Like Autumn marching into the Northwoods, volunteers steadily moved forward on the rebuild of the Rib Lake Segment. In total, 102 volunteers donated 2,625 hours for the latest effort: clearing brush, crafting tread, and constructing stone steps and retaining walls.
Those who first helped on the Trail earlier in the year have learned more with each project, becoming more skilled at trailbuilding and familiar around the campfire. Crew Leaders who were trained in June are more confident as the leaves turn to red and gold.
Fledgling Crew Leader Rob Fisk (under the tutelage of seasoned stone-master Wendell Holl) was pitted against the stubborn stones of Taylor county, while finishing The Grand Staircase. Soon to make the “must see” list for Ice Age Trail hikers, the Staircase elicited many compliments.
While the stonework is impressive, the heart of the project is the flowing tread. A half-mile of which was carved, from the side of the terminal moraine, by a variety of special crews, including: students from the University of Minnesota Outdoors Club and New Vision Wilderness, as well as Trailtessa women.
For making this project possible, special thanks to:
- Jim Dillon & Margaret Lee for being a hands-on part of growing the Ice Age Trail on their property.
- Bob & Ann Rusch for decades of commitment to the Ice Age Trail and being the driving force in rebuilding the Rib Lake Segment.
- Butch Clendenning for, well, everything.
- New Vision Wilderness for their ongoing efforts to improve the Trail, including two days of helping.
- University of Minnesota Outdoors Club for their youthful exuberance and hard work.
- Jake Svejda and Taylor County Parks for a beautiful basecamp location.
Generous funding for volunteer support and trailbuilding supplies came from Bob & Ann Rusch.
We are excited about all the progress made with the Rib Lake Segment and to be even closer to reopening it – all thanks to volunteer’s dedication and hard work!
Up Next:
Lapham Peak Segment, Waukesha County
October 6-9, 2022
Join us in the opportunity to upgrade one of the busiest Ice Age Trail segments. Help improve hiker safety and trail sustainability with new tread, stone retaining walls, and replacement of a boardwalk locally dubbed the “rollercoaster.”
Learn more and register today.
Wildcard at Iola Ski Hill Segment
October 20-23, 2022
The Wildcard is a placeholder set at the beginning of the trailbuilding season. It’s reserved for projects needing a small strike force to accomplish a particular task. In this case, we head back to the Iola Ski Hill Segment to continue where we left off in June. Hopefully, after a few more days of effort – treadwork, signage, and stonework – we’ll be able to open the newly rerouted Ice Age Trail in time for late fall hikers and winter snowshoers.
Generous Sponsors of the 2022 MSC Trailbuilding Season include:
