LANGLADE COUNTY ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL CONDITIONS (As of July 30. 2017) Due to situations beyond the control of the Langlade County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, conditions are constantly changing. Hikers are urged to contact the chapter coordinator (715-623-2645) to check on current conditions in advance of any trip on one or more of the segments. "You Are Here" signs, installed in 1997, are at select sites or where the trail crosses public roads on the Kettlebowl, Lumbercamp, Old Railroad and Parrish Hills segments.
KETTLEBOWL - Distance: Approximately 13 miles Highway 52 to Polar at Highway 64.
Frostpocket on the Kettlebowl Segment Over half of this segment crosses privately-owned land. Unfortunately, the off-road stretch of trail east of Polar-Price Road to Sherry Road is closed at the landowner's request. Hikers can reach the trail head on Sherry Road by continuing north on Price-Polar and east on Oak/Sherry Roads. The segment passes through some of the highest terrain in Langlade County and features scenic hardwood ridges, frostpockets and Big Stone Hole, a unique glacial feature. The boulder filled depression is a short distance from the trail but access is unimproved so caution is advised.
Markings were replaced where needed along with some mowing on the entire stretch from Sherry Road north to Kettlebowl Ski Hill at Highway 52 in 2015. Markings and some brushing were completed earlier this year from the south turnoff on Burma Road to the snowmobile trail just north of the frost pockets. Last year the stretch was mowed, checked and markings refreshed from the Oak/Sherry Roads trailhead north to the county property line. Markings were also repainted last year on the stretch from Highway 52 to the Kent Fire Tower Road.
Logging will be occurring along the segment south of the Kettlebowl Ski Area. The logging is scheduled to be completed by September. The affected areas are shown on the following map. Orange outlines the approximate boundary of the areas currently being harvested. The yellow dash line represents a rerouted portion of the trail since the original Ice Age Trail shown as a red dash line was established in 1975. Hikers are encouraged to use caution with the logging activity and increased vehicular traffic. The affected stretch is a mile of the segment covered by a 6 mile permanent state conservation and trail easement on land owned by the BTG Pactual Group and managed by Steigerwaldt Land Services of Tomahawk. If any questions contact the chapter coordinator. Page 1 of 6
(Kettlebowl cont.)
AREAS OF KETTLEBOWL SEGMENT TO BE LOGGED OUTLINED IN ORANGE.
LUMBERCAMP - Distance: 12 miles Wisconsin 52 to County Trunk A
Boulder field on South Slope of Summit Lake Moraine east of Baker Lake - Photo by Lee Auner Brushing and directional arrows at critical intersections and yellow refresher markings were
Page 2 of 6 (Lumbercamp cont.) refreshed this spring on the stretch from County Trunk A to County Trunk S. The stretch through the Peters Marsh Wildlife Area was mowed late last year. The stretch from Wisconsin Highway 52 west to Otto Mauk Road was checked this year, including some mowing of thick brush just west of Baker Lake. The routed trailhead sign at Otto Mauk Road was restored this year.
Recent logging has occurred along portions west of Highway 52. Also a portion of the stretch east from County Trunk S to the Fischer Lake intersection has been damaged by inordinate 4- wheel vehicle use and is scheduled for repair by the county. Caution is advised in these areas.
The boulder strewn slopes near Baker Lake and a former logging camp are features to be observed. The rugged terrain is part of a recessive moraine which stretches from Summit Lake to north of the Village of White Lake. Local sportsmen have fixed up the stone cellar at the former Norem Lumbercamp site just west of Otto Mauk Road for overnight use. Hikers are encouraged to exercise good trail stewardship if using the historic structure.
OLD RAILROAD - Distance: Approximately 9.5 miles County Trunk A to U. S. 45.
