Notice: I've taken a part-time job, and it's definitely affecting my blogging time. I'll continue to add content here as often as possible. Pertinent guest posts are always welcome.

-
Showing posts with label Sheyenne River Valley Chapter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheyenne River Valley Chapter. Show all posts

Monday, June 29, 2009

Still Time to Sign Up for the ND Conference

25th Annual NCTA Conference
from the North Country Trail Association

Early registration for the NCTA Annual Conference closes July 1, but there is still time to attend. People can call the NCTA office, 1-866-hikeNCT, tomorrow, June 30 and register at the reduced rate. After tomorrow the registration fee increases, but only by $5.

There are workshops, hikes and tours every day. This year there will be programs and events designed just for kids and families. The conference is co-hosted by the NCTA and the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter.

Evening programs feature outstanding speakers:

Across two years. Across 7,800 miles. Deia Schlosberg, 28, and Gregg Treinish, 26, two Montana-based wilderness educators, became the first two people to backpack the Andes Mountain Range, the first two to walk it through the mountains without relying on roads, and the first woman to have walked South America. Named National Geographic Adventurers of the Year in 2008, these dedicated hikers persevered through high peaks, deep valleys, knee-deep peat bogs, rainy seasons, trackless deserts, bamboo forests and incredible views. Deia and Gregg will be featured during Friday night's community benefit night-you won't want to miss their account of this unforgettable trek "Across the Andes" or the live and silent auctions that come before them!

The E Company of Custer's Memorial 7th Cavalry was first formed in 1967 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the old Fort Ransom post. On Thursday night at the picnic, they will allow you to share camp life with them and their families. Thrill to their re-enactment of drills on horseback and demonstrations of marksmanship with black powder pistols! Afterwards, Brother Jukebox will have you rocking to the best of Country and Rock and Roll music.

For more than ten years Nature/Wildlife Tourism has demonstrated one of the strongest growth patterns in the travel and outdoor recreation market, contributing over $47.7 billion to the US economy. After dinner on Saturday night Jim Mallman, President and founding Board member of Watchable Wildlife, Inc., will provide an overview of what is happening in nature tourism worldwide and explain the reasons for promoting it in your community.

Would you call spending several nights sleeping in a van in sub-zero temperatures to capture scenes just before dawn, obsessed? Daron Krueger and Clint Saunders, better known as the Obsessed Photographers Group, gives you slide show glimpse into their latest book, aptly entitled "Obsessed with North Dakota." A book signing will follow, all on Saturday night after Jim Mallman.

For full details, visit the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter web site.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Feature- North Dakota's Martinson Bridge

Sheyenne State Forest sign
(photo by JHY)
The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the State Historical Society of North Dakota often team together to restore and preserve old bridges. One of their previous projects is located in Ransom County, southeast of Fort Ransom State Park. It is known as the Martinson Bridge. The single-lane, true-truss bridge provides access to the Sheyenne State Forest and to the North Country Trail. A portion of the trail runs through North Dakota’s Sheyenne River Valley.

"You can cross the bridge to the North Country Trail, to get to a waterfall," said Ben Kubischta, NDDOT’s transportation enhancement program coordinator. "It’s a great place for hiking." The few miles of NCT in the Sheyenne State Forest are unique. The forest trail climbs several hills and passes the state's only waterfall.

Martinson Bridge
Martinson Bridge Restoration Sheyenne River, Ransom County (photo from ND DOT)
The Martinson Bridge was restored with Transportation Enhancement funds. Transportation Enhancements are transportation-related activities that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the Nation's intermodal transportation system. They account for a small percentage of transportation funding. Occasionally TE funds benefit the North Country Trail in locations involving bridge crossings, urban pathways, or alternative transportation routes.

Martinson Bridge Trailhead
Martinson Bridge Trailhead (photo from SRV Chapter NCTA)
A one-and-a-half mile loop of the North Country Trail is located at the east end of the Sheyenne State Forest and contains some breathtaking views of the river valley. A one-half mile connector segment joins the Oak Ridge Loop to the Mineral Springs Segment at the Martinson Bridge Trailhead.

See North Dakota DOT
See Sheyenne River Valley Chapter NCTA
See Traill County's Bridges to History (free sign-up required)
See Transporation Enhancements Remain in Stimulus Package
See Some Transportation Enhancements Remain in Stimulus Package

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Valley City State University - Segment Spotlight

NCT in Valley City, ND
NCT in Valley City, ND
(photo VCSU)
from the Valley City State University web site

From the VCSU campus a segment of this trail winds through the wooded hillside of Medicine Wheel Park and along the Path of the Planets. The North Country National Scenic Trail offers something for everyone. Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, backpacking, birding, snow-shoeing, or cross-country skiing, there is section of trail waiting for you to enjoy.

The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter of the North Country Trail works with partner organizations to maintain certified segments in the Sheyenne State Forest, Fort Ransom State Park, Valley City, and along Lake Ashtabula. Work is underway to develop additional trail to connect the existing segments.

See Sheyenne River Valley Chapter