A small maintenance crew persevered through heat and humidity for a successful event in Lincoln County!
Despite a rainy forecast and driving through a deluge, volunteers remained committed to helping members of the Northwoods Chapter spruce up Lincoln County’s most popular segment: Grandfather Falls. Mother Nature rewarded their dedication by providing three rain-free work days but heaped on the heat and humidity. Evening rain storms made for exciting sky-watching and raindrop dodging.
The verdant forest, rocky terrain, and cascading Wisconsin River provided a beautiful and melodious backdrop for all the work along a two-mile section. Plus, the mosquitos failed to cause a ruckus, allowing 24 volunteers to donate more service hours (599) than pints of blood. Also, six WisCorps members rolled up their sleeves, joining various crews for a change of pace.
During three and a half days, volunteer crews tackled a wide range of projects that improved the hiker experience and highlighted views of the river:
- Gathered nearby native stones and moved them into wet spots along the Trail, creating a series of stepping stones for future hikers to traverse instead of mud.
- Shored up several sets of existing stone steps with new rock.
- Added stones to boardwalk approaches, improving access to these structures.
- Leveled slanted and slippery boardwalks and applied lengths of chicken wire to their surfaces to improve traction.
- Cleared undergrowth around boardwalks to allow the sunshine to dry out the structures.
- Cleared Trail corridor, de-bermed and widened tread, and freshened blazes.
Special Thanks To:
- The Northwoods Chapter for rolling out the yellow carpet: Chapter Co-Coordinators, Bruce and Ruby Jaecks, and Rita Wiechman and Don Evans, Segment Adopters for the Chapter, provided local, boots-on-the-ground knowledge and encouraged chapter-member participation on crews. Bruce and Ruby brought a truckload of firewood for base camp fires, provided Tuesday’s hearty chili meal and strawberry shortcake dessert, and helped fund Wednesday’s pizza dinner. Carla Moore provided veggie and cheese trays and rolls to accompany the chili dinner. Plus, she provided baked oatmeal and hardboiled eggs for breakfast.
- Local celebrity, Eric Gabriel, National Park Service Superintendent for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, for joining a tread maintenance crew for two days.
- Engelberry Farm for donating strawberries for Tuesday night’s dessert.
- The City of Merrill Parks and Recreation Department for letting volunteers use their aquatic center showers for free.
Thank you to our generous project sponsor:
Up Next:
September 11 – 15: Greenbush Segment, Sheboygan County
Enjoy early autumn color in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit as you craft brand-new tread. Help create a new route for the Ice Age Trail south of Hwy 23, moving it from a paved multi-use trail onto a beautiful landscape of deep kettles and big trees.
Learn more and register.
October 2 – 6: Blue Hills Segment, Rusk County
At last, it’s time the Dreamer Route became reality. Join tread and corridor clearing crews for the first of many events working in this geologically significant area. We’ll also finish up bridge and boardwalk work on the Hemlock Creek Segment.
Learn more and register.
October 23 – 27: 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.
