Glacial Heritage Area 2013 Summer Activities Guide
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Glacial Heritage Area 2013 Summer Activities Guide THE GHA ACTIVITIES G UIDE IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FRIENDS OF GLACIAL HERITAGE AREA, INTENDED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL. WWW.GLACIALHERITAGEAREA.ORG June 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1 What Is the Glacial Heritage Area? The Glacial Heritage Area (GHA) is a net- work of conservation parks, river corridors and natural areas linked together and to nearby Multi-recreational opportuni- communities with hiking, biking and watertrails. ties abound in the GHA! Located in southeastern Wisconsin, the GHA encompasses Jefferson County, eastern Dane Want some ideas? See our County, southern Dodge County and northern summer itineraries inside. Rock County. Communities include Watertown, Waterloo, Marshall, Lake Mills, Johnson Creek, MOUNTAIN BIKING AT Deerfield, Cambridge, Jefferson, Fort Atkin- son, Milton and Palmyra. CAMROCK PARK IN CAM- BRIDGE (PG. 2) Features of the GHA PADDLE THE GHA’S 20 County parks NATIONAL RIVER TRAIL: 12 State wildlife areas FOUR TRIP IDEAS ON THE The GHA is situated between Madison and Milwaukee ROCK RIVER (PG. 2) and only two hours from Chicago. It’s a convenient loca- 11 State natural areas tion for a day or weekend recreational getaway! BIKE, SWIM AND EXPLORE 6 Rivers, including a National Water Trail, Rural and picturesque, the GHA is an opportunity to 9 lakes, many creeks and ponds ANCIENT ARCHEOLOGY: escape into the outdoors. GLACIAL DRUMLIN TRAIL, 2 Major multi-use regional recreational trails, totaling over 65 miles LAKE MILLS AND AZTALAN We’re on the web! STATE PARK (PG. 4) www.glacialheritagearea.org Many local trails, connecting to the regional [email protected] trails and to surrounding communities. Article Inside: What to Do in the GHA ROCK RIVER WATER Recreational biking Fishing TRAIL RECEIVES EXEMPLARY Mountain biking Hunting and trapping NSIDE TORY 2 NATIONALI S Paddling and boating Cross-country skiing WATER TRAILINSIDE STORY 2 Family gatherings and picnicking Snowmobiling and other winter pursuits DESIGNATIONINSIDE S TORY 2 Hiking and walking Archeological history, including Indian INSIDE STORY 3 mounds For free GHA recreational, Camping watertrails and bike maps, Wisconsin and natural history locations INSIDE STORY 4 Wildlife viewing, including excellent bird please visit our website. To watching Playgrounds and shelters get hard copyINSIDE maps, STORY contact5 the Friends or Jefferson INSIDE STORY 6 Swimming Picturesque communities throughout the County Parks Department. GHA to explore GHA SUMMER Glacial Heritage Area ITINERARIES Mountain Biking at CamRock Park in Cambridge Description: Top-rated mountain biking trails abound at CamRock County PLAN YOUR TRIP TODAY! FOR Park! The trails are a combination of fast and wide single-track trails that glide MORE INFORMATION ABOUT through open prairies, woods with sharp turns and challenging areas with roots and rocks. THIS ITINERARY, EMAIL THE FRIENDS AT: Area Bike Outfitters: CamRock Café & Sport in Cambridge (217 W. Main St., 53523, 608-423-2111). Next to the trailhead in Cambridge and alongside the Koshonong [email protected]. Creek, CamRock Café & Sport is your complete outfitter. Full-suspension mountain bikes, trail bikes, comfort bikes, bike racks, helmets and more are available for rent and purchase. Visit About CamRock Park: online at www.camrocksport.com. Located between the Itinerary For more double-track, cross over the new Village of Cambridge to the bridge to trails through woods and prairie at north and Rockdale to the 1) Jump Right in: Single-Track Mountain CamRock Area 2. south, this 422-acre park Biking Trails at CamRock Area 3 are located meanders along both sides on the west side of the Village of Rockdale 3) Food and Amenities in Cambridge: When of the Koshonong Creek. (2334 Highland Rd., Cambridge, 53523). the biking’s over, head north into Cambridge on Explore woods, restored Check out miles of “more difficult” to “most the CamRock Bike and Pedestrian Trail. Enjoy prairies and wetlands on a difficult” trails with funky names like Rip N’ many restaurants, grocery, bakery, cafes, shops multitude of trails and Ride, Corkscrew and Killer Klimb at CamRock and picnicking spots in the Village. Art and bridges, including the main Area 3. Some trails are quite hilly and pottery galore! For details, visit the Cambridge CamRock Bike and steep. Check out static and interactive maps Area Chamber of Commerce online: Pedestrian Trail, running at www.camrocksport.com to set your par- www.cambridgewi.com. alongside the Creek. ticular route. 