A 15-Year Project Receives Finishing Touches

The concluding Rib Lake MSC Trailbuilding Project, a volunteer celebration, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-opening of the Rib Lake Segment.

“This MSC event was about putting on the finishing touches to a 15-year project,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager. “Although Bob Rusch knows more about this than I do, the entire week felt like the final kick runners muster when approaching a marathon’s finish line.”

152 volunteers donated 4,388 service hours to reach the home stretch: The Ribbon Cutting ceremony on the morning of Sunday, October 1st, followed by a hike along the rerouted and reopened Rib Lake Segment

And those finishing touches spread over 5.3 miles had crews working on myriad projects: crafting 1 mile of new tread, constructing approaches to existing structures, sweeping previously built tread, hauling buckets of rotten granite, building box steps, installing trail signage posts, adding blazes, preparing dinner, and much more. In fact, a small rock crew headed out Sunday morning to shore up a section of Trail before hikers descended upon it.

“I was once again so impressed by the quality and dedication of our crews. Some of our younger volunteers even took vacation days from work to participate!” said Chad DuChateau, Director of Trail Operations. “Everyone gave us their best efforts even when hampered by rainstorms on Tuesday and then again on Saturday morning.”

Lee “Butch” Clendenning, a local landowner and co-coordinator for the High Point Chapter, agreed. He’s confident the trailbuilding crews built the most beautiful stretch of Trail across the gap-closing land he and his sister donated.

Saturday’s soggy start gave way to sunshine and blue skies that also welcomed 163 attendees arriving for the Volunteer Celebration that evening. Everyone enjoyed a hearty meal at picnic tables overlooking glittering Rib Lake, a champagne (or sparkling grape juice) toast, and a laughter-filled Trail Trivia game.

Sunday’s warm, sunny weather provided a perfect backdrop to speeches, the ribbon cutting, and the hike. “We were able to honor the landowners who generously provided a home for the Trail while walking along finely crafted Ice Age National Scenic Trail as it courses among moraines and connecting beautiful hemlockeries,” said Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO.

Special Thanks To:

• Bob and Ann Rusch for decades of commitment to the Ice Age  National Scenic Trail  (and the Ice Age Trail Alliance) and being the driving force in rebuilding the Rib Lake Segment.
• Lee “Butch” Clendenning and Gail Clendenning for donating a gap-closing easement. And for Butch’s patience as MSC crews upended the usual peace and quiet along his land with various trailbuilding projects.
• Everyone who pitched in on the 10 Rib Lake Segment-related MSC projects held during the past 15 years.
• Crew Leader Managers: Jerry Sazama, Bob Kaspar, Mark Ormsby, and Steph Hoff (and the use of her truck for hauling gravel and tools).
• The Village of Rib Lake, especially our go-to person, Kristen Lueck, for providing a truly wonderful basecamp at the amazing Lakeview Park and Campground.
• Marilynn Chohaney, Camp Chef, and her team of cooks who created Friday evening’s chili dinner and Saturday’s garbanzo bean/tomato/mint meal that accommodated various dietary requirements.
• Buzz Meyer and Alice Weinert for picking strawberries and baking shortcake for a delicious dessert.
• Bob Kaspar for event photography.
• Luke Gasek, owner of Lake 11 Brewing, who took a break from brewing to wield trailbuilding tools for a day. Plus, he gave the Alliance a good deal on the 11 barrels of beer volunteers consumed.
• Ed and Sharon’s Catering for providing a delicious meal for Saturday night’s Volunteer Celebration.
• Local businesses for accommodating hikers and volunteers and providing them with yummy coffee drinks, delicious meals, and more. Specifically, Java Journey for opening their cafe on Sunday for celebration attendees and Camp 28 and Personalized Treasures for participating in Trail Magic.