Skilled construction creates a 424-foot boardwalk on the Holy Hill Segment!
An amended easement, negotiated between the Ice Age Trail Alliance and a private landowner, required an Ice Age Trail reroute along the Holy Hill Segment. The move took the Trail from the edge of an agricultural field onto a more scenic path, but one through a reed canary grass wetland. Luckily, Ice Age Trail Crew volunteers, skilled in boardwalk construction, capably rose to the challenge. During a 4.5-day project, 28 volunteers donated 627 hours to construct a 424-foot-long boardwalk.
Spirits remained high despite the boot-sucking wetland muck, especially with visible daily progress. The mild-for-July weather added to the project’s enjoyment, but the sun ensured volunteers handed around an ample supply of sunscreen.
“It’s always fun to witness the final frame sliding into place,” said Patrick Gleissner, Trail Operations Coordinator for the Alliance. “We began building the boardwalk from each end, heading toward the middle. On day 4 of the project, the 31st frame was the ‘golden spike’. It fit perfectly, thanks to our volunteers’ amazing, high-quality work.”
Special Thanks To:
- Washington/Ozaukee County Chapter for hosting the project, doing pre-project mowing, and providing a good-natured volunteer crew.
- Landowner Steve Stys, for his financial support of the project, for hosting basecamp, and for assisting with material management.
This project was made possible with funding from:
The Henry and Margaret Reuss Charitable Remainder Trust
Sally Wilmeth and Terry Geurkink
Up Next:
August 14 – 18: Plover River Segment, Marathon County
South of Highway 52, this much-loved and well-traveled segment is ready for a few upgrades. Help build puncheon, solidify tread with granite boulders, and maintain the existing tread to withstand many future boots.
Learn More and Register Now.
September 11-15: Greenbush Segment, Sheboygan County
Enjoy early autumn color in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit as you craft brand-new tread. Help create a new route for the Ice Age Trail south of Hwy 23, moving it from a paved multi-use trail onto a beautiful landscape of deep kettles and big trees.
Learn More and Register Now.
October 2-6: Blue Hills Segment, Rusk County
At last, it’s time the Dreamer Route became a reality. Join tread and corridor clearing crews for the first of many events working in this geologically significant area. We’ll also finish up bridge and boardwalk work on the Hemlock Creek Segment.
Learn More and Register Now.
October 23-27: John Muir Park Segment, Marquette County
Elevate hikers’ enjoyment of the Alliance-owned Muir Preserve by building a boardwalk and loop trail, setting up the Trail for future growth.
Learn More and Register Now.
