Ice Age Trail (June,July & August)
WEATHER: 53 at 7 am sunny; cloudy and
thunderstorms developed around 0930, drizzle on and off until a fairly steady
downpour from 11 until noon. The temp
was 64 at noon.
SUNRISE: 0518 SUNSET:
2027
TRAVEL: START – County Line Road – Clover
Valley Segment
END – Parked car on Highway 12 – Whitewater
Segment
A relative assisted
with the drop-off in the morning..
D-DAY – a remembrance
of June 6, 1944
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
CLOVER VALLEY Segment 1.6 miles S 0705 F
0745 avg 2.3 mph
Connecting Route 4.9 miles S
0745 F 0940 avg 2.6 mph
WHITEWATER LAKE Segment 4.6 miles S 0940 F 1210 avg 1.8 mph
Total Hiking
Time 5.1 hrs Total
Today 11.1 miles
TOTAL 149.1 miles
These segments are maintained by the Walworth/Rock County Chapter of the IATA.
These segments are maintained by the Walworth/Rock County Chapter of the IATA.
 |
| Clover Valley - there were a number of well maintained board walks |
 |
| Clover Valley - the short grass is the trail |
The Clover
Valley Segment is a short, quiet
segment crossing the Clover Valley State Wildlife Area featuring wet meadow habitat and Spring
Brook. From County Line Rd the trail passes over two
drumlins. These drumlins formed when the
ice was at its maximum extent at the Johnstown Moraine. The Milton Moriane lies to the southwest. This area was once a series of small
interconnected lakes on a flat poorly drained surface.
The Clover Valley Segment needed to be mowed. It was full of dew this morning and the trail grass was knee high. I got wet. At least it had been mowed the grass to the right and left of the trail was waist high. Upon reaching the parking area – I thought about changing socks – but kept them on – they mostly dried out.
 |
| CR on Clover Valley Rd this T-Storm eventually causht up with me on the Whitewater Lakes Segment |
 |
| CR betwwen Clover Valley & Whitewater Lakes Segments |
 |
| CR betwwen Clover Valley & Whitewater Lakes Segments. This is the Flowing Well |
The Connecting Route was uneventful. About 0930, a hunderstorm was off to the northwest and looked like it was moving toward me. It started to shower briefly around 0945 – when I started the Whitewater Lakes Segment.
 |
| Start of the Whitewater Lakes Segment on Clover Valley Rd |
 |
| Whitewater Lakes Segment |
The second person
looked like a distance hiker by the size of his pack – he was walking with a
dog on a leash. The third person was a
guy and his friendly dog – not on a leash.
I ran into him on the trail just after reaching CTH P.
He had parked in a lot where the trail crosses Esterly
Rd.
 |
| Whitewater Lakes Segment |
The walk from CTH P to HWY 12 was not as hummocky – until the
last mile before Highway
12.
 |
| Highway 12 Parking Area from the Whitewater Lakes Segment |
FRIDAY June 8, 2018
WEATHER: 58 at 0800 partly cloudy, the threat of rain disappeared, high upper
60’s.
SUNRISE: 0514 SUNSET:
2031
TRAVEL: START – Parked car at Lapham
Peak Tower lot Lapham Peak Segment
END – Centennial Park
Parking (CTH K)– Hartland Segment
A relative assisted
with the pick-up in the afternoon..
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
LAPHAM PEAK Segment (Lapham Peak-Delafield) 3.1 miles S 0800 F 0918 avg 2.4
mph
DELAFIELDSegment 3.3 miles S 0918 F 1024 avg 2.8 mph
HARTLAND Segment 6.8 miles S 1024 F 1400 avg 1.9
mph
Total
Hiking Time 6.0 hrs Total Today 13.2 miles
TOTAL 162.2 miles
Dressed in
shorts, t-shirt and Redwings – carried the tan backpack – should have worn
running shoes – the trail was dry and much of it was paved. Blister on right heel hadn’t healed since
Wednesday – it only got bigger by end of day.
 |
| Lapham Peak Segment |
 |
| Lapham Peak Segment this is not is a deer park this young buck just didn't want to move |
 |
| Delafield Segment all paved bike trail |
 |
| Delafield Segment - Wiscosnin Veterans Riverwalk |
 |
| Hartland Segment it wasn't all paved path |
 |
| Hartland Segment The Waukesha Chapter has plenty of trail blazes |
The Hartland Segment continues north along Hwy 83 following the edge of Naga-Waukee County
Park & Golf Course.
There is a 1.2 mile, unmarked connecting route. It was like
walking through the Home Section of Milwaukee Magazine . . . . homes
on 3-5 acres lots, lawns neatly trimmed, homes ranging from 4,000 to at least
7,000 sq ft. The trails then transitions
to a wooded hilly topography until reaching CTH KE.
From here to the end of the segment the trail
is mostly paved, passing the Hartland Marsh John Muir Overlook
and the Aldo Leopold
Overlook – ending at Centennial Park. .
 |
| Park in Hartland |
 |
| Public Library in Hartland |
Most of the Hartland Segment follows the floodplain of the Bark River. The Niagara
Escarpment lies to the east of this IAT segment. Pewaukee Lake lies in a valley that cuts across the escarpment just south of this
segment. The is not a kettle lake, but
is in a valley, carved through the dolomite
bedrock that was probably first cut by a stream and later carved wider and
deeper by the glacier..
This segment could easily be called parks,
trails, a walk on the edge of a golf course and some hummocks thrown in for the
hilly part.
SUNDAY June 10, 2018
WEATHER: rained most of the morning –
cloudy through most of the afternoon, temp in the mid 60’s – windy - the sun
came out around 4 pm
SUNRISE: 0516 SUNSET: 0838
 |
| Good burgers & service |
TRAVEL: Home to Rock River Estates to Buffalo
Lake Resort & Campground to John Muir Segment of the IAT and return to the campground
Needed some assistance to change
de-winterize the trailer - - - - actually it was rather easy
 |
| Buffalo Lake Camping Resort |
Buffalo
Lake Resort and Campground. Most of the sites are permanent trailer
sites, but not ‘park homes.’ Not much of a
‘resort’ – seems expensive for little service.
Site is gravel – fairly wide and not very level – adequate. . WIFI works – however there are few occupied sites.
Montello has a population of about 1,700. It’s along the Fox and Montello Rivers. I found a bar downtown – had a
burger for lunch – decided to drive the connecting route and then walk the John Muir Segment.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
JOHN MUIR PARK Segment
1.8 miles S 1600 F 1640
Total
Hiking Time 0.8 hrs Total Today 1.8 miles
TOTAL 164.0 miles
 |
| John Muir - Bessie Eggleston Farm parking |
 |
| John Muir - trail |
I parked in the Eggleston Parking area
. . . . crossed CTH F and started
walking the John
Muir Segment
The John Muir Park
Segment
highlights the prairie and meadows of John Muir’s boyhood home.
Muir is know as “Father of the National Parks.”
The trail loop around Ennis Lake is a kettle
in pitted outwash. Muir was also an early proponent of glacial theory that
was just developing the 1880’s
Surrounding Ennis Lake are low drumlins. The Green Bay Lobe here flowed toward the west or slightly toward the northwest. Outwash
was deposited by a braided
stream on a surface that slopes gently
toward the west. Isolated masses of ice
that were buried by the sediment later melted out, producing the kettles.
The outwash plain drops steeply to the east, this is where the glacier
was at the time the outwash plain was deposited. The steep slope is known as an outwash head.
 |
| John Muir - Ennis Lake |
 |
| Glacial Map at Bessie Eggleston Farm parking Area |
 |
| Glacial Map at Bessie Eggleston Farm parking Area |
MONDAY June 11, 2018
WEATHER: 60 at 0500, still – wind picked
up from the east as the sun cam up; 60’s most of the morning, high of 79 in the
afternoon, mostly sunny
SUNRISE: 0516 SUNSET: 0839
TRAVEL: START – Eggleston parking area on CTH near John
Muir Park
END – Parked car in public lot next to Montello
Municipal Building
A TRAIL
ANGEL from the MARQUETTE
COUNTY CHAPTER, IATA assisted with the drop-off in the
morning..
Carried the Camel-Bak - wore shorts, t shirt and
running shoes
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (Montello to John Muir Segment)
13.5 miles S 0736 F1154
Total
Hiking Time 4.3 hrs Total Today 13.5 miles
TOTAL 177.5 miles
This part of the Connecting Route is on roads less travelled . . . . I’ll let the
pictures tell the sotry . . . . a pleasant walk
 |
| CR - roads less travelled |
 |
| CR - about halfway through the walk this bench tunred out to be a nice rest |
 |
| CR - view |
 |
| CR - Montello |
 |
| CR - Montello unexpected waterfall in downtown Montello park |
Spent the afternoon doing a recon of the CRs from Montello to Westfield and from Westfield to the start of the Chaffee Creek Segment – and some of the Mecan River Segment - eventually drove to Portage and verified tomorrows start point and the route from John Muir to Potage.
TUESDAY June 12, 2018
WEATHER: 62 at 0530 cloudy
SUNRISE: 0516 SUNSET 0839:
TRAVEL: START – STH 33 & CTH X
END – Parked car at parking across
Wisconsin River along STH 33
A TRAIL
ANGEL from the HERITAGE
TRAIL CHAPTER, IATA assisted with the drop-off in the
morning..
Wore shorts,
t-shirt, running shoes and carried the
tan Red Rock pack (heavier than
the Camel-Bak but easier on the
shoulders). . . . carried 4 bottles of water - drank 2
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (14.6 of 21.5 miles STH 33 & CTH X to Portage’s
Paquette Park parking on the Wisconsin River Hwy 33)
S
0820 F 1340
Total
Hiking Time 5.4 hrs Total
Today 14.6 miles
TOTAL 193.0 miles
 |
| CR - Wayside on Hwy 33 |
 |
| CR - a view of the Lower Narrows in the Baraboo Hills |
Except for the stretch along Hwy 33 - roeads less travelled - the route going north had a lot of dump trucks going south - the long stretch along the levee was full of mosquitos and occasional pick up trukcs with boats on trailers.
 |
| CR - roads less travelled |
 |
| CR - this ditch is all along the road - source of the mosquito population? |
 |
| CR - AKA 'Mosquito Alley' along Levee Road |
Met a couple from Milwaukee who
were biking up and down Levee Rd – he queired about my hike – when I mentioned the IAT – I learned that they were up near Merrill last
week and hiked a few segments – but preferred biking – a pleasant conversation
 |
| CR - Hwy 33 Bridge across the Wisconsin River - looking at Pauquette Park where my truck is parked |
 |
| CR - plaque at Paquette Park parking lot on the Wisconsin River |
WEDNESDAY June 13, 2018
WEATHER: 64 degrees at 0500, clear and sunny, with a breeze most of the day
SUNRISE: 0516 SUNSET 0840:
TRAVEL: START – parked car at John
Muir Park
END – parking across Wisconsin River
along STH 33
A TRAIL
ANGEL from the BARABOO
HILLS/HERITAGE CHAPTER, IATA assisted with the return to John
Muir Park in the afternoon..
Wore shorts,
t-shirt, running shoes and carried the tan Red-Rock pack.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (John Muir to Portage Canal Segments) 12.4 miles S 0830 F 1206
PORTAGE CANAL Segment 3.0
miles S 1206 F 1318
Total
Hiking Time 4.8 hrs Total Today 15.4 miles
TOTAL 207.5 miles
 |
| CR on CTH F |
 |
| CR on CTH F |
 |
| CR - this is the BP on STH 33 & CTH F a place for refershment |
The City of Portage is located between the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers.
The easy canoe portage here was an important transportation route to Native
Americans, French explorers, and fur trappers moving between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.
 |
| CR - STH 33 Wayside across from the Surgeons Quarters |
 |
| CR - STH 33 Wayside across from the Surgeons Quarters |
 |
| Surgeons Quarters Fort Winnebago on STH 33 |
 |
| Surgeons Quarters Fort Winnebago on STH 33 |
 |
| Portage Canal Indian Agency house |
 |
| Portage Canal Indian Agency house |
The segment starts at the Agency House trail access parking area. The Indian Agency House was constructed by the US Government in 1832 as a residence for John Kinzie, the first Indian agent to the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) tribe. The Kinzie’s granddaughter was Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.
The French explorers Father Pierre Marquette and
Louis
Joliet arrived here in 1673.
 |
| Portage Canal sign on STH 33 Indian Agency House is to the right |
 |
| Portage Canal downtown Portage |
 |
| Portage Canal walking under a bridge |
 |
| The Portage Canal Segment ended at Paquette PArk on the Wisconsin River |
The low area around the City of Portage is one of a few continental divides that exist in
the US. The Wisconsin River basin flows to the Mississippi River and the eventually to the Gulf of Mexico. The Fox River
basin drains to the St.
Lawrence River and the Atlantic Ocean. The levees were constructed by the Army Corp of
Engineers to contain floodwater and
prevent the Wisconsin
River from flowing into the Fox River.
 |
| Pierre Paquette's Ferry |
The low area east and north of
the city was a less than a two-mile portage between the two rivers. Except for the Baraboo Hills in the southwest, almost all the hills in the area
are drumlins.
This segment was most likely part
of the Marquette
Trail that I hiked back in the early
1960’s as a Boy
Scout.
THURSDAY June 14, 2018
WEATHER: 60’s to mid’70’s – little wind -
humid
SUNRISE: 0516 SUNSET: 0840
TRAVEL: Montello to Sauk Point parking in Devil’s
Lake SP to Rock
River Estates to store the
trailer and home.
START – STH 33 & CTH X
END
– Devils Lake Parking – STH 113 south of CTH DL
A TRAIL
ANGEL from the BARABOO
HILLS/HERITAGE CHAPTER, IATA assisted with the drop-off in the
morning. I had checked with a DNR Ranger
the day before and got approval to park my truck and trailer at the SAUK
POINT parking lot on STH
113 – Good thing I got there before anyone else or I would not have been able
to make the turn in order to park.
FLAG DAY - In 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of th the original American Flag. (The date officially has been celebrated as Flag Day since 1948)
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwing boots – carried
the tan Red-Rock pack. 3 bottles of water – consumed 2 before Parfrey’s
Glen and 1 on the Sauk
Point Segment.
Ran into 2 women
about midway on the CR doing a route
recon by car, they planned on hiking this segment – short conversation. Also came across two younger guys on the SAUK
POINT Segment – no
conversation.
Wildlife: usual birds, squirrels – 2 turkeys on the CR and a young deer in the middle of
the trail on the SAUK POINT Segment.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (remaining 6.9 of 21.5 miles STH 33 & CTH X to
Devils Lake
Parking) 6.9 miles S 0840 F1140
SAUK POINT Segment 3.9
miles S 1140 F1405
Total
Hiking Time 5.4 hrs Total Today 10.8 miles
TOTAL 218.3 miles
 |
| Connecting Route - uphilll |
 |
| Turkeys along the Connecitng Route |
 |
| Occasional nice views on the Connecting Route |
The CR was a steep climb uphill on roads less travelled, and then a gradual, mostly downhill walk to STH 113. Passed Devils Head Resort on the way down to STH 113.
 |
| This is the start of the SAUK POINT from Parfrey's Glen somehow the sign marking the site has dissapeared |
 |
| SAUK POINT Segment Parfey's Glen |
 |
| Sauk Point - after it leveled off there was a bench - a restfull place to stop |
 |
| Sauk Point Deer on the trail |
 |
| The Sauk Point parking lot on STH 113 |
 |
| Sauk Point coming down was R&R (Roots & Rocks) |
The climb up from Parfrey’s Glen was taxing – my rough calculations estimate it was just under a 10% grade for 1.2 miles. Not as bad as the 2 mile walk up to Timpanogos Cave in Utah – an average of 14% grade over 2 miles – but that was paved and there was a breeze in the canyon. Today was a hot, humid, tiring climb. It seemed like a long walk.
