|
CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ON JUNE 5
National Trails Day, held the first Saturday in June every year, is a celebration of trails. The day evolved
from a 1987 presidential commission recommending that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within 15 minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities, towns or villages and bring them back
without retracing steps.
The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind several public and
private parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993. Since then, National Trails Day has involved nearly a million people in 3,000 events held nationwide.
National Trails Day was started to both increase the awareness of community trails but also provide a helping hand for the hundreds of volunteer trail clubs. Hundreds of events are held on this day every year
trail dedications, hikes, nature walks, bike rides, paddle events, horse rides, trail maintenance trips organized by local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, retailers, land trusts and many other
businesses and organizations.
To find a National Trails Day event near you, go to www.americanhiking.org/events/ntd/events.html. Here is a partial listing.
National Trail Day events
In Wisconsin
Various
Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation chapters
will host events in Wisconsin to celebrate National Trails Day.
Baraboo Hills:
Opening of new Ice Age Trail at Devils Lake State Park. Call Shirley Tollaksen at 608/254-8784.
Chippewa Moraine Chapter:
Wayward Beaver Dedication Gala and guided hikes. Call Richard Smith at 715/967-2164.
Dane County Chapter:
Celebration at Brooklyn State Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. Call Tom Gross at 608/233-9773.
Heritage Trail Chapter:
Five-mile bird watching hike with Audubon Society's Levi Wood. Meet at the Ice Age Trailhead, State
Highway 33, 1/4-mile east of Portage at 7:30 a.m. $3 per person, $10 per family. For more info, e-mail portagemalchows@verizon.net.
Indianhead Chapter:
10 a.m. hike at McKenzie Lake outside of Luck. Call Cora Dversdall at 715/472-2248
Langlade County Chapter:
Hike starting at 9 a.m. at the forestry office at the Langlade County Fairgrounds in Antigo. Call Joe Jopek at 715/623-2645.
Lodi Valley Chapter:
Run-walk beginning 10 a.m. in the Lodi Marsh at the Robertson Parking Area. Call 608/592-1707.
Marathon County Chapter:
Hike the Ringle IAT starting at 9 a.m. from the Ringle cross-country ski parking area along Poplar Lane. Call Anne Kieffer at 715/845-7851.
North Kettle Moraine Chapter:
Help install "destination" signage in the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Meet 9 a.m. at the
Greenbush Group Camp. Also help install signage on the Milwaukee River segment with the Washington/Ozaukee County Chapter. Call Sarah Gierke at 920/467-1958.
Portage County Chapter:
Senior stroll 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the New Hope Segment. Meet at the trailhead sign off County Trunk Z just
west of County Trunk T in the town of New Hope.Call Bobbi Anderson at 715/824-2866 or Ed Seefelt at 715/677-3805.
Superior Lobe Chapter:
Help 4-H clubs install a bluebird house trail along the Tuscobia segment. Call Don at 715/354-3827.
Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter:
Hike all or part of the 18 miles of the IAT segment in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Meet at 8 a.m. at the Emma Carlin parking area south of State Highway 59 on County Trunk Z. Call Russ Helwig at 262/473-2187.
Waukesha/Milwaukee Chapter:
Scuppernong Prairie hike in the southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the trailhead on
State Highway 67, 0.2 miles north of eastbound Wilton Road. Call Frank at 414/351-9129 or Russ at 262/968-4489.
North Country Trail Association, Brule-St. Croix Chapter:
Historic Portage Hike 10 a.m. starting at St. Croix Lake Boat Landing/Picnic Area, four miles northeast of
Solon Springs on County Trunk A. Call Peter Nordgren at 715/394-8528.
Oneida County Biking and Hiking Trails Council, Inc.:
Annual Newbold Bike/Walk Festival in Rhinelander, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Newbold Town Hall and Fire
Department four miles from State Highway 47 North and County Trunk K. Call Jackie Cody at 715/369-0309.
