Rhinelander LANGLADE. Antigo. Marinette MENOMINEE Wausau DOOR OCONTO MARATHON SHAWANO WAUPACA PORTAGE OUTAGAMIE. Waupaca. Appleton. Wautoma.

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1 Rhinelander RUSK Barron LANGLADE OUTAGAMIE QUE T GREEN LAKE SHEBOYGAN C AW sc Wi Prairie du Chien onsin Rive DODGE West Bend Madison r DANE GRANT Germantown Whitewater Milwaukee Waukesha MILWAUKEE WAUKESHA Platteville RACINE LAFAYETTE Monroe GREEN Janesville ROCK Beloit Port Washington Oconomowoc JEFFERSON IOWA Fall-Winter 2018 TON E RICHLAND WA SH R FO SAUK ING Portage COLUMBIA Baraboo D Y Sheboygan FOND Fond DU LAC du Lac VERNON R AN i JUNEAU HIG pp MONROE La Crosse Manitowoc MANITOWOC MIC ssi Oshkosh WAUSHARA WINNEBAGO LAK ssi Kaukauna Wautoma Tomah KEWAUNEE BROWN Neenah LA CROSSE A B E R G Waupaca Kewaunee Appleton ADAMS Algoma WAUPACA PORTAGE Wisconsin Rapids JACKSON Sturgeon Bay Green Bay Stevens Point WOOD OZAUKEE Mi er Marshfield SHAWANO TE BUFFALO iv CLARK EAU CLAIRE PEPIN R River Eau Claire DOOR OCONTO E MARATHON Menomonie Marinette MENOMINEE sin Wausau N TAYLOR CHIPPEWA Chippewa Falls Antigo Wiscon River Falls PIERCE DUNN Merrill CALUMET Medford ST. CROIX MARINETTE LINCOLN BARRON MAR POLK St. Croix Falls Crandon Ladysmith TREMPEALEAU Ri ve r PRICE Rice Lake FOREST ONEIDA Phillips Lake Geneva WALWORTH KENOSHA Racine Kenosha

2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S report MIKE WOLLMER Executive Director As 2018 draws to a close, so does our 60th Anniversary. It s been fun, exciting, inspiring, and special in so many ways. A few highlights so far Volunteers again are making waves. Final numbers are not available as I pen this report, but early reporting suggests another recordbreaking year for volunteer hours! Trail improvement projects, from statewide, award-winning Mobile Skills Crew events to significant local efforts, have resulted in remarkable new sections of Ice Age Trail! Land protection for the Trail has been dynamic and productive. The diversity of traditional and non-traditional partners, funding sources, property donations, and collaborations represents the Alliance s ability to work creatively and adapt to new challenges. Our headquarters in Cross Plains is growing to accommodate and support our programs and volunteers. In the next few years we expect our staff to grow modestly to better help us fulfill our mission. We ve aggressively begun preparations to renew our status as an Accredited Land Trust. I consider Accreditation as one of the Alliance s most significant accomplishments over the last 60 years. Record-breaking participation in Crew Leadership & Skills Training and Ice Age Trail University events featured educators from our staff, Triad partners, outside professionals, AND uniquely qualified volunteers! It s already been a big year for Saunters! There have already been 23 youth education programs sponsored by 17 districts that have engaged over 1,700 students. Success can be traced to over 100 educators, our staff, and local volunteers. The Ice Age Trail Community roster increased by four with Whitewater, Slinger, Milton, and West Bend joining the ranks. Each ribbon cutting was well attended by local, county and state officials. All of our Trail Communities met their obligation to host engaging, Trail-centered events throughout the year. What will 2019 hold?. in a word, SUCCESS! It will come with both dedication and hard work. I ll never take these elements for granted, but I have a strong suspicion we ll have an abundance of both. Thanks for some great years! OUR PARTNERS 2 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

3 OUR mission The mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is to create, support, and protect a thousand-mile footpath tracing Ice Age formations across Wisconsin. ON THE COVER: A snapshot of a small portion of The Giving Tree, a quilt piece, crafted by one of our members, Louise Schotz, which hangs in the Alliance foyer. The leaves and acorns commemorate friends and loved ones who have a passion for the Ice Age Trail. Visit to learn more. Photo by Jo Ellarson. The Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) publishes Mammoth Tales for its members and friends. Together with the National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local units of government, businesses, and volunteers from around the state, the IATA works to preserve Wisconsin s glacial heritage through the development of the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail. The IATA welcomes your comments. them to lysianne@iceagetrail.org, call us at (800) , or send them to Mammoth Tales, c/o IATA, 2110 Main Street, PO Box 128, Cross Plains, WI Editor: Lysianne Unruh 2110 Main Street PO Box 128 Cross Plains, WI (608) (p) (800) (p) (608) (f) info@iceagetrail.org VOL. XXX, NO. 3 FALL-WINTER 2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Marcy Kempf, Delafield, WI President Elect vacant Treasurer Maureen Skelton, Madison, WI Secretary Marilynn Nash, Weyerhaeuser, WI Vice President Development John Hutchinson, Sun Prairie, WI Vice President Leadership Development Timothy Yanacheck, Madison, WI Vice President Personnel Dolly McNulty, Two Rivers, WI Assistant Secretary Mike Wollmer, Cross Plains, WI LEADERSHIP MEMORIAL Dick Cates Cora Dversdall Joyce Erdman Ody J. Fish Roy Gromme Warren Knowles Henry Reuss Sarah Sykes Marion Barney Viste J.J. Doc Werner John Zillmer Raymond Zillmer Printer: Action Graphics, Butler, WI (262) Printed with soy-based ink on 10% recycled, Wisconsin-sourced paper. Designer: Lynn LaSpisa Mammoth Tales template and IATA logo design by Celtic, Inc., Brookfield, WI (262) CONTENTS 2... Executive Director s Report 4... Land Conservation Highlights 6... Outreach & Education Highlights 8... Trailbuilding Highlights Trail Wisdom Philanthropy Highlights Volunteer Spotlight Chapter Highlights Member & Donor News Trail Tales Trail Terminus DIRECTORS Debbie Cervenka, Santa Rosa Beach, FL Robert Connors, Oak Park, IL Patty Dreier, Stevens Point, WI Ed Madere, Janesville, WI Robert Melzer, Sheboygan, WI James Mills, Madison, WI Carol Mueller, Madison, WI Nancy Peterson, Milwaukee, WI Nancy Schuster, Chippewa Falls, WI Danny Tang, Madison, WI Matt Underwood, Madison, WI DIRECTORS EMERITUS Adam Cahow Tom Drought Joe Jopek Dave Kinnamon David Lovejoy Dave Phillips Robert Rusch STAFF Executive Director and CEO Mike Wollmer mike@iceagetrail.org Director of Trail Operations Tim Malzhan tim@iceagetrail.org Director of Land Conservation Kevin Thusius kevin@iceagetrail.org Director of Philanthropy Luke Kloberdanz luke@iceagetrail.org Outreach and Education Manager Amy Lord amy@iceagetrail.org Communications Coordinator Lysianne Unruh lysianne@iceagetrail.org Membership and Grants Coordinator Eric Sherman eric@iceagetrail.org Special Projects Coordinator Brad Crary brad@iceagetrail.org Trail Program Specialist Dave Caliebe dave@iceagetrail.org GIS/Technology Specialist Tiffany Stram tiffany@iceagetrail.org Administrative Assistant Jo Ellarson joanne@iceagetrail.org Philanthropic Advisor Bob Lange bob@iceagetrail.org Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 3

4 JACKSON Wisconsin Rapids PORTAGE Waupaca OUTAGAMIE ssi pp i R iv er Kaukauna Neenah ADAMS LA CROSSE Tomah Wautoma WAUSHARA TTE ssi CHAPTERhighlights LAND CONSERVATION highlights Appleton BROWN Oshkosh WINNEBAGO CALUMET Mi TREMPEA BUFFALO MANI La Crosse MAR MONROE QU E Donors Step-Up to Protect Critical Ice Age Trail Lands FOND Fond DU LAC du Lac She JUNEAU GREEN KEVIN THUSIUS, DIRECTOR OF LAND CONSERVATION AND LUKE KLOBERDANZ, DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY LAKE SHEBOYGA VERNON "We ll have to pass. These were the words of Mike Wollmer, Executive OZAUKEE WA SH ING TON A generous individual inportage Marathon Baraboo Director of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, earlier this year when discussing County stepped up, ready to swing COLUMBIA DODGE West Bend Port SAUK the acquisition of two properties for the Ice Age Trail near John Muir s a mighty bat, and turn around our Washi D RICHLAND R reality of boyhood home in Marquette County. He was right, andothe losing streak! This chapter leader Germantown F these words felt like a crushing blow after nearly two years of negotiations sent out an appeal letter to local AW R nsin with willing landowners. But, the bottom line wasc the Alliance was enthusiasts, both members omore R i vtrail isc Oconomowoc Prairie du e r nonmembers, asking Madison than $80,000 short of the funds it needed tochien match fundingw from the and them to Milwau Wisconsin s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. help meet the $8,200 shortfall. JEFFERSON Waukesha IOWA The response was awe-inspiring! It was reminiscent of a year ago when the Alliance faced a similar situation DANE WAUKESHA MILWAUKE In a matter of weeks, the Alliance GRANT Whitewater in Marathon County. After many years of negotiations, with the landowner had the funds it needed to secure and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the Platteville Ra the land. RACINE Alliance found itself with an $8,200 shortfall in funding. Disappointingly, Lake it looked like we would lose both the opportunity to permanently protectlafayette The catalyst, for funding thejanesville Muir Monroe Geneva Ken ROCK the Trail and a northerly connection to a public road for the State Ice Age acquisitions, was at first a single donor whose generosity provided the GREEN KENOSHA Beloit WALWORTH Trail Area in the Town of Ringle. confidence to Alliance staff to make a broader request to the membership at the Alliance s Annual Conference in April. Those in attendance, and This was shaping up to be the second in a series of missed opportunities those who heard through the grapevine, quickly grasped the importance to protect land for the Ice Age Trail. In both cases, we were in the bottom of protecting land surrounding John Muir s boyhood homestead and of the ninth with two outs and down by two runs. being able to extend the Ice Age Trail through this vitally historic area. Fortunately, the middle of the lineup was ready to step into the batter s box! By the end of the weekend, donors had pledged enough funds to cover A bucolic view of the IATA s Muir Preserve, the future home of Ice Age Trail (and former Henderson family property). Trail through this land will eliminate a mile or two of road walk and allow hikers to enjoy a more comprehensive experience of following in John Muir s footsteps. Photo by Kevin Thusius. 4 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