THURSDAY June 21, 2018
WEATHER: 62 and raining at 11am in SE Wisconsin; 77 and partly snnny in Antigo at
2:45 pm
TRAVEL: Home to Rock River Estates, Newville, WI to Antigo, WI.
FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
CITY OF ANTIGO RV PARK – exceeds expectations – asphalt, level, pads,
a fire ring, wood available for purchase in the shed – WIFI that works, clean
facilities and at a cost of $20 per night this is better than most RV parks.
Highly recommended – I’ll come back here again.
ANTIGO – a city of
7,800 – it may have as much if not more going for it than Burlington.
I had a burger
and a beer for lunch/supper at BB Jack’s in Antigo. This is far
nicer and has better sandwiches than Fred’s “World’s Best Burgers” in Burlington and the pizza is probably better
than Napoli’s.
Found the
trailheads for the CR between the Plover
River and Kettlebowl
segments. A nice parking area on CTH
HH trailhead for
the Plover River segment or CR. The CR is over 20 miles long. This can be split up – there is a DNR parking area along Polar Rd.
The start for Kettlebowl along Oak Rd leaves a lot to be
desired – no real parking on a dirt raod
The Kettlebowl segment which ends on HWY 52 has a nice parking area. The Lumbercamp segment trailhead is immediately
across Hwy 52.
FRIDAY June 22, 2018
WEATHER: 49 at 0530; mid 70’s for a high
TRAVEL: Travelled west and worked trailheads east
A two-dog night
got down to the mid-40’s. Its over 70
miles by car to reach Rib Lake. Found 2 ticks today, the first on
the trail this season, and I hardly even got into the woods . . . . sneaky
little buggers
I located the
trailheads and parking if any at the following segments . . . . .
3.4 miles Connector Route
0.9 miles Pine Lake Segment
0.7 miles Connector Route
6.4 miles East Lake Segment
11.4 Total Miles
5.7 miles Rib Lake Segment
5.2 miles Wood Lake Segment
10.9 Total Miles
8.1 miles Wood Lake Segment
3.9 miles Timberland Wilderness Segment
11.0 Total Miles
1.9 miles Connector Route
2.9 miles Camp 27 Segment
6.9 miles New Wood Segment
11.7 Total Miles
0.6 miles Connector Route
4.9 miles Averill-Kelly Wilderness Segment
5.0 miles Turtle Rock Segment
2.1 miles Connector Route
12.6 Total Miles
4.6 miles Grandfather Falls Segment
5.7 miles Connector Route
10.3 Total Miles
4.7 miles Connector Route
6.3 miles Underdown Segment
1.2 miles Connector Route
12.2 Total Miles
1.2 miles Alta Junction Segment
10.1 miles Harriosn Hills Segment (partial)
11.2 Total Miles????
4.4 miles Harrison Hills Segment (partial)
11.8 miles Parrish Hills Segment
16.2 Total Miles ????
.
SATURDAY June 23, 2018
WEATHER: 46 at 0530 clear – Antigo;
TRAVEL: Antigo to Tarrant Park, Durand, WI.
Tarrant
Park – Durand, WI - not even a close 5th to Antigo - Electric
every other site, water spigot threads leak (need replacement), lowland always
buggy, no WIFI, all sites slope to the river and $5 per night more for much less when
compared to
Antigo..
FAMILY
PICNIC- 107 of a possible 135+ attended
SUNDAY June 24, 2018
WEATHER: 77 at 11 am, mostly sunny, 76 in Birchwood at 1 pm
SUNRISE: 0517 SUNSET:
2059
 |
| Featherstone RV Park |
 |
| Featherstone RV Park |
TRAVEL: Tarrant Park, Durand, WI to Featherstone RV Park, Birchwood, WI.
A 2 hour, 5 minute 102 mile drive
– averaging 8.9 mpg..
Featherstone
RV Park – this is ATV country - ATV trails everywhere and this park caters to
ATVers . . . . . only 3 vacant sites, the remaining 17 appear to be rented on a
seasonal basis. Site 10 is a large pull
thru – full hookup – dirt lot but plenty of room. This place is laid back – met Gail and Rick
the owners, and long term residents Paul and Paul.
Did some route recon –
The IAT literally passes right by Featherstone RV Park – the park is close to the junction of one end of
the Tuscobia Segment (Featherstone & Loch Lomond Rds) and the Connector
Route that leads to the start of the Hemlock
Creek Segment.
Drove to the other end of the Tuscobia
Segment – CTH SS. I met a guy waiting for his wife to finish
the Connector Route from the Bear
Lake Segment
that goes through Haugen. His wife
started at St.
Croix Falls and is trying to do 30+ miles
per day. They’ve allotted 3 weeks for
the IAT.
Located a terminus of the Bear
Lake Segment
- there us really no parking on.CTH VV.
At the end of this road is Camp Phillips, BSA and along the CR
I passed Otyakwa Lodge (Boy Scouts - Order of
the Arrow). I’ve been here before – a
long time ago.
I located the terminus of the Grassy
Lake Segment on Pershing Rd where is meets
the CR that leads to Timberland
Hills Segment (no parking on Leech Lake Rd).
I stopped at a bar in Barronet
for a beer – it was time.
Proceeded down County Line Rd (30th
Ave) to the other terminus of the Grassy Lake Segment on 30th Ave (dirt road) just east of
Shallow Lake Rd – there is parking here.
MONDAY June 25, 2018
WEATHER: 59 at 0500 mostly sunny; high of 80 by noon
SUNRISE: 0517 SUNSET:
2059
TRAVEL: END – parked car on CTH SS – Tuscobia
Trailhead
START –
Featherstone Dr & Loch Lomond (Featherstone RV Park)
Wore long pant, t-shirt, Redwings and carried the ‘Cloudwalker Camel-Bak’ pack.
WILDLIFE: saw deer and a
bear on the trail
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
TUSCOBIA Segment 11.2.miles S 0715 F
1130
Total
Hiking Time 4.8 hrs Total Today 11.2 miles
TOTAL 229.5 miles
This segment follows a part of the 74 mile Tuscobia
State Trail which in 1966 became the 2nd
abandoned rail line in the state to be converted to recreational use.
During its rail days the rail
line was called the Omaha
Line, and at its peak operation, 1
passenger,1 freight and 11 logging trains traveled each way. The line was abandoned in 1965.
Upon reaching Brill, the segment
crosses onto the Chippewa
Moraine. – between Brill and Angus there are
numerous erratics and several small kettle lakes.
The area was formed by both the Chippewa Lobe and Superior Lobe. Balsam Lake and Red Cedar Lake, occupy a tunnel
channel that formed during the Chippewa
advance. Water in the channel flowed to
the south and exited from beneath the ice just south of Red Cedar Lake.
 |
| Tuscobia Deer on the trail |
 |
| Tuscobia most of the trail was straight and level - snowmobile & walking trail no ATVs or bicycles |
 |
| Tuscobia Bear on the trail |
 |
| Tuscobia |
 |
| Tuscobia bench near Brill ball park a good place to rest |
TUESDAY June 26, 2018
WEATHER: 71 mostly cloudy,
SUNRISE: 0517 SUNSET:
2059:
TRAVEL: START –
CTH SS – Tuscobia Trailhead (CTH SS)
END – 30th Ave & Shallow Lake Rd
Wore long pants, Redwings,
t-shirt and carried the ‘Cloudwalker Camel-Bak’
pack.
WILDLIFE: saw deer
on the trail
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route thru Haugen 5.7
miles S 0710 F 0910
BEAR LAKE Segment 5.4 miles S 0910 F 1136
Total
Hiking Time 4.4 hrs Total Today 11.1 miles
TOTAL 240.6 miles
 |
| Connector Route ATV Trail |
 |
| Connector Route road parallels the ATV Trail |
I began the Connector Route at CTH SS and walked toward Haugen following an ATV trail for about 20 minutes – then discovered that the trail really follows an asphalt road immediately to the left – it was a lot easier walking on the asphalt. The ATV trail could be the old railroad grade of the Chicago & Northwestern. The route goes through Haugen and ends at the start of the Bear Lake segment at the L.E. Phillips Scout Reservation.
 |
| Bear Lake Segment Camp Phillips |
 |
| CR BSA Camp Phillips |
 |
| CR BSA Otyokwa Lodge Order of the Arrow |
 |
| Bear Lake Segment thru Camp Hillips |
 |
| Bear Lake Segment |
The Bear Lake Segment crosses high and low relief hummocky terrain of the St. Croix Moraine, featuring several lakes and wetlands. The depression that Bear Lake occupies is part of a tunnel channel when ice sat on the St. Croix Moraine.
I entered the Bear
Lake segment at the Boy Scouts’ L.E. Phillips Scout
Reservation (as a Boy Scout I
camped here for a weekend as part of an Order of the Arrow – Otyakwa Conference).
As the segment crosses the southern shore of Crooked Lake there are 2 benches overlooking the lake. It was raining - I didn’t have the opportunity ot enjoy the view and rest. In the Barron County Forest the hummocky topography is part of the Superior Lobe’s St. Croix Moraine, the outer edge is about 1½ miles SE of the endpoint on 16th St (CTH VV).
WEDNESDAY June 27, 2018
WEATHER: 61 at 05 00 cloudy; low 70’s and
cloudy at 2 pm
SUNRISE: 0519 SUNSET:
2059
TRAVEL: START – CR on Leach Lake
Red end of the Timberland Segment
END –
Park 30th Ave &
Shallow Lake Rd Grassy Lake Segment
Wore long pants, Redwings,
t-shirt and carried the ‘Cloudwalker
Camel-Bak’ pack.
WILDLIFE: saw deer and garter
snakes on the trail, as well as bear tracks and scat
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route 2.5 miles S
0726 F 0830 (incl 20 min car assist)
GRASSY LAKE Segment
8.5 miles S 0830 F 1225
Total
Hiking Time 5.0 hrs Total Today 11.0 miles
TOTAL 251.6 miles
 |
| CR - This is the mini-van that was stuck on Old Hwy 63 |
 |
| CR Brickyard Rd & Old Hwy 63 |
A woman attempted a turn-around
on Old Highway 38 and got stuck;
a front wheel drive mini-van just too much weight in the back to get out
of the ditch. A man (Dale) was driving
by and offered to give the lady a ride back to her brother’s place. Apparently, he is also a volunteer on the IAT
team. I lost about 20 minutes here.
 |
| Grassy Lake Segment |
 |
| Grassy Lake Segment looks like a bear track |
Grassy Lake is a remote segment through the Washburn County Forest – almost entirely on logging roads featuring several small and beaver inhabited lakes. All of this is high relief hummocky topography.
WILDLIFE: I didn’t see
any beaver or bears but there were bear tracks and scat on the trail. I did see two snakes slither off the trail
into the grass as I approached.
 |
| Grassy Lake Segment - there were plenty of mosquitos |
 |
| Grassy Lake - this is the trail - that water is 3 ft deep Where to cross? How to cross? |
 |
| Grassy Lake WARNING Just before the beaver dam |
 |
| Grassy Lake Somehow I did cross without stepping in |
The IAT Guidebook warns that a significant portion of the trail may be wet or flooded during rainy periods. There may be several low-lying washouts that may have standing water. No footbridges exist. Suffice to say my boots got soaked – not because of the standing water – I found ways around - but because of the tall wet grass on the trail -
Especially, after the beaver dam
crossing about 2 miles from the 30th Avenue terminus. My boots got soaked.
THURSDAY June 28, 2018
WEATHER: 60 at 0500 – forecast of high in
the mid-80’s by noon - it kept getting
warmer as the evening approached
SUNRISE: 0519 SUNSET:
2059
TRAVEL: START – Leach Lake Rd – E terminus of Timberland
segment
END –
Park end of Lake 32 Rd & 30th Ave – W terminus of Timberland
Wore long pants,
Redwings, t-shirt and carried the ‘Cloudwalker
Camel-Bak’ pack.
WILDLIFE: a rich day –
pheasant, several deer, grouse and a garter snake
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
TIMBERLAND HILLS Segment 10.9 miles S 0750 F
1400
Total
Hiking Time 6.2 hrs Total Today 10.9 miles
TOTAL 262.5 miles
 |
| Timberland Hills |
follows a ravine, and skirts the shoreline of a pond and enters a brushy area. This was the most enjoyable and picturesque part of the walk. It then follows a grassy road to a log fishing carving - eventually reaching the east ski area and Boyd Lane.. This grass was wet – my ‘waterproofed’ shoes became wet – eventually my socks were sopping wet.
I was literally wet from head to
toe . . . .
 |
| Timberland Hills - fish carving on trail |
The trail drops down onto the floor of a deep tunnel channel north of Offers Lake. This is where two tunnel channels come together; one from the north that now contains Leach Lake; and the other from the west which the trail follows. The trail climbs to the north out of the channel onto a high sand and gravel surface for a short distance then drops again into the tunnel channel.
 |
| Timberland Hills |
About a mile from the Boyd
Lane parking area I ran into Bob H walking
behind his brush-mower cutting the grass
on the trail – he was with another member of the Superior Lobe IATA team – walking ‘shotgun’ for him. That makes 4 of the 7 members of the Superior Lobe Chapter
that I’ve met this week.
 |
| Timberland Hills - evidence of long grass and cross country ski trails |
 |
| Timberland Hills |
 |
| Timberland Hills on the beaver dam |
 |
| Timberland Hills approaching the beaver dam |
I stopped at a picnic table at
the Boyd Lane parking area and changed socks – my feet were soaked.- I
stopped again at the CTH H parking area to change socks again. In both cases the 20-30 minutes rest was
welcome.
The Timberland Hills
Segment follows ski and snowshoe trails
on hilly terrain through the Timberland West
and Timberland
ski areas – another area of high
relief hummocky topography
FRIDAY June 29, 2018
WEATHER: 70 at 0430 clear; sunny 83 by
1030 and 92 by 2 pm
SUNRISE: 0519 SUNSET:
2059
:
TRAVEL: START – parking area at east end of Indian
Creek Segment – CTH E
END –parked my car at end of the Timberland Hills Segment
- end of Lake 32 Rd & 30th
Ave,
A TRAIL ANGEL from the SUPERIOR LOBE CHAPTER, IATA assisted with the drop-off in the morning..
Wore long pants,
t-shirt and carried the ‘Cloudwalker
Camel-Bak’ pack. Pants got soaked
to the knee by 8 am but shoes and socks stayed relatively dry. Not as many bugs as yesterday – even in the
forest there was a breeze much of the time..
WILDLIFE: deer and squirrels and 2 turkeys
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
SAND CREEK Segment 6.0+ miles S
0724 F 1030
Total Hiking
Time 3.1 hrs Total
Today 6.0+ miles
TOTAL 268.5 miles
 |
| CR betwee Indian Creek & Sand Creek Segments CTH E |
 |
| Sand Creek Segment CTH E |
There is parking at the east end of the Indian Creek Segment on CTH E. This is where I began the walk east. There was a large dog at the only house on this segment that did not like me walking on his street - My pepper spray was in my pack – he decided not to leave his property.
With a forecast of a high in the
90’s and a wet trail I decided to give my boots and feet a break – only
walking the Sand Creek Segment - - - saving the Indian Creek Segment for another day.
 |
| Sand Creek Segment |
 |
| Sand Creek Segment this is where I missed the turn off the logging road I drove back to fing the trail |
Somehow I missed a turn off a
logging road with 1.8 miles to go . . . . . I stayed on the logging road and
the 1.8 miles turned into 3 miles for a total of 7.5
miles
today.
