By Robert Williams

Editor 

Jon and Sheila Holzhauer, of Frazee, were officially recognized by theLaurentian Lakes Chapter (LLC) of the North Country Trail Association on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Frazee Event Center.

The Holzhauers were given the 2025 Outstanding Private Landowner Award.

“I don’t know how many of these the North Country Trail gives out annually but it’s not many,” Chapter President Robert Beckland said.

The award is given to private landowners whose leadership, accommodation, and active collaboration substantially benefit the North Country Trail (NCT).

Beckland also quoted a citation that was sent in about the Holzhauers’ efforts.

“Jon and Sheila Holzhauer have hosted North Country National Scenic Trail and a campsite for 15 years,” he said. “Additionally, they have been active participants with the Laurentian Lakes Chapter Board in efforts to improve the trail on their land. As an example, they designed and built fence styles along the trail at the property edge…their contributions have been indelible to our chapter and the broader North Country Trail.”

Minnesota 34 

Trailhead to Frazee

This section of the NCT traverses private property and county roads. The NCT is built on county, state and federal land wherever possible. When it crosses private land, it’s necessary to obtain easements from property owners. This was done in 2016 for the Holzhauer property. It links the trail from Hubbel Pond to CR 120/Frazee.

The City of Frazee became the first designated NCTA “Trail Town” in Minnesota in 2013, offering resupply opportunities for long distance hikers. 

Because this section of the trail is located on private property, LLC members were responsible for building the trail to link it to Hwy 34 and to CR 120. Since this trail crosses pastureland in the Holzhauer property, the LLC built fence styles to assist hikers over the fences. They were designed and built by Gary Narum and Roger Hanson. They were installed by Gary, Jim Rakness, Edsel Gunderson, Ray Vlasak, Willis Mattison, Wally Sizer, Kenn Mattson, and Jon Holzhauer. Signage was also installed.

Eugenie and Jonathan Rogstad were also recognized for the same award. The couple owns two parcels near Island Lake.

“The Rogstad family owns land across which the NCT traverses with their permission since the beginning,” said Beckland. “Also, they’ve hosted a fantastic campsite along the trail for more than 15 years. Additionally, and most noteworthy, they are actively collaborating to sell key areas of their land to the Fish and Wildlife Service to help preserve it. And at the same time, allow the NCT to exist there in perpetuity.”

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter is responsible for the NCT trails in Clearwater and Becker Counties, from Itasca State Park to Otter Tail County. The Chapter was founded in 2007 with John Backes, Chuck Church, Bob LaFleur, Hank Ludtke, Willis Mattison, Gary Narum, Karen

Stenberg and Ray Vlasek as founding members. The Chapter has grown to approximately 80 members and has built trails with numerous volunteers working in cooperation with governmental agencies. In the years prior to the formation of the LLC, Itasca State Park staff, the Star of the North Chapter of the NCT and members of the Bad Medicine Lake Association built trails from the DeSoto Campsite in Itasca State Park to the Highway 39 Trailhead.

Electronic maps of the trails can be accessed a www.northcountrytrail.org