Help with Ice Age Trail improvement

John Kemph, of Fort Atkinson, left, and Jerome Converse, of Whitewater, work to clear out invasive garlic mustard plants on May 4 in an area along the Ice Age Trail that is planned as a future dispersed camping area for hikers. (Submitted photo)

The Walworth/Jefferson County Ice Age Trail chapter will hold a joint cleanup day with members of the Rock County IAT group today, May 11, on the off-road Clover Valley section of trail.

Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Island Road trail access parking lot (Clover Valley segment sign) located at 9371 Island Road, Whitewater. From there volunteers will carpool to the access from the west end of the Clover Valley segment, where parking is limited.

The project will consist of working to restore and anchor an existing bridge deck at the Rock/Walworth county stream crossing; clearing the future dispersed camping area of wood, debris, undergrowth and garlic mustard; installing wedges at the north end of the new boardwalk; and transporting and installing a three-section boardwalk across a wet ditch on the N/S marshy trail section.

Workers should be prepared for muddy conditions and wear long pants and shirt, leather gloves and wear waterproof boots if possible. Bring water to drink and a lunch. Tools and instructions will be provided. The plan is to work until 3 p.m., depending on turnout and conditions.

For more information, contact Jerome at 262-473-7304 or email to jerbarb@idcnet.com.

Since 1993, the Walworth/Jefferson Ice Age Trail chapter has reached out to residents in nearby communities of southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois to connect people to the Ice Age Trail.

The chapter meets in Delavan every month, with members coming from all over the area, including East Troy, Whitewater and Mukwonago. It holds meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Town Bank Community Center, 826 E. Geneva St. in Delavan.

The chapter also hosts weekly walks year-round on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Both of the walks meet at the Ice Age National Scenic Trail parking lot 4 miles east of Whitewater on U.S. Highway 12.

For information about the chapter, contact Andy Whitney at 262-949-0286 or andywhitney1@yahoo.com.

Comments are closed.