IATCC - Weber Woods Ford
Type of Land:
Mostly wooded property owned by the Ice Age Trail Alliance
Terrain:
This is a fairly easy trail with a small slope as you head toward the stream.
Description of Area:
Parking is simply pulling off the road on either Cty B or Cty BB.
- This section of the trail is open 365 days per year.
- Hunting is allowed on the property so caution should be taken
during hunting seasons.
- Pets are allowed on a leash.
Suggested Equipment and Supplies:
GPS Unit
Tape measure or other method of measuring width of stream
Compass
GPS Coordinates:
Parking – Cty B N 44 19.433 W087 38.653
Parking – Cty BB N 44 19.645 W087 38.053
Midstream - N 44 19.490 W087 38.185
Educational Information:
A ford is a convenient accessible place along a river or stream where in normal conditions, the water is sufficiently shallow for people and animals to walk across in safety. It is a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a “low water crossing,” which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low. The names of many towns and villages are derived from the word “ford,” (eg: Oxford – a ford where oxen crossed a river). Stream and river crossings present a challenge to trail managers. They must consider safety, convenience, cost, and esthetics. Each kind of water crossing has consequences for the recreation experience and the lands being accessed. The water level at this location is normally quite shallow, so the lack of a bridge allows esthetics to be maintained without a significant impact on safety or convenience. Floods or seasonal runoff will affect both safety and convenience, so caution should prevail. Various layers or channels of water move at different speeds. Lower layers with various objects, such as rocks, soil, and tree ruts move more slowly than top layers because of friction. The top layer is affected only by the air. Let your mind and heart settle into the rhythm of nature and adapt rather than control. Look for a wide, straight, slow-flowing and obstruction free section to cross. Check the opposite bank to make sure you can easily exit the stream. Always wear footwear for traction to protect your feet from underwater debris (eg: sticks, sharp stones). It may be safer to wade across instead of trying to stay high and dry on a slippery log or series of unstable, slimy rocks. If you elect to cross on logs or rocks, a walking stick can reduce the chance of a slip and fall.
In order to log this
EarthCache as a find the following tasks must be
completed:
- What is the depth of the water at the designated point (midstream)?
- What direction is the stream flowing?
- How wide is the stream?
Please email the answers to me via my profile on the cache page.
IATCC is the cache designation to highlight a series of EarthCaches along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail grouped into a special category called "ColdCache."
The Ice Age Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails designated by the National Park Service. This unique trail is entirely within the state of Wisconsin and follows along the terminal moraine of the most recent glacier which retreated about 10,000 years ago.
This project is supported by the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA). The goal is to bring more visitors to the trail and promote public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Wisconsin’s glacial landscape.
The IATA has created an awards program to encourage visits to the trail and ColdCache sites. This awards program is separate from, and in addition to, any other Geo- or EarthCache awards program.
A current list of approved ColdCache sites can be found on the “IATCC Bookmark List”. More information on the Ice Age Trail Atlas, the Companion Guide, the ColdCache Project and Awards Program can be found on the “ColdCache Webpage”
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Kevin Thusius. Geocaches placed on property owned by the Ice Age Trail Alliance and require permission by means of a notification form.
Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/other/pdfs/form2500-118.pdf