Ice Age Trail Alliance
Chippewa Moraine Chapter
Ice Age Trail Dispatch
May 2015
Trail Improvement Potpourri Day, Saturday May 16
There’s a little bit of everything in store for our next trail improvement celebration, next Saturday, May 16. Last month we swept the trail clear of obstructions, but found a lot of small issues needing attention: fence stile repairs, tread repairs, tree removal, sign repairs, and more. So there will be a lot of variety and choices for you this month.
Please plan to meet at the Obey Interpretive Center at the Chippewa Moraine at 9:00 AM. Dress appropriately for the weather, plan to experience ticks (wear long socks to tuck in your pants), and the first mosquito scouts. Sturdy shoes, long pants and shirt, and work gloves are the order of the day. Bring water and lunch if you can stay for the afternoon.
Please let us know if you plan to attend, so we can have adequate tools and plan our logistics, making your time well spent. Just send an email to chapter@iatchippewa.org.
Our thanks to the volunteers who swept the trail clear in May, and to those who offered to help on alternative dates.
Chapter Meeting on Monday, May 18: Catch Up on IATA News
Our next chapter meeting will be at 6:30 PM on Monday, May 18 at the Chippewa Falls Public Library in Chippewa Falls. We’ll be recapping what we learned at the Annual IATA Conference and present awards to those who could not receive them at the conference. We have some local news to discuss regarding trail rerouting and possible impacts of state funding changes on us. As always, it’s your chance to participate in making the trail great and getting up to speed on trail issues.
Spring Flora Busting Out All Over
The spring wildflowers have been grand so far this season along the trail. The May Sunday Hike participants got an eyeful along the Chippewa River segment especially. It’s not to late, but they won’t last forever, so head out and see what flowers and birds you can find. The Chippewa River segment is always superb, as is the Firth Lake area. In addition, the side trails leading off of the IAT where it passes through the Krank Nature Preserve (part of the Chippewa River Trail) are also good places to wander. Of course, you can’t go wrong wherever you drop your hiking shoes, so take off.
Sunday Hike coming on Sunday, June 7
Earlier this month JoAnn Parks led the intrepid Sunday hikers on a gorgeous Sunday Hike, and we intend for no less on June 7. For this hike, we will meet at the Obey Interpretive Center at the Chippewa Moraine at 1 PM. The specific hike will be decided based on the participants interests, but we have some great ideas. Bring a snack and water, and your preferred insect strategy. You don’t need to register for the hike, but if you plan on coming, drop a note so we know who to watch for!
Looking for the Events Calendar?
The Ice Age Trail Alliance website has been significantly redesigned, and the old way of linking to our chapter events has changed. Here’s the secret sauce: bookmark the page http://www.iceagetrail.org/events/category/chippewa-moraine-chapter/ and keep it handy, and you’ll be able to quickly check up on our chapter events at any time with just one click.
You can also find events occurring in other areas near and far, including mobile skills crew events, and programs, hikes, and workdays. If you plan to be spending time in another part of the state, check the events calendar and join a local group on a hike in a new area.
While you’re on the IATA website, explore around and see what else is there. There are interactive maps, informative articles, back issues of Mammoth Tales, and more. Everything you might need to help you plan a hike, pay for your membership, buy IAT gear, and more can be found there. The homepage is at http://www.iceagetrail.org.
Coming Up
Looking ahead to June, please add these dates to your calendars:
Saturday, June 7: Sunday Hike
Saturday, June 13: Trail Improvement Day
See you on the trail,
Richard Smith
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Chair
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The Ice Age Trail
A Walk Through Time