LANGLADE COUNTY ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAILCONDITIONS
(As of September 1, 2015)
Due to situations beyond the control of the Langlade County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, conditions are constantly changing. Hikers are urged to contact the chapter coordinator or the Langlade County Forestry Department Office (715-627-6300) at the Fairgrounds to check on current conditions in advance of any trip on one or more of the segments. "You Are Here" signs, installed in 1997,are at select sites or where the trail crosses public roads on the Kettlebowl, Lumbercamp, Old Railroad and Parrish Hills segments.
KETTLEBOWL - Distance: Approximately 13miles Highway 52 to Polar at Highway 64.
Over half of this segment crosses privately-owned land. Unfortunately, the off-road stretch of trail east of Polar-Price Road to Sherry Road is closed at the landowner's request. Hikers can reach the trail head on Sherry Road by continuing north on Price-Polar and east on Oak/Sherry Roads. The segment passes through some of the highest terrain in Langlade County and features Big Stone Hole, scenic hardwood ridges and frostpockets. Markings were replaced where needed along with some mowing on the stretch from Sherry Road north to Kettlebowl Ski Hill at Highway 52 this spring.
Logging is completed along the trail portion of the area south of "Burma Road alias South Kent Pond Road. However logging is occurring in an adjacent area and trucks are using the trail related stretch of "Burma Road" or South Kent Pond Road for hauling operations so caution is advised. The affected stretch is a short part of the segment covered by a 6 mile permanent state conservation and trail easement on land owned by RMK Timberland Group of Atlanta, Georgia.
LUMBERCAMP - Distance: 12 miles Wisconsin 52 to County Trunk A
Markings, directional arrows at critical intersections and yellow refresher markings, were checked and replaced on the stretch from County Trunk S to County Trunk A this spring. The remaining stretch east from County Trunk S east to Wisconsin 52 was checked last year. Recent logging has occurred along portions west of Highway 52. Also a portion of the stretch east from County Trunk S to the Fischer Lake intersection has been danaged by inordinate 4-wheel vehicle use and is scheduled for repair by the county sometime this year.Caution is advised in these areas.
The boulder strewn slopes just west of Baker Lakeand a former logging camp are featuresto be observed. The rugged terrain is part of a recessive moraine which stretches from Summit Lake to north of the Village of White Lake.
Local sportsmen have fixed up the stone cellar at the former Norem Lumbercamp site for overnight use. Hikers are encouraged to exercise good trail stewardship if using the historic structure.
OLD RAILROAD - Distance: 9.5 miles County Trunk A to U.S. 45 Markings were also checked and replaced on the stretch from County Trunk A to the Veterans Memorial Park this spring. The stretch from Pence Lake Road to US 45 was mowed and markings checked this year. Recent logging has occurred along this portion. Caution is advised in this area. Four features of this segment are Veterans Memorial Park, bog walk, Clearwater Stonehole and the Koepenick-Pearson rail grade. There are two primitive campsites along the segment on Game and Jack Lakes. Depending on varying lake levels, hikers may encounter water over the stretch along the east shore of Jack Lake.
Veterans Memorial Park is a county park with developed campground, picnic area, beach and arboretum. Some hikers have used the park as a base camp while hiking through the county.
HIGHLAND LAKES - Distance: 13.5 miles U.S. 45 to County Trunk T
This segment is incomplete and requires a hike along a stretch of Forest and Kleever Roads in the Town of Upham for approximately 4.5 miles to complete a trip from the eastern trailhead at US 45 to the traihead at County T. An outstanding feature of this segment is the Parrish terminal moraine which parallels the trail for over 3 miles. Just north of 5 Points, is a gap cut by the West Branch of the Eau Claire River through the moraine and shaped later for a railroad grade. An interesting feature along Forest Road is the Bogus Swamp Natural Area. Recent logging has occurred along the western portion south from County Trunk T. Hikers are urged to use caution through these areas. In 2009, the Knights Templar Club granted permission for the trail to cross their land on a logging lane north of Kleever Road. Gates and carsonite trail markings were installed on that stretch in 2010.Yellow refresher markings and directional arrows at critical intersections for this stretch were checked this year.
PARRISH HILLS - Distance: 12 miles County Trunk T to Lincoln County Line
In April 2011, a tornado devastated a portion of the segment south of 5 Cent Road. The stretch was rerouted until sufficient forest re-growth occurs to re-establish the trail. The re-route using a portion of the Parrish Game Trail firelane and Five Cent Road was established in 2012. Brushing and trail markings were also replaced where needed on the stretch from County Trunk T to County H this summer. Northwoods Chapter members regularly check the stretch from County Trunk H west to the Lincoln County line. The segment requires a ford across the Prairie River southeast of Parrish. The bottom of the river is firm and the water level is usually below the knees. Depending on ground water levels, the segment also has several wet crossings, which may require slight detours. Active logging is occurring on county owned land south of the Prairie River ford so caution is advised.
CAMPING
Most of the trail in Langlade County passes through lands owned and managed by the Langlade County Forestry and Recreation Department. Primitive camping is allowed up to two weeks on the trail through county forest lands. Two primitive campsites along the trail through Veterans Memorial Park (see Map 34f in the alliance's trail atlas for location) are available. Each campsite includes a fire ring, picnic table, privy and can accommodate up to four tents. Reservations for the fee sites can be made by calling 715-623-6214. The fee is 15 dollars.
Other than these camp sites, the county does not require any advance notice or registration but it would be advisable to let the coordinator or county forestry office know of your trip plans.