Sand Creek was actually a pleasant walk –
the wind , even in the forest, kept the insects away – however the humidity
told me that it was a good idea only to walk this segment. today
TUESDAY July 3, 2018
WEATHER: 59 at 0430; low 80’s by noon,
clear and sunny
SUNRISE: 0520 SUNSET:
2034
:
TRAVEL: START – Centennial Park at CTH K
END –parked my car at the Emerald Lot on
Emerald Rd
A relative assisted
with the drop off and pick this morning.
Wore shorts,
t-shirt, Redwings and carried the ‘Cloudwalker
Camel-Bak’ pack.... drank all of the water in the 2.5 liter Camel-Bak
WILDLIFE: 2 deer, a turkey, and 2 herons
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
MERTON Segment 5.2
miles S
0725 F 0940
MONCHES Segment 3.1 miles S 0940 F 1100
LOEW LAKE Segment 4.9 miles S 1100 F 1310
Total Hiking
Time 5.8 hrs Total
Today
13.2 miles
TOTAL 281.7 miles
 |
| Merton Segment started walking from Centennial Park on CTH K |
 |
| Merton Segment Bugline Trail |
 |
| Monches Segment |
 |
| Monches Segment bridge across the Oconomowoc River |
Much of the Monches Segment crosses a mature maple
forest and parallels the Oconomowoc River. The forest here is named after Carl Schurz, US Secretary of the Interior from 1877-1881. He established the forest reserves and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of the USFS and the NPS.
forest and parallels the Oconomowoc River. The forest here is named after Carl Schurz, US Secretary of the Interior from 1877-1881. He established the forest reserves and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of the USFS and the NPS.
 |
| Monches Segment - Carl F. Schurz Forest |
 |
| This was actually on the Lowe Lake Segment - but it explains Monches and why the neams of the roads in the area have a Irish flavor |
The segment follows the east side Oconomowoc River, crosses a bridge and follows the river’s western bank. As the segment reaches its endpoint on CTH Q it climbs the bank remnants of a glacial melt-water spillway.
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment starts as a pleasnt walk through a pine forest |
The Loew Lake Segment highlights the Oconomowoc River valley while passing through wooded terrain and a large scenic meadow. The valley served as a glacial spillway where melt-water flowed south between the Green Bay and Lake Michigan Lobes.
There are 2 short walks along
Emerald Drive where you can get a distant view of Holy Hill Shrine
& Basilica to the north. Eventually, there are views of Loew Lake off the
right. The segment ends on Emerald
Drive.
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment Oconomowoc River |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment Holy Hill |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment - walking on an esker |
 |
| Lowe Lake Segment |
MONDAY July 9, 2018
WEATHER: 68 at 0730, 93 at noon, hot and
humid some breeze at times
SUNRISE: 0521 SUNSET:
2035
:
TRAVEL: START – parking area CTH NN (Arthur Rd) start
of CR
END –CTH D end of the West
Bend Segment
A relative assisted
with the drop off and pick this morning.
Wore shorts,
t-shirt, Redwings and carried the ‘Cloudwalker
Camel-Bak’ pack.... drank all of the water in the 2.5 liter Camel-Bak
WILDLIFE: none
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connecting Route 5.4 miles
S 0720 F 0930
WEST BEND Segment 6.7 miles S
0930 F 1340
Total Hiking
Time 6.2 hrs Total
Today
12.2 miles
TOTAL 293.8 miles
 |
| CR - Little Cedar LAke |
 |
| CR - Scenic Dr a long walk uphill |
Connector
Route
 |
| West Bend start of the segment on Paradise Dr |
 |
| West Bend - there were several signs like this posted at intersection along this segment |
 |
| West Bend Silver Creek |
For the umpteenth time, somehow
while walking I lost the “brightness” on
the phone screen – making it difficult to use the Mammoth
Tracks or the camera or make a
call. I couldn’t figure out how to get
the brightness back until I reached Ridge Run Park on the West
Bend Segment.
The West Bend Segment is an up and down winding pathway - eventually
entering the Girl
Scouts Camp Silver Brook at the south end of Lucas Lake. It continues past an esker and then drops to a
marshy area with a bridge over Silver Creek.
The segment continues up a steep
ridge and passes over lands protected by the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation, then back into the Girl Scout Camp. Here, I
heard a lot of screaming but never sw the girls.
 |
| West Bend Ridge Run Park |
 |
| West Bend Ridge Run Park |
Entering Ridge Run Park the trail passes an artesian well and a small pond
near a picnic area and exits Ridge Run Park. I met several folks walking their dogs on this path –
one of them assisted with my phone to get the brightness back.
Continuing north the segment
follows sidewalks on University Drive and heads west on STH 33/144 eventually
heading north and climbing a forested ridge.
I stopped at the Mobil station here and drank a bottle of
Gator-Aid. There is also a Culver’s here
but I didn’t stop for lunch. The UW sign said it was 93 degrees at noonn.
The segment passes through the Glacial Blue Hills
Reserve and its rugged terrain as it
goes along a moraine terminating at CTH D.
I had slowed to less than 2 mph, my phone was getting low on power, and
decided this was enough. There are are a umber of bike trails in this segment –
easy to get off the path at intersections – could be better marked. I stopped
at CTH D..
JULY 18, 2018
WEATHER: mid 70’s sunny
SUNRISE: 0532 SUNSET:
2034
TRAVEL: START –
END –
A member of the
Marquette County Chapter, IATA assisted with the pick-up/drop-off in the
morning..
Wore New Balance
walking shoes, shorts, t-shirt and ‘Cloudwalker’ Camel-Bak back pack
WILDLIFE: 8 deer
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (Montello to Westfield -12.5 miles of 35.2 mile-CR) 12.5 miles
S
0718 F 1224
Total
Hiking Time 5.1 hrs Total Today 12.5 miles
TOTAL 306.3 miles
 |
| CR - Montello |
 |
| CR - Montello to Westfield |
 |
| CR - Montello to Westfield MooseLake |
JULY 23, 2018
WEATHER: 54 at 5 am , clear sunny – mid
70’s by noon
SUNRISE: 0542 SUNSET:
2044
 |
| Hemlock Creeek - trailhead on Finohorn & Loch Lomond Rd |
TRAVEL: START – parekd truck along CTH F at the start
of the trail (CTH F & Bucks Rd) .
There is no cell phone service in this area, but texting appears to be
ok somewhere along CTH F...
END – Featherstone & Loch Lomond Rd
(Featherstone RV Park).
A member of the Blue
Hills Chapter , IATA assisted with the
pick-up at Featherstone RV Park and drove me back
to my truck located at the eastern end of the Hemlock Creek Segment on CTH F..
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack. with lightweight Tingley 8”
rubber boots and Lakes/Rivers shoes for potential crossing of streams/fords. Wore the Tingley’s for a half hour but the
trail was mostly dry. Just extra weight – there was no need to use these – a lot
of stream crossings but all were bridged or dry.
WILDLIFE: possibly a swimming
beaver . . . .
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
HEMLOCK CREEK Segment 7.0 miles S
0755 F 1106
Connector Route (Finohorn Rd to Featherstone RV Park)
2.4 miles S 1106 F 1205
Total
Hiking Time 4.2 hrs Total Today 9.5 miles
TOTAL 315.7 miles
 |
| Hemlock Creek Segment |
 |
| Hemlock Creek segment |
 |
| Hemlock Creek numerous bridges at least a dozen |
 |
| Hemlock Creek mushroom |
The Hemlock Creek segment was well marked, easy to follow, well maintianed, well worn - numerous creeks and streams to cross but all were bridged but one and that was all but dry. In wet weather there may be challenges on this route but today is was a nice walk.
The eastern end of this segment
sits on pitted outwash. Hemlock Creek itself flows through a deep, complex kettle until
the creek empties in Hemlock
Lake. Coming out of the kettle the
trial is on pitted outwash until Bolger Rd
and then a climb onto Precambrian
Barron quartzite hills.
The trail passes over flat
terrain to an abandoned blue heron rookery, now home to nesting osprey.
