The deadline for the next newsletter is June 14, 1989. Yes, I know that it's only three weeks after the spring meeting; that's why the deadline is two weeks later than it should be. All copy for the newsletter must be in the editor's hands by that date.

*** Third Class Mail can be slow. We had a report that NCTA president Tom Reimers didn't get his last newsletter until about six weeks after it had been mailed. This newsletter will be mailed before March 31; if you receive it after April 15, I'd like to know about it, since there are some possible corrective measures. If you get your newsletter after April 15, drop me a card. If we get too many, I'll take the matter up with the board at the spring meeting. --Wes Boyd

As you can see, with this issue of the newsletter we've gone to a full page cover photo in an effqrt to further upgrade the appear­ ance: In addition, we'll use more photos inside when we can, giving all you photo buffs out there another place to show off your trail photography.

A few points about submitting photos: • In general, black and white photos are to be preferred over

color photos, since they reproduce better in black and white. As it is hard to get reasonably-priced quality black and white processing any more if you're not a hobbyist, color photos will be accepted - but the photos should be on the light side. Dark, reddish color photos do not reproduce worth a tinker's darn, and there's no point in trying to print a picture that will come out lousy. · ·

• Photos submitted will be retained unless return is request­ ed, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. It's perfectly possible that a photo not used in the next issue might be the perfect illustration for an issue a year or two down the pike.

• Quality counts! No matter how newsworthy the photo, if it's blurred, poorly focused or poorly composed, if printed it will detract from the quality of the newsletter.

• In general, pictures with people or objects in them are better than general photos of scenery.

Especwll:y for cover photos: · • Submitted photos should be at least 5x7; 8x10 is preferred.

· • Photos shot or printed with the intention of being cover photos have to be specially composed. The top third should be relatively featureless, either light or dark (such as sky or forest canopy), to leave room for the magazine logo and mailing information. We don't want anyone's head covered up by a mailing label!

• On the back of the photo submitted, please note the photographer's name. Include information about the photo (what, where, etc.) on a separate sheet, so credit can be given where credit is due.

• Don't feel upset if a cover photo isn't used in the next issue; especially with seasonal photos, we may have to retain them for a while. A picture of people on cross-country skiis, for instance, isn't always appropriate in a summer issue but might be welcome two issues later.

*** In his article on the Chippewa National Forest on Page 6, Rod MacRae has good words for the brochure on the trail provided by the forest. In fact, this brochure is probably the best free piece on any segment of the trail. No other national forests, especially, even come close to the quality of this handout. Persons or agencies planning new information brochures should check this one out.

Keyboard Trails

by the.Editor

NCTA Newsletter, Spring, 1989

Four Issues $40.00 $80.00 $120.00 $200

NEWSLE'ITER ADVERTISING FEE SCHEDULE

Single Issue $15.00 $25.00 $40.00 $70.00

Page size 1/8 1/4 112 1

Please report any errors or ommissions to the Editors.

REGIONAL CHAPTERS I COORDINATORS I AFFILIATES New York: Finger Lakes Trail Council: Tom Reimers Pennsylvania: Barbara Smith I John Hipps Ohio: Buckeye Trail Association: Emily Gregor Michigan: Micltigan NCTA Coordinating Committee

Southeastern: Martha Jones Southern: Wes Boyd Western: Art Holland Upper Peninsula: Pending

Wisconsin: Bob Dreis Minnesota: Minnesota NCTA Coordinating Committee:

Rod Macrae, Ed Solstad, Tim Knopp North Dakota: Linda Vargason

(701) 237-9029 (701) 281-1491

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR: Tom Gilbert, National Park Service, 1709 Jackson St., Omaha, Neb., 68102-2571 (402) 221-3481

(218) 847-7357 (612) 636-3244 (612) 377-0130 (612) 822-0569

(715) 635-8193 (414) 354-8987

(616) 452-4487 (517) 547.-7402 (313) 548-1737 (616) 891-1366 (616) 784-6641 (313) 280-2921 (616) 363-5966 (313) 231-1257 (616) 454-0545 (616) 689-6876

(216) 888-0281 (216) 867-3371 (614) 882-8023 (216) 385-7122

North Dakota Judy Martin, 114 Ninth Ave., N. Fargo ND 58102 Linda Vargason, 1031 tst St. E., West Fargo ND 58078

Minnesota Chris D. Bredlow, 1115 North Shore Dr., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Tim Knopp, 1953 Midland Hills Rd., R0seville MN 55113 Rod MacRae, 1210 W. 22nd St., Minneapolis MN 55405 Ed Solstad, 3701 Pillsbury Ave. S., Minneapolis MN 55409

Wisconsin Robert E. Dries, 1632 Smith St., Spooner, WI 54801 Gaylord Yost, 2925 W. Bradley Rd., River Hills WI 53209

Michigan Pat Allen. 2535 Abbington Dr. SE. Grand Rapids Ml 49506 Wes Boyd, 14845 Rome Rd .. Manitou Beach, Ml 49253 Derek Blount. 906 N. Alexander, Royal Oak Ml 48067 Ken Gackler, 413 W. Johnson St., Caledonia Ml 49316 Art Holland, 492 Four Mile Rd., Comstock Park Ml 49231 Martha K. Jones, 1587 Torquay Ave., Royal Oak, Ml 48073 Ruth Sack, 2317 Foster NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49505 Vince Smith, Box 76, Whitmore Lake, Ml 48189 Jim Warmels, 696 Plymouth NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49506 Virginia Wunsch, Rt. 1, Mundy Ave., White Cloud, Ml 49349

Ohio . Emily Gregor, 6502 Olde.,York Rd., Parma Hts., OH 44130 Cecil Cobbins, 783 Cliffside or., Akron OH 44313 Tomi Lou Spyker, 7044 Africa Rd., Rt. 1, Galena OH 43201 Herschel A. Rubins, 324 W. 4th St., E. Liverpool, OH 43920

Pennsylvania Barbara A. Smith, PO Box 243, Emporium PA 15834 John G. Hipps, PO Box 243, Emporium PA 15834 Glenn Oster, 784 Olive St., Pittsburgh, PA 15231 (412) 364-2864 Paulette Johnson, c/o West. PA Conservancy, 316 4th Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15222

(607) 272-5119 (716) 288-7191

(607) 272-8957 (607) 564-3548 (607) 272-8679

New York Doris and Clifford Abbott, Rt. 1, Box 259, Spencer NY 14883 Howard S. Beye, 202 Colbourne Rd., Rochester NY 14609 Candice Bowen Bosworth. Rt. 1, Box 170, Corinth. NY 12822 Joe Dabes, 1189 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 Laura McGuire, 1 Boylan Rd., Newfield, NY 14867 Thomas J. Reimers, 3C Wildflower Dr .. Ithaca NY 14850

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS President: Thomas Reimers, 3C Wildflower Dr., Ithaca NY 14850 607-272-8679 Vice-President: Glenn Oster, 784 Oilve St., Pittsburgh PA 15231 412-365-2864 Secretary: Tomi Lou Spyker, 7044 Africa Rd, Galena OH 43021 614-882-8023 Treasurer: Kenneth Gackler, 413 W. Johnson, Caledonia Ml 49316 616-891-1366 Hq. Manager: Virginia Wunsch, Rt. 4, White Cloud Ml 49349 616-689-6876 Membership Chalrparson: Martha Jones 1990 Hike Coordinator: Derek Blount Founding President: Lance Field

NEWSLETTER of the

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION PO Box 311, White Cloud, Ml, 49349

Editor: Wes Boyd, 14845 Rome Road, Manitou Beach, Ml 49253

Page2

Sincerely Thomas L. Gilbert

Coordinator, NCNST

Dear Wes I want to compliment you on the

Autumn 1988 issue of the Newsletter of the North Country Trail Association. The layout and overall appearance are im­ pressive!' The use of headlines, boxes, regular topics like "NCTA Trips and Activities," etc., give the newsletter a "first-rate" look. Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I know you will improve it even more as you have oppor­ tunity in future issues.

Best wishes in you new assignment as editor. As you build upon the good work of your predecessors, I will try my best

_ to support you with news from the National Park Service. We appreciate the dedicated efforts of John, Barbara and yourself to keeping communication about the North Country National Scenic Trail flowing.

Eddie Langsdale same.

THE NEW NCTA BROCHURE has been printed. Copies are available from Ginny at headquarters, but don't just throw out any remaining old ones; try to use them up.

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO: Long bi­ cycle tours are gaining in popularity, such as the Pedal Across Lower Michigan (PALM) tour that paused in Hudson, Michigan last summer after using the M-99 bikeway, a section of the North Country Trail. Photo Courtesy of the Hudson Post-Gazette.

A LONG-EXPECTED reorganization in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources changes responsibilities for trails development. All trail coordination will rest in the Recreation Department, with Jon Rothele overseeing the efforts. He will be assisted by Mark Manden­ berg, who will be developing a state trails plan. Mandenberg' s phone number is (517) 335-3037. Robert Tyler, in the Forest Managment Division, will con­ tinue to be responsible for trails in Michigan State Forests. Tyler recently told a meeting of the Michigan Coordin­ ating Committee that the state has little or no funds available for non-motorized trail development, but that the door is open to volunteer efforts.

MRS. I1MA FLANNERY, secretary of the Michigan Trail Riders Association, reports that several publications currently list an address for their organization that was obsolete as of 1981. The organization is the user group that supports the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Riding Hiking Trail which the NCT uses for about 60 mile~. The correct address is: Michigan Trail Riders Association, 1650 Ormond Road, Highland, MI 48031. Memberships in the organization are $20.00, which includes a guide to the trail.

GLENN OSTER, NCTA Vice President, asks NCT A members to update his address in their files. His correct address is: Glen Oster, 784 Olive St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15231.

for bicyclists with a parallel grass surface for hikers. It is being funded by a $1 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transporation highway funds ear­ marked for non-motorized projects. The projects will add 28 miles to the 44 miles of trail the state has already built in the area. The prospect of an asphalt surface

IF A NEW Rails to Trails Conservancy THE STATE OF OfilO is readying an is controversial among hikers, but it is project is successful, the North Country abandoned railroad right of way to be- unlikely that such a costly project, which Trail would be a big step closer to come a multi-use portion of the NCT, in includes rebuilding several bridges;--ccfuld completion. A former New York Central the area between Springfield and Xenia, receive funding without the bikeway. rail line through New York's Adirondack Ohio. The trail will have a paved surface Fall 1988 Pathways Across America Mountians used to carry freight and ._ .;. .I. _. _, passengers - and even some Olympic competitors -- to Lake Placid until Letters to the Editor economics and the area's harsh winters L.;..~..; ... ..;~---------111111!----------- ... -~-~ drove the line under. Now tied up in Wes: cabins. Park Manager Wayne Suyida and bankrupcy proceedings, the 118 mile The weather had been more or less on his assistant, Chuck Wierenga, met us route could serve as a wilderness my side since leaving Munising on my there and we drove back to where the bikeway through the heart of the nation's solo hike in the Fall of '86; destination, beaver had completely flooded the trail. I largest park. Tahquamenon Rivermouth Camp Ground. shuddered as I thought about how lucky

-- Trailblazer, Oct-Dec 1988 As I left the Two Hearted Rivermouth it was that I didn't attempt to come Forest Camp Ground, all this changed. through the previous fall.

It was raining when I pulled in to the That summer the Park Service went Culhane Lake Camp Ground where I had through with a crew and put that sel!­ previously stashed some food. After ment of the trail in tip-top shape, and building a fire and filling up on canned even re-routed it to pass over a beaver corned beef hash, I headed on. The dam. That is the way Art Holland found following day found me somewhere in it when he scouted for the Fall of '87 100 the western vicinity of the Tahquamenon mile hike. Falls State Park. The trail was following Bob Nelson has contributed not only an old logging road and I ran out of the his labor, but his influence with Park familiar blue markers. Lightning was management in seeing to it that this flashing in the distance and a few drops trickish part of the trail received some of rain came down as I turned back to much-needed special attention. I believe locate some blue markers and get back that Bob and the park management on the trail. In the meantime the rain deserve an honorable mention in our became a torrential downpour and the newsletter and should receive a copy of lightning was too close for comfort.

My hands started to shake so I gave up on starting a fire. At 72 years of age, I was concerned about hypothermia and used my remaining energy to pitch my tent. My sleeping bag was still dry, so I put on a dry lined windbreaker jacket

..,and crawled in. Before long I was as comfy as a bug in a rug. I remained in the sack for 18 hours before the weather cleared up enough the following day for me to venture out. Climbing back into my wet clothes was about the equivalent to a dunk in Lake Superior.

The weather continued to improve and when I came to an intersection in the trail I took the one to the right that led me to M-123 a short distance from the Upper Falls. I definitely didn't want to spend another night in a wet tent, so I called it quits. My dogeared, rain­ soaked map made the walk on out to Rivermouth look real simple and I really hated to stop short of my goal. The rest of my story would be anti-climax except that it all leads up to what I wanted to say in the first place:

In the pring of '87 Bob Nelson took me along the Tahqua Trail to his mothers'

NCT:fYI Page3 NCTA Neuisletter, Spring, 1989

The Hikers Paradise

783 V Cllffslde Dr. AKRON, OH 44313

ALPINE ADVENTURE TRAILS TOURS. lac.

swissair/1

KANDERSTEG GRINDELWALD ZERMATT SAAS-FEE MURR EN GSTAAD LENK WENG EN FLUELEN BETTMERALP ENGELBERG RIGl-KALTBAD LEUKERBAD

Moderate optlonal length DAY hiking along skyllne tralls. 7-2 week tours basing at 15 mountain 3-4 star hotels. All hikes guided by NCT member Cecll Dobbins. For a free color brochure call (216) 867-3771, or write to:

SWISS ALPS

Aug. 20 - Sept 2. Trail building in Marquette County, MI, sponsored by the Huron Valley Group, Mackinac Chapter, Sierra Club. For information contact Vince Smith, Box 76, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189.

