Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Whitewater is an Ice Age Trail Community.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ends Year with 698 Officially Completed Miles
Prolific Trailbuilding Year with Record Number of Volunteer Hours
Cross Plains, Wis. – After a robust Trailbuilding season, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail now boasts 698 officially complete miles. That’s nearly 15 miles more than last year at the same time.
The Ice Age Trail, which follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation, is 1,200 miles long. It’s currently comprised of completed, blazed miles and connecting routes. Typically rural roads or highways, connecting routes link completed, blazed segments of Trail.
“So much was accomplished in seven months of Trailbuilding,” says Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “And it’s all because of our large number of volunteers and their dedicated service.”
In fiscal year 2023, 1,990 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers contributed a record 100,666 hours to Trail-related activities.
“It was a pretty spectacular Trailbuilding year,” says Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. He attributes the record number of volunteer hours to “a great group of new volunteers who find value giving back to the Ice Age Trail after hiking it.”
Large-Scale Trailbuilding Projects Drew Volunteers from Across the Region
In 2023, the Ice Age Trail Alliance hosted eight, large-scale, multi-day Trailbuilding projects in Taylor, Marquette, Waupaca, Dane, Rock, and Door counties. Volunteers from across the Midwest participated; crafting Trail tread, building bridges, boardwalks, rock walls, and steps.
Highlights of these projects included: 5.3 miles of new Trail on the Rib Lake segment in Taylor County, and 3.5 miles of new Trail on the Cross Plains segment in Dane County.
Chapter-Led Initiatives Also Added Trail Miles
Nineteen volunteer chapters make up the Ice Age Trail Alliance. These chapters which are located along the Trail, are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep their area. This year, multiple chapters led initiatives to open up new Trail.
“Our chapter members took ownership, getting more Trail on the ground in their counties,” says Chad DuChateau, Director of Trail Operations for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “New miles take a long time to come to fruition, and volunteers helped all along the way: from establishing contact with landowners and being involved with compliance to building Trail.
Thanks to chapter volunteers, official Trail is now blazed through Evansville (1.7 miles) and Gibbs Lake County Park (1.3 miles) in Rock County. The Ice Age Trail Community of Cornell in Chippewa County also has 1.5 miles of official Trail.
In addition, chapter volunteers constructed Trail through the Alliance-owned Ice Override Preserve in Langlade County. And, extended Trail on the Waterville, Scuppernong, and Chaffee Creek Segments.
“This successful season, with its many new miles, gets us closer to a continuous completed Ice Age National Scenic Trail,” says Kloberdanz.
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About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail:
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state.
Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.
About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit, member and volunteer-based organization which conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information visit iceagetrail.org.