5 r KEWAUNEE Chien JEFFERSON IOWA DANE GRANT AN Manitowoc ITOWOC Platteville RACINE LAFAYETTE HIG Janesville ROCK all costs of the transaction. Without the initial seed GREEN money, a successful Beloit Monroe MIC eboygan appeal would have been unlikely. Saved by a slugger again! What was protected? E AN LAK Land protection is like the season-long, molasses-paced experience of baseball (for the casual fan). Yet, there is amazing endurance inherent in the game. The need to win more than half the games while playing ington a game almost daily for over half a year is a lot like the time spent building relationships with landowners and partners. Baseball requires a lot of strategy and patience interrupted by the occasional crack of the homerun hit. ukee EE acine nosha Whitewater Milwaukee Waukesha WAUKESHA MILWAUKEE The Ice Age Trail, in Marathon County, had for roughly twenty years, travelled along a private driveway, between the Patterson s family home and their garage. A gracious arrangement, but not ideal for either the Trail or the landowners. In 2007, the WDNR acquired 758 acres between Poplar Lane and Mole Brook Road. However, this new State land did not provide a permanent Trail Lake Geneva Racine Kenosha KENOSHA connection to the north. After ten years of discussion, and plenty of WALWORTH red tape, Alliance staff helped facilitate a complex land swap in which the WDNR traded some of their land with the Patterson family. Due to the Patterson s patience and willingness to negotiate with the Alliance, and the persistence and willingness of our partner, the WDNR, to think outside the box, a Trail reroute is planned for While a timeline for trail development has not yet been determined for the Muir area, the Ice Age Trail Alliance is now the owner of 50 acres of land and a 40-acre trail easement near John Muir County Park in Marquette County. The land consists of mature oak forest, beautiful wetlands, small fields, a quiet stream, and a remnant prairie. We fully appreciate how eagerly the Owens and Henderson families worked with us as we sought to acquire these acres. In addition to the aforementioned private funding, the Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund helped us round the bases. Sometimes, the game feels like it is stretching endlessly into the ninth inning. For the die-hard fan, though, every pitch is a chance for some extraordinary hit, an amazing diving catch, or a precision throw that just takes your breath away. The pace of baseball allows the efforts of individual players the opportunity to be recognized almost as singular events. It takes a lot of skill, a dose of luck, and good eye-hand coordination to be able to hit a 90 + mph pitch. But, in the end, it is the team that celebrates the victory. It is the homerun hitter, the batboy or girl, the fan in the stands, and everyone in between that turns dreams into reality and shares in the excitement. A sea of ramps will soon part and make way for a new section of Ice Age Trail on land formerly owned by the Patterson family, allowing for a scenic reroute of the Ringle Segment. Photo by Dave Caliebe. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 5

6 OUTREACH & EDUCATION highlights P St. Croix Falls Taylor Made Hike on the Ice Age Trail in Taylor County TAYLOR HOUGHTON, IATA INTERN oix River Never have I been without running water, civilization, or a car full of supplies. Instead of a modest two-mile hike, I d be hiking 14 miles. Instead of sleeping in a cozy bed, I d be carrying it on my back! As an intern for the Alliance s Outreach and Education Program, I would be joining the Frederic School District s Summer Saunters Backpacking trip led by teacher Carrie Peterson. Before I left, I stopped in at the Alliance office to pick up some gear and finish packing. Luckily, my fellow coworker Luke was in the office. He took one look at my bag and told me I was packing it all wrong. (Mind you, Luke has hiked the entire Ice Age Trail which is over 1,000 miles long). As Luke helped me rearrange my pack, putting heavier things on the bottom and lighter things on top, he noticed items he thought were unnecessary. He took out my deodorant (as he put it, Who are you trying to impress? The trees? ), he took out my extra clothes (because this isn t a fashion show ). I must admit, Luke packed my bag very nicely, diminishing its weight. He told me I would thank him later; by his rule of thumb, Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain. After a four-hour drive, I met up with Buzz Meyer, the High Point Chapter Coordinator, who kindly shuttled me to the start of my hike where I would eventually meet up with the Saunters students. We re here! Buzz said, as he pulled over on the side of the road. I turned to where he gestured and saw a yellow blaze on a tree, my sign I was on the Ice Age Trail. I watched as Buzz drove off, his car making a tornado of dust in the gravel. As the dust settled, all I could see was dirt road and an entry to an endless amount of tall, green, leafy trees. Well, I thought, this is kinda scary! It was just me and my backpack heading into the woods. I couldn t back out now. There d been so many turns and twists on the ride out, I knew I wouldn t be able to get back to town if I wanted to let alone on foot. Adding to my nervousness, my phone was out of service range. I took a long, deep breath and took in the soothing forest smells. Luckily, I had my Mammoth Tracks app. It s designed to help hikers find their location on the Trail even when there isn t any service. I instantly felt better. On top of that, I remembered the yellow blazes were there to make sure I was going the right way. I was going to be just fine. There were no distractions no phones ringing, no cars honking, or people yelling. All I heard was the birds chipping and sweet sound of light rain hitting the tops of leafs. Peering through the tall trees, I could see the sun starting to set. I was alone in pure bliss. My silent hike slowly transitioned into children s voices. I made it to the campsite and right away was greeted by a group of students ranging from 7th grade to high school, along with two teachers. They all looked exhausted. It was their second day of hiking and they had just hiked 10 miles. I arrived just as they were setting up their tents. Carrie Peterson, Taylor fords a stream, wincing from the cold water and the unreliable footing. Photo by Kim Gould. an art teacher and current hike leader, found a clear and safe area, away from any bushes and low hanging trees, where everyone could cook dinner. She also cleared the area of any dry leaves and twigs. We wouldn t want to start a fire in the middle of the forest! I borrowed a beer can stove to cook my first backpacking meal, noodles. Sure, some of the noodles weren t fully cooked, but man did a warm meal taste great! After dinner I helped start the fire. It was a challenge because it had rained all day and the wood was wet. First, we made a border of rocks in the shape of a circle. After gathering up twigs, and with a little help from some lint placed in the center, the fire sparked! We then took the bigger, damp logs and laid them around the edge of fire to dry them. Finally, we placed them in a teepee formation; the fire was a success. Another group of students, under the guidance of Ms. Peterson, filtered water from a stream with a gravity filter. It was a team effort. Someone had to be in the water scooping it up while others filtered the water bag or filled up the bottles. The filtered water had a yellow tint to it from the minerals in the water. Although, I was hesitant at first, it was safe to drink and tasted great. Food also needed to be put in a safe place. Ms. Peterson filled a bear bag with the students food. They tied the bag up in a tree some distance from the campsite so the bears wouldn t get it or be attracted to our campsite. Yes, I said bears! 6 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

7 OLK Rice Lake Barron BARRON RUSK Ladysmith PRICE LINCOLN Rhinelander Crandon MARINETTE LANGLADE After stories around the fire, we were off to bed. I thought it might be hard to fall asleep. My pillow was not an actual pillow, but was a pillow case filled with my clothes. I slept just fine. I woke up to the birds chipping. It s the most blissful wakeup call I could ask for. The next morning, we packed up and headed off for what would be a 13-mile day complete with long hours, many bug bites, and a few blisters and tears. While walking alongside Ms. Peterson, I asked her about her decision to take the students backpacking. When we first decided to go on a backpacking trip, it was because the older Saunters were looking for the next level of Sauntering, she replied. Exposing them to a completely different section of the trail and carrying everything they needed on their backs seemed like a natural step in a more extreme direction. We went again this year because the students demanded it! Each of the participants helped raise funds in some way, they were so excited about going backpacking! I get it. Before this experience I had only car camped. This trip took it to another level for me, too. Packing light was a new challenge, especially since my motto has been, You never know if you will need it, so bring it just in case. This definitely does not work when you are carrying it all on your back. After the trip I felt so refreshed and reconnected with nature. I am excited to use what I learned on this trip for future backpacking trips! Bring it on! (Left) Taylor (standing) with her water filtration team and their water bags filled with tannin-rich water. Photo by Kim Gould. (Below) Taylor (far right) with her team of fire-starters, all enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire as a cool evening settles in. Photo by Kim Gould. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 7

8 TRAILBUILDING highlights C Prairie du Chien GRANT Wisco A New Bridge and Boardwalk Provide Safe Passage and Spectacular Views Platteville RICHARD SMITH Chippewa Moraine Chapter Coordinator TIM MALZHAN Director of Trail Operations Harwood Lakes Segment Chippewa County June 6 9 Participants: 48 Volunteer Hours: 1,708 PROJECT PARTNERS: REI NPS Midwest Region Repair & Rehab funding Wigwam Sitka Salmon Shares Valkyrie Brewing The newly constructed bridge, elevated boardwalk and trail tread located midway between Plummer Lake Road and Deer Fly Trail offers a spectacular view of the Mudbrook floodplain, and provides solid and dry passage. It replaces a rickety boardwalk and bridge conglomeration built, with subsequent hodgepodge repairs, over 30 years ago. Chapter volunteers worked closely with IATA and Chippewa County staff to analyze, plan, and rethink solutions to numerous challenges, many of which were not apparent when the 2018 MSC Calendar went to press. The first challenge was arriving at a clear understanding of the hydrological forces at work Volunteers carry lumber from the staging area to where it is needed at the work site. Photo by Dave Caliebe. to determine where in the existing footprint or elsewhere the trail should, and could, cross the wetland. The hydrological lightbulb lit up on a blustery January day, when subsurface flow patterns were more readily discernable. The second challenge was in determining an achievable design standard that would stand the test of time while enabling experiential interpretation of the surrounding environment. The third challenge was getting people, equipment, and materials to the building site, located over a mile from the nearest road. Two decommissioned timber skid routes were made passable, and the alarm clock set earlier than normal to facilitate the 30-minute drive from base camp and a 30+ minute walk into the work site. Thanks to the dedicated and well-coordinated pre-project work of Chippewa Moraine chapter volunteers, and the 48 hardy volunteers during the event, the Harwood Lakes Segment now includes a 178-foot-long bridge/boardwalk. There s a handrail on one side and 5 high kick rail on the other. The rock-solid structure rests on galvanized steel pans and is reinforced with cross bracing. To reach the new wetland crossing for what good is a fancy new bridge if the walk to it sucks? more than 800 feet of new sustainable tread and an additional 32 feet of boardwalk was constructed. Post Script. Mother Nature was benevolent but didn t entirely cooperate. Rain complicated drivable access, shortening each of the five work days, leaving a range of to-do s hanging. To the rescue were chapter volunteers and IATA Trail Program Specialist Dave Caliebe. Volunteers worked multiple days to complete details and transport the mountain of decommissioned, rotted lumber to a county landfill. Not yet content, the Chapter, led by Bruce Franz, creatively designed a retrofit to integrate a comfortable sitting bench within the boardwalk as a memorial to long-time volunteer Cal Kraemer. This spot now offers a place to ponder beauty, wildlife and wetland. Come hike it! The full route between Plummer Lake Road and Deer Fly Trail is a bit over 2 miles. Parking is available at Deer Fly Trail, and limited parking is available on Plummer Lake Road (167th Street). 8 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

