Newsletter WODC CENTENNIAL ISSUE May, 1992

CEN"TENNIAL DAY EVENTS - AUGUST 8, 1992

It was in mid August 1891 that a small reservations for dinner must be made in sections of the Blueberry Ledge and band of local farmers opened a route to advance. Enclosed with this Newsletter Bennett Street trails, working primarily the summit of Mt. Passaconaway, the is a reservation form. Please return the on erosion control. Work is scheduled first major trail of the WODC system. form as soon as possible, and no later to start on July 7. This year, SRCA and Their approach was by way of an old than July 1st. WODC are actively encouraging WODC logging road to the Dicey's Mill site. To make these events a success will members to help the SRCA crew Activities in celebration of the WODC require help from many people. Your whether for just for an hour, or if centennial will begin at 8:30 a.m. on participation is needed, and will be ambitious, for a whole day. Members August 8th 1992, by retracing the route much appreciated. To volunteer phone who assist the SRCA crew will get a taken by the farmers. Hikers wishing to John Mersfelder at 323-7793, Sally Zink better sense of the work involved in participate in the event will meet at the at 323-8693, or Barbara Sidley at 323- higher level trail maintenance and Ferncroft kiosk at 8:30 a.m. Bring a 8694. should have a good time in the process. lunch. After ceremonies at the mill site, some hikers may wish to return to the kiosk, while others continue to the SUMMER CALENDAR summit of Mt Passaconaway. A separate event on August 8th will July 7 SRCA begins WODC trail work be a walking tour of historic July 11, 8:30 am at Ferncroft Kiosk. Trail Workshop with SRCA Wonalancet. Participants will visit such places as Locke Falls, Mt. Katherine, July 18, 8:30 am at Wonalancet Chapel. White Mt. Trails Day and Tilton Spring, and sites of historic Centennial Trails Day houses and mills. This activity will take July 26, 7:30 pm at Wonalancet Chapel. Evening Program place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Bring Aug. 8, 8:30 am at Ferncroft Kiosk. Retrace first trail work lunch. Meet at the Wonalancet Chapel. 10:00 am at Wonalancet Chapel. Walking tour of Wonalancet Highlight of Centennial Day will be a 5:00 pm at Runnells Hall. Social hour. festive gathering at Runnells Hall, 6:00 pm at Runnells Hall. Centennial Dinner Chocorua, beginning at 5:00 pm with a social hour under the canopy. A catered Aug. 23, 5:30 pm at Chapel Grove. Pot-Luck supper dinner will be in the Hall at 6:00. 7:00 pm at Wonalancet Chapel. Annual Meeting Following the dinner will be several special events: short addresses by Rick TRAIL PLANS To effectively coordinate the effort, Cables, Supervisor of the White some advanced planning is required. If Mountain National Forest, Stephen K. This summer will be a busy and you think you would like to help the exciting one for all who are involved in Rice, Commissioner of the State of New SRCA crew, phone Doug Mayer (284- maintaining WODC trails. Whether you Hampshire Department of Resources 7726) or John Mersfelder (323-7793) are a trail adopter, or just curious about and Economic Development, and an anytime before July 1. official representative of the what is involved in trail maintenance, Nat Scrimshaw of SRCA will be there are several items that will be of Appalachian Mountain Club; an auction presenting a Trail Workshop for all of retired WODC trail signs and other interest. WODC trail adopters on July 11. We As in past years, WODC has memorabilia; a brief illustrated talk on will meet at the Ferncroft parking area contracted with the Sandwich Range the history of the Club presented by in the morning, and will work on the Conservation Association (SRCA) to Sally and George Zink. Old Dicey's Mill Trail. This will be an undertake "higher level" maintenance on photographs and mementos will be on opportunity to review the basics of trail one or two Qub trails. Higher level exhibit. work led by one of the guiding forces of work includes heavy work such as The cost of the Centennial Dinner is White Mountain trail maintenance. If waterbar installation and building rock $13, children under 12, $6. Dinner will you are an adopter, or interested in the steps. Hired guns from the SRCA will be serve~~buffet style, with ample tables process, don't miss this workshop. be spending ten days on the upper for seating. Due to space limitations, The highlight of summer trail activities will be the WODC Centennial Trail Day, scheduled for July 18. This DINNER MENU centennial event will be held in Baked boneless breast of Chicken with Tarragon orange sauce conjunction with White Mountain Trails Day. See the article elsewhere in this Wild rice Pilaf Green beans with almonds ·Rolls Salad newsletter. Frozen lemon dessert Coffee (Continued on Page 2) ·:··-:··· ? 