South of the rookery the segment
reaches a boardwalk – the area is sometimes under water and an alternative is
to walk on top of a beaver dam. The Hemlock Creek Segment then crosses
Pigeon Creek …
 |
| Hemlock Creek - rookey and beaver lodge |
Connector Route - unremarkable
JULY 24, 2018
WEATHER: 59 at 0530 high in the low 80’s
mostly sunny
SUNRISE: 0543 SUNSET:
2043
TRAVEL: START – parked just east of the intersection
of CTH O & CTH F at the northern end of the the Connector Route to the
Southern Blue Hills
END – CTH F & S Bucks Rd or Murphy
Flowage Recreation Area
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, also carried lightweight
Tingley 10” overshoes to deal with water and wet grass Like yesterday, I started out with the
overshoes for about 25 minutes – then took them off. The beaver dam just before Stout
Rd posed a problem –
I put the boots on – better safe then sorry.
WILDLIFE: things low to the
ground – toads, heard frogs, saw one grass snake
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
NORTHERN BLUE HILLS 9.6 miles S 1020 F 0000
CONNECTOR ROUTE (CTH F) 1.2 miles S 0000 F 1540
Total
Hiking Time 5.2 hrs Total Today 10.8 miles
TOTAL 326.5 miles
 |
| Northern Blue Hills |
 |
| Northern Blue Hills NPS rangers would deem this bridge unsafe |
 |
| Northern Blue Hills an obstacle druing wet weather a challenge |
Crossing S Bucks Lake Rd the segment
follows the road for .1 mile then turns off the road – an area of high beaver
activity until its terminus again on S Bucks Lake Rd & CTH F.
 |
| Northern Blue Hills old beaver lodge on the 2nd beaver dam |
 |
| Northern Blue Hills This is the trail atop the 3rd beaver dam - the challenge is solid ground and the trail the water to the right is 3+ feet above your feet |
After the turn off S Bucks Lake Rd the trail follows a logging road for a distance. Then into the woods crossing 3 beaver dams – the first two are old the third is a challenge.
Traveling south there is a wide
grassy road/spur trail leading to the Stout Road
parking area. I crossed Stout Rd at 1 pm
WHERE DID THE TRAIL GO – around 1:30 pm I was a little more than a mile from its terminus and the trail disappeared. I was at a logging road - there was a post with a two sided blaze but I was unable to find the trail on the other side of the road. I knew where I was – the logging road was not on the map – I made 3 attempts to find the trail from 3 different points off the logging road – no luck.
 |
| Northern Blue Hills - Where is the trail - that is a shaft of light not a trail in the center |
I decided to walk the logging roads north and west in an attempt to find Stout Road. I made it to Stout Road after a 2+ mile detour and started walking 1.5 miles south to CTH F. I was picked up about 1540 along Stout Road short of CTH F – it was hot - I was tired..
I never found the Devils Creek crossing not far from the CTH F terminus.
Connector
Route is a
1.2 mile walk along CTH F,
The detour and frustration, more
than made up for the 1.4 miles of the trail and 1.2 miles of CR that I did not hike.
JULY 25, 2018
WEATHER: 56 at 5 am - cloudy; forecast
t-storms and rain
SUNRISE: 0544 SUNSET:
2041
TRAVEL: START just east of the intersection of CTH O
& CTH F at the northern end of the Connector Route to the Southern
Blue Hills
END – parked truck and trailer at the
coop in Weyerhauser.
Drive to Chetek
RV Campground. Not much to brag about . . . NO
WIFI – pay showers –
$0.25 for 4 minutes - a mostly seasonal park – which appears to have added 50
sites in an adjoining field – dirt roads at least the sites are level. I arrived at 2 pm and was admonished for ‘early check-in’ – check-in is 3 pm –
the site was empty – for a moment I thought I was going to be charged an extra
$10. There just aren’t that many
choices.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, also carried lightweight
Tingley 10” overshoes to deal with water and wet grass – never had to put the
boots on today.
WILDLIFE:- a small snake
and toads – eerily quiet no - birds singing
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
SOUTHERN BLUE HILLS Segment 7.3 miles S 0710 F 1112
Connector Route (3.0 of 21.3) 3.0
miles S 1112 F 1220
Total
Hiking Time 5.2 hrs Total Today 10.3 miles
TOTAL 336.8 miles
 |
| - when theis low wet and muddu |
 |
| Southern Blue Hills |
 |
| Southern Blue Hills |
Southern Blue Hills is a remote and rugged segment traversing ridges, kettles and ravines. Starting at the intersection of CTH F & a primitive unmarked road (Yuker Rd) the trail heads west along Yuker Rd for .7 mile and heads south along a logging/forest road and quickly splits to the right on a narrow path – twice crossing Moose Ear Creek on primitive wooden and log bridges. One ‘birdge’ was a log through a low area overgrown with grass.
 |
| Southern Blue Hills North Lake |
 |
| Interesting - but actually not on the trail I missed a turn |
 |
| Southern Blue Hills one of 3 downed markers |
 |
| Pickeral Lake - pretty but not on the trail I had to backtrack - when this lake appeared on my right and was on the map but not on the trail |
Eventually, the trail reaches a clearing and curves around west
and south of North Lake to a gate & fence and enters private land – There were sign markers down here making the
trail sometimes difficult to follow. Following
a combination of forest roads, farm roads and narrow trails – climbing a ridge
– another fence and comes to a gravel farm road, where a trail marker indicates
turn right on the road when in fact the trail continues across the road – this
needs to be marked more clearly. The
trail ends with a trek through a forested hummocky area..
CR after exiting the trail on Old 14 (Bass Lake Rd) the CR
leads to Weyerhaeuser.
JULY 26, 2018
WEATHER: 54 at 0430 mostly cloudy,
scattered showers in the afternoon during the recon, high in the low 60’s, a
slight wind – a good day for walking
SUNRISE: 0545 SUNSET:
2040
TRAVEL: START – Historic Marker on STH 8, Weyhauser
END – parked truck at the Backwoods Inn
on Plummer Road
Wore short pants,
t-shirt, New Balance walking shoes, and carried a “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: 2 turkeys, 5 deer,
1 caterpillar, heard birds singing and 1 BEAR! Oh My!
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (11.1 of 21.3) 11.1 miles S 0720 F 1115
Total
Hiking Time 3.9 hrs Total Today 11.1 miles
TOTAL 347.9 miles
 |
| Marker on STH 8 and Historic Road Weyerhauser |
 |
| Historic Road - the old railroad bed |
 |
| Connector Route - Bear on Dzimiela Road He was on the road walking toward me I shouted "Hey Bear!" and he couldn't get off the road fast enough |
CR – a road walk on a mix of asphalt and gravel roads
 |
| Connector Route |
ROUTE RECON: a 8 hr driving tour - after lunch at the Backwoods Resort - and all these stops - ending up in Rib Lake, I didn't get back to Chetek until 8:50 pm
DAVID
OBEY ICE AGE INTERPRETIVE CENTER
CHIIPPEWA
MORAINE (5.6) eastern trailhead
HARWOOD
LAKE (6.0) both trailheads
CR
(1.8) between Harwood Lake and Firth Lake
trailheads
FIRTH
LAKE (6.5) both trailheads and parking at Firth Lake
CHIPPEWA
RIVER (1.9) both trailheads
CR through Cornell
to Lake
Eleven trailhead on STH 64/73
LAKE
ELEVEN (15.5) both trailheads
JERRY
LAKE (15.2) both trailheads
MONDEAUX
ESKER (11.7) both trailheads
CR
(3.4) between Mondeaux Esker and Pine Line
PINE
LINE (.9) western trailhead on
Spirit
Lake Campground east of Rib Lake – looks like a
seasonal camp –drove it - just doesn't seem worth it -think I retn a room at Camp 28 in Rib Lake
JULY 27, 2018
WEATHER: 54 degrees at 0430 partly cloudy
SUNRISE: 0546 SUNSET:
2039
TRAVEL: START – Backwoods In on STH 40
END – parked truck at Ice Age
Interpretive Center (CTH M)
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, also carried lightweight
Tingley 10” overshoes to deal with water and wet grass – unnecessary – the
trail was well worn – a short walk today -
WILDLIFE: 1 turkey, 2 deer,
birds singing along the road
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (7.2 of 21.3 miles) 7.2 miles S 0720 F 0950
CHIPPEWA MORAINE Segment (2.0 of 7.6) 2.0 miles S 0950 F 1050
Total Hiking Time 3.5 hrs Total
Today
9.2 miles
TOTAL 357.1 miles
 |
| Backwoods Resort |
 |
| Chippewa Moraine trailhead on 267th Avenue no sigh |
The Chippewa Moraine
segment is a very scenic segment passing more than 20 kettle lakes and
highlights several ice-walled
plains, including one on which the Obey Ice Age
Interpretive Center is built on. It was reminiscent of the R&R (Roots
& Rocks) trails in the Rockies . . .
