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In the winter of 1998, Jerry Allen, who was a member of the Grand Traverse Hikers Chapter of North Country Trail (NCT) got the idea that perhaps there were members living in the same area where he lived, who would be interested in forming a new chapter. He had been driving to the opposite side of the state just to attend chapter meetings and other activities. He hoped there were hikers that were interested in contributing to the upkeep of trails and meeting for hikes. He wasn't disapointed. There were about ten people who met for the first time at a resturant in Sanford, Michigan and formed the Tittabawassee Chaper (TBW) of the NCT.

We adopted an 87 mile section of trail in the northwestern part of the state. We were full of enthusiam and short on knowledge. We didn't even know where this trail was or how to care for it. We got maps of the trail and lots of materials from the NCT and National Park Service on what to do. That first spring we each adopted a 4 to 5 mile section and set out with our maps to explore. What we found was that we were badly needed. Although the trail was on the ground, there hadn't been enough man power to maintain it. We took our saws to cut trees that had fallen across the trail. We learned how to use Nelson Boundry Blue to paint the blue rectangles that mark the NCT. We trimmed tree branches that blocked the trail and used the DR brusher to mow overgrown areas of the trail.

Our section of trail went through the Jordan River Valley where there are many springs that flow over the trail and make it very muddy. I remember our first simple puncheon project. We got permission from the DNR to replace the rotting timbers that were in the mud. We got our grant and purchased the lumber. We camped overnight in the area so we'd be able to get a good start the next day. Other TBW members joined us in the morning. We took the lumber to a spot by the Jordan River where old railroad crossing timbers were still in the river. We walked on these timbers to ford the river and handed the lumber from person to person. Then the rest of us stepped from log to log to cross the river and continue on to our construction site. Amoung us was Arden Johnson, the principal catalist in getting the NCT in our section, on the ground and blazed. He was about 72 years old and I suddenly realized he would have to cross by balancing on the logs too. Not to worry, he did just fine. From there we carried the lumber on our shoulders for about 3/4 of a mile to the muddy spots where we replaced the old logs that were running parallel with the trail and actually blocking the flow of the spring water. Our puncheon allowed the water to flow through, allowing the land to heal. It was very enjoyable working together. We brought lunches which we ate while setting in the sun on the side of the hill.

Arden was especially pleased to see that our chapter would work together to be the keepers of the trail. He had such a vested interest in this whole project that it was like he had to mentally hand it over to someone before he could be at peace. That summer he took me on several hikes to show me where the trail should go and how the trail should cross on a beaver dam if only we could get the property owner's permission. Our chapter got permission to do a reroute in the Jordan Valley and before we could get up there to help him with it, Arden finished it. It was a reroute that he'd wanted to do for years. When it was done, he was very pleased. He died that winter. He said that the trail was what kept him working and living for so long. We too feel that way about the trail. We give ourselves to the trail and it gives back to us.

To read other adventures of our members, click on the links below.

For words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within. ---Alfred, Lord Tennyson