Aug. 2. Western Michigan Chapter meeting at 7:30 PM Wednesday at 492 Four Mile Road, NW., Comstock Park, MI. For more inforation call Art Holland., (616) 784-6441.

Aug. 11-12. A two-day long hike in the Manistee National Forest. For more information contact Art Holland (616) 784-6441.

April 29-30. Spruce up the schoolhouse. Time to ready the headquarters for the May National Meeting of the . North Co~try Trail Association. Western Michigan Chapter will be working from 8 AM to 6 PM both days and would appreciate any help they can get. For information, call Art Holland (616) 784-6441; Wally Doane, (616) 874-7455; or Ginny W~ (616) 689-6876. '

May 19-21. Sp.ring national meeting of NCTA, the Shack Country Inn, White Cloud, MI. For more information contact Ginny Wunsch, (616) 689-6876. '

June 7. Western Michigan Chapter meeting at 7:30 PM. Wednesday at 2780 Mundy Ave., White Cloud. Maybe a cookout supper, tool For information or directions, call Ginny Wunsch, (616) 689-6876 or Darlene Snyder, (616) 784-5050.

J_une !0-11. M~t Saturday at the NCTA headquarters for trail ~te~ce m the Manistee National Forest. Possible overrught with more maintenance on Sunday. For more information, call Jim Davis, (616) 677-1054.

.fuly 15. Saturday Kids Hike (all kids). Meet at White Cloud City Park campground at 10 AM. There will be various hikes depending on the age of the kids. We'll have a cookout and end up with swimming at Diamond Lake Park in the afternoon. Reservations required. Call Bernice Baron (616) 456-6157 or Darlene Snyder, (616) 784-5050 or (616) 364-8722.

July 16-29. Trail building on state forest lands near Kalkaskia, Mich., sponsored by the Huron Valley Group Mackinac Chapter, Sierra Club. Help connect the Shore-00: Shore trail with the Jordan River Pathway! For information contact Vince Smith, Box 76, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189. '

NCTA Newsletter, Spring, 1989

June 17-18 Maplewood Rendezvous, Maplewood State Park, near Detroit Lakes MN. This is an old NCTA event and celebrates the summer solstace. Includes hiking, biking, and canoe events. Volunteers needed to help organize events. Contact: Chris Bredlow (218) 847-7357.

Ohio April 21-23. Buckeye Trail Annual Meeting. Contact Emily

Gregor, 6502 Olde York Road, Parma Heights, OH, 44130.

Michigan April 5. Western Michgan Chapter meeting at 7:30 PM

Wednesday at 6851 Wasasis Ave., Belding. For directions, call Richard Van Gessel, (616) 691-8303.

April 29. Spring meeting of the Michigan NCTA Coordin­ ating Committee, 10:00 AM at Carl G. Fenner Nature Center, near comer of Mt. Hope and Arelius Roads, Lansing. All Michigan NCTA Members and other interested parties are invited to attend. For information, contact Wes Boyd (517) 547-7402.

April 28-30 Great MN Canoe Event, MN Fairgrounds, St. Paul. Volunteers needed to staff 2-4 hours shifts at the NCTA booth. Good chance to meet the public and tell them about the NCT. Volunteers come free to show. Contact: Rod MacRae (612) 377-0130.

April 29 MN Chapter NCTA Spring meeting. 7-10 p.m. at U/M location to be announced.

May 12-14 Exploration hike in the Paul Bunyan State Forest survey route for NCT trail layout. This a great to get in on the "ground level" of trail design. Contact: Ed Solstad (612) 822-0569.

May 19-21 NCTA National Spring Meeting, White Cloud, Michigan. Here's a chance to meet your collegues from around the nation at NCTA headquarters. Workshops, re­ ports, hikes on the NCT in the Manistee Forest. Hostel and camping accomodations available. Contact: Rod MacRae.

May 26-29 NCT Backpacking trip on the NCT in the Chippewa. This trip will cover about 25 miles of trail and explore new campsite locations and upgrade the guidebook. Contact: Rod MacRae.

April 22-23 "Early bird" hike on the NCT, Chippewa Forest. Day hike each day with lodge overnight. Contact: Rod MacRae (612) 377-0130.

Minnesota

Oct. 20-22 NCTA Fall Meeting, Burr Oak State Park, near Athens, Ohio. Contact Tomi Lou Spyker, (614) 882-8023.

~NCTA May 19-21. NCTA Annual Spring Meeting. Location: The

Shack Country Inn, White Cloud, MI. Saturday: Meetings and slide show. Sunday: Hiking NCT in Lake County. For more information, contact Tomi Spyker at (614) 882..so23 or Virginia Wunsch, (616) 689-6876.

Page4

56 pages, color cover, revised maps with new trail facllities and op-to-date information for this Michigan section of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

$5.95 per copy. $3.00 per copy for 1983 guide [a few left]. $7.95 for both books. [The 1983 guide has bird, plant and

animal Ust not In the new one].

Please enclose St.00 postage per book. Order from NCTA Headquarters, Box 311, White Cloud Ml, 49349.

NEW! Guide to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Including the revised Lakeshore Trail Guide by Ollve M. Anderson

by Wes Boyd

Page5

The last bits and pieces needed to finish the North Country Trail in the eastern Hiawatha National Forest are being targeted by forest personnel.

The Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District will have its portion of the North Country Trail completed during the summer of 1989. The remaining projects include two trailheads, a short section of wetland, informational signing and a general touch-up of past work.

To the south, the St. Ignace Ranger District will be doing several construction projects on the NCT in 1989. Some highlights for the coming year are as follows:

Complete the trail across the St. Ignace Ranger District. There are approximately 3 miles of wetland crossing, which will be very costly. The forest administration is considering several alternatives to accomplishtbis crossing.

A new trailhead is under construction at the Sand Dunes Ski Trail, which will also serve the NCT. Officals in the eastern upper peninsula national forest hope to put in a loop trail that will pass along Brevoort Lake, through the sand dunes, and bring the hiker back to the trail head.

The Wisconsin Central Railroad has abandoned and pulled up tracks between St. Ignace and Trout Lake. Forest officals are working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the city of St. Ignace and private landowners to negotiate trail access from the North Country Trail to town using the abandoned railbed.

