Filming "Tales from the Trails" in the Kettle Moraine
Photo at left: Click for more photos of "Tales from the Trails."
Norwin Watson led my hikes this week while I assisted a camera crew that was filming the Ice Age Trail and nearby areas in the Southern Kettle Moraine.
Watson led two hikes covering most of the Ice Age Trail between County Highway Z and U.S. Highway 12.
Many of the walkers were taking long hikes in preparation for completing one of the longer walks Saturday on National Trails Day.
They encountered a large snapping turtle on the wooden bridge near Sweeno Road near the end of their Wednesday hike.
Meanwhile, Meg McCormick led the other half of the Wednesday walkers as they explored shorter sections of the Ice Age Trail.
The filming crew is filming an episode of the "Tails from the Trails" series in the Scuppernong Prairie and at Stute Springs.
View slideshow HERE.
During the rest of the week they planned to cover the trail in the Walworth and Jefferson County parts of the Kettle Moraine.
The crew camped at area campgrounds and Ice Age Trail shelters.
While at the Prairie on Tuesday one of the film crew spotted a turtle, which they filmed. I checked to see what kind it was and found it to be a Blandings Turtle, a threatened species.
This was exciting as the restored wet prairie is ideal habitat for this turtle which has become threatened by the combination of habitat loss and being run over by automobiles.
Happy trekking, Russ
Activities
Saturday, June 5, 8 a.m. National Trails Day Hike: Meet at the Rice Lake shelter parking lot. Shuttles will be available to take hikers to the start and return when finished with hikes of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 26 miles available. Official kick-off of the "Kettle Trekker" program for hiking all 26 miles of Ice Age National Scenic Trail through Walworth and Jefferson Counties (does not have to be done in one day and participation is not required to hike). Bring water and food for the hike. Contact Russ Helwig, (262) 47.-219-87.
Tuesday, June 15, 7 p.m. Regular monthly meeting of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter if tge Ice Age Trail Alliance. Meet at US Bank, Elkhorn. Contact Liz DeBraal, (262) 723-2625.
Wednesday - Sunday, June 16-20. Mobile Skills Crew training and trail building. Join the activities at the Plover River State Fisheries Area, Marathon County. Contact Gary Klatt, (262) 473-4973.
Sunday, June 20, 9 a.m. Trail work: Meet at the U.S. Highway 12 trail crossing to assist with trail maintenance while enjoying the great outdoors. Contact Jerome Converse, (262) 473-7304.
Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. Paddle on Turtle Creek. Meet at the parking lot of the Countryside Restaurant on Highway 11, 1.5 miles west of Highway 14 (at Highway C.) Come at 9 a.m. for breakfast if you like. If you need a boat, contact Peter. Contact Peter Packer, (262) 215-8277.
Weekly Walks
We meet at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Highway 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail crossing located about four miles east of Whitewater.
We include two or more walks of different distances on Wednesdays, and also do this on Tuesdays when desired.
All ages are welcome.
Note that a state park pass is required to park a car at the Highway 12 meeting place.
A daily or yearly pass may be purchased at the meeting place provided correct change is available.
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