Calhoun County Trailway Possible Route Needs Support

by Tom Garnett and Mick Hawkins, of the Chief Noonday Chapter, NCTA

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners will decide soon the fate of the Calhoun County Trailway in Emmett Township on the east side of Battle Creek, and with it part of the fate of the North Country Trail. Very likely the CCTA trail would replace pretty much all of the roadwalk currently in place from the east boundary of Battle Creek down to Historic Bridge Park in Emmett Township.

A Master Plan was completed in 2006, and grants have been obtained in the past two years through the work of the Calhoun Country Trailway Alliance (CCTA) to build 5.3 miles of multi-use off-road trail connecting the Battle Creek Linear Path with Historic Bridge Park through the county parks of The Ott Biological Preserve, Kimball Pines, and Historic Bridge Park.

Beyond this first segment, planning is being developed to take this trail all the way to Homer, connecting with Marshall, and Albion on the way. This will be a great extension of trails within the area.

After several Commission votes in support of the trailway in recent years, an opposition group, Friends of the Ott, have been successful in creating some "doubt" particularly in the minds of the "new" commissioners. The trailway is one part of the CCTA's vision of a trail across Calhoun County and the State of Michigan's vision of a trail connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

The Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has been much involved in the CCTA project from the get-go. Chief Noonday obtained funding for early feasibility studies for the project. See map on Chief Noonday site that shows approximately where the CCTA corridor would go.

Contact the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance at cfc-cc.org

This segment is on NCTA map MI-02

See Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA

Frazee, MN Seeks $100K to Bring NCT Through Town

off road portions of both the NCT and the Heartland Trail do not currently continue through Frazee

if you like this article, click the Blip chiclet!

based on an article from the Frazee Forum

The Frazee, Minnesota, Economic Development Authority voted to pursue a Lessard Heritage Legacy Grant for up to $100,000. This is a 25-75 grant, meaning that Frazee would supply $25,000 of the funds to match with $75,000 from the Lessard Fund.

The money would be used to bring the North Country Trail and the Heartland Trail to a meeting point in Frazee. The Heartland Trail is a multi-use, paved trail, which currently ends in Park Rapids.

Mayor Hank Ludtke has been active in promoting both trails. "It will be important to have amenities available, plus easy access to Frazee," he stated, referring to the time when the trails will reach Frazee.

See Map of the Heartland Trail

See Western Minnesota Trail High on Vergas/Frazee Agendas

Minnesota Trail Connection Possibilities?

including information from a news article in the Duluth News-Tribune, "Outdoors council recommends preserving northern Minnesota forests", by Sam Cook, Mar 11, 2009

Assuming that the Minnesota Arrowhead route is approved by Congress at some point there still remains the big gap in the trail from Ely to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. These 50 miles will need to be connected by some means other than the Taconite snowmobile trail which is, for now, at least an off-road option for a hiker to follow in the summer. However, motorized trails can not be certified, and portions of the trail are known to be under water in the summer.

In Minnesota there is a source of funding for game, fish and wildlife projects. Certain sales taxes are now generated by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment that was passed by voters last fall. The Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council is a 12-member citizen council which makes recommendations as to how the money should be spent.

The council has voted to allocate $20 million to the "Forests for the Future — Upper Mississippi River Project" in each of the next two fiscal years. The Minnesota DNR had requested $42,700,000 for the project.

The money would be used to purchase easements on 187,000 acres of forested land owned by UPM-Kymmene. This Finland-based company owns the Blandin paper mill in Grand Rapids. Most of the lands are in Itasca, Koochiching, St. Louis, Cass and Aitkin counties. These easements would guarantee that the land remains open to the public while still allowing the company to conduct sustainable timber harvests.

UPM-Kymmene has yet to formally agree, but the outlook is positive. A map of the land parcels was not provided with the news article, but it seems likely that some of them might be in locations which could provide passage for the North Country Trail.

See Minnesotans- Support the Arrowhead

Upper Peninsula Sturgeon River Land Purchase Complete

NCT above the Sturgeon River Gorge currently passes through a dry plain with no views of the gorge (photo by J Young)

from a news release of the Michigan DNR

Preserves wildlife habitat, secures four miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail and opens up thousands of acres of public land

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently was awarded a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to help purchase 681 acres of pristine wilderness along the famed Sturgeon River in Baraga County from The Conservation Fund, a national land and water conservation organization. The acquisition completes a deal that preserves a total of 1,054 acres of former We Energies land in two counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including approximately 5.6 miles of waterfront property along the Sturgeon River. This NCT segment is located in Baraga County on Map M-13.

