Ice Age Trail (September, October, November)

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

WEATHER: sunny -  high of 70 – little or no wind  - Cornell, WI 

TRAVEL:       Burlington to Rock River Leisure Estates, Newville, WI to Brunet State Park, Cornell, WI

Brunet Island State Park does not accept site reservations after Labor Day, However, I did visit the park in July and decided that there most likely would be plenty of sites available on a first come-first served basis during mid-week September.

Arrived about 1445 – Stie 6 – plenty deep – fairly level nard pack gravel, lots of shade from mature trees `- lots of room right and left -   A state park – electric but no water – clean showers & toilets.  Plenty of bike trails in the park – paved.  On the flowage – good place for canoeing or kayaking   Peaceful – even during the week during summer – full on weekends – make a reservation.between Memorial Day & Labor Day..

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

WEATHER:  49 at 0445; clear, mostly sunny and a high of 72

SUNRISE: 0637 SUNSET: 1924  Cornell, WI

TRAVEL:       START – 245^th Ave western end of Firth Lake Segment or CTH E

                      END -  park at Ice Age Interpretive Center

A member of the Chippewa Moraine Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tingley overshoes and long sleeve t-shirt in Cloudwalker Camelbak..

WILDLIFE:deer and turkeys

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

Connector Route                                              1.8 miles        S 0735           F 0815

HARWOOD LAKES Segment                          6.0 miles        S 0815            F 0115

CHIPPEWA MORAINE Segment (5.6 of 7.6)   5.6 miles        S 1115            F 1430

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.9hrs            Total Today   13.4 miles

                                                                                                         TOTAL         433.3miles

Connector Route  was half drit road – half asphalt road – the walk went fast

The Harwood Lake s segment features large beaver dams, a large glacial erratic, lakes and wetlands.  All of this segment is in the Chippewa Moraine and high-relief hummocky topography.  The trail was well worn and marked – mostly single track tread with at least 5 boardwalk bridges.  Even through there were a lot of upa and downs it was a pleasant walk – the cool morning temprs may have contributed.

Harwood Lakes reroute Notice of
Detour at trailhead on CTH E

The  5.6 mile hike from the eastern end of the Chippewa Moraine Segment to the Ice Age Interpretive Center skirts Plummer Lake, crosses Town Line Rd (160^th St)  and continues west passing a small cluster of lakes before reaching CTH M and the final walk to the Ice Age Interpretive Center.

I missed the turn off Rattlesnake Hill Road and walked the the south side of Dumke Lake.  I connected back with the trial at Horeshore Lake only to find that the bridge was out and the trail was re-routed – these detours probably added .4 mile to the walk today.

Like the view at the Obey Ice Age Center, a stop at Dumke Lake, near the eastern terminus, gives a visual appreciation of how ice-walled lake plains are formed.

Harwood Lakes reroute - it was well marked but recently cut and during wet weather would be very muddy & slippery 

p

Harwood Lakes -  Picnic Lake

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 parts of the glacier, and over time, fine sediment accumulated on the lakes floor.  When the ice surrounding the lake melted, the sediment that accumulated on the bed of the lake remained.  This formed a high, flat-topped area on the land, rich in soil for farming.  The course material deposited along the ice-wall and the lake’s shoreline formed a higher-rim-like ridge around the lake plain. 

Harwodd Lakes - logging slash - the reroute was msotly easy to follow and well marked

Harwood Lakes - a lot of
boardwalks 

Chippewa Moraine

Chippewa Moraine

Chippewa Moraine  - a bit of geology

Chippewa Moraine - there are a lot of ice walled lake plains in this area

A long walk – that took close to 7 hours – I’ll have to rearrange the planned walks for the rest of the week.  A 4-5 hour walk is fine, I start to get tired and 6 hours and going to 7 hours justs plain beat me up.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

WEATHER:  60 at 5am – high of 78 – mostly sunny – wind from the south

SUNRISE: 0638 SUNSET: 1922 Cornell, WI

TRAVEL:      START – 245^th Ave western end of Firth Lake Segment

                     END -  Sweenie’s Bar Junction of STH 64 & STH 27 east of Cornell

A member of the Chippewa Moraine Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tingley overshoes in Cloudwalker Camelbak..- really didn't need the overshoes

WILDLIFE: deer 

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

FIRTH LAKE Segment                            7.0 miles        S 0715           F 1050

CHIPPEWA RIVER Segment                  1.8 miles        S 1050           F 1150

Connector Route (3.4 of 26.7 miles)      3.4 miles        S 1150           F 1350

                                               Total Hiking Time     6.1 hrs        Total Today      12.2 miles

                                                                                                     TOTAL            445.6 miles

Firth Lake

Firth Lake
that is one big step

The Firth Lake Segment is a scenic hike crossing an ice walled lake plain and beaver dams.  It is generally forested and features Firth Lake.  From its starting point on 245^th Avenue (MoonRidge Trail) to Firth Lake  the segment traverses rolling high-relief topography.  The trail in this area is well-worn single track tread.

Firth Lake is a shallow kettle lake on an outwash plain.  There is a 500 foot boardwalk across an old beaver dam and continues into low=relief hummocky topography.  The segments final 1.3 miles are on private property and  features a .3 mile walk through an extensive ice-walled lake plain and crossing a part of the Maple Hill End Moraine.

Chippewa River Segment
The Conrell Flowage created
because of a dam at Cornell

Chippewa River Segment
sign on CTH Z

The Chippewa River Segment starts from a large parking area on CTH CC and heads south through a forest featuring views of the Chippewa River, from the edge of rolling bluffs.  After passing through a thin strip of land between CTH CC and the river, the segments resumes an off-road course through the Krank Nature Preserve until it reaches Perch Lake and ends on CTH Z

Along the Connector Route - Cornell Pulpwood Stacker

Cornell Pulpwood Stacker

Connector Route -  From the Chippewa River Segment terminus on CTH Z to Sweenie’s Bar at the junction of STH 64 & STH 27, east of Cornell 

The suggested IAT Connector Route is 41.4 miles long on remote roads some paved – some dirt – all narrow  - with almost nothing in-between  - long boring walk with no cover – all open ground.  I decided to take the more direct route on STH 64   in segments . . . .  .

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

WEATHER: 60 at 0430 - clear , it was 79 and sunny at 1230

SUNRISE: 0639 SUNSET: 1920 Cornell, WI

TRAVEL:       START – Gas Station Store west side of Gilman on STH 64

                      END -  Sweenie’s Bar STH 64 & STH 27

A member of the Chippewa Moraine Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore short pants, short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, carried Cloudwalker Camelbak..

