Dane County Chapter 2025 Hike-A-Thon Planning Meeting

We are now gearing up for planning the 2025 Dane County Hike-A-Thon, tentatively planned for Summer 2025! We had a record turnout in 2024, raising over $10,000 for the Dane County Land Fund. In order to continue the success for the event next year, we are looking for volunteers to help plan the 2025 Hike-A-Thon! The Dane County Hike-A-Thon is the flagship fundraising event for the Dane County Chapter, with funds going to purchase and protect land to build more trail in Dane County! If you are interested in helping with next years event, please join us at the 2025 Dane County Hike-A-Thon kick-off meeting!

Hike-a-Thon along the Dells of the Eau Claire Segment – Central Moraines Chapter

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU MISSED SIGNUP THIS YEAR, WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US NEXT YEAR!

Partake in a supernatural Hike-A-Thon (6th annual!) hosted by the Central Moraines Chapter.

Don a costume (should bravery permit!) and travel along an ancient path: The Dells of the Eau Claire Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Proceed alongside the Dells of the Eau Claire River and its cascading mist. The river’s rapids roar ethereal melodies through a mylonite bedrock gorge formed in the depths of glacial history.

Two mystical paths await, each promising secrets to interpret:

A 3.8-mile journey will wend toward Cty Hwy Z before turning back from whence you came, and now there’s more path ahead than behind you.
A 1.4-mile meander encourages a brave pilgrimage from the encampment and back again.

The Eerie Encampment Where the Voyages Commence:

Dells of the Eau Claire County Park
177091 Campground Way, Aniwa, WI 54408

Embark on your quest any time between 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM (Check-In).
Every wandering soul must be checked out by 3:00 PM. (Check-Out). (Special arrangements can be made with Hike-A-Thon staff.)

Ghostly Perks

Enchanted provisions and mystical waters to fuel your spooky expedition
Interpretive Signs
Trekker Treasures

The Price of Passage

$25 per mortal 18 and over, $10 for younger souls.
Free shirt if registered by the witching hour: Friday, September 20th

*Bonus From Beyond*
A rare chance to add an extra five to nine miles to your Mammoth Hike Challenge tally!!

Until 3 PM, shuttles will be available for to drop hikers off at points along the Plover River Segment. This bonus is for daring individual who choose to navigate the Trail back to the Dells of the Eau Claire County Park. Remember, only those who first complete the Hike-a-Thon may attempt this journey.

Tread carefully, for you alone bear the weight of any otherworldly encounters (injuries, illnesses, damages, or losses) as this is an independent adventure.

Please Note:

In the event of severe or threatening weather, for safety reasons, we may need to cancel this event last minute. If this happens, we will be unable to refund donations.
Pets are welcome but must be on leash and under control at all times. Note: Car shuttles may be limited to volunteers willing to shuttle pets.

Special Note: The 2024 Hike-A-Thon supports the Central Moraine Chapter’s efforts to conserve, create, maintain, and protect the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

2024 Dane County Hike-A-Thon

Join the Dane County Chapter on Saturday, June 1, 2024 for the annual Dane County Hike-A-Thon!

Choose between two hike options:

A 14.5-mile hike going from north to south on the Cross Plains, Valley View, Madison, and part of the Verona Segments
A 3-mile hike going from north to south on part of the Madison and Verona Segments

Due to trail restrictions, please leave your furry friend(s) at home (no dogs are allowed on the Hike-A-Thon). See below for hike details!

Either way, you’ll get a T-Shirt, shuttle, refreshments, some swag, and you’ll be contributing to the creation of more trail within Dane County. It is also a great way to celebrate National Trails Day!

Dane County Hike-A-Thon T-shirt

Registration for the Hike-A-Thon is $40/person (tax-deductible).

All proceeds from the Hike-A-Thon will go towards the Dane County Land Protection Fund. The Dane County Land Fund is a fund established to help us permanently protect and manage land for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Dane County. Your donation helps with land acquisition to support the goal of “closing the gaps” between off-road sections of trail.

Note: As of 5/31, we only have large shirts left.

The Details:

All participants will receive a shuttle from their car to the start of the hike, and refreshments during and after the hike.

14.5-Mile Hikers: Meet at Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 at 7:30 am for check in.

The bus will leave promptly at 8:00 am and shuttle hikers to N. Birch Trail, along the Cross Plains Segment for the start of the hike.
Hikers will then walk the Cross Plains Segment, a short connector route, The Valley View Segment, another short connector route, the Madison segment, and part of the Verona Segment, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.

3-Mile Hikers: Meet at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 at 10:30 am for check in.

The bus will leave promptly at 11:00 am and shuttle hikers to the OJ Noer turfgrass facility.
Hikers will then walk portions of the Madison and Verona Segments, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.

There will be two aid stations along the route with water refills and lots of snacks: Cross Plains State Park parking lot (Timber Lane) and the OJ Noer Turfgrass Facility.

Long hike route is highlighted in yellow+red, short hike is highlighted in red

Location/Parking Details:

LOCATION: Badger Prairie County Park, Link to Google map

PARKING: Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1, Link to location on Hiker Resource map

Post-Hike Celebration:

After your hike, join Dane County Chapter volunteers at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 for grab and go sandwiches, soda, beer, other drinks, and snacks to refuel after a long hike.

Make plans to enjoy local businesses in the our Trail Community of Verona and Trail Community of Cross Plains

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift as part of this event is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Thank you sponsors for supporting the Dane County Hike-A-Thon:

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

2023 Dane County Chapter Hike-A-Thon

Join the Dane County Chapter on Saturday, October 14, 2023 for the annual Dane County Hike-A-Thon!

Choose between 2 hike options:

A 16-mile hike going south to north on the Montrose Segment and part of the Verona Segment
A 5-mile hike going south to north on part of the Verona Segment

See below for hike details!

Either way, you’ll get a shuttle, refreshments, some swag, and you’ll get closer to completing the Mammoth Hike Challenge!

We ask that each Hike-a-Thon participant make a personal gift of $50 per individual or 1st member of a household, $25 for 2nd adult in the household. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult are $10.

All proceeds from the Hike-A-Thon will go towards the Dane County Land Protection Fund, which allows quick action when a land protection opportunity arises, providing funds to pay for critical, time-sensitive costs related to land acquisition, such as appraisals, land surveys, and other fees.