In addition to the construction projects, forest workers hope to produce an informational pamphlet this winter. For more information on hiking between the Great Lakes, contact either of the following;

• Hiawatha National Forest, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District, 4000 1-75 Business Sput, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-5311. or.

• Hiawatha National Forest, St. Ignace Ranger District, 1489 W. US 2, St. Ignace, MI 49781 (906) 643-7900.

1989 Hiawatha NF plans

Last summer, Tomi Lou Spyker noted in a study of 673 miles of certified North Country Trail, only 285 are open to horse use. In general, on-road connecting sections of the trail are open to horses - but this mostly means the Buckeye Trail in Ohio and segments of the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking Trail.

Horsemen have it good compared to bicyclists. The North Country National Scenic Trail, as defined in the

comprehensive plan, is designated as a ''Non-Motorized Multi­ ple Use trail," not simply a hiking trail. This means, in addition to hikers, at least parts of the trail are supposed to accomodate horsemen, runners, cross-country skiiers, bicyclists, and even handicapped-access wheelchair users. Yet, most segments of trail construction currently on the drawing board are being designed as hiking trails.

In addition to those on-road connecting section mentioned above, bikers have slim pickings on the NCT. The only major off-road certified segments of the NCT that are designed to allow bicycle use that come to mind are the 50 or so miles of. the Little Miami Trail (and the new extension currently in progress), from Yellow Springs to Cincinnati, OH; four miles of the M-99 Bikeway in southern Michigan, about 20 miles of Miami and Ohio towpath near St. Marys Ohio; in addition, though as yet uncertified, there are several miles in the Old Erie Canal State Park near Rome, New York. There are probably some other segments of various lengths here and there that are bikeable.

There are reasons for this, of course. The big reason is that hiking trails are relatively cheap and easy to construct and maintain. The pavement, clearances, grades and curves necessary for a first-class biking trail are not cheap. Generally speaking, a biking trail is not a volunteer project, at least as far as construction and maintenance goes: it takes the active

NCTA Newsletter, Spring, 1989

Cover story

Is the NCT shortchanging bicyclists? support of some entity of government, and, to get this is a political, administrative and publicity-based project.

Former railroad grades offer the best potential for new bike routes, as the grading and subbase is usually amenable to paving without an excessive and expensive amount of roadbed preparation, but abandoned railroad grades, by themselves, are unexpectedly expensive, sometimes running from $30,000 to $100,000 per mile, so again, it usually takes convincing some governmental entity that some former railroad grade would provide a reasonable dollar return from recreational activites. Once the basic land cost is swallowed, adding the pavement on top is not that big an increase in the total project.

Even the new legislation Reagan signed shortly before leaving office may not help that much. While it empowers the Federal Government to tum old "land-grant" railroads into trails under some circumstances, somehow it always seems to work out that the length of grade that we need for the North Country Trail is either [a] not a land-grant railroad, or [b] is already earmarked to become a snowmobile route. Neither can help us very much.

The North Country Trail may not have all the volunteers it needs to cut brush and blaze trail, but it's suffered more from needing local volunteers, near a project, to work with bureau­ crats and politicans, to battle paperwork and publicity to see a project through. Turning an old railroad grade into a bikeway takes all of these in spades.

Understandably, the NCTA and its associated organizations have shown a reluctance to initiate complicated rails-to-trails projects: they're a big job. Understandably, as well, many potential trail links on old railroad grades have been lost, and often the alternative routes remaining are not as good.

By not working on projects that could become bikeways, the NCT is suffering; in not working with bicyclists, the NCT is losing contact with a large and growing group that can have plenty of that administrative-type talent needed to pursue such rail-to-trail projects that can add to the total length of the trail. Worse, we' re not getting to some of the bicycle organizations that understand political and bureaucratic ins and outs, and that have plenty of clout and knowledge about funding sources that are different from those we've tapped in the past.,

It may come as a surprise to some NCTA members, but we're not building a hiking trail here, though sometimes it seems like it. The decision to make the NCT a ''non-motorized multiple-use trail" may seem like bureaucratic fumbling, at least on consider­ ing the trail segments completed so far, but when you reflect on some of what's left to do, it may not seem so unwise.

To get the trail through some of the remaining lands that are predominately held in private ownership is going to take all of the assistance we can lay our hands on, from a vast array of private groups through many governmental agencies and enti­ ties. Putting in those trail segments will take a lot of work, and we cannot afford to ignore specific user interest groups that can help out with the total development of the trail.

overused. They contain no formal facil­ ities such as fire grate, biffy box, etc. During 1989-90, the NCTA in cooperation with NFS expects to construct campsites designed for hikers.

Weather is generally pleasant at this latitude. Spring and fall can yield very cold nights. July and August can yeild hot days but nights tend to cool off. Mosquitos can be a problem from late June through September, depending greatly upon the water available for breeding conditions. Black flies can be a pest in June and July.

MILEAGE DATA [EAST TO WEST]: 0. 0 The trail begins in thick forest on

Forest Road 2303, at the eastern bound­ ary of the Chippewa Forest. This point barely accessable by four-wheel drive vehicle. Most of this section was logged as recently as the 1920's and is covered in poplar growth.

3.5 Cross FR 2101. This is a well used and maintained gravel road with parking access for trail. Continue through mixed forest and fields. Hunters are common in this section in the fall (mid-September - November).

8. 5 First real water access at the small Willow River.

9.5 Cross MN 6, a major blacktop highway. There is parking access on FR 2101 nearby. There has been frequent vandalism of NCT signs at this point. Continue northwest through forest and fields. Numerous crossings of old logging roads.

13.5 Ascend steep ridge and follow for

meadows and small hills that provide a sense of space. There are views of many lakes and ponds. Most walking is through pleasant forest cover that is a constantly changing cast of characters. Wildflowers are abundant in spring and early summer. Fall colors begin in early September.

Surprisingly, water sources for hikers can be a problem in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes"! Although lakes, ponds and streams abound in the Chippewa they are often difficult, if not impossible, for backpackers to access. There are several stretches of trail where up to 12 miles can pass without any water access at all. It is essential that all drinking water obtained along the trail be treated, as giardia and other unfriendly critters are present. Because of algae, weeds, mud and other factors a filter pump is strong­ ly recommended. Plan on a large enough water carrying capacity to last for long distances. The NFS plans to install deep well pumps- at selected trailheads and parking- areas during 1989.

Trail Cm;nping ~. permitted .anywhere along the trail qi the· -natlonal forest. However, many lovely sites must be bypassed because of lack of water. The NFS map identifies 16 "remote" camp­ sites. Hikers should be aware that these sites are older . fisherman landings on small. _lakes. They generally. are on a roadwa.y that is aecessable for auto traffic pulling · a boat trailer. Many of these marked sites are so obscure as to be inaccessible from the NCT. The few sites . available generally are a bit trashy and

This 68 mile section of the NCT has been constructed by the National Forest Service and is 100 % complete. A good map is available from the Chippewa National Forest Office in Walker, MN, near the western terminus of the trail. This map, while not topographic, is a good scale for hilring and shows adequate detail and area information for hiking and backpacking. Segment mileages are noted. on the map and are, generally, accurate. Trail signage bears the NCT star and is frequent and accurate along the entire route.