WILDLIFE: deer in teh early - only cows and road kill of garter sanke, turtle and hawk along the road

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

Connector Route (14.9 of 26.7 miles)    14.9 miles                  S 0715           F 1225

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.2 hrs     Total Today     14.9 miles

                                                                                                    TOTAL          460.5 miles

I drove the suggested Connector Route from Cornell to the Lake Eleven trailhead in July.  The route is 41.4 miles of boring nothing . . . .  . not a store or a place to park  . . .  a quick walk through a place called Lublin within 8 miles of the Lake Eleven terminus but  just about nothing in-between..  Of course, there is little or no traffic along this route.

Autumn is in the air
depending on location
aspenss, birch, some oaks,
sumacs changing color

Chippewa-Taylor County
Line - walking west on STH 64

STH 64 - between Conrell and
 Gilman- a corner referred to
by locals as "Little Chicago"
Reference mobs of the 30''s

However, I decided to walk the shortest route between Cornell and the Lake Eleven trailhead along STH 64/73.  More traffic but not unbearable. Today I started at the Gilman General Store and walked west along STH 64 to Sweenie’s Bar at the junction of STH 64 and STH 27.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

WEATHER:   60 at 0445 clear – sunny at 81 by 1 pm

SUNRISE: 0641 SUNSET: 1919 Cornell, WI

TRAVEL:     START – Sailor Creek Rd aka FR-571 on the CR or CTH M

                     END -  parked at Gilman General Store (STH 64

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

LAKE ELEVEN SEGMENT (4.4 of 15.6 miles)                         S 0710           F 0925

Connector Route (8.6 of 26.7)                                                  S 0925           F 1255           

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.7 hrs     Total Today   13.0 miles

                                                                                                   TOTAL         473.5 miles

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tingley overshoes  in Cloudwalker Camelbak – they weren’t needed.. Chaffing on lower back left - where the pack sits – probably from too much sweat and rubbing- 1^st time this has happened.

WILDLIFE:  deer and low to the ground toads and frogs

                                                                                               

.

Lake Eleven - bridge
this was soo new you could
still smell the freshly 
sawed wood

Lake Eleven
mud creek crossing

Lake Eleven - lots of ponds
not on maps due to beaver
activity 

Lake Eleven Trail Map - the terminus is on another map that connects at the top

Much of the Lake Eleven Segment from FR 558 to the trailhead was flattened by a tornado in 2002.  The Guidebook warns that depending on the season creek crossings can be dangerous.  It’s been dry so the crossings were challenging but not dangerous.  Plenty of beaver dams – rerouting sometimes difficult to follow but never really lost . .Actually, a pleasant walk – the Connector Route to Gilman seemed  long..

Lake Eleven - boardwalk

Lake Eleven Segment

Lake Eleven Segment

Junction of STH 64 and STH 73

Rest Area
on STH 64

The Connector Route along STH 64 only respite was a Rest Area where I ate a half a sandwich and rested.

Middle toe – left foot still sore and red.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

WEATHER:   64 at 0500, very humid walking–sweat a lot–high of 83 at 1320 – no wind

SUNRISE: 0642 SUNSET:1917 Cornell, WI

TRAVEL:       START –started at Trucker Lane aka FR-558

END -  parked at Sailor Creek Rd aka FR-571, this was a 55 minute drive from Brunet Island State Park

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tingley overshoes  in Cloudwalker Camelbak – they weren’t needed..  Chaffing on lower back left and now on the right  - where the pack sits – probably from too much sweat and rubbing.

WILDLIFE:  turkeys, 1^st pheasant, deer and 1^st ground squirrels – and the ever present low to the ground toads and frogs.                                                                                          

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

LAKE ELEVEN SEGMENT (11.2 of 15.6 miles)                       S 0720           F 1320

                                                Total Hiking Time     6.0 hrs     Total Today  11.2 miles

                                                                                                   TOTAL         484.7 miles

Erratic

Mushrooms
lots all along the
trails

Lake Eleven
trail

The Lake Eleven Segment is in the Chequamegon National Forest.  It has a distinct Northwoods feel of wilderness highlighting the deep, clear, kettle Lake Eleven and other features associated with the Perkinstown End Moraine.

This is Lake Eleven 

From FR 558 going northeast the trail is on high-relief hummocky topography.  Plenty of water crossings that could cause issues when water is high – but not today.  There are some boardwalks.

Bridge across
South Fork ot
the Yellow River

Mushroom

Boardwalk

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

WEATHER:  45 at 0720 clear – sunny; 65 by 1230 mostly sunny

SUNRISE: 0645 SUNSET: 1851  Milton,  WI

TRAVEL:       START: County Line  

END  parked car at Storrs Lake parking area

A family member assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, New Balance walking shoes, carried Tingley overshoes  in Cloudwalker Camelbak – reaaly didn’t need them until I came across the flooded area of Bowers Lake on the Storrs Lake Segment...

WILDLIFE heard turkeys but never saw any – flocks of bird migrating to the south

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

Connecting Route                                                9.3 miles        S 0720           F 1036

STORRS LAKE Segment (backtrack)                  1.8 miles        S 1036           F 1226

Reroute due to flooded trail (added 2.0 miles and at least an hour to the hike)

MiILTON Segment  (STH 59 to Storrs Lake)      0.5 miles       S 1226           F 1239

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.3 hrs      Total Today       11.6+ miles

                                                                                                     Total               496.3 miles

The Connecring Route was a quiet walk.  Only 7 vehicles went by during the 9.3 mile walk and 6 of them were on the stretch of CTH K – made good time averaged 2.8 mph.

Srorrs Lake trailhead
on Bowers Lake Road

The Storrs Lake Segment is short at 1.9 miles.  It begins at a parking area on Bowers Lake Rd. and heads south along the edge of the 950 acre Storrs Lake State Wildlife Area.  On July 1, 1832 a young Abraham Lincoln camped beside Storrs Lake as one of the 4,500 solderis commanded by BG Henry Atkinson.  They were in pursuit of Sauk Chief Black Hawk who was fleeing north along the Rock River with 400 warriors and 1,200 women and children,

Bowers Lake, just west of the Wildlife Area was overflowing into the wetlands.  I was glad I had put on my overshoes.  However, with only  0.7 mile to go – the water became too deep.  It was up to the top of my overshoes – top of my calf – what lie ahead looked deeper and I didn’t want to walk the remaining 300 yards with water-filled boots and soaked shoes & socks.  I turned back – tried a route through the trees to the west but that was thick and also flooded. I went back to Bowers Lake Road and walked to the parking lot at the end fo the trail.  The reroute added about 2.5 miles to the planned walk.  

