10/19/08

May 18-22 - Work Project - East New Wood State Wildlife Area (SWA), Lincoln County - Project Announcement 

Hello!   

The Mobile Skills Crew "Northwoods Tour 2005" gets underway in Lincoln County two short weeks from today, Wednesday May 18 through Sunday noon May 22.  You're invited to christen the season in style by having fun, working safely, and enjoying one of if not the finest semi-primitive environments that the IAT passes through statewide.  

Directions to base camp, work access points, what to bring and a general day-plan are attached and pasted below.  Thanks again to the Lincoln County Department of Forestry for providing us with free accommodations at rustic Camp New Wood County Park. 

The season opener is ambitious in several respects. Overall needs include corridor clearing, trail rehab, tread work, and trail signage upgrades throughout a four-mile project area.  There will definitely be something for everyone whether your interests are in the field, helping with kitchen needs, or singing the ancient songs of the mighty Wisconsin and New Wood rivers.  At last weeks Trail Layout and Design Workshop we identified several areas to take the existing trail off logging roads.  The New Wood River is a gem.  We'll execute trail upgrades and connect with work MSC did in October 2003.  If you have the new IAT Atlas, check out Map #84e for a preview.  

MSC is pleased to offer our assistance to Northwoods Chapter volunteers challenged by 50+ miles of trail to maintain and not enough hands to go around.  We are again proud and appreciative to work with a Department of Corrections S.P.R.I.T.E. (Support, Perseverance, Respect, Initiative, Teamwork, Education) crew W-F, and will be joined by Merrill High School Environmental Education students Thursday.   

Please respond to Project Support Coordinator Nancy Frank (nancy@iceagetrail.org or 715.455.1672) and myself ASAP regarding when you anticipate arriving, how long you'll stay, and what meals we should plan with YOU in mind including any special dietary needs. Note: Crew Leaders are needed early in the project.   

I always try to spend time either before or after a project just to enjoy the site without tools.  Hopefully, you'll give that some thought and consider bringing a friend or maybe a fishing pole.     

Looking forward to hearing from you soon regarding your arrival and departure times.  Whew...we're on the trail again!   

tm 

Tim Malzhan
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
SC Field Coordinator
Mobile Skills Crew Program Manager
608.592.1433 (tel)
join on-line at: www.iceagetrail.org 

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MOBILE SKILLS CREW // LINCOLN COUNTY Wednesday May 18 through Sunday May 22

NOTE:  PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 76 IN THE DELORME WISCONSIN ATLAS AND GAZETTEER.  COORDINATES ARE B-2 I-39/51 from the south; Highway 64 from the west.

Tim’s cell # is: 608.592.1415 

BASE CAMP LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:  Camp New Wood County Park, approximately 11 miles north of the city of Merrill on Highway 107 along the Wisconsin River.  Watch for the yellow and black "Ice Age Trail Event" signs.     

> Tent camping and one shelter provided, no fee, courtesy of the Lincoln County Forestry Department.  Campsites # 3 is reserved for the camp kitchen, campsite # 7 for SPRITE, and #’s 4-6 for MSC volunteers.  Water and rustic facilities are on-site.  The availability of showers at Council Grounds State Park (715 539.2631 or 539.2035) approximately a 15-minute drive south on Hwy 107 will be announced.  Cell phone reception is sketchy from base camp and work locations.  Father Menard's Hill, about 3 miles south of base camp on Highway 107, is a sure bet for a working signal. 

WORKSITE LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:  New Wood State Wildlife Area, Lincoln County Forest, and Wausau-Mosinee Paper Company lands. Please keep in mind these are gravel-surfaced roads most of the way.  Drive time from Camp New Wood to the work site is 20 minutes.  Watch for the yellow and black "Ice Age Trail Event" signs en route. NOTE: Bridge construction on County E south of the project site complicates access from Highway 64 to the worksite(s) for day users. 

From Camp New Wood County Park:  Go north on Highway 107 approximately 3 miles to the intersection of County E; go west (left) across the Wisconsin River on County E. Stay on County E approximately 6 miles and turn south (left), staying on County E, towards Conservation Avenue for approximately 2 miles.  A trailhead entrance sign on Co. E on your right marks our primary access point.   

A secondary access point is on Conservation Avenue.  To reach the secondary access point, turn west (right) at Conservation Avenue off Co. E.  Go approximately 2.5 miles to the “New Wood Segment” trailhead sign.  Parking is on the left, the trailhead entrance sign on your right.  Park away from the gate and well off the road.  DO NOT go to Conservation Avenue unless instructed to. 

SCHEDULE: Leave base camp daily at 7:55 am and car pool to the Co. E unless instructed to go to Conservation Avenue.  Sack lunches will be prepared at breakfast and taken with us to the field.  Work ends about 5pm.  Dinner is at Camp New Wood County Park around 7pm.     

MEALS:  

THURSDAY – bring your own lunch; Dinner served at ~7:00pm.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY: Breakfast 6:45-7:30am; Lunch in the field, Dinner at 7:00PM.