Topographically, the land is heavily forested in mixed hardwoods and coni­ fers .. The land is gently rolling. There are few steep ascents or descents and no strenuous climbs. The area has been heavily logged in the past and is crossed by numerous old logging roads. Some of these are maintained as forest roads, while others are not. Even some of the most obscure roads are marked on forest maps and may be· used by local four­ wheel drive vehicles. The NCT is dearly posted at ·each and every forest road crossing and forbids motorized use (which is common elsewhere in the Chip­ pewa). The trail.is cut mechanically to a wide (10' or wider) swath. At trailheads the forest cover is left in place to discourage motorized entry.

The trailway is generally smooth walking, with few stumps, roots, rocks, etc. In some places the trailway is seeded with clover or other small ground cover. There are few "view-point" lookouts, although there are frequent open

NCTA Coordinator Rod MacRae 1210 West 22nd St:· Minneapolis MN 55405

NCT Trail Coordinator Chippewa 'N_ational Forest HCR 73, Box 15 Walker MN" 56484

FOR. FURTHER INFORMATION AND MAPS CONTACT:-

ACCESS AND SERVICES: The North Country Trail is approxi­

mately 3 hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul. It is close to small towns: Walker, Longville and Remer. These towns offer full services (grocery, gas, restaurants, motels). The area is the center of Minne­ sota' s famous lake district and there are hundreds of lodges, resorts and motels scattered throughout the region. Many of the resorts will welcome NCT hikers. There are some outdoor shops with a general range of camping supplies, but no specialty backpacker shops.

The NCT can be accessed at numerous locations. Parking for 2-4 cars is readily available at most of these sites. It is possible, with advance notice, to arrange a pick-up or drop with the NFS Ranger Office in Walker. There are also NCTA members who reside in the area who may be willing to help.

68. 0 NCT ends at obscure forest road in heavy woods.

knoll away from boat launch area is suitable for hikers. Water access here. Hikers are now entering the Goose Lake Hunter Trail system. From mid-Septem­ ber through November this area is heavily used by hunters and hikers should exercise caution. You will pass many pretty lakes with campsite poten­ tial. The NFS expects to construct several hikers campsites along here 1989-90.

57.0 Cross MN 371, major blacktop road. There is parking/trail access about 1/ 4 mile north at Lake Erin. About 6 miles to the village of Walker north on this road. Water access at Lake Erin. Continue westward through woods and rolling terrain. '

62. 0 Cross CO 50, gravel, and the Shingobee River. Water access here. The remaining 6.5 miles of the NCT passes through the Shingobee Recreation Area, one of the most scenic and heavily used areas in the Chippewa NF.

64. 0 Pass Anaway Lake and ·ascend steep ridge. This is the locally famed Shingobee Vista, a grand view to the east. There is a nice campsite on this ridge in 'a grove of pines.

64.5 Cross MN 34, blacktop. 65.5 Cross the Heartland Trail. The

Heartland is part of Minnesota's Corridor trail system that follows old rail grades. This particular trail is blacktopped and extends about 60 miles from Park Rapids to Cass Lake. It is a multi-use trail.

66.0 Cross CO 12, gravel. Limited parking here. Trail passes through scattered grove of virgin Norway Pine, once the staple of l~berman's trade.

about a mile along this very pretty glacial moraine covered with conifers. Descend steeply to Milton Lake. There is good water access here and possible campsite. NCT follows roadway for short distance and ascends again into forest.

16.0 Cross CO 5, gravel road. Water access to north on Cedar Lake but no campsite prospect. Continue westward through moderately hilly section.

18.5 Cross CO 4, blacktop. Parking and trail access here. The next nine miles angling southwest are an excellent cross­ country ski section with gently rolling ups and downs and no serious surprises. The trail will cross countless forest roads, all well marked. There is no water access.

24.0 Cross CO 53, gravel. NCT follows road for 1/ 4 mile. As trail returns to woods, FR 2104 leads southbound. This roadway could take hiker to the Mabel Lake NFS Campground (about 2 miles).

25. 0 Stop and rest awhile on park service bench at side of trail in a cedar grove overlooking a pleasant fen. This capricious act by trailbuilders is welcomed by hikers!

28.0 Cross MN 200, major blacktop highway. Parking and trail access here. Water available from Boy River. Con­ tinue through heavy forest.

34.5 Cross MN 84, blacktop. Village of Longville, with full range of stores, is 2.5 miles south. No campsite. Continue through woods· southwestward.

41. 5 Cross small unmarked forest road. ·· Hazel Lake is about 150 yards north of this junction. Pretty campsite on birch

• I

I I

f

and July 23-29 in the woods near Alba, to connect the Shore-to-Shore Trail to the Jordan River Pathway; August 20-26 and August 27 - Septem­ ber 2 near the McCormick Wilderness Area. Sponsored by Huron Valley Group, Mackinac Chapter, Sierra Club; cost $40 per week [includes food]. Non-members welcome -- send self­ addressed stamped envelope to Vince Smith, Box 76, Whitmore Lake, Ml 48189

The North Country Trail is not nearly as far along as its shorter cousins, the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, but it's coming along! [In combination with the Lewis and Clark Water Trail, it will span the continent from the Vermont border to the Pacific Ocean). Come help build the trail in the north woods of Michigan, with time off for hiking, fishing, swimming, exploring, nature study, etc. Four opportunities: July 16-22

Trail building in the North Woods

NCTA Newsletter, Spring, 1989 Many details of the entire effort were discussed as they relate

to the Pennsylvania section of the North Country Trail. The committee is now looking forward to the NCTA Spring Meeting in White Cloud for further direction and guidelines.

Michigan Names Hike-a-Thon Segments At the January 28 meeting, the Michigan Coordinating

Committee of the North Country Trail Association selected six firm venues for the 1990 Hike-a-thon, and are considering two more.

The sites selected are: (1) In the Marquette area on a segment yet to be selected; site

coordinators are Don and Gene Elzinga. (2) Saint Ignace, in the Hiawatha National Forest; the

Michigan Committee providing direct coordination. (3) Mackinac City, on a segment to be completed in 1989

connecting Mackinac City and Wilderness State park; the Michigan Committee also directly coordinating.

(4) In the Manistee National Forest, on a site yet to be selected; the Western Michigan Chapter of NCTA coordinating.

(5) On the Battle Creek Linear Parkway, Jeff and Carin Reese coordinating.

(6) In the Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, with a local service club coordinating. · _.

