Our Stories
2025 NCTA Volunteer Awards: Outstanding Private Landowner
This award is presented to private landowners whose leadership, accommodation, and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail.
Kevin “Buck” Hough
Ever since a stranger offered him fruit during a hike in the Upper Peninsula, Kevin promised himself he’d find a way to give back to other trail users. He and his wife Jenny are now extraordinary trail angels. In 2021, they used a variety of recycled materials to transform a grain bin into a shelter named the Bin Walkin, and have since hosted numerous overnight, section, and thru-hikers. Over the years, they’ve added a privy, shower, and picnic table, and Kevin actively promotes both the shelter and the trail on social media. Kevin is also a Trail Adopter for the Western Michigan Chapter, and supports the Chief Noonday Chapter as he’s able. They are equally as great at developing relationships as they are providing resources to trail users.
Jon Holzhauer
Jon has hosted the trail and a campsite on his land in Minnesota for more than 15 years. He is also an active participant with the NCTA Laurentian Lakes Chapter board, in efforts to improve the trail on his land. He also designed and built trailside fence stiles at his property’s edge. He is welcoming and engaging, which are much appreciated qualities for a trail host to have!
Candy McCready
In 2019, Candy and her husband Robert granted the NCTA Wampum Chapter permission to develop two and a half miles of trail on their property in Western Pennsylvania. It was soon clear just how much they cared about the trail and its community. They eagerly attended many Chapter events, and even after Robert’s passing, Candy continues to loyally support and engage with the volunteers. She has gone beyond merely permitting the trail – she allows others to enjoy their hiking experience.
Rogstad Family
Ever since the North Country Trail was routed in their direction, the Rogstads have been pleased to host it across their land in Western Minnesota. They’ve also offered a fantastic, trailside campsite here for more than 15 years. Going above and beyond, they are actively collaborating to sell key areas of their land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to both preserve it and to allow the North Country Trail to exist there in perpetuity.
Sally Williams
Sally owns a 180-acre horse farm in Barry County, Michigan. Roughly half the property is wooded and surrounds a large, private, undeveloped lake. The North Country runs through here and it’s a gem of a segment for the NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter. For her horse boarding clients, Sally and her staff maintain trail through the property, which she offered as North Country Trail route. Alongside the Chapter, she helped plan additional footpath, as well. This new section opened in 2022 and has been a favorite – it’s quiet and full of wildlife. Her staff’s regular maintenance of the trail lightens the load of NCTA volunteers, and she is happy to attend group hikes when able. Sally is always cheerful, supportive of the Chapter’s efforts, and willing to keep the trail open and protected.
Learn more about how the you can honor NCTA volunteers for their service on and for the North Country National Scenic Trail, and consider a nomination at northcountrytrail.org/volunteer-awards.