Bowers Lake - I thought a pretty view - I was was still on dry ground - soon it turned to water

A deceptive trail - there's water at the base
of those grasses -  the lake to the right
a stream to the left

It looks like an easy trail
When the water isn't in the weeds
The end was so near but so far

I only walked ½ mile of the Milton Segment from STH 59 to the Storrs Lake trailhead in 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

WEATHER:   cloudy rain – drizzle 53 degrees and the mosquitoes were still alive and well at Rock River Estates, clouds and occasional rain on the drive to Rib Lake – overnight forecast low in the high 30’s

SUNRISE: 0650 Burlington, WI             SUNSET:1842 Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:       Rock River Estates, Newville, WI to Rib Lake, WI

Colors of the Forest

PACKERS 22 – BiLLS 0 – now that’s football  - Rogers appretnly thought the score should have been 45-0 with over 600 yards for the Pack        

Village of Rib Lake Campground
on a rare sunny day

VILLAGE OF RIB LAKE CAMPGROUND – gravel and grass, surprisingly level, no one else in the campground - no sewer but water and electric at $20/day or $100/week – I’m here for a week. Clean restroom – shower cost $0.25 per 2½ minutes.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

WEATHER:   38 at 5 am clear – there were showers last night

SUNRISE: 0659 SUNSET: 1841 Rib Lake, WI

45 and raining when I got back to the trailer – 51 in the trailer – the heater works -  more rain and t-storms all day tomorrow in the forecast  . . . . .  . .

TRAVEL: Village of Rib Lake CG to Jerry Lake Trailhead (Sailor Creek Rd)

START:  Lake 19 Road (AKA FR 108)

                      END: Sailor Creed Road (AKA 573)

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, Tingley overshoes, carried a 3^rd long sleeve shirt in the Cloudwalker Camelbak.

WILDLIFE:  a squirrel or two and a porcupine

BREWERS (3) beat the CUBS (1) at Wrigley Field  for the National League Central - Division Champs 96 wins for the Brew Crew this year – ties a club record. 

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

JERRY LAKE Segment (9.6 of 15.2 miles)       9.6 miles        S 0730           F 1240

                                              Total Hiking Time   5.2 hrs        Total Today       9.6 miles

                                                                                                  Total               505.9 miles

           

The Jerry Lake Segment is in the Chequamegon National Forest (try saying Chequamegon fast 5x). and features Jerry Lake, the mile-long Hemlock Esker and crossings of two forks of the Yellow River.  The segment traverses the Chippewa Moraine over crevasses fills and across several glacial ice-walled plains.  I started on Lake 19 Road and hiked back to the parking area and trailhead on Sailor Creek Road.

Jerry Lake Segment

Jerry Lake Segment
open - most of the trail 
was easy to follow wel worn
single track tread

Jerry Lake Segment

  

Jerry Lake Segment
the trail - forest floor

The trail was probably the most scenic – mostly because of mostly open-forest – not thick overgrown second growth.  The primitive campsites on this segment along the trail are outstanding – I’d camp there any day.  The walk along the Hemlock Esker (local name) reminded me of the long Parnell Esker in North Kettle Moraine.  Never really got close to Jerry Lake – so no pictures.  It was hilly at the end of the trail. 

Rib Lake Watering Hole
'Drinkslingers'
of course on Monday it was
very cloudy and raining by 2 pm

Actually came across people on the trail.  I met a man walking his dog along the trail coming at me – and 2 backpackers,who entered the IAT just in front of me around 11 am.  Like “her majesty” – they “didn’t have a lot to say.”  In fact the backpackers never said hello or acknowledged me.

It started to rain at noon – continued until I reached my car at 1240 – it was bearable.  At 2 pm it started to rain – hard – it would have been miserable on the trai – it was miserable just walking from my truck to the trailer..  Temp is 45 degrees.

OCTOBER 2, 2018

WEATHER:   43 and cloudy at 0430 – ground is wet, 54 by 2 pm cloudy all day, little or no wind                      SUNRISE: 0701                 SUNSET:1838   Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:      START  Bunker Rd & Fawn Ave (start of CR to Pine Line)

END  CTH E (Forest Rd)

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

MONDEAUX ESKER Segment               11.7 miles                  S 0730           F 1440

                                                Total Hiking Time     7.2 hrs        Total Today    11.7 miles

                                                                                                       Total             517.6 miles

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, carried a 2^nd  and 3^rd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, Tingley overshoes – wore the overshoes until 1 pm – they were really needed on the east side of the Mondeaux Flowage – lots of water and mud, sucking peat low spots.

WILDLIFE:  deer, bear hunters along the roads, squirrels and truekeys

           

T

he Mondeaux Esker Segment has two remote very forested sections split by a trek through the popular Mondeaux Dam Recreation Area (MDRA).

Mondeaux Esker
much of the trail was muddy

Mondeaux Esker
this was in a very muddy - difficult - up and
down area on the east side of the flowage
I had already decided that this was a very
challenging section - Lost the trail 4x before
I reaached this spot

I started at the terminus of the east section.  I lost the trail/missed blazes 3x before I reached the beaver dam, and one more time after.  This appears to be the most challenging segment to navigate – and eventually the hike along the east side of the Mondeaux Flowage may have put this segment in contention for also the most physically demanding . . . . . . but I think the Harwood Lakes Segment may hold that title.  I wore the rubber overshoes until 1 pm.  There were plenty of low spots that never drain with peat sucking mud on the east side.  I’m glad it was in the 50’s - else the trail may have beat me by the time I got to the Recreation Area. In warmer weather – a stop at the Recreation Area may be in order.

Mondeaux Esker
east side of the
flowage - sucking mud

Mondeaux Esker
flowage form the
 east side

The hike from the Recreation Area to CTH E was a much easier walk.  Only 1 issue when I came to FR 100 there was no marker to say which way to go – I went north – the trail is south.  Additionally the Mammoth Tracks GPS App  did not match the trail from that point for almost .4 mile.

Almost all, of this segment is behind the Perkinstown Moraine, most of the ground is till that was dropped at the base of the glacier.

Mondeaux Esker - this is the Mondeaux Flowage form the beach in the park rby the US Forest Service

Just west of the Mondeaux Flowage , the trail crosses an elongated depression filled with peat.  This depression is likely the path of an old tunnel channel, one that carried water until the younger tunnel channel, today holding the Mondeaux Flowage, formed.

