10/19/08

October 13-16 - Work Project - Skunk/Foster Lakes State Natural Area, Waupaca County – Project Announcement 

Hello, 

Mid-October finds daylight slipping away like fog vanishing into a stand of aspen; walnuts, acorns, and butternut fall with the sway of the changing season.  Morning temperatures are cool and its time to pack your travel bag with warm clothing and help build a new section of the Ice Age Trail.   

What a great trail building season it’s been!  We've traveled from the New Wood State Wildlife Area to St. Croix Falls, enjoyed the gurgling waters of the Dells of the Eau Claire and the mighty Wisconsin River near Lodi, reveled in the pewter and rust of Chequamegon, all the while celebrating, creating, and sharing Trail experiences with old and new friends alike.   For all that you've done for the IAT these last months - thank you.   

Yet one constellation still calls, a noteworthy season finale to put our shoulders to and linger with afterwards. The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (IAPTF) Waupaca County chapter, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and IAPTF Mobile Skills Crew invites you to the Skunk/Foster Lakes State Natural Area Thursday October 13th through Sunday noon, October 16th, to lend a hand and help create a new IAT hiking experience in Waupaca County.   

Formed as a glacial melt water channel during the last glacial epic, Skunk/Foster is a cluster of five undeveloped glacial pothole lakes set within pitted outwash with boulder fields and steep topography. Surrounded by second-growth forest of white birch, white pine, red maple, elm, white and red oak, Skunk/Foster is a unique area  that requires finesse and teamwork to both protect and experience these natural resources.  We'll undertake extensive 4-step tread work and meet trail signage needs.  Working closely with the WDNR Bureau of Endangered Resources and property manager/wildlife biologist Steve Hoffman, this new section of the IAT will serve as an anchor segment for future IAT to the north and south.  The property is open year-round for hunting and fishing activities. For additional information visit the WDNR website at(http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/sna/sna312.htm). 

This is it.  One more chapter remains to be written in the 2005 MSC annals and we need you to help write it.  Bring a friend and we hope to see you there.   

Happy trails,

tm 

CONTACT AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Contact KRISTI HARRIS,  Kharri@co.waupaca.wi.us 715.258,6240, or TIM MALZHAN, tim@iceagetrail.org, 608.592.1433 to confirm your attendance.  Please let us know 1) when you will arrive,  2) how long you anticipate staying and 3) any special dietary or other needs you may have.  Your timely response helps us accurately plan meal and food needs and organize potential crews.  Please reply to Kristi and Tim at your earliest convenience and join the fireworks for whatever period of time your schedule permits.  

EVENT SCHEDULE:  Trail work starts 8am Thursday morning October 13 and concludes Sunday noon, October 16.  Project Team members will be on-site early in the week.  Tim's cell phone # is 608.592.1415.   

GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Locate the city of Waupaca on any Wisconsin State Highway map and use that as your reference.  Delorme Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer page #53.   

BASE CAMP LOCATION:  Group Campsite #4 at Hartman Creek State Park. From US Highway 54 exit south on Hartman Creek Road., about 8 miles west of Waupaca.  At the park entrance follow the yellow and black "Ice Age Trail Event" signs to group camp site #4.  The DNR has provided us with courtesy accommodations and has waived park fees.  If you do not already have a Wisconsin State Park Sticker, place the attached (and pasted below) flyer on your dash and you will not be ticketed.  Or, buy a sticker at the entrance station.  Showers and water are provided.   For more information about Hartman Creek State Park visit the DNR web site at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/hartman/ or call 715.258.2372.   

WORK-SITE LOCATION:  Meet at the WDNR Parking lot on N. Foley Road.  (See Ice Age Trail Atlas map # 64e). 

Directions if coming from Hartman Creek State Park on Highway 54: Exit Hartman Creek State Park on Hartman Creek Road to Highway 54; turn left (west).  Go about 1 1/2-mile to Townline Road and turn right (north).  Stay on Townline Road. Cross Highway 10 and continue north to where Townline Rd. "T's" at Cobb Town Road; go right (east).  Go 7/10ths of a mile and turn left (north) at Foley Road.  Go north on Foley 3.5 miles to the WDNR parking area at Skunk/Foster Lakes.  Follow the yellow and black Ice Age Trail Event Signs. 

Directions if coming from either Waupaca or Stevens Point on US Highway 10:  Exit Highway 10 and go north at Foley Road to the greeter station at Skunk Foster Lakes; see above.  

WHAT TO BRING:  Please see the attached.  Dress for variable weather (rain or shine, wet or dry) and for comfort at the days end.  Wear sturdy hiking or leather work boots on the trail and bring leather work gloves. A hat, long sleeves and long pants are recommended for trail work.  Bring a day pack and carry extra water to drink and a spare warm clothing layer.  Headlamp - don't leave it behind!  You provide your own tent, sleeping gear and personal needs.  Bring a chair to relax around the fire with.  Hilarious Friday evening entertainment will be provided by the Sweet lips Theater troupe.  Saturday evening entertainment will be handled in house; brick-nanigans are rumored to be underway. 

QUESTIONS?  Contact Tim or Kristi.