Discover Wisconsin gets a geology lesson on the Ice Age Trail

An early spring gives outdoor enthusiasts cause to explore Wisconsin's trails sooner than usual. In an upcoming episode of Discover Wisconsin, produced in partnership with the Ice Age Trail Alliance of Cross Plains, the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation, the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Waushara Area Chamber of Commerce, the geology that gives the Ice Age National Scenic Trail its name is revealed. Shot over the past year, the episode will air Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14 on the Discover Wisconsin broadcast network, reaching almost 480,000 viewers across the upper Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Northern Illinois and Upper Michigan.

Host Emmy Fink takes viewers on a four-county journey through the mid-section of the Ice Age Trail from Richford to Irma. Friends of the Trail teach Emmy about geological formations that helped shape it. It also features destinations along the Trail that will appeal to any Wisconsin traveler.

Winding over 1,000 miles across Wisconsin, the Ice Age Trail requires year-round attention. A network of volunteers generously donates their time to build, improve and maintain the Trail. "There's a message that this trail has that resonates with more and more people; it's humbling," said Mike Wollmer, Ice Age Trail Alliance Executive Director. "Last year volunteers gave a total of 65,000 hours." The episode also features volunteers along the Trail.

Emmy gets a bird's eye view of moraines, hummocks and kettles in Lincoln County, learns how glatiation enriched the soil of Langlade County, helps clear a brand new section of trail in Waupaca County, and meets an inspirational volunteer in Waushara County.

The episode's producer, Chad Diedrick, hopes learning about the geology of the Trail will inspire viewers to rediscover it. "When you understand that something occurring 12,000 years ago formed the ground you're walking on today, you appreciate the experience more." This is the second of the series of Discover Wisconsin episodes featuring the Ice Age Trail. Production and planning is already in progress for the third episode covering the southern portion of the Trail.

Discover Wisconsin is the nation's longest running tourism program, celebrating its 25th Anniversary throughout 2012. Discover Wisconsin can be seen statewide on FSN North Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. For more on this episode or the broadcast schedule in other areas visit www.discoverwisconsin.com.