The present day Mondeaux Flowage occupies a seven mile tunnel channel, which once gushed with melt water beneath the Chippewa Lobe.  The area’s well known land forms of ice-walled lake plains, small kettle lakes, and forest-covered glacial knobs wer the result of stagnant glacial ice.  Multiple eskers from the hogback ridges in the flowage area.

Like many tunnel channels, this one filled with debris-rich ice after it stopped carrying

water.  This is known because hummocky sand and gravel released from the melting debris-rich ice partially filled the channel in places.  When the tunnel was active water flowed toward the south-southeast and filled the valley, at least to the extent that the lake fills the valley now.  A sub-glacial river the roared for a few days to weeks then suddenly stopped.  As the flow of water decreased the weight of the overlying ice pushed debris-rich glacial ice into the valley to fill the open space that had been occupied by the water.

For .4 miles west of the Shady Dr trailhead, the Mondeaux Esker Segment crosses the high-relief hummocky topography of the Perkinstown Moraine.

OCTOBER 3, 2018

WEATHER:   a hard rain with thunderstorms overnight – 53 and raining at 5 am – fog – 64 by 1 pm – the sun actually shown through the clouds for a few minutes around 1245 – first sunshine I’ve seen since leaving Nevada 

SUNRISE: 0702 SUNSET:1836   Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:  IAT trailheads

Rib Lake
Northwoods Cafe
good breakfast

It stopped raining by 9am – it may have been OK to walk but the first hour would have had me soaked.  Stopped at a local restaurant for a Denver Omelet. – rearranged the schedule.  I had a rain day built in but not this early – decided to perhaps extend by one day.  It looks like rain and clouds for the next two weeks.  Decided to split the Harrison Hills Segment in two segments and checked out future parking at trailheads.

I saw a County Truck with a snowplow on the road.  

Started to rain again 1430-1600.  Tornado Warning for Lincoln & Oneida Counties.  I was travelling in Lincoln County but the Warning was for towns in the northern part of the county - Tomahawk area  – winds up to 70 mph and quarter size hail.

OCTOBER 4, 2018

WEATHER: thunderstorms overnights = huge drop in temperature ffom  69 last night to 37 this morning – partly cloudy  - you can see some stars and the moon – windy – the sun came out around  9 am – 44 in the afternoon.

SUNRISE: 0704            SUNSET:1834   Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:       START  Bunker Rd & Fawn Ave (start of CR to Pine Line)

END  parked truck at CTH D (East Lake/Rib Lake Trailhead)

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^{nd l} long slleve t-shirt and a windbreaker; carried a 3^rd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, Tingley overshoes – only wore them for the Pine Line and following Connector Route Segments,   At the start of the East Lake Segment the windbreaker went in the pack. .

WILDLIFE:  deer along Fawn Avenue

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

Connector Route                                      3.4 miles                   S 0743          F 0851

PINE LINE Segment                                 0.9 miles                   S 0851          F 0917

Connector Route                                      0.7 miles                   S 0917          F 0935

EAST LAKE  Segment                              6.4 miles                   S 0935          F 1311

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.5 hrs       Total Today     11.4 miles

                                                                                                     Total               529.0 miles   

Pine Line Trailhead

Pine Line

Connector Route - a walk along a gravelly and asphalted  Fawn Ave (FR 101)  Mostly  protected from the wind.

The Pine Line Segment follows the south edge of a collapsed ice-walled lake sediment – crosses a shallow kettle filled with peat in pitted outwash plain

Connector Route – a short walk north along STH 13 to a wayside and the East Lake Segment trailhead.  The was the windiest park of the walk – into the wind from the north.

East Lake - lumbercamp history
the stump is to the left of the sign
not in the picture 

East Lake Trailhead 

The remote, hilly and scenic East Lake Segment highlights the Headwaters of the Black River, historic logging sties and Moose Mountain.  This segment is within the Perkinstown Moraine situated exclusively on high-relief hummocky terrain. The trail ascends the most vertical feet in the central part of the segment.  Ice flowed from northwest to southeast.  The Village of Rib Lake is on an outwash plain.  All the lakes are kettles

East Lake

I saw a County Truck with a sideplow attached on CTH D when I completed the trail.

GAME 1 of 5 for the National League Division Championship

Another watering hole in Rib Lake    There's a bowling alley in the back
the IGA is immediatley behind from where I took the pictureJust a place to have a refershment after the trail - It was sunny and windy

Played in Milwaukee had 6 hits total and a 2 run homer by Yelich.  The Rockies only hit was a 3 bagger until the 9^th inning.  Then 4 hits – a run in and nobody out bases loaded . . . . exciting . . .  a fly to center and the game is tied. Bottom of the 10^th inning  with 2 outs a man on 3^rd a base hit and the Brewers win.

Listened to the game on a FM country station from Park Falls, WI

Brewers 3 – Rockies 2 

OCTOBER 5, 2018

WEATHER:   rain most of the night – 34 at 0500 – looks like rain until almost noon – I wasn’t sure what blue on the radar was  - it’s SNOW to the east along the Wis/Mich border and to the north.  Started and ended the hike with a temperature of 43, cloudy and wore my overshoes until I reached the road walk portion of the Rib Lake Segment

SUNRISE: 0705 SUNSET:1833   Rib Lake, WI

DELAYED THE HIKE TODAY UNTIL 1100 – the rain should be past

The weather continues to be a challenge. The Forecast:

TODAY Friday  Rain until noon and temperatures in the 40’s

Oct 6    Saturday          Cloudy temp 40-50

Oct 7    Sunday            Cloudy high of 50, showers in the evening

Oct 8    Monday            Rain – possible t-storms with a high of 60

Oct 9    Tuesday           T-storms a high of 60

Oct 10  Wednesday      Rain a high in the 50’s

Oct 11  Thursday          Partly Cloudy high in the mid 40’s

Oct 12  Friday              Rain and snow

Oct 13  Saturday          Rain and snow

Based on the forecast I’ll revise my schedule again and head home on Tuesday morning

I’ve already paid the City of Antigo for 9 days of camping – hopefully they’ll make a refund

There’s always next year . . .

I’ll also have to cancel the arrangements made with the IATA’s Northwoods and Langlade County Chapters

 

TRAVEL:      START  Central Crossing of Bear Ave parking

END  park CTH D (East Lake/Rib Lake trailhead)

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^{nd l} long sleeve t-shirt and a windbreaker; carried a 3^rd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, started out with the Tingley overshoes on my feet.

