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.
For a limited time, order an IATA Langlade County Tee Shirt, complete with all of the segment names! Ordering closes on 11/27/24 Shirts will begin shipping October 14th. Order your shirt here: Order Shirt
Chapter Leadership:
Chapter Coordinator: Melinda and Brian Nelson, email: langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org
Chapter Treasurer: Sam Picone
Chapter Secretary: Kris Van Handel
If you’re interested in trail monitoring, assisting with trail maintenance, shuttling, or other volunteer activities, please email Melinda or Brian Nelson, langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org No experience is necessary, and we will train you. Volunteer hours count towards the National Park Service VIP program.
Trail Conditions:
All segments in Langlade County are open and ready for Mammoth Challenge hikers as of 10/18/24. Conditions have been dry so while there is still some mud, generally things are the driest they have been all year. Don’t miss the Trail Magic in Antigo through October 31st! Trail alerts, maps and hunting closures can be found here
There is some type of hunting season between now and the end of the year. Wearing blaze is good idea and dogs should be leashed at all times. Expect some mud in different areas on each segment. If you encounter any windfall, you can help by emailing a pinned location from either Google maps or the Far Out app and send it to langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org Photos are helpful too. Please be aware some of the trails are shared access with ATVs.
Even though it is almost November, there are still a few bugs as we have had above average temps recently. A bug net, long sleeves and pants, plus bug spray can allow for a much more enjoyable hike. Please consider preventative measures prior to hiking: Preventing Tick Bites | Ticks | CDC
Parrish Hills Segment: Mileage is 12 miles. This segment was refreshed at the end of June with a Maintenance Sweep. Additional blazing and signage was added in July and August. The new stretch of the segment from the Parrish Game Trail Forest lane to 5 Cent Road is now blazed and open. The two miles of trail to the river is wet and muddy. Expect water and mud near the Old Truck Site. There is a water crossing of the Prairie River. Water levels are around 18 inches high. The water crossing is about 100 feet wide and cannot be rock-hopped. Water shoes are recommended.
Highland Lakes Segment: Mileage is 12.8. The trail is in good condition. Expect mud in ruts where the ATVs travel. The branch of the Eau Claire River is low and can be rock-hopped to cross. The small parking area near Camp Susan is open. Occasionally there are signs on the gate that state “closed for a private event,” but the trail is open to hikers. Please avoid exploring Camp Susan when there is a private event. There are also multiple parking locations at Townline Park off of Hwy T.
Summit Moraine Segment: Mileage is 12.4. The Western side was mowed within the last ten days. Refreshed blazing was completed in September. The Eastern side has been string trimmed. As a reminder, campfires are not allowed at Vector Lake. The Bog walk at Game Lake was recently restored by the Langlade County Forestry, Park and Recreation Department staff. Hikers can use the bog walk route (white blazes) or take a longer stroll and enjoy more of the Game Lake Nature Trail (yellow blazes).
Lumbercamp Segment: Mileage is 12. The trail is mowed. The logging roads where the trail traverses have some sections of mud and deep water. The County Road S parking lot is open and dry. The Lumbercamp parking area on Highway A is open and dry.
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 also 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. Expect mud on some sections.
Ice Override Preserve: Mileage is 0.7 The recently completed 0.7 section breaks up a 26 mile road section off Old 26 Road. This segment includes a DCA and some beautiful views.
Overnight Parking: If you need to park overnight at any lot in Langlade County, overnight parking is only permitted if you notify the Langlade County Sherriff’s office. Please call 715-627-6411 and press zero to tell them your plans. Failure to do this could result in your vehicle being towed.
Hummock Hiker Hiking Incentive 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!
Stay and Play in Antigo, an Ice Age Trail Community
The Ice Age Trail Community program is a symbiotic partnership between the Ice Age Trail Alliance and local Wisconsin communities. It aims to enhance awareness of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, and promote the natural and cultural heritage of Wisconsin along the Ice Age Trail.
The county seat of the “County of Trails”, Antigo welcomes residents and visitors alike with a relaxing, stress-free atmosphere. Unwind in Antigo and enjoy shopping, history, great food, and all of the best recreational opportunities in the Northwoods of Wisconsin has to offer.
