What would a new Ice Age Trail corridor mean for you?

By Ginna Young There are 1,200 miles of Ice Age Trail, running throughout Wisconsin, with more than 2.3 million people traversing it each year. In fact, about 60 percent of residents live within 20 miles of the trail, while some have it go right through their town.

These are known as Ice Age Trail Communities. One of those, is Cornell.

“Most of the existing Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IANST) occurs on county forest, in the western half of the county,” said Matt Hansen, Chippewa County forest administrator.

However, Hansen has been tasked with trying to secure a route for the IANST, from the Cornell, south and east, to the Taylor County line. The assignment comes, after the National Parks Service, Wisconsin DNR and Ice Age Trail Alliance, completed the IANST Corridor Plan and Environmental Assessment, in 2021, for eastern Chippewa County.

“The plan identifies a route corridor of opportunity, and opens up grant funding to expand the trail south and east of Cornell,” said Hansen.

In order to get that corridor, Hansen is working with a landowner, who is willing to consider selling his property to provide access, but it comes at a price. That’s why community support is needed for the project, to get federal and state funding.

A lot of questions have arisen since Hansen approached local governing boards, so he’s hosting an informational meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m., at the Cornell High School IMC. During that time, Hansen and Ice Age Trail Alliance staff will present information on efforts to develop new trail in the approved corridor.

If anyone cannot make the meeting or has specific questions, they can contact Hansen, at 715-726-7920 or email mhansen@chippewacountywi.gov.

“Behind the scenes, a vibrant community of volunteers across the state, work to build and maintain the trail, making it one of the country’s best hiking experiences,” said Hansen.