The Bloomer High School Senior class spent a day giving back to their community through their trailbuilding efforts. Photo by Dave Caliebe.
Entire tomes of poetry have been written about picturesque autumn days such as the ones enjoyed at last week’s Mobile Skills Crew event. But the heart of the story lies in the collaboration the Ice Age National Scenic Trail enables.
Volunteers paint the iconic yellow blaze on a post on a brand new section of Trail along the Firth Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail. Photo by Cameron Gillie.
When the need and opportunity arose to route the Trail to a more scenic location, Chippewa County jumped at the chance to assist. The County brought the IATA and WisCorps, two professional trail crews, together for this project. We rekindled partnerships with Bloomer High School and Northland College.
The resulting mélange of trailbuilders swirled around the project as senior trailbuilding leaders worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the next generation of outdoor stewards. Thank you to the more than 175 volunteers who contributed 3,262 hours to building partnerships, friendships, and a premier hiking experience.
A view worth hiking into the woods for can be found along the newly rerouted Firth Lake Segment. Photo by Dave Caliebe.
Tony Schuster, Chippewa Moraine chapter member said it best, “I had the chance to walk the new section of the trail completed across some of the most beautiful hillsides in Chippewa County. It was hard remember, much less imagine, the terrain, which before had posed such a challenge to navigate, was now a beautiful and safe walking trail for hikers.”
A youngster contributes to the trailbuilding effort. We’re not kidding when we say there are tasks for all abilities! Photo by Cameron Gillie.
Special Thanks:
A portion of this trail reroute was made possible by a grant from the generosity of the Field of Interest, Unrestricted Funds and Board Grant Fund in the Community Foundation of Chippewa County.
The entire Bloomer High School Senior class for getting out of class and working on the Trail.
The folks from Northland College who brought energy and interesting quirks to the project.
The WisCorps for joining forces with the IATA on this important project.
Thelma Johnson and her coterie of kitchen help for whomping up delicious – and filling – meals.
The Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes for use of Camp Nawakwa for base camp and continuing to host the Ice Age Trail.
Mike Dahlby and Chippewa County for helping keep the Ice Age Trail whole throughout the county.
Jerry Sazama, Tony Schuster, Richard Smith, Steve White and the entire Chippewa Moraine Chapter for great help in the two and a half years of planning and executing this project.
Bruce France for taking charge of the tool trailer, keeping tools sharp and crews with the right tools.
Richard Cornell for his presentation about the Chippewa River.
Rob Kuchta for his entertaining tall tales about Paul Bunyan’s logging camp.
Sitka Salmon for donating smoked salmon to feed hard-working, hungry volunteers.
Yumbutter for the ‘mouth-rockin’ world-changing nut butter’.
Ona for the delicious bars.
Pine River Pre-Pack for the award-winning cheese spread.
We appreciate our sponsors who GENEROUSLY support the 2017 Mobile Skills Crew Program.