WILDLIFE:  deer

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

WOOD LAKE Segment (5.2 of 13.3)     5.2 miles                   S1116            F 1427

RIB LAKE Segment (2.0 IAT, 3.7 CR)   5.7 miles                   S 1427           F 1658

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.7 hrs     Total Today    10.9 miles

                                                                                                    Total             539.9 miles   

IAT Wood Lake
sign on STH 102

Wood Lake
site of Lumber Camp #7

The Wood Lake Segment is a wild, remote segment highlighting Gus Johnson Creek, Wood Lake, wetlands and historic logging camp sites.  The segment has high-relief hummocky topography with kettles and erratics.  This segment is the outer part of the Wood Lake Moraine. Today I started at Centrail Bear Lake Crossing walking west.

Wood Lake - Camp 7

Wood Lake Segment

Rib Lake trailhead
sign on STH 102Add caption

Wore my overshoes until the road portion of the Rib Lake Segment and kept the poncho on until 1345.  There was a mist in the air and the occasional wind made rain from the trees in the forest long after the rain passed. I lost the trail 2x and lost 15-20 minutes.  This 1^st time was my fault – I was too content  to walk down the logging road at eh start and missed the turn into the woods.  The 2^nd time was at the logging camp site.  The turn right is not marked.  Still this was a slow walk averaging about 1.6 miles an hour.  

The Ice Age Trail Segments across Taylor county
I walked Lake Eleven in September - this week it was Jerry Lake, Mondeaux Esker, Pine Line, East Lake Rib Lake  and Wood LAke 

Rib Lake
start of the road walk

Rib Lake
retaining wall 

Rib Lake
road walk route

The Rib Lake Segment includes a short off-road section followed by a lengthy road walk.  There is an access point for the Timm’s Hill National Trail along the trail.  Timm’s Hill is Wisconsin’s highest point at 1,951.5 feet.  The trail then leads into the Rusch Preserve and ends at the IATA’s Marinor Preserve on STH 102.  This would probably be a good walk for anyone – fairly level and easy to walk..

GAME 2 of 5 for the National League Division Championship

Played in Milwaukee  - the Rockies were not a happy bunch – a first - I saw a Rockie break his bat over his knee when he struck out.

I watched the game from the 6^th inning on at Camp 28, in Rib Lake and had a fish fry for dinner.

Brewers - 4 Rockies – 0 next game in Denver, CO

OCTOBER 6, 2018

WEATHER:   44 at 5 am, cloudy -

SUNRISE: 0706 SUNSET:1831   Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:      START  Tower Rd Timberland Wilderness trailhead

END  park at Central Crossing of Bear Ave parking

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^{nd l} long sleeve t-shirt and a windbreaker; carried a 3^rd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, wore the Tingley overshoes until 1245..

WILDLIFE: a first for the week a frog, one deer and I seldom see birds other than those I scare up in thr brush but today I did see a bluejay 

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

TIMBERLAND WILDERNESS Segment       3.9 miles             S 0743           F 0947

WOOD LAKE Segment (8.1of 13.3)              8.1 miles             S 0947           F 1414

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.5 hrs    Total Today     12.0+ miles

                                                                                                  Total               551.9 miles   

Timberland
Wilderness
trailhead on
Tower Road

Timberland
Wilderness
walk across a dam

Timberland
Wilderness
wet and muddy

The Timberland Wilderness Segment is remote, but it roughly goes north traveling east of Tower Road – a hike through hardwood forests featuring ice –walled lake plains and several small streams.  This segment continues to traverse high-relief hummocky topography, east of and more or less parallel to the Wood Lake Moraine. 

Wood Lake

Wood Lake
trailhead on
Tower Road

Wood Lake

The Wood Lake Segment is a wild, remote segment highlighting Gus Johnson Creek, Wood Lake, wetlands and historic logging camp sites.  The segment has high-relief hummocky topography with kettles and erratics.  This segment is the outer part of the Wood Lake Moraine.

DO NOT FOLLOW
the WHITE BLAZES

Springs feed Wood Lake, which partially fills a kettle between hummocks in the moraine.  An ice-walled lake plain is directly northwest of Wood Lake but the trail skirts the plain and remains in hummocky sediment.  The steep sided valley along Gus Johnson Creek is evidence of a sub-glacial channel

Just past Wood Lake the app Mammoth Tracks indicates the Wood Lake Trail Junction – somehow I missed the Ice Age Trail and took the Wood Lake Loop Trail – my phone was running out of power – so I didn’t check my location via GPS – the trail took me back almost 3 miles – when I realized where I was – I had doubled back and was back where I was an hour ago. I should have figured it out - the trail was marked by white vertical blazes – occasional yellow – and I’m sure II saw the traditional yellow arrows indicated the Ice Age Trail.  At this point I brought out the battery pack to recharge the phone and it confirmed that I had doubled back.

Wood Lake County Park

Considering where I was, it was 2.9 miles back to the Trail Junction, where I had somehow missed the trail.  I considered options.  I was .3 mile from North Loop Road going over ground that I had already walked, so I went to North Loop Road and followed it north to Cutoff Road, and then to Bear Avenue and where I parked the truck.  A distance of 2.5 miles.  This road walk 2.5 miles, plus the .3 mile on the same trail and at least a 2 miles on the Wood Lake Loop Trail totaled 4.8 miles.  A distance that more than made up for the 4.1 miles of the trail I had not walked.  

Good Shepherd Catholic Chruch - Rib Lake, WI

Mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 6 pm Rib Lake, WI – attended by about 120 people.  A choir of 7 (5 men 2 women); one of the women played guitar.  An odd sound she played with a capo, high – tinny  - very soft but it sounded just about right.  Many of the traditional songs seemed extremely low – maybe that that OK the congregation sang.  Mass was said by an older Capuchin who sang the preface, had a 20 minute homily but sped through the rest of the mass at a crisp pace.  Homily reflected the readings dealing with marriage and relationships.

OCTOBER 7, 2018

WEATHER:   43 degrees at 5 am, cloudy

SUNRISE: 0710             SUNSET:1829   Rib Lake, WI

TRAVEL:      Rib Lake to Burlington:   

                     START  Lake 19 Road AKA FR 108

END  park CTH E AKA Mondeaux Avenue

A member of the High Point Chapter assisted with the pick-up and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^{nd l} long sleeve t-shirt and a windbreaker; Redwings, wore the Tingley overshoes for the entire walk.

