JULY 7, 2019
WEATHER: sunny 80’s
SUNRISE: 0525 SUNSET: 2041 Baraboo, WI
 |
| Trailer - Devils Lake State Park |
Devil’s Lake State Park – Northern Lights Campground Site 176 – not level more
than a 4” pitch left to tight – close to the showers but a water line is broke
– not very lucky this year with State Park campgrounds. . . . . crowded . . . .
TRAVEL: Rock River Leisure Estates to Devil’s
Lake State Park
JULY 8, 2019
 |
| Icae Age Trail - Devil's Lake Segment in red |
SUNRISE: 0526 SUNSET: 2041 Baraboo, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park -
a place of
striking contrasts. The purple rock,
called Baraboo Quartzite in the walls of Devils Lake gorge is more the 1.6 billion years
old. The glacially deposited ridges
(moraines) that block both
ends of the gorge are only about
16,000 years old. The moraines wrapped around high points in the landscape. Ice filled the lowlands in the eastern part
of the park and flowed into both ends of the gorge but did not advance onto the
higher western parts of the landscape.
The ice left behind two prominent moraines that plugged
both ends of the
ancient gorge now occupied by
Devil’s Lake.
TRAVEL: START
Devils Lake Segment trailhead (STH 113 – terminus of Sauk
Point Segment)
END DNR parking on STH 113, Merrimac
Segment
Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt,
Redwings, Wore Tingley rubber overshoes until 8 am. Carried Camel –Bak Cloudwalker
18 backpack..
WILDLIFE: squirrels and chipmunks in the woods, birdsong in the
woods and fields; raptors soaring at ey-level on top of the west bluff
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
DEVIL’S LAKE Segment 10.9 miles S
0710 F 1445
Total
Hiking Time 6.6 hrs Total Today 10.9 miles
Total 867.3 miles
 |
| Devil' Lake - this first part was a slight uphill walk in the woods and through the campground |
The segment
continues to wind its way through a mix of meadows and woodlands and drops down
and intersects the Campgorund Rd between sites 419 and 420.
Following the Campground Road and goes under CTH DL. Continuing
southwest along a park road – eventually reaching the park’s main exit road.
 |
| Devil's Lake - view of the West Bluff from the north shore swimming area |
Continuing down the road it connects with the West Bluff Trail to climb steeply to the top of the West Bluff 500 ft above lake level. The segment descends gradually down the West Bluff to South Lake Rd – along the south shore of Devil’s Lake – along a boardwalk and past the South Shore Picnic Area and the Bird Effigy Mound.
 |
| Devil's Lake - view from the West BLuf - the haze is smoke from the wild fires in Canada |
 |
| Devil's Lake - originally "Spirit Lake" |
Crossing railroad tracks it follows the Balanced Rock Trail up steep stone steps to an intersection with the park’s East Bluff Trail. This is a strenuous and challenging climb. More challenging today than when I was 13 or 14 or 23 years old. Upon reaching the top of the bluff the trail is shaded by small oaks and red cedars.
 |
| Devil's Lake south face of the East Bluff - looking back to the lake |
 |
| Devil's Lake climbing the East Bluff |
 |
| Devil's Lake climbing the East Bluff 'baraboo quartzite' |
Continuing the segment leaves the East Bluff Trail by a Moldy Buttress Cliffside rock formation heading north then east to re-connect with the park’s Upland Loop Trail. Continuing east, then dropping south down the south face of East Bluff – crossing South Lake Rd it enters Roznos Meadow traversing open prairie and grassland. It ends at the STH 113 south trail access. About 5-600 yards the trail turned muddy than downright impaasable as I reached water that went over the top of my shoe. I turned around and followed the park road out to STH 113. By this time I was exhausted.
 |
| Devil's Lake - walking on the south face of the Eastt Bluff looking south |
I’ve hiked through Devils
Lake several times in
the past on the Devil’s Lake Trail. As I recall the trail was about
14.5 miles long starting at the South Campground – ascending the East
Bluff down and then up
the West Bluff down and along the
tumbled rocks area on the west side of the lake – back up the East
Bluff and then return to
the camping area.
