ICORE conducts spring work bees

May 23, 2021

Iron County, WI – Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts (ICORE) conducted trail work bees at locations across Iron County in May. Adopting trails and conducting trail maintenance projects is part of ICORE’s mission to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in Iron County. 

Volunteers from ICORE and the Manitowish Waters Historical Society (MWHS) moved brush and cleared trails at the site of the new CCC Camp Mercer Trail on the Northern Highlands American Legion (NHAL) State Forest on May 8. Over 20 volunteers spent several hours cleaning up the interpretive trail that will teach visitors about the work of the CCC in northern Wisconsin and about the men of Camp Mercer. The new trail is a collaborative project of the Wisconsin DNR and NHAL, the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, and ICORE with support from other partners from around the state.

ICORE has also adopted the Deadhorse and Hidden Rivers trails in the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area (TFSWA) and has committed to maintaining the condition of those trails with several work bees throughout the year. ICORE volunteers met on May 15 at the Hidden Rivers trail and on May 22 at the Deadhorse trail to perform basic trail maintenance. These events are coordinated with Beth Feind, property manager for the TFSWA, to make sure that the activities align with the state’s management goals for the trails. 

The Hurley Non-Motorized Trail committee is also part of ICORE and is dedicated to maintaining the trailhead in downtown Hurley and expanding the non-motorized trail in northern Iron County. Several ICORE volunteers pitched in on May 14 to clean up the trailhead for the season, cleaning up the site and bringing back the picnic tables and other fixtures for the trailhead. 

ICORE’s mission is to enhance and promote silent sports opportunities in Iron County, Wisconsin. In addition to work bees and other volunteer projects, ICORE sponsors events throughout the year. For more information, visit www.ironcountyoutdoors.org or visit meetup.com/Iron-County-Silent-Sports for upcoming events. 

Jim Bokern (center) of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society led ICORE volunteers to clear brush on the new CCC Camp Mercer Trail on May 8.
ICORE volunteers pitched in to clean up the Hurley non-motorized trailhead on May 14. (Left to right: Ian Shackleford, Terry Hudson, Mike Ondresky, Gail Ondresky, Karen Hagemann, Bob Traczyk, Amy Nosal, and Paul Hagemann.)