WILDLIFE:  some birds, heard geese

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

JERRY LAKE Segment (5.6 of 15.2 miles) 5.6 miles              S 0718           F 1017

                                                Total Hiking Time     3.0 hrs      Total Today      5.6 miles

                                                                                                    Total              557.5 miles   

The remaining segment of Jerry Lake some spots low and muddy in the first mile of so – some segments fairly level

Jerry Lake
unnamed lake

Jerry Lake
wet and muddy 

Jerry Lake
balancing act

 It was a sad day for PACKERS they LOST to the LIONS in Detroit

GAME 3 of 5 for the National League Division Championship

Played in Denver – the Brewers WON

I listened to the game on the way home

Brewers - 6 Rockies – 0

OCTOBER 22, 2018

WEATHER:   clear & 25 at 0430 in Burlington; 32 at 0730 in Verona; reached a high of 60 by 1400 – clear & sunny

SUNRISE: 0720 SUNSET: 1804 Verona

TRAVEL:  START –  parked car Ice Age Access Connector Valley View segment on Moraine Ridge & Mound View  Rd

                   END –, Prairie Moraine Park; Wesner Rd & CTH PB

A relative assisted with the pick-up and drive back to the parked car.  

Wore long pants, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shrit, a second long sleeve t-shirt and a windbreaker, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack with Tingley rubber overshoes.  The overshoes were not needed. Hat and gloves..

WILDLIFE: squirrels

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

VALLEY VIEW Segment (Moraine Ridge Rd

 Parking Area to Mid Town Rd)                             0.8 miles                    S 0735           F 0750

Connector Route                                                 1.8 miles                    S 0750           F 0825

MADISON Segment                                             3.1 miles                    S 0825           F 0945

VERONA Segment                                               6.4 miles                    S 1000           F 1215

                                                  Total Hiking Time     4.7 hrs        Total Today     12.1 miles

                                                                                                         TOTAL          569.6 miles

Valley View Segment
Sign by small parking area on Moraine Ridge Rd

Valley View Segment  (Moraine Ridge Rd to Mid Town Rd) – somehow missed the turn off Saracen Way – followed Saracen Way, a neighborhood of large homes, to Mid Town Rd.

Connector Route - unevenrtful

Map of Valley View, Connecting Route and Madison Segments 

Madison Segment

Madison - University Ridge
Golf Course

The Madison Segment is on the outskirts of Madison but retains a surprisingly remote feel as it passes through University Ridge Golf Course and residential neighborhoods.  However, the sound of  traffic is never far away and road construction is ever present

Most of the hills in this area have bedrock cores, but within the glaciated area the hills are topped with till 20-50 feet thick.  From the eastern terminus the trail drops from the hills into what was probably a tunnel channel.  The gravel pits on CTH PD just west of the moraine are in outwash that was deposited by huge flows from the tunnel channel

Verona - bike path 

Verona Segment 

The Verona Segment is a suburban segment through three Dane County Parks. . A good portion of the trial appears to be on bike trails or I missed the turns – not clearly marked..

The channel that Badger Mill Creek Valley, STH 18 and STH 151 occupies extends northeast of the Milton Moraine. This could have been a tunnel channel when the glacier sat at the Johnstown Moraine.  As the glacier retreated from the Johnstown Moraine it deposited an outwash plain throughout the area north of the Badger Mill Creek Valley.  Part of Badger Prairie County Park is in this outwash.  Some parts of this trail were muddy.

Verona - boardwalk

Verona
Prairie Moraine Park  

Verona 

In Prairie Moraine Park the trail climbs the Johnstown Moraine and follows its edge for 2 miles until turning toward the northeast along an outwash channel.  This hilly terrain was not very good for straight tow agriculture so many farmers left oak trees to grow.

OCTOBER 24, 2018

WEATHER:   32 at 5 am;  29 and clear at 7:30 am; 50 at noon

SUNRISE: 0721 SUNSET: 1759   Janesville

:

TRAVEL:  START – Palmer Park in Janesville

                   END –parked my car STH 59 in Milton

A member of the Rock County Chapter assisted with the drop off and pick this morning.

Wore long pants, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, windbreaker,   Redwings, hat and gloves..

WILDLIFE:  squirrels and geese

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

JANESVILLE Segment (5.7 of 10.3 miles)        5.7 miles        S 0755           F 0950

JANESVILLE TO MILTON Segment                   3.2 miles        S 0950           F 1100

MILTON Segment (3.8 of 4.5 miles)                   3.8 miles        S 1100           F 1215

                                    Total Hiking Time     4.4 hrs                    Total Today    12.7 miles

                                                                                                       TOTAL          582.3 miles

The Janesville Segment uses the City of Janesville’s extensive paved trail system that links parks to create an urban greenbelt.  I started at Palmer Park and walked east.   Continuing northeast the segment crosses under US 14.to skirt Briar Crest Park and then north passing behind Walmart and Sam’s Club crossing the pedestrian bridge and ending at West Rotamer Court. All of this is paved bike path.

Janesville to
Milton - along
old railroad bed

Janesville to
Milton - along
old railroad bed

Janesville to
Milton

The Janesville to Milton Segment initially follows a road and then veers off to merge onto the abandoned railroad bed of the Chicago & Northwestern RR (a multiuse recreational path).  It continues through a tree lined corridor and ends at Vincent St & Monouge Rd (High Street). This was a pleasant walk..  

Milton Segment

Milton College Buildings
on moraine

The Milton Segment is entirely on outwash. When the glacier advanced and then retreated from the Johnstown Moraine it deposited outwash and till at elevations of 910-950 ft above sea level. Ice then retreated to an unknown position and re-advanced to the Milton Moraine. 

Milton House

The trail meanders through Milton.  Milton High School has an outdoor laboratory featuring a restored prairie project.  Milton College is on the top of a terminal moraine left from the Green Bay Lobe.  Mlton College closed in 1982 and is now an office building with antique shops. 

Milton House

OCTOBER 26, 2018

WEATHER:   40 at 5 am mostly cloudy; 42 at 7:45 am, cloudy, 48 by 11:15 am

SUNRISE: 0721 SUNSET: 1759   Janesville

:

TRAVEL:  START – Palmer Park in Janesville

                 END – parked my car the terminus of the Arbor Ridge Segment

A member of the Rock County Chapter assisted with the drop off and pick this morning.

Wore long pants, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, hat and gloves.. Windbreaker was in the backpack.

WILDLIFE:  squirrels – and of all places – in Riverside Park along the Rock River, a Bald Eagle – my first in 600 miles of this trek through Wisconsin - fishing must be good along the river

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

JANESVILLE Segment (4.6of 10.3 miles)          4.6 miles        S 0745           F 0925

DEVILS STAIRCASE Segment                            1.8 miles        S 0925           F 1018

ARBOR RIDGE Segment                                     2.1 miles        S 1018           F 1115

                                    Total Hiking Time     3.5 hrs                       Total Today      8.5 miles

                                                                                                          TOTAL         590.8 miles

Janesville - Rotary Gardens

Janesville - Black Hawk' s Gove  

Continuation of the Janesville Segment from 

Janesville - Burr Robbins Circus

Palmer

Park . The Rotary Botanical Gardens and Blackhawk Golf Course, and Blackhawk War Grove Historical Marker are along the way..  Like the portion hiked on Monday, after crossing the Rock River on a pedestrian bridge, the trail follows an intermittent stream that was once a large glacial meltwater river.  There is a marker commemorating winter and year-round grounds of the Burr Robins Circus. The trail passes near the foot of Mineral Point Ave and the foundation of one of Janesville’s many pre-prohibition breweries, Bower City Beverage (Croak’s Brewety 1904-1939).  An old neighborhood overlooking the Rock River. 

Janesville - Rock River   dam

Janesville - Croak's Brewery

Janesville - Croak's Brewery

Janesville - Croak's Brewery

Devils Staircase

Devils Staircase
steps buiilt by
the CCC

The Devils Staircase Segment begins following a narrow strip between the Rock River and Parkside Drive.  Continuing along , the Devils Staircase gully is lined with large rocks that appear to have been purposely places as steps – leading to the name Devils Staircase.  Some of this trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930’s.  The segment ends at Riverside Golf Course.

Devils Staircase
this is probalby the gully
and the "staircase"
the trail goes up the bluff
to the right

Devils Staircase - artesian well

There are several flowing wells along the Rock River floodplain.  These are common wherever there is a distinct difference in the elevation of the glacial deposits, particularly in sand and gravel because rain can infiltrate into the water table.  In this case, water enters the groundwater system higher in the landscape to the west and flows through this sand-and-gravel aquifer toward the river, where it discharges as springs..

Arbor Ridge
cabin in arboretum

Arbor Ridge

Arbor Ridge - map

The Arbor Ridge Segment traverses an area of bedrock hills covered with till from glacial advances much older than the last glaciations.  From the east the trails follows a 30 foot wide wooded easement paralleling an active railway.  It ends in the Robert Cook Memorial Arboretum.

OCTOBER 29, 2018

WEATHER:   43 at 0445 in Burlington; 39 at 0745 in Evansville – cloudy; 51 and parly sunny at noon in Albany – cooler when walking west

SUNRISE: 0729 SUNSET: 1754   Evansville

:

TRAVEL:    START – VFW in Evansville

                   END –parked my car at the Albany Segment parking area in Albany

A  member of the Rock County Chapter assisted with the drop off and pick this morning.

Wore long pants, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, New Balance walking shoes, hat and gloves.. Windbreaker was in the backpack.

WILDLIFE:  birds and geese – Road kill a skunk and a grass snake that looks like he just froze out and couldn’t move anymore

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

Connector Route (10.3 of 31.1 miles

Evansville to Albany)                                           10.3 miles      S 0745           F 1050

Connector Route (Green County)                         3.0 miles      S 1050           F 1155

ALBANY Segment (CR to parking)                       0.4 miles      S 1155           F 1205
           

                                    Total Hiking Time     4.4 hrs            Total Today      13.7 miles

                                                                                               TOTAL           604.5 miles

Albany
Sugar State Trail on Bump Rd

Connecting Route
Magnolia Bluff County Park

Connecting Route
Magnolia Bluff from the road

Connector Route (Rock County) uneventful – the hardest part was the walk along STH 59 – traffic – I’m pretty sure the only reason for this route (along STH 59) was in order to get to Magnolia Bluff Rock County Park – for a water stop.  Otherwise, there’s nothing between Evansville and Albany.

Connector Route (Green County) - uneventful

Albany Segment – part of the Sugar River state bike trail

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

WEATHER:  A fresh covering of snow – an inch fell overnight - 23 degrees and sunny at start – 37 and sunny when finished  - a pleasant walk

SUNRISE: 0646 SUNSET: 1627  West Bend, WI

TRAVEL:       START: CTH F (Parnell Segment)  

END  parked area on East Moraine Dr, Washington County

A family member assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, black windbreakers, Redwing boots, stocking hat - hooded sweatshirt, scarf and ball cap in backpack

WILDLIFE: one deer on the Milwaukee River Segment and a chickadee

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

PARNELL Segment (CTH F to Mauthe Lake)   4.5 miles         S 0840          F 1115 MILWAUKEE RIVER (Fond du Lac County)     4.3 miles         S 1115           F 1340

MILWAUKE RIVER (Washington County)         0.5 miles        S 1340           F 1400

                                                Total Hiking Time     5.3 hrs    Total Today         9.3 miles

                                                                                                   Total                613.8 miles

Parnell - the trail 

Parnell - Forest Lake

The Parnell Segment from CTH F goes south and passes three small Kellings Lakes.  Parts of the trail are steep and rocky.  Here the trail follows a complex of short elongate ridges and kettles.  After crossing Division Rd the trail skirts the Crooked Lake Wetland State Natural Area.  It continues south passing by Forest Lake and the Mauthe Lake Campground to the recreational area entrance. . I met one person on this route with trekking poles. – I said “Good morning” – the reply was only a smile no words.

Parnell - the trail followed several eskers - it was easy to imagine a mightty glacial river running under the ice with two huge chunks of the glacier split on each side of the  river bed forming deep kettles

Milwaukee River Segment
 

Milwaukee River Segment

Milwaukee River Segment
some portions were slippery-icy

The Milwaukee River Segment from the Mauthe Lake Entrance Road going south follows a wide grassy tread, then forest, dropping down on some wetland areas and crosses CTH S. This north sides of the hills were icy and slippery.   The trail parallels the East Branch of the Milwaukee River through densely wooded hillsides. Shortly after leaving Mauthe Lake I met three gentlemen on the trail – we exchanged greetings – they said they had seen one deer hunter going south – my reply was that I had seen one deer going east..

Between CTH S and CTH D the trail goes through mostly forested, hummocky areas, At a clearing kames can be seen toward the west.  Between CTH DD and the terminus the trail parallels a well-worn New Fane bike trails.  I meet a man walking north – I said “Good afternoon” and got no reply – not ever a smile.

