Ice Age Trail Alliance
Chippewa Moraine Chapter
Ice Age Trail Dispatch
August 2021
First Sunday Hike - August 1st
It’s going to be a beautiful day for a hike! Come and join us for our First Sunday Hike on August 1st. JoAnn Parks will be leading a hike on the Chippewa Moraine Segment. Come join us as we hike on an in-and-back hike beginning at the Obey Center and heading west to 267th Ave. The hike will take you down the Ice Walled Lake Plain and past a series of lakes, including the uniquely named “North of North Shattuck Lake”. Come and enjoy this beautiful piece of trail.
The Obey Center just re-opened on Saturday, June 26th after its Covid-related closure. You will have the opportunity to check out their glacial and Chippewa Valley History displays, check out some live critters, and view a glacial video. The staff is looking forward to seeing you.
Hikers should meet at the Obey Center parking lot on Hwy. M at 1:00 pm. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants, and long sleeve shirt. Be prepared to tuck your pants legs into your socks. Bring water and a snack. Mosquito repellent is recommended. Wear a mask at the parking area if you have not been vaccinated. Maintain 6 feet of distance on the hike. Please send an RSVP to JoAnn at jjjparks123@gmail.com.
Upcoming Hikes:
Walk to End Hunger
The Bohemian Hall - Lodge 141 south of Cornell is sponsoring a hike on the Chippewa River Segment on August 8th. Their goal is to raise money or food items for the Cornell Food Pantry. There are two guided hikes being offered at 11:00 and 1:00. There is a limit of 35 hikers per hike. The hikes will be led by JoAnn Parks. To register or donate for the walk, go to https://betterlifewalktoendhunger.dojiggy.io/lodge141 or email JoAnn at mailto:Lodge_141@yahoo.com
September 5 - First Sunday Hike - Obey Center - group picks the hike option
October 2 - Parade of Colors Hike-Obey Center
August Trail Maintenance Day - Saturday, August 14
Our next trail maintenance day is Saturday, August 14. We will be dismantling 3 tent platforms at Camp Nawakwa. In return for our work, we get to keep the usable lumber for the maintenance of boardwalks, etc.
Volunteers will meet at the Obey Center at 7:30 a.m. Participants should wear long pants and long sleeves. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended, and you should be able to tuck your pants legs into your socks. Bring work gloves, insect repellent, and water. Bring a bag lunch. You will need to wear a mask for covid if you have not had your 2 covid vaccines.
Please RSVP to chippewamorainechapter@iceagetrail.org if you are planning to attend this event.
Future Trail Work Days: September 18, October 16
Remember, you must have a signed Volunteer Agreement to work on trail projects. Volunteers under the age of 18 need to have a signed Volunteer Agreement with the Parental Consent section filled in and signed by their parent/guardian. See below for the Volunteer Agreement.
The Mammoth Challenge is Back!
Last year’s Mammoth Challenge was such a big success that they are bringing the event back this year. Over 7,000 hikers signed up for the challenge last year, and over 5,000 hikers completed it! The Mammoth Challenge this year is to hike 41 miles of the Ice Age Trail during October and visit 3 trail communities. Registration is now open.
Visit https://www.iceagetrail.org/mammoth-hike-challenge/ for all the information about the Mammoth Challenge and get registered for this month-long event.
Get your Volunteer Agreement and join the trail crew on work projects!
You need to have a completed Volunteer Agreement for the National Park Service in order to participate in our trail improvement days. If you filled one out last summer, you are in good standing.
If you do not have a signed Volunteer Agreement, here is the link: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/x_INDIVIDUAL-301A-COVID-Packet.pdf Please fill out the fillable form and email it to Daniel_Watson@nps.gov
Please read the following documents before signing the agreement:
• Cover letter from Eric Gabriel NPS https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-Cover-Letter_Eric.pdf
• IATA Volunteer Risk Assessment Tool https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-IATR-VIP-Risk-Assessment-Tool-002.pdf
• Covid19HA https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-COVID19-JHA-v2.pdf
When you send in the Volunteer Agreement to Dan Watson, he will sign it and return it to you. Please print a copy for yourself or save it in your files. Email me at chippewamorainechapter@iceagetrail.org to let me know that you have received your signed Volunteer Agreement.