Be sure to start your visit in Antigo and the nearby Ice Age Trail segments with a stop to the Antigo-Langlade County Center in the heart of downtown Antigo (404 Superior St.), which is also the Langlade County Historical Society Museum. There you’ll learn about all things Antigo and Langlade County. Plan your stay here: https://www.langladecounty.org/
Trail Angel Shuttles: How to request a shuttle:
First, please consider this: The chapter’s 3 volunteer shuttlers live 15 miles or more, from any of the trailheads. All of our shuttlers are local, unpaid volunteers with schedules of their own. Shuttlers are not “on call,” and are volunteering their time to help you, as their schedules permit.
- 1)Please email langladecochapter@iceagetrail.org and put “Shuttle request,” for the subject. This allows your request to immediately be forwarded to the group of 3 volunteer shuttlers.
- 2) Please include the following information: Number of people, date and time that the shuttle is needed. Please consider providing a minimum weeks’ notice.
- 3) The location and/or pin for the pick-up and drop-off points. See the chart below for a point of reference. A shuttle request cannot be fulfilled without this information.
- Shuttle tips help cover the cost of gas and additional vehicle maintenance for those volunteers who choose to shuttle with their own vehicles.
If Trail Angels aren’t available or are already booked for your requested time, please consider:
- Public Transit Option for Shuttles: There are some Uber drivers available out of Antigo. There is an Uber driver in Antigo available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with an option to make an appointment. Normal Uber rates apply.
- Parking at a trailhead and self-shuttling; riding a bike, electric bike, or scooter to the other end of the trail, hike back to your car.
- Ask the place where you are staying (hotel or campground) if they offer shuttle service.
- Hiking against a friend and giving the keys to them at the half-way point. You each start at an opposite end of the trail and hike towards the middle. They come back with the car to pick you up.
- Hiking each half of the trail as an out and back.
- Attending hike events where shuttles are being offered.
- Utilize the Facebook Group “Ice Age Trail: Group Hikes and Rideshares ” https://www.facebook.com/groups/640916790020003 other hikers will post if they are hiking in Langlade County and looking for other hikers to shuttle with them.
Kettlebowl Segment | Lumbercamp Segment |
Kettlebowl Parking Area | Lumbercamp Trailhead on Hwy 52 |
GPS Coordinates 45.275609, -88.902363 | GPS Coordinates 45.275609, -88.902363 |
Sherry Road Parking lot | Lumbercamp Parking area on Hwy A |
GPS Coordinates 45.182473, -88.911390 | GPS Coordinates 45.306289, -89.052087 |
Summit Moraine Segment | Highland Lakes Segment |
Summit Moraine Trailhead on Hwy A | 45.351174, -89.175476 |
GPS Coordinates 45.306289, -89.052087 | Highland Lakes Townline Lake Parking |
Summit Moraine Camp Susan | GPS Coordinates 45.375806, -89.294922 |
GPS Coordinates 45.351174, -89.175476 | |
Parrish Hills Segment | |
Parrish Hills Trailhead at Townline Lake | |
GPS Coordinates 45.375806, -89.294922 | |
Parrish Hills Parking at Parrish Road and First Lake Road | |
GPS Coordinates 45.433721, -89.425172 | |
Connecting Route Segment – approximately 26 miles total. These are suggested routes to break it up. | |
1) Hike 1 – approximately 6.5 miles Park at Plover River Trailhead GPS Coordinates 5.050771, -89.223849 Shuttle to GPS Coordinates 45.102134, -89.158402, near the town of Rolling Building. Hike West back to your car, approximately 7 miles. Note: please park on the side roads such as Toft Road, with all tires off of the road. The Town of Rolling building is rented for events, so the parking lot is often used. | |
2) Hike 2 – approximately 12.8 or the other half of the CR, start at the IATA Mueller Lake Parking lot here: GPS Coordinates 45.167933, -88.988426 Park here and get dropped off at GPS Coordinates 45.102134, -89.158402, near the town of Rolling Building. |
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3) Hike 3 – approximately 6 miles, park at the IATA Mueller Lake Parking lot here: GPS Coordinates 45.167933, -88.988426 |
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Shuttle to Sherry Road Parking lot GPS Coordinates 45.182473, -88.911390, hike to IATA Mueller Lake Parking lot |
Chapter Facebook page:
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Banner Photo
Photo by Katia Wanish