After crossing Kettle Moraine Dr, I walked another ½ mile to where my car was parked on East Moraine Dr in Washington County.  I passed a bow hunter on the road who had just left his truck next to my car.  I said “Good Afternoon” – there was no reply.

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

WEATHER:  Another fresh covering of snow – an inch fell overnight -  35 degrees when I started – got up to 28 - but there was a 14 mph wind from the NNW all day.  Only refuge was in the woods.  Cloudy all day – it stayed cool.  Slippery on the trail.

SUNRISE: 0647 SUNSET: 1627  West Bend, WI

TRAVEL:      START: CTH  E

END  parked area at CTH NN parking area

A family member assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, black windbreaker, and a blaze orange long sleeve t-shirt on top of that.  A blaze orange /Harley Davidson stocking hat, Redwing boots, - hooded sweatshirt, scarf, and ball cap in backpack.  I did sweat walking up the kame near Pike Lake, but kept the stocking hat on for the entire trek.

WILDLIFE:  none

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

PIKE LAKE Segment                    3.3 miles        S 0820           F 0955

SLINGER Segment                       1.5 miles        S 0955           F 1035

CEDAR LAKES Segment              2.8 miles       S 1035           F 1145

                                                Total Hiking Time     3.4 hrs     Total Today      7.6 miles

                                                                                                    Total             621.4 miles

Pike Lake Trailhead CTH E

Pike Lake 

From CTH E the Pike Lake Segment parallels and then follows Glasgow Drive for about .3 mile to the boundary of the Kettle Moraine Forest – Pike Lake Unit.  Pike Lake is a spring fed kettle.  Crossing Kettle Moraine Rd the trail makes its way uphill for almost a mile to s spur trail that leads to the top of 1,350 foot Powder Hill – one of the larger kames in the area.  I did not take the spur. The trail continues past the Black Forest Nature Trail parking area.  The segment comes out on CTH CC and ends .3 mile north on CTH CC just north of STH 60..

Slinger Segment 

Slinger Segment Trailhead

The Slinger Segment starts out on an abandoned road nestled between farm fields. Coming out of the forest the segment continues through Slinger – an Ice Age Trail Community.  The segment ends just past Community Park at the junction of STH 144 and . Cedar Creek Rd.

Cedar Lakes
Little Switzerland

Cedar Lakes
Slinger Speedway

Traveling on Cedar Creek Rd the Cedar Lakes Segment passes Slinger Speedway and Little Switzerland Ski Area.  I learned how to ski at Little Switzerland.  The ski area is situated on a kame.  Heading down Cedar Creek Rd for .7 mile the trail departs the road and follows the edge of a farm field and goes around two kames of the Polk Kames.  The kames in this area are easy to recognize with the leaves off the trees.  The segment ends at CTH NN. 

Cedar Lakes - Polk Kames from US 41 overpass

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

WEATHER:  34 at 8 am clear – 38 by 11 am mostly cloudy,

SUNRISE: 0658 SUNSET: 1621  West Bend, WI

TRAVEL:      START: Sunburst Ski Area

END: East Moraine Drive parking area

A family member assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, and a blaze orange long sleeve t-shirt on top of that.  A blaze orange /Harley Davidson stocking hat, Redwing boots, - black windbreaker, scarf, and hat backpack.  The stocking hat was replaced with the trail hat after an hour

WILDLIFE:  none – only 4 hunters

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

KEWASKUM Segment                                        0.4 miles        S 0820           F 0935

MILWAUKEE RIVER

(Washington County)  Segment                        6.4 miles        S 0835           F 1110

                                                Total Hiking Time     2.8 hrs     Total Today       6.8 miles

                                                                                                   Total               628.2 miles

After departing Prospect Dr at Sunbrust Ski Area the Kewaskum Segment  heads east along a field edge, crosses a series of boardwalks and ends at a US 45 underpass.

Milwaukee River Segment
sign on CTH H KMSF parking

Milwaukee River Segment - map

After the underpass, The Milwaukee River Segment crosses the Eisenbahn State Trail and heads east through woods and wetlands.  Coming a\upon an open field then crosses into woods and a more hummocky area.  Upon reaching the CTH H parking area, the trail crosses the Milwaukee River on a bridge and enters the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  This is where I came across 4 hunters on the trail.  The landscape here dates back to when the  Green Bay Lobe and Lake Michigan Lobe flowed into the area.  As the lobes swiped each other and retreated, they created the rugged high-hummocky topography that includes the numerous ridges, valleys, outwash plains, kettles, eskers and kames.

Milwaukee River Segment 

Milwaukee River Segment 

Milwaukee River Segment
hunter sitting in chair 

SATURDAY November 23, 2018

WEATHER:   41 degrees cloudy, occasionally windy from the west/northwest,
SUNRISE: 0700           SUNSET: 1628       Albany

TRAVEL:      START –  parking  lot Albany Segment in Albany

                      END –. parking lot Albany Segment in Monticello

A member of the Rock County Chapter assisted with the pick-p and drop-off..

Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, a 2^nd long sleeve t-shirt, and a blaze orange long sleeve t-shirt on top of that.  Hat and gloves, Redwing boots, - black windbreaker, scarf, and stocking hat backpack. 

WILDLIFE:  a turkey on STH 11, bluejays, chickadees  – 8 hunters – 2 dog walkers – 3 gunshots – and no deer

ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

ALBANY Segment -                                               9.0 miles       S 0815           F 1125

                                                Total Hiking Time     3.2 hrs         Total Today      9.0 miles

                                                                                                        TOTAL         637.2 miles

Albany - Hwy 59 in Albany

Albany - Sugar River 

The Albany Segment is a straight and flat segment on the crushed-gravel surface of the Sugar River State Trail. It meanders along the Little Sugar River and through the Albany Wildlife Area connecting the small towns of Albany and Monticello.

Albany - sturdy bridges
for winter snowmobile
traffic 

For the eastern 3 miles, this segment is on

Albany - much of the trail
looks like this

outwash of the glacial Albany Lake..  The outwash is mostly sand from the glacier when it was at the Johnstown Moraine near Verona.  Course sand and gravel were deposited close to the ice margin.  Huge amounts of sand were deposited in the Sugar River Valley.

The  Ho-Chunk called the river “Tonasookarah” meaning sugar, referring to the maple trees along the riverbank.  At the end of the 19^th century the Sugar River was called “River of Pearls” due to its aboundance of clams and oysters, which are now protected.