9 nsin River Madison Oconomowoc IOWA JEFFERSON DANE Whitewater Milwaukee Waukesha WAUKESHA MILWAUKEE In Depth Trainings Satisfy Hunger RACINE Racine TIM MALZHAN Director of Trail Operations Ice Age Trail University Dane County June 28 - July 1 Participants: 104 Volunteer Hours: 2,071 PROJECT PARTNERS: REI Wigwam Sitka Salmon Shares Alliant Energy Foundation National Park Service A long-distance hiker s diet tends towards the austere pita bread, peanut butter, nuts and hard cheese, and for the occasional dinner splurge, maybe, rehydrated beans and rice. While this diet conquers mountains, to fuel the design, management, construction, and stewardship of a national scenic trail, more variety, more depth, and more opportunity to apply learned and existing skills, is needed. Ice Age Trail University, or IAT-U, first appeared on the Alliance menu in An extension of the Mobile Skills Crew Leadership and Skills trainings, IAT-U seeks to educate and empower Ice Age Trail constituents to engage in the care and development of the Ice Age Trail, and to challenge ourselves to consider and apply new approaches to old problems. Participants of Stonework 101 receive hands-on training and instruction by Alaina Dedo, Trail Operations Assistant. Photo by Dave Caliebe. IAT-U training dates are published in December. Come May, I get a little nervous will we reconstitute familiar rice and beans or will we meaningfully sustain and satisfy constituents hunger to engage in the trail miles ahead? I reached out to IATA s greatest asset for help experienced volunteers. 14 out of 14 volunteer leaders competent communicators, proven trail builders and stewards agreed to lead or co-lead trainings and help design training content. Dan Watson (NPS) and Brigit Brown (WDNR) readily jumped into trainer roles and my confidence grew. Over four hotter than blazes summer days, a record 104 volunteers gathered for sustenance and To Be of Use**. Course offerings included Trail Layout and Design, Stonework 101, Trail Maintenance & Stewardship 101 and 201; Tread 101, Rigging 101, Trail Signage 101 and 201 ( Thinking Beyond the Blaze ); Chainsaw Safety and First Aid/CPR. Concepts were demonstrated. Experiences were shared. New trail was constructed and existing trail improved. The mantra of Trail Building is People Building echoed loudly. SPECIAL TRAINER THANKS TO: Pat Witkowski, Ann Green, Barbara Johnson, Chris Miller, Sheri Ritz and Jessica Woodward (Waukesha/Milwaukee Chapter); Andrew Bent, Dave Lonsdorf and Tom Wise (Dane County Chapter); Leah Bradley and Judy Rose (Washington County Chapter); Wendell Holl (Lodi Valley Chapter); Trailwide members Andrew Hanson and Mark Struve; National Park Service staff Dan Watson; WDNR staff Brigit Brown; IATA staff Tim Malzhan, Dave Caliebe, Luke Kloberdanz and Alaina Dedo. At base camp, thanks to project support leaders Al Sulzer, Dolly McNulty, Barb Unger, Barb Voigt, Ardis Virnig, and Brad Crary (IATA staff). ** Poem by Margie Piercy Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 9

10 BURNE TRAILBUILDING highlights continued Mud, Rain, and Slab Hill ALAINA DEDO Trail Operations Assistant TIM MALZHAN Director of Trail Operations Walla Hi Segment Manitowoc County July September Participants: 98 Volunteer Hours: 2,093 PROJECT PARTNERS: The West Foundation Kiel Sand & Gravel REI Wigwam Sitka Salmon Shares Jones Dairy Farm Jennie-O Turkey Natural Ovens Schreiber Foods Wilfert Farms Raleigh s Hillside Farm North East Wisconsin Great Lakes Sports Fishermans Captains Only Fishing Derby Walla Hi County Park, in southwestern Manitowoc County, undulates and towers, invitingly, at the Northern cusp of Kettle Moraine topography. With deep valleys, and impressive climbs, this segment of the Ice Age Trail has much to showcase in relation to the last Ice Age. In late July, and again in September, 98 volunteers completed a tough half-mile of trail construction to officially open the 2.2-mile Walla Hi Segment. Long-distance hikers will especially appreciate the new trail because the Walla Hi Segment falls within what had been a 32.9 mile connecting road walk. Easy was not a word heard or uttered at these events. Due to the constraints of topography and trail right of way, great attention was accorded the layout and design of the trail alignment. As good as any design might be, bringing it to life is the next step. Volunteers met the challenge. Over 5 days, crews crafted a meandering 30-inch-wide sustainable tread by building numerous swales and dips to slow and encourage water to exit from the pathway. Private Land signs were installed to identify the narrow easement area. Slab Hill, a straight up and straight down hillside climb rising at a 47% grade over 80 linear feet, and tightly constrained on both sides by private land was the crux of the puzzle. Obtaining an adequate supply of stone to negotiate the hill via a planned stairway was the missing key. Fortunately, adjacent trail neighbors Kiel Sand and Gravel (KSG) happen to be in the stone business. KSG allowed us to hand-pick appropriate building material to our hearts content almost 15-tons in total. Now, it was on us to work more magic. Volunteers, using advanced rigging techniques and active listening skills, worked in concert to safely move and set stone to craft a masterpiece. The installation of broad and sturdy stone steps embodies functional art making the climb up Slab Hill elegant and walkable. As Tuesday morphed into Saturday, a rain squall stalled overhead. Galoshes and jackets were donned. Yet, volunteers and staff did not let this turn of events dictate the experience. When it became unsafe to work, a delectable, hearty meal was enjoyed at basecamp. At the drizzly campfire, talk turned to organizing a Wildcard to complete the remaining work in the fall. And so it was, when 9 volunteers and IATA staff gathered September 28 and 29 to put the finishing touches on Slab Hill. Friendships formed in stone endure. Walla Hi not long ago only a glimmer in the eye awaits your feet to enjoy. 10 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018 Photos by Tim Malzhan.

11 TT WASHBURN Spooner SAWYER River FLORENCE Phillips PRICE ONEIDA Rhinelander FOREST Crandon Ready for the Next 60 Years DAVID CALIEBE Trail Program Specialist Cross Plains Segment Dane County August 8 12 Participants: 185 Volunteer Hours: 4,100 PROJECT PARTNERS: REI Wigwam Sitka Salmon Shares Village of Cross Plains Jones Dairy Farm Pine River Pre-Pack Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. Cross Plains Lions Club Crossroads Coffeehouse Jennie-O Turkey Dane County Chapter 60 years of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, 50 years of the National Trail System Act, 17 years of the Mobile Skills Crew Program, 9 years of the Alliance calling Cross Plains home, 3 years of Cross Plains as a Trail Community this confluence of anniversaries was the backdrop for opening nearly a mile of new Ice Age Scenic Trail in the Village of Cross Plains. But first, that single mile had to be constructed. The volunteers arrived in droves 185 to be exact to participate in the trailbuilding. Everyone became familiar with the hill as jugs of water, signage posts, duff buckets of gravel, and countless trailbuilding tools were hauled by hand multiple times up and down daily. The steep ascent up a limestone studded prominence ratifies its location in the Driftless Region with the glacier s final edge across the valley. BEFORE. A section of the Cross Plains Segment before a crew of volunteers gets to work on building a set of stone steps which will assist hikers in the ascent and manage water flow during a deluge. Photo by Jo Ellarson. Crews worked to widen existing trails, construct new trail through a phalanx of buckthorn stumps, and fine-tune drainage. Trail signage posts stubbornly went in through the broken bedrock. The project flowed smoothly thanks to the Dane County Chapter doing yeoman s work leading up to the event. They cleared the densely intertwined buckthorn thicket encasing the hill, beating back the invasive jungle just enough to allow breathing space for new Ice Age Trail. Hidden from the hum of action around Cross Plains, a small crew worked a few miles away. They took another step closer to opening a forthcoming section of Trail at the Ice Age Interpretive site. With the assist of a tractor for moving rocks, the satellite crew built 151 feet of stone walls and widened more tread to push the new section closer to completion. Even while temperatures flared and storms brewed, volunteers did not back down from their mission of creating the most sustainable, aesthetically pleasing trail possible in this high use area. By the end of a steamy weekend, the mile of new Trail, complete with new vistas, AFTER. A perfectly executed set of stone steps are a work of art in the museum-like hush of the woods. Photo by Tim Malzhan. 15 stone steps, 284 feet of stone and timber retaining walls, signed to National Scenic Trail standards, was officially opened. 60 years of the Alliance demonstrates commitment to the idea of the Ice Age Trail. However, 2018 is not the culmination of those 6 decades, but a point in the continual growth of the Trail and Alliance. 185 volunteers at the Cross Plains MSC event expresses an enduring dedication to the high standards required to build a trail that holds its own in the national spotlight. The volunteers and the Alliance together present a statement of devotion to the on-going vision of a contiguous foot path through Wisconsin. Epilogue: A week after the volunteers headed home and the tools returned to storage, 15 inches of rain breaking the state record for rainfall by 4 inches deluged the project site. Fearing the worst, I walked the new Trail a few hours after the rain subsided. To my delight and owning to the testament of the work we do the Trail held form, withstanding the storm, ready for the next 60 years. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 11

