NPS - National Park Service

04/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/09/2024 08:55

Public Comment Period Opened for Proposed Ice Age National Scenic Trail Route in Rusk County

News Release Date:
April 9, 2024

Contact:Katherine Frauen

CROSS PLAINS, Wis. -- The National Park Service (NPS) invites public comment on the proposed re-route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Rusk County within the Rusk County Forest.

Currently, there are approximately 22 miles of the trail in Rusk County representing a combination of foot travel only paths, shared use trails, logging roads, and the shoulder of a county highway. The re-route being considered is designed for foot travel only and would provide hikers an opportunity to experience some of the unique geologic features of the Blue Hills such as the Blue Hills Felsenmeer, Devil's Elbow, and Grundy's Canyon.

The NPS has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment of the proposed re-route. This document will be available for the public to review and comment starting April 12, 2024, on the NPS Planning Environment and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov through May 12, 2024. As part of the review process, NPS is hosting a public meeting at the Village Hall in Weyerhaeuser, located at N3723 2nd Street on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be detailed maps of the new route and staff will be available to answer questions.

The new route will be constructed by volunteers from the Ice Age Trail Alliance. If you would like to become a volunteer, visit the Ice Age Trail Alliance website at: www.iceagetrail.org.

For more information, please visit the Ice Age National Scenic Trail website at nps.gov/IATR. You may also contact Trail Manager, Katie Frauen via email at [email protected].