4) Hot Day? Take a Dip in the Lake: Lake Rip- ley, a 420-acre lake in Jefferson County, is just With three separate use 2) Ease into It: Try CamRock’s double-track a short bike ride down Cambridge’s Main Street areas, excellent shelter trails to single-track! Get on the smooth and (Highway 12) heading east. For a swim, visit facilities with grills and fire flat CamRock Bike and Pedestrian Trail , Ripley Park at N4310 Park Road. Enjoy large pits, play areas, restrooms trailhead is located off County Hwy PQ (W. beach area, restrooms, changing area, play- and more, there is much to Water St.). A former rail bed, enjoy beauti- ground, concessions and picnic tables. Open 8 do and see at CamRock. ful scenery through woods, wetlands and prairie. The main trail connects to single- a.m. to 9 p.m. Daily admission fee is $2 for The trails are used for adult, $1 for children. biking, hiking and groomed track mountain biking trails along the way. cross-country skiing. Visit www.countyofdane.com/lwr Bike, Swim and Explore Ancient Archeology: d/parks/cam-rock.aspx for Glacial Drumlin Trail, Lake Mills and Aztalan State Park further details and park maps. Description: Enjoy one of the finest, most scenic off-road bike trails in the State. The Glacial Drumlin Trail, an easy peddle on gravel and paved path, runs east to west across the GHA through woods, farm country, prairies, lakes, marshes and picturesque villages. For this itinerary, hop on the trail either from the east in Sullivan or from the west in the Village of Deerfield. Then, enjoy Lake Mills with its many restaurants, swimming lake and shops. Stop by Korth County Park (Lake Mills) for picnicking and restrooms. Next, visit Aztalan State Park, a National Historic Landmark and one of Wisconsin’s most important archeological sites. Aztalan was once the loca- tion of an ancient Middle-Mississippian village between the years A.D. 1000 and 1300. The people built pyramidal mounds and a stockade around their village which have been recon- structed for visitors. Itinerary 1) Start East in Waukesha County: 17 Miles to Lake Mills. Get on the Glacial Drumlin Trail at The Glacial Drumlin Trail runs through woods, farm country, the trailhead in Sullivan (907 Front St., 53178). Parking facilities, a state trail pass station, rest- prairies, lakes, rivers and many rooms, picnicking and water are available at the trailhead. Find food and beverage in Sullivan. other landscapes. Along the way, stop in Helenville and Jefferson for restrooms, food and beverage. Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1 GHA SUMMER ITINERARIES Bike, Swim and Explore Ancient Archeology: Glacial Drumlin Trail, Lake Mills and Aztalan State Park Maps and Current Trail Itinerary (cont’d) Report: 2) Start West in Dane County: Nine Miles to Lake Mills. Get on the Glacial Drumlin Trail at the A detailed Glacial trailhead in Deerfield (212 N. Main St., 53531). Parking facilities, a state trail pass station, Drumlin Trail map and restrooms, picnicking and water are at the trailhead. Food and beverage are available in current trail conditions can Deerfield. Along the way, stop in London. Bird Alert: This portion of the trail goes through be found online at: Zeloski Marsh, important bird habitat with an interesting local history (see signs along the trail). www.dnr.wi.gov/topic 3) Swim and Lunch in Lake Mills: Stop in beautiful Lake Mills with its many restaurants, /parks/name/glacialdru shops, grocery, art and pottery galleries. If it’s hot, take a swim in clear Rock Lake at Bartells mlin/. Beach (free) located at Ferry Drive, Lake Mills, 53551, or Sandy Beach Park (small daily fee) located at Sandy Beach Road in Lake Mills, 53551. For details about Lake Mills, visit the Lake Mills Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.lakemills.org. Bonus Activity: 4) Korth Park Detour: Jefferson County’s Korth Park. Located on the west bank of Rock Lake just west of the City of Lake Mills, Korth County Park maintains pristine prairie and oak savan- Here on Sunday, July nah restorations, abundant bird life, and spectacular views of the lake and surrounding areas. 7? Come to Aztalan Day, It’s the perfect picnic spot. Picnic tables, shelters and bathroom facilities are available. To ac- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cess Korth Park from the Glacial Drumlin Trail, look for the Korth Park sign just west of crossing event features guided Rock Lake, and take the short peddle up a hill to get to the park’s south entrance. tours of Ancient Aztalan 5) Explore Ancient Culture at Aztalan: Next, visit Aztalan State Park, one of Wisconsin’s pre- throughout the day as mier and most significant archeological sites. To get there on bike, take the Glacial Drumlin well as special displays, Trail east of Lake Mills (about two miles) to County Road Q north. Open year-round from 6 demonstrations, and a.m. to 10 p.m., water, restrooms and picnicking sites are available. While there, explore the games for children. All ancient Middle-Mississippian village located along the banks of the Crawfish River. These an- cient people built flat-topped pyramidal mounds and a stockade--sections of the stockade and events are free, but two mounds have been rebuilt for visitors to explore.