Leaf Stomp 2024

Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Join us for a beautiful fall, non-competitive hike along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail through the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit. Pick a route. A shuttle will take you from the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area to the starting spot for your route. Then you will hike back to Mauthe Lake. Snacks and drinks will be available every 5 to 7 miles along with other services along the trail. The Ice Age Trail is a rugged trail with many hills and uneven trail tread.

For the 22-mile and 15-mile routes, we recommend that hikers be over the age of 16 years old. Hikers under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

NO dogs are allowed at the Leaf Stomp.

The event will happen sun, wind, or rain.

Registration Information

 Routes, Times, and Fees

22-mile route starts at County Road P parking lot near Glenbeulah
15-mile route starts at the Greenbush Group Camp
Check In: 6:00-6:45 am Shuttle Leaves: 7:00 am
Cost: $40/person (includes lunch) register by September 13
Recommended minimum Age: 16 years old

10-mile route begins at Sandy Ridge Road south of Kewaskum
Check In: 7:00-8:15 am Shuttle Leaves: 8:30 am
Cost: $35/person register by September 13

5-mile route begins at East Moraine Road parking lot
Check In: 8:15-9:15 am Shuttle Leaves: 9:30 am
Cost: $35/person register by September 13

Fees increase by $5/person from September 14-October 4.
Registration is closed October 5-12.

To register go to: https://raceroster.com/events/2024

Your registration includes:

  • Entrance fee & parking
  • Event T-shirt
  • Refreshment stations: fresh fruit, granola/trail bars, popcorn, water, sports drinks and more
  • Lunch for 22-mile and 15-mile hikers
  • Finisher medallion and certificate
  • First aid support & restrooms
  • Yellow blazed marked trail and map
  • Opportunities to add miles to your Ice Age Trail Alliance Mammoth Challenge

Your registration supports:

The Friends of the Kettle Moraine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the conservation, recreation, and education efforts within the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit. This includes:

  • Financial support of the Northern Unit’s educational programs which are offered throughout the year
  • Volunteer assistance with the Earth Week Cleanup, invasive species eradication, and native planting events
  • Volunteer and financial assistance with community events such as the Candlelight Ski/Hike
  • Grant writing and fundraising to help pay for special projects to improve the recreational and educational facilities, and the Forest’s ecological health
  • Volunteer staffing at the Ice Age Visitor Center to welcome and orientate visitors and sell Friends’ merchandise

Scan our QR to Register Today!

About The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Kettle Moraine North In The Fall. Public Domain Image.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit covers nearly 30,000 acres in three different counties and is 30 miles long by two to five miles wide. More than 150 miles of trails traverse the Forest including about 30 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail for folks to hike, wander, horseback, cross-country ski, snowmobile, or bicycle. The twelve lakes within or bordering the Forest beckon visitors to go fishing, boating, paddling, or swimming. The Long Lake and Mauthe Lake Recreation Areas offer beautiful picnic spots, boat launches, sandy beaches, accessible fishing piers, and quiet campgrounds. The Greenbush Group Camp includes campsites that can accommodate up to 30 people each. The New Prospect Horse Riders Camp provides campsites for equestrians and their steeds. Hunters can stalk their quarry on 90 percent of the Forest.

The Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center offers opportunities to learn about the area’s world-famous glacial landscape. Travelers can take a roadtrip to discover fascinating glacial landforms

including kames, eskers, kettles, outwash plains, and moraines. Adventurers can climb the Parnell

Tower, which offers a bird’s eye view of the forest and surrounding farmland. No matter what the season, the Northern Unit offers adventures for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

For more information and maps of the Northern Unit go to https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kmn.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail meanders about 1200 miles throughout the state of Wisconsin following the farthest extent of the last Ice Age’s glaciers. One terminus is at Potawatomi State Park in Door County. The trail travels south through the Kettle Moraine State Forest before heading back north through the center of the state. North of Wausau it makes a left west turn and eventually ends at Interstate Park on the St. Croix River. The Northern Unit’s 30 miles of trail is the genesis of the Ice Age Trail which received its National Scenic Trail designation in 1980 and became an official National Park unit in 2023.

For more information about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail go the National Park Service’s Ice Age Trail webpage at https://www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm.

FAQs

Who can take part?

Hikers of all abilities may partake in the Leaf Stomp. The 22-mile and 15-mile routes will challenge even the experienced hiker with the distance and the ruggedness of the trail.

Hikers on Kettle Moraine North. Wisconsin.

What is the minimum age to register?

The recommended minimum age required to take part in the 22-mile and 15-mile routes is 16 years old.

Can I bring my dog?

No dogs are allowed at this event.

How do I know where to go on the trail?

All routes are clearly marked with the Ice Age Trail’s yellow blazes There will be a sweep to make sure no one is left behind.

What is the minimum/maximum travel rates?

Leaf Stomp is a non-competitive hike, not a running event. We recommend walking at a pace between 2-4 mph, with our refreshment/aid stations along the route set up based on this average speed. If you traverse the trail faster than 4 mph, the refreshment/aid stations may not be set up when you arrive.

We do have sweepers walking with the last hikers on the trail. They make sure everyone makes it safely to the next rest stop, road crossing, or ultimately the finish line. However, we will strongly encourage you to take the shuttle back to Mauthe Lake in case you risk finishing after 6:00 pm. Hikers who reach the Butler Lake refreshment/aid station after 3:30 pm will be shuttled back to Mauthe Lake.

What services can I expect along the route?

All you need bring is a refillable water bottle. However, if you have any food allergies or can’t hike without your favorite snack, we recommend packing a few of your favorite snacks.

