Langlade County Chapter

Welcome!

Trail Conditions and User Information.

All segments in Langlade County are open and ready for hikers as of 3/4/24. The trails are alternately muddy, and ice covered. Ice spikes are recommended until we no longer have freezing temps.  Be aware that if you are driving any gravel roads to a trail head that these are mostly ice-covered. ATV/UTV access has opened early due to the lack of snowfall. Some of the trails are shared access. Parking details for most segments are available below.  The Mueller Lake parking near Polar on Highway 64 is plowed to the ground and has plenty of room for parking.

For trip planning, you may want to check the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center for weather condition projections for our area. 

Parrish Hills Segment:  Mileage is 12 miles. The new stretch of the segment from the Parrish Game Trail Forest lane to 5 Cent Road is now marked and open. However, hikers should be cautious of low-cut stumps on the recent reroute. This new segment will be blazed in the Spring. There is a water crossing of the Prairie River. Water levels run ankle to knee high. The parking at Townline Lake on Highway T has been plowed but the parking at First Lake Road has not. The gravel roads around the Parrish Hills area are ice covered.

Highland Lakes Segment:  Mileage is 12.8. The trail is in good to excellent condition. The branch of the Eau Claire River is flowing but is ankle to mid-calf in depth. The small parking area near Camp Susan is unplowed.

Summit Moraine Segment: Mileage is 12.4. The Bog walk at Game Lake was recently restored by the Langlade County Forestry, Park and Recreation Department staff.   Hikers can use use the bog walk route (white blazes) or take a longer stroll and enjoy more of the Game Lake Nature Trail (yellow blazes). The parking lot at Jack Lake and the Spychalla Lodge has been plowed. The Jack Lake Ski trails are open. We need to respect the groomed ski trails and not hike on their groomed tracks. Please hike off to the side.

Lumbercamp Segment: Mileage is 12. The trail is clear.  The logging roads have some sections of frozen mud, easy to navigate around.  The County Road S parking lot is open, but muddy and unplowed. The Lumbercamp parking area on Highway A has not been plowed as it is normally used as part of the snowmobile trail. Langlade County snowmobile trails are not yet open.

Kettlebowl Segment:  Mileage is 10.2. Vehicles parking at the Town of Evergreen Cemetery driveways on Sherry/Oak Road are subject to county trespassing and impoundment ordinances.  The Town of Evergreen has also not granted permission for hiker parking in the cemetery. Park at the ATV Parking lot on Sherry Road. There is a new parking lot off of Highway 52 and the gate has been moved. The lot is located before the gate. Please do not park past the gate towards the ski area as the gate is locked at 4:30 pm daily. The area has been recently logged which created new troads. The trail is very icy in most places and quite slippery.

We share the trail with the Kettlebowl Ski Hill and x-country ski trails, we need to respect the groomed ski trails and not hike on their groomed tracks. Please hike off to the side.

Ice Override Preserve: Mileage is 1.3. The recently completed 1.3 mile section breaks up a 26 mile road section off Old 26 Road. This segment includes a DCA.

About the Chapter

The Langlade County Chapter has been actively involved with the Ice Age Trail since 1973. Activities include chapter hikes, community outreach, and Trail maintenance.

Segment stewards are responsible for specific sections of the approximate 61 miles of Trail in the county. About 2/3 of the Trail passes over public lands owned and administered by the county and state.

If you’re interested in trail monitoring assisting with trail maintenance, or other volunteer activities, please email Melinda or Brian Nelson, langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org

Chapter Leadership:

Chapter Coordinator: Melinda and Brian Nelson, email: langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org

Chapter Treasurer: Sam Picone

Chapter Secretary: Kris Van Handel

Trail Angel Shuttles: Please email langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org and put “Shuttle Request,” for the subject. Please include the following information: Number of people, date and time that the shuttle is needed, the location and/or pin for the pick-up and drop-off points. Please consider providing a week’s notice. All of our shuttlers are local volunteers.

Hummock Hiker Hiking Incentive Program:

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail, Hummock Hiker patch, Hiking Incentive, Hiking Award Program

Hike the miles.
Get a patch (and Certificate of Achievement, if you want one)!

Adventure across Langlade County’s rugged Ice Age Trail segments. Ford rivers, climb high-relief hummocky topography, and meander through forests as you enjoy scenic kettle lakes and bogs. Experience “frost pockets” and enormous erratics while you chase yellow blazes.

Download the Hiking Log (pdf) and get started, today.

After completing all 84.2 miles (blazed Trail and connecting routes), certify your activity and pay for your patch!

Note: The new patch (pictured) will be available April 2024.

Chapter Newsletter and Facebook:

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Banner Photo               

Photo by Curt Denavan.