October’s Work and Walk In the Rain:  The weather forecast did not promise us much for our workday and it didn’t deliver much either. 

We met for breakfast at Middleville’s Cracked Pepper, which was the highlight of the day.  We’d all recommend it highly.  

At Stagecoach Park on the Paul Henry Thornapple/North Country National Scenic Trail in Middleville, the kiosk roof module is lifted back into place after the uprights have been shortened.  The result is a nicely proportioned trail kiosk low enough for all hikers, including persons in mobility assistive devices, to easily read the displays.

We ended up with a large group:  Mick and Larry Hawkins, Steve Hicks, Ron Sootsman, Jeff Fleming, George Lee and Larry Pio were joined by Rick Moore, the Assistant Director of the Barry County Parks and Recreation and head of their Trails Committee.  Rick does the lion’s share of maintaining the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail.

After breakfast and a lot of discussion about trail related issues, we headed out to Stagecoach Park.  Rick’s big work truck proved to be an ideal platform from which to work on the kiosks, and we made quick work of un-roofing the kiosk, cutting off the uprights, and reinstalling the roof module.  

We replaced some of the faded reading material in the kiosk and headed off to the Irving trailhead to repeat the process.  Things went just as flawlessly in Irving. 

Maps and informational postings on the kiosk are duly updated.

Due to the weather, we were unable to stain the kiosks as planned, as they needed to be dry with promise of dry weather to come.  That obviously wasn’t in the books!

Rick, Ron and Larry Pio headed home at that point, and the rest of us left on a scouting trip of the Middleville State Game Area. 

On the drive to the Johnson Road trailhead to spot a vehicle, Jeff, George and Mick had to stop and use Mick's trail maintenance tools to cut up and remove a substantial tree limb that had fallen and was blocking Johnson Road.

In the MSGA we identified a number of projects to be done.  The first project left us wishing we hadn’t let the others go.  The Crane Road kiosk was as badly in need of lowering as the two on the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail had been.

Between Crane Road and Robertson Road we identified a number of problems involving erosion.  The trail as we had inherited it simply followed the contours of the land without the switchbacks which would ease the grade and prevent the erosion issues.  Since we do not have the option of modifying the route, we will have to work with erosion barriers.  

The first three areas would be ideal projects for Boy Scout Service Projects. The fourth area will be a major project and will need to be tackled by our own team of experienced trail workers.

We’re happy to report that the kiosk at Robertson Road looks none the worse for wear since we turned it ninety degrees to make it a less inviting target for small arms fire from the parking area. Now we just have to overhaul the damage that was already done.

From Robertson Road to Johnson Road we will be dealing with water issues.  That section has a number of runoffs which drain across the trail, the width of the streamlets dependent on the rainfalls.  We identified five sites where bridges similar to what we had put in at Kimball Pines will do nicely.  Larry noted that one of the streams could be easily crossed if we simply paced a large rock in the middle.  Jeff generously offered to place said rock if Larry would carry it back to the site.  What a great crew we have to deal with!!!!

The DNR had bulldozed a large berm up to the trailhead at Johnson Road which would very effectively keep large ORVs off the trail.

The trail through the MSGA is a beautiful section.  Those of you who haven’t hiked it should really take the time to do so.  Unfortunately, this week’s rains have probably done in the colors, but it is still well worth it.   Just wear your Hunter Orange!

Larry Hawkins    
President, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

The good side of autumn:  November this year seemed to start ... well ... in early October.  But today we managed to hit more of a late October day in November, as we went a bit off-trail, NCNST-wise, to hike on the trails of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Barry County.  What a day for a hike in the woods!

The Brothers Hawkins, Larry and Mick, joined Jeff and Mary Fleming and Charlie Krammin for our customary pre-hike repast at Big Boy in Hastings before convoying out to the beautiful natural preserve of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.

On our way down Broadway we received a call from Ron Sootsman that he would be ten minutes late.  We assured him we wouldn't leave without him — then found him waiting for us when we finally arrived at our rendezvous.

By the time we hit the trails the group had grown to include Verle Krammin, Susan Bond, Sheilah Mutschler, and Mary Armitage. 

The group as a whole first hiked the Institute's Red Trail.  Strong winds in the past week or two had downed most of the leaves, but the relatively balmy sunny day made for a most enjoyable hike setting nonetheless.  We actually found ourselves shedding layers as we went along. 

By the time we arrived back in the vicinity of the visitor center we'd walked just under 2½ miles. 

There Larry, Verle, Jeff, and the two Marys took their leave, while Mick, Charlie, Sheilah and Ron, hardier souls that we were, elected to continue on around the outside portion of the Orange Trail and the entire Blue Trail.  By the time we finished we had covered about 4½ miles for the day — which, of course, was no big deal for Ron Sootsman, but the rest of us sauntered back to our vehicles like we'd really accomplished something!

Thanks to all who took part.

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

Chief Noonday in the news:   The original Chief Noonday, that is.

Chief Noonday — or Nawquageezhig — has been selected as the next subject for a sculpture in the Grand Rapids Community Legends Project.  Sculptor Antonio Tobias Mendez has been commissioned to create a bronze sculpture of Chief Noonday, as one of ultimately 25 sculptures of important figures in the history of Grand Rapids.  The sculptures will be placed in various places in the downtown area of Grand Rapids. 