“We deeply appreciate The Conservation Fund for, once again, working with a private landowner to permanently protect lands for the North Country National Scenic Trail," said Tom Gilbert, National Park Service superintendent of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Federally designated as a Wild and Scenic River, the Sturgeon River possesses remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic and cultural value. The Sturgeon flows through rugged terrain, creating dramatic gorges, waterfalls and rapids well known to paddlers and nature enthusiasts. Its abundant populations of trout make it a popular destination for anglers. The North Country National Scenic Trail parallels the river for more than four miles, but currently never offers any views of the spectacular gorge. It is unclear whether this purchase will allow for a re-route of the trail closer to the gorge. However, it does secure Tibbets Falls, a popular destination just east of the Oren Krumm Shelter.

The property also connects with neighboring state lands, Copper Country State Forest, to form a continuous 30-mile stretch of public land along the river and secures a critical four-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

“This acquisition will protect a special place in the western Upper Peninsula for current and future Michigan citizens and visitors to enjoy for generations,” said Michigan DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “It also protects critical deer wintering habitat and areas where bald eagles and ospreys nest. Further, it helps reduce land fragmentation across the Upper Peninsula when these large parcels of land go on the market.”

Sturgeon River (photo MI DNR)

Bruce Matthews, executive director of the North Country Trail Association, commented, “It offers yet another example of public/private partnerships working on behalf of the public interest for today and the future. We’re fortunate at the North Country Trail Association to be supported in our efforts by the vision and foresight of The Conservation Fund, Michigan DNR and We Energies.”

The Conservation Fund

Frazee Focused on Trail Themes

dawn on the Otter Tail River (photo by O Young)

based on a news article in the Frazee Forum, "Frazee Planning Commission sets goals for 2009," by Barbie Porter, Jan 28, 2009

Frazee, Minnesota has been discussing the North Country Trail a lot lately. And they are serious about finding a way through town for the NCT and improving the river canoe options on the Otter Tail River water trail. At the Jan. 20th meeting, regular village business took the bulk of the time. Yet discussions held at earlier meetings were not forgotten.

A goal set for 2009 for the planning commission includes optimizing river route opportunities by conducting three projects. The first would be providing a safe space for canoes and kayaks near the end of Main Avenue and getting a business that would offer food and refreshments. The second would be providing a safe area for canoe and kayakers to walk around the dam at Lion's Park. The third project, removing a piece of hanging steel from a bridge, Smith reported was already being addressed.

In addition to providing a new aspect of river traffic through town, Planning Commission member Ryan Rustad noted the committee should also start preparing for the construction of the North Country Trail and the Heartland Trail. "When the final plans are available for the trails we should review them and make sure the zoning is appropriate," Rustad suggested. "Preparing ahead of time will also ensure we're maximizing our opportunity to bring travelers into town."

Its been a long time coming, but enthusiasm for the North Country Trail in western Minnesota is growing.

See Frazee Working to Become a Trail Town
See Western Minnesota, Frazee Route Options to be Discussed
See Otter Tail River

Frazee Working to Become a Trail Town

During the trails meeting last week at the Frazee Event Center, Frazee City Clerk Jonathan Smith conversed with two River Keepers personnel. Jay Leitch, center, is a consultant, while Bob Backman is the executive director. Photo by John W. Dermody

based on a news release of Frazee Forum

Mayor Ludtke of Frazee, Minnesota stated, "We would like to eventually see a North Country Trail Association chapter established that would involve linking from Frazee to Pelican Rapids."

This comment was made at a January 14 trail planning meeting in Frazee. There is a growing effort to bring trails and canoe routes through the small community. These plans include the North Country Trail, the Heartland Trail Extension and a proposed Otter Tail Canoe Route.

Robert Backman, executive director of the River Keepers, noted that his group is a non-profit that "works with the Red River and the basin . . . everything that drains into the Red River." The Red River forms the boundary between Minnesota and North Dakota. That includes the Otter Tail River and numerous tributaries. And while canoeing in such streams may not be referred to normally as using a "trail," it is tied to the other two trails - the North Country and the Heartland - in the big picture. The Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the NCTA is working as a part of this planning group.

River Keepers guiding precept is "Promoting a renewed vision of the Red River of the North." Ludtke added, "One of our big activities is a water festival. We bring in Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton-Breckenridge 4th grade students . . . that's the time they study units concerning water." The F-M contingent has swelled to 1,600, he pointed out. Of course the North Country Trail is always looking for younger hikers to discover the trail. The canoe route starts at Rochert, he said, noting that the Tamarac portion is closed. The winding route eventually travels through Frazee, the Pine lakes, and intersects at Breckenridge after a total of almost 200 miles. Backman added: "People have been using the Otter Tail River for 150 years; this formalizes the plan. Use of the river will grow."

Vergas, Frazee and Pelican Rapids and/or Detroit Lakes are towns along the proposed NCT route in western Minnesota. It looks like Frazee is taking the initiative to become a trail town and cement a relationship with the North Country.

