be making early guest appearances.

The theme for the conference will be "Diversity." Selecting this theme seemed fitting since the NCT is unique in that it traverses a variety of ecosystems ranging from the eastern hardwood forests of New York to the boreal forests of the north woods to the tall grass prairies of the Great Plains. The trail also offers a diverse range of cultural and historic sites from the native peoples from the Seneca and Oneida in the east to the Ottawa and the Dakota in the west.

On our trail, we know diversity is an important and viable resource for trails nationwide. Making diversity the theme and focus of the conference will serve the Partnership's membership, its philosophy, and its mission well.

Hosting this national event is an important step for NCTA as it brings trail advocates, federal agency partners, state and local government officials and trail enthusiasts from all over the country together where they will experience the NCT. Our trail is diverse also in that it is made up of a con­ federation of existing trails. I think it's clear that NCTA and its affiliates have a lot to share about how we have learned to make diversity an asset that works. So sharing our experience with the other Scenic and Historic Trails will be great fun!

I have pondered whom we might invite for opening remarks. Because we are well underway to get legislation passed making our Arrowhead Route Adjustment official and making the Superior, Border Route and Kekekabic Trails official additions to our growing confederation, I don't have to wonder long. I' cl like to have Representative James Oberstar, Senator Norm Coleman and others in the Minnesota Congressional Delegation welcome trail leaders from all over America. To boot, maybe we could even have them lead a couple of hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail that should be, by then, the official route adding 400 miles of new trail to the NCT in Minnesota. Now that would be the way to start a Partnership event! Wouldn't you agree? *

Rediscover Nature.

North CountryNationalSt:enic Trail

F. Tan Trail Crew T-Shirt (c102) A trail crew shirt for volunteers! 50/50 blend. Two color design on front with map and a "fired up" volunteer. M-XXL. ~

Sale Price $8.88 (All Sizes) G. "Blue Blazes" 50150 Poly-Cotton blend on ash gray shirt. Short sleeve (C-109) S-XL $11.95, XXL $13.95 Long sleeve (C-109A) L,XL $15.95,XXL $17.95 H. Rediscover Nature The 100% cotron "leaf" shirt available in: Dusty Blue (C-110) Pale Plum (C-110A) S-XL $15.95, XXL $17.95

NCTA T-Shirt (Not Pictured) (c101) Pre-shrunk cotton "Beefy-T." NCTA logo on front and two-color map on back. Color: natural. S, M, L.. .. $11.95, XXL $12.95 A. Blue Polo Shirt (c112) Cotton/Poly pique polo with collar. Embroidered with seven state logo. S-XXL $39.95 B. Grey Fleece Vest (c108) Embroidered trail logo. M-XXL. .... ~

Sale Price $28.88 C. Tan Polo Shirt ( c106) Cotton/Poly pique polo with collar. Embroidered association logo. M, L $31.95 D. Compass T-Shirt A simple design done well. 100% Cotton. Willow Green, Short sleeve (C-113) Pumpkin, Short sleeve (no small) .. (C-114) S-XL $15.95, XXL $19.95 Willow Green, Long sleeve (C-113A) S-XL $21.95, XXL $24.95 E. Navy Fleece Jacket (c115) Full zipper fleece, lined jacket with matching collar, cord drawstring at hem, elasticized cuffs, inside pocket, zip outside pockets. Embroidered with the 7-state trail logo. S, M, L, XL $55.00 XXL $60.00

NCT Nalgene Bottle (P144) $9.98

SHIRTS

Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Mug (P-2007) This hefty cobalt blue ceramic coffee mug features the seven-state map 25th anniversary logo. Perfect for your morning coffee! $6.00

25th Anniversary Bobcat (P-2005) Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the North Country National Scenic Trail with our limited edition "furry friend," the Bobcat. About 12" in length. Comes with adoption papers $12.00

Proceeds benefit the North Country Trail Association in its efforts to build, maintain and promote the

North Country National Scenic Trail.

use the form on page 35.

