Our Stories

2026 Spring Cleaning Recap

This is a sampling of NCTA Chapter-led trail building and maintenance successes in the spring of 2026.

1. Star of the North Chapter, New Trail: The Star of the North Chapter began construction on a new 11–mile segment of the NCT in Minnesota’s Chippewa National Forest last fall. Volunteers from five different NCTA Chapters helped build, sign, and blaze this segment. When completed, the segment will eliminate roadwalk and connect with another new NCT segment the Arrowhead Chapter has been working on. This year, they’ve since hosted three work weekends – one in May and two in June. There will be another this October and you’re invited! Keep an eye on the Event Calendar for details.
2. Chief Baw Beese Chapter, Bridge: Patience and perseverance paid off as Chief Baw Beese Chapter volunteers put the finishing touches on a [very long-awaited] bridge and boardwalk at the East Branch of the St. Joseph River bridge last month, in the Lost Nation State Game Area. Moving and assembling 800-pound steel beams was no small feat – teamwork made this dream work! Read more.
3. Central New York Chapter, Spur Trail + Bridge: The Central New York Chapter coordinated with a Cazenovia hotel to make access to both the North Country Trail and Stone Quarry Hill Art Park easier for hotel guests. The spur trail is only 230 feet to the NCT connection, but a small creek crossing rendered a bridge necessary. From the NCT, access to the park is now a pleasant 1.1-mile hike. Spur trails like this help protect the main trail by providing a designated route, preventing the creation of informal paths. This one also opens up a convenient connection to the park, providing guests an easy walk to one of the area’s key destinations.
4. Ni-Miikanaake Chapter, Puncheon: The Ni-Miikanaake Chapter and Friends of the Porkies have been collaborating on ways to improve the North Country Trail in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. After a rekindling a relationship with YouthWork Conservation Corps and finding funding for a trail crew, a plan was made. In early June, they demolished old puncheon, hauled all the old lumber out, hauled all the new lumber in, constructed more than 800 feet of new puncheon, and rerouted 400 feet of trail to higher and drier ground. The Chapter saved salvageable lumber for future projects, and Friends of the Porkies volunteers will coordinate the construction of four additional puncheon segments.
5. Northwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association, Mower: With the support of an NCTA Field Grant, our friends at the Northwestern Ohio Rails-to-Trails Association (NORTA) were able to purchase a new mower last year to help maintain their shared segment of the North Country Trail / Wabash Cannonball Trail. Over 40 miles of this trail is flat, fertile farmland, and requires frequent mowing – especially after spring rains. Since this acquisition, efficiency has vastly improved for local volunteers. NCTA awards Field Grants to its Chapters and Affiliates in support of their efforts to lead special events, tackle trail building and maintenance needs, purchase tools or equipment, train volunteers, and more.
6. Butler County Chapter, Training: When the Butler County Chapter volunteers requested guidance on trail maintenance, NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator Lauren Kennedy-Little stepped up. She offered them a training at Pennsylvania’s Moraine State Park, focused on managing water issues on the trail, as well as tread maintenance. They began with a classroom discussion then took a hike to discuss the on-the-ground issues. Two of the volunteers are continuing their education by pursuing chainsaw certification later this year.
7. Harbor Springs Chapter, Bridge: The bridge spanning the Carp Lake River, just east of Michigan’s Wilderness State Park, is complete. This project began in 2018, and while the bridge itself has technically been open since November 2025, the finishing touches are now done and both the engineering firm and the Michigan DNR have signed off. Most importantly, the raised aggregate trail now extends west from the bridge all the way to Cecil Bay Road, providing a high and dry route for trail users. The Harbor Springs Chapter created a short reroute to further improve the route. A new parking area is slated for installation, as well.