Events

September Monthly Meeting at Epic

Friends of Military Ridge Trail will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, starting at 5:30 p.m., on the Epic Campus. The meeting will be held in the Farm House Conference room in the Andromeda Building. A meet and greet will take place from 5:30-6:00 and the regular monthly meeting will follow. Attendees must provide proof of covid vaccination. Persons interested in finding out about the Friends group, those interested in sharing their hopes/concerns about the trail, or those desiring to become members are encouraged to attend. For additional information about the meeting please call 608 437-3249.

Open Depot

The depot and caboose are open the first Sunday of the month from 12-3 pm from June through September. A museum with artifacts related to railroading  and the history of the communities along the trail is of interest to all ages. 

Guided Trail Hikes

Group guided nature walks on the trail near Riley can be scheduled with Meg Skinner who is a Certified Volunteer Naturalist.  Meg has over 20 years of experience guiding large and small groups of children, youth, and adults.  She helps participants appreciate the geologic, cultural, and natural history of the area where famed ecologist, Aldo Leopold, conducted pioneering game conservation research.  

Contact Meg at meggskinner@gmail.com if you would like to schedule a hike for your family, a group of friends, a Scout troop or a school class. 

Photo by Friends of MRT

2022 Events Calendar

Monthly Meetings

The Friends meet on the second Monday at 5:30 p.m.  In good weather, meetings are held at the Ridgeway Depot.  During the heating season, meetings are held at the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park Shelter. On occasion cookouts are held at the depot before the business meeting.  On the first meeting of the season (April or May) when it is warm enough to begin meeting at the Depot, those who can will come at 4:00 to do a spring cleaning. We will also enjoy a potluck meal after cleaning. 

Meetings are open to the public. If you have questions, call 437-7393 ext 2 and leave your number for a call back.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting is held within 30 days before or after February 1.  Officers are elected at the Annual Meeting.  Guests are welcome to attend.  Treats may be served.

​Free Fun Weekend

The first weekend in June is designated as a Free Fun Weekend when all State Park entrance fees are waived.  Click here for details.

Horribly Hilly Hundreds

The Horribly Hilly Hundreds is a bicycle event that starts and ends at Blue Mounds State Park. This is a fundraiser for the Friends of Blue Mound State Park (FBMSP).

Join the Friends of Military Ridge Trail who provide a respite station for the bikers at a park in Black Earth. Click here to volunteer

Trail Work Projects

There is often litter that needs to be picked up along the trail.  All trail walkers are encouraged to take along a trash bag to remove litter.

Occasionally there are activities that provide opportunity for volunteers to make physical improvements in the trail for all users.  These activities are supervised and/or approved by DNR employees and include such things as clearing brush that is too close to the trail, control of invasive species and clearing growth to provide a vista opening for users of the trail.  In the spring, clean-up of winter's litter on the trail is scheduled.  Watch the calendar for details.

Friends working near Klevenville to clear vistas where marsh marigolds bloom in the spring.

Photo by Friends of MRT