Afternoon Fellow NCTr's:
Forwarding this from Keith Brown of the Sandy Beaver Canal NCTA Chapter next door in OH. These folks are knocking themselves out and making excellent progress this season. Please consider giving them a hand on July 17th.
Thanks and have a great afternoon!
Subject: Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter work days
Hi All,
Jenny Simpson, Peter Zelinka and I worked 7 hours Sat. June 19 on the new trail between Beaver Creek state Park and State Rt. 7. Earl Garn dropped by to return a saw he had taken home in his day pack the previous work day. Due to other commitments he could not stay to work. We built a style over the fence at the park boundary, completed blazing the trail and opened it up all the way to State Rt. 7.
The good news is that we now have permission to build trail on to Bear Hollow Rd. I am making progress at contacting landowners along the canal to Lusk lock. The next work day will be Saturday July 17. I will send out a notice with more details later. Thank you Peter and Jenny for your hard work. We were a small but mighty group.
Happy Trails,
Keith Brown
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
NCT Thanksgiving In June
There were so many things to be thankful about today on the North Country Trail that I thought that maybe we had jumped ahead to November (with unusually nice weather).
First of all, thanks to the Tuesday morning crews for all the work that's been done at Cemex already this season. Why am I especially thankful for that? Because I am also thanking Doug Turner for joining me out at Fletcher Hill Road this morning to help weedwack and prune the first quarter mile or so southward from there. What an overgrown mess. I'm thankful that when we finally arrived at the edge of the field walk two hours after we started clearing the path through the woods, we could see that the trail across the field had already been mowed and cut back this season, was very discernable and is easily walkable, so Doug and I didn't have to try to weekwack our way across it. We'd have been out there til sunset.
As of right now I give thanks that through everyone's efforts all of the Cemex section has been gone over at least one time this season. To follow Doug's train of thought from this morning - If we keep after it we may get ferns to grow out there in that poison ivy and bramble patch someday. :) Please consider Bob's message from last week and think about adopting a mile or two of trail to maintain as we have sections available in both Beaver and Lawerence counties. Many hands make light work.
Secondly (or possibly thirdly) I appreciate Bob Cody heading to the shed this morning and fixing the DR mower. We noticed a problem with the deck on it about three weeks ago and after an aborted attempt (they shippped the wrong part to us) he was succesful in getting that up and running for the chapter. That mower has been a lot of work the past year for Bob.
Thanks to John Edwards for taking great care of his section of trail across the family farm and up into Gamelands 148. It was in great hiking shape today. Also, kudos and thanks to whomever chainsawed out the BIG blowdown tree between Wampum-New Galilee Road and Possum Hollow within the last six weeks. That tree trunk across the trail was huge and the removal was a professionally done job - didn't know anything about it 'til I saw the accomplished-task this afternoon.
Lastly (of all the big stuff) thanks goes out to the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa. Each August a group of local and out-of-state visiting youth work out of the church for a week doing community service projects and they have offered us some help with the trail this year. August 2 - 5 (Mon thru Fri) from about 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day, they'll have a dozen young people and their adult advisors available to help us work on a couple of projects that we've planned for the year - a three hundred yard reroute near the state line and building another quarter mile of new trail out to Indian Rock - both projects at Gamelands 285. We'd like to have someone from the chapter with these groups each day to teach, supervise, and demonstrate our appreciation for the help so please check your schedule to see if you'd be available to help out for a day or two.
Trail work is Sunday evening - 4:00 to 6:00 PM or so at Gamelands 285. We'll meet at the state line trailhead on Route 251 and prune and lop our way up to the area of the relocation to be done so we can get a flagline set for the volunteers from the church to follow in August. Bring water and the bug repellent of your choice - another humid afternoon in store for us on Sunday.
Thanks for all you do for the trail.
Dave Brewer
First of all, thanks to the Tuesday morning crews for all the work that's been done at Cemex already this season. Why am I especially thankful for that? Because I am also thanking Doug Turner for joining me out at Fletcher Hill Road this morning to help weedwack and prune the first quarter mile or so southward from there. What an overgrown mess. I'm thankful that when we finally arrived at the edge of the field walk two hours after we started clearing the path through the woods, we could see that the trail across the field had already been mowed and cut back this season, was very discernable and is easily walkable, so Doug and I didn't have to try to weekwack our way across it. We'd have been out there til sunset.
As of right now I give thanks that through everyone's efforts all of the Cemex section has been gone over at least one time this season. To follow Doug's train of thought from this morning - If we keep after it we may get ferns to grow out there in that poison ivy and bramble patch someday. :) Please consider Bob's message from last week and think about adopting a mile or two of trail to maintain as we have sections available in both Beaver and Lawerence counties. Many hands make light work.
Secondly (or possibly thirdly) I appreciate Bob Cody heading to the shed this morning and fixing the DR mower. We noticed a problem with the deck on it about three weeks ago and after an aborted attempt (they shippped the wrong part to us) he was succesful in getting that up and running for the chapter. That mower has been a lot of work the past year for Bob.
Thanks to John Edwards for taking great care of his section of trail across the family farm and up into Gamelands 148. It was in great hiking shape today. Also, kudos and thanks to whomever chainsawed out the BIG blowdown tree between Wampum-New Galilee Road and Possum Hollow within the last six weeks. That tree trunk across the trail was huge and the removal was a professionally done job - didn't know anything about it 'til I saw the accomplished-task this afternoon.
Lastly (of all the big stuff) thanks goes out to the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa. Each August a group of local and out-of-state visiting youth work out of the church for a week doing community service projects and they have offered us some help with the trail this year. August 2 - 5 (Mon thru Fri) from about 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day, they'll have a dozen young people and their adult advisors available to help us work on a couple of projects that we've planned for the year - a three hundred yard reroute near the state line and building another quarter mile of new trail out to Indian Rock - both projects at Gamelands 285. We'd like to have someone from the chapter with these groups each day to teach, supervise, and demonstrate our appreciation for the help so please check your schedule to see if you'd be available to help out for a day or two.
Trail work is Sunday evening - 4:00 to 6:00 PM or so at Gamelands 285. We'll meet at the state line trailhead on Route 251 and prune and lop our way up to the area of the relocation to be done so we can get a flagline set for the volunteers from the church to follow in August. Bring water and the bug repellent of your choice - another humid afternoon in store for us on Sunday.
Thanks for all you do for the trail.
Dave Brewer
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Tuesday Trail Work 6-22
Hello Folks
We'll pick up where we left off last week on the Snake Run to Fletcher Hill segment. We need to continue touching up blazes and do some "weed whacking". We'll meet this week at the Fletcher Hill Rd trailhead.
Tuesday is going to be my last time out with the trail crew. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to continue as a trail work coordinator. Without going into details, I just can't afford to spend as much time as I have in the the past on the Trail, (800+ hours by my count) and it doesn't end with just trail work. I will continue as an adopter, taking care of the River Rd. to Tony Dytko Rd section.
I would encourage anyone who can to adopt a section of trail and maintain it. Maintainence 3 times a year will keep most sections in good shape. That takes a lot of pressure off the trail crews. It's been said that "you can eat an elephant if you take a lot of small bites". I think that can be applied to taking care of the trail as well.
We'll leave from Jata's in Wampum at 0900. Come earlier for breakfast if you wish.
Bob Cody
We'll pick up where we left off last week on the Snake Run to Fletcher Hill segment. We need to continue touching up blazes and do some "weed whacking". We'll meet this week at the Fletcher Hill Rd trailhead.
Tuesday is going to be my last time out with the trail crew. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to continue as a trail work coordinator. Without going into details, I just can't afford to spend as much time as I have in the the past on the Trail, (800+ hours by my count) and it doesn't end with just trail work. I will continue as an adopter, taking care of the River Rd. to Tony Dytko Rd section.
I would encourage anyone who can to adopt a section of trail and maintain it. Maintainence 3 times a year will keep most sections in good shape. That takes a lot of pressure off the trail crews. It's been said that "you can eat an elephant if you take a lot of small bites". I think that can be applied to taking care of the trail as well.
We'll leave from Jata's in Wampum at 0900. Come earlier for breakfast if you wish.
Bob Cody
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Wow! Look At This!!
Hello Folks
I was approached by 2 Boy Scouts a few weeks ago that are working on their Eagle Scout project. They are Tommy and Joey Groves and they wanted to do something for the Trail. They built for us 2 benches, one at the Snake Run Rd. west trailhead and one at the Sankey Hill Rd trailhead. They did a first class job.
I was able to be there while they did the first one and after I saw the quality of their work I saw no problem in signing off on both of them.
Many thanks to these two fine young men. They've got their act together and I'm sure they'll grow up to be great people.
Bob Cody
Friday, June 11, 2010
Trail Work Plans Sunday June 13th
My original plan for this Sunday's trail work was to walk in a mile to Indian Rock hill at Gamelands 285 to start grubbing out the new section of trail. However, a weather forecast of 87 degrees, humid, with a 40% chance of rain has made me reevaluate that. We will instead run with Plan B, which is to go to the shelter at Watt's Mill and (hopefully) finish off the last of the work that needs done there, including adding two roof supports, installing a couple of shelves and the hiker box, as well as putting in some hardware for hanging backpacks and tarps.
In addition to changing my work plan, I also need to deviate from our usual working times. We'll be meeting at 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon at the Watt's Mill Road trailhead and plan to be out for a couple of hours. Who knows? If the forecast holds true we may be able to test the weather protection capabilities of that shelter. Or, we may be inclinded to go swimming in the creek just to cool off.
Hope to see you at Watt's Mill on Sunday afternoon - I'll bring the tools and material - bring along water and your favorite bug protection - it's gonna be a warm one. And, as usual, come when you can and leave when you have to as all help is appreciated.
Dave Brewer
In addition to changing my work plan, I also need to deviate from our usual working times. We'll be meeting at 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon at the Watt's Mill Road trailhead and plan to be out for a couple of hours. Who knows? If the forecast holds true we may be able to test the weather protection capabilities of that shelter. Or, we may be inclinded to go swimming in the creek just to cool off.
Hope to see you at Watt's Mill on Sunday afternoon - I'll bring the tools and material - bring along water and your favorite bug protection - it's gonna be a warm one. And, as usual, come when you can and leave when you have to as all help is appreciated.
Dave Brewer
Sunday Update
Good Afternoon Fellow NCTr's:
Mother Nature installed the sauna, we installed two shelves, a hiker log box, roof supports, tie-down and pack-hanging rings, and some flowers yesterday afternoon at the shelter. Thanks to Dennis, Cathy, and Doug for making the trip out on a sultry Sunday.
We also had a chance to meet and talk some hiking with a gentleman from North Lima, OH - trail name "Crosby" - who spends quite a bit of time hiking this segment of North Country Trail. Compliments from him all around to those who devote their time to building, maintaining, and supporting the North Country Trail in the area.
A couple of pictures here, starting on the second line down: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/577689228xNWbwc?start=84
Thanks for all you do for the trail!
Dave Brewer
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Trail Work Next Door In Ohio
Information about trail work from Keith Brown of the Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter - the folks who are the building and maintaining the NCT right across the border from us in Ohio. All help is appreciated!
Members and friends of the Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter of the NCTA:
Saturday May 15 Peter Zelinka, Earl Garn, Ron Gorman, Jenny Simpson and Keith Brown put forth a valient effort to finish the new trail from Beaver Creek State Park to State Route 7. The trail is now open but it needs more work before it is suitable for certification by the National Park Service. We need to build steps over the fence that borders the Park and the Leslie property. It needs to be properly marked with blue blazes and more vegetation removed from the tread way.
I have ordered carsonite posts and signs suitable for Private Property trail from the National Park service. Since it may take 4 to 6 weeks for the order to be filled we will not have that material this month. However their is plenty of work for another workday on this section.
The work day is the 3rd Saturday June 19 at 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will meet at the Beaver Creek State Park Family Camp Ground. From State Route 7 turn east on to Carlise Rd. then right on Leslie Rd. You will find me at the top of the hill just before you reach the entrance to the Camp Ground. If you plan to work all day you should bring lunch and two quarts of water. Tools will be provided. Feel free to bring your own favorite tools.
I will be camping at the campground Friday - Sunday I plan to work Sunday morning if needed and contact land owners for permission to build the next section on to Lux Lock. All are welcome to join me.
Keith Brown_
kanddbrown@aol.com
Members and friends of the Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter of the NCTA:
Saturday May 15 Peter Zelinka, Earl Garn, Ron Gorman, Jenny Simpson and Keith Brown put forth a valient effort to finish the new trail from Beaver Creek State Park to State Route 7. The trail is now open but it needs more work before it is suitable for certification by the National Park Service. We need to build steps over the fence that borders the Park and the Leslie property. It needs to be properly marked with blue blazes and more vegetation removed from the tread way.
I have ordered carsonite posts and signs suitable for Private Property trail from the National Park service. Since it may take 4 to 6 weeks for the order to be filled we will not have that material this month. However their is plenty of work for another workday on this section.
The work day is the 3rd Saturday June 19 at 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will meet at the Beaver Creek State Park Family Camp Ground. From State Route 7 turn east on to Carlise Rd. then right on Leslie Rd. You will find me at the top of the hill just before you reach the entrance to the Camp Ground. If you plan to work all day you should bring lunch and two quarts of water. Tools will be provided. Feel free to bring your own favorite tools.
I will be camping at the campground Friday - Sunday I plan to work Sunday morning if needed and contact land owners for permission to build the next section on to Lux Lock. All are welcome to join me.
Keith Brown_
kanddbrown@aol.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 8th - Construction Tuesday
Today was "Construction Tuesday" on the North Country Trail in Wampum Territory. In the morning the crew went to Chewton- West Pittsburgh Road to save a bridge at Cemex that was in danger of falling because the banks are being undercut and eroded away. The "fix" was successful and Bob Cody sends out this message:
Many thanks to those who made it out this morning to work on the 16' bridge. The crew consisted of Lee, Doug Turner, Denny Duda, Bill Majernik, Jake Erhardt, Anthony Thomas (my neighbor), Ron Rice and myself.
I went back out to the bridge this afternoon and, for the first time, looked at it from underneath. The erosion is much worse than I thought and we were fortunate there hasn't been an accident. Although the bridge is on solid ground now I'm not convinced it will stay that way forever. A permanent solution down the road may be a new bridge at a different location. We'll keep an eye on it.
I'm sending a picture of the now, 24' bridge. Thanks again to all.
Bob Cody
I went back out to the bridge this afternoon and, for the first time, looked at it from underneath. The erosion is much worse than I thought and we were fortunate there hasn't been an accident. Although the bridge is on solid ground now I'm not convinced it will stay that way forever. A permanent solution down the road may be a new bridge at a different location. We'll keep an eye on it.
I'm sending a picture of the now, 24' bridge. Thanks again to all.
Bob Cody
In the afternoon Lee and Eleanor Fairbanks, David Wright, and I went to Watt's Mill to work on the backpacker shelter, getting trim boards put on the back corners, putting permanent bracing on the inside walls, and generally cleaning up the shelter and surrounding area so as to be usable by hikers. The four of us had a productive evening and we're looking good "at the mill."
Thanks for all you do for the North Country Trail!
More photos here:
From Cathy Garrett:
Just had to send along our "atta boys" to you all who helped with the Bridge reconstruction...nice work and looking good. Will be anxious to get out your way and "test" the bridge!
If I even spy only one Troll, and you know I will, we'll know the bridge is fine and ready for come what may! Most of you wouldn't know it but one of the most gorgeous of the young 20-something Troll women is named Kumquat May...now isn't that interesting?!?!?!? We are talking "hot babe" here!!!! :-]
So, just keep on keepin' on... One more thing... The Trolls are ready to take a convoy up there to party for the whole remainder of the weekend...I say, "bridge," and they say "where???"
As ever -Cathy Garrett - Certified Troll Ambassador and Observer
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Where's Rick?
At a recent trail work session someone asked, "Where's Rick?" Well, Wampum Chapter member (and a superb sidehill digger) Rick Ostheimer, also known by his trail name "Handlebar" is out west, thru-hiking the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail this summer. You can follow his hike here: http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=301107 Very interesting to read about his days on the trail, his observations about the terrain and chosen routes, and the people he meets.
He started his hike on April 27th at the Crazy Cook Trailhead in New Mexico at the US-Mexican border heading north towards Canada, and as of Monday he had reached the Ghost Ranch - 553 miles down and moving right along.
Here is a general map of the route of the CDT http://www.fivemillionsteps.com/trailmap.php
This isn't Rick's first long distance hike. He completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2006 and did the Pacific Crest Trail in 2008. CDT in 2010, hmmmmm - North Country Trail in 2012?
He started his hike on April 27th at the Crazy Cook Trailhead in New Mexico at the US-Mexican border heading north towards Canada, and as of Monday he had reached the Ghost Ranch - 553 miles down and moving right along.
Here is a general map of the route of the CDT http://www.fivemillionsteps.com/trailmap.php
This isn't Rick's first long distance hike. He completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2006 and did the Pacific Crest Trail in 2008. CDT in 2010, hmmmmm - North Country Trail in 2012?
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