JULY 9, 2019
WEATHER: 61 at 0700 – 86 by noon and very muggy
SUNRISE: 0527 SUNSET: 2041 Baraboo, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park – The moraine “plugs” at each end of the lake and the way they created the lake are unique in the entire world. Great views of the western part of the park, part of the unglaciated Driftless Area, can be seen from the many rock ledges along the rim of the East Bluff.
 |
| Devil's Lake State Park |
Devil’s Lake State Park – The moraine “plugs” at each end of the lake and the way they created the lake are unique in the entire world. Great views of the western part of the park, part of the unglaciated Driftless Area, can be seen from the many rock ledges along the rim of the East Bluff.
TRAVEL: START
CTH JV & V Gibraltar Rock trailhead parking
END Lodi Springfield Rd parking
Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt,
Redwings, Carried Camel –Bak Cloudwalker
18 backpack..
WILDLIFE: only birdsong and a toad on the
initial Connector Route. – butterflies
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route 2.3
miles S 0724 F 0812
FERN GLEN Segment 1.3
miles S 0812 F 0855
Connector Route 2.4
miles S 0855 F 1000
CITY OF LODI Segment 1.8
miles S 1000 F 1042
EASTERN LODI MARSH Segment 3.5 miles S 1042 F 1248
Total
Hiking Time 5.3 hrs Total
Today 11.3 miles
Total 876.3 miles
 |
| Map of the Ice Age Trail - I walked today - Started at Connector Route upper left of the picture - Fisnished on Lodi Springfield Road |
 |
| Fern Glen Segment |
The Fern Glen Segment circles around the north side of a drumlin. A drumlin is an elongate ill that forms at the bed of a glacier and parallels the direction of the ice flow. Normally described as a teardrop (used to be cigar shaped) , the drumlin is steeper pn the up-cie side, where the glacier ice was forced against the hill and gentler on the down-ice side, where the ice was less erosive.
I missed the turn
of the Connecting Route where it connects with the City of Lodi Segment – took STH 113 into
town.
 |
| Eastern Lodi Marsh - I thought the pipes were for irrigation - I found out later - they are for dispensing waste water from the Lodi Canning Plant - this is where I lost the trail |
 |
| Eastern Lodi Marsh view |
 |
| Making trail - it wasn't easy |
 |
| Eastern Lodi Marsh this is where I found the trail |
Eastern Lodi Marsh traverses till-covered ridges of Prarie du Chien dolomite.
While glaciers partially shaped
the landscape into drumlin forms, the north-south trending ridge that the trail follows in its central
section is bedrock. Lodi Marsh is a tunnel
channel..
I lost the trail in
this segment and found a lot of the dolomite on the banks of steep ravines
that I had to climb in and out of as I trekked cross country to reconnect with
the trail. One of the few times I had to use a compass.
I was a sweaty mess
at the end of the this trek- I cannot remember ever soaking my shirt or trousers
with as much sweat as I did today. Many of today’s photos are not clear – not sure
if that was still smoke from Canadian wild fires or condensation on the lens as
it was taken from my pocket. .
JULY 10, 2019
WEATHER: 72 at 5 am humid with a very
heavy dew – the lake was shrouded in fog – 82 by 10 am – 85 at 3 pm sunny all
day once the fog burned off – cloudy by 5 pm
SUNRISE: 0527 SUNSET: 2040 Baraboo, WI
 |
| Devil's Lake - Brid Mound on the south shore |
Devil’s Lake State Park – Devil’s Lake is 1.3 miles long and 0.6 miles wide, and it is about 40 feet deep. Its level is higher than the land outside the blocking moraines; it contains little or no limestone debris, so it is a soft water lake.
TRAVEL: START Balliwig Rd parking walk north
END Lodi Springfield Rd parking
Wore shorts short sleeve t-shirt, New Balance
walking shoes, Carried Camel –Bak
Cloudwalker 18 backpack – another hot one..
