2024 Ice Age Trail Crew Season Successes!

Summer Habitat Improvement: Sip & Seed Events 

Pollinators got a boost thanks to the collective efforts of 51 volunteers who donated 191 service hours to pick 35 pounds of native lupine seed—a remarkable amount. When added to wildflower seed mixes, this seed will enhance up to 180 acres, providing an essential early-flowering, nectar plant for butterflies and bees. It also represents a significant dedication to habitat improvement efforts by the Ice Age Trail Alliance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

May 7 – 10, 2024: Maintenance Sweep, Polk County

The first Maintenance Sweep event in 2024 crossed many items off the Indianhead Chapter’s to-do list, assisted by 30 volunteers who donated 677 service hours.

“It was everything we hoped Maintenance Sweep events would become,” said Lisa Szela, Volunteer Support Coordinator for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “A nice synergy formed as chapter volunteers worked side-by-side with and learned from some of the best trailbuilders around.”

June 6 – 8, 2024: Training – IAT-U, Dane County

Ice Age Trail University (IAT-U) successfully delivered 10 trainings to a total of 94 volunteers, who generously dedicated 1,486 hours to learning the skills and techniques necessary to contribute to the creation, maintenance, and promotion of a National Scenic Trail.

“Every person I talked to about the classes they attended was extremely excited about what they learned,” said Patrick Gleissner, Trail Operations Coordinator. “Most volunteers arrived with a goal, wanting specific knowledge to fill a gap.”

June 25 – 28, 2024: Maintenance Sweep, Langlade County

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.  Forty-four volunteers who collectively donated 1,143 service hours, along with the labor provided by 6 WisCorps members, to address drainage issues, add stepping stones to a creek crossing, and clear corridor.

July 17 – 21, 2024: Holy Hill Segment, Washington County

During a 4.5-day project, 28 volunteers donated 627 hours to construct a 424-foot-long boardwalk. 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.

July 17 – 21, 2024: Plover River Segment, Marathon County

“This project was one of my all-time favorites,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “The event’s narrow scope meant all the crews did the same things: rock shopping, making crush, and setting stones. And we all got muddy!”

Collectively, 55 dedicated volunteers generously donated 1,025 service hours to transform a wet, muddy path into a winding, walkable corridor. They hunted for nearby granite boulders—from the Wolf River batholith—shoved south by the glacier. Finding the right-sized rocks, they dug them up and hauled them to the work site. Sledgehammers broke small rocks into even smaller pieces (crush), which volunteers used to stabilize each of the 229 stepping stones.

July 30 – August 2, 2024: Maintenance Sweep, Lincoln County

Despite a rainy forecast, 24 volunteers remained committed to helping members of the Northwoods Chapter spruce up Grandfather Falls, Lincoln County’s most popular segment. Mother Nature rewarded dedication (599 service hours) by providing 3 rain-free work days but heaped on the heat and humidity. Plus, six WisCorps members rolled up their sleeves, joining various crews for a change of pace.

The verdant forest, rocky terrain, and cascading Wisconsin River provided a beautiful and melodious backdrop for all the work along a two-mile section: Shoring up stone steps, leveling boardwalks and improving approaches, and clearing out undergrowth along the Trail.

August 14 – 18, 2024: Plover River Segment, Marathon County

Built a decade ago, the Plover River Segment needed some attention, especially the nearly one-mile-long section between STH-52 and Village Road. Picturesque and famous for its river crossing, many hiking boots had churned up the mud-prone tread along this stretch. Now, 107 volunteers collectively donated 2,710 service hours to remedy the situation and elevate the hiker experience with lengths of puncheon and strategically placed granite boulders.

September 11 – 15, 2024: Greenbush Segment, Sheboygan County

Built 30-plus years ago, the nearly 9-mile Greenbush Segment was due some attention. Especially the section south of State Highway 23 where hikers had to be cautious about their footing. A reroute to ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience was in order. Although hot and humid weather settled in for the project, 122 volunteers remained in good spirits and donated 2,687 service hours collectively.

“We were able to move away from using Old Plank Road Trail, create 4,800 feet of high-quality, sustainable Trail, and align the new path to easily access the underpass,” said Patrick Gleissner, Trail Operations Coordinator. Gleissner also noted that the wider, flatter route, which meanders along the edges of several kettles, will enhance the hiker experience with scenic views.

October 2 – 6, 2024: Blue Hills Segment, Rusk County

So, after years of patiently waiting, 128 volunteers arrived with their sleeves rolled up, ready to work. They enthusiastically churned through the construction notes—the section-by-section to-do list—collectively donating 4,500 service hours.

“Crew Leaders stepped up hugely, and most of the volunteers had participated in one or more Ice Age Trail Crew events this season, said Patrick Gleissner, Trail Operations Coordinator for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “So, folks knew what to expect and what to do after arriving at the work site, speeding things along immensely.”

October 23 – 27, 2024: John Muir Park Segment, Marquette County

A mellow vibe carried through all four and a half days, during which 122 volunteers collectively donated 2,333 service hours. Pre-project frame-building efforts by the Marquette County Chapter got the smooth-rolling project off to a good start.

Volunteers mowed a loop trail and built an elegant, 800-foot-long boardwalk, enhancing the Preserve’s accessibility and creating an anchor point for future Ice Age Trail miles in the county. They also blazed the Trail through the City of Montello. Initially a connector route, the new two-mile path ambles through public green spaces, past downtown shops, and by a scenic waterfall.