Five Things

Good Evening Fellow NCTr's:

It has been a busy week already with more on the radar screen for the next six days to let you know about. Yesterday, Dr. Ron Strickland, author of the forthcoming North Country Trail Guidebook came to Wampum and hiked, took notes, photos, and GPS coordinates on our sections of trail at Cemex, into Wampum, and then out through Gateway, Mines and Meadows, GL148, finishing up at the Edwards Farm trailhead. My sense of the timing of the day's events was way off and I apologize for any inconvenience it caused. Wanted to appreciate everyone who came out to meet Ron and/or take the walk with him - an awesome Wampum turnout and welcome for a Monday. Thanks to Jim Nocera, Bob Cody, Rob Prowel, Richard Lutz, Cody Magill, Dwight Fox, Gail Blakely, and Terry for taking the time. There are some photos from yesterday here and here. Cody also has a few posted here. It was a great (WARM then THUNDERSTORMY WET) ten-mile hike (one I had never done before at one time) and I think he was impressed with all of the work that we've put in building quality trail.

Speaking of "building quality trail", Jake Erhardt made the trip out to the haunted house at Cemex with me this morning and we finished grubbing out the top part of the reroute there, connecting with our existing treadway. Appreciate his help on a warm, muggy, buggy morning. All we have left to do there is to put in a short bridge for the mower and get the new pathway paint blazed. Moving forward! There are a couple of pics at the first link above, following the shots of yesterday's hike.

Thursday evening, July 14th, we'll be heading to Watt's Mill at Gamelands 285 to hang our "NO DUMPING" deterrent signs at the parking area, and to spend some time getting the backpacking shelter area mowed and ready for business. We'll meet at 6:00 PM at the trailhead on Watt's Mill Road and plan to stay out for a couple of hours. I'll bring the ladder, tools, signs, and hardware - bring some drinking water and your favorite bug repellent.

Saturday morning, July 16, David Wright and Jim Houk will be leading our first Wampum Chapter Monthly Hike, taking place at McConnell's Mill State Park. The plan is to meet at the parking lot on top of the hill at 9:00 AM and hike approximately five miles total - down one side of Slippery Rock Creek, cross over, and hike back up the other side. Here's a map of the park. Come on out to walk with these guys - bring a friend along! Should be a beautiful day.

Lastly, a reminder that the Wampum Chapter monthly meeting will be held at Hitos in West Pittsburg this upcoming Monday evening, July 18th, at 6:00 PM. Come on out for some North Country Trail discussion and comaradarie. If you plan to order dinner please come a bit earlier.

Hope you can make it out for some or all of these upcoming events. Thanks for all you do for the trail!

Trailwide Event Calendar
Dave Brewer
Communications Coordinator.