The committee is also planning a special Hikeathon during the Mackinac Bridge Walk, a day after the scheduled hikeathon. The committee has also considered hikeathon events in the Traverse City area, and on Belle Isle in Detroit, but a final decision awaits adequate staffing.

A measure of how much work will have to be done over the next year can be seen in the fact that trail will have to be built, certified, or both on five of the six sites!

The Michigan Coordinating Committee will tackle some of these problems at their next meeting, on Saturday, April 29, at 10 AM at the Fenner Nature Center, near the comer of Arelius and Mt. Hope Roads, Lansing, MI. For more information, contact Wes Boyd at (517) 547-7402.

New York, Ohio Name Hike-a-Thon Segments Plans for the 1990 Hike-a-thon are pfogressing in Ohio and

New York, were a total of 17 Hike-a-thon segments have been announced, 7 in Ohio and 10 in New York.

Hike-a-thon Chairman Derek Blount recently announced that the Buckeye Trail Association and related groups will sponsor hike-a-thon · segments at Zoar, Yellow Springs, East Fork, Loveland, Minster, Spencerville and in the Wayne National Forest.

The Finger Lakes Trail Council and associated clubs will sponsor hike-a-thon segments in Allegany State Park (FLT Map Ml), Bucktooth Run (M2), McCarthy Hill State Forest (M3), Webbs Crossing (M9), Sugar Hill (M13), Hector Falls Creek (M15), Connecticut Hill (M16), R. H. Treman State Park (M16), Tamarack (M17), and Greek Peak (M19). Only the Connecticut Hill and Treman State Park segments are currently certified trail, though all have long been listed as connecting sections of the North Country Trail.

This brings the number of Hike-a-thon segments announced to I 26, with Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota yet to be heard . ' from.

Donate $10.00 to the NCTA and receive a copy of

"Wlldemess Horse Travelt¥ as a thank you for your contribution.

> . ,.,

Make check payable to NCfA. Send to NCTA Secretary, 7040 frica Rd., Galena OH 43201. Donations are tax deductable!

'111

Wanted: Donations to the NCTA •.

Pennsylvania Names Hike-a-Thon Segments The Keystone State Steering Committee held an important

meeting on December 4, 1988, at Cook's Forest within leg's reach of the Baker Section of the North Country Trail.

Participants included Brita and Don Dom, Glenn Oster, Loren Miles, Barbara Smith and John Hipps. It was a special pleasure to have Loren at the meeting representing the Allegheny National Forest as replacement for Don Clymer, whose recent job change kept him away.

A big accomplishment was achieved by the selection of three segments of the North Country Trail as sites for the 1990 Hike-a-thon. One section is within the Allegheny National Forest in Northern Pennsylvania, the second is within the Cook's Forest State Park in the mid-section of the trail in Pennsylvania and the third is the Glacier Ridge Trail in the southwestern part of the state. Each section is approximately 10 miles long and the three are representative of the specialness of the trail in the Keystone State.

The committee also discussed the matter of state and local organizational efforts aimed at group support and participation, publicity and fund raising.

Brita and Don Dom of the Allegheny Outdoor Club will coordinate the action in the Allegheny National Forest sector, Glenn Oster or the American Youth Hostel will do likewise in the Baker Trail portion of the mid-section and Bill Shiner, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Slippery Rock University will he in charge of the southwest sector.

26 Hike-A-Thon venues named in four states

Page8

The Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area is the largest of its kind in New York. Since the early 1900s, the area has been the site of many experimental programs to gain knowledge about wildlife habits and habitats. It is located 16 miles soutwest of Ithaca. The highest point in Tompkins County (2099 ft.) is a short distance off the trail and provides a great view of the surrounding hills. Throughout the area are numerous wildlife ponds, streams, and beaver ponds. The NCT section through Connecticut Hill offers diverse flora and fauna. It crosses a divide between the watersheds of the St. Lawrence Seaway to the north and the Susquehanna River to the south. Camping in the area requires a permit.

For information about Watkins Glen State Park and reserva­ tions, contact Superintendent, Watkins Glen State Park, PO Box 304, Watkins Glen NY 14891. For more information about Connecticut Hill Wildlife Managment Area, write to Regional Wildlife Manager, NYS Department of Environmental Conserva­ tion, Region 7, PO Box 1169, Fisher Avenue, Cortland NY 13045. Please contact Tom Reimers or Howard Beye about the dedication ceremonies.

Two new sections of the Finger Lakes Trail were recently certified by the NPS as official components of the NCT. They are a 4.5 mile segment in Watkins Glen State Park and a 7.4 mile segment in the Connecticut Hill State Wildlife Management Area. Dedication ceremonies for these two sections will be on May 13, 1989.

Watkins Glen State Park is probably the most spectacular gorge in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The east end of the North Country Trail is in the village of Watkins Glen near the main entrance of the Park. Another park trail follows Glen Creek through the narrow, winding glen between 100 to 300 foot cliffs, passes waterfalls, cascades, potholes, and even goes beneath one waterfall. The NCT, maintained by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Adirondack Mountian Club, follows the south rim of the gorge westward through the park. A trail on the north rim follows the route of an Indian trail: In the upper park of the park where the glen widens, dams form two lakes. Park facilities include a swimming pool with bathhouse, picnic areas, shelter pavilions, restrooms, refreshment concessions, and a camping area with tables, drinking water, and toilets.

11. 9 miles of trail certified in New York

8:00 p.m. Evening Slide Program - "The Buckeye Trail'' Preview of Fall Meeting Program.

After the Program a ''Flashlight Walk" at Loda Lake will be available for those interested. Sunday, May 21st:

Three Hike choices will be available - Sign-up Sheets at registration table be­ ginning Friday night.

(1) Short Hike (5-7 miles) South from Nichols Lake.

(2) Long Hike - Lake County Section (3) Car Caravan - to Hart-Montague

Trail. RESERVA110NSIREGISTRA110N:

Reservations for rooms at The Shack must be made with the owners at the above listed address.

Alternate Lodging is available at the Harrington Inn, 1117 W. Main, Fremont, Michigan 49412, (616) 924-3083.

Registration before May 1st is urged for anyone wishing to partake of the provided meals on Friday and Saturday. Those registering at the meeting may not be able to obtain a meal reservation. Registration forms and costs will be sent out in a special mailing to NCTA members.

Send registration to: NCTA, P.O. Box 311, White Cloud, Michigan 49349. In­ formation on cost will be mailed to you.

12:30 - 2:00 Lunch (Provided at The Shack - Pre-registration required) 2:00 p.m. ''The Hart-Montague Bike Trail" An example of a rails to trails conversion. 2:30 Report on the RTC Study of the NCT - Rail conversion opportunities for the trail. 3:15 Break 3:30 1990 Hike Planning Session 5:00 Break for Dinner - Dinner on your own

members. The Shack will provide a quiet, rustic meeting place with close parking, comfortable meeting rooms and lounges and lodging available at the meeting place. Additional rooms are being added, so lodging should be available for anyone interested in reserving a room at the Shack.

