A long time ago across North America, a vast sheet of ice plowed south, turning up earth and leaving signs in the landscape. The ice long since melted, a new trail segment north of Stanley showcases what remains from that time, courtesy of local cooperation and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.
Located between 365th and Highway H In Colburn township, the new trail segment is located on south Otter Lake in the East Otter Lake Preserve, on two land parcels owned by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. The new trail segment offers visitors 0.8 miles of new hiking through the glacial landscape, continuing efforts to bridge gaps in the 1,200 mile long state trail that showcases the southernmost extent of glaciation in Wisconsin during the last Ice Age. Began as the dream of Wisconsin resident Ray Zillmer in the 1950s, over 2.3 million people use the Ice Age Trail each year to hike, snowshoe, and backpack. The new trail segment at Otter Lake showcases the area’s diverse glacial features that include hardwood forests, pine stands, meandering stream, and calm wetlands.
Included in the Otter Lake trail section is a 100-foot boardwalk on the west side along with a 28-foot bridge on the east side. The northern portion of the segment is flatter and wetter—with 20 feet of stepping stones to keep hikers’ feet dry.
The segment also contains a much-needed Dispersed Camping Area, for thru-or long-distance hikers. Now open with access off 365th Street south of the the south boat landing, a future parking area for the trail is planned along County Highway H.
Made possible via collaboration from local volunteers, A WisCorps Conservation Trail Crew, and a trail building contractor, construction of the new Otter Lake Segment began less than two years after the Alliance acquired the property.
Volunteers from the Chippewa Moraine Chapter of the Alliance and other nearby chapters cleared the Trail corridor, built the bridge and boardwalk, and painted the yellow blazes that mark the trail route. A hired contractor used an excavator to carve the Trail’s path, which the WisCorps Crew then refined by hand (with additional help from chapter volunteers).
“This project shows the power of local commitment,” said Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “Alliance staff provided the plans and materials, but it was the volunteers who brought the Trail to life. The segment wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Chippewa County and the Town of Colburn. Having municipal support is key to one day completing the Trail.”
“The Town Board has worked with them over the years to get accesses they needed for driveways as well as a recent walking bridge,” Chairman Brad Hompe said for support from Colburn. As for county support, it helped obtain a $50,000 Chippewa County Land Conservation Grant, Chippewa County Forester Matt Hansen especially helpful in the application process.
With the addition of the Otter Lake Segment, Chippewa County now hosts about 59 miles of Ice Age Trail, with 23 miles complete and 36 miles remaining to be built. The new trail segment at Otter Lake is located in the middle of a 38 mile route of connector roads between the Cornell and the Lake Eleven trail segments.
Now open, the new Trail Segment will see additional help from Cub Scout Troop 50 of Stanley.
“I met with a couple people from the Alliance, and they asked if the troop would like to adopt the Otter Lake section and small section to the West,” Troop leader Pam Henderson said. “ We agreed.” As such, the Troop will help maintain the train and report issues like trees over the trail, a work day set aside this May to help build the designated tent camping area.