Ice Age Trail Alliance: Marathon County Chapter Information

The Marathon County Chapter, originally named the Plover River Chapter, was formed in the early 1970s. The first six miles of Ice Age Trail in the county were completed in October 1973. Plans to continue the Trail in other areas of the county are in development. The chapter promotes use of the Trail for recreation and education. They host several workdays and hikes throughout the year, including an annual winter snowshoe event in February, spring wildflower hike in May, National Trail Day hike in June and Fall Colors hike in September or October.

For more information on chapter activities and/or hiking the Ice Age Trail in this region, contact the volunteer chapter coordinator:

The Thomas H. Jacobs Foundation, created to carry on the memory of the old Hammer Blow Tool Company in Wausau, will be coming to an end and be dissolved. For more than 50 years this foundation, named for the company’s founder, has quietly donated over 2 million dollars to the community. Ted Harenda, former sales manager with the company and representing the foundation, contacted Marathon County Chapter Chair Dick Pernsteiner about donating a portion of the foundation’s remaining assets to the Marathon County Chapter. To date, dollars have been donated to purchase an enclosed trailer as well as a kiosk/sitting area to be placed at either The Dells of the Eau Claire Park or the Hatley trailhead. These generous gifts will be adorned with signage and/or a plaque memorializing the foundation. More details and pictures will follow as these gifts are purchased and installed. March 2009

Successful Spring Flower Hike

The weather threatened & the temps were a bite cool but for those 20 plus warm souls who ventured out onto the Ice Age National Scenic Tail at the comer of Heft Rd. & Hwy N (Marathon County) on Saturday May 9, it was a rewarding venture. We were treated to a peek at mother nature’s best of show–spring flowers. A big ‘thank you’ is deserving of Ann Kieffer for her excellent narration and knowledge of plant life along the trial. As she/we hiked, I started counting & writing down the names of plants like Dutchman’s Britches, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Rue, Trout lily, Blood Root, Leek, Liver leaf, Tooth wart, Canadian May flower…………..and the list goes on and on. I had almost 30 different flowers on my list and am sure I missed many more. Thanks again Ann for the tour. May 2009

Winter Weather Allows Snowshoe Hike

For the first time in several years the winter weather cooperated and allowed us to hold our snowshoe hike on Saturday, February 28th in the Ringle Segment off of Poplar Lane. That morning started out with below zero temperatures but the sun, clear blue sky, smiles and friendly conversation soon made all 45 participants forget all about that. Marathon County Chapter Steering Committee member Gail Piotrowski led a 2.6 mile round trip hike to Klaver Kame and back. Upon arrival back at the trailhead, invigorated hikers enjoyed hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies. Continuing the fun, about a quarter of the hikers gathered for lunch at the FishTank Bar and Grill. March 2009