Babes in the Woods by Bobbi Hoadley The women's guide to eating well, sleeping well, and having fun in the backcountry. 125 pages (L131) $12.95

Hiking with Kids by Robin Tawney Introduce your children to the wonders of hiking. This answers any questions and gives valuable tips. 70 pages (L123) $6.95

Great Wisconsin Walks by Wm. Chad McGrath Describes some of the state's most beautiful and interest­ ing paths. Includes walks in the woods and in the cities. 160 pages (L116) $16.95

Backpacking Wisconsin by jack P. Hai/man & Elizabeth D. Hai/man The authors provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state - from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to Newport State Park. (L129) $19.95

Follow the Blue Blazes by Robert J Pond A guide to hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Beginning with startling rock formations and graceful waterfalls, this 1200 mile loop provides a captivating look at each section of the trail. 300 pages. (L130) $19.95

North Country Trail .... Chippewa Natlonal Forest

Minnesota bj'ROckridtM.td111tt

Gulde Guide to NCT, Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota by Roderick MacRae Description and trail log written by an expert. 12 pages (M611) $1.25

The Country Doctor, Alive and Well by john G. Hipps M D. His stories will entertain and charm you. Has advice on home remedies and alterna­ tive medicine for self-care. 363 pages (L115) $19.95 '-----"---__J

First Aid and Family Emergency Handbook This compact book tells you what to do in emergency and then how to protect a victim. 252 pages (L125) $6.00

Edible Wild Plants by James Kavanagh This pocket-size guide is perfect for identifying the various plants you see while out walking. (L127) $5.95

Take a Hike by Rich and Sue Freeman Explore N.Y.'s Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley with ease and convenience. 51 walks are completely described. 264 pages (L119) $16.95

Porcupine Mountains by Jim DuFresne Describes the Porkies for hikers, campers, skiers, and backpackers. Includes history, cabins, camping areas, day hikes, and waterfalls. 160 pages (L108) $11.95

Hikeable Segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail This guide lists all the hikeable segments of the trail and presents accu­ rate mileages along and between segments. Each trail segment on the map is numbered and cor­ responds to a description of that segment. 112 pages (L133) $5.95

Atlas of Michigan by Dennis R. Hansen This third edition has descriptions and maps for over 600 hik­ ing, biking, skiing, and nature trails in Michigan. 789 pages (L102A) $34.95

50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim DuFresne Describes the best trails in the Lower Peninsula. Includes access, parking, hiking times, contour maps, and explicit trail directions. 252 pages (L109) $17.95

Hiking Minnesota Hiking Minnesota

by John Pukite This edition has descrip­ tions, maps, and basic elevation profiles for 87 hikes in Minnesota. 273 pages (L132) $14.95

unique coast on the Lake Superior Shore. Revised in 2002, includes maps and excellent descriptions of recreational opportuni­ ties available at Pictured Rocks. 56 pages (L110) $6.95

A GUIDE NATIONAL (;AKI:SHOKE

PICTURED ROCKS

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore by Olive Anderson An illustrated guide to the centerpiece of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a

tures on 2300 miles (half) of the trail, sec­ tion-hiked, including some in each state. 402 pages (L134) $24.95

North Country Cache by Joan Young ~No-rth-c-.u-nt-,y-ca-ch-e,--@~

The first book by a hiker of the North Country Trail. This book includes adven-

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-86~HIKE NCT www.northcountrytrail.org

North Country National Scenic Trail Vinyl Sticker (P-2006)

Decorate your favorite water bottle with this North Country National Scenic Trail sticker! 50¢ each 12 for $5.00

NCTA PEN Labeled with Norrh Country Trail Association and web site (P106) $5.00

Patch of Trail Emblem 3Y2 " bottom measure North Country Trail emblem triangle design (P125) $3.50

NCT PATCH

VOLUNTEER PATCHES2.ooea. Volunteer 2000. (P133) Volunteer 2003. (P140) Volunteer 2001 .(P134) Volunteer 2004.(P141) Volunteer 2002. (P135) Volunteer 2005. (P142) Trail Crew (P136) Hike Leader (P137) Trail Mapper (P138) Organizer (P139)

STATE PATCHES 2.00 ea. New York (P126)

Pennsylvania (P127) Ohio (P128)

Michigan (P129) Wisconsin (P130) Minnesota (P131) North Dakota (P132)

Solid navy with cream trim and NCTA silhouette logo with adjustable buckle $14.95 D. Khaki Cap (C211) Stone washed cotton khaki hat with North Coun­ try National Scenic Trail emblem with adjustable buckle $14.95

HATS A. Sun Protection (c210)

Wide bill, Supplex® tan nylon, soft and breathable. Adjustable clip back $18.50 B. The Aussie Hat (C209) Natural color, cotton canvas with full brim and rope cord with adjustable slider. $24.50

Add the North Country National Scenic Trail insignia to your hiking stick. A. Painted color (P105) $4.00 B. Brass (P104) $4.00 C. The Trail Emblem cloisonne pin is 7/8' and features the North Country triangle design. (P102) $3.00

MEDALLIONS AND PINS

The Well-Fed Backpacker by June Fleming Make ahead meals as well as on the trail. It is packed with tons of recipes and food tips for the out­ doors. 181 pages (L128) $12.95

The Appalachian Trail Food Planner by Lou Adsmond Proven food tips for a shorr back­ pack to a six-month thru-hike. Includes recipes for easy trailside cooking. 128 pages (L126) $16.95

Lipsmackin' Backpackin' by Tim and Christine Connors Dine on spaghetti, chicken salad, and cheese­ cake in the backcountry instead of gorp, cereal bars, and jerky. 232 pages (L118) $15.95

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT www.northcountrytrail.org

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Map shown: 1:100,000 scale, Ml-10

OHIO Wayne National Forest, 14 pages

(M301) $3.00 From Burr Oak State Park to Milford on the Buckeye Trail, 38 pages (M3032) $14.00 Milford to Lake Loramie S.P., 42 pages

(M304A) $7.00 Miami & Erie Canal from Lake Loramie State Park to Napoleon, 30 pages (M305A) ........ $5.00

PENNSYLVANIA NCT in Pennsylvania, 37 pages

(M201) $6.00

CERTIFIED SECTIONS OF THE NCT

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

OHIO Ohio Stateline to Minerva (OH-101) Wayne National Forest-Marietta Unit.. .. (OH-105)

1:63,360 SCALE One inch to a mile. Printed in full color on durable paper, this pocket size map unfolds to a full rr" x 1y", doubleside. These maps do not come in a plastic bag $3.50 per map

NORTH DAKOTA Showing four sections of trail (ND-SE)

MINNESOTA Chippewa N.F. to Paul Bunyan S.F (MN-09) State Highway 64 to Many Point Lake (MN-10)

WISCONSIN Together these maps cover the

Chequamegon National Forest Ironwood to Long Mile Lookout (Wl-01) Long Mile Lookout to Solon Springs (Wl-02)

MICHIGAN Marshall to Bowne Township (Ml-02)

Bowne Township to M-37 (Ml-03) M-37 to Freesoil Trailhead (Ml-04) Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek Road (Ml-05) Cedar Creek Road to Charlevoix County (Ml-06) Charlevoix County to Mackinac Bridge .. (Ml-07) Mackinac Bridge to Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway (Ml-08) Curley Lewis Road to Grand Marais (Ml-09) Grand Marais to Au Train Lake (Ml-10) Au Train Lake to Little Garlic Falls (Ml-11) Alberta to Cascade Falls (Ml-13) Cascade Falls to Ironwood (Ml-14)

PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest (PA-01) Allegheny National Forest to

State Game Land 95 (PA-02) State Game Land 95 to Pennsylvania/Ohio Stateline (PA-03)

NEW YORK Rome to Finger Lakes Trail (NY-04)

1:100,000 SCALE One inch to 1.578 miles. Printed in full color on durable paper, this pocket size map unfolds to

a full u" x 17", doublesided. These maps do not come in a plastic bag $3.50 per map

NCT TRAIL MAPS

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT www.northcountrytrail.org

Signature (We cannot process your order without a signature and the expiration date.)

Name on Card

Expiration Date

Charge Card Number

Please mail, fax or phone your order to: 229 East Main Street Shipping and Handling Charges

Amount of Order Charge Lowell, Michigan 49331 $00.00 to $10.00 $2.50

Toll free telephone: 866-HikeNCT (4453628) $10.01 to $25.oo $5.oo If ordering by credit card, $25.01 to $50.oo $6.00

$50.01 to $100 $8.00 you may fax your order to: 616-897-6605 over $100 $10.00

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TRAIL SHOP PURCHASES Item Description I Item Number Size Quantity Price Each Total

Merchandise total:

[II] [ w~] [~] *~coUNTJ?y NCTA Members deduct 10%: -

Subtotal after discount:

~. r. D Check or money order enclosed ~~

Ml Residents add 6% sales tax: +

(Made payable to "NCTA") Shipping and handling: +

D Please charge my credit card •ASSOCIATION• (See shipping info below)

Membership dues (if included): +

GRAND TOTAL:

Please choose your Chapter affiliation:

D Member of a specific Chapter : _

D Member of my closest Chapter (If one exists)

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

D $45 Organization

D $150 Business

D $250 NCT Patron

D $30 Regular

D $50 Trail Leader

D $100 Pathfinder

Membership: Please mark one of the boxes below if joining or rejoining the North Country Trail Association

Name {Please Print) Home Phone with Area Code

I I 1-1 I I 1-1 I I I Address E-mail

City I State I ZIP

The top form maybe used for new and renewing members. The lower portion of the form is for Trail Shop Merchandise.

MEMBERSHIP Be TRAIL SHOP ORDER FORM

Ohio State Line at Waldron to Augusta (M411A) $4.00 Augusta to Rogue River State Game Area (M412A) $4.00 Rogue River State GameAreato M-115 West of Mesick (M413A). $4.00 M-115 West of Mesick to M-32 West of U.S. 131 (M414A) $4.00 M-32 West of U.S. 131 to Mackinaw City (M415A) $4.00 St. Ignace to SE Marquette (M416A) $4.00 Marquette to Ironwood (M417A) $4.00

MICHIGAN MAP SETS By Arden ]ohmon 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.

NORTH DAKOTA NCT in North Dakota, 15 pages (M701) $5.50

MINNESOTA Chippewa National Forest, Itasca S.P., 24 pages (M601) $4.00

WISCONSIN Iron County Forests; Chequamegon N.F., Brule River S.F., 27 pages (M501B) $5.00

MICHIGAN NCT in Lower Michigan, 81 pages (M401) $13.00 NCT in Upper Michigan, 88 pages (M402) $14.00

e-mail: hq@northcountrytrail.org ORDER TOLL FREE! 1-866-HIKE NCT www.northcountrytrail.org

GREAT LAKES Trail Council Chair:

Mikel Classen · shores@jamadots.com State Trail Coordinator: Doug Welker · dwelker@up.net 9. Brule-St.Croix Chapter:

Chuck Zosel · zayforestry@yahoo.com 10. Chequamegon Chapter: Tana Turonie · tjt@baysat.net 11. Heritage Chapter: Kevin Steffens · steffens@wi.net 12. Peter Wolfe Chapter: Doug Welker · dwelker@up.net 13. North Country Trail Hikers Chapter:

Denise Herron · dherron906@aol.com 14. Grand Marais Chapter: Vacant 15. Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter:

Roger Morrison · rmorrison@sault.com

MINNESOTA Trail Council Chair and State Trail Coordinator:

John Leinen · footpathpal@msn.com Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota (Affiliate):

Dorian Grilley · dgrilley@parksandtrails.org · (651)726-2457

4. Star of the North Chapter: Gerald Johnson · johns018@umn.edu

5. Itasca Moraine Chapter: Jerry Trout · jbtrour@rds.net 6. Kekekabic Trail Club (Affiliate):

Terry Bernhardt · info@kek.org · (800)818-4453 7. Rovers Outing Club (Partner):

John Elliott · (612)829-5142 8. Superior Hiking Trail Association (Affiliate):

Gayle Coyer · suphike@mr.net · (218)834-2700

NORTH DAKOTA Trail Council Chair: Alicia Hoffarth ·

cahoffarth@hotmail.com State Trail Coordinator: Vacant 1. Lonetree Chapter:

Elden Ehrman · (701) 465-3387 2. Sheyenne River Valley Chapter:

Alicia Hoffarth · cahoffarth@hotmail.com 3. North Dakota Sandhills Chapter:

Curtis Vanek · go4trails@sbcglobal.net

700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 441-5610 Fax: (608) 441-5606

Tom Gilbert, Superintendent: tom_gilbert@nps.gov Fred Szarka, Trail Manager: fredrick_szarka@nps.gov

Ken Howell, Land Protection Specialist: ken_howell@nps.gov

NCTA Chapters: For information about local activities or volunteering, contact the Chapter representative for your area of interest. We .have more than two dozen local volunteer trail clubs scattered along the trail that are Chapters of the NCTA. NCTA members can affiliate themselves with any Chapter they'd like. Whether or not the member volunteers, a portion of their dues will help support Chapter activities. Chapters build and maintain trail, host hikes .and other events, and work to promote the trail and the Association in their areas.

Affiliate Organizations: The NCTA enters into affiliate agree­ ments with other organizations who envision the completed trail. Trail Maintaining Affiliates are independent organizations who also work to build, maintain, and promote sections of the trail. Supporting Affili­ ates are independent organizations who work with us to help fulfill our Mission, but are not responsible for a specific section of trail. Each has its own membership program, so we encourage NCTA members to sup­ port them as well. If you have questions about a section of trail that is managed by one of these organizations, your best bet is to contact our Affiliates directly.

Trail Council Officers: Our Chapters and Affiliates work together to achieve common goals through statewide Trail Councils. Each state has its own Trail Council, though Wisconsin and Upper Michigan share the "Great Lakes Trail Council." Trail Councils have one or more officers, typically including a Chair and a State Trail Coordinator.

North Country Trail Association 229 E Main St, Lowell, Ml 49331

Toll-free: (866) HikeNCT Fax: (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org HQ@northcountrytrail.org

Visit our web site; it's a sure bet that you'll find most of what you need. Here you can join or contribute to the NCTA, browse the events cal­ endar, explore NCTA Chapter pages, purchase maps and trail-related products, follow links to Partner organizations, read up-to-date news items, reportvolunteer hours, and, of course, learn more about the trail itself!

National Park Service: The NPS office in Madison is an excellent technical resource for volunteers, agencies, partner organizations, and the media. As our official trail administrator, the NPS sets trail standards, determines the trail route, and provides the overall vision for the trail.

When.In Doubt, Try NCTA Headquarters: If you're not sure whom to contact, or prefer to talk with an office instead of contacting a volunteer at home, your best bet is to connect with the NCTA's National Office. If we can't help you, we'll be able to get you in touch with someone who can. Staff members are listed on page 3 (table of contents page).

If you have questions about the North Country Trail, there are many different places to go for information.

This directory provides you with key contacts.

Who's Who Along the North Country Trail?

NEW YORK Trall Council Chair and State Trall Coordinator:

Howard Beye • f!tc@frontiernet.net 34. Finger Lakes Trail Conference (Affillate):

Gene Bavis • information@fingerlakestrail.org • 585-658-9320 Additional Maintaining Organizations Coordinated by FLTC: Adirondack Mm Club (ADK)-Finger Lakes Chapter, ADK­ Genesee Valley Chapter, ADK-Onondaga Chapter, ADK-Niagara Frontier Chapter, Adventure Recreation Club at Ithaca College, Cayuga Trails Club, Fillmore Boy Scour Troop 748, Foothills Trail Club, Genesee Valley Hiking Club, Hammondsport Boy Scout Troop 18, and Town & Country Bushwhackers

35. Central New York Chapter: Kathy Eisele · eiselek@dreamscape.com

Trail Council Chair: David Myers · davmyers@state.pa.us State Trail Coordinator: Ron Rice • ricel@nauticom.net

Butler Outdoor Club (Affiliate): Joyce Appel · 724-526-5407 • joyceappel@arm-tek.net

Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy (Affiliate): Patty Brunner · 412-366-3339 · info@rachelcarsoncrails.org

28. Wampum Chapter: Paul Henry · joyceappel@arm-tek.net 29. Butler Chapter: David Myers · davmyers@state.pa.us 30. Greater Pittsburgh Chapter:

Michael Kaizar • gptncta@yahoo.com 31. Rock Chapter: Vacant 32. Clarion County Chapter: Ed Scurry · edsdc85@yahoo.com 33. Allegheny National Forest Chapter:

Keith Klos • klos@westpa.net

=Not Yet Adopted

LEGEND -chapters 11111 Partners

Trall Council Chair: Garry Dill • vetfarm@starband.net

State Trall Coordinator: James Sprague • jimsprague@msn.com

23. NW Ohio Ralls-to-Trails Association (Afflllate) Vacant

24. Buckeye Trall Association (Affiliate) Garry Dill • vetfarm@starband.net · (937) 834-2891

25. Adams County Chapter: Myrna Hixson · myrna@bright.net 26. Ohio Valley Chapter: Ryan Smith · rsmith365@hotmail.com 27. Great Trall-Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter:

Brad Bosley · bbosley@cceng.org

OHIO

LOWER MICHIGAN Trail Council Chair:

Lyle Bialk • lylebialk@sbcglobal.net State Trail Coordinator:

Joan Young · jhy@t-one.net 16. Harbor Springs Chapter:

Jerry Keeney · keeneylO@charter.net 17. Tittabawassee Chapter:

Jerry Allen · hikershaven@m33access.com 18. Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter:

John Heiam • johnheiam@charter.net 19. Spirit of the Woods Chapter:

Richard Krieger · rndkrieger@jackpine.com 20. Western Michigan Chapter:

Chuck Vannette · cvann30643@aol.com 21. Chief Noonday Chapter:

Tom Garnett · garnettt@trinity-health.org 22. Chief Baw Beese Chapter: Steve Vear · steve@vear.com

l

*Includes cumulative gifts, membership contributions and grants received between June l , 2004 and May 31, 2005.

Moraine Salling Club FS 80 North Country Brewing

The Outfitter Pfizer Foundation

Strlders, Inc. Three Creeks Cabinetry Vlllaume Industries Inc.

Adirondack Mountain Club AntlGravlty Gear, LLC Butler Outdoor Club

Campmor Inc. Lee's Sports and Sportswear

Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Michigan Mountain Bike Association

$150 to $249

Sedona Trading Company T & C Markets IM, Inc.

Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce

Exxonmobil Foundation General Motors Foundation North Country Trail Relay

$250 to $999

$1000 to $2,499 Universal Forest Products

$2.500 to $9.999

Booth Newspapers Keeler Foundation

$10.000 or more

Lowell Area Community Fund National Park Service

Businesses, Foundations, and Agencies

We gratefully acknowledge the support of all our members and donors, and especially wish to recognize the following individuals, businesses,

foundations and agencies, for their generous contributions over the past 12 months":

Trail Supporters

Richard & Elizabeth Pratt Chris Puehler William & Avis Rambo Charles Reep Paul & Evelyn Reid Douglas & Kathleen Rhine Michael Rochowiak Walter & Jodell Rockenstein Christine Rundblad

& John Brander Michael & Erica SanDretto Edward Scanlan Mike Schaeffer & Debby Page Rolland Scheels Merl & Pat Schlaack Peter and Emily Schmitz Mary & Carl Schroeder John Schroeder Richard Schwaab Richard Seabold Stephen Selden David & Elvera Shappirio Jeffrey & Frances Shepard Kevin Smith James Sprague Carol Stetter Nancy Stewart John & Nancy Strom Jamie Ann Tait John Tanton Jay Taylor David Tonnies Anne Townsend Jerry & Beth Trout Roger Tuuk John Underhill Betty Van der Smissen Gail VanHaren Yerian VanRheenen John & Diane Vanderveen Michael & Diane Veen Raymond Vlasak Nils Vos Jacque Wallace Gary Werner Donald Wickstra Kevin, Robin, Kate