In Minnesota
Sand Dunes State Forest:
10 a.m. help the Back country Trail Patrol and the Minnesota DNR trim back the ski trails at Sand Dunes
State Forest five miles west of Zimmerman. Call Hans Erdman at 612/695-5059.
Superior Hiking Trail Association:
9 a.m. help install new steps on a steep section of trail on the east side of the Cascade River near Lutsen.
Meet at the County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road) parking lot on the north end of the Cascade River Loop. Call Gayle Coyer at 218/834-2700.
10 a.m. hike along the Beaver River with views of Lake Superior. Meet at the Penn Blvd. trailhead parking lot in Silver Bay. Call Gayle Coyer at 218/ 834-2700.
Washington County Parks:
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. grand opening for two trails in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park near County Road
19 and U.S. Highway 61 in Cottage Grove. Call the park office at 651/430-8240.
Washington County Family Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
In Illinois
Will County Forest Preserve District:
8 a.m.-4 p.m. grand opening of the first seven-mile segment of the 26-mile Wauponsee Trail in the Sugar Creek Preserve near Joliet. Kickoff with a four-mile run and a two-mile walk. Call Glenn or Judith at
815/727-8700.
Pimiteoui Trail Association:
9 a.m. hike in Jubilee State Park near Peoria. Will leave from the Bow Wood Glen picnic area. Call Cindy Alexander at 309/444-3297.
Rock Cut Trail Crew:
10 a.m., trail maintenance; 11 a.m., hike/run/bike ride; noon, free picnic at Rock Cut State Park near Rockford. Call Larry Swanson at 815/877-8164.
Sterling Park District:
8 a.m. SMART Summer Sizzler four-mile run/walk in Sterling. Celebrating the opening of a one-mile section
of Sterling Multi-Activity Recreation Trail. Call Steve Brenner at 815/622-6200.
Also, personnel at REI stores are partnering with cycling organizations in these states to complete trail projects:
REI/WORBA Trail Building:
Mountain bike trail building at Blue Mounds State Park in western Dane County. Call Ambra Baldwin at 608/833-6680.
REI/Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists:
9 a.m.-1 p.m. maintaining, rerouting and reclaiming mountain bike trails. Call 952/884-4315, Ext. 203 for details.
REI/CAMBRA Annual Service Project:
9 a.m.-noon trail cleanup with bike ride, guided nature walk in the Cook County Forest Preserve in at
Maple Lake in Willow Springs, Ill. Call Erin McNally at 630/574-7700.
Back to Top
BIKE 50 PARKS AND TRAILS IN 50 DAYS
Minnesota To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, a "50 Parks & Trails in 50 Days" event is taking place statewide from June 4 to August 31. The event is ostensibly a bike ride people can do in segments, "Olympic torch" style. In fact, participants can ride, hike, inline skate, hike
or drive any portion of the route.
The event is intended to highlight the various ways the council has helped the state's parks and trails to grow.
"It's an attempt to strengthen our network of advocates, but it's also an invitation open to everyone," said
Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Parks & Trails Council. "We know we may attract some hardcore
cyclists, but anyone can join us in the afternoons to explore the parks, even do some horseback riding and kayaking."
Fifty years ago there were 32 state parks in Minnesota and no state trails. Today there are 67 state parks and 1,100 miles of state trails, due in no small part to the Parks & Trails Council.
The council purchases land and resells it to the state for preservation and recreation. The council lobbies the state Legislature to secure park boundaries and fund park and trail acquisition. The council, which has
2,400 members, also assists local friends' groups and others concerned with developing trails and parks.
Among the council's more recent accomplishments was saving from development, in 1998, the uninterrupted
view of the shoreline and ridgeline along Lake Superior north of the Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site.
People interested in taking part in the 50/50 bike ride are encouraged to sign up for one or more of the day rides and overnight stays. The cost is $5 per day, which includes camping but no meals or equipment.
Participants must be members of the Parks and Trails Council; new memberships are $10.
The rides are first-come, first-serve and participation may be limited. The daily rides may not have support
or return service. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration forms can be found at www.parksandtrails.org. Ride updates and information packets will be
sent to registrants. Call the council at 651/726-2457 or 800/944-0707 or e-mail info@parksandtrails.org for more information.