The David Obey Ice Age
Interpretive Center (Wisconsin DNR) is staffed by
volunteers - a variety of films and some
exhibits - worth a short visit . . . .
 |
| Chippewa Moraine - map sorry difficult to read - but plenty of lakes |
 |
| Chippewa Moraine - Horseshoe Lake |
Ice Walled Lake Plains: During the Wisconsin Glaciation small lakes filled depressions in the ice surface and became walled off by enormous ice blocks. Lakes often formed on debris-covered part of the glacier and over time, fine sediment accumulated on the lake floor. When the ice surrounding the lake melted, the sediment that had accumulated in the lake remained. This formed a high flat-topped area on the landscape. These plateau-like areas have rich soil for farming. The course material deposited near the ice block wall and glacial lakes shoreline forms a higher rim-like ridge around the lake plain.
Recon of Brunet Island State
Park near Cornell on the Chippewa River. A nice park – more sites without
electric than with. Think I’ll stay here
in the future . . .
After some beverages at Sassy’s in Chetek, a fish fry at Gilligan’s in Chetek
with relatives.
AUGUST 6, 2018
WEATHER: rain when I left Burlington, stopped by the time I reached Newville
SUNRISE: 0547 SUNSET:
2017
TRAVEL: Burlington to RR Estates to Antigo RV
Campground
Antigo RV Campground – Site #11
This is my 2nd visit to this park – unfortunately the
baseball season is all but over and the crack of a bat and people attending
games in the adjoining ball fields did not highlight the evenings. Still a wonderful site – well maintained at a
very affordable price.
Site 12 is
closest to the washroom. There are tent
sites. the one farthest north seems to
be the one with the most privacy. The RV
site with the most room is Site near the entrance to the park. Merit Gear
(Rexnord) is across the street but unobtrusive and the baseball fields are to
the east. Bikes are for rent, firewood
is available for purchase – honor system – each site has its own fire pit and
picnic table.
AUGUST 7, 2018
WEATHER: mostly sunny and clear, 54 at
0715; high in mid 70’s
SUNRISE: 0548 SUNSET:
2016
TRAVEL: START – western Parrish
Hills trailhead on
First Lake Rd
END – CTH T parking area next to Townline
Lake, eastern trailhead
Highland Lakes Western
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, towel, Tingley rubber
overshoes, extra shoes and socks for water crossings
WILDLIFE: deer, frogs,
toads, loons on Townline Lake
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
PARRISH HILLS Segment 11.8 miles S
0715 F 1425
Total
Hiking Time 7.2 hrs Total Today 11.8 miles
TOTAL 368.9 miles
.
 |
| Parrish Hills Trailhead |
This segment is the oldest in the
county and was named after the town of Parrish in the NW corner of Langlade County and the Parrish End Moraine, a belt of moraine hills of boulders, sand and
gravel deposited by a massive ice sheet over 10,000 years ago. Its an area of
extensive wetlands causing the trail to wind through the landscape to take
advantage of beaver dams and narrow high ridges..
 |
| Parrish Hills Trail Map - this was when CTH H |
The IAT Guidebook calls Parrish Hills challenging to navigate because of water levels, wet crossings,
beaver and logging activity.
Additionally, portions of the trail and trail signage may be over
overgrown. The beaver dams . . . . nothing compared to my expereince On the Grassy Lake and Northern Blue Hills segments.
 |
| Parrish Hills |
 |
| Parrish Hills |
 |
| Parrish Hills |
From the First Lake Road starting point
the trail heads east through forested terrain passing 1,831 ft Baldy Hill meandering to STH 17. From here the trail crosses a glacial outwash
fan from the Harrison
Moraine emerging onto Pine Road before crossing the Prairie River.
 |
| Prairie River Crossing |
 |
| Prairie River Crossing |
 |
| Change of shoes for river crossing |
Except for the ford on the Prairie River, the trail was relatively dry – muddy in spots but I’ve seen worse – the grass even when high was mostly dry – not very humid air - the tough spot was the 1st clear cut east of the ATV/Snowmobile Shelter – the trail signage was inadequate – the trail disappeared and I went south on the logging road to Five Cent Road to pick up the trail again.
 |
| Parrish Hills clear cut where is the trail |
 |
| Parrish Hills walked S on logging road to find Five Cent Fire Lane and reconnect with the IAT |
 |
| Parrish Hills clear cut this marker was of little help |
High relief hummocky continues to primitive Five Cent Road and a logging road. Heading down the primitive Parrish Game Trail crossing the Nelson FireLane . . . through clear-cut areas and wetlands. Eventually, the trails follows the NE edge of Townline Lake and arrives at the CTH T terminus..
 |
| Parrish Hills |
 |
| Parrish Hills |
 |
| Parrish Hills |
Stopped at Rick's 45 Roadhouse for a cool one..
AUGUST 8, 2018
WEATHER: 56 and humid at 0700, high 70’s
and still humid by 1 pm
SUNRISE: 0549 SUNSET:
2014
TRAVEL: START – US 45/STH 147 eastern trailhead of Highland
Lakes Eastern (there is no
place to park aldong this terminus on US 45/STH 147).
END – CTH B, at the entrance to Camp Susan.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, Tingley rubber overshoes &
extra socks for wet grass and water crossings.
WILDLIFE: 2 deer, frogs,
toads, and bear tracks
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
HIGHLAND LAKES WESTERN 5.9 miles S 0715 F 0946
Connector Route 4.6
miles S 0946 F 1134
HIGHLAND LAKES EASTERN (2.2 of 3.4 miles) 2.2 miles S 1134 F
1236
Total
Hiking Time 5.3 hrs Total Today 13.0 miles
TOTAL 381.6 miles
 |
| Highland Lakes Western trailhead |
As the Highland Lakes
Western Segment heads south from CTH T, the
trail climbs a ridge behind which a former glacial lake formed behind the Parrish Terminal Moraine.
 |
| Highland Lakes Western a picture of the Tingley's the grass was wet |
 |
| Deep Woodor Lake Public Boat Landing on Forrest Rd Connector Route |
 |
| Highland Lakes Eastern Alga Lake - Camp Susan |
The trail then goes through wetlands – intersecting logging roads can make this segment difficult to follow. After a climb up and down a ridge before following the base of a ridge (moraine ridge) that is the highest anywhere on the IAT.
Connector Route – uneventful except for the one resident who asked if I was hiking the trail and offered water – I thanked her but declined.
 |
| CTH B Camp Susan Entrance |
 |
| Highland Lakes Western Allta Lake - Camp Susan |
Revisted Rick 45 Roadhouse for an after trail beverage.
AUGUST 9, 2018
WEATHER: rain overnight, 59 at 0500, it
was 80 by noon; humid through the entire hike, clouded up around 3 pm SUNRISE: 0550 SUNSET: 2013
TRAVEL: START – CTH B Entrance to Camp
Susan – continuing on
to STH 45/47 western trailhead of the Old
Railroad Segment and the
trailhead of the Old Railroad Segment
END – parked on CTH A, Peters Marsh
Wildlife Area
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack, Tingly rubber overshoes in the pack
WILDLIFE: turkeys, frogs
and toads – plenty of mosquitoes
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
HIGHLAND LAKES EASTERN 1.2 miles S 0718 F 0745
(CTH B Camp Susan
to STH 147)
OLD RAILROAD Segment 11.2 miles S
0745 F 1224
(new reroute thru
Jack Lake Ski Trails & Veterans Memorial Park)
Total
Hiking Time 5.1 hrs Total Today 10.6 miles
TOTAL 394.0 miles
 |
| Highland Lakes Eastern |
 |
| Old Railroad - Hwy 45 |
The Old Railroad segment highlights former logging railways and remote
lakes. The segment is called Old Railroad because it incorporates an old railroad grade used
to haul logs from the area during the logging period of the early 1900’s. I didn’t find much evidence of an old
railroad grade.
