×

ADRC trail walking group moving to snowshoeing

Our Town Florence County

THE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE Center of Florence County this summer started a trail walking group in the region for ages 60 and older. The program offered about two walks a month from August through October on a number of trails in Florence and Dickinson counties, such as LaSalle Falls, Fumee Lake, Lost Lake and Piers Gorge. The group is shown at a recent outing at the Dorothy Fox Trailhead in Spread Eagle, Wis. From left are Eugenia Kennedy, Sandy Johnson, Shelly Lund, Rick Lund, Valerie Neitzel, Angie Matuszewski, Frances Weigelt, Sharon Chick, Cindi Scott, Amy Klemp, Sandra Vierzba, and Becky Peterson of Florence County EMS, which tried to be on hand at many of the events. (Photo courtesy of the ADRC of Florence County trail walking group)

FLORENCE, Wis. — A trail walking group started by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County proved so popular this fall that organizer Angie Matuszewski hopes to keep the momentum going by hosting snowshoeing hikes this winter.

Matuszewski, an information and assistance specialist at ADRC, got the idea for the trail walking group when she performed home visits.

“There was a trend of people saying that they really miss being outside and they really miss doing things in the woods but they did not feel like they could do it anymore at their age,” Matuszewski said. “So I wanted to put a group together so that they could go out and do that, feel comfortable and have confidence.”

Matuszewski said many of the seniors were uneasy about taking such hikes alone and having like-minded people makes them feel more comfortable.

The walking group got its start in August, taking place twice a month. The first event at LaSalle Falls in Florence County drew five people and grew steadily in popularity; about 15 people regularly took part by the last walk in October.

THE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE Center of Florence County this summer started a trail walking group in the region for ages 60 and older. The program offered about two walks a month from August through October on a number of trails in Florence and Dickinson counties, such as LaSalle Falls, Fumee Lake, Lost Lake and Piers Gorge. The ADRC now plans to continue the trail walks this winter using snowshoes (Photo courtesy of the ADRC of Florence County trail walking group)

Participants needed to be at least 60, and the group’s oldest member is 84.

Being a Florence County resident was not a requirement to participate — people came from Iron Mountain, Kingsford and Niagara, Wis., even as far away as Crystal Falls.

The walks ranged from 1 to 3 miles. Trails were chosen for the beautiful scenery and low difficulty to hike.

“It is really geared towards whatever the individual’s fitness level is,” Matuszewski said. “We have some people that want to do the full three miles and get their blood pumping and some people would rather go a mile, take their time and really soak it all in. We want everybody to get something out of this group and to be comfortable with whatever fitness level they are at.”

It’s more than just exercise for participants, Matuszewski said.

THE AGING AND DISABILITY Resource Center of Florence County started a trail walking group this year from August through October for seniors who still wanted to get into the outdoors but were wary of hiking alone. They went to parks in Florence and Dickinson counties. On one of their outings, from left are Brock Taff, Karen Carter, Wendy Matuszewski, Sharon Chick, Cindi Scott, Roberta Anderson, Valerie Neitzel, Frances Weigelt, Amy Klemp, Shelly Lund and Marlene Secrist. (Contributed photo)

“We laugh so much — it is exercise with a social aspect,” she said. “We have people that are now riding together and they are going out and doing social events after the hikes. It is about connecting people to other people while doing something they love.”

Walks weren’t limited to Florence County, either, but took place throughout the area, including Fumee Lake, Lost Lake, Piers Gorge and the Dorothy Fox Trailhead, which had the largest group turnout for the hike.

The Dorothy Fox Trailhead is possibly the most scenic of the trails, Matuszewski added, with Piers Gorge being up there as well in terms of views.

Matuszewski said the group was fortunate the weather for the most part cooperated — only one walk had to be rescheduled.

Frances Weigelt, 80, of Homestead, said loves that she is able to get outdoors again. Weigelt did not miss a single event.

“The nature is absolutely stunning — that alone lifts my spirit, but the camaraderie with the people. I love the people that I have met, it is such a joy to go on these hikes.” Weigelt said. “I had hiked LaSalle Falls and Piers Gorge before, but the new ones were so exciting. With the group we are not rushing, we are taking our time looking around at the plants and stuff — on the last one we even saw some bears.”

Weigelt said that she cannot wait until the winter snowshoeing begins, adding she already has her own snowshoes ready to go.

Interest to keep going even as winter approaches gave Matuszewski the idea to branch out into snowshoeing.

“We want to keep people outside and active doing things,” Matuszewski said. “People had said they were sad that the group was going to end and I thought, why not continue it throughout the winter. We really need to be outside during the winter. Everybody gets cooped up, so I wanted to get people outside and get some sunshine on their faces during the winter months.”

Snowshoeing events will not be planned out far ahead due to unpredictable winter weather. Matuszewski will call the list of interested people about a week before an event.

Experience is not needed to take part in a snowshoeing outing, as all skill levels are welcome. Some of the trails will be groomed in a way that snowshoes may not even be necessary. Owning snowshoes also will not be required, as the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center is donating use of its snowshoes. In addition, Florence County EMS has been and will continue to be on hand at many of the events.

To register for the program or for additional information, call the ADRC of Florence County at 715-528-4890, or stop by the ADRC office 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday in the lower level of the Florence County Courthouse, 501 Lake Ave.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today