Hostel type (dormatory) lodging and camping will continue to be available for a modest fee at our headquarters building.

Last May's meeting was a marathon session with both a full business meeting schedule and the workshops. This year, a little more relaxed format will be main­ tained. The informational session will focus on only one topic: the Rails-to­ Trails opportunities and their role in the building of the NCT. There will be displays by the Rails-to-Trails Conser­ vancy, the Manistee National Forest, and various trail organizations.

Sunday will be reserved for a hike on the Lake County section of the NCT. This is a section of trail that we have not hiked before!

Location: The Shack Country Inn 2262 14th Street White Cloud, Michigan 49349 (616) 924-6683 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Friday, May 19th Registration opens Dinner - All members invited (pre-regis­ tration required). After Dinner: Meeting of informal Dis­ cussion Groups Saturday, May 20th: 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Coffee, Tea and

Doughnuts 8:30 - 12:30 Morning Meeting Schedules: Board of Directors Meeting, General Membership Meeting

•

The spring meeting will be held at The Shack Country Inn near White Cloud, Michigan. We have moved the meeting location to "The Shack" since last year, our headquarters building was bursting at the seams with the attendance of 60

Spring Meeting May 19-21 in White Cloud Page9 NCTA Netosletter, Spring, 1989

•

state hands and is attractive terrain. Ed Solstad, who engineered the Border Route Trail, is in charge of this project. The next stage is to acquire the state timber-cut plan and overlay on our working topos. Actual ''flagging'' of the route will begin next spring. Some ingenuity will be needed to stay out of the way of timber harvest and snowmobile trails. Come join us if you'd like to help build an important NCT link.

We have been exploring on the Chippewa segment of the NCT. This trail is very well laid out and especially well signed. It is kept clear. We do have a serious campsite problem, and, believe it or not, a water access problem! We have begun discussions with the NFS folks to explore the prospects of the NCTA embarking on a campsite development program in the Chippewa.

We have a strong resort owner and NCTA member interested in pushing for more development of the NCT near the Tamarack Wildlife Area.

We have presented a request for funding through the LCMR Fund at the Minnesota legislature. This is the source that enabled the Superior Trail to get off the ground. Our request is for $30,000 to be equally divided between part-time professional staff and on ground trail building efforts. No report yet but we are hopeful. -- submitted by Rod MacRae

NCTA brochures and activity schedules have been placed on the literature shelves in several Twin Cities outdoor shops. The brochures are disappearing rapidly, and shops are asking for restock; numerous phone calls have been received from in­ terested parties.

Our policy has been to put out a quarterly activities newsletter to invite people for specific events. Although there has not been a high turnout, members express appreciation of specific trail activity choices. All events have taken place as advertised.

Several "quiet" meetings have been held with DNR officals to discover their attitudes toward the NCT. Minnesota has adopted, in the past, a strongly pro-snowmobile attitude and has, generally, ignored non-motorized users. We see that changing. DNR his expressed the hope that we will become more organized and more politically visable. In general, they have encouraged our efforts, and have given us a "green light" to proceed with development of the NCT through the Paul Bunyan Forest area, a 30-mile stretch that will link the Chippewa with Itasca.

There are several challenges in the Paul Bunyan. This state forest is the most heavily logged of state lands and this policy will continue for many years. Secondly, the area is laced with snowmobile trails. On the positive side, the land is primarily in

Green light for new trail in Minnesota

may spend a year or more finding the right answer. We have initiated our search for a solution. Our immediate concern is that no one rules that all certification must stop until we find the solution. I am optimistic that if all concerned parties will be patient, the optimum solution will be found.

On another subject, recent communications from Director Vince Smith and George Elzinga of Marquette, Michigan, have made me realize the need to establish Volunteer-in-the-Park status for the NCTA and its members. This will provide volunteers working on trails a measure of liability protection. We will incorporate this feature into the cooperative agreement we are contemplating. I will try to have a draft of the agreement for the May meeting in White Cloud.

At the fall meeting, I announced that our office was receiving funds to evaluate the suitability of state-owned canal lands in Ohio for the route of the NCT and how to preserve for such use those that were found to be suitable. Shortly after I returned from Ithaca, I learned that priorities for the available funds had been reconsidered by our Washington office and the Ohio canal lands project was dropped. I had hoped we could find another way to still carry out the envisioned evaluation, but two other factors have prevented that at the present time.

First, because of limited funding and the need to direct available funds to the highest priority needs, the Regional Office found it necessary to charge a larger portion of staff salaries than first anticipated to the $80,000 appropriated for the NCT this year. This left fewer funds available for special projects such as the Ohio canal lands study. There is still a chance of having sufficient funds to print the NCT brochure and to enter into a cooperative agreement with the association which will enable it to hire paid staff.

Second, a portion of the Regional Office was reorganized and some time has been lost in initiating such projects for this fiscal year. The Division of External Affairs, of which I was formerly a part, was abolished and its functions and staff consolidated with the Division of Planning and Environmental Quality. Among other things, this division is responsible for all planning and environmental study work for the units of the National Park System in a 10-state area, as well as study of potential new park areas. The chief of the Division of External Affairs, Mr. Alan Hutchings, became the chief of the Division of Planning and Environmental Quality, so I have the same supervisor. My telephone number remains the same: (402) 221-3481. .

-- Thomas L. Gilbert Coordinator, North Country National Scenic Trail

You should all be aware of an issue which has recently come to our attention. The State Historic Preservation Officer in WISCOnsin has asked us how the National Park Service is complying with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in the development and certification of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This law requires Federal Agencies to determine whether any action they propose to take will have an impact on cultural resources. If the Agency's proposed action will have an impact, it must follow legally defined procedures to minimize that impact before taking the action.

To determine possible impacts, the Federal Agency must first identify all cultural resources in the area to be affected by its proposed action. In the case of historical resources, these are usually visible and easily inventoried. However, in the case of archeological resources, these ~Y lie below the surface of the ground and can only be identified by a trained obseryer and/or a survey of the ground affected by the project. The latter may necessitate digging holes to actually investigate the sub­ surface in the immediate project area. Finding archelogocial resources does not mean that the project, such as a trail cannot be carried out, but it does mean that steps must be taken to minimize the project's impact.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because we were not sure in the past that what we are doing in establishing National Scenic Trails required compliance with Section 106. However, it appears that the National Park Service's certification of completed trail segments constitutes a Federal action within the meaning of the law and we must begin to comply. How could development of a trail affect archeological resources? The law and . regulations are clear in that any time you so much as scratch the surface of the ground with a rake, you have the possibility of distrubing archeological resources. Even if you do not scratch the ground, but provide a means (such as a trail) or public access to fragile resources, leading to possible damage by the public, you must know this and take measures to minimize the impact (perhaps by taking a different route for the trail).

