Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains 2023

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the third annual Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a guided hike at 3:30 pm.

The hike will be approximately a 3-mile loop that starts and ends at Esser Square (the green space next to Crossroads Coffeehouse – 2020 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528). Hikers will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street. Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the tree at 4:45 pm.

Dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight for the way back.

After the hike, head back to Esser Square to enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and s’mores available from 3:00 – 8:00 pm. A coupon will also be available from the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce for  10% off at local Cross Plains restaurants.

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.

Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains 2022

Light Up Cross Plains 

Saturday, December 3 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains WI 53528)

 

 

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce and Village of Cross Plains would like to invite you to the second annual Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 3 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains).

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a guided hike at 3:30 pm.

The hike will be approximately 3-miles. We will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street. Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the tree at 4:45 pm. Dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight to finish the hike down the hill after the tree lighting.

After the hike, head back to Twenty Twenty Main Street to enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and s’mores available from 4:00 – 6:30 pm.

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.

Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains

Light Up Cross Plains 

Saturday, December 4 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains WI 53528)

Photo Cameron Gillie, Around Wisco.

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the first ever Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 4  at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains).

Join us for a guided hike at 3:00 pm. Look for the Ice Age Trail Alliance canopy tent.

The hike will be approximately 3-miles. We will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street.  Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the  tree at 4:45 pm.

Other activities include:

  • Deliciously Deebs cookie decoration and purchase from 2:30-4:00pm
  • Lighting of the Hickory Hill Tree at 4:45pm
  • Fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores from 2:30 – 6:00 pm

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.

Ice Age Trail Community Partnership Thrives in Slinger

By Elena Mederas, Communications Support Specialist
Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Slinger, Trail Community, Trail Community Celebration, Mammoth Hike Challenge, Monty, Monty the Mammoth
Monty the Mammoth and Hootie the Owl oversee the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new multi-use trail in October 2020. From left to right: Joe Fay, Slinger - Allenton Rotary; Monty the Mammoth - Ice Age Trail Alliance; Russ Brandt - Village of Slinger President Hootie the Owl Slinger School District Mascot; Wally Steger - Slinger Allenton Rotary. Photo courtesy of Village of Slinger.
In October 2020, the Ice Age Trail Community of Slinger opened a multi-use, community trail that hosts a new section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The multi-year effort to build the trail came about through strong partnerships and coordination between the Village, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA), and multiple landowners, businesses, and community organizations.

The new route of the Slinger Segment replaces a previous 0.7-mile road walk with a new 0.9-mile section of Ice Age Trail connecting the Slinger Segment to the Cedar Lakes Segment. The scenic trail corridor passes through Slinger’s Community Park and continues north along wetlands adjacent to Little Switzerland Ski Area. Continue reading

60 Successful Years!

Ice Age Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Mobile Skills Crew, Cross Plains Segment

Photos by Cameron Gillie of ThePinHoleThing.com

The Ice Age Trail Alliance supporters, staff, and community members had lots to celebrate August 8-12 during our Ice Age Trail Days.

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail, Ray Zillmer

Ice Age Trail Alliance founder, Ray Zillmer.

Beginning with the dream of a single individual, Ray Zillmer who, in 1958, envisioned the Ice Age Trail and established what would become the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Fast forward 60 years and the Ice Age Trail is one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States and the Alliance its strongest advocate. Continue reading

Welcome to the Party!

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Manitowoc-Two Rivers Trail Community

It’s official! Luke Kloberdanz, Director of Outreach and Education for the Ice Age Trail Alliance, looks on as Greg Buckley, Two Rivers City Manager, and Justin Nickels, Manitowoc Mayor, cut the ribbon designating their cities as official Trail Communities. These attractive signs will grace the entrances to each city. Photo by Dolly McNulty.

Manitowoc and Two Rivers, we’re thrilled to have you join the Ice Age Trail Community family!

Hikers! Take a look at our Trail Communities for ways to appreciate the towns you’re hiking through. The Manitowoc and Two Rivers area have the only segments of Trail that put your toes into Lake Michigan waters. You’ll find maps of the Trail (and area segments) making it easy for you to follow the path as it winds through each city. There’s plenty of suggestions, too, for how to extend your stay in a fun and memorable way. Oh, and don’t forget to hit the Washington House for an ice cream sundae. After all, the first sundae in the world was made there!

Cross Plains Celebrates the Ice Age Trail

The Cross Plains Segment shows off its best summer look. Photo Credit: Lou Ann Novak

In 2017 the Village of Cross Plains became one of eight Ice Age Trail Communities. This designation is more than a sign on the highway and a ribbon cutting. It is an invitation to use the Ice Age National Scenic Trail to celebrate the local culture, history, landscape, and businesses.

This July 14 and 15 the Village, in collaboration with the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Dane County Chapter, will be taking up the invitation to celebrate! Continue reading

Kids Fight Invasive Species!

Hartland School of Community Learning Hartland Saunters Marsh Clean up 2016

This is what happiness looks like: sunshine, fresh air, muscles put to good use, and the satisfaction of a job well done!
Photo credit: P. Witkowski

The boundless energy of kids.

We all wish we had a bit more of it ourselves.

Perhaps you’ve even wished you could harness it.

What if you could focus all that energy and unleash it like a super power, in service of a better, brighter world?

Well, the visionaries of Village of Hartland and the Hartland School of Community Learning did just that through a collaborative service event on Friday, May 6th to clean up a section of the Hartland Marsh. Continue reading