10/19/08

August 17-20 - New Trail, Table Bluff Segment, Dane County – Project Announcement

The upcoming Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation Mobile Skills Crew event Thursday August 17th through Sunday noon, August 20^th may be the most challenging and encompassing trail building project this organization has undertaken since Ray Zillmer leaned against his rucksack in the Canadian Rockies and dreamt of a thousand-mile protected greenway tracing glacial formations across Wisconsin more then 50 years ago. 

The background: A conservation easement encompassing 433-acres, of which approximately 103 acres permit public access, was acquired by the IAPTF in January 2005.  One of the most visionary land acquisitions in Ice Age National Scenic Trail history, a key provision of the agreement was that the IAT be open for public use within 24 months. 

The Work: We’ll hand-craft sustainable tread that in some cases hugs a 55% cross slope, forge rock and timber retaining walls, build a 34’ long bridge, clear invasive species, sink trail signage posts in skin-deep soils, and a whole lot more.  In camp we’ll prepare then tidy-up over 600 meals, promote the IAT and the diverse Wisconsin landscape that is second to none, and help provide the means for an entire village to get outside and simply… walk.  We’ll work safely and have a ton of fun.  When the dust settles and you hang your kerchiefs to dry, Salmo Pond and a softball diamond will be waiting. 

Directions to base camp, work access points, and what to bring are below.  Many thanks to landowners Lee Swanson, Gerry Goth, and Tom Kuehn (aka “Swamplovers, Inc.”), the Dane County Parks Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the National Park Service for providing myriad forms of essential assistance.

Please respond to volunteer Crew Leader Manager Barbara Woodhouse ASAP (bjwoodhouse1@yahoo.com or 608.831.6721-home, 608-217-2082-cell) regarding when you anticipate arriving, how long you'll stay, whether you’d like to work on the support crew (meal preparation, greeter station etc.) or on trail construction, and what meals we should plan with YOU in mind including any special dietary needs.  Project Team members will be onsite early in the week. 

Large or small, every step we take in a positive direction is worth celebrating.  This one isn’t a step – it’s a leap!  We hope you’ll make plans early to be part of this Driftless Country Blockbuster. 

The Mobile Skills Crew Project Team

########################################

MOBILE SKILLS CREW // TABLE BLUFF SEGMENT, DANE COUNTY

Thursday August 17^th 8am through Sunday noon, August 20th.

Ø   GENERAL DIRECTIONS: LOCATE THE VILLAGE OF CROSS PLAINS (west of Madison) ON YOUR WISCONSIN HIGHWAY MAP AND YOU’RE GETTING CLOSE; IF USING THE DELORME WISCONSIN ATLAS AND GAZETTEER, SEE PAGE 35, COORDINATES D-6. 

BASE CAMP LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:  Festge County Park is approximately 2-miles west of Cross Plains.  Take Highway 14 west through Cross Plains to Scherbel Road; turn right and go about ½-mile to the top of the hill.  Watch for the yellow and black "Ice Age Trail Event" signs. 

Ø  The Dane County Parks Department has generously made all of Festge Park available to us as base camp.  Water and rustic facilities are on-site.  Volunteers will provide information on camping and parking upon arrival.

Ø  Showers, courtesy of the Village of Cross Plains Parks and Recreation Department, will be available. Directions will be provided at camp HQ.

WORKSITE LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:  Take Highway 14 west through the village of Cross Plains.  Just outside of Cross Plains, turn right (north) on County KP.  Go about ¼-mile to Scheele Road; turn left (west).  Go about ¼-mile and make the first right.  Follow the yellow and black "Ice Age Trail Event" signs. 

Ø   A greeter station will be at the base of the Bluff.  Please park as directed then register with one of the dedicated volunteers.

SCHEDULE: Car pool from base camp daily at 7:55 am.  Lunch will be in the field.  Work ends about 5pm.  Dinner is back at Camp around 7pm

WHAT TO BRING:

CLOTHES

OVERNIGHT EQUIPMENT

OTHER

Tim Malzhan

Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation

SC Field Coordinator

Mobile Skills Crew Program Manager

608.592.1433 (tel)