Northwest Region Calendar
Discover the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Polk County
The Polk County portion of the trail leads hikers through the glacial features of St. Croix Falls, onto the Gandy Dancer multi-use state trail, past the basaltic outcroppings and glacial formations of Straight Lake State Park, through vistas of massive white pine overlooking McKenzie Creek, and into several county forests. Interstate State Park is the trail’s western terminus, serving as the start or finish for those who hike the entire statewide trail, whether in one go or in segments. Nearby St. Croix Falls, which calls itself the City of Trails, features other local intersecting trails. The city was the first in western Wisconsin to be designated by trail officials as a Trail Community, offering economic development and health benefits.
Key glacial features include eskers (narrow glacial ridges) in St. Croix Falls and along Long Lake, a tunnel channel carved by glacial meltwater that the Straight River follows through the park of the same name, and numerous kettles (mounds) and hummocks (depressions). Eagles and trumpeter swans may be spotted in Straight Lake Park.
The trail in Polk County was built by crews of local volunteers supplemented by others from across the Midwest. Segments of the trail are maintained volunteer labor. For more information about group hikes and other trail events, check the Facebook page of the Ice Age Trail Alliance - Indianhead chapter. Resources for planning a hike are available at www. iceagetrail.org. The Polk County Information Center has Ice Age merchandise, including the guidebook, atlas, t-shirts, pins/medallions and patches for sale.
June 2022 | UpNorthAction.com
Northwest Region
Polk County is blessed with 62 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a footpath that winds for more than a thousand miles across Wisconsin, following the edge of glaciation that shaped the state’s terrain.
June 3-4 Rice Lake – Chalk & Bubble Fest June 3-12 Rice Lake – Aquafest June 3-4 Amery – Amery Trails Day June 4 St. Croix Falls – 5K & 10K Walk/Run June 4 Milltown – Dairy Breakfast June 4 Chetek – Museum Hosta Fundraiser June 4 Barron – Dairy Breakfast June 4 Grantsburg – Big Gust Day & Car Show June 4-5 Milltown – Youth Fishing Contest June 4-5 Cable – Borah Epic June 6 Chetek – Taste of Chetek June 11 Osceola – Rhubarb Fest June 11 Deer Lake – Youth Fishing Contest June 11 Rice Lake – Coin Show June 11 Cable – Chequamegon 100 Mtn. Bike Race June 11 Bayfield – Garden Tours June 16 Madeline Island – Chequamegon Chef’s Exhibition June 17-19 Frederic – Family Days June 17-19 Clayton – Clayton Cheese Days June 18 La Pointe – Inline Skate Marathon June 18 Amery – Arts & Crafts Fair June 18 Rice Lake – Fly-In Celebration June 21-23 Chetek – Wine Walk June 23-26 Clear Lake – Heritage Days June 24-26 Hayward – Musky Festival June 25 Amery – Triathlon June 25 Milltown – Bass Tournament June 25 Superior – Superior Vista Bike Tour June 25-26 Rice Lake – Steam & Gas Engine Show June 25-26 Milltown – Fisherman’s Party June 25-26 St. Croix Falls – BBQ & Blues Car Show
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