Trail Maintenance Day, Saturday, June 15
06/03/2024 04:02
On Saturday, June 15th, we will have a trail maintenance day on the Firth Lake and eastern Harwood Lakes Segments.
Bring water and snacks. Wear long sleeves, pants, boots, work gloves, and socks you can tuck your pants legs into. Ticks are out there. Mosquitos abound, so a head net is highly recommended.
We hope to see you there. If you are planning to attend the work day, please email Jerry Sazama to register. He will contact all registered volunteers to inform them of the meeting place. The crew will be meeting at 8:00 am. We need a head count to organize our groups and to determine the number and kinds of tools that we need to bring.
NOTE: If you are not already on our trail crew (with a Volunteer Agreement-see below), consider joining our trail crew this year. There is something special about building and maintaining the trail. You will never look at the trail with the same eyes again after participating in a work project and learning what it takes to keep our trails in top condition.
Summer Solstice Hike at Our Nawakwa, June 20
06/03/2024 03:51
Our annual Summer Solstice Hike is continuing on at Our Nawakwa on Thursday, June 20th. We will hike around the lake starting at the flag pole area at Our Nawakwa. Come at 6:30 p.m. for some campfire snacks like S'Mores. The hike will begin at 7:15 p.m., and we will travel counterclockwise around the lake. When we reach the east side of the lake, we will be hiking up to the top of Mount Baldy, where we will sing songs and watch the sunset. This hike is now open to anyone. It is a great family event. The view from Mount Baldy is fabulous. It is the 2nd highest point in Chippewa County (after Flambeau Mountain to the northeast.). Please contact Vicki Christianson if you are interested in hiking with us as volunteers. The Chippewa Moraine Chapter is leading the hike, which is a great way to promote the Ice Age Trail with others in the Chippewa Valley. Hike volunteers should arrive around 6:00 p.m.
Dam Failure Washes Out Crossing
06/03/2024 03:44
On Wednesday, May 22nd, when most of Wisconsin was hit with damaging storms, disaster struck the Firth Lake Segment. The creek crossing about a mile west of Firth Lake experienced a flash flood. The creek crossing is normally shallow, and you could cross it with a three rock step-across. At the peak of the flash flood, the creek rose to 6 feet high and it was 100 feet across the narrow creek valley. It stripped away vegetation and toppled numerous trees along the creek. The heavy rains that fell that night breached a beaver dam a distance upstream, and the entire lake emptied into the creek valley with a destructive roar.
Vicki Christianson, acting trail adopter, discovered the damage early Thursday morning. That afternoon, Norm Card and John Stupak headed out to check out the damage and they added more rocks to the step-across to help hikers cross with dry feet. The creek has now returned to its normal path, but it will take some time before nature restores it to its former beauty.
Trailhead Signage Installed on Cornell Segment
06/03/2024 03:36
A five person team, with assistance from Dan Osborn (Winery) and his son, installed the Trailhead signage for the Cornell Segment. The trailheads for the segment are at the Mill Yard Park and the Wisconsin Veteran Farm and Winery. Thank you to Dan for drilling the post holes at the winery, and for helping with the installations at the winery and at the Mill Yard Park. Dan is dedicating part of his parking lot for Ice Age Trail Hikers. He recently resurfaced the parking lot, and hikers can park near the trailhead sign. The Cornell City Maintenance crew drilled the post holes at the Mill Yard Park. Besides the trail head signs, we installed a 4x4 post at the start of the newly built paved walking path along the shoreline, and a carsonite post to direct people from the Mill Yard Park to the Old Abe Bike Trail at Thomas Street and Park Road.
New Cornell Segment
06/03/2024 03:35
New Route Through Mill Yard Park
Cornell is now a segment on the Ice Age Trail. The segment begins at the Mill Yard Park at the entrance by the Visitor Center on Hwy. 64. Stop to check out the historical displays. Along Bridge Street, you will find the sluice that used to allow the mill to float logs under the street to the mill (Look for the metal railings). There is also a State Historical Sign for the Stacker. Stop in at the Visitor’s Center when it is open. Just beyond the Visitor’s Center, you will find a historical sign featuring Jean Brunet and Ezra Cornell at the base of the Stacker.
Cornell has installed a paved walkway along the shoreline all the way to Park Road. There are blazes to guide you. When you reach Park Road, cross to Thomas Street where you will reach the Old Abe Bike Trail. Follow the signage through town. The street portion of the segment follows the old CR route and ends at the Veteran’s Farm and Winery on 8th Street.
Thanks from the Blue Hills Chapter
06/03/2024 03:19
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all that helped on the recent Hemlock Creek Ice Age Trail Event (MSC). With the help of many our members, along with the Superior Lobe and Chippewa Moraine Chapters, folks from around the state, and IAT staff, this event was a huge success. Thank you to all that helped plan, cut, build, install, cook and clean, loan trailers and ATVs - the list goes on and on. We have a great team and I look forward to working with all of you on future events. - Cory Wiese, Blue Hills Chapter Coordinator.
(Pictured above: carrying the massive stringers to the job location. 18 volunteers using Feldmans were able to transport the stringers on the narrow single tread trail.)
Upcoming Events Along The Trail for June and July
06/03/2024 03:14
June 6-8 IAT-University - Dane County
June 20-23 Crew Leader Training - Dane County
June 25-28 Maintenance Sweep - Langlade County
July 17-21 Muir Preserve - John Muir Segment
July 30-Aug. 2 Maintenance Sweep - Lincoln County
June 20-23 Crew Leader Training - Dane County
June 25-28 Maintenance Sweep - Langlade County
July 17-21 Muir Preserve - John Muir Segment
July 30-Aug. 2 Maintenance Sweep - Lincoln County
Ice Age Trail Crew Opportunities (Formerly MSC)
05/04/2024 04:22
The calendar is out for IATA trail projects for 2024. Go to https://www.iceagetrail.org/our-work/trail-building-maintenance/ice-age-trail-crew/ for information on the upcoming trail events.
New Volunteer Agreement Links
05/04/2024 04:20
As of June 1, fifty two of our chapter volunteers have renewed their volunteer agreements. Thank you very much for keeping up to date with your agreement. We could not achieve as much to maintain our beautiful trail segments without your help. If you have not renewed yet, please check your 2023 agreement to see when you are due to renew. You need to renew 1 year minus one day from the date the NPS signed and dated your agreement.
Check out the new links for renewing your Volunteer Agreements. Please use the new links posted for the Volunteer Agreement and the email address for sending it in to Dan Watson.
All volunteers need to have a completed Volunteer Agreement for the National Park Service each year in order to participate in our trail improvement days or to volunteer at events. They have a new form on the Alliance Website.
To access the new Volunteer Agreement, here is the link: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Packet-Individual-301a-IATR-Staff_508.pdf. Please fill out the fillable form and email it to iatr_vip_ice_age_trail@nps.gov
NOTE: Fill in all the required boxes. The fillable boxes are on everything except the signature line. You can type your name and date in the date box next to the signature line. Save the document to your computer and then send it to NPS as an attachment. Or print off your completed document, sign it, and mail it to the NPS. The email address is on the directions page that comes with the form.
When you send in the Volunteer Agreement to NPS, they will sign it and return it to you. Please print a copy for yourself or save it in your files. Email us at chippewamorainechapter@iceagetrail.org to let us know that you have received your new signed Volunteer Agreement.
Chapter Calendar 2024
05/04/2024 04:13
These are our annual events. Watch for information on upcoming events and additions (in red) to this calendar in the monthly newsletters.
June 15 Trail Maintenance Day
June 20 Solstice Hike with Girl Scouts - Nawakwa
July 15 Chapter Meeting and Picnic - Mill Yard Park
Aug. 4 First Sunday Hike 1:00 Obey Center
Aug. 17 Trail Maintenance Day
Sept. 1 First Sunday Hike 1:00 Harwood
Sept. 16 Chapter Meeting
Sept. 21 Trail Maintenance Day
Oct. 5 Parade of Colors Hike - 9-11 Obey Center
Oct. 19 Trail Maintenance Day
Nov. 18 Chapter Annual Meeting