& Morgan Wilson Dewey & Kay Wobma Richard Zaebst Beverly Zelt

Paul & Jerry Henry Denise Herron J. Daniel Hitchens Chris & Alicia Hoffarth James Hoogesteger Keith & Katherine Horngren Murray Howe Theodore Hullar Michael Jarden Ken Jeffery Richard Jester Martha Jones John Judd Sarah Julien Hans Kappus Jerry Keeney Shawn Kelly Brooks & Margie Kindel David Kinnamon Stephen Kobylarz Bobby & Deborah Koepplin Karen Kress Kay & Stanley Kujawa Jeff & Janet Lalonde Al & Mary Kunzler-Larmann Raoul & Jan LePage Michael Lorente John & Marianne Ludwick Mary Lunt Gary & Barbara Lyall Angus MacDonald Tom Mack James & Elizabeth Mackey Raymond & Kristen Majkrzak John Malcolm Laurie McMurray Hugh Melling & Denise Simon Roger & Glory Meyer Larry Meyer Pat & Kathleen Miller Diane Morand John & Ruth Morton Denice Nelson John Norlund Anthony & Kim Notario Timothy O'Rourke Eugene Ollila Thomas & Maren Ortmeier Roberta Padur Nelson Paguyo Bob & Annette Papp Rolf & Carolyn Peterson Richard & Kaye Pfeiffer Thomas Pflueger Thomas & Diane Piquet

Individuals Carl Boesel Richard & Sue Boettner Ren & Carol Brander Kristen & Glen Bruxvoort Brian & Barb Buchanan Robert Burpee James Byrne Joe & Sharon Callahan John Campa Jay & Mary Campbell Janet Carpenter Frances & Steve Cheyne William Clark Tim & Christine Conners Robert Cooley Dave & Jan Cornell Mark Dallara Mary & Bill Davis Robert Davis John & JoAnne Davis Dale DeGirolamo Claire Dedow Michele Dienno John Diephouse Garrett Dill William Dixon Jack & Karen Dixon Joe & Stephanie Dixon James & Maureen Doull Cathy Drexler William Eisenman Duane Elenbaas Gerard Engler Myron Erickson Paul Erisman Randal Eshuis Alan Far-1,1 James Filiault Joan Filla Jeff Fleming William Fletcher Richard Flinn Joanna Frank Eric Frick & Pam Salaway Sue Funk & Wood Kidner Tom Garnett Tom & Janis Gilbert Marc Gilbert George Girod Donald Gore Paul & Julie Nietling Haan Scott Haebich William Hamilton Marshall Hamilton Chuck Hayden

$100 to $249 Walt Alexander Pat Allen & Mark Miller Sue Andraschko Kimberly Arbour Daniel & Constance Arnold Charles Axthelm Brian & Elizabeth Bachynski Aileen Baesemann Dan Baumhardt

& E. Joyce Krause Brian Becker Richard Beil & Dana Burkley Gregory Benkert Howard Beye Bert Bleke

$250 to $499 Jerry & Connie Pausits Allen Len & JoAnne Baron LeRoy Bliven Loyal & Bonnie Eldridge Daniel Gold Peggy Jones & Andy Zeek Lou & Sandy Kasischke John & Pat Leinen William Lynch Guyer & Kimberly McCracken Linda O'Donnel Martin O'Toole Raymond & Elaine Papp Derrick Passe Aaron & Sharon Phipps Joseph Raught Frank Smiddy Rolf Swanson David Tattan

$500 or more Richard Ashbacker James Baldwin Bob & Judith Bredeweg Melissa Cardon Donald Cornue Kathryn Denhouter Roy Dray Bobbie Hineline Christopher & Margo Light Rod & Margaret MacRae Atley Oswald Dan Rogalla Harmon Strong Irene Szabo Werner & Marianne Veit Jim Weiske

. '

Trail Supporters

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Grand Rapids, Ml

Permit 340

Each week, year round, you'll find outdoor sections inside the pages of eight major Michigan newspapers. Experience everything from day hikes and overnight backpacking trips to child-friendly nature walks and rugged trails. The great outdoors. find it right inside the pages of your newspaper.

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Ann Arbor .0

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

Please Place

Postage Here

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 229 EAST MAIN STREET LOWELL Ml 49331-1711

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Signature

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Please send me more information on how to support the North Country Trail through:

0 Planned Giving Opportunities 0 Gifts of Stocks and Bonds 0 Volunteer Opportunities

The NCTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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