The schedule for the 50/50 bike ride follows. Please note, the distances are estimates. Rides start at 9 a.m.
at the entrances to the state parks listed unless otherwise indicated in the information packet.
Central June 4-13
Father Hennepin, June 4 (overnight optional); Mille Lacs Kathio - Crow Wing, June 5 (overnight) through C.A. Lindbergh, 80 miles; Crow Wing - Pine River city park, June 6 (overnight) through Cuyuna
Recreational Area, 80 miles; Pine River - Lake Bemidji, June 7 (overnight), 60 miles; Lake Bemidji - Itasca, June 8 (overnight), 40 miles; Itasca - Buffalo River, June 9 (overnight), 80 miles; Buffalo River -
Maplewood, June 10 (overnight), 60 miles; Maplewood - Glendalough, June 11 (overnight), 40 miles; Glendalough - Lake Carlos, June 12 (overnight), 40 miles; Ride to Glacial Lakes, June 13 (optional), 45 miles
West Central South Loop June 13-17
Glacial Lakes, June 13 (overnight optional); Glacial Lakes - Big Stone Lake, June 14 (overnight), 60 miles;
Big Stone Lake - Lac qui Parle, June 15 (overnight), 45 miles; Lac qui Parle - Sibley, June 16 (overnight) through Monson Lake, 65 miles; Sibley - Greenleaf Lake, June 17 (overnight) along Glacial Lakes State
Trail, 65 miles; Ride to Minneopa, June 18 (optional), 70-75 miles
Southwest Loop - June 18-25
Minneopa, June 18 (overnight); Minneopa - Ft. Ridgely, June 19 (overnight) through Flandrau, 40 miles; Ft.
Ridgely - Upper Sioux, June 20 (overnight), 60 miles; Upper Sioux - Camden, June 21 (overnight), 45 miles; Camden - Lake Shetek, June 22 (overnight), 30 miles; Lake Shetek - Blue Mounds, June 23
(overnight) through Split Rock Creek,70 miles; Blue Mounds - Kilen Woods, June 24 (overnight), 60 miles; Ride to Minneopa, June 25 (optional), 70 miles
Metro West - July 8-11
Lake Maria - Baker Park Reserve, July 8 (overnight); Baker Park Reserve - Minneapolis Grand Round, along Luce Line State Trail, July 9; Minneapolis - Minnesota Valley Recreation Area, July 10 (overnight);
Minnesota Valley Recreation Area - Lake Maria, July 11 (optional)
Southeast Loop - July 16-24
Sakatah Lake, July 16 (overnight optional); Sakatah Lake - Frontenac, July 17 (overnight) through
Nerstrand Big Woods, 75 miles; Frontenac - Whitewater, July 18 (overnight) through Carley, 50 miles; Whitewater - Great River Bluffs, July 19 (overnight) through J.A. Latsch, 55 miles; Great River Bluffs -
Beaver Creek, July 20 (overnight), 30 miles; Beaver Creek - Forestville/Mystery Cave, July 21 (overnight) along Root River Trail, 45 miles; Forestville/Mystery Cave - Myre/Big Isle, July 22 (overnight) through
Lake Louise along Shooting Star and Blazing Star trails, 65 miles; Myre/Big Isle - Rice Lake, July 23 (overnight), 40 miles; Ride back to Sakatah Lake, July 24 (optional), 30 miles
Metro East - July 31-August 1
Fort Snelling - W. O'Brien, July 31 (overnight) along Sam Morgan Trail through Afton, 60 miles; W. O'Brien - Fort Snelling, along Gateway Trail, August 31, 40 miles
East Central - August 6-9
Wild River, August 6 (overnight). Start at Sunrise Prairie Trail, through Interstate (lunch), 40 miles; Wild
River - St. Croix, August 7 (overnight), 70 miles; St. Croix - Banning, August 8 (overnight) along the Willard Munger State Trail, 35 miles; Banning - Jay Cooke, August 9 (overnight optional), 55 miles
North Shore - August 12-16
Gooseberry, August 12 (overnight optional); Gooseberry - Tettegouche, August 13 (overnight) through
Split Rock Lighthouse (lunch/tours) along Lake Superior Water Trail (optional), 20 miles; Tettegouche - Cascade River, August 14 (overnight) through Temperance River and Crosby - Manitou, 50 miles;
