Our events are listed below in alphabetical order, questions that have been asked are listed.  We have answered each question to the best of our ability.  Some answers seem longer because they have other pertinent information included.   If you have a question that you don't see listed here, please email it to us at :  info@badgertrails.org

 

We have had a number of people get confused on registering for the Devil's Lake and Glacial Trail hikes.  Please do not call either Park or the 800 Reservation number for the State Parks.  If you reserve a site using the 800 number, we cannot get you a refund.  Badger Trails has already reserved the areas of the park that we use.  Therefore, if you call Devil's Lake inquiring about sites available for the weekend we are there, you will be told that sites are few and you better hurry to get a site thru ReserveAmerica.  Unfortunately, the sites that are available are farther from the area we use.  Please, if you have any questions regarding registration call 414-777-3920 and leave a message. Our registration Chairperson will call you back with the information.

 

One of our members created a list of items to bring or use on a hike or campout for first timers....to see this list click on this link                            checklist

 

Devil's Lake

 

Do not bring firewood to the Park if you are traveling more than 50 miles, it will be confiscated by the DNR.

 

1. What time does the event open on Friday?  

Packet Pickup and on site registration open at 3:30 PM on Friday.  Our registration is set up in the Bathhouse at the south end of the main parking lot on the North end of Devil's Lake.  Badger Trails is the registered group, therefore, if any one registered cannot get to the park prior to the 11 PM curfew of the Park they can still enter and set up on their campsite.  A list showing what site and where on a site map will be posted.  Check here for the location (s) of these lists.

 

2.  What time does the trail open?

The first checkpoint on each bluff opens at 8AM.    We close the Trail approximately 3:30pm.  This means that we, Badger Trails, will not be responsible for anyone that starts the trail after this time.   We "sweep" the trail and close the checkpoints one at a time after all our registered groups have gone thru.   If your group goes back onto a trail, you will be doing so AT YOUR OWN RISK

 

3.  What happens if it rains (or snows) ?

    If we encounter inclement weather, there is an alternative trail that we will use.     

    The reason for this alternative trail is because the steps leading up to the bluffs

    are made of stone and asphalt, they tend to get slippery when wet and when-

    ever possible, we like to prevent accidents and will use the alternative trail.

 

4.  Is there First Aid available?

    Badger Trails has two Boy Scout Explorer Posts that attend our events as

    First Aid and Emergency Medical staff.  They staff the checkpoints and have 

    members available in the Park at sites 201 - 202.  


5.  What other activities are planned?

    On Saturday night, two DJ's are supplied by Badger Trails.  One is in the pavilion

    located on the lake shore, this is for any Scout 14 years or older.  Badger Trails 

    Staff will check to see if the persons entering are old enough to be there.  For the

    scouts that are under 14, a record spin will be held at the amphitheater.  Older

    scouts may attend the record spin, however, if they cause any problems, they will

    be asked to leave. 

 

 

  Just a reminder, the scouts you bring up are your responsibility.

    There should be a chaperone from your group wherever the scouts choose to go.  

    This means that if parts of your group plan to be at both the dance and the record

    spin, your group should have a chaperone at each place.  These events are meant

    to be fun for all.....it only takes one or two to ruin it for the rest.   Please stress to 

    your Scouts that they should be on their best behavior.  

 

6. What are the curfews?

    The Park curfew is 11PM.  This means that registered campers must be in their

    site by that time.  We enforce this curfew.  Please, do not tell your Scouts that 

    they need not be back to your campsite until 1AM.  This violates the Park curfew

    and runs the risk that something may happen, to either your Scout or the Park. 

    Vandalism does occur, allowing the Scouts to "run free" or unsupervised only 

    offers the window of opportunity.  We have in the past, closed the men's bathrooms in 

    one of the camp areas on Saturday afternoon, because some of the "boys" decided

    to stuff the toilets with soda cans that plugged them open.   This is not what the

    Scouts should be taught or allowed to do.  If we had been able to determine which

    Scouts did this, the entire group would have been asked to leave.

 

7.  Can we climb the rocks?

    Badger Trails does not authorize its registrants to climb the rocks or rappel off

    the bluffs.  If a group registers with us and we find out that they have chosen

    to climb the rocks or rappel, we will ask them to leave.  Registrants are allowed

    a site that we have reserved at our discretion, if you choose to violate our rules, 

    we will ask you to leave.

 

8.  Our group has a person with a disability but we still want to attend, what

     accommodations are available?