12 TRAIL wisdom St. Croix Falls ST. CROIX BARRON DUNN Chippe Fa Unique Discovery Along the Ice Age Trail ROBERT BOB RUSCH Forest history and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail have a good friend in the person of Jake Walcisak, the administrator of the Taylor County Forest in northern Wisconsin. The forest s 17,688 acres are largely made up of land once owned by the Rib Lake Lumber Company, RLLC, and logged by the railroad. When its logging train pulled its last load to the Rib Lake Mill on May 21, 1948, it ended Wisconsin s once extensive use of logging railroads. In November of 2015, Jake Walcisak began laying out a selective cut a quarter-mile south of Wood Lake. There the straight railroad grade excavated in 1906 by the RLLC is clearly seen. Then Walcisak noted something he had never noticed before: there were three circular ridges of earth starting from the grade and running into the woods. One ridge was over five feet high and four feet wide on top. It formed a half circle with a diameter of ninety feet; this ridge made a 180 degree turn, beginning and ending at the old railroad line. Puzzled, Walcisak called Bob Rusch, manager of the Rib Lake Historical Society, and asked him to take a look. What Rusch saw at the site reminded him of similar earth ridges protruding from the former Soo Line grade, now the Pine Line trail between Medford and Prentice. Earth ridges there were made when the Wisconsin Central Railroad built, by hand and horse, its grade in Railroad lines built by the RLLC in 1906 used the same methods used by the Wisconsin Central Railroad. Men used axes to fell trees and stumps were grubbed out by hand, shovel, and pry bar. Next came a metal earth scraper locally called a slusher. A slusher was pulled by one or more horses. A teamster drove the horses while holding two handles at the rear of the slusher. In later versions of the slusher, two four-foot-high wheels were attached; a metal scraper was hung from the axle between the wheels. Behind the front edge of the scraper the metal formed a box to hold and transport the earth and stones collecting in the box as the slusher was pulled forward through the earth. When the slusher was filled, the teamster pushed down on two handles which lifted the box off the ground into what was called the up position. Once the teamster had the slusher in the up position, he had to decide how to get rid of its contents. Usually, the earth, stones, and sand, i.e. the spoils, were used to build the grade. Jake Walcisak points to a slusher ridge, one of which is clearly seen to his side and behind him. 12 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

13 CHIPPEWA wa lls TAYLOR Medford Merrill Wausau Wisconsin LANGLADE Antigo MENOMINEE OCONTO Marinette N B A Y DOOR At the Wood Lake site, the railroad excavation there generated more spoils than needed. The solution was to get rid of the spoils by dispersing them in the woods on either side of the grade. This would require many trips of the slusher since its box held less than one yard of spoils. The solution was to have the horses walk in a loop, starting and ending at the grade. Along the loop the teamsters would lift the handles enough to cause the spoils to fall from the box. While no known photographs exist showing the RLLC using slushers, the photos used to illustrate this article are on point. These photos were generously loaned by James Peterson of Medford when his greatgrandfather s crew built Highway 13 north of Medford in The Wood Lake slusher ridges can be easily seen by hikers since the Ice Age Trail passes by them. Access is easy; park at Wood Lake County Park; walk the Ice Age Trail along the south side of Wood Lake about one mile. The Ice Age Trail Alliance is working with Jake Walcisak to erect interpretive signs at the historic site. We are all indebted to Jake for saving this unique history lesson! Final tip: Wood Lake Park has an outstanding camping area and swimming beach. Water quality is excellent and serene since no motorized boats are permitted. The park provides a convenient boat launch site, covered pavilion and playground with potable water. Directions to Wood Lake Park: Take Wisconsin Highway 102 east of the Village of Rib Lake three miles; turn right (east) on Wood Lake Avenue three miles to the park. A photograph c of a teamster standing behind a slusher of the exact type used in creating the ridges found in the Taylor County Forest. Taylor County Forest 1906 Logging Railroad Grade & Slusher Ridges, a map prepared by Jake Walcisak. The yellow line shows the route of the Ice Age Trail; the red lines show the location of the slusher ridges; the black line is the route of the former railroad track of the Rib Lake Lumber Company. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 13

14 PHILANTHROPY highlights River Falls PIERCE We Ate the Cake LUKE KLOBERDANZ, DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY This year has been one for the books. Since the calendar turned, we ve celebrated many highlights: a blockbuster Annual Conference (complete with blizzards!); protecting lands near John Muir s boyhood home; cutting tread across the state; expanding our reach to new audiences; and adding on to our headquarters in Cross Plains. This has been a year worthy of celebrating 60 years of growth and achievement. The candles were lit and blown out, the cake was eaten, and, we ve had lots of fun. THANK YOU! Now it s time to turn our attention to the next 60 years and beyond. We re thrilled to kick that off by announcing a $60,000 challenge grant. As part of our year-end holiday campaign, several generous donors have teamed up to provide $60,000 to match your special year-end donation*. While their support is symbolic of our initial 60 years of growth, it will be the additional $60,000 provided by supporters like you that will launch the Alliance into an even brighter future. Help us take the next step and double your contribution by using the attached envelope. Your year-end gift of $60 can turn into $120. As we enter the second year of our current strategic plan, our goals and standards remain lofty but attainable. The Alliance is well positioned to make great strides in 2019 and beyond so long as we have the continued help of members, volunteers, and supporters. Please double your special year-end contribution by helping us meet the match. Collectively, we can reach our goals and set the table for even larger celebrations in the future! * Membership renewal gifts are not eligible for this match. Photo by Cameron Gillie of ThePinHoleThing.com Photo by Cameron Gillie of ThePinHoleThing.com Photo by Jessica Featherstone 14 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018 Photo by Cameron Gillie of ThePinHoleThing.com

15 Menomonie PEPIN Eau Claire EAU CLAIRE AU CLARK Marshfield WOOD River Stevens Point Lyle Lidholm: Legend and Legacy ERIKA CANNADAY SHAWANO WAUPACA Green Bay G R E E Bay Algoma Kewaunee DONOR PROFILE I caught Lyle Lidholm between adventures, and just barely! He was headed to Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy, to watch the forty-foot tide, a phenomenon, he told me, he d seen once before on his way to Korea during the war. At eighty-six, Lyle has slowed down a little, but scarcely. Upon retirement, he took up long-distance hiking to keep himself busy. He was sixty-eight when he made a thru-hike attempt on the Appalachian Trail. It was bad shoes that ended his hike somewhere in Virginia, about eight hundred miles in, with a double stress fracture in his right foot. Intent to finish what he started in Georgia, Lyle planned to begin again at Mount Katahdin and hike south back to where he had been forced to stop. Instead, his doctor ordered 6 months of rest. It wasn t long before his next great hiking adventure began. After learning about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail on a camping trip, Lyle began in St. Croix s Interstate State Park in September 2002 making his way east. He continued, uninterrupted until the start of gun season and decided to wait it out. It was five years before he renewed his hike on the Ice Age Trail. When he did, he hiked through five major snowstorms that winter. He recalls walking through a deserted downtown Portage, forging ahead during an eight-inch snowfall and minus 14-degree temperatures. He remembers, delightedly, walking through snow, rain, and a thunderstorm in a single day! Lyle became a Thousand-Miler and believes he was the first to attempt to do so through the winter. He recalls meeting up with a friend for his final day of hiking. As they shared a bottle of champagne overlooking Green Bay, he swears the clouds parted, the sun shone, and an eagle soared across the sky above them. I believe him. Lyle joined a Mobile Skills Crew (MSC) event fifteen years ago and quickly became a dedicated trailbuilder. His teaching background, extensive woodworking knowledge, and winsome personality were a good fit and he became an MSC Crew Leader. Even now, he retains Crew Leader Emeritus status. Tim Malzhan, Director of Trail Operations, spoke reverently of Lyle. Working and walking with Lyle over the years has always been an instructive exploration of life... Like the master craftsman he is, his life ethic dovetails like an expertly crafted mortise and tenon joint with the spirit of adventure and camaraderie in building and stewarding of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail to the highest standards. Lyle underscored these sentiments when I asked him what legacy he wanted to leave as a hiker, volunteer, and donor. He said, I want the Trail to be a part of people s lives to promote good physical and mental health. He went on to evoke the spirit of John Muir, believing firmly in communion with nature because everything is connected; there is nothing you can look at that doesn t have a relationship with something else. Lyle went on to state that children are our future and education is the answer to everything. This dedication to education is clearly evident to those who have worked alongside Lyle. Perhaps as much or more than the doing itself, I think he gains his greatest satisfaction in sharing knowledge with others to apply on behalf of the Trail, and most importantly, in their lives off the Trail, stated Tim Malzhan. Lyle offers a story and salient piece of wisdom to Dave Caliebe during a break in trailbuilding. Photo by Jo Ellarson. Lyle Lidholm in a moment of contemplation. Photo by Jo Ellarson. Luke Kloberdanz, Director of Philanthropy, agreed, Lyle s contributions range beyond physical trail construction to include imparting generational knowledge. He has shared skills from his lifelong love and craft of timber framing, which applied to trail construction techniques. Lyle [is] always willing to share his vast knowledge with others. When I asked Lyle why he became a Yellow Blaze Club Member, Lyle laughed and said, I can t take it with me. He wants others to enjoy it through their experience of the Ice Age Trail. Beyond trail construction, Lyle has demonstrated considerable generosity of resources, said Kloberdanz. He has donated needed tools and financial resources to our work. He appreciates a long walk and is understanding that the experience is not created by trail magic alone. Lyle s ability to share what he has learned, spin a good story, and turn ideas into action will last for generations to come. Malzhan affirmed, Lyle s philanthropic legacy to the IAT and the Alliance may, at eighty-six years old, be just beginning. Lyle Lidholm, affectionately known as Papa Smurf, is already a legend and his legacy is grand. He isn t finished yet, though. He wants to be the first to hike the whole Rock River Trail. At 324 miles, he calls it his going home trip. I, for one, can t wait to hear the stories. Erika Cannaday is an adventure writer and nemophilist. A proud solo backpacker, ultrarunner, and yogi, Erika strives to infuse her daily life with nature and exploration. Follow her adventures at and on Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 15

