Ice Age Trail Dispatch
November 2010
In This Edition:
Sierra Club IAT Hike, Saturday Nov. 6
Trail Improvement Day, Saturday Nov. 13
Chapter Meeting, Monday Nov. 15
Outdoor Expo, Sunday Nov 21
Sierra Club "Beat the Snow" Hike, Saturday, Nov. 6
Join the Chippewa Valley Sierra Group for its annual "Beat the Snow" Ice Age Trail Hike. This year they return to the crowd-pleasing formula of breakfast at the Bohemian Ovens at 8, followed by leaving from the Chippewa Moraine Visitor Center at 9:30 AM.
The full hike planned is about 11 miles long, but you may cut that in half if you like. Be sure to bring a lunch and plan for the weather. That said, the weather is usually wonderful, and it's looking like this Saturday's weather will not disappoint.
For more information, contact Steve White at 715-720-8890 or email stonecottage99@gmail.com.
Trail Improvement Opportunity, Saturday, Nov. 13
Recent near-hurricane winds left a legacy of downed trees and branches all along the trail. As a result, we'll pull out the hand saws and loppers and once again take to the trail to see how much of this jumble we can untangle before the weather and hunting seasons conspire to make trail maintenance impossible. It would also make winter hiking and snowshoeing a lot easier.
We'll meet at 9:30 AM at the Chippewa Moraine Visitor Center. Dress for the weather, bring work gloves and sturdy footwear. Bring a lunch and water if you plan to stay into the afternoon.
If we have enough people, we can break up to cover more of the miles.
If you plan to come, please let us know with an email to chapter@iatchippewa.org so we can plan our day accordingly. Please indicate how long you plan to stay. Also, please note that helpers under 18 must have a signed release form.
This workday is weather sensitive, so if the weather is bad (raining, snow-!!-) watch your email or twitter before heading out.
November Chapter Meeting, Monday, Nov. 15
Our bi-monthly chapter business and planning meeting will be at 6 PM Monday, Nov. 15, at the Chippewa Falls Public Library. We'll evaluate all of our events and activities of the 2010 year and plan our activities and events for 2011. We'll discuss candidates for offices as well. Come and take part in this annual evaluation and planning process!
Outdoor Expo, Sunday, Nov. 21
As sure as the deer skedaddle every year in November, we head over to Minneapolis for the Outdoor Adventure Expo to acquaint our friends to the west with our favorite foot path. It's a full day affair for us, and at the end we "strike the set" and head home, confident we've made new friends, made connections among the trail community, and enlightened a lot of people about the National Scenic Trail on their doorstep.
Are you interested in joining the crew this trip? Job description is simply some basic knowledge of the Ice Age Trail and an interest in talking to strangers about it, answering their questions, and encouraging them to consider a visit. Contact us at chapter@iatchippewa.org or call 715 967-2164.
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Where To Find Information
Here's where to look for IAT and IATA information:
IATA Information: http://iceagetrail.org/home
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Information: www.iatchippewa.org AND http://chippewamoraine.iceagetrail.org/home AND www.twitter.com/iatachippewa (subscribe!)
Calendar of Chapter and Alliance Events: http://chippewamoraine.iceagetrail.org/chapter-events
Hiking the trail: www.iceagetrail.org (check the options under the "Hike the IAT" tab). For Chippewa County: http://chippewamoraine.iceagetrail.org/hike-the-chapter
National Park Service Information about the Ice Age Trail: www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm