Thanks to volunteers, hikers now have an attractive boardwalk and two miles through Montello to enjoy.
“The leaves are gone from the hillsides, and the glory of the red maple and yellow aspen and birch is strewn upon the ground. Only in the protected swamps is there any color, the smoky gold of the tamaracks.” ~ Sigurd Olson
The Ice Age Trail Crew project at the Alliance-owned Muir Preserve contained everything for an ideal season finale. A mellow vibe carried through all four and a half days, during which 122 volunteers collectively donated 2,333 service hours. Pre-project frame-building efforts by the Marquette County Chapter got the smooth-rolling project off to a good start. Then, perfect weather graced it with cool evenings, frosty mornings, and pleasant daytime temperatures. As a bonus, early morning coffee drinkers enjoyed muted autumn beauty, watching fog rise from mirror-like Ennis Lake.
“Building a more than 800-foot-long boardwalk through tawny-colored marsh grass ringed by golden-yellow tamarack trees reminded me of how Sigurd Olson, American writer and environmentalist, described a similar-looking landscape,” said Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager.
Volunteers mowed a loop trail and built an elegant, winding boardwalk, enhancing the Preserve’s accessibility and creating an anchor point for future Ice Age Trail miles in the county. Their efforts also gave Trail enthusiasts another spot to explore and locals a place for evening strolls and weekend walks.
Volunteers also blazed the Trail through the City of Montello. Initially a connector route, the new two-mile path ambles through public green spaces, past downtown shops, and by a scenic waterfall.
“Chapter members and folks from the surrounding community enthusiastically helped paint blazes,” said Riley Dupee, Field Operations Specialist for the Alliance. “Neighbor and community involvement made installing signage a success.”
Finally, a three-person crew explored nearby state wildlife areas, assessing their viability for hosting future Trail.
Project Outcomes:
- 122 volunteers collectively donated 2,333 service hours
- Constructed a loop trail on the Muir Preserve, opening it to exploration
- Built a more than 800-foot-long boardwalk, keeping boots dry above the bog
- Officially blazed 2 miles of Trail through Montello
Special Thanks To:
- The Marquette County Chapter for their help building frames and getting lumber prepped ahead of the project.
- Pam Bowe, Base Camp Manager, Carol Deer, Assistant Camp Manager, and Pam Smith-Jilk, Camp Chef, for capably filling three crucial volunteer roles.
- Pam Bowe and Jeff Frazer, who back in March, suggested blazing a Trail route through Montello.
- Pat Kilbey for providing base camp at John Muir Memorial County Park and other Marquette County officials, Paul Van Treeck, Keri Solis, and Jayme Sopha for their support for the Trail.
- Sydney Renik of La Vita at Divine Savior for allowing us use of their shower facilities.
- Students from High Marq Environmental Charter School (grades 7 – 12) for joining the project on Thursday.
- Students from UW-Steven’s Point for joining the project on Friday.
- UW-Madison Hoofers for bringing fresh energy to Saturday and Sunday’s efforts.
- Everyone who helped cleaned tools and put the trailers back together on Sunday morning.
And Thank You to Our Generous Donors:
Muir Preserve Project sponsors:
This project was financed by the National Park Service’s CONNECT TRAILS TO PARKS program to support the National Trails System.
Our Ice Age Trail Crew Season sponsors:
The Henry and Margaret Reuss Charitable Remainder Trust
Sally Wilmeth and Terry Geurkink
