We’re highlighting Priscilla Matthews for a Volunteer Spotlight! Priscilla is a Thousand-Miler turned volunteer who wants to help other hikers enjoy the Trail and their hiking adventures.
At the Alliance’s recent IAT-U: Trail Skills event at John Muir Park in Marquette Co., an Alliance staff member chatted with Priscilla about what inspires her, her Thousand-Miler journey, and why she volunteers.
What drew you to start volunteering (specifically at the IAT-U event this past weekend)? Will you plan on attending more events in the future?
I attended the IAT-U event (on the John Muir Segment) to learn ways to give back to the Trail. While hiking it, I had no idea of the thousands of volunteer hours and hard work that went into making my hike possible. Now that I’ve reached my goal, I want to do my part to ensure others can accomplish their journey.
I am going to continue learning and volunteering to maintain and develop the Trail. And, I’m discovering there’s a whole dedicated and talented community doing this. It is another side of the Trail I’m just now discovering – this is another journey!
When did you first become aware of the Ice Age Trail and when did you decide to become a thousand-miler?
I’m from Wisconsin and have lived here most of my life, but had never heard of the Ice Age Trail before the fall of 2019. My friend Renae Sieling told me about it and asked if I wanted to hike it with her. I said yes, not knowing exactly what I was agreeing to. I had no idea how life changing that single “yes” would be!
I started hiking the Ice Age Trail with Renae in the Spring of 2020. She had started earlier and gave me tips on bike shuttling, the FarOut app, and gear to make hikes safer and more comfortable. Our, and my, journey had begun! I don’t know exactly when I decided I wanted to become a Thousand-Miler, but somewhere early on I was completely hooked. I loved the whole process, from figuring out how to shuttle, to where I would sleep, when I could hike with others or by myself, to what to do about dogs on country roads and bears in the woods. Plus, choosing proper gear and how much I could challenge myself physically and remain safe were rewarding and challenging parts of the process, too. I became a Thousand-Miler in the fall of 2022, joined by Renae and more friends I had met along the way.
“I had no idea how life changing that single ‘yes’ would be!”
What was something that really stuck out to you while hiking the trail?
I am in awe of its diversity and beauty as it wanders through Wisconsin. It took me through remote forests filled with beaver activity; down an alleyway in a Milwaukee suburb; through prairies and farm fields, to the head of the Black River, and along the shores of the great Lake Michigan. Along the way, I met so many interesting and kind people. And a few quirky ones! Several of them are now good friends.
I especially enjoyed a couple of hiking trips I took with my husband and dogs in our truck camper. He would drop me off in the morning, then go park at my endpoint. He would spend his time in between flat plane carving, spending time with our pups Harry and Guinness, and meeting other hikers. We made some good friends this way!
Did you have a favorite segment or area of the trail? Do you think you would do it again?
I don’t have one favorite segment. Both the eastern and western terminuses are gorgeous, as are Devil’s Lake and the Kettle Moraines. But the in-between trails and connecting roads are what makes Wisconsin and the trail what it is.
I don’t plan to hike the entire trail again. The world is a big place!
We are grateful for all Priscilla has done and continues to do to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Ice Age Trail!