16 VOLUNTEER spotlight Interviews with Trail Steward of the Year Award Winners Chet Anderson and Ed Spoon RACHELE KRIVICHI Maintenance of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail relies on help from devoted volunteers. Consistently, there are volunteers who go above and beyond in their efforts to improve the Ice Age Trail. To honor the work of these industrious folk, the Alliance created the Trail Steward of the Year award in The award has been granted to two recipients thus far: Chet Anderson, the award s first ever recipient in 2017, and Ed Spoon in Chet and Ed have made significant contributions to the Trail, including, but not limited to: boardwalk building, hosting hikers, trail rerouting, bridge building, and fixing storm damage. Chet and Ed are both avid hikers who understand the importance of having a well-maintained National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin. Enjoy one-on-one interviews conducted by volunteer Rachele Krivichi with Chet and Ed, exploring their thoughts on being volunteers and hikers. RK: What inspired you to become involved as a volunteer? CA: I don t know if hiking the Ice Age Trail directly inspired me, but it was a logical way to go. I like to be physically active and it was a way to be involved. I now think of the volunteers as extended family. Volunteering kind of wrecked the hiking because before I started volunteering, I was happy to find a trail and move on. But now when I walk a trail I m pretty critical of it. It s a mixed blessing. ES: I had this interest from earlier in my life that I wanted to indulge again. I need to be outdoors. The biggest way to keep me unhappy is to keep me indoors. Doing trail work gives me a lot of satisfaction in my job I would work on things for years sometimes before I would get any results. But on the Ice Age Trail, you can see right away that what you re working on is better than when you first got there. Jokingly (but actually seriously) I don t belong to a health club...i volunteer for the Ice Age Trail. RK: What are some challenges you ve had to overcome to achieve the changes you made to the IAT? Ed Spoon stands by his work, a newly installed mileage sign he made for the Verona Segment at the Prairie Moraine Park. Photo by David Lonsdorf. 16 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

17 CROSSE Tomah MONROE La Crosse VERNON JUNEAU MARQUETTE GREEN LAKE WINNEBAGO FOND DU LAC Fond du Lac C Sheboygan SHEBOYGAN K E M I C H I G CA: There weren t too many challenges. It s mostly just doing a little documentation and awareness. The trails here are a constant job of mowing and clearing and stuff like that. When you hike out West, with the lack of rain, the trails don t have to be mowed as much. ES: Well, one challenge for me are the things I don t know how to do, I just know what needs to be done. What I try to do is tap into all of the skilled volunteers we have, especially locally We built a retaining wall back in June to fix damage from several years back, and I just stepped back and watched some crew leaders do a beautiful job. More than anything, my role is collaborating and facilitating, and trying to put all the pieces together. Humility is really important. I need to know when to say, Hey, this person is a lot more skillful than me. RK: What is the importance of the IAT in Wisconsin, and why is it important for you to be involved? CA: It s an evolving thing, but I think the Trail s becoming more known. When I m hiking in other places, more and more people are aware of it and have it on their bucket list. Having a trail like this in Wisconsin stands out as a state offering. It s personal satisfaction to be involved with it, but also, all the trails I ve hiked wouldn t be there without volunteers, so I m just paying back. ES: Well, first and foremost, it s a recreational resource for people who want to get out and walk their dog and get out and go backpacking. It s relatively close to a lot of things, and also it s important to try and interpret the last Ice Age, so hopefully people can learn more about glacial features and how the glaciers shaped the land. One of the things I ve been hoping to achieve is more interpretive materials, so that if you walk a specific section you know what you re going to see and what it means. More than anything, though, the Trail encourages people to get out and relax and clear their head. Also, it s fairly unique, it s one of the only National Scenic Trails contained completely within one state. RK: What is your current involvement with the Trail? CA: My chapter is the Indianhead Chapter, so whatever it needs, that s what I help with. ES: Right now we re working on new segments. Currently, I m the chair of the trails committee for the Dane County Chapter. What that means is I try to oversee trail maintenance and trail building in Dane County. I say try because I try more than I succeed. A lot of our Trail in Dane County goes through restored prairie, and a lot of those paths need to be mowed. I try to schedule workdays with our local chapter to get as much of that done as we can. During a recent project, approximately 40 brush piles were accumulated, so this winter we will go in and burn as many as we can because they re unsightly Volunteerism is a big thing in Dane County. We try to get the younger people out as much as we can because they re the future of the Trail. Rachele Krivichi is a writer, artist, and outdoor lover from Wisconsin. Her work has been seen in Wisconsin Gazette newspaper, Temporary Art Review, and Culturaal blog, based in the Netherlands. In 2016 she finished her first book, a study of camper and recreational vehicle culture. She recently moved to Minneapolis, but Wisconsin and the Ice Age Trail are some of her earliest loves. Award NOMINATIONS! Besides Trail Steward of the Year, the Alliance bestows nearly a dozen awards each April at the Annual Conference. Many times these awards are bestowed because someone like YOU was willing to recognize the volunteer efforts, of someone in their midst, and fill out a nomination form. Go to to view the complete list of awards available and get started recognizing your fellow Ice Age Trail volunteer for the fine work he or she does. Chet Anderson takes a break from using the grip hoist while moving enormous rocks used for building stone steps at the Gibraltar Rock Segment in Photo by Jo Ellarson. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 17

18 DUNN Chip CHAPTER highlights River Falls PIERCE Menomonie PEPIN Polk and Burnett Counties INDIANHEAD CHAPTER Coordinator: Dean Dversdall ( , Summer arrived with our dedicated members supporting the many hikers beginning their journey on the Ice Age Trail. We hosted several Trail Improvement days along the McKenzie Creek Segment and supported the City of Trails Run. We also provided Red Cross training for our volunteers, and promoted silent sports by attending local meetings concerning the Stowers Seven Lakes Trail and Cattail Trail. The weather was beautiful for our well-attended Mid-Week hike led by Wanda Brown. Last, but not least, we helped celebrate Café Wren s 15 years of being in business! We re lucky they are part of the Trail community. They continuously support the Ice Age Trail, as well as, other local trails. The Frederic/Luck Saunters program introduced two groups of students to the Ice Age Trail. The first group backpacked for three days and hiked a total of 32 miles! The second group did four day-hikes, including one overnight. Thanks to the Indianhead Chapter volunteers, who prepared lunch for the last day of their sauntering adventure, the kids were well-fed. A big thank you goes out to Carrie Peterson for organizing this amazing opportunity for the youth in our area. - Cheryl Whitman Superior Lobe chapter members Don Erickson and Carole Crisler unveil the new wayside exhibit illustrating the landscape-shaping forces of the glacier; looking on are members Audrey Held, Thelma Johnson, and Dan Brereton. Photo by Timothy McRaith. Barron and Washburn Counties SUPERIOR LOBE CHAPTER Coordinator: Bob Held ( , HeldHarbor@gmail.com) The Superior Lobe Chapter has had a productive and fun summer! Under the guidance of some great chapter leaders, this section of Trail is in as good of shape as it has been in years. There has been lots of mowing and there has also been some significant improvements made. A nice achievement for the Cumberland, WI area will be the dedication of an exhibit explaining how the City of Cumberland is constructed on the end of a tunnel channel lake. Work by local members and area specialists, along with a grant from 3M of Cumberland, has made for a long-lasting, informative wayside exhibit. Another exciting development was undertaken by Leticia Crisler. She headed up a four-day IATA presence at the Barron County Fair. She organized volunteers and kept the booth vibrant, providing exposure to many new, potential hikers from the City of Rice Lake and beyond! Finally, we have made connection with the Tuscobia Ultra race people through local business owner Bjorn Hanson of Out There Nordic sports shop. - Timothy M. McRaith Rusk County BLUE HILLS CHAPTER Coordinator: Fred Nash ( , nashfd@bevcomm.net) Blue Hills Chapter members worked alongside volunteers from Chippewa Moraine and other chapters during a June Trail Improvement day, despite two previous postponements. The first to a daunting winter storm and the second to a manhunt in the work area. Chainsaw, mowing, and signage crews improved the Blue Hills segments at this event. In preparation, chapter members cleared downed trees, improved signage, and assessed the Trail. They also happened to meet Dolly McNulty who was researching a Cold Cache site. Jerome Converse stayed to repair the mower and brush cutter, saving time and money for the chapter. At a Farm Technology Days food booth in Marshfield, WI, Fred Nash manned grills and Marilynn Nash cashiered, helping to raise funds, alongside other IATA volunteers, for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Blue Hills Chapter member Carol Burnham painting an Ice Age Trail blaze on a tree during a June Trail Improvement day. Photo by Marilynn Nash. 18 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

