A small maintenance crew in Langlade County makes great progress across challenging terrain!
It was fitting that Langlade County’s oldest Ice Age National Scenic Trail segment—12-mile-long Parrish Hills—received the most attention during the 3.5-day Maintenance Sweep event. This remote, rugged segment winds through wetland areas inside an evergreen forest where it intersects and overlaps logging roads and ATV or snowmobile trails. The challenging terrain created plenty of work for 44 volunteers who collectively donated 1,143 service hours along with the labor provided by 6 WisCorps members.
A small crew tackled wet spots along the segment by addressing drainage issues, including adding stepping stones to a creek crossing. Other crews widened the corridor to the approved eight feet by clearing overgrown vegetation like raspberry canes, invasive brush, and branches overhanging the Trail. This widening has not only made the Ice Age Trail more accessible but also allowed sunlight to reach the path, drying out wet spots.
The Blazing Babes (Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter) and blazers from the Portage/Waupaca and Baraboo Hills/Heritage Chapter welcomed four Langlade County members into their activities. Hands-on training ensued as this team refreshed old blazes, neutralized many more, and added new ones. In tandem with the blazing, a crew installed numerous signage posts at intersections to lessen hiker confusion. Another crew spruced up segment signs at Trail access and parking locations with fresh coats of paint.
Finally, the newest segment, Ice Override, received tread enhancements, like deburming, aided by members of the WisCorps crew. And, excitingly, a crew headed to the Alliance-owned Moraine Outwash Preserve to do some light corridor clearing along the Trail line in anticipation of future projects.
Lee Auner, Langlade County Chapter member and Maintenance Sweep participant, summed up the event this way: “Starting with Alliance staff and volunteers enduring a powerful after-midnight, two-inch rain thunderstorm lasting hours, the tough work on the Trail was completed, expertly planned and professionally organized, in the days that followed!”
Special Thanks To:
- The Langlade County Chapter for rolling out the yellow carpet: Melinda and Brian Nelson provided two hit-the-spot-delicious evening meals; Lee Auner, Sara Pitterle, Hillary Schultz, and Kyle Stephenson brought baked goods; and Dave Tlusty provided wood for cozy campfires.
- Chapter Co-Coordinators, Melinda and Brian Nelson for project coordination, including organizing chapter member contributions.
- Fresh from Crew Leader Skills and Training, Scott Henning, Bill Ryno, Melinda Nelson, and Brian Nelson immediately put their newly minted skills to use.
- Pat Witkowski and the Blazing Babes for effectively training a blazing cohort in the Langlade County Chapter.
- Ed Spoon and Wendell Holl for lending their time and expertise in their areas of specialty.
- Langlade County staff Jason Polley and Shelly Finger donated the group campsite in the Perch Lake campground near Elcho, Wis.
Thank you to our generous project sponsor:
Up Next:
July 30 – August 2, Maintenance Sweep event in Lincoln County
This project will focus primarily on structure repair, tread improvement, corridor clearing, and signage updates throughout the beautiful and rugged Northwoods Chapter. Come ready for other Trail maintenance work too!
Learn more and register now.
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.
