Dane County Winter Fun Extravaganza

Event Description

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Lussier Family Heritage Center and Dane County Parks at the Winter Fun Extravaganza!  The event will be a great opportunity to get outside this winter.  Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers will be at the snowshoe area to help attendees with gear and questions. Alliance members will also have maps, stickers and bandanas for everyone who comes by to say hello.

Here is a list of fun things that will be going on that you can participate in.

  • Sledding – A few sleds will be available at first come, first serve basis.
  • Warming Shelter Fire – We will light up the fire in the warming shelter and be providing s’mores with a donation to our environmental education programs.
  • Snowshoeing – Snowshoe rentals will be $5 a pair to use during the event on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Permit Free Weekend for Cross County Skiing!
  • Bonfire – We will have a bonfire going at the shelter and be providing s’mores and hot chocolate with a donation to our environmental education programs.
  • Snow free play! Use our igloo bricks to build an igloo, make snow people and more!

This is a free event open to the public, no registration is required. This event is weather dependent, check Dane County Parks’ Facebook event page and other social media platforms for cancelations.

Location

Indian Lake County Park

8183 State Highway 19
Cross Plains, WI 53528
Get Directions

Contact

heritagecenter@countyofdane.com

 

*Image credit: Lussier Family Heritage Center, Dane County Parks

Winter Solstice Hike – Springfield Hill Segment

Join the fun on Thursday, December 21, 2023 to celebrate the Winter Solstice on the Ice Age Trail! 

Details

Dress for the weather. Headlamps and/or flashlights will be needed. There are no bathroom facilities available at the Springfield Hill Segment.

After the hike, enjoy FREE hot cocoa provided by the Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. All are welcome, including well-behaved and leashed dogs.

Springfield Hill Segment
This segment, a short loop that can be hiked in either direction, highlights the 198-acre Springfield Hill Natural Resource Area. This property consists of steep wooded valleys, glacial kettle ponds, and open meadow. The stunning prairie changes with the seasons and demonstrates what’s possible through extensive and ongoing restoration efforts. The Trail’s route provides outstanding views from atop Springfield Hill, one of the highest points in the area.

Photo by Joe Ulmer. 

Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains 2023

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the third annual Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a guided hike at 3:30 pm.

The hike will be approximately a 3-mile loop that starts and ends at Esser Square (the green space next to Crossroads Coffeehouse – 2020 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528). Hikers will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street. Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the tree at 4:45 pm.

Dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight for the way back.

After the hike, head back to Esser Square to enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and s’mores available from 3:00 – 8:00 pm. A coupon will also be available from the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce for  10% off at local Cross Plains restaurants.

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.

Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains 2022

Light Up Cross Plains 

Saturday, December 3 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains WI 53528)

 

 

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce and Village of Cross Plains would like to invite you to the second annual Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 3 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains).

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a guided hike at 3:30 pm.

The hike will be approximately 3-miles. We will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street. Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the tree at 4:45 pm. Dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight to finish the hike down the hill after the tree lighting.

After the hike, head back to Twenty Twenty Main Street to enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and s’mores available from 4:00 – 6:30 pm.

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.

Winter Hikes and More this December!

Winter beauty on the John Muir Park Segment. Photo by Alyssa Kohls.
Winter beauty on the John Muir Park Segment. Photo by Alyssa Kohls.
Our volunteer chapters are hosting winter hikes and snowshoeing excursions all month long!

Revel in the restful quiet of a snow-covered landscape. Feel the crunch of snow under foot, or snowshoe. Take advantage of leaf-off season to admire expansive landscapes of glacial features.

Hike under the full moon on the winter solstice, go for a festive jaunt with Santa, explore your favorite Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail transformed into a winter wonderland.

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Welcome Winter with Trail Community Fun

Cross Plains 2019 Winter Solstice Hike. Photo by Cameron Gillie
Cross Plains 2019 Winter Solstice Hike. Photo by Cameron Gillie
As the air grows chilly and snow begins to appear in the forecast, it can be tempting to huddle indoors.

But don’t close the shutters till spring just yet!

Our Trail Communities are proving there are many opportunities to get out and into the festive spirit throughout the month. Venture out and enjoy the lights, the snacks, and the community at any of these upcoming events!

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Trail Community Event: Light Up Cross Plains

Light Up Cross Plains 

Saturday, December 4 at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains WI 53528)

Photo Cameron Gillie, Around Wisco.

The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the first ever Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 4  at Twenty Twenty Main (2020 Main Street, Cross Plains).

Join us for a guided hike at 3:00 pm. Look for the Ice Age Trail Alliance canopy tent.

The hike will be approximately 3-miles. We will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street.  Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course, the lighting of the  tree at 4:45 pm.

Other activities include:

  • Deliciously Deebs cookie decoration and purchase from 2:30-4:00pm
  • Lighting of the Hickory Hill Tree at 4:45pm
  • Fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores from 2:30 – 6:00 pm

For more information, visit the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce Facebook event.