2 Editorial leaflet at the Bennett Street and Femcroft for on their respective trails. Included in kiosks is one means being used to achieve the new guidelines is useful information In 1892 the founders of the WODC this goal We hope that those who .use on brushing, blazing and the proper began eutting a trail to the summit of the trails will support their maintenance. method for cleaning drainage. Also ML Passaconaway to provide hiking More members nwst involve themselves provided: a list of fellow adopters, and opportunities for the guests at the in administrative and executive matters information on where to turn if you numerous inns in the area. A century for reasons of democratic process and need help. We hope that this short set and several hundred thousand hikers continuity of leadership. of guidelines will help our adopters get later, WODC continues that legacy by Adopters need to continue their good a better sense of how to accomplish maintaining 49 miles of trails in the work. To provide guidelines for trail work, their work. Adopters are, after all, at Sandwich Range. a WODC Trails Maintenance Manual the center of WODC. Is this sufficient cause for a has recently been distributed to our To keep better track of the state of celebration? You bet! We need to adopters. each Oub trail, we have also instituted celebrate the efforts of all past and Above al~ we need to maintain the a short "work trip" form, to be present trail workers. We need to identity and integrity of WODC. The completed when an adopter spends a celebrate the quiet, energetic work of character of the Club is molded by those day working on his or her trail. The those who have administered aub hikers and residents of the area who completed form will give us a sense of affairs and maintained good during the past 100 years have taken a the relative condition of all WODC communications with Club members proprietary feeling about these mountains. trails, and will help us make better and Forest officials. And most When compared to our big brothers to the decisions regarding how to allocate the important, we need to celebrate the North, the Sandwich Range offers greater time spent by the SRCA trail crew. mountains and their preservation as intimacy, compelling us to visit again and Finally, we are continuing to re-sign symbols of our own need for again and to view the range from all WODC trails. Don't be surprised if maintaining a comer of solitude and numerous vantage points. I am reminded you see new signs at various junctions wildness in our own souls. of a recent comment from a person who throughout the aub trail system. There To celebrate 100 years of our has worked in the Conway area, who said should be 25 to 35 new signs in place mountain stewardship is not just to that she was leaving the area because she over the course of the summer. Many of carry on the traditions started by Kate "got all the trails hiked and wants to find the old signs will be available for Sleeper, Arthur Walden, and Tom some new ones.• Even if she had been purchase at an informal auction to be Wiggin. It means that we must also speaking metaphorically, her attitude does held during the Centennial dinner. consider the challenges to our legacy not address the stewardship ethic which is It's hard to imagine, but WODC has and the opportunities that we have to at the heart of our organization. Our been maintaining trails for 100 years. If strengthen the Oub's mission. The mountains have their own grandeur, their the plans for the summer of 1992 are challenges are both external and own history, and their own memories for any indication, it looks like we're off to internal to the Club. As land changes each of us. WODC gives us the a good start for the next century. hands more frequently, the historic opportunity to share our mutual respect Doug Mayer rights of access across private property for these mountains and help preserve ~~~~~~~~~ becomes more of an issue. Technology them for future generations. MAP SALES and social change are requiring that the Th.is summer we have the opportunity traditional use of trails by those who to celebrate 100 years of commitment to The WODC Trail Map and Guide walk and climb be reexamined and, in the trails and the environs of the continues to sell itself. Over 600 maps some cases, extended to others. As Sandwich Range. Trails Day will be a have been sold to date, May 15. It may stewards we must be willing not only to catalyst for revisiting favorite sites. Of be purchased for $5.00 at several local maintain the trails but to be involved in course the highlight of the summer will stores, the Wonalancet Post Office, those ancillary issues which may impact be our Centennial Dinner at which good sporting goods stores in the North upon them. Th.is means a commitment fellowship will prevail, and we will learn Conway area, or by contacting John of time and thought, if we are to more about the history of the Qub from Mersfelder or Sally Zink. continue to effectively influence those George and Sally Zink who will give us Latest evidence of its superior quality persons and agencies which have excerpts from the book they are writing. comes from the NH Fish and Game regulatory authority. Please join us in these special events! Department. An officer came to our To meet these challenges: John Mersfelder,-President door early one morning asking for maps -I - • • We mll8t contuwe to recrwl new to aid in a search and rescue mission for members to at least offset losses or, better TRAIL PLANS a hiker lost on Mt. Chocorua. The yet, to increase membership so that we (Continued from page 1) WODC map was the most detailed map can derive needed revenue to pay for Work has been completed on a new they had seen. He wanted a map for •higher lever trail work such as water bar Trail Adopters Guidelines booklet, each search team. construction. A membership form as part which provides basic information on the (Continued on Page 5) of a hiker information/questionnaire trail work that adopters are responsible led to his selection as chairman at the Camp Heermance, from the chief WHO IS HEERMANCE? first meeting of the Trails Committee of engineer." the Connecticut Forest and Park Camp Heermance was constructed in Hikers on WODC trails have an Association, a position he held until 1912, as recorded in the secretary's interest in the proper names given to 1935, when he became secretary. minutes of the September 9th WODC trails, shelters, and places. People ask It was while visiting with the Fishers meeting: "Who are Taintor, Rich, Shehadi, Tom at Ferncroft that he decided to erect a "This camp is situated about fifty feet Wiggin, Kelley?" In most instances the shelter near the top of Mt. Whiteface. from the spring on the north-east sUJ.e, origins are hidden to us; the realities In the words of his daughter, Louise H. where it commands the sunrise, and it is behind the names are revealed with Tallman, well sheltered by spruce growth and its effort. "Father had selected a broad rock-face name is Camp Heermance." · In the summer of 1979 Seymore as giving ideal wind-protection across the As WODC is indebted to the State of Smith, an avid hiker and a long time front of the shelter and also as reflecting Connecticut for Edgar Heermance's lover of the White Mountains, became some of the fire place heat inside. But it labors on our trails, and the inspiration interested in the origin of the name is the presence of the rare mountaintop and effort in building Camp Heermance, "Heermance" as applied to the shelter spring that encourages summit-camping the State is indebted to WODC The maintained by WODC near the peak of on Mt. Whiteface. Father told me of one basic idea of a trail system throughout Mt. Whiteface. When Smith completed hot workday when the spring was low. A the State originated in his intimate his research later that Fall, he sent us a last two cups had been reserved for the knowledge of the trails network in the copy of his findings. This article is end of the day. Then "some fool lady­ White Mountains. The excellent system based largely on his work. hiker" decided that the mud ought to be in Connecticut is known as the Edgar L. Heermance came to know cleaned out. A record for speed in getting "Connecticut Blue Blazed Trail System." Wonalancet through family friendship down the mountain was set that His daughter Louise recalls, with Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Fisher, who in afternoon by the crew. "Even the Connecticut trail blue harks 1908 purchased the property and buildings later known as Ferncroft Inn. During the suil]mer of 1911 the Heermance family helped in the opening of the Inn. For several years, as late as the 1920's, Edgar Heermance was a frequent guest in Wonalancet. Heermance was born in White Plains, NY, in 1876 and spent his early life in New Haven, CT. He graduated from Yale in 1897, and the Yale Divinity School in 1899. After a year of graduate study in Edinburg, Scotland, he was ordained as a Congregational minister, and served as a pastor in Minnesota until 1913. During World War I he served as a field director for Red Cross Civilian Relief, returning to New Haven in 1919 where he lived for the remainder of his life. Camp Heermance circa 1920 In 1920 Heermance bought property Father took considerable pride in his back to the Wonalancet blue blazes. I in hill country north of New Haven, back packing ability. Others assisted with remember the evenings at home when we where he constructed several small the supplies, but he ca"ied the heaviest tested paint shades graded from W O.D. C. cabins, taking every opportunity to hike bulk. He would make two trips a day. medium blue to white. The pale blue in the area, especially on the rocky Logs were cut at the highest possible selected for Connecticut trails was the ledges nearpy._· With his sons, he point and then earned the remaining shade which showed up the longest at constructed"a four mile section of what distance." dusk." is now the Quinnipiac Trail in the hills Edgar himself gives but a brief In addition to his leadership as a west of the Sleeping Giant. That four account of the construction: founder of the Connecticut Trail mile trail became the first section of the "A group of huskj friends - Fred System, he was a founder and chairman Connecticut' Blue Trail System. His zeal Luquens and other Yale classmates - had of the New England Trails Conference, for hiking and trail-building, his vision joined us and helped me achieve a much executive director for a decade of the of a trail system criss-crossing needed cabin on the summit of Mt. Northeastern Wood Utilization Council, Connecticut, and his executive ability, White[ace. After I left they named it and editor of various Connecticut walking guides. through the White Mountain Trails OPPORTUNITY AREA Time aft~r time he returned to climb Day, will meet at the Wonalancet his favorite, Mt. Whiteface. Chapel at 8:30 am. The Sandwich Opportunity Area "Every so often I feel the necessity for The Executive Committee is asking (SOA) analysis, in which WODC climbing a mountain, usually one of the trail adopters to lead hikes on their members Ted Sidley and George Zink familiar peaks in central New adopted trails. participated, was completed on March 5, Hampshire. This is not merely for the Trails work will concentrate on light 1992, when Forest Supervisor Rick joy of the physical effort and the brushing and water bar clearing. The Cables approved 46 specific projects. refreshing sights and smells along the SRCA will lend us some fire rakes for Cables' approval does not constitute a way. Climbing a mountain is an inward drainage clearing. Please bring clippers decision to implement the projects; .exercise. It gives a sense of space so or pruners for brushing. implementation awaits further analysis vivid that it almost hurts. I feel my own At the end of the day, WODC will and public participation. littleness in the vastness of the have its traditional pot-luck supper. Most of the proposed projects were su"ounding world. The vista of other For this Centennial Trails Day we supported by the WODC participants. summits, the massive shoulders of the would like to see all Club members Present conditions in the area result mountain, the valley far below with its participate. Hikes will be available for from inadequate signing, a lack of doll-like houses, the familiar river, all ages, and all levels of physical information available to users, which takes its start in the mountain condition. unrestricted camping, overuse by off­ spring at my feet, help me to regain my Stop! Go to your calendar right now road vehicles, and "benign neglect." perspective. " and set aside July 18 for this special Implementation of projects would Edgar Laing Heermance died in day. restore several degraded sites, and if 1953. wisely executed, reduce future damage. WODCDECALS WODC opposes several projects, and NEW MEMBERS will continue to discuss our concerns You will want to obtain a first edition with the Forest Service. As an example, This year's membership drive resulted WODC centennial decal, whether you the projected timber harvests "North of in 30 new individual/family members are one who plasters his car with and 6 new organizational members. membership stickers or not. The decal, Almost half of the pew individual reproduced in this newsletter, was members are from the local Over-The­ created by Ellie Ford, a graphics Hill Gang. The others are climbers who designer who resides in Sandwich. The bought maps by mail and responded to two prominent mountains depicted are our "now that you have a map, wouldn't Wonalancet and Whiteface, with you like to be a member" letters. Six Tripyramid to the left rear and camps responded to an invitation that Passaconaway to the right rear. We was sent to regional camps and private were particularly careful to avoid having schools. the design confused with either the Pond Brook by Flat Mt. Pond and We look forward to meeting our new AMC logo or that "other mountain" in northwest of Cold Brook on either side members at this summer's special the Sandwich Range. The decal is 2 of the Guinea Pond Trail" need programs and at the annual meeting. color, blue and green - blue is a Club reconsideration. The precise location of Membership Chairman, Clarinda Philips color. these cuts is unclear. They would be The rectangular shape was chosen in cost ineffective due to their remote CENTENNIAL TRAILS order to show a segment of the location, requiring major reconstruction Sandwich Range and to make the decal of several miles of the Guinea Pond and The raison d'etre of WODC is the distinctive. The design will be suitable Flat Mountain Pond trails. Also, maintenance of 22 hiking trails for use as cloth patches, if a demand for redefinition of the Guinea Pond and the encompassing 49 miles in and adjacent such arises. . Flat Mountain Ponds trails from "trails" to the Sandwich Range. No trails - no To ensure you get your decal before to "roads" would be required. In WODC What better way to recognize they are all gobbled up, send $2.00 for addition, it would make the timber our charge , af~e r 100 years, than by a each decal, your name and address, to access road attractive to ORV use - Trails Day"-'fn which we simultaneously WODC, Box 21 , Wonalancet, running counter to other projects hike all of the trails - on at least as NH 03897. Christmas is coming. They designed to keep the SOA primitive. many as we can muster hikers. will make great stocking stuffers. WMNF personnel did a fine job On Saturday, July 18, WODC will Decals still remaining will be sold at helping participants work within the hold its Ceiitennial Trails Day as a part Trails Day, the Centennial Dinner, and Forest Service bureaucracy, and the of White Mountain Trails Day, the Annual Meeting. complex of regulations under which it sponsored by WMNF. WODC members operates. Staff professionals - wildlife and friends, and volunteers solicited 5 biologists, timber managers, soil this legacy cannot be taken for granted. WODC trails. The Club maintains 49 scientists, hydrologists, and so forth - Continued vigi.lance and renewed activism miles of trails, all devoted to hiking, and made a conscientious effort to educate. by the trails community are needed to all maintained by volunteers. Over 50% Time, effort, and money spent to carry pass on the legacy." of the trails have portions on private out the study was high; the public The inventory identifies 32,669 miles land. The most heavily used trails, - participation phase required eight all­ of trails in the region; 78% are Blueberry Ledge, Dicey's Mill, and Old day sessions. Assessing the effectiveness snowmobile trails. Volunteer main­ Mast Road - are partially on private of the analysis is not possible at this tenance predominates - 22,270 miles of land. Total mileage on private land is time, but we support all efforts by the the total. Hiking trails comprise 32% much less, 7%. This 7% is critical, for it Forest Service to open up the decision (10,505 miles) of the total. Although the must be available to the public in order making process to interested people. hiking mileage may seem high, the to access the backcountry of WMNF. Thank you, Forest Service! density of trails in the region is very This year celebrates the memorable low, but one-eighth of that currently challenges met with foresight, yigor and A HERITAGE AT RISK? available in England and Wales where persistence by WODC members during hiking is a major recreational activity. the past 100 years. Clearly, the future A recent survey, The New York/New Statistics for the State of New will have need of these same qualities. England Trails Inventory, is the first Hampshire are somewhat more re­ We must work with our friends and comprehensive assessment of trails in assuring. Over one-third of the trail neighbors who own land on which trails the region. It reveals that nearly one­ miles (980 of a 2,902 total) are for are located, and find ways to maintain half of the total miles of recreation hiking. Of these, 90.7% are protected, public access without undue burden trails in northeastern U.S. are on either because they are sited on public upon the owners. An objective worthy private land with no protection of land such as the WMNF, State Forests of our heritage! public access. Over 4,440 trail miles and Parks, or on private land under were closed during the years 1987-1990, easements or controlled by conservation traceable to such factors as safety organizations such as the Society For MAP SALES problems, insufficient funding, and land The Protection of New Hampshire (Continued from Page 2) development. These startling statistics Forests, Audubon Society, Nature Searchers did not find the hiker, who are included in the publication Trails Conservancy, and land trusts. In New had become separated from others in Today: A Heritage at Risk?, a joint Hampshire 16% of the hiking trails the group; he walked out of the woods report by the National Park Service and maintained by private organizations are unhurt, precisely one-week later. The the Appalachian Mountain Club, based on private land with no permanent episode reinforces the wisdom of staying on data collected during the winter of protection from land use/land ownership together when hiking. Also, carry a 1991. The survey warns, changes. good map! "Trails are an important part of our It is. interesting to contrast these regi.on 's recreational heritage. However, regional inventory statistics with data on

CENTENNIAL DI NNER RESERVATIONS and FORM A full description of the Centennial Dinne r is given on the front page of this Newsletter. Location, times, dinner menu, program, names of speakers, and costs are included. Since space is limited, make reservations as soon as possible. Reservations must be received by July 1st to meet the needs of the caterer. For further information, phone (603)-323-8693. Please make checks payable to wooc, and send with form to: Clarinda Philips, P.O. Box 4, Wonalancet, NH 03897 .

. . : ...... Reservation Form ......

Name; .-...... ········································ · · · · · · · · · · Address ...... : .. · .. · · · · · · · · : · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · City ...... State ...... Z1 p ......

_Child dinners @ $6.00 Adult dinners @ $13.00

Centennial Contribution Total enclosed~~~