Two volunteers work on securing deck boards for the 166-foot-long boardwalk across Bohn Lake. Photo by Dave Caliebe.
With a chain of lakes as a result of a tunnel channel and deep kettles among the oaks and pines, it’s easy to surround yourself with spectacular glacial landscapes when hiking the Ice Age Trail in Waushara County.
Last week, you chipped in to help the Trail grow a little bit longer and a lot more sustainable. Boardwalk construction, stonework, tread construction, and trail maintenance all whirled together to create a project that improved overall access and visibility to various segments throughout the county.
Summer didn’t want to say goodbye just yet. Over four unseasonably warm and humid days, 142 volunteers joined together over 3,280 hours to build ¾ mile of new Trail, 166-foot elevated boardwalk, 146 feet of stone retaining walls, and five stone steps. They also shaped numerous drainage features, installed dozens of trail signage posts, and maintained roughly two miles of existing Ice Age Trail!
Download a Project Outcomes map; gain an understanding of the progress being made for this multi-year project.
View photos of the project here.
A crew of volunteers tackle a section tread where a retaining wall is needed to ensure a sustainable Trail. Photo by Dave Caliebe.
Special Thanks to:
• The Village of Hancock for providing basecamp;
• The Waushara County Chapter for support before, during, and after the project;
• Jarrod Kehring from Wisconsin DNR;
• National Park Service Superintendent Eric Gabriel;
• State Senator Patrick Testin for visiting us and helping move a few stones;
• Waushara County Administrator Robert Sivick and Village of Hancock Chairman Larry Monroe for joining us for dinner Friday night;
• Musicians Guy Kaplan and Pat Connolly for gifting us with their talents;
• Phil Snow for the use and operation of a tractor;
• Debbie Krogwald and the kitchen crews who pitched in preparing and serving us hearty and delicious meals;
• Bob Kaspar and Jerry Sazama for their work as Crew Leader Managers;
• All Crew Leaders and volunteers for their dedication and hard work!
Support for this project was provided through REI, Sitka Salmon, National Park Foundation, and Department of Natural Resources
This event was made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation through generous support of The Coca-Cola Company.
Next up:
Wildcard! We return to Ringle (again)! Just when you thought you couldn’t get enough, there’s more trailbuilding to be done in the Landscape Crossroads. Join us, October 16 – 20, in continuing our efforts to connect two completed sections of Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Sign-up here.
Brand new tread along the Bohn Lake Segment! Photo by Dave Caliebe
Generous Sponsors of the 2019 Mobile Skills Crew Trailbuilding Season include:
Sitka Salmon Shares is offering all Ice Age Trail enthusiasts and trailbuilders a $25.00 discount on your purchase of a salmon or seafood share. They’ll donate $25.00 to our award-winning Mobile Skills Crew program.
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