19 CHIPPEWA pewa MENOMINEE Falls Wausau CHAPTER highlights MARATHON Eau Claire CLARK SHAWANO EAU CLAIRE Marshfield onsin River OCONTO G R E E N B A DOOR Sturgeon Bay Langlade County LANGLADE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Joe Jopek ( , jjjopekj@frontier.com) Marathon County CENTRAL MORAINES CHAPTER Coordinator: Gail Piotrowski ( , piotrows@gmail.com) Road name changes throughout Marathon County took place this summer, several directly impacting access to trailheads and parking areas along the Trail. Alliance staff have been notified, and we ve posted appropriate alerts on local maps, kiosks, etc. Blue Hills Chapter Members Steve Scharenbrock, Fred Nash, and Bob Le Fevre after a long chapter Trail Improvement day in August. Photo by Marilynn Nash. They tent-camped on the grounds and enjoyed exploring the vendor areas. In spite of horse and deer flies and consistently warm, humid weather of this summer, sign post installations, blazing, corridor clearing, and more, were completed during July and August chapter Trail Improvement days. In early September, a crew prepped for another Trail Improvement day, focusing on a small, damaged bridge. Chapter members also advised and shuttled Ice Age Trail hikers. - Marilynn Nash Chippewa County Taylor County Lincoln County CHIPPEWA MORAINE CHAPTER Coordinator: Richard Smith ( , chapter@iatchippewa.org) HIGH POINT CHAPTER Coordinator: Buzz Meyer ( , gtmeyer@charter.net) NORTHWOODS CHAPTER Coordinator: Ruby Jaecks ( , brjaecks@outlook.com) Recent chapter activities included: - Outreach events like the local Boomer Expo and Concerts in the Clouds sponsored by Friends of Rib Mountain; - Trail maintenance and incremental improvements, especially through chronically wet areas; - Lowering kiosk heights for improved accessibility; - Leading an Emerging Wildflowers hike and a Geology hike; - A chapter-hosted MSC event featuring the spectacularly reimagined Ringle Segment and our first Dispersed Camping Area (DCA); - A Be DRIVEN Trailtessa event which connected women, facilitated friendships, and introduced them to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail with a hike, a horse-drawn wagon ride, and a wine and cheese party at the end; - New volunteer participation at chapter meetings and Trail Improvement events; - Summer social hosted by chapter members Ron & Mary Retzke; - Active collaboration with Alliance staff to increase corporate support for the Trail. As the season winds down, plans include continued preparation for another (2019?) MSC event and autumn/winter events designed to showcase recent activities and enhance support by area stakeholders. - Gail Piotrowski Portage and Waupaca Counties Portage and Waupaca Counties PORTAGE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Julie Schneider ( , jschneideriat@gmail.com) WAUPACA COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Debbie Krogwold ( , debbie.krogwold@co.waupaca.wi.us) continued on page 20 Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 19

20 CHAPTER highlights continued Waushara County The summer started off with a hefty agenda and ended in glowing success! Beginning in May, volunteers came out to attack invasive Garlic Mustard crowding out native plants along the Bohn Lake Segment. An AmeriCorps crew contributed 40 hours of community service to clearing brush along the Mecan River Segment. WAUSHARA COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Jenny Addis ( , addisjenny@yahoo.com) We celebrated our fourth annual Summer hike, in June, in honor of National Trails Day. Despite the windy, cool weather, 21 hikers laced up their boots to hike the Bohn Lake Segment. This hike kicked off the first Walk-the- Waush challenge. This project, a partnership with the Waushara County Health and Parks Departments, incentivized the Avid hiker and Waushara County Chapter volunteer, Arno Wilke, gets his GLOW ON! community to walk as many miles as possible in 80 days, along 13 parks and trails, for awards and prizes. A Sunrise hike over the Mecan watershed was one of three specialty hikes we added to generate additional interest. Finally, in August, we hosted our second Let s Light Up the Night Glow Hike and Walk-the-Waush post-challenge event at Willow Creek Park. Over 50 hikers, and a few four-legged friends, came out to light up the night in Wild Rose! Recognized at the event were the 21 folks who took on the Walk-the-Waush challenge. They received a participation medal and backpack. Those who had logged at least 10 miles were included in a prize drawing. Winners, Randy Bacon, hiked miles, and Team Paw n Boots, Amy and Jim Holzwart and dog, Della, hiked 164 miles. Both won engraved plaques and a $50 donation to a charity of their choice. In all, 850 miles were walked! Northern Columbia County BARABOO HILLS/HERITAGE TRAIL CHAPTER Coordinator: Scot Harvey ( , sdharveygroup@outlook.com) Summer has been busy for our chapter. The Blazing Babes came from Waukesha to upgrade signage on 3.5 miles of Trail. They even made two trips because we were rained out the first time! Thanks Babes! The local signage crew, which Pat Witkowski dubbed the Devils Lake Divas, also upgraded signage on a section of Trail. Mowing was a definite necessity, especially since a marathon is run on parts of our Trail through the park. Members managed to get it done even though the mowers kept breaking. We are already on our third repair! Thanks to Brad Crary and Bob Lange for lending us equipment and manpower. Trail post installations are in our future. - Debby Capener Southern Columbia County LODI VALLEY CHAPTER Coordinator: Joanna Fanney ( , iwannahike2day@gmail.com) Our first Art on the Trail event took place throughout the month of May and was well-received. Visitors to the Ice Age Trail enjoyed art created by Lodi school youth and local/regional artists, along with live music and a dramatization of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Tyke Hikers. The annual Devil s Lake to Gibraltar hike was attended by people from across the state. The chapter organized another successful Mammoth Fun Run/Hike on National Trails Day and we were delighted to see an increase in the number of participants from outside the Lodi area. Chapter members and friends came together in June for the Summer Solstice Saunter and Socialization, a great night for enjoying the Trail and connecting with one another. We once again supported the Lodi summer school Saunter program by providing daily snacks and financial support. Monthly maintenance days along with the mowing, sawyer, and kiosk activities of a few dedicated volunteers helped keep the local Trail segments looking good. Chapter volunteers were at Lodi s National Night Out to promote the Trail, capitalizing on the 60th birthday - Jenny Addis Marquette County MARQUETTE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Gary Ertl ( , garebear510@hotmail.com) Art on the Trail included the artistic written word as Cedar rounds bearing a Henry David Thoreau quote were displayed: Methinks that the moment my legs begin to move my thoughts begin to flow. Photo by Patti Herman. 20 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

21 GRANT DANE Whitewater WAUKESHA MILWAUKEE Platteville LAFAYETTE Monroe GREEN Janesville ROCK Beloit Lake Geneva WALWORTH RACINE KENOSHA Racine Kenosha Lodi Middle School students created these painted ceramic leaves for Art on the Trail. Photo by Patti Herman. theme to provide fun activities for the kids, including having them sign a giant birthday card which was presented to the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Monthly Full Moon hikes and Tyke Hikes continued to attract people of all ages to the Trail. - Patti Herman Dane County DANE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinators: Tess Mulrooney ( , tlmmdsn@aol.com) and Anne Helsley-Marchbanks ( , ahelsley@wisc.edu) Summer 2018 was one of the busiest ever. We hosted both Ice Age Trail University (IAT-U) in late June and an MSC project Aug 8th-12th in Cross Plains. The latter project built a mile of Trail though the Cross Plains Glacial Valley Conservancy on the south side of the village to County Hwy P to the southeast. It also helped celebrate IATA s 60th birthday and Cross Plains as a Trail Community. Also included in August s MSC was work on Dane County land containing the upper Wilke Gorge at the Cross Plains Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, where we are building a loop trail. In addition, this area was the focus of both IAT-U and several chapter workdays, as well as, rock sorting and hauling efforts by Tom Wise and his tractor and loader. Earlier this summer, we opened a new, signed loop trail through the lush restoration of the upland Liebetrau Prairie northeast of Cross Plains. We also built a short spur to the loop from the new parking area on Pine Road. In late August, we began clearing the corridor for a new Trail connection between the Valley View Preserve and Timber Lane in the Town of Middleton. Finally, our annual National Trails Day Hike-a-Thon on June 2nd drew a record 109 hikers, with 61 taking a six-mile walk from Prairie Moraine County Park and 48 trekking 20 miles from the south end of the Brooklyn State Wildlife Area. Both hikes ended at Badger Prairie County Park on the east side of Verona. The event netted $4,500, split between the chapter and the IATA. - David Jenkins A young trailbuilding volunteer carefully removes work day grime with a bristle brush from a youth-sized McLeod used for scraping, cutting small roots, removing rocks, or packing the trail surface. Photo by Bob Kaspar. Rock County ROCK COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Dennis James ( , djames84@outlook.com) Summer 2018 was great! We hosted two hikes for students and staff from the Wisconsin School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired. We look forward to more hikes with them, and their participation in future Trail Improvement activities. Along the Janesville to Milton Segment, employees from Cargill Animal Nutrition in Milton, and clients from Aptiv, helped clear brush. The inaugural Arbor Ridge Trail Run took place on August 4th, 2018 at the Janesville School Outdoor Lab (JSOL). It was a great success with runners thoroughly enjoying the JSOL trails and the Ice Age Trail segments of their runs. The Chapter received $824 in contributions. The Hedberg Library in Janesville hosted a presentation by two-time Thousand-Miler Melanie Radzicki McManus on her book Thousand- Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail. It was a great presentation enjoyed by a large audience. Thank you Melanie. Eagle Scout candidates Spencer and Mitchell Bauer completed their project at JSOL by replacing a 176-foot (30% pitch) trail with one that follows the contours of the slope down to the Lower Trail. This trail is adjacent to the IAT and because of the erosion, detracted from the IAT. Sam Pizzurro completed his Eagle Scout Project by constructing a roofed kiosk with picnic bench at Dawson Field in Janesville, the southern-most point of the IAT. - Dennis James continued on page 22 Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 21