WILDLIFE: only birdsong, one toad and a
rabbit
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connecting Route 7.8
miles S 0710 F 1010
LODI MARSH Segment 1.8 miles
S 1010 F 1110
Total
Hiking Time 4.0 hrs Total Today 9.6
miles
Total 885.9 miles
The Connector
Route was uneventful –
lots of hills.
 |
| Connector Route |
 |
| Start at the Springfield Segment and walk north |
 |
| Connector Route - farm country |
 |
| This sign is actually at the end of the Eastern Lodi Marsh Segment |
The marsh was
formed after the last glaciation as wetland vegetation slowly filled a shallow pond in this part of the
valley. The valley itself is a tunnel
channel. When the valley formed beneath the glacier,
water under pressure flowed beneath the ice cutting a deep valley into the
bedrock. Water in the tunnel flowed westward through the
valley that now contains Crystal Lake and Fish Lake before erupting
from beneath the glacier across the Wisconsin
River from what is now Prairie
du Sac. .
 |
| Lodi Marsh Segment |
JULY 11, 2019
WEATHER: 67 at 5 am – 76 at 1030
SUNRISE: 0528 SUNSET: 2040 Baraboo, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park
TRAVEL: START
Balliwig Rd parking
END STH 19/Indian Lake Cty Park parking
Wore short pants, short sleeve t-shirt,
Redwings, Carried Camel –Bak Cloudwalker
18 backpack..
WILDLIFE: none only birdsong
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
SPRINGFIELD HILL Segment 1.6 miles S 0712 F 0752
Connecting Route 2.6
miles S 0752 F 0852
INDIAN LAKE Segment 2.9
miles S 0852 F 1013
Total
Hiking Time 3.1 hrs Total
Today 7.1 miles
Total 893.0 miles
 |
| Springfield Hill |
 |
| Springfield Hill boardwalk |
The Springfield Hill Segment is a short loop trail.
 |
| Springfield Hill = view |
 |
| Connector Route - view of the Matz House ruins and Indian Lake from Matz Road |
Indian Lake fills a shallow keetle in outwash. It is located between the outermost edge of the last glaciaion, which is about 4 miles to the west and the Milton Moriane. The hills on either side of Halfway Prairie Creek valley are primarily made up of Prairie du Chien dolomite.
 |
| Indian Lake |
 |
| Indian Lake - most of this trail was on cross coutry ski trails it was challenging going up |
 |
| Indian Lake |
JULY 12, 2019
WEATHER: 57 at 5 am - mid 70’s by 0930
SUNRISE: 0529 SUNSET:
2039 Baraboo, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park
TRAVEL: START
Merrimac
END Trailhead parking on STH 113
Devil’sLake State Park to Rock River Leisure Estates to home
Wore long pants, short sleeve t-shirt,
Redwings, Carried Tingley overshoes in Camel –Bak Cloudwalker 18
backpack – not needed..
WILDLIFE: lots of rabbits and birdsong
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Merrimac Ferry 0.5 miles
Connecting Route 1.5
miles S 0710 F 0750
MERRIMAC Segment 3.7
miles S 0750 F 0915
Total
Hiking Time 2.1 hrs Total
Today 5.7 miles
Total 898.7 miles
 |
| Connector Route |
 |
| Merrimac - trailhead on STH 113 |
The Merrimac Segment passes through the Merrimac Preserve which covers 1,800 acres. The preserve provides a wildlife corridor between the Baraboo Bluffs and the Wisconsin River. . The conservancy began in 1997 with a generous contribution by Wisconsin Power & Light in 1997.
This segment is primarily through a mix of woodland and wetland areas. A good view of the moraine indicating where the glacier stopped south of Devil’s Lake
 |
| The low ridge between the bluffs right and left is terminal moraine marking the extent of the last glacier's advance at the southern entrance to Devil's Lake |
JULY 14, 2019
WEATHER: 80’s sunny
SUNRISE: 0523 SUNSET: 2041 Antigo, WI
TRAVEL: Home to Rock River Leisure Estates to
Antigo
City of Antigo RV Park – still the best RV park for the price I’ve ever
been to – WIFI works – clean bathrooms - better than any State Park and most RV parks. Dinner at BB Jack’s – very good food.
JULY 15, 2019
WEATHER: 67 degrees and raining at 0430 – 85 and high
humidity by noon – scattered thunderstorms the remainder of the afternoon
SUNRISE: 0524 SUNSET: 2040 Antigo, WI
City of Antigo RV Park
TRAVEL: START
Horn Lake Rd, just before the Underwood Segment trailhead
END DNR parking on CTH J, Alta
Junction Segment
Something about
these segments . . . . . the last time I tried to walk them it was also raining
– 45 degrees – windy – it rained all day
Wore long pants,
short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, wore Tingley overshoes. Carried Camel –Bak Cloudwalker 18 backpack.. Took overshoes off at the Leopold
bench on Dog Lake.
