Death in Minnesota from Tick-Borne Virus

deer tick life stages and metric rule. The adult ticks (left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch. (from Minn Dept of Health)

from the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Public Radio

A Minnesota woman has died from a tick-borne virus known as the Powassan Virus, named for a city in Ontario where is was first described in 1958. Only 60 cases have been reported in the past five decades, until recently. In the past three years, six cases have turned up in northern Minnesota. The victim was in her 60s, and died from the resulting brain infection after being bitten.

The virus is carried by the deer tick, and possibly Ixodes cookei, sometimes known as the groundhog tick. The virus causes an inflammation of the brain or the brain's membranes, resulting in encephalitis, or meningitis. Although rare, the disease is extremely serious, with approximately 10% fatality. In addition, the virus is transmitted from tick to human much more quickly than the Lyme Disease virus, which can take 12-48 hours. Times as short as 15 minutes have been posted on some web sites, but the MN health department states the the time is shorter, but not known with certainty.

Minnesota NCT hikers should use precautions. Counties included in the warning for this disease include Cass, Itasca, and Hubbard, through which the trail passes. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and memory loss. It can take a week after being bitten for symptoms to appear.



This segment is on NCTA map MN-09 and MN-10

See Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the NCTA
See Itasca-Moraine Chapter of the NCTA

Windigo Doug Completes Michigan NCT- 1130 miles

Windigo Doug Boulee

from Doug Boulee

On May 31, 2011, Doug Boulee (trail name Windigo Doug) completed the entire NCT in Michigan for a total of 1130 miles. Doug tracked his statistics and reports that this was accomplished in 17 sections hiked over 5 years. He averaged almost 16 miles a day.

Doug wrote, as he was beginning his quest, "Traveling in the wilderness, days of the week and month no longer matter. The year does not exist. The only measure that counts are Trail Days." This was on May 25, 2007 in a section maintained by the Western Michigan Chapter. Hikes were not completed in a linear fashion, but he would hike some in the UP and some in the Lower Peninsula till all the pieces were filled in. "The McCormick Wilderness Tract was one of my favorite parts of the adventure with varied terrain and more fantastic views," Doug explained.

tenting in the Manistee NF

Along the way he spent 68 nights in a tent (and two in a motel, and one in a home).....Only 6 states and 3,470 miles to go! He's planning to take on Wisconsin next, starting in September. "I cannot encourage you enough to go out and find just a small bit of trail near your home to start your own adventure. It doesn't have to be of any great length or long term endeavor. There are many places to enjoy the trail just one day, just one step at a time. Get up, get out and get active."

Doug has been added to the 1000-mile Club.

See Windigo Doug's Trail Journal

AmeriCorps Trail Work Near Marquette

benching trail at Silver Lake (photo from NCT Hikers)

from Footnotes, summer 2011

On Sunday, June 5, a group of 17 AmeriCorps volunteers from the Greater Grand Rapids Area American Red Cross arrived in Marquette to help with a variety of projects on the trail. Monday morning three different groups went to work.

One group worked Monday through Thursday, at the McCormick Wilderness segment and into Segment 25 where they cleared a slew (over 65) of blowdowns, lopped and raked the trail. Remember that no power tools are allowed in the Wilderness, so all their efforts were executed with hand tools - crosscut saws, loppers and rakes.

A second group met in Ishpeming and headed north to build new trail on the west side of the Mulligan Plains up a steep hill. A series of switchbacks were built including sections of benching the trail and adding rock steps. Four full days of physical exertion added slightly less than a mile of new blue-blazed trail up the hill for a rise of over 330 feet in elevation.

new puncheon at Wetmore Pond (photo from UpperMichigansSource.com)

The third group headed out to Sigan Road in Alger County to do some heavy lopping, general trail maintenance and blazing. Just getting in and out of that work site via Sigan Road from Sand River Road was an adventure the AmeriCorps probably won’t forget for a while. This group also worked at Wetmore Pond, removing the old boardwalks and replacing them with all new materials on the Old Growth Trail. A couple of reroutes and shorter boardwalks were also tackled on the west trail. Swamping through the muck paid off when the completed project could be easily hiked without fear of falling through a broken board. Note that Plum Creek Timber Company donated all building materials for the Wetmore Pond project. A subgroup also repaired handrails, added a step to some stairs and did a small reroute on the Wetmore Landing segment on the east side of County Rd 550.

This segment is on NCTA map MI-12

See North Country Trail Hikers Chapter of the NCTA

Sign Up to Build Trail in Ohio

restored canal at Providence Metropark (photo by jhy)

from Rick Adamson Ohio State Trail Coordinator

Sign up to help build trail in northwest Ohio between the communities of Florida and Grand Rapids in Henry and Wood Counties.

Rick Adamson's renowned work crew will build new off-road trail on the historic Miami & Erie Canal towpath route. Accommodations are camping at Mary Jane Thurston State Park (no electric hookups).

Some food is being provided by the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, but for most meals volunteers must provide their own.

The event runs between Saturday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 22. Work times are generally from 8 am to 3 pm leaving plenty of time for recreation.

The North Country Trail currently breaks off from the Buckeye Trail in this section and heads north through Liberty Center. Come see why the trail should continue to Grand Rapids before turning north! At Providence Metropark you can experience the canal days with a ride on a recreated canal boat, and a visit to the operating Ludwig Mill.

Contact Rick Adamson for more details.

This segment is on BTA Map Defiance Section

See the Buckeye Trail

Judy Geisler Completes Hike/Bike of NCT

Judy Geisler on the trail

Judy Geisler completed her 7-year quest to hike and bike the North Country Trail on May 24 in New York. She began on April 25, 2005 at Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota.

Judy's plan has been to hike the sections of trail which were completed off road, and bicycle the road pieces. Her husband, Bob, has been support, driving their motor home, and being there to shuttle her and her bike as needed. It also meant that they did not have to hunt for motels or campsites on the sections where backpacking is difficult. Along the way they also visited many cultural and historic sites. This is a wonderful option for those who have a way to travel in addition to simply on foot.

Judy began the hike with her good friend Adele. In 2005 they completed North Dakota and most of Minnesota for a total of about 900 miles.

In 2006, they returned, and Judy biked a route roughly parallel to the Border Route section, after hearing that it was in bad shape. Wisconsin was next, followed by about half of Michigan's Upper Peninsula

For 2007 the Upper Peninsula was completed

The following year was filled with Michigan's Lower Peninsula which she hiked/ biked from south to north. A beginning on Pennsylvania's western portion was made as well.

2009 saw Judy finishing Pennsylvania and then hiking and riding through the eastern miles in New York. It's not clear exactly what her route was from Rome to Crown Point, but apparently this section was biked, on roads. She was hopeful of completing her quest in 2010.

She spent 2010 wending her way through Ohio. They visited lots of historic sites along the way.

Judy Geisler and Adele at Lake Sakakawea

And with only a relatively few miles left to do in New York's Finger Lakes, Judy finished in June 2011 just south of Cayuga Lake. Sadly, her friend Adele was not able to finish the quest with her. She did not track how many miles were hiked, and how many were biked.

To learn lots more about Judy's adventure, see Judy and Bob's Traveling Pages


See North Country Trail Association

Tangled to Trail in NY

Bill Zimmerman and Jersey

from the Central New York Chapter newsletter, May 2011, by Bill Zimmerman

Anyone who worked on convertng the LVRR former rail-bed, which had been abandoned for 40+ years, to a fine trail from Nelson Road West to Cottons Crossing, [near Cazenovia, NY] will remember the tangled mess of grapevines, downed trees and honeysuckle bushes. Work was slow, as the narrow path was cut into the thick brush and only a few volunteers could cut at the lead with others passing the cut brush to the rear. Other folks worked on finding and clearing places to pile cut brush off to the side.

Today, this trail winds gently and is still very narrow, meandering along the Canastota Creek. With much of it barely four feet wide, it doesn’t have the appearance of an old railroad bed. To begin with, the new trail was rough and needing improvements to the walking surface including removing stumps, surface vines and some fallen trees. People have been slow to find this trail but usage is steadily increasing in number including hikers, dog walkers, cross country skiers and even some horses.

Horses are not authorized for the trail because it is very narrow and the walking surface can’t support them. This past year, I requested, received, and put up a trail register box which is about 100 yards West of Nelson Road. It was exciting to see an entry the same day the box was installed. Most entries are just a date and name but some are interesting.

Even though Jersey and I walk this trail almost every day, the new register shows more folks are using it than what we have seen or thought. The trail register is a good tool to gauge the usage of a trail. So if you want a different hiking experience, please come to Nelson Road West-Cottons Crossing. Parking is available at both trailheads.

See Central New York Chapter of the NCTA

Timber Sale May Cut Across New Minnesota Trail

Splashes of color in the forest: The blue marks the North Country Trail and the red shows the boundary of a temporarily delayed timber sale, just feet from the trail on county tax-forfeited land in Round Lake Township. (photo from Detroit Lakes OnLine)

based on news stories in Detroit Lakes OnLine and Minnesota Public Radio

New trail in western Minnesota's Becker County near Detroit Lakes will soon be stressed by timber interests. Tax-forfeited lands in the county are added to the county forest system, where 1200 acres a year are harvested for revenues. Recently built North Country Trail is right in the path of one projected cut.

Ryan Tangen, who handles the timber sales, said "We want to make sure that area is preserved along the trail." Although the red boundary markers look ominous, the county is proposing to selectively cut for aspen, birch, red oak and basswood.

But the Stewardship Association says that logging equipment will scar the landscape and even species-specific logging will damage the fragile ecosystem of what is essentially a 100-year-old forest. They would prefer that tourism be considered more strongly in management of the tax-forfeited land. "Fully developed forests are what you need — that’s what people want to walk through," said Willis Mattson.

In 2010, timber sales contributed just over $167,000 to the county's $38 million budget. Some have noted that this isn't a very significant contribution and that tourism could probably provide just as much money.

A public hearing tonight may shed some light on what local citizens would like to see in a recreation plan.

See Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the NCTA

Why Stealth Camping is Not a Good Idea

a typical stealth camp (photo by JHY)

by JHY

Most of us long-distance hikers have done it: stealth camping- the practice of sneaking off into a corner of a fencerow, a woodlot, or some other spot where we are pretty sure we won't be discovered overnight, even though we know it's illegal to camp there. "What's the harm," we ask. Most of us practice leave-no trace camping. We pitch a small tent, light no fire, break no branches, and are gone in a few hours. If we are careful, no one will ever know we were there.

But, stealth camping has the potential to cause lasting consequences for hikers who will come after us, if not for ourselves.

Personal Consequence
Let's say that you are illegally camping on public land. For example, in Michigan you can't camp in State Game areas in the summer. If you are caught there, you are likely to get a hefty fine. If you are illegally camping in a wildlife preserve, not only might you get a fine, but the rule was probably set in order to not disrupt wildlife. You've challenged the entire reason that the land was set aside in the first place. If you are on private land, you could be subject to criminal trespass law.

Consequences for the Trail
If enough people (and this might only be one person) camp illegally, there is the chance that the trail would lose the privilege of crossing that land. This is particularly true in New York along the Finger Lakes Trail, and Minnesota along the Superior Hiking Trail. Agreements with many private landowners have created continuous portions of off-road trail, but usually with the stipulation that no camping is allowed. Your one night of enjoyment might remove miles of off-road trail from the North Country Trail system. If the lost section is between a couple of other pieces needed for connections, if a road walk must be substituted, it might be much longer than the piece lost from one owner.

If public land is involved, consider how significant the ramifications might be. In Pennsylvania, you can't camp in State Game Lands at any time of year. Think about what the states might do if a lot of people were caught camping in State Game Lands. The North Country Trail is there at all by permission. Those lands were not set aside for hikers, but for hunters. The trail is a guest. Think of all the years of work creating routes and building trail that could be lost if a few people decide that they think the rules are silly, and the NCT would be asked to leave.

Don't Ignore It
Bragging about stealth camping to our friends should not result in smirks and knowing nods in commiseration of the difficulty of backpacking along the entire NCT at this point. It should result in worried looks and admonitions. People who are friends of the North Country Trail for the future will not stealth camp, or encourage it in others.

Look for ways to get involved and promote the creation of legal campsites at appropriate distances along the trail. . Farmers are often willing to let you camp in their fencerow if they are asked. Nature preserves' rules should not be challenged by a flippant hiker. Planning ahead well can often solve the logistic problems. I now try to avoid the practice... Let's look ahead to a great completed trail, not just to our own personal pleasure for a weekend.

Note from Admin- Entrecard

I have had to re-apply to Entrecard, as they deleted my blog when Blogger accidentally flagged it as spam. If you had pending ads here, they are all gone, and I have a new EC account number. My apologies for any inconvenience, I hope your credits were given back and that you won't hesitate to advertise here again.

Tom Gilbert Retires

Tom Gilbert (photo by JHY)

by JHY

Today marks the end of an era for the North Country Trail. For the almost 31 years since the NCT was authorized by Congress, we have had one National Park Service Manager, and that person is Tom Gilbert.

Tom's involvement with our trail begins even earlier. In the 1970's, Tom helped author the initial study of the trail, which led to its authorization by Congress in 1980. Tom also was instrumental in the development of the trail's 1982 Comprehensive Plan. It's probably safe to say that no one other person has had as much influence on the trail, both in its physical and philosophical routes.

Tom's dedication, skills, accomplishments and depth of experience have earned the admiration of his peers throughout the National Trail System, as well as the appreciation and gratitude of a multitude of volunteers and partners along the North Country Trail. He is a friend to many of us who are in love with this trail.

Today, Tom wrote:

Today is my final day. Tomorrow I will be in the ranks of the retired.

It was the dream of my life, beginning at age 12, to work for the National Park Service. The final 30 years of my federal career has been spent doing just that in a most interesting and challenging avenue--establishing and administering National Scenic and National Historic Trails. I have much to be thankful for.

Mostly I am thankful for the many good colleagues, partners, and friends I have made and enjoyed over the years and the assistance and support they have given me. I have also enjoyed working for many good supervisors who have mentored me and shown confidence in me.

I do not intend to leave my involvement with these trails "cold turkey." I will continue to be interested and involved, probably in a variety of volunteer roles, but will spend less time on trails so that I can expand my involvement in areas of life that have been waiting for my retirement.

Gilbert (center) celebrates the opening of new trail in Valley City, ND, in 2002. Congressman Earl Pomeroy cuts the ribbon while Valley City Chamber of Commerce President, Jan Stowman looks on. (photo by JHY)

Tom has been gathering documentation for years about the origins of the North Country Trail. He has written the only known history of the trail, and presented a timeline of his findings at the Annual Conference in 2004. Perhaps a book is brewing? Perhaps he'll now have time to do more walking, instead of riding a desk?

Whatever he does, we wish Tom well. We can only hope that our new manager will have half of Tom's dedication to the best interests of the North Country Trail.

See North Country Trail Association