The planned site for the 7 foot tall bronze statue of Chief Noonday will be on the west bank of the Grand River near the Blue Bridge, the approximate location of an early Native American settlement.  The site, near Grand Valley State University's Eberhard Center, will be on GVSU's campus and therefore will belong to the college once installed.  Delivery is expected in August.

There is no known photographic image of Chief Noonday in existence.  So the sculptor will do his best to recreate an image as true as possible to Chief Noonday's tribe and times.

Click here to read the recent article in the Grand Rapids Press.

Joan Young has posted an item in her North Country Trail News blog.

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

The moment of implosion of the Crown Point bridge over Lake Champlain. (Image from WPTZ, Plattsburgh NY)

Crown Point Bridge is history!   The bridge over Lake Champlain between Crown Point and Vermont is ... no more.  It was skillfully brought down by implosion this morning shortly after 10:00.

The bridge is ... or was ... at the easternmost terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail. 

Luckily a recent inspection disclosed an ominous degree of deterioration in the piers supporting the bridge, and the bridge was promptly closed to all traffic.  (Click here for the inside story of how this discovery happened.)

The bridge will now be on a fast track to reconstruction. 

And the dream is that one day the NCNST will go over it into Vermont on its way to the Appalachian Trail.

What now needs to be cleared.  And you thought cleaning up your room was a big deal!  (Image from Albany TimesUnion)

Here is a sampling of coverage you can access on-line:

• video coverage of the implosion from television station WPTZ in Plattsburgh NY.  Access video also here.

• article in the Burlington Vt FreePress

• press release from the New York State Department of Transportation released soon after the demolition

• coverage from the Albany NY Times-Union.  Don't miss the picture galleries.

• about the clean-up operation — from WCAX, Burlington Vt

• a nearly full-span image of the bridge from MassLive.com which suggests it wasn't exactly in great shape!

• another image similarly reflects that the bridge's time had come.

• memories of the bridge's opening

Joan Young is also keeping on top of the story in her NCT Blog.

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

Winter action on the Trail:   The North Country National Scenic Trail has not closed for the winter in and around Chief Noonday Country.  Visitors have done some winter hiking recently that involved significant miles — both on the Trail and getting to the Trail.

A group called the Fortune Bay Expedition Team has been journaling a section hike of the NCNST from Yankee Springs north to (they hope) the Straits of Mackinac.  In 2003-2004, they section hiked from the Ohio/Michigan Boarder to Highway US-10. 

On Saturday December 19 three members of the group hiked northward through the Yankee Springs Recreation Area and the Barry State Game Area.  They found the section north from the Hall Lake crossing a bit of a challenge at times due to the many intersections and crossings with DNR trails and to reduced blazing between McDonald Lake and M-179 resulting from deterioration and loss of some of the old plastic blazes used there. 

On the day after Christmas they made their way from the Peets Road trailhead via roadwalk and the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail/NCNST to Middleville.  And on New Year's they hiked the Middleville State Game Area section and on north a ways along the Harris Creek Road roadwalk.

You can read their account of their trek on their Web site.

Tman from Madison, Wisconsin, makes his way across our bridge over a very flooded creek in the Fort Custer State Recreation Area.  (Photo by Larry Pio)

Another winter adventure was carried out by Todd McMahon — known on trails as Tman — with some assistance from Chief Noonday Chapter members. 

Tman drove all the way from his home in Madison, Wisconsin — just over 300 miles' driving one-way — to hike most of the Trail from Baseline Road south to the Ohio State Line. 

He hiked not only on Chief Noonday Chapter's sections of the Trail in Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties but on much of Chief Baw Beese Chapter's sections in Hillsdale County as well.

He received valuable assistance from Chief Noonday members Larry Pio and Ron Sootsman.  Larry, the able Trail Adopter for the Fort Custer segment, facilitated Todd's project, in direct contravention of the work of the beavers, by clearing the way to and across the bridge and rendering it accessible.  Ron provided parking and vehicle spotting services and actually accompanied Todd on much of the hike in the three counties it traversed.

On December 29th Todd hiked the Trail alone through the Kellogg Biological Station to C Avenue, then due to the winter conditions elected to follow a road walk down to Kellogg Experimental Forest where he rejoined the off-road Trail and followed it to Augusta.  After lunch in Augusta with Ron he continued east and over the Ft. Custer section, hooking up and hiking with Larry and Ron along the way, ending for the day at Armstrong Road.  They suffered one wet feet incident on their way across the puncheons in the wetlands.

On December 30th and 31st Todd and Ron by-passed Calhoun County for the time being and hiked together on Chief Baw Beese's section from Hillsdale down to the Ohio State Line, including the Trail from Baw Beese Lake and on through the Lost Nation State Game Area.  In places they had a little difficulty following the thread and hiked a few extra miles in the process of getting back onto the Trail.  And Ron had another wet feet incident.  On December 31st they hiked between the Pittsford Road parking area and the Ohio State Line, setting foot briefly into Ohio because Todd had never been to Ohio before.