WILDLIFE: the Lincoln County Mosquito Hoard - birdsong, one green snake along
CTH J, forest toads and croakers near some wetlands
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (0.3 of 10.4 miles 0.3 miles S
0915 F 0925
UNDERDOWN Segment 6.3 miles S
0925 F 1242
Connector Route 1.2 miles S
1242 F 1311
Alta Junction (0.3 of 1.2 miles) 0.3 miles S 1311 F
1325
Total
Hiking Time 4.2 hrs Total Today 8.1 miles
Total 906.8 miles
 |
| Underdown trailhead on Horn Lake Rd |
Well, today was
warmer but just as rainy – delayed the pickup until 9 am,
It was very humid –
I was sweat from head to below the knees in less than an hour – after 3 ½ hours,
my fingers and palms of my hands were actually shriveling – like being in the
water too long.
 |
| Underdown - Mist Lake the pictures are fooged because of the sweat on the lens I had nothing that was dry to wipe the lens |
 |
| Underdown - this section is a lowland called the Enchanted Forest - a hemlock forest with spagham marsh on either side |
 |
| Alta Junction trailhead on CTH J |
 |
| Underdown soome of the trail is shared as a horse trail or bike trail |
 |
| Underdown Dog Lake |
Connector Route –
Continuing east on Copper Lake Avenue the route heads north on CTH J to the Alta Junction Trailhead.
JULY 16, 2019
WEATHER: - rain most of the night, 65 and
some clouds at 4 am – mid 60’s to high 70’s not as hot/humid as yesterday - almost pleasant compared to yesterday bu still soaked with sweat after 2 hours
SUNRISE: 0525 SUNSET: 2040 Antigo, WI
TRAVEL: START
DNR parking on CTH J, Alta Junction Segment
END park CTH B ATV parking and shelter
City of Antigo RV Park -
A member of the Northwoods
Chapter assisted with
the pick-up and drop-off..
Wore long pants,
short sleeve t-shirt, Redwings, wore Tingley overshoes until 1030 –. Carried
Camel-Bak Cloudwalker 18 backpack.
WILDLIFE: deer on Alta Junction
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
HARRISON HILLS Segment (10.3 of 14.5 miles)
10.3 miles S 0715 F
1215
ALTA JUNCTION Segment (0.9 of 1.3 miles) 0.9
miles S 1215 F
1245
Total
Hiking Time 5.5 hrs Total Today 11.2 miles
Total 918.0 miles
Somewhere after the campsite I heard yelping – I made some noises back - - - dogs? wolves? coyotes? Unknown.
 |
| Harrison Hills this part of the trail was wet the ferns had overgrown the trail |
 |
| Harrison Hills |
 |
| Harrison Hills there were a lot of small lakes (kettles) along the second half of the trail |
 |
| Harrison Hills - this obstacle was more than 2 feet deep and it was 'suck your boots off' mud if you slipped off the logs and branches. I negotiated to the right but even there the water was 2 ft deep under the short log bridge. Balance was key. |
 |
| Alta Junction trailhead on CTH J |
 |
| Harrison Hills |
The short Alta
Junction Segment follows a
historical railroad grade for much of its route.
JULY 17, 2019
WEATHER: 67 at 7 am – 80 at noon – partly
cloudy – not as humid as the previous 2 days – but still wet
SUNRISE: 0526 SUNSET: 2039
Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– US 52 (Kettebowl trailhead)
END – Oak Sherry Rd
parking (Kettlebowl trailhead)
DRIVE to Durand, WI for Bauer Built’s 75th
Anniversary Celebration. Stay overnight in Durand..
City of Antigo RV Park -
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, Tingley rubber overshoes until 10 am - “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: several deer on the roads in the morning getting to the trailhead,
birdsong, butterflies – very few mosquitoes – they must stay in Lincoln Country
but Langlade County trails have spider webs across the trails and ticks
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
KETTLEBOWL Segment 9.9
miles S 0715 F 1205
Total
Hiking Time 4.8 hrs Total Today 9.9 miles
TOTAL 927.9miles
The Kettlebowl
segment follows logging
and forest roads used by and for a variety of users. It is criss-crossed by the trails and it is
easy to become disoriented. The IAT
Guide advises, map,
compass and GPS to get through this segment.
It was fairly easy to follow – but
‘confidence blazes’ were few and far between.