Cascade River - C.R. Magney, August 15 (overnight), 25 miles; C.R. Magney, August 16. Optional hike along Superior Hiking Trail (morning) through Grand Portage, 25 miles
North Central - Aug. 18-23
Bear Head Lake, August 18 (overnight optional); Bear Head Lake - Virginia area, August 19 (overnight) through Soudan Mine along Mesabi Trail, 50 miles; Virginia - McCarthy Beach, August 20 (overnight), 40
miles; McCarthy Beach - Scenic, August 21 (overnight), 40 miles; Scenic - Schoolcraft, August 22 (overnight), 50 miles; Schoolcraft - Savanna Portage, August 23 (overnight optional) through Hill Annex, 90 miles
Northwest Aug. 26-31
Red River Rec. - Old Mill, August 26 (overnight), 50 miles; Old Mill - Lake Bronson, August 27
(overnight), 30 miles; Lake Bronson - Hayes Lake, August 28 (overnight), 55 miles; Hayes Lake - Zippel Bay, August 29 (overnight), 50 miles; Zippel Bay - Franz Jevne, August 30 (overnight), 50 miles; Franz
Jevne - Big Bog Rec., August 31 (overnight), 60 miles.
Back to Top
What's new at the 20th Badger State Games
Madison, Wisconsin The Badger State Games celebrates 20 years as one of the nation's largest Olympic-style sports festivals. The 2004 Games offer 30 sports to choose from, including three new sports that will help the Games continue to grow well into the future.
Some of this year's updates follow, but for all sport details, check www.SportsInWisconsin.com.
20th Anniversary Celebration
June 25, 6-9:30 p.m., Verona High School
The party kicks off with the 5k/10k run/walk at Verona High School at 6:15 p.m. Moved from Sunday morning at Vilas Park, the walk/run will be incorporated into the Verona festivities as part of the Friday
night opening ceremony and will benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Bucky Badger will be at the party, and UW athletes and coaches will challenge the public to basketball, golf
and other sports. There'll be lots of fun activities for the kids.
Headlining the opening ceremony will be Barry Alvarez, the BSG 2004 Honorary Athlete, and Fred
Scheer's Lumberjack show. Alvarez will join an elaborate athlete parade with former honorary athletes, including Jeff Sauer and Lisa Stone. The Lighten Up Wisconsin challenge winners will be announced, and
the wearer of the oldest BSG T-shirt will get a prize. And of course there will be fireworks.
Learn about the history, symbols, traditions and people of the Badger State Games through the "Twenty
Years of Badger State Games" exhibit in the lobby of the Wisconsin State Historical Society on the Memorial Library Mall in Madison.
New and improved in 2004
In-line skate racing (in-line skate distances include marathon, half marathon and kids sprints)
The track and field events are now U.S. Track & Field sanctioned
Mountain bike events align with WORS (Wisconsin Off Road Series) categories
Canoe/kayak will offer on-site boat assignments for pre-registered participants.
Cycling stage road race June 19; time trial June 20; and criterium June 27. Winners of the stage race are
those with the lowest cumulative time in all three events. Participation in all three events is only required for
stage race scoring. Riders may also pick and choose events to compete in if they aren't worried about the
overall scoring. (If you hate crits, you can still compete in the RR and TT). The total cost for all three events is only $10 more than for the first event.
On-site registration: BSG will be accepting on-site registration for all road cycling events, mountain biking,
in-line racing, martial arts and 5k/10k (including the 5k/10k at the sectionals). For those who are hoping to save a few bucks, BSG offers significant discounts for online registration at www.SportsInWisconsin.com.