See River Keepers
Laurentian Lakes Chapter

Western Minnesota, Frazee Route Options to be Discussed

the world's largest loon Vergas, MN photo credit Joan Young

Excerpted from Frazee-Vergas Forum, "Trail meeting set Jan. 14 in Frazee", by John W. Dermody, Jan 7, 2009

Three groups working to promote trails will meet Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Frazee Event Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The meeting is expected to bring together about 50 participants who are concerned with the formation and development of the trails, although one is more likely to be referred to as a "canoe route."

Some of the persons present Wednesday will be from the Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North County Trails Association (NCTA), while others have been intimately involved with the Heartland

Each of the trails could have a great impact on this community, he pointed out, although the work on developing them will take a significant amount of time.

For example, conversation at next week's FEC meeting will center on how the North Country Trail might eventually wind its way from Itasca - via Clearwater - on toward the southwest, with Frazee featured as a trail town.

Editor's note: One of the best pieces of pie to be had along the NCT is a buttermilk pie in Vergas, so I'm biased in wanting the trail to go through there!

Imagining a New NCT Route in SE Michigan

from the NPS NCT map

from The Erie Hiker, (Mike Ingels) used with permission

There has been recent talk - just chatter, really [nothing official about this]- about a possible reroute of the North Country Trail through SE Michigan. Much of the trail in Michigan is complete, most especially the sections in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

Now, I’ll bet you didn’t know that the NCT is a trail local to our region. Currently, the trail passes through Toledo mostly on the flat-as-a-bone Wabash-Cannonball rail trail. The Wabash-Cannonball certainly churns up the miles. It reaches nearly to Indiana. However, it seems to be routed mostly to avoid our area. Who wants to hike for 50+ miles on a flat rail trail when other options seem possible. And the western section of the Wabash Cannonball is essentially a dead-end for the NCT. For years, people have tried, with limited success to route the trail up through Hillsdale County. Now, Hillsdale County is a beautiful place with lots of great people, but let’s just say that the county’s strengths do not include a great tradition of government/volunteer partnership. It’s just not the nature of the county. So, the likelihood that the trail will ever be completed in that area seems slim to me.

The possible reroute could possibly take the trail up through Monroe County. From the west, the new route would likely follow the old Airline
Railroad bed from the NCT in Calhoun County and to within a mile or so of Waterloo State Recreation Area and the Waterloo Pinckney backpacking trail. From there, the trail would cross U of M’s Stinchfield Woods and connect to Washtenaw County’s Border to Border Trail.

The Border to Border Trail will eventually connect to the set of bike trails maintained by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks through Lower Huron, Willow, Oakwood and Lake Erie Metroparks.

Two possible routes through Monroe County seem most likely. The first includes a potentially refurbished I-275 trail to Monroe. The second would follow the growing Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge along Lake Erie. You know which idea I like. The lakeshore route has several advantages. First, it opens a wide variety of funding sources. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Nature Conservancy, Michigan Nature Association, Michigan State Parks/Wildlife Departments and Ducks Unlimited all have properties in that shoreline zone.

The area has a coastal zone management plan and potential Great Lakes restoration funding. In addition, the Fermi II and possible Fermi III add the possibility of Homeland Security funding and private DTE contributions. Add the existing Friends groups for the Detroit River IWR and proposed River Raisin Battlefield and you have the makings of a very supportive and active local community.

The trail in this area could become the “home” trail for Ann Arbor hikers and backpackers. That would be a great boon for the trail in Michigan, given the way that A2 supports trails. And if the NCTA could make some peace with the Michigan Mountain Biking Association, an entire group of existing and trained volunteers could be ready to roll on this section of trail.

The trail could be the future vision for Monroe’s lakeshore. And it wouldn’t have to happen overnight. But the vision could attract people and jobs to the area.

NCT Progress in Western Minnesota

This group of volunteer laborers takes a break on a bridge they built along the North Country Scenic National Trail in Becker County.

from Detroit Lakes Online, "Little by little, walking trail coming together," by Pippi Mayfield, Dec 24, 2008

After more than 25 years of clearing and constructing, the North Country National Scenic Trail has entered Becker County.

“It’s very much a work in progress,” said Matthew Davis, regional trail coordinator for Minnesota and North Dakota.

The trail through Becker County this far has been on state land, so the association hasn’t had to worry much about acquiring private land. The association has been able to work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the county for land... more

Adirondack Wilderness Route Questions Remain

from the Albany Times Union, "Where will new trail go?" by Alan Wechsler, Nov 20, 2008

Last Thursday at Mercatos Restaurant in Delmar, nearly two dozen upstate New York members of the Adirondack Mountain Club, Appalachian Mountain Club and Sierra Club met with Bruce Matthews, executive director of the North Country Trail Association of Lowell, Mich. Their mission: to make sure the route through New York's largest wilderness area stays in the wilderness.

There are several routes proposed. The trail is expected to traverse the center of the park, through such wilderness and wild forest areas as Moose River Plains, Siamese Ponds, Vanderwacker Mountain and Hoffman Notch.

But some controversy has developed over where, exactly... more