Lakeshore Chapter

The Lakeshore Chapter was formed in 2007, when volunteers from Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties and from the North Kettle Moraine area merged into one chapter. Our chapter members work to support the mission and goals of the Ice Age Trail Alliance by promoting, planning, building and maintaining the 99.2 miles of Ice Age Trail from the Eastern Terminus in Sturgeon Bay in Door County through Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties.

Lakeshore Chapter Segments, starting at the East Terminus include:

  • Sturgeon Bay Segment – 13.7 miles
  • Forestville Segment – 9.1 miles
  • Kewaunee River Segment – 12.5 miles
  • Tisch Mills Segment – 2.6 miles
  • Mishicot Segment – 2.9 miles
  • East Twin River Segment – 1.4 miles
  • Point Beach Segment – 10.0 miles
  • City of Two Rivers Segment – 2.8 miles
  • Dunes Segment – 2.7 miles
  • City of Manitowoc Segment – 7.3 miles
  • Walla Hi County Park Segment – 2.3 miles
  • LaBudde Creek Segment – 5 miles
  • Greenbush Segment – 8.7 miles
  • Parnell Segment – 13.9 miles
  • Milwaukee River Segment (Fond du Lac County)  4.3 miles

Lakeshore Chapter Trail Communities

The Lakeshore Chapter is proud to have two Ice Age Trail Communities along its section of the trail.  Trail Communities are cities who agree to promote the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and the IATA agrees to promote the cities as destinations.  These communities work hand-in-hand with the Ice Age Trail Alliance to advance the Ice Age Trail and the qualities that make each place unique, and provide pathways to community health and well-being. Both Ice Age Trail Communities are located on Lake Michigan.

The cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers joined forces to become an Ice Age Trail Community in 2017.  The cities are home to the Mariner’s Trail, a 6.2 mile trail along the Lake Michigan shoreline.  The Ice Age Trail route includes part of that trail. Two Rivers is “Cool City”, a welcome destination in summertime. Manitowoc is home to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

Sturgeon Bay is where the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IANST) begins or ends, depending on where you start your journey.  It is the home of the Eastern Terminus and was designated an Ice Age Trail Community in 2021.  Hikers will see shipyards, dry docks, the city’s old steel bridge, and hike along the historic (and still used) ship canal.

Lakeshore Chapter Geologic Features of Note

Geologic Features of Note: Description, Location and ColdCache Examples

Several distinctive geologic features can be found along the Ice Age Trail as it passes through the Lakeshore Chapter portion of the trail.  The Niagara Escarpment, visible near the eastern terminus in Potawatomi State Park, is not a glacial feature.  As a highpoint in the landscape, however, it was the reason the glacier split and created the Michigan and Green Bay Lobes. This split had a major impact on the formation of the Kettle Moraine area to the south.  Potawatomi State Park also provides a visual record of Isostatic Rebound which is the result of the estimated mile thick glacier that covered the area. There are a few geologic features that can only be found along the Lake Michigan shoreline so they are unique to the Lakeshore Chapter.  These features include Lake Michigan, a great lake, sand dunes, and a series of ridge-swale pairs.  Other good examples of geologic features found in, but not unique to the Lakeshore Chapter, includes; a ford, eskers, crevasse fillings, and kettles.

2024 Events Calendar

Check the Lakeshore Chapter Calendar of Events to learn more about our events for the year.

2024 Chapter Hikes

Hiking Award Patch Program

Challenge yourself to hike these three sections of the Lakeshore trail and earn a patch for each one.  Download the brochure for each hike by following the link below:

Hall of Kamer  – Hike all 27 miles of the Ice Age Trail in the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Lakeshore Wanderer – Hike the 29+ miles of the Ice Age Trail that wanders through the Lakeshore Chapter area

Ahnapee Tracker – Hike the 28+ miles of the Ice Age Trail that uses the Ahnapee Trail

Hiker Shuttle Service

Chapter members offer shuttles to hikers on the Lakeshore Chapter portion of the Ice Age Trail.  Please contact the shuttle volunteers in this list: Hiker Shuttle Service Feb 06, 2024   when you need a ride.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Chapter is always looking for volunteers who would like to work on trail maintenance and trail building.  If you would like to work on projects in Manitowoc County and north to the Eastern Terminus contact Bruce Berres; brberres@hotmail.com.   If you prefer projects in Sheboygan County or Fond du Lac County, contact Gene Markiewicz:  genemarkiewicz@gmail.com

And, if you would like to work on projects  throughout the entire Lakeshore Chapter area, contact both of them.

“Secret” Places to Hike in Manitowoc County

There are a number of places to hike in Manitowoc County.  The brochure Secret Manitowoc County Trails_2015 has maps of several that don’t get much use.

Contact Us

To get more information on chapter activities, small projects, and/or hiking the Ice Age Trail in this region, contact Coordinator Cheryl Gorsuch

Cheryl Gorsuch, Chapter Coordinator
cherylgorsuch@gmail.com

Kathy Claude, Chapter Secretary
kclaude0818@gmail.com

Dolly McNulty, Chapter Treasurer
mcdolly@lakefield.net