Wet Trail Sections of Old Railroad – Game Lake Bog Walk and Jack Lake overflow seepage. Page 3 of 6
(Old Railroad cont.) Over four miles of this segment will be displaced by a new county ATV trail this year. Planning is underway to reroute affected stretches of the Ice Age Trail. Recent logging has occurred on this segment, especially in the Veterans Memorial Park and Pence Lake Road areas. Caution is advised. Markings were also checked and replaced on the stretch from US 45 to the County A trailhead this spring. Recent logging has occurred along the trail just north of County A so caution is advised. The stretch from the south crossing of Pence Lake Road to US 45 was recently mowed and markings checked.
Recent rains have raised lake levels in this area. The bog walk at Game Lake is especially affected by the higher lake levels. Hikers should be aware of this condition and if necessary consider bypassing the bog walk by following the Game Lake Nature Trail around the lake to make the trail connection east or west.
Hikers may also encounter water over a short stretch along the east shore of Jack Lake which may require a bit of creativity to get around it.
Five features of this segment are Veterans Memorial Park, bog walk, Clearwater Stonehole, the Koepenick-Pearson rail grade and Spychalla Lodge. The latter facility was completed in 2015 and offers shelter for trail users but overnight use is discouraged. There are two primitive campsites along the segment on Game and Jack Lakes.
Veterans Memorial Park is a county facility with cabins, developed campground, picnic area, beach and arboretum. Some hikers have used the park as a base camp while hiking through the county.
HIGHLAND LAKES - Distance: 13.5 miles US 45 to County Trunk T This segment is incomplete and requires a hike along a stretch of Forest and Kleever Roads in the Town of Upham for approximately 4.5 miles to complete a trip from the eastern trailhead at US 45 to County Trunk T. An interesting feature along Forest Road is the Bogus Swamp Natural Area. Watch for a state marker about the unique area on the east side of the road. The natural area marker is slightly under a mile north of the Bogus Road intersection with Forest Road.
North of Kleever Road, the segment parallels the Parrish terminal moraine for over 3 miles. Just north of 5 Points, is a gap cut by the West Branch of the Eau Claire River through the moraine and shaped later for a railroad grade. Shortly beyond 5 Points the trail crosses the Eau Claire’s west branch requiring a ford or a bit of creativity to get around it. West of the stream crossing inordinate 4-wheel vehicle use has created water-filled ruts requiring some careful steps.
In 2009, the Knights Templar Club granted permission for the trail to cross their land on a logging lane north of Kleever Road. Gates and carsonite trail markings were installed on that stretch in 2010. Windfallen trees across the trail between the gates have been recently reported. Yellow refresher markings and directional arrows at critical intersections for this stretch were checked this year. Page 4 of 9 PARRISH HILLS - Distance: 12 miles County Trunk T to Lincoln County Line In April 2011, a tornado devastated a portion of the segment south of 5 Cent Road. The Ice Age Trail is shown as red dashes but the section in the tornado affected trail is closed between the red Xs shown on the following map. A re-route via ATV trails on the Parrish Game Trail Fire Lane and Five Cent Road is provided until the chapter is able to re-establish the original trail.
Refreshing of markers and some brushing were completed this spring from the trailhead at County T to the Prairie River ford. Depending on ground water levels, the segment also has several wet crossings which may require a bit of creativity to get around them. Logging is occurring on county owned land south of the Prairie River ford so caution is advised. A half mile stretch affected by logging late last year and remarked this spring is shown as orange in Section 21 on the following map.
The ford across the Prairie River southeast of the hamlet of Parrish has a firm bottom and the water level is usually below the knees. Northwoods Chapter members regularly check the stretch from County Trunk H west to Lincoln County.
Beaver activity observed last year has also created a water crossing challenge in the area. The approximate location of the beaver dam is also identified on the following map. Beaver activity was reported this spring near the Old Truck Marker 2.5 miles north of the trailhead at County T. If desired, the beaver dam and the Section 21 logged area can be by-passed via 5 Cent Road and County Trunk Highway H to the trail crossing.
Wet Trail Sections of Parrish Hills. Page 5 of 9 (PARRISH HILLS cont.)