Todd spent New Year's Day hiking by himself from Armstrong Road east through Battle Creek following the North Country/Linear Park Trail, reaching the Emmett Street Bridge over the Battle Creek River by evening.  After enjoying an evening meal (not to mention curious glances from other patrons) at an eatery near the bridge he got a ride back to his car on Armstrong Road.  Because the weather forecasts were less than encouraging, Todd decided to head for home in Madison that night.  He ran into major snow in places which had traffic crawling at 10 MPH but still managed to make it home by 2:00 AM.

Quite an accomplishment!  To find out more:

• You can read Todd's own accounts of his trek — milestones, mishaps, foul-ups and all — in the messages he posted to the NCT_Friends Yahoo Group (messages 398, 402, 405, 407, 410). 

• See also his report on Joan Young's North Country Trail News blog. 

• Eventually he will have his accounts and the pictures he took posted on his Web site.

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

Tman takes a picture break by the kiosk in the Ft. Custer section near the "beaver reservoir."

We saw Tman!   Tman — a.k.a. Todd McMahon of Madison, Wisconsin — did a winter hike on the North Country National Scenic Trail in Chief Noonday Chapter's and Chief Baw Beese Chapter's sections in recent weeks.  And he posted 500 pictures on his Web site as evidence.

As reported below, Todd hiked off-road trails in the KBS section from Baseline Road to 40th Street, from Kellogg Forest to the Augusta Drive trailhead, then Ft. Custer with Larry Pio and Ron Sootsman. 

Ron Sootsman and Larry Pio of Chief Noonday Chapter accompanied Todd on parts of his hike through our sections.

After Ft. Custer, Todd and Ron took a "break" for a few days and hiked most of the NCNST in Chief Baw Beese's sections in Hillsdale County including the Lost Nation State Game Area, hiking all the way across the State line into Ohio. 

After Hillsdale County, Todd returned to Calhoun County and spent New Year's Day hiking by himself from Armstrong Road into Battle Creek and walked the Linear Park pathway all the way to the Emmett Street bridge.  At that point, hearing reports of heavier winter weather approaching, he concluded his adventure with a hearty meal and headed back to Madison.

Click here to access Tman's Web site with links to his hike reports — and to the boatload of pictures he took along the Trail, with scenes that will be familiar to Chief Noonday members.

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter   
 

2009 Chief Noonday Hiker Challenge results:   At our chapter meeting this month Larry Pio announced the results of the 2009 Chief Noonday Hiker Challenge. 

The challenge had been made to members of the Chief Noonday Chapter to see who could get in the most miles on the North Country National Scenic Trail.  Miles could only be logged in one direction and only once per section for the year — so the miles listed below do not necessarily reflect the total miles actually hiked on the Trail by the hikers listed.

Ron Jeff Linda Mike

The four who placed in the Challenge and will be awarded prizes were:

  ●  First place: Ron Sootsman — 287.7 miles
  ●  Second place: Jeff Fleming — 123.2 miles
  ●  Third place: Linda Sootsman — 71.6 miles
  ●  Fourth place: Mike Wilkey — 71.0 miles

This elegant engraved Hiker Challenge Bowl is to be awarded to the first place winner of Chief Noonday Hiker Challenge 2009 — Ron Sootsman.

The also-rans (pun intended!) were:

  ●  Mick Hawkins — 34.45 miles
  ●  Mary Rebert — 26.8 miles
  ●  Larry Pio — 23.0 miles
  ●  Bob Cooley — 9.4 miles
  ●  Larry Hawkins — 6.6 miles
  ●  Dave Cornell — 6.2 miles
  ●  Martha Jones — 4.2 miles
  ●  Total all others — 15.7 miles

Larry Pio points out that these recorded miles comprise mileage reported by the participants plus, in some cases, miles observed by Larry himself.  It is possible, even likely, that these participants and others hiked miles on the Trail which are not included here because they were not reported or because they were walked in both directions or on more than one occasion on the same Trail sections.

Congratulations to all who took up the challenge!

The 2010 Hiker Challenge is already under way.  At the chapter meeting Mick suggested to Larry Pio that rules be amended to allow Ron to donate "surplus miles" to other hikers, but predictably Larry didn't go for it....

(Update 1/27/10)  In the latest Newsletter Larry Pio pointed out that last year when the Chief Noonday Hiker Challenge was getting under way, hikers doing over 200 miles on the Trail in their lifetime would be listed on the NCTA web site as Hikers of Note.  When the national Web site was rebuilt, that list was discontinued.  However, Joan Young is still maintaining the list on her North Country Trail News blog.  Moreover, we will now have Chief Noonday Hikers of Note given recognition on our Web site.  Our award levels will be 200 miles, 500 miles, 1000 miles, 2000 miles, etc. 

In 2009 Ron Sootsman became a Chief Noonday Hiker of Note. 

Most likely there are a number of others who have accomplished this in the past.  Why not add your name to the list?  Contact Larry Pio.

See Larry Pio's official announcement of the 2009 results and the 2010 rules here.

See you on the Trail!

Mick Hawkins    
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter