Helping prepare a new section of the North Country Trail through the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge were Tammy Bohan, Bismarck; Parker Heydt, Mandan; Tina Anderson, Bismarck; and Glee Mayer, Minot. Bohan and Mayer are volunteers hoping to start a new NCT chapter, Heydt is working on his Eagle Scout project, and Anderson is the leader of Troop 123 in Bismarck.

COLEHARBOR – On a land where eagles often soar overhead, a prospective Eagle Scout was on the ground below. Parker Heydt of Mandan chose to add a four mile section to the North Country Trail through the grasslands of Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.

His choice for a signature Eagle Scout project was a natural one.

“I do like hiking trails and cleaning them up a bit,” said Heydt while taking a break with other volunteers who helped join the trail to another section groomed last fall. “We had some adults cut the grass and then walked through and pulled flags, pounded posts and signed them.”

The North Country Trail is one of the longest hiking paths in the country, extending from Lake Sakakawea State Park to Vermont, a distance of about 4,600 miles. Only about four miles of the trail was developed through Audubon NWR, and that last fall, prior to Heydt’s project undertaken last Saturday.

“It’s pretty amazing, a big accomplishment in a short period of time,” said Matthew Davis, NCT regional coordinator. “It is a beautiful spot. Audubon has been on the route of the trail for the last 40 years but there wasn’t any trail on the ground.”

At the end of this year, thanks to three separate Eagle Scout projects, Davis said about 15 miles of trail will be groomed and marked through the rolling grassland terrain of the national wildlife refuge.

“Just for context, 15 miles is a pretty good year in all eight states on the North Country Trail,” explained Davis. “To add this many miles to the trail in one place is remarkable.”

Glee Mayer, Minot, an enthusiastic hiker, was among the volunteers helping create the new section of trail. She is also helping form what will likely become the Central Flyway Chapter of the NCT, an affiliate partner that will adopt the new segment of trail for maintenance purposes.

“When this is finished we will be all the way through to the McClusky Canal,” said Mayer. “Then it’s to Lonetree, to the New Rockford Canal, Lake Ashtabula and the national grasslands.”

It is hoped the improvement to the NCT will encourage additional usage in the future. Already this year several dedicated hikers have started on the trail at Lake Sakakawea State Park with the hope of following it all the way to Vermont. There’s also been increased interest on a more regional basis.

“This year has actually been really good for trail usage in North Dakota,” said Davis. “That’s been one of the silver linings of COVID, a lot more people have taken to the outdoors. We’ve seen more use all across the board. You can hike the NCT for an hour or a long distance. What a great experience!”

Nicholas Talmer of Mandan has chosen making the final five miles of trail through Audubon NWR his Eagle Scout project. Talmer hopes to get underway on the project in October.

“I love the outdoors and grew up camping in this area and found out there’s a project available,” said Talmer. “I do projects.”

“If you like to hike the prairie and see wildlife, this will be one of the best places to come,” added Davis.

Currently there are two active chapters of the NCT in North Dakota, both in the eastern part of the state. They are the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter based in Valley City and the Dakota Prairie Chapter in Fargo. More information on the NCT can be found at northcountrytrail.org/north-dakota.