Hikers camping along the trail are encouraged to minimize any disturbance of the natural setting and take out their garbage. Areas in which camping is not allowed are the non-county owned lands on the Kettlebowl segment south of the ski hill at Wisconsin 52, the Lumbercamp segment through the Peters Marsh State Wildlife Area, the privately owned land on the Highland Lakes segment and a stretch of the Parrish Hills segment south and north of the Prairie River ford to just east of County Trunk Highway H.
Camping is not allowed at the ATV shelter north of 5 Cent Road on the Parrish Hills segment. The county facility is open to day use only.
These areas are owned by public and private parties who have asked the chapter's cooperation in discouraging overnight use.
WATER AND SUPPLIES
Especially in summer, hikers should make arrangements for water caches along the trail. The Kettlebowl segment is especially distant from any natural and developed water sources. The Lumbercamp segment is also distant from water sources. Dependent on area precipitationpatterns, the shallow glacial lakes shown on the map in the Peters Marsh Wildlife Area west of Cty. S fluctuate greatly.
Low water levels of Baker Lake, just west of Highway 52, has diminished quality as a dependable water source. It would require considerable pre-filtering before filtering or UV treatment. Otherwise hikersshould plan on alternative water sources for these areas.
The Old Railroad, Highland Lakes and Parrish Hills segments lie in proximity to natural water features.Hikers are urged to boil, filter or chemically treat any water taken from streams or lakes along these segments. Water is available at Veterans Memorial Park.
The City of Antigo has many retail stores that can furnish most supplies needed by hikers. Grocery stores are also located at Neva Corners and Elcho. Other grocery stores are located at Lily and White Lake in eastern Langlade County.
“Mail drops” for through hikers can be mailed to post offices at Antigo, Deerbrook, Elcho, Summit Lake or White Lake.
Information on lodging, dining facilities or local services is available upon request from the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation, Antigo NCTC, 312 Forrest Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409, (715) 623-2085, or the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber Of Chamber non-local toll free number (888) 526-4523 or .
PARKING Limited space for parking isavailable near the County S trailhead, Townline Lake (County T),
Deep Woods Lake (Forest Road) and Pence Lake (Pence Lake Road) County Waysides. Veterans Memorial Park and the Jack Lake Ski Parking lot on County J are also located near the trail.
Local ordinance allows only a maximum of 48 hour parking for county forest areas.
The parking lot at Kettlebowl Ski Area is gated but there is space between the highway and gate for a few vehicles. Make sure vehicles are clear of the gate for authorized traffic. The county does enforce an ordinance prohibiting unattended vehicles parked along local roads. Hikers planning to leave vehicles parked overnight at any of the above locations should contact the Langlade County Sheriff's Office with trip plan information and car details. The office is located in the Safety Building, 840 Clermont Street, Antigo or call 715-627-6411.
With the popularity of mobile devices, hikers use them on their treks for various uses and emergencies. The county's 9-1-1 emergency telephone system is capable of identifying the location of callers with devices that have a position location feature dialing the emergency number. However coverage is spotty in less developed areas.
INFORMATION SOURCES
A good information source is the trail guidebook and atlas available for sale from the Ice Age Trail Alliance, 2110 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528 or iceagetrail.org Current trail conditions are also posted on the website.
Complete 7.5 minute topographic map coverage by the United States Geological Survey is available for Langlade County. Topographic maps are available from commercial outlets; the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI, or the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quadrangles which include portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail segments in the county are as follows:
Trail Segment Topographic Quadrangles
Kettlebowl Pickerel and Polar
Lumbercamp Pearson and Pickerel
Old Railroad Kempster and Pearson
Highland Lakes Bavaria, Enterprise and
Kempster
Parrish Hills Enterprise and Parrish
OTHER USERS
The trail largely crosses public lands managed primarily for timber production by the Langlade County Forestry and Recreation Department.
A portion of the land along the Kettlebowl segment is owned by RMK Timberlands Group. Thelands, including the acreage covered under a conservation and trail easement acquired by the state, is also managed for timber production. State-owned lands located along the Lumbercamp and Parrish Hills segments has occasional logging activity.. Information on logging activity along the trail can be obtained from the chapter coordinator or the Langlade County Forestry Office.
The Parrish Hills and Lumbercamp segments are intersected by all-terrain vehicle trails established by the county in 1987.
Portions of all Ice Age National Scenic Trail segments in the county follow stretches of the
local snowmobile trail system. The snowmobile trail markings are orange diamonds.
A bike route parallels the hiking trail by following county trunk highways. Information on the
bike route is available from the county coordinator.
SEASONAL USE
The best time to hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in the county is during the spring or fall. Besides grassy stretches not mowed regularly, the heat, insects and special provision of water make summer less desirable for enjoying the pleasantries of a trail experience.
With exception of the stretch west of U.S. 45 to County Trunk B, the trail is not closed during the fall hunting season. Hikers are encouraged to wear appropriate safe clothing at that time.
The trail offers a challenging experience in winter for cross country skiers or snowshoers. However, the trail is not groomed for skiing or snowshoeing so users should be prepared. The trail portions on the county's snowmobile trail system are groomed for that activity.
The Langlade County chapter conducts group hikes throughout the year. For more details on the local outings contact the coordinator.
MISCELLANEOUS
This information was developed in response to questions raised by persons inquiring about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Langlade County. If you wish to get involved or have further questions, please contact the Langlade County Ice Age Trail Chapter, 622 First Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409 or 715-623-2645 or
Suggestions on areas needing attention are welcomed and appreciated by the chapter. Produced by the Langlade County University of Wisconsin-Extension Office, 837 Clermont Street, Antigo, WI 54409 Phone: 715-627-6236