STRETCH OF PARRISH HILLS AFFECTED BY LOGGING SHOWN IN ORANGE AND THE CLOSED TORNADO AFFECTED TRAIL SHOWN BETWEEN RED Xs.
Page 6 of 9
LANGLADE COUNTY ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL USER INFORMATION (As of July 30, 2017) CAMPING Most of the trail in Langlade County passes through lands owned and managed by the Langlade County Forestry and Recreation Department. Primitive camping is allowed up to two weeks on the trail through county forest lands. Two primitive fee campsites along the trail through Veterans Memorial Park (see Map 34f in the alliance's trail atlas for location) are available. Each campsite includes a fire ring, picnic table, privy and can accommodate up to four tents. Four rustic cabins are also available for shelter at the county park. Reservations for the fee sites and cabins can be made by calling 715-623-6214. Other than these camp sites, the county does not require any advance notice or registration but it would be advisable to let the coordinator or county forestry office know of your trip plans. Hikers camping along the trail are encouraged to minimize any disturbance of the natural setting and take out their garbage. Areas in which camping is not allowed are the non-county owned lands on the Kettlebowl segment south of the ski hill at Wisconsin 52, the Lumbercamp segment through the Peters Marsh State Wildlife Area, the privately owned land on the Highland Lakes segment and a stretch of the Parrish Hills segment south and north of the Prairie River ford to just east of County Trunk Highway H. Camping is not allowed at Spychalla Lodge on the Old Railroad segment and the ATV shelter north of 5 Cent Road on the Parrish Hills segment. The county facilities are open to day use only. These areas are owned and managed by public and private parties who have asked the chapter's cooperation in discouraging overnight use.
WATER AND SUPPLIES Especially in summer, hikers should make arrangements for water caches along the trail. The Kettlebowl segment is especially distant from any natural and developed water sources. The Lumbercamp segment is also distant from water sources. Dependent on area precipitation patterns, the shallow glacial lakes shown on the map in the state Peters Marsh Wildlife Area west of Cty. S fluctuate greatly. The shallow lakes were reported full in the state wildlife area when the trail stretch from County A to County S was checked last summer. Low water levels of Baker Lake, just west of Highway 52, has diminished quality as a dependable water source. It would require considerable pre-filtering before filtering or UV treatment. Otherwise hikers should plan on alternative water sources for these areas. The Old Railroad, Highland Lakes and Parrish Hills segments lie in proximity to natural water features. Hikers are urged to boil, filter or chemically treat any water taken from streams or lakes along all segments. Water is available at Veterans Memorial Park. The City of Antigo has many retail stores that can furnish most supplies needed by hikers. Grocery stores are also located at Neva Corners and Elcho. Other grocery stores are located at Elton and White Lake in eastern Langlade County. “Mail drops” for through hikers can be mailed to post offices at Antigo, Deerbrook, Elcho, Summit Lake or White Lake. Information on lodging, dining facilities or local services is available upon request from the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation, Antigo NCTC, 312 Forrest Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409, (715) 623-2085, www.langladecounty.org or the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber Of Chamber non-local toll free number (888) 526-4523 or http://www.antigochamber.com . PARKING Limited space for parking is available near the County S trailhead, Townline Lake (County T), Deep Woods Lake (Forest Road) and Pence Lake (Pence Lake Road) County Waysides. Veterans Memorial Park and the Jack Lake Ski Parking lot on County J are also located near the trail. A small parking space was developed by the state DNR last year near the Old Railroad and Lumbercamp trailheads on County Trunk A. Also with the cooperation of the Towns of Evergreen and Towns of Polar, limited parking was made available at the town park in Polar and the Evergreen Cemetery in proximity to the Sherry Road Kettlebowl segment trailhead. Hikers will be allowed to park vehicles at a small space next to the cemetery’s roadside sign. The town board requested that hikers not park vehicles in the cemetery. Limited parking at the cemetery’s road sign is on a trial basis for a year. Another parking option is an ATV lot on Sherry Road just under a mile southeast of the Kettlebowl trailhead. Hikers need to check with local sources on the accessibility of these parking locations when planning a winter venture as many are not plowed regularly. Local ordinance allows only a maximum of 48 hour parking for county forest day use areas. The parking lot at Kettlebowl Ski Area is gated but there is space between the highway and gate for a few vehicles. Make sure vehicles are clear of the gate for authorized traffic. The county does enforce an ordinance prohibiting unattended vehicles parked along local roads. Hikers planning to leave vehicles parked overnight at any of the above locations should contact the Langlade County Sheriff's Office with trip plan information and car details. The office is located in the Safety Building, 840 Clermont Street, Antigo or call 715-627-6411. With the popularity of mobile devices, hikers use them on their treks for various uses and emergencies. The county's 9-1-1 emergency telephone system is capable of identifying the location of callers with devices that have a position location feature dialing the emergency number. However coverage is spotty in less developed areas.
