Tremendous Progress on Trail Reroute!

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Route, New Hope Iola Ski Hill MSC
A volunteer displays great pride and delight with the new boardwalk and viewing platform built during the project. Photo by Patrick Gleissner.

Iola Winter Sports Club property acquisitions and a renegotiated easement created an opportunity to reroute the Ice Age Trail from ski trails onto a dedicated hiking path. Over 5 days, 117 volunteers worked 2,962 hours to construct 4,000 feet (a little more than ¾ mile) of new Trail along breathtaking kettles and a wonderful wetland.

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Iola Ski Hill MSC
A sun dappled view of brand-new Ice Age Trail. Photo by Patrick Gleissner.

While future projects will complete the 1.5-mile reroute, our recent efforts included a 24-foot bridge and more than 100 feet of boardwalk. A viewing platform will encourage hikers to admire the wetland and enjoy the singing frogs that serenaded us all week. The work was hot and sandy, but safety was paramount, and smiles abounded. We were grateful for the abundance of ski trails providing easy access to the farthest reaches of the project site. There were many visits to Sunset Lake in the evenings to cool down and relax.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Iola Ski Hill MSC
The new boardwalk and nearly completed viewing platform highlight the area's beauty. Photo by Patrick Gleissner.

As a bonus, we sent a small strike force about a mile down the Trail to repair two boardwalks. This effort reopened the Trail between County Road T and Krogwold Road—a section closed for three years!

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Iola MSC
BEFORE: The strike force work area. Photo by Patrick Gleissner.
Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Iola Ski Hill MSC
AFTER: Strike force success! Photo by Rick Gamble.

The exciting re-imagination of this section of Trail will continue next year. We look forward to you joining us!

For making this project possible, special thanks to:

Ice Age Trail, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Iola Ski Hill MSC
Volunteers circle up for games and conversation after a day's work. Photo by Patrick Gleissner.

Up Next:

July 13 – July 17, Rice Lake Preserve, Marathon County

The newly expanded Rice Lake Preserve is ready to host the Ice Age Trail. Help create a segment, which will offer a reprieve from road walk and meander through old-growth white pine, hemlock, and white cedar. Enjoy outstanding scenery, stonework, and almost 900 feet of boardwalk construction.

Learn more and register.

See our full schedule of upcoming events, here.

Generous Sponsors of the 2022 MSC Trailbuilding Season include:

REI