From the trailhead on US 45/STH
147 the trail is on pitted outwash and high-relief hummocky
topography.
 |
| Map of the Jack Lake Ski Trails - the reroute mostly followed the top of the Green Thumb Loop from west to east and down to the parking area (Spychalla Lodge) and then south to Verterans Park until rejoining the old IAT |
 |
| Old Railroad - nciely mowed and very well marked. I wore rubber overshoes - the grass was still damp |
 |
| Old Railroad - Spychalla Lodge I took off my rubber overshoes |
 |
| Old Railroad - reroute There seemed to be a lot of spider webs on the trail |
 |
| Old Railroad The reroute through Veterans Park was informative |
 |
| Old Railroad Reroute - Veterans Park |
The Coordinator for the Langlade County Chapter
IATA gave me a map indicating the new
route of the
IAT.
The new route decommissioned 3.9 miles of the current IAT and added 4.4 miles of new IAT. I was one of the first, if not the first to walk
this new route.
After about 2 miles the trail
goes through the Jack
Lake Cross Country Ski Area. This part of the trail was very well marked and
mowed. It passes an old warming hut and
continues to the Spychalla
Lodge on CTH J. A short walk down CTH J to and thru Veterans Memorial
Park links up with the existing IAT.
 |
| Old Railroad - Veternas Park Got to love those cannons |
 |
| Old Railroad - Veterans Parks |
At the end of Veterans PArk I followed the signs but something didn't seem right - I was heading North on the 'old trail' - I should have been headed east - so I was heading back to where I started - Iturned around 0 it was only a 1/4 mile detour.
 |
| Old Railroad - boardwalk east of Veterans Park |
 |
| Old Railroad - Game Lake |
 |
| Old Railroad - after the lakes the trail takes to logging roads |
 |
| Old Railroad - Narrow Neck Pond |
Drove to Rick’s 45 Roadhouse for a burger and refreshment.
AUGUST 10, 2018
WEATHER: 62 at 0500, not as humid, mostly
cloudy initially then clearing to sunny by 10 am SUNRISE:
0552 SUNSET: 2011
TRAVEL: START – STH 52 entrance to Kettlebowl
Ski Area gate
END – CTH A trailhead of the Lumbercamp segment, same place the truck
was parked yesterday
A member of the Langlade
County Chapter, IATA assisted with the
pick-up/drop-off in the morning. He
suggested that I start on Hwy 52 and walk west.
He provided a map and a graph of
the topography. The most challenging
part of the trail is the Summit Moraine near Hwy 52. Additionally, a graph of the trail’s
topography indicated a slight downward slope from the moraine to CTH A. BOTTOM LINE:
I walked the most challenging part of the trail first while it was still
cool and I was fresh. He also provided
me with a 40th Anniversary Hiker patch for the Langlade County Chapter of the Ice Age
Trail. I was honored.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack with Tingley rubber overshoes
WILDLIFE: turkeys, frogs,
toads and 1 deer toward the end of the trail
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
LUMBERCAMP Segment 12.0 miles S 0723 F 1253
Total
Hiking Time 5.6 hrs Total Today 12.0 miles
TOTAL 406.0 miles
 |
| Lumbercamp - Hwy 52 |
This segment highlights the
historic Norem
Lumber Camp and the Baker Lake basin.
 |
| Lumbercamp Baker Lake |
Starting from the eastern
terminus on Hwy 52 the trail enters high-relief hummocky
topography representing the front of Summit Lake Moraine. Baker Lake is one of a series of kettles that may represent
the path of a sub-glacial channel when ice sat in this position. About ¼ miles west of Baker Lake, the trail drops out of the moraine onto a pitted
outwash plain and continues several miles west.
 |
| Lumbercamp - map location Norem Camp Road |
Just west of the primitive Norem Camp Road/Otto
Mauk Firelane is a clearing - the remains of the Norem Lumber Camp. From the
1920’s until 1938 the camp contained several log structures to include a bunkhouse,
hayshed, stable, kitchen, and mess hall.
 |
| Lumbercamp - Peters Marsh Wildlife Area |
I did not locate the remains is
the root cellar and several log foundations.
Supposedly, the root cellar has been renovated and is now called the “Hillbilly Hilton”
with several sleeping platforms and a table for hikers.
 |
| Timber Haven - Polar, WI |
Crossing CTH S the segment
transtions from a more open landscape to a more forested area. Lumbercamp Segment passes through the Peters Marsh State Wildlife Area.
Timber
Haven in Polar for after trail refreshment.
AUGUST 11, 2018
WEATHER: 56 at 0500 – warmed up to a high
in the low 80’s – mostly sunny.
SUNRISE: 0554 SUNSET:
2008
TRAVEL: Antigo RV Campground to RR Estates Newville
AUGUST 13, 2018
WEATHER: 67 at 0500, humidty at 92%, it
was 90 by 2 pm
SUNRISE: 0602 SUNSET:
2002
TRAVEL: START –
parked car at the end of the Brooklyn Willdlife Segment on
Hughes Rd, just east of CTH D
END – Prairie
Moraine Park, intersection
of Wesner Rd & CTH PB
A relative assisted
with the pick-up and drive back to the parked car.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack with Tingley rubber overshoes. The trail was damp – wore the overshoes until
0930.
WILDLIFE: no major wildlife
- heard birds singing along most of the trail
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
BROOKLYN WILDLIFE Segment 3.5 miles S 0800 F 0926
MONTROSE Segment 7.5
miles S 0926 F 1246
Connector Route 2.9
miles S 1246 F1405
Total Hiking Time 6.1 hrs Total
Today
13.9 miles
TOTAL 419.9 miles
 |
| Brooklyn Wildlife Segment - map |
 |
| Brooklyn Wildlife Segment water pump |
Throughout much of the segment
the trail follows a north-south trending highland. The bedrock ridge appears to be the
westernmost extent of the glaciations.
From the ridge there are some excellent views to the west and east,
although they were shrouded in morning haze.
The City of Belleview
to the west of the segment lies
on glacial outwash.
 |
| Brooklyn Wilflife Segment Johnstown Moraine off to the east in the haze |
The Driftless Area extends west to the Mississippi River. To the east of the trail, the lowland has been partly filled with outwash from the Johnstown Moraine and older glaciers. All of the hills seen to the east are bedrock cored but have a thin till cover. The Johnstown Moraine lies to the east.
 |
| Montrose Segment bedrock |
 |
| Montrose Segment CTH DD |
The start of the Montrose Segment on CTH D, represents a low divide in a bedrock
ridge – the trail then climbs and crosses glaciated bedrock hills that offer
some views of the Johnstown
Moraine to the east and northeast. The
dates of the glaciers that covered this region is not known. To the west, are the hills and valleys of the Driftless
Area.
 |
| Montrose Segment Badger State Trail |
 |
| Montrose Segment along the Badger State Trail evidence of a cut through the rock |
About a half mile from Purcell Rd the trail crosses into an area covered by the last glaciation. The Johnstown Moraine is a narrow ridge at the very edge of this last advance. The IAT shares a route with the Badger State Trail an abandoned railroad bed, there is a slight rise as the trail continues - engineered to make the grade as gradual as possible.
The Connector Route between the north end of the Montrose Segment and the start of the Verona Segment at Prairie Moraine County Park had an end of trail uphill climb and a finishing walk down busy CTH PB.
Comments
Post a Comment