Certianly we are all in harmony with the objectives of the National Historic Preservation Act, just as we are the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, etc. The question we now face is: How do we comply with the Section 106 regulations and not severly affect the development of the NCT and other similar trails, especially considering the significant role of private volunteers in building and maintaining the trails, and the fact that so much of the trails cross private lands? We

All new certification threatened NCTA Newsletter, Spring 1989 Page 10

North Country National Scenic Trail t-shlrts and jerseys are available for purchase. The shirts contain the design shown here and are available either as a yellow T-shirt imprinted in brown, or a white jersey with royal blue sleeves imprinted in royal blue. Various quantities of each In all adult sizes are in stock now. The prices, which are AT COST, are $8.00 for the T-shirt and Sl0.00 for the jersey. All shirts are 50 percent cotton - 50 percent polyester, except the XL T-shirts which are 100 percent cotton. Orders for the shirts should be sent to: Tom Gllbert, 904 Donegal Circle, Papllllon, NE 68046. Please Include a check for payment with your order payable to Tom Gilbert. Include Sl.50 for packaging and postage for 1 shirt or S2.00 for 2 or more shirts.

• Expires May 1989: Chris Bredlow, Tom Reimers, Cecil Dobbins, Tomi Lou Spyker, Herschel Rubin, Glen Oster.

Expires May 1990; Pat Allen*, Bob Dreis*, Virginia Wunsch*, Paulette Johnson*, Candice Bowen Bosworth*, Derek Blount, Wes Boyd, Martha Jones.

Expires May 1991.: Linda Vargason, Gaylord Yost, Rod MacRae, Tim Knopp, Ed Solstad, Vince Smith, Judy Martin, Art Holland", Emily Gregor*, Ken Gackler+, Jim Warmels*, Ruth Sack*, Barbara Smith*, Johll Hippst, ·Dons and Clifford Abbott, Howard S. Beye, Joe Dabes, Laura McGuire.

* indicated individual is serving second consecutive 3 year term. t indicated individual is serving third consecutive 3 year term.

Board of Directors Terms of Office

Ohio Upper Peninsula, Michigan

North Dakota Wisconsin

Pennsylvania Minnesota New York

1989;'' 1990 1991 l'J92 1993 1994 1995

Projected schedule of fall meetings Page 11

"Discover Your National Forests" A 30 page booklet offering information on the various recreational opportunites in our National Forests. Write: Gaylord Yost, USDA Forest Service, 310 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203

FREE USFS INFORMATION BOOKLET

We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Rod MacR.ae of Minneapolis, MN as a new life member.

The White Cloud Ranger District Manistee National Forest, White Cloud, MI is planning on extending the trail to Croton Dam this summer. They have placed an ad in the American Hiker Magazine asking for volunteers. Anyone interested on working on that section can get in contact with Diane Walker, White Cloud Ranger District, White Cloud, MI 49249, (616) 689-6696.

That Ranger Station will be open weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

.1

Manistee NF work planned

-s A few years ago, the National Forests developed and adopted Land and Resource Management Plans that were to provide strategies. and management actions in the Forests for a 10-year period. The Plans list specific objectives, standards, guidelines, and prescriptions for multiple-use managment of the Forests. Some of you may have been involved with the planning process. Now that the plans have been written, many are going through a series of amendments to accomodate new information and changing needs and expectations. Managers of the Forests also are seeking public comments on how best to implement the Plans in specific, localized "opportunity areas" (OA).

I have the Plans for most of the National Forests along the route of the North Country Trail and I regularily receive letters soliciting comments and concerns about implementation of the Plans. If an amendment is proposed or approved in an OA along the route of the NCT, I always write to the District Ranger or Forest Supervisor voicing my concern for the NCT or the corridor though which it may pass. I will continue doing this as needed. I also intend to get more of the members involved with this process. If you live near Chequamegon, Manistee, Chip­ pewa, Ottawa, Allegheny, Finger Lakes, Wayne or Hiawatha National Forests (I hope I've listed them all), I encourage you to get a copy of the Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Forest near you. In addition, contact the District Ranger and get your name on the mailing list. Since I live on the eastern end of the NCT, there is little I can do to determine effects of new plans and amendments on the NCT "way out west". I will examine every proposed amendment I receive and may ask some of you to write or call the Forest Service office on behalf of the NCT and NCTA.

-- Tom Reimers

A letter from the President

II Head Trail

NCTA Neuisletter, 'Spring, 1989

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

. . . ,• .

........................................................................ What other specific talents and abilities do you have?

Do you own a computer? D Yes D No Do you know how to operate a computer? D Yes D No

In an ongoing effort to develop the North Country Trail, the association needs a member talent file. This is extremely Important with the upcoming 1990 Hike-A-Thon which will need the involvement of all members and a support network of many more. Please take a few minutes to give us your background and your expertise. All information is confidential.

Outdoor groups of which you are a member: . Please check where appllcable [your willingness, abilities and talents]. Help obtain legal easements D Solicit State and Local Celebrities D Membership development D Appeals to Urban organizations (cycling clubs, Constructing and maintaining trails D scout groups, running clubs, etc.) o Liason with associated hiking clubs and NCTA D Media: Financial and legal abilities D Large scale o 1990 Trail coordinator Small scale o

Local D Artwork and Printing D State D Clerical D ·

1990 Publicity Telephone answering D Registration D Communications D Shuttle transport D Fund raising D

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION MEMBER QUESTIONAIRE

for a

APPLICATION .FOR MEMBERSHIP

;ff~nual D~es: embership ye~r ru.n~;;~fom J~ly< ~hrough . , <;::, :June 30. Dues .paiQ" froro ~prjl 1 on are. valid through

·June 30 of theJ.ollo · >'·ear .. .. ··

·:~d~U .. :: r~.;:~~:·!~~- ; .; ·.r -~· : .. ~ :,. ~-.: . 10.00 ··Family(includ.~chilq,r~n;·uode~)B) :· ~ ' ..•. $ 15.00 Enclosed is$ ··

lt!lf:Ilt2')E::":;:;;;;\f i'l?~~-r~i ~;~~·~}'.· ........ -..---- t;:;·· '.·;[1 .. \;· '. _:::::. ··,< .· '=:.: .: - />,'';· -'-- - - - - - . ' . ' /fEJ:Yes, 1. would like tQ further support the North Country TraJl'Associatidn with my. tax free contribution of $ ..•......

. ehclosed~ ~It~· 0;,_:/i:,;h:. · ·

:-~·: ...

Do you know someone that ought to be a member' of the

North Country Trail Association? It's important that the NCT A increase its membership in order to prepare

for the 1990 Hike-A-Thon. If you know someone that ought to he a NCTA member, then go ask them!