More than one mile of tread built thanks to volunteers!
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. Crews built a three-quarters-mile-long section of four-step tread, completing the last page of the construction notes by the end of the day on Thursday.
“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.”
The phenomenal weather—cool nights and dry, pleasant, sunny days—also contributed to the project’s ease and speed, along with the pre-project presence of a five-member WisCorps crew. WisCorps had helped the Blue Hills and Superior Lobe Chapters build 3 boardwalks totaling 340 feet along the Hemlock Creek Segment. Then, they had cleared Trail corridor and roughed in tread. With these tasks removed from the to-do list, Trailbuilding volunteers could focus exclusively on building tread, which they quickly accomplished.
“On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, Dave Carew and I headed out to reinforce the flag line on what we had thought we would tackle sometime in 2025,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager for the Alliance. “Our job was to stay ahead of the chainsaw-wielding Sawyers clearing corridor behind us.”
Friday’s volunteers also found themselves at the end of a camera lens as Cameron Gillie, hired by the National Park Foundation (NPF), photographed them at work. Alison Steinbach, the Content Specialist for the NPF, also visited the project and came to write a story about the Alliance, which has received hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grants from NPF over the years. These funds, from capacity building to Trailbuilding to Think Outside, have supported nearly every facet of the Alliance, helping it get to where it is today.
Evening entertainment enlivened base camp, with festivities beginning Wednesday evening. Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold, an Americana-folk duo, crooned tunes as folks relaxed around the fire pit. Eight cases of donated Earth Rider Brewery beer appeared, adding to base camp cheer.
“The vibe the entire week was of one big, happy, family reunion,” said Gleissner. “Everyone worked and relaxed well together, genuinely enjoying each other’s company, in the field and at base camp.”
On Friday night, Base Camp Managers Sue Greenway and Pam Smith-Jilk organized a homecooked meal—ham and cheesy potatoes—in honor of Thelma Johnson, long-time base camp chef. Then, on Saturday evening, volunteers joined the celebration, welcoming Weyerhaeuser as an Ice Age Trail Community. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal made by the Farmhouse Restaurant and Bar.
Project Outcomes:
- 128 volunteers collectively donated 4,500 service hours
- Constructed more than one mile of tread
- Cleared more than eight miles of corridor for future tread work
- Installed handrails on Hemlock Creek Segment boardwalk
- Staged lumber for a future project in the area
Note: There is not an Outcomes map for this project.
Special Thanks To:
- The Superior Lobe and Blue Hills chapter members for their re-project work and boots-on-the-ground assistance during the project.
- Base camp managers Sue Greenway and Pam Smith-Jilk for all their efforts to create a relaxing atmosphere and nourishing meals.
- The Crew Leaders for capably leading teams through the construction notes and beyond.
- Larry Mishkar, Cedar Lounge Taproom Manager for Earth Rider Brewery, for donating eight cases of the brewery’s Flagship beers. “Earth Rider beers are crafted by decorated brewers with cold, clear Lake Superior water and premium, hand-selected ingredients. We proudly sponsor and support organizations and individuals dedicated to outdoor adventures. Find Earth Rider Brewery and the Earth Rider Cedar Lounge Taproom in Superior, Wis, located at the head of the Great Lakes in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.”
- Alison Steinbach, NPF Content Specialist, for her interest and enthusiasm in the Ice Age Trail Crew’s accomplishments during this project.
- Out There Nordic in Trail Community, Rice Lake, for sponsoring the band.
- Rusk County Forests and Parks Department for being great to work with as we reroute the Trail through County Forest land and for the use of Murphy Flowage County Park as basecamp.
And Thank You to Our Generous Donors:
Blue Hills Segment Project sponsors:
This project was financed by the National Park Service’s CONNECT TRAILS TO PARKS program to support the National Trails System.
Nancy and Tony Schuster
Our Ice Age Trail Crew Season sponsors:
The Henry and Margaret Reuss Charitable Remainder Trust
Sally Wilmeth and Terry Geurkink
