Multiple structures got built and repaired on the Hemlock Creek Segment!
Like the warblers, sparrows, and scarlet tanagers arriving from their winter home, the Ice Age Trail Crew volunteers returned to the Trail. 96 volunteers donated 3,325 service hours in 4.5 days to building and repairing Trail on the Hemlock Creek Segment (Barron and Rusk Counties, Wis.).
The sweet rabble of songbirds setting up house in the treetops matched the good-humored, “lets-get-back-at-it” energy of the industrious Trailbuilding teams on the ground.
The event, hosted by the Superior Lobe and Blue Hills chapters, went off without a hitch. Chapter members started this smooth-flowing project by building frames and cutting lumber to size ahead of time.
“The chapters stepped up big time and worked together to help manage all the moving parts of this large-scale, joint project,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager.
Moving parts included:
- Loading the pre-built frames and boards onto trucks that hauled the lumber to a drop-off location.
- Transporting the construction materials closer to each project site using ATVs with trailers.
- Carrying the required supplies deeper into the woods for each structure the volunteers planned to build.
In all, crews built four boardwalks and two bridges, replacing worn-out ones. They also repaired four still-functioning boardwalks.
“The number of structures built in a four-and-a-half-day event reflects the commitment and effort of well-trained Ice Age Trail Crew Leaders and crew members,” said Patrick Gleissner, Trail Operations Coordinator. “At this point, all we need to do is organize the crews and turn them loose.”
With so many skilled hands and trusted crew leaders, the project expanded to sprucing up a boardwalk along the Bear Lake Segment, repairing a kiosk near Birchwood, tackling tread maintenance on the loop around Murphy Flowage, and refreshing many blazes.
The work along the Hemlock Creek Segment not only accomplished all the goals set by the Alliance’s Trail Team, but exceeded expectations. This success sets the stage for the chapter-led projects later in the season, in advance of the work scheduled for the Dreamer Reroute in October. The Hemlock Creek Segment will serve as an important gateway to the new route planned through Rusk County.
Project Outcomes:
- 96 volunteers
- 3,325 service hours
- 1,700 deck boards cut
- 110 frames assembled
- 4 boardwalks and 3 bridge approaches, totaling 376 feet
- 2 bridges, totaling 64 feet
- 4 puncheons repaired totaling 88 feet
- 6,000 feet of tread was inspected and spot-repaired along the yellow-blazed and white-blazed loop at the Murphy Flowage
- 6 miles of signage spruced up
Special Thanks To:
- The Superior Lobe and Blue Hills chapters for jointly hosting the Ice Age Trail Crew event and assisting with pre-event construction, planning, and offering local knowledge. Chapter volunteers made and served a delicious and hearty chili for one evening’s meal. They also arranged catered meals from local restaurants in soon-to-be-Trail-Community, Weyerhauser, and nearby Cumberland. Several volunteers also provided ATVs and trailers for hauling all the construction materials.
- Fred Nash and Bob Kaspar for their roles as Crew Leader Managers
- Sue Greenway for capably stepping into the new role as Base Camp Manager and handily managing Kitchen and Camp Volunteers, meal pick up, preparation, and Clean Up, and incoming local dignitaries.
- Rusk County Forestry for providing a wonderful basecamp and support for the project
- Barron County Forestry for helping greatly with access to the project sites
- Township of Wilson for letting us stage and store boardwalk materials. This project wouldn’t have gone nearly as well without their help.
- Heather Gronski, Owner of The Farmhouse Restaurant & Bar, for her generous spirit, and food portions!
- The staff of Porky’s Bar for the incredible achievement of feeding 60 volunteers 20 terrific pizzas, out of one pizza oven!
- All the new volunteers!
- An anonymous donor for providing ice cream for dessert on Saturday evening!
- Jim Miller, staffer for Tom Tiffany, U.S. House of Representatives (who serves the 7th District of Wisconsin), for taking time to learn more about the important work of Alliance volunteers on behalf of the Ice Age Trail.
This project was made possible with funding from:
The National Park Service and its Cyclic Maintenance Fund.
Additionally, the Henry and Margaret Reuss Charitable Remainder Trust and Sally Wilmeth and Terry Geurkink.
Up Next:
June 25 – 28: Maintenance Sweep, Langlade County
Help us put the finishing touches on Trail in Langlade County! This project will focus primarily on tread work, blazing, and signage, but come ready for other maintenance projects, too. Learn more and register.
July 17 – 21: John Muir Park Segment, Marquette County
Elevate hikers’ enjoyment of the Alliance-owned Muir Preserve by building a boardwalk and loop trail, setting up the Trail for future growth. In addition, crews will help scout more Trail options in Marquette County. Learn more and register.
