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Why a North Country Trail In Northern
Minnesota
We have something in Minnesota that much of the continental United States
no longer has – Wild Lands. Where else can you take a winter walk and
in a one mile stretch of trail encounter fresh Timber Wolf, Fisher, and
Bobcat tracks? It would be difficult to accomplish this feat in even northern
Montana. I
live within five miles of the North Country Trail in Chippewa National Forest
and over the past seven years have sighted Pine Martens, Great Gray Owls,
Goshawks, Red and White-winged Crossbills, fresh wolf kills, and have heard
their haunting howls at dusk, all while on the NCT. In minus thirty temps I
stood on the trail alongside a frozen wilderness lake in the season of long
shadows and have heard nothing but primal silence.
The North Country Trail spans seven wonderful states. Each of which has its
own uniqueness and special kind of esthetic beauty. During April in the
previous two years, my wife and I have spent considerable time in the eastern
United States.
The beauty of the Appalachian Mountains is stunning - The New England states
and Maine
were inspiring - The Blue Ridge of Virginia was awesome - And U.P. Michigan
is unparalleled in its ruggedness and diversity. But upon returning home, we
come to appreciate and recognize something we have here in Minnesota that the
rest of the eastern United States is loosing; relatively large blocks of
unsettled and wild lands.
Nowhere in the 48 states will you find populations of Timber Wolves as we
have in Minnesota.
A tribute to the wild lands we have. And no where else in these continental
states will you find a population of Bald Eagles to exceed the population in Chippewa National Forest. And water, water,
water; no where in the contiguous 48 states will you find water like we have
in this state. Wetlands exist here in all varieties. Many of the small,
undeveloped lakes in our public lands are in pristine condition. Did you know
that there is more fresh water surface area in Chippewa National Forest
than in any National Forest in the country?
A wonderful new hiking opportunity exists in Paul Bunyan State Forest. This
unique area of rugged glacial moraines offers the hiker and wilderness
seekers the ability to experience some of the most extraordinary country in north
central Minnesota.
This region in north central Minnesota
called the Itasca Moraines was created by the retreat of the last movement of
glacial ice, nine to ten thousand years ago. The Itasca Moraines extend
generally west to east or from White Earth State Forest, through Itasca State Park,
Paul Bunyan State Forest, and into the southern parts of Chippewa National Forest
where it forms the rolling hills south of Leech Lake.
The moraines form what was the leading edge of the ice. The rugged and steep
hills found in Paul
Bunyan State
Forest are examples of
"terminal moraines." It is in this remote and wild country of Paul
Bunyan State Forest that harbors the same wild creatures typical of the
region; timber wolves, eagles, fisher, black bear, goshawks, and saw whet
owls.
A combined effort of the newly created local NCT chapter, the "Itasca
Moraine Chapter," and folks from the metro areas to the south, have
completed trail construction on approximately four miles of NCT adjacent to
the Chippewa National Forest western boundary. This newly completed segment
of the NCT in Paul Bunyan State Forest just recently received
"certification" from the National Park Service.
The vistas encountered while walking the NCT in Paul Bunyan are breath
taking. The diversity of forest types, the glacial geology, the numerous
kettle lakes, the variety of wildlife, and the wilderness character of this
area are a treasure to be protected. While spending a day out on the trail,
one cannot but be aware of the "value" of what we have in northern Minnesota and that it
is indeed something we must protect.
I feel truly blessed that there are these wild or semi-wild public lands
within a five minute drive from my home. And that "ordinary people"
can access them in an "ordinary way" is indeed a wonderful
opportunity. These wild lands are our heritage and birthright as Americans.
And it behooves us to go the extra mile in insuring their protection so
generations to come can experience the aspect of American culture and
heritage that is directly connected to our wilderness ancestry.
Barry Babcock
Board Member,
Itasca Moraine Chapter
Links
to Itasca Moraine Chapter Pages
Home Page - Work Days Signup - Trails Day
- Charter - Bylaws- Members and Officers - Projects
Agenda - Events - Essay - New Member Invitation
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