Our Stories

2024 Volunteer Awards: Friend of the Trail

  The Friend of the Trail Award is presented to a public employee, unit of government, or member of an organization whose leadership, accommodations, and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail or the NCTA. Jon Harris The North Country Trail will eventually pass through nearly 50 miles of the Douglas County Forest […]

Jay Shutt: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Jay Shutt Central patch + Mackinac Bridge, 1000 Miles, and Ohio I began hiking the North Country Trail in May 2018 when I joined the Buckeye Trail Circuit Hike Group for a hike in the New Straitsville Section of the Buckeye Trail that runs concurrent with the North Country Trail. I soon became a regular […]

2024 Volunteer Awards: Blue Blazes Benefactor

  The Blue Blazes Benefactor Award is presented in recognition of demonstrating vision and generosity through significant monetary or in-kind contribution(s) to the North Country Trail or the NCTA. Patsy (Pat) Allen Pat joined the NCTA in 1983 and she hasn’t missed an annual gift since. Her love for this trail has literally filled books: […]