Mornin' to everyone worried about the thriving Tick population in Wisconsin. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

Last chance to order Dad something neat from the Wiscampsin Shop (like our Recycled Coffee Bean Coffee Mug) for Father’s Day!

Lace up those boots:

• Hiking the Ice Age Trail 🥾 

• Watch out for turtles 🐢 

• State Park facelift ⛺️

Hiking the Ice Age Trail

Q: What's 1,200 miles long and travelled by 2 million 'Scons every year?

(If you guessed the Cream Puff line at the State Fair, you’re not far off). 

It’s none other than the Ice Age Trail!

Many legends have come from this historic trail, like Jim Staudacher, the Marquette student who became the 1st person to thru hike the IAT, or Emily Ford, the first woman to complete Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in winter.

Noteworthy facts about the IAT

• 1,200 mile-long trail that starts at St. Croix and ends in Door County, WI

• 35% increase of thru hikers on the IAT over the past 5 years

• Just one of 11 National Scenic Trails and is entirely within Wisconsin

A work of art glaciation

If you think Lambeau Field in January is cold, you should have seen Wisconsin about 10,000 years ago.

Covered in a glacier stretching from New York to Montana that measured two miles thick, we were experiencing one of the 15 or so Ice Ages that have buried our planet in ice and snow.

The glacier was like the Badgers’ offensive line, mowing down everything in its path. Kames, kettles, fens, hummockies - these are just some of the unique features created by the slow-moving glacier, which can still be seen today.

Unearthing the Ice Age Trail

Though these features have literally been here for thousands of years, it wasn’t until about a century ago that folks started taking notice.

Raymond Zillmer, a volunteer trail builder for the newly created Kettle Moraine National Forest, thought that the “beauty marks” left by that glacier long ago deserved national recognition. Step aside, beer.

He believed a trail following the glacier-sculpted land could be used "by millions more people than the more remote national parks."

For the next 30 or so years, he petitioned governors, met with the director of the National Parks System, and even formed the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Although he sadly passed away before the trail's matriculation, his legacy inspired enough folks that the Ice Age Trail was named a National Scenic Trail in early 70's and adopted by the National Parks Service.

How to get out ‘der

Each year, millions enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, and biking along this trail that meanders through 30 Wisconsin counties.

There is plenty of nature to be had, but some segments lead you right through the main streets of a few Wisconsin towns, which is intentional to connect people and the 17 Ice Age Trail Communities across the state.

If you’re ready to hit the trail, do a day hike, or piece together the entire IAT and keep track of your segments (just don’t forget the map).

What would we do? The IAT Kettle Moraine South Segment 33 miles (2-3 days). Camp afterwards at Whitewater lake campground (drop off another car at Pinewoods Campground so you can hike 1-way), followed by post-hiking fueling at The Duck Inn Supper Club. Delicious.

And if you want to give back to this historic gem, consider joining a trail building crew or grabbing one of those new IAT Special License Plates (and check out Ice Age Trail Alliance event calendar here).

Now get out ‘der!

And now, a word from Campnab…

⛺️ Don’t “camp out” for a camping reservation

Look, we know that (unfortunately) some folks reserve multiple campsites over multiple weeks - 11 months in advance - only to cancel their extra reservations later on.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone could monitor the web and text you the very minute a reservation becomes available?

Introducing Campnab.

1. Just drop in your phone number

2. Pick your favorite campsites or State Parks

3. Get a text in seconds when a canceled reservation opens up

No wonder Campnab is so widely hailed by Outside Online, Trip Savvy, RV Travel, and more…

Sign up for Campnab and get text alerts at your fav campsites this summer!

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Well folks 20% of you got last weeks poll on the nose. Wisconsin’s Elk population falls 23rd on Elk per State.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

💅 State Parks get a makeover: Five Wisconsin State Parks groups will receive $250k from Destination Door County (DDC) to improve infrastructure, trails, and (maybe the bathrooms???). Recipients: Friends groups at Newport, Peninsula, Potawatomi, Whitefish Dunes, and Rock Island state parks.

🐺 Baldwin Bill throws wolves to the wolves: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced a bill that would remove Wisconsin’s Gray Wolves endangered species status.

🐢 Why did the turtle cross the road…: The DNR is warning folks to watch out for turtles crossing the road during nesting season. Wisconsin is home to 11 native turtle species, 3 of which are endangered (the Ornate Box Turtle, Wood Turtle and Blanding's Turtle).

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Appreciate it, neighbor!