Ice Age Trail Alliance
Chippewa Moraine Chapter
Ice Age Trail Update
May Day 2019
Updates to May eNewsletter:
🥾 Help Needed With City Of Trails Race
The Ice Age Trail Alliance co-sponsors an annual trail run in St. Croix Falls WI every year and this year it is on Saturday, June 8. The organizers need some help with the race, and if you’re game, you can enjoy the other festivities as well including recognition of St Croix Falls as a "Trail Community”. Contact Wanda Brown if you are interested at (651) 260-5890 or wfbrown41@gmail.com. [Link for more information.] The race page is at https://www.cityoftrailsrace.com.
🥾 Blue Hills Trail Improvement Project Date Change
We will again head north for a day of trail improvement activity in the beautiful Blue Hills of Rusk County. The previously announced date of May 30 is not going to work, so scratch that and add the new date of Thursday, June 27 to your calendar.
We’ll meet at the Obey Center at 8 a.m. and head north for the day. More information and a sign-up link will come later.
🥾Chippewa Valley Nature Festival
A series of programs and field trips has been organized by Gaylord Nelson Audubon Society for Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2. In addition to the wealth of field trips offered throughout the Chippewa Valley, presentations and more take place in Menomonie.
Presentations at UW-Stout include "Emerging Rights of Nature” as well as more nitty gritty ones on loons, birding by ear, ecological literacy. Field trips range from birding while canoeing, beginning birding, dragonflies, edible wild plants, bats, and more. A fun Saturday evening is planned with food and a “Bird Bowl with Steve Betchkal”. Sunday includes a Tiffany Bottoms Bird and Plant Tour by Rail.
Check it all out at the website: http://www.chippewavalleynaturefestival.com.
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Previously:
Along the Chippewa River on the Ice Age Trail
Wildflower Hike On The Chippewa River Segment, Sunday Afternoon, May 5
The wildflowers beckon along the beautiful Chippewa River segment of the Ice Age Trail for a springtime Sunday afternoon hike on May 5. The impact of the river is evident, creating a more striking display of spring flowers on this segment than any other Chippewa County IAT segment.
This afternoon ramble on the IAT along the Chippewa River, through the Krank Preserve, and Brunet Island State Park, meets at 1:00 PM at the Ice Age Trailhead Parking Lot, 2 miles north of Hwy 64 on County Highway CC, northwest of Cornell, WI.
Bring along water, and be prepared for ticks. Some trail sections may be wet or muddy. Registration is optional but appreciated.
Please Click Here For Registration Site
- Directions to Trailhead: Parking lot is 2 miles north of State Highway 64 on County Highway CC, and marked by large Ice Age Trail signs and a kiosk. It’s northwest of Cornell, WI.
- Location address: 23778 Co Hwy CC, Cornell WI 54732. Map: http://d.pr/ESTw+
- Contact: Richard Smith, (715) 933-0252, chippewamorainechapter@iceagetrail.org
Krank Preserve in May
Trail Improvement Day on May 18 to Focus on Krank Preserve Reroute
We’ll turn to the new trail through the Krank Preserve on the morning of Saturday, May 18 to do some tread improvement in wet areas, improve the bridges, and complete sign installation on the new trail route we created last winter. We’ll also finish decomissioning the old route.
If you can help, we will meet at 9 AM on Saturday, May 18, at the Hwy CC trailhead parking area. We’ll have a tailgate party at the conclusion, but bring your own water, and the usual bug repellent. Be sure to wear waterproof boots & bring work gloves.
Long pants and socks are important to keep ticks at bay.
Please register so we can plan for you and make your time worthwhile and productive.
Click Here For Registration Site
- Directions to Trailhead: Parking lot is 2 miles north of State Highway 64 on County Highway CC, and marked by large Ice Age Trail signs and a kiosk. It’s northwest of Cornell, WI.
- Location address: 23778 Co Hwy CC, Cornell WI 54732. Map: http://d.pr/ESTw+
- Contact: Jerry Sazama, (715) 828-2587, sazfam@aol.com
May 20 Chapter Meeting To Feature Annual Conference Reports and Forest Service Trail Maintenance
Chippewa Moraine Chapter will meet on Monday evening, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Falls Public Library. On the agenda are a report of the highlights from the Annual Conference and a first-person comparison of trail maintenance US Forest Service style with National Park Service style. The latter will be presented by Jerry Sazama and Steve White.
Other topics include a look at our spring and summer trail maintenance needs, status of the equestrian trail, and a preview of the coming visit by NPS staff in June.
The Chippewa Falls Library is at 105 W Central St, Chippewa Falls.
Tamarack Bog Along Ice Age Trail
National Trails Day Hike on the Ice Age Trail, Saturday, June 1
We’ll visit a trail section west of County Highway E on Saturday, June 1, to celebrate National Trails Day. Highlights of the route include hiking along the shore of Picnic Lake, through a beautiful hemlock forest, and on the rugged hillside overlooking a tamarack bog alive with distant pitcher plants.
Meet at 9 AM on Saturday, June 1, at the trailhead at 25111 County Highway E near Camp Nawakwa. Bring water, and your favorite bug repellent. The best defense against ticks is long pants tucked into your socks. We’ll have some snacks.
Please let us know if you are coming by registering.
Click Here for Registration Site
Potluck Picnic & Meeting on June 17 Will Feature Superintendent of Ice Age Trail
Our July Chapter Meeting and Potluck is being moved to Monday, June 17 at 6 p.m so we can meet the new NPS Superintendent of the Ice Age Trail Eric Gabriel along with Trail Manager Pam Schuler. Be sure to mark your calendar as this replaces our regular July meeting.
Horseshoe Lake Detour Route
New Trail Detour at Horseshoe Lake (Townline Lake Road)
In a repeat of two years ago, Horseshoe Lake water level has risen several inches, putting the Horseshoe Lake boardwalk under water. As a result, we have detoured the trail onto the former detour route just north of and parallel to the proper trail. Signs are posted to mark the route.
The detour route is 0.4 miles, about double the length of the regular route. If you plan to hike between Townline Lake Road (160th St) and Ice Age Drive (144th St), take note of the detour.
Thrivent Choice Program
At a meeting last fall we discussed the Thrivent opportunities for donating to the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Betty Qualheim was at the meeting and investigated the process. She learned that the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Cross Plains is registered to receive Thrivent Financial member's Choice dollars. Here is link that explains the program: https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-choice/