Sectional Qualifiers, June 17-20
Competitors in junior and adult golf, track and field, basketball and recreational youth soccer must
participate in the BSG Sectional competitions June 17-20 to qualify for the BSG Finals June 24-27. Qualifiers are based in the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest regions of the State in Oshkosh,
Eau Claire, Whitewater and Platteville. The Southeast and Southwest Sectionals also offer 5k/10k events. No qualification is necessary for other Badger State Games events.
Visit www.SportsInWisconsin.com for start times, locations, registration information and to volunteer.
Back to Top
SUPERIOR BIKE FEST now 3-day event
Michigan What Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol started in 1995 as the Mountain Chase Mountain Bike Race, has now grown into a three-day, multievent perhaps the biggest biking event in the Midwest. The Superior Bike Fest takes place in Marquette, Michigan, June 25-27.
The weekend kicks off Friday, June 25, with the first Twilight Criterium presented by the Landmark Inn in downtown Marquette.
A couple years ago, while watching the nationally recognized Sea Otter Bike Classic on television, Superior Bike Fest co-director Donn Wolf of Marquette dreamed of having a similar weekend of racing in
Marquette. Then two years ago, Mountain Chase organizers successfully added road racing to the event and changed the name to the Superior Bike Fest. This year the goal to expand is complete with a third day
of competition and the addition of a criterium.
"Criterium racing is the most exciting," claimed event co-director Jim Grundstrom. "It's like speed skating on
blacktop." Riders sprint a short loop ganged together and constantly jockey for position.
"You feel this race from the sidelines," said Matt Calcaterra, owner of Lakeshore Bike in Marquette.
"Racers come whirring by you every two minutes just inches away. You hear them, you hear the gears. There's nothing like it."
Criterium categories range from youth, 7 to 11 years old, who will do two laps of the course, to elite riders who will make 20 laps. In an effort to introduce young riders to criterium racing, their entry is free.
Saturday morning road races will include 80-, 50- and 25-mile courses. "As far as I know, we have the
only 80-mile road race in Michigan to offer a single loop," said Wolf, who mapped out the course to start in Marquette, head south to Gwinn, north to Palmer, west to Ishpeming and then back to Marquette.
On Saturday afternoon, gravity events will take place at Marquette Mountain Ski Area. "Riders and spectators can take the chairlift to the start of the course," Wolf said.
Mike Brunette of Marquette laid out the downhill course, now believed to be the longest in the Midwest.
"When it comes to designing courses, Brunette is the best," said Grundstrom, adding, "Mike also designed our free-ride track and perfected the cross-country race course."
On Sunday, the 8-mile Mountain Chase loop will start and finish at Marquette Mountain. "No more
blacktop," Grundstrom announced. Racers can choose to take one lap or three laps for the 24-mile race. "If
you want to pool your efforts, you can also compete as a three-rider team, each making a lap in the 24-miler," Wolf said.
A host of trophies, cash awards and special jerseys will go to the weekend's best riders in the various events and age categories. For more information, go to www.superiorbikefest.com or call 888/578-6489.
Back to Top
TRAIL FUND-RAISER AT WALK-RUN-BIKE-HORSEBACK RIDE RELAY
Wisconsin The WIOUWASH Quad Relay Race will be held Sunday, June 6, at Trail Head Park, 8358 County Road T, in Larsen, Wisconsin, west of Neenah. The third annual Quad is a 6.5-mile run, 3.25-mile walk, 15-mile bike ride, and 5.5-mile horse ride.
Proceeds from this unique event it may be the only one of its kind in the country and other contributions will go directly to the Town of Clayton Trail Fund, which will be used to construct the Friendship Trail, a
multimodal recreational trail along the new U.S. Highway 10.
This link of the Friendship Trail will intersect with the WIOUWASH and help connect other local Fox
Valley trails. It will eventually travel from Manitowoc to Stevens Point. The residents of the town of Clayton
in Winnebago County are looking to build their section parallel to U.S. 10. Construction of the Friendship Trail within the town of Clayton is expected to cost approximately $600,000. The town wants to build its
trail section using private money instead of tax revenue.
Currently, a box tunnel under State Highway 76 has been installed during the U.S. 10 construction, with
railroad crossing lights and grades being installed soon.
The third annual WIOUWASH Quad Relay Race will kick off at 8 a.m. Medals for the top 10 finishing
teams will be awarded at approximately noon, and every team member will receive a WIOUWASH Quad Race T-shirt. The initial entry deadline is May 15, 2004, although late entries will be accepted. If you do not
have a complete team, they will assist you in finding team members.
Contact Susan at 920/836-1887 or Barb at 920/991-9956 for more information.
The previous day, June 5, Trail Head Park will also be the site for Clayton Fest. This event will include many activities for families, such as a household pet show, cakewalk, scavenger hunt, bingo, petting zoo and
a noon parade through downtown Larsen.
Back to Top
STATE HIGH SCHOOL SKI COACH hall of fame opens
Minnesota Fourteen Nordic ski coaches were honored in April by the Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association at the grand opening of the Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches Hall of Fame.
The hall of fame will be housed permanently at the Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center, 400 9th St., Mora, Minnesota 55051.
The ceremony honored the following hall of fame members: Charlie Banks, Duluth Central (2002 inductee); Victor C. Dunder, Duluth Central (2002); Nancy Bauer, Anoka (2002); Roland Ring-Jarvi, Elk River
(1998); Paul Virgin, St. Paul Central (1997); Denny Nelson, Coon Rapids (1997); Bob O'Hara, Robinsdale Cooper (1996); Glen Nelson, Proctor (1995); Jack Jeffery, Mesabi East (1994); Gary Wald,
Minneapolis Washburn (1990); Bill Simpson, Stillwater (1987); Mike Marciniak, Cloquet (1986); Patrick Lanin, Hopkins & Brainerd (1982); and Joe Nowak, Cloquet (1978).
For more information on each individual member, please visit the Minnesota State High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association Web site at www.mshsca.org/nordicski/nordichof.htm or e-mail rainsong@cpinternet.com.
Back to Top
CXC SKIING HIRES TIM MINER
Wisconsin The board of directors of Central Cross Country Skiing is pleased to announce the hiring of Tim Miner to fill the position of CXC program manager, effective immediately.
Miner's ski racing experience includes Minnesota high school racing and Junior Olympics. He is a two-time qualifier for the NCAA championships as a member of the University of New Hampshire ski team, he participated in a World Cup race and racked up top 15 finishes at Senior Nationals and the American
Birkebeiner.
He has coached with some of the top junior coaches in the Midwest, and attended coaching clinics taught by national and international coaches.
With his wife, Miner established a ski club affiliated with the Minnesota Youth Ski League, which he later
led as the president of the board of directors. Outside of skiing, Miner has worked in the travel industry and recently attained his social studies teaching license.
Miner lives in Hudson, Wisconsin, with his wife, Ellen, and their 4-year-old son Seth.
CXC was extremely pleased to receive seven applications for the position from very highly qualified
candidates. The board wishes to thank all those applicants for the time and energy they invested in the application process.
The board would like to express appreciation to Scott Wilson for the tremendous amount of time and energy he devoted to the program manager position over the past four years. His ability to coordinate issues
has had a great positive effect within the diverse CXC community. Wilson will continue as a CXC volunteer in the newly created position of race director.
Central Cross Country Skiing Inc., a tax-exempt organization, is the designated body for the development of cross-country skiers in the 10-state central region of the United States. CXC Skiing is the Midwest
pipeline to the U.S. Ski Team.
The board of directors of CXC Skiing has been organized for the purpose of ensuring that all CXC Skiing
activities will be conducted in concert with the CXC Skiing mission. The mission of CXC Skiing is to provide an organization which enables athletes to achieve excellence in cross-country skiing through
education, cooperation, communication and competition.
For more information, write to CXC Skiing Inc., 10850 N. Stewart Road, Hayward, WI 54843.
Back to Top
|