INFORMATION SOURCES A good information source is the trail guidebook and atlas available for sale from the Ice Age Trail Alliance, 2110 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528 or iceagetrail.org Current trail conditions are also posted on the alliance website. The Mammoth Tracks GPS (Global Positioning System) Ice Age Trail app is now commercially available for certain cell phones. Complete 7.5 minute topographic map coverage by the United States Geological Survey is available for Langlade County. Topographic maps are available from commercial outlets; the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI, or the U.S. Geological Survey. The quadrangles which include portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail segments in the county are as follows: Trail Segment Topographic Quadrangles Kettlebowl Pickerel and Polar Lumbercamp Pearson and Pickerel Old Railroad Kempster and Pearson Highland Lakes Bavaria, Enterprise and Kempster Parrish Hills Enterprise and Parrish
OTHER USERS The trail largely crosses public lands managed primarily for timber production by the Langlade County Forestry and Recreation Department. A portion of the land along the Kettlebowl segment is owned by BTG Pactual Group. The lands, including the acreage covered under a conservation and trail easement acquired by the state, is also managed for timber production. State-owned lands located along the Lumbercamp and Parrish Hills segments has occasional logging activity. Information on logging activity along the trail can be obtained from the chapter coordinator or the Langlade County Forestry Office. The Parrish Hills amd Lumbercamp segments are intersected by all-terrain vehicle trails established by the county in 1987. In 2017 stretches of the Old Railroad segment will utilize or intersect a new ATV trail. Portions of all Ice Age National Scenic Trail segments in the county follow stretches of the local snowmobile trail system. The snowmobile trail markings are orange diamonds. A bike route parallels the hiking trail by following county trunk highways. Information on the bike route is available from the county coordinator.
SEASONAL USE The best time to hike the Ice Age Trail in the county is during the spring or fall. Besides grassy stretches not mowed regularly, the heat, insects and special provision of water make summer less desirable for enjoying the pleasantries of a trail experience. With exception of the stretch west of U.S. 45 to County Trunk B, the trail is not closed during the fall hunting season. Hikers are encouraged to wear appropriate safe apparel at that time. The trail offers a challenging experience in winter for cross country skiers or snowshoers. However, the trail is not groomed for skiing or snowshoeing so users should be prepared. The trail portions on the county's snowmobile trail system are groomed for that activity. The Langlade County chapter conducts group hikes throughout the year. For more details on the local outings contact the coordinator.
MISCELLANEOUS This information was developed in response to questions raised by persons inquiring about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Langlade County. If you wish to get involved or have further questions, please contact the Langlade County Ice Age Trail Chapter, 622 First Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409 or 715-623-2645 or [email protected] The chapter also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/seeuonthetrail and a chapter page at http://www.iceagetrail.org/volunteer/chapters/langlade-county/
Suggestions on areas needing attention are welcomed and appreciated by the chapter.