22 DUNN Chip CHAPTER highlights continued River Falls PIERCE Menomonie PEPIN Walworth and Jefferson Counties WALWORTH/JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinators: Andrew Whitney ( , The Walworth-Jefferson County Chapter had plenty of activities to keep members busy during the summer, starting with trail grooming in advance of the Ice Age 50 run in mid-may. National Trails Day events followed a couple of weeks later. The Chapter also helped welcome the neighboring City of Whitewater as a Trail Community the first weekend in June, joining in their ribbon cutting ceremony and sponsoring a short hike. In July, the Chapter participated in the City of Whitewater Independence Day parade, and took home a prize in the Costumed Marcher category. Later in the month, Nancy Lazzaroni joined Dolly McNulty in working the Farm Tech Days food tent in Marshfield. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is celebrating its sesquicentennial this year, and as part of the festivities held a series of summer concerts on the mall. Our chapter members joined an intern from headquarters, Taylor Houghton, in manning a booth and promoting the Trail at multiple events in July and August. Outreach also continued with Barb Converse putting on library programs for the younger set. She provides an early introduction to the environmental conditions which existed when the landscape, that we know and love, was being sculpted. Multiple public hikes were held during this period as well, including a hike at Storrs Lake followed by a wine tasting, which is becoming a popular event for the Chapter. The month of August wrapped with a Piper Road Spring Band concert, hosted by our Coordinator, Andy Whitney, at his home. Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties WAUKESHA/MILWAUKEE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinators: Barb Johnson ( , barbjoh@hotmail.com) and Robert Root ( , rootco@msn.com) Mississippi The Waukesha/Milwaukee Chapter not only has an active and dedicated group of volunteers but also support from employees in local businesses that encourage community service, including IAT workdays. Working alongside such groups, we manage to get a lot done. BUFFALO Two diligent and persistent groups organized by Trail Coordinator Pat Witkowski are the Blazing Babes, who not only upgrade signage throughout our segments but also recently overhauled 3.5 miles of signs at Devil s Lake and led Signage 101 at IAT-U in Cross Plains, and the Monday Mudders, who meet often to improve the trail. Along with the GPS, an apprentice program at Generac, the Mudders completed 288 feet of puncheon at the Lapham Peak s Evergreen Grove. Tyke Hikers, led by Peter Dargatz, hauled in deckboards and bucketed in gravel for the approach ramp, a service component of their outing. The Mudders also wrapped up an extension on the Waterville Road puncheon in Hunter s Preserve. River - Vince Lazzaroni Looking down from Aldo Leopold Overlook at the completed raised boardwalk, across wetlands in Hartland, and the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter members who built it. Photo by Pat Witkowski. Andy Whitney and Ron Binning cut the ribbon as Whitewater becomes a Trail Community. Also part of the event were (left to right) Kristen Burton UWW outreach, Dr. Mark Elworthy WUSD District Administrator, Cameron Clapper (city manager), Ellen Davis holding IAT sign, Therese Kennedy Tourism Council board Member UWW Athletic Dept. Photo by Judy Wildermuth. Tyke Hikers at the approach ramp, Monday Mudders in the distance, completing the Evergreen Grove puncheon at Lapham Peak. Photo by Peter Dargatz. 22 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

23 CHIPPEWA pewa Falls Eau Claire EAU CLAIRE TREMPEALEAU LA CROSSE La Crosse VERNON CRAWFORD Prairie du Chien GRANT CLARK JACKSON Tomah MONROE RICHLAND Wisconsin MARATHON Marshfield River WOOD Wisconsin Rapids JUNEAU IOWA Wausau SAUK ADAMS Baraboo onsin River Stevens Point PORTAGE MENOMINEE SHAWANO WAUPACA Wautoma WAUSHARA MARQUETTE Portage COLUMBIA Madison DANE Waupaca GREEN LAKE JEFFERSON OUTAGAMIE Oshkosh WINNEBAGO FOND DU LAC OCONTO DODGE West Bend Oconomowoc Whitewater Appleton Neenah Fond du Lac BROWN Kaukauna CALUMET WASHINGTON Green Bay G R E E N B A SHEBOYGAN OZAUKEE Germantown Milwaukee Waukesha WAUKESHA MILWAUKEE DOOR Sturgeon Bay Algoma Kewaunee KEWAUNEE Manitowoc MANITOWOC Sheboygan Port Washington L A K E M I C H I G A N Platteville RACINE Racine LAFAYETTE Lake Monroe Janesville Geneva Be ENOUGH Trailtessa participants welcome an unexpectedly sunny day (after ROCK a rainy forecast) with sun salutations mid-hike at a beautiful Kenoshaoverlook in the Otten GREEN Beloit WALWORTH KENOSHA Preserve. Photo by Lisa Delaney. In addition, ten trained chapter volunteers constructed a 59-foot elevated replacement boardwalk near Hartland s Aldo Leopold Overlook in just over a day. They dug pans, set pilings, installed cross bracing and decking, added kickrails, and landscaped approaches. We rely on our tireless volunteers and they don t disappoint us. - Robert Root Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and Door Counties Washington and Ozaukee Counties LAKESHORE CHAPTER Coordinator: Dan Mitchell ( , dmitchell001@new.rr.com) WASHINGTON/OZAUKEE COUNTY CHAPTER Coordinator: Tom Alberg ( , alberg@ameritech.net) Kewaskum was the location for the Be ENOUGH Trailtessa event on May 12th, where the day began with a Chapter volunteer-led hike at Otten Preserve. The initial plan included yoga in the preserve, but a rainy forecast relocated much of it to the Kewaskum High School gym. Happily, though, hikers were treated to a sun salutation sequence on the Trail. Participants, 25 in all, enjoyed snacks following 30 minutes of yoga directed by Felicita Nieves of Blue Luna Yoga & Wellness. Seek Dry Goods sold Ice Age Trail apparel and REI staff handed out trail mix and other goodies. On June 4th, which was also National Trails Day, the Village of Slinger officially became one of the newest IATA Trail Communities. Residents, dignitaries and Chapter volunteers gathered at Community Park for speeches; photos with Hootie, the Slinger school district mascot; and ribbon cutting and cake, before hiking to Pike Lake State Park in Hartford, for more family-friendly activities. The Chapter renewed a partnership with the Volunteer Center of Washington County and formed a partnership with The Hub - Social Good Brews in West Bend. This led to an increase in volunteers and a fundraising opportunity, resulting in a $279 donation, which was a portion of The Hub s tips for one week. Trail Improvement Days have included a corporate event with Kohl s employees, a church, the high school, and community groups. - Jane Wester Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 23

24 PIERCE MEMBER & DONOR news May 17 September 24, 2018 THE IATA WELCOMES... NEW MEMBERS Thank you to the 172 new members of the Ice Age Trail Alliance! NEW YELLOW BLAZE CLUB MEMBERS The Yellow Blaze Club consists of members giving annual gifts of $1,000 or more. Thank you to the following new members: Dan & Natalie Erdman Charlie & Lindy Malingowski James Mills MATCHING GIFTS Matching gifts were received from: GE Foundation thanks to Anne Davies-Walsh Robert Nevermann Timothy Putra Glenn Stricklin Oracle Corporation thanks to Donald Berg Thrivent Financial thanks to Margaret Klose Varian Medical Systems thanks to Dale Eckstrom BURR OAK LEGACY SOCIETY The Burr Oak Legacy Society recognizes those who have made a commitment to support the Ice Age Trail Alliance through their estate plans. We are honored to celebrate those people today for their future gifts toward the growth and success of the Ice Age Trail. David & Kathy Adam Bess & Bernard Alberg John & Sharon Bloodgood Bruce & Roberta Boczkiewicz Nancy Brownrigg Jerome & Barb Converse Jason Dorgan Joanna Kramer Fanney David & Carol Farber James & Susan Fiore Bob Funk Tom & Jan Gilbert Jerry Goth Roy & Sue Gromme Tom Gross & Linda Hein Dr. Kurt Hansen Deb & Tom Heier Russell & Karen Helwig Mary Hilfiker Madeline Kanner Marcy & Nathan Kempf Dean & Mary Klinger Bob Lange Linda Levengood Lyle & Susan Lidholm Kate Lindsay Susan Lindsay David Lonsdorf & Marilyn Chohaney David & Lois Lovejoy The Lundberg Family Herb, Corrine, Kimberly (Lundberg Taylor), Barton, and Rodrick Neal & Donna Meier Tess Mulrooney Randy S. & Joanna M. Parlee Nancy Jo Patterson David W. Phillips Carol Prchal Daniel Rambo Ann & Bob Rusch Elisabeth Schraith Gerald & Mary Schwoch Tony Stretton & Philippa Claude Libby & John Stupak Lee & Jacqui Swanson Matthew Underwood & Chong Lor Brook Waalen & Stephanie Lundeen Wendy Watson Sally Wilmeth & Terry Geurkink Tom & Bonnie Wise Pauline Witte Mike & Barbara Wollmer Anonymous (13) 24 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

25 er CLARK SHAWANO G R M PEPIN BUFFALO EAU CLAIRE ALEAU Marshfield WOOD Wisconsin Stevens Point PORTAGE WAUPACA OUTAGAMIE Waupaca Green Bay BROWN Algoma Kewaunee KEWAUNEE MILESTONES Gifts to the IATA were made in honor of: Noel & Nancy Adams by Deborah Crane David Berry by Chris GreenIce Ice Age Trail Alliance Staff Members by Dan Rambo Luke Laga by Judy Miller Lyle & Susan Lidholm by Lyle Lidholm Denny Lund, MD by Chris Green Dolly McNulty receiving the Spirit Stick by Nancy Daleiden Mark & Christine Miller s 50th Anniversary by Christine Rundblad Diane Sheth The Family of Henry Reuss by Doriann Maier The Schotz Family by Mike Wollmer Lysianne Unruh & Jason Dorgan s wedding by Gregory Andrews & Linda Zelewski Kathleen Braun Chuck Callender & Shelly Dutch Carolyn & Brian Cassel Marilyn Chohaney & David Lonsdorf Kathleen Drew & Steve Wessel David & Sara Fahey Bob Funk Linda Gourley Deborah & Lloyd Klein Ann & Robert Rusch Steve & Jane Schmieding Marcela Schultz Tom Theisen Timothy D. Wadlington Peter & Anne Wadsack Constance Welch Jane Wester by Mary Stryck Gifts to the IATA were made in memory of: Bruce Bloedorn by Mary & Jim Bachhuber Gregory Droessler & Lisa Sereno Droessler Gerald & Margaret Greeno Barbara Hustad Ashley Kerst / PLATO Hiking Group Mark & Sherry Sinnen Carla Jean & Tim Van Berg Vicki, Max, and Jonah Westrich Various friends and family Marjorie Delap by Jane Hendricks Mike Guisleman by Brent & Kay Burki Stephen Drew & Brenda Hein Drew Stacy & Michael Farrington Michael & Karla Haakenson Vicki Hanson Becky & James Hessenauer Thomas & Rosemary Kautz Werner & Rosmarie Last Helen Olstad Richard Ott Richard Owens & Judy Edmonds Owens Robert & Jill Stange Joseph Zanter & Laurie Shepel Howard Harrington by Chris Schmelling Calvin Kraemer by Paula & Glenn Pederson Jerry Larson by Ann Sheffels David Moesch by The Alhadeff Family Diane Olson by the Wisconsin Go Hiking Club Bill Roeder by Marvin Herman Carmen Skarlupka by Dale & Penny Schaber David Underwood by Anne & Ron Braden Dr. Richard J. Vogl by Michael & Judith Vogl Sandy Zimmerman by Barb Voigt Harrison Hills Segment. Photo by Cameron Gillie of ThePinHoleThing.com Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 25

26 POLK St. Croix Barron RUSK Falls BARRON THANK YOU to Our Generous Donors ST. CROIX DUNN CHIPPEWA Chippewa May 17 September 24, 2018 St. Croix River IN-KIND/PRO-BONO Dream Lens Media, Mount Horeb ESRI, Redlands, CA Jennie-O Turkey Store, Barron Jones Dairy Farm, Fort Atkinson Miller & Sons Supermarket, Verona Sitka Salmon, Galesburg, IL Stonehaus Farm, Verona Vermont Valley Community Farm, Blue Mounds GENEROUS GIFT West Foundation $50,000 Lyle Lidholm $15,000 $24,000 Great Northern Landholding and Mining Company, Inc. The Estate of Madeline Kanner National Park Service via The Outdoor Foundation REI Schlecht Family Foundation $9,000 - $10,000 Antigo Rotary Club The Estate of Lieselott Buettner Dan & Natalie Erdman National Park Foundation $4,500 $5,000 Bess & Bernard Alberg LL Bean via the National Park Foundation Elizabeth A. Uihlein Anonymous (2) $2,500 $3,000 The John and Melissa Besse Foundation Connexus Association, Wausau Kelly Hatch Kettle Moraine 100 Endurance Runs Kohl s Department Stores, Menomonee Falls Charles & Carolyn Mowbray Daniel Rambo We Energies Foundation, Milwaukee $1,800 $2,000 Fontana Sports, Madison Dwight & Donna Halfmann Jen & John Shank $1,000 $1,300 David Rihn & Valerie Bailey-Rihn Charlie & Lindy Malingowski David & Vin Mickelson Old National Bancorp, Evansville, IN Richard Pierson Clarman Salty Salsieder Elisabeth Schraith Anthony & Nancy Schuster Seek Dry Goods, Hartland Sitka Salmon, Galesburg, IL William Stark Jones Foundation $500 $800 Douglas Arnold Jeffrey Beiriger Donald Berg Tom & Patty Dreier Ron Endres Friends of Scenic Lodi Valley Doug Galaszewski GE Foundation Terrence Gerlach Stuart Hansen & Erica Eddy John & Judith Hutchinson Jones Dairy Farm, Fort Atkinson Mohammad Kiarang David Klabunde Joanne Kline Elsebet Lund Rob Malewicki Kimberly Mast Susan D. Mischler Modern Woodmen of America, Rock Island, IL Tim Powell Rich Propp David & Carrie Rancourt Stephen & Barbara Romberger Haily Rubesch Gail Hanson & Michael Schmidt Brad & Jean Sherman U.S. Bank Foundation, Minneapolis Barbara & Richard Voigt Timothy & Cynthia Wick Pat & Gary Witkowski Mike & Barbara Wollmer $250 - $400 Tom & Carol Alberg Holly Audley Sara Mills & Steven Bauer Doug & Michelle Booher Lorraine Bradley Dave & Barbara Bryce Clasen Quality Chocolate, Madison Joe & Joanne Cox Deborah Crane Chuck & Gloria Crary Crossroads Coffeehouse, Cross Plains Eric Daub Leslie Davis Julie & Rick Diermeier Jeff, Shelly & Ben Dohlby David & Sara Fahey Gary Goplen Ann & Christopher Green Greg & Lu Griswold Dr. Kurt Hansen Sandra & John Heyer Sharon Hughes Barry Jones Juli Kaufmann Tricia & Karl Kissinger Judith Kornblatt Debbie & Wayne Krogwold Marge & Wendell Krogwold Bob Lange James Luebke Dolly McNulty James Mills John & Betty Moore Mark & Elizabeth Muellenbach Natural Alternative Food Co-Op, Luck New Vision Wilderness, Oconomowoc Patrice Nicolet Oracle Corporation Gary & Hedda Patzke David Phillips Elaine Plank Charles Poat Ken & Donna Pokora Irene Qualters Glenn & Sherri Ritz Allan Robertson Ann & Robert Rusch Maureen Schuck Jackie Czehno & John Singer Allan Sommer Dr. John D. & Deanna Swanson Barbara J. Unger Lysianne Unruh & Jason Dorgan David Verhulst Kelly Wroblewski James Youngquist 26 MAMMOTH tales Fall-Winter 2018

27 LINCOLN MARINETTE TRAIL LANGLADE Medford Merrill Antigo tales TAYLOR Wisco MENOMINEE Marinette An excerpt from Mammoth Tales, Summer 2318 Looking Back on Three Centuries: Big Changes and Some Fundamental Continuities ERIC SHERMAN VER , MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR B A Y In preparation for celebrations marking the Alliance s 360th anniversary, I was recently browsing a portion of our archive, focusing on items from 300 years ago. In spite of our leaders identifying it as a priority in each of the Alliance s past 114 strategic plans, our archive remains a dust-collecting assortment of shoeboxes in our basement, out of sight and largely out of the minds of our 57 staff members. Once I was able to make peace with the chaotic state of things, however, I dug in and found some fascinating materials. One exciting discovery was an issue of this publication from the year In browsing through it, I realized how much certain things have changed since then. For example, the publication references the work of glaciers in creating Ice Age landforms. A few years later, it must have come as a shock to readers of this publication when the preeminent glaciologists of the time turned the Ice Age world on its head. These scientists, of course, discovered that our state s topography was the work not of ice sheets, but rather a herd of highly advanced mastodons and woolly mammoths. As tribute to Lichenestra, the goddess of moss, these beasts moved mountains to construct the landforms now highlighted along the route of the Tusk Age Trail (née Ice Age Trail). Further reading highlighted further differences. The hard-working volunteers of 2018 labored endlessly to eradicate our most treasured wildflower, child s spirit, then known by a less-endearing name, garlic mustard. They spent countless hours clearing our virgin glossy buckthorn forests. Oh, to be able to go back in time and wander those glorious, endless tracts of pure buckthorn how utterly happy it would make us! Alas, we can only hope that these volunteers, working hard to preserve species diversity, just as our modern Tusk Age Trail Alliance volunteers do, found great meaning in their work and enjoyed every minute yet also didn t take themselves too seriously, understanding that best practices are always a moving target. After all, within a decade of this publication, the pines planted by the godfather of the Land Ethic, Aldo Leopold, were felled to make way for native prairie wildflowers and grasses. Elsewhere in the newsletter, the executive director thanked more than 2,000 volunteers for their remarkable contribution of more than 79,000 hours of work. One can hope that, in the thick of their hard work, these individuals allowed themselves to daydream about a time like the year 2318, when the Trail is 100% complete, has convenient camping options every 10 miles, and is widely recognized as the world s most enjoyable hiking trail. The renown for today s Trail is due in no small part to the groundbreaking approach pioneered just a short time before this old issue of Mammoth Tales was published of exceptionally thoughtful trail layout, design, and construction practices. Another item connecting past to present in this antique issue of Mammoth Tales was a list of new Thousand-Milers. Gazing at the list of those who crossed the finished line in 2018 made me wish I could go back in time and ask these hikers a few questions. What was your favorite segment? How many miles a day did you average? Were you ever lost? Our trail talk hasn t changed much over the centuries, and neither has the fact that the bold adventurers of 2018, like modern Thousand- Milers, probably found something significant on the Trail: a new perspective, growth through adversity, much-needed open spaces. Or, on a lonely stretch, a helping hand where none was expected. The last page I glanced at helped make the most direct connection between then and now. A photo showed past recipients of the original Spirit Stick happily passing it along to 2018 s recipient, a woman named Dolly McNulty. Those pictured are either beaming or shedding tears of joy; you d be hard pressed to find a happier-looking crew. These folks would likely say that the thousands of hours they contributed to the Trail were a great investment. This has been a constant from the start of our project we have a thriving community of kind and generous individuals, and each minute of time we give to the Trail is reflected back in the form of enriched and happier lives. Much has been said about what we do to move the Trail forward. Just as much can be said about what our involvement does FOR US. Having come to the end of the old issue of Mammoth Tales, I realized it was past time to pivot to more pressing tasks on my day s agenda. I got up, stretched my achy back, sneezed a few times from the dust I had stirred up, then decided that what I really needed was to sneak out for a quick walk on the Ice Age er, Tusk Age Trail. Fall-Winter 2018 MAMMOTH tales 27

28 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit # Main Street PO Box 128 Cross Plains, WI TRAIL terminus WANTED: VOLUNTEER FIELD EDITORS FOR 2020 IATA GUIDEBOOKS Work has begun on updating the Ice Age Trail Guidebook, Ice Age Trail Atlas, and Ice Age Trail Databook with the goal of updated, published versions by February We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic hikers and lovers of the outdoors to volunteer as Field Editors. That means YOU! Field Editors will be asked to hike a selected segment or connecting route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, review and verify existing book info, and submit a Field Edit Report providing any updated, corrected, or new information. As a Field Editor you will receive all the documents and support you need to complete your assignment (hiking shoes not included). You can complete your assignment as a Field Editor and submit your Field Edit Report anytime beginning February 2019 and with a deadline of August 1st, Segments or connecting routes of various lengths along the entire Ice Age Trail are available. Field Editors will also have the opportunity to submit photographs for possible publication in the updated books. The interest in being a volunteer Field Editor is expected to be very high, so sign up right now before all the assignments are gone! To volunteer (or ask questions) please contact Gary Hegeman, Volunteer Field Editor Coordinator, by phone ( ) or (gmheg@wi.rr.com). The best part of being a Field Editor is the rewards. This opportunity will allow you to: 1. Get exercise (both physical and mental always good!). 2. Explore in-depth a segment or connecting route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. 3. Be a contributor to outstanding Trail publications. 4. See your name in bright lights or at least in the books list of Field Editors. 5. Be a hero help make the Ice Age Trail more accessible and meaningful to hikers and outdoor lovers everywhere. Tony Schuster (and his wife Nancy) enjoys a fantastic day hiking on the Ice Age Trail as Field Editor for the Harwood Lakes Segment in Chippewa County. Tony and Nancy carefully walked the segment to make sure the reality of the Trail was reflected across all three hiker resources. Photo by Nancy Schuster.