    We can accommodate persons with most disabilities.  We do have sites at 

    our disposal that have electricity and/or paved parking pads.  Please note on

    your registration form if your group has a need of these special sites.  There

    are no cabins available at the Park.

 

9.  Can our group bring campers if we have them or is this event only for tent campers?

    We allow units to bring campers however, we follow the same rules as the Park,

    there are two vehicles allowed per site on the gravel pad.  If you bring a camper, that 

    camper is considered one vehicle.  Campers cannot be set up on the grass around the 

    campsite.

 

10.  Do we need to bring our own food?    Badger Trails does not supply food on any event.  Each

       troop must plan, purchase and cook their own meals.

 

11. Does Badger Trails supply sleeping quarters?  Each troop must provide its own tents.  Inquire

      at your Scout Service Center - they sometimes have them available for troops to rent.

        

12.  What are the event dates? The event dates are listed on this web site on the page labeled "dates".

       Check here for a current listing of our event dates. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glacial Trail ( Long Lake) Hike

 

Do not bring firewood to the Park if you are traveling more than 50 miles, it will be confiscated.

 

1. When can we check in?

    Friday evening, the registration area is open at the Greenbush group camp by 

    approximately 3:30PM.  That is the same time that the checkpoints are set up

    for the hike around the Wade House.

 

2. What time does the trail open?

    The trail opens Saturday morning at 8:00AM.  You must check in at the first

    checkpoint at Greenbush group camp.  

 

3. Is there water provided at the check points?

    This hike is supposed to be a back pack experience.  All hikers should carry 

    everything that they will need to complete the hike.  (hopefully, many of you will

    walk with full pack, carrying your gear from Greenbush to Long Lake)  A water

    pump is located at the start of the hike at Greenbush, another one at Parnell Tower

    (this one's in the parking lot), and a third at Butler Lake checkpoint.  Badger Trails

    will not  guarantee that the other checkpoints will have water available to fill canteens

    or water bottles.  Make sure that your hikers carry enough water with them and fill at

    the pumps that are listed above.    Also, make sure that your hikers are aware that

    water, plain old H2O, is better on the hike than any type of soda.  Soda contains

    sodium which causes you to be thirstier, not quench your thirst.  

 

4. How do we get back to our vehicles?

    Badger Trails attempts to have a shuttle/bus, on Saturday only, that will take one

    leader from the group back to the beginning of the hike to retrieve one vehicle.

    The leaders must then shuttle their other leaders to pick up cars.  Remember to

    leave enough chaperones with your Scouts.

 

5.  What happens if it rains?

     This event is held rain or shine.  We do not postpone for inclement weather.

 

6.  Do we need to bring our own food?    Badger Trails does not supply food on any event.  Each

       troop must plan, purchase and cook their own meals.

 

7.  Does Badger Trails supply sleeping quarters?  Each troop must provide its own tents.  Inquire

      at your Scout Service Center - they sometimes have them available for troops to rent.

 

 

Root River Trail

1. Where is Scout Lake?  Scout Lake is on Loomis Road (Hwy 36) about 1/4 mile

     South of Grange.

 

2.  What times does registration start?  Registration is open from 7:30 AM until 10:00AM.  We

     expect all hikers to be on the trail by 10:00AM.

 

3.  When can we start the hike?  Once your unit checks in at registration you can

     start the hike.

 

4.  Are there arrangements for carpooling back to the start of the hike?  We do not 

     provide transportation back to the start of the hike.  Our suggestion is to leave

    one vehicle at the end of the hike or have another leader meet your group at the

    end to transport a leader back to pick up the other vehicle.

 

5.  Is there a map of the trail?  Maps are available at the registration table at the

     beginning of the hike.  We are also attempting to put downloadable maps on

     our web site.

 

6.  Since we may register earlier, can we then do the hike later in the day?  You can,

     however there will be no crossing guards and you will be hiking at your own risk.

 

7.  Will water be provided on this hike or should we plan on bringing our own?

     Water is not provided, please make sure that your group has adequate water along.

 

8.  Does the trail pass near any restaurants?  The trail does not pass near any type of fast

     food like restaurants. Plan on packing a bag lunch.

 

9.  Are trash receptacles available?  These are provided at the start of the hike and in

     Greenfield Park.

 

10.What is the latest finishing time?  The finishing time will depend on the ability of your 

     hikers.  This hike is normally completed between 3.5 and 6 hours from the time you

     start the trail.

    

 

 

 

 

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Last modified: September 15, 2006