​There are refreshments stations about 5-7 miles that will provide:

  • Water and other drinks, e.g. electrolyte drinks like Gatorade
  • Fruits and snacks, e.g. bananas, apples, granola bars, chips, trail mix, popcorn, cheese
  • First aid services

There will be crossing guards at most road crossings to help you safely cross.

Vault and portable toilets along the route with hand sanitizer.

How does a hiker prepare for the Leaf Stomp?

We’ve got three suggestions to help you prepare for the Leaf Stomp.

1. Train, but don’t push yourself too hard

Leaf Stomp’s 22-mile and 15-mile routes may be too difficult if you are not an experienced hiker or someone who is in good shape. After you decide to traverse a longer route, start by walking longer distances at least a month before the event. Pack some snacks and water and go for a 6-mile walk and listen to your body and especially your feet and muscles. Don’t push too hard and remember to take one step at a time as you condition yourself for longer distances and rugged terrain.

2. Choose your gear wisely

Please see our suggestions of what to bring for the Leaf Stomp below. Make sure you have the correctly sized and broken-in shoes and socks is the most important part of your preparation and something you need to determine for yourself. People who hike long distances feel comfortable in different types of shoes such as light running, trail running or trekking shoes, or hiking boots. Socks should fit perfectly, be well ventilated with no stitching on their soles or along the toe area.

​3. Find your own rhythm

Always hike at a pace with which you’re comfortable as this isn’t a competition. We do not track times; we will only encourage you enthusiastically to reach the finish line.

Northern Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin.

​Do I need to finish the whole hike?

No. Your health and safety is our first priority. We will provide medical service along the route to assist with any physical issues you might experience. We also provide an emergency number should you require assistance – other than “911” in case of a severe emergency.

If you cannot finish, you can drop out at designated drop-out spots (usually all our refreshment stations). We offer a shuttle to make sure everyone gets back to Mauthe Lake safely if not being able to finish the whole distance.

You will be strongly encouraged take the shuttle back to Mauthe Lake in case you risk finishing after 6:00 pm. Hikers who reach the Butler Lake refreshment station after 3:30 pm will be shuttled back to Mauthe Lake.

We’ll take care of you; all we ask is that you do the same and listen to your body!

​How should I dress?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution here as no single participant will feel comfortable in the same clothes. However, most participants wear multiple layers, allowing them to easily adapt to changing weather conditions. October weather in Wisconsin can be highly variable so plan for changing weather conditions such as soggy rain, cold winds, and warm sunshine. It may also start out in the morning with dew/frost on the ground and cool temperatures with increasing temperatures throughout the day.

Do you offer refunds?

Upon registration, our ticket provider offers to protect your ticket purchase against a variety of unforeseeable events when registering. They will issue a refund in case you’re eligible (e.g. injuries, flight cancellations, etc.). Please find all the particulars upon registration. Please note that Friends of the Kettle Moraine is in no way involved in this third-party option, but we think it’s worth mentioning as injuries, flight cancellations, etc. could affect your plans.

If you haven’t protected your ticket, you can still transfer your registration to another person free of charge up until the day before the event. 

How can I transfer my ticket?

You can transfer your ticket to another person up to the day before the event – free of charge. To do that​, log into your Raceroster account and click on “Transfer.” Follow the quick steps to transfer your entry to a new person. This new person has to claim the ticket, pay the transfer fee imposed by our ticket provider and is all set. It will be up to the original ticket holder to sell the ticket to the new ticket holder. This payment process will not take place on Raceroster but at the buyer’s/seller’s discretion. If you’re looking for a ticket, e.g. for a sold-out event, please never pay anyone before checking in with us if the ticket holder is legit. You will also never receive a ticket from a seller – you always have to claim it through Raceroster and an email you receive, initiated by the seller.

What should I bring for this hiking event?

Please bring on the day of the event:

  • Your ID
  • Your ticket (either printed out or stored on your cell), stating your route
  • Drinking bottle/water bladder for refills at the refreshment/aid stations (in our effort to reduce waste, we do not offer bottled water, but the option to fill and refill your own bottles at start, our refreshment/aid stations as well as after crossing the finish line)
  • Cell phone (fully charged) and maybe a power bank to recharge during the hike.

We also recommend you consider packing the following items. However, you should use this as a framework and make changes based on your individual needs.

  • Backpack (a smaller one like a school backpack)
  • Raincover for your backpack
  • Raingear for yourself
  • Trekking/hiking pants (e.g. with zip-off legs)
  • Functional base layer
  • Sun protection (headgear, sunglasses, sunscreen)
  • First-aid kit
  • Hiking/trail shoes
  • Extra socks
  • Blister pads
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Wallet/neck pouch

If applicable:

  • Hiking poles
  • Hand sanitizer/disinfectant
  • Money for breakfast snacks and drinks from the Mauthe Lake Concession Stand

​What does the route look like?

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail originated in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit. It traverses the length of the Northern Unit from north to south through some of the most beautiful areas of the Northern Unit. The 22-mile and 15-mile routes start at the north end of the Forest and hikers will hike back to Mauthe Lake. The 10-mile and 5-mile routes start at the south end of the Forest and hikers make their way north to Mauthe Lake. The well-marked trail has an uneven surface and makes its way up and down many hills. 

Will the miles hiked with the Leaf Stomp count for the Ice Age Trail Alliance Mammoth Challenge?

Yes, the miles you hike will count toward the Mammoth Challenge. For more information about this year’s Mammoth Challenge go to Ice Age Trail Alliance’s website at https://www.iceagetrail.org/mammoth-hike-challenge.

More Questions?

Send us an email at friendsofthekettlemoraine.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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