Starting at the Kettlebowl
Ski Area the runs are not
in a kettle but on the north slope of the recessional Summit
Lake Moraine. Departing the ski area near the bottom of the
southern-most ski run the segment
highlights deep “frost
pockets” – a local
expressions for depressions that may represent “kettles” . . . . .
 |
| Kettlebowl Ski Area - the grass was long and wet crossing the base of the hill - I was wet above the knees in less than 10 minutes on the trail |
Crossing the Kent
Fire Tower Road the segment
continues south along area lined with large rocks (Wolf River Granite) on both
sides of the trail. The segment reaches
an intersection with logging road and a sign indicating Kent
Hill .8 miles
east. Kent Hill is the highest point in Langlade
County at 1,903’. It is just 50’ below Timm’s
Hill and 45‘ lower than
the peak of Rib Mountain.
 |
| Kettlebowl - Kent Fire Tower Rd |
 |
| Kettlebowl |
 |
| Kettlebowl - active logging this is Burma Rd I asked the logger where the rd went "left ran into a dirt road - right went nowhere" Of course - I went right |
 |
| Kettlebowl - that is not grass it is algae covered water for a long way flooding the trail I found a way around |
 |
| Kettlebowl - there is a trail out there - can you find it? |
JULY 19, 2019
WEATHER: it rained overnight – 67 at 0500 and mostly clear – “red sky in the morning, sailor take
warning” – the sunrise was very red this morning – highs of 90 in
the north today – higher in the south of Wisconsin 72 at 0730 – 82 at 0900 – sunny - high of 90+
SUNRISE: 0528 SUNSET: 2037
Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– Horseshoe Lake Rd & Horn Lake Rd
END – Tug Lake parking
City of Antigo RV Park – goodbye to Site #9
Wore short pants,
t-shirt, New Balance Walking Shoes, “Cloudwalker 18” Camel-Bak backpack
WILDLIFE: birdsong and wildflowers - a turkey
on Tug Lake Road
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (4.4 of 10.4) 4.4 miles S
0732 F 0858
Total
Hiking Time 1.5 hrs Total Today 4.4 miles
TOTAL 932.3 miles
 |
| "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" - view from the Connector Route on Horn Lake Rd |
Connector Route – a mostly downhill walk from the Horn
Lake Rd to Tug
Lake County Park. It almost as long to drive here and back
from Antigo as it did to walk
the 3.5 miles.
 |
| Connector Route STH H - US 51 underpass |
 |
| Connector Route - Tug Lake County Park |
 |
| Connector Route CTH H |
JULY 30, 2019
WEATHER: 70 degrees – mostly sunny
SUNRISE: 0540 SUNSET: 2025
Antigo
TRAVEL: Burlington
to Rock River Leisure Estates to City of Antigo RV Park
City of Antigo RV Park - in Lot 9 –
3 spaces away from the showers – WIFI does not not connect immediately as it did in the
past – BUMMER it doesn’t
connect at all - 3 bars instead of the usual 5 - can one
space make the difference? Or is it the
two trailers between me and the antenna or is my computer just that slow to
connect – phone works fine or did something else happen? - still a great place
JULY 31, 2019
WEATHER: 46 degrees at 5 am and very
foggy, the fog burned off by 7 am – high of 72 SUNRISE:
0539 SUNSET: 2023 Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– Oak & Sherry Rd (terminus of Kettlebowl Segment)
END – parked Crestwood
& CTH S (St. Peter’s Church)
City of Antigo RV Park – WIFI works at 5 am but slow and then dropped
the connection - lets see what
happens this afternoon – better - but it
seems that the 3 boxes of tin between me and the antenna do make a difference By 6 pm UNABLE TO CONNECT – I think a combination of
someone ‘hogging’ the connection and the metal makes the WIFI unreliable. Unfortunate – I had such great ratings for this RV park. Reminiscent of the
connectivity in some big RV parks in the northwest. Frustrating.
A member of the Langlade
County Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore short
pants, t-shirt, New Balance Walking Shoes, “Cloudwalker 18” Camel-Bak backpack
WILDLIFE: 2 deer and a
turkey
An interesting fact – the Boy
Scout World Jamboree is being held in West Virginia, the first World Jamboree held in the US since 1967 which was at Farragut State Park, in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (8.4 of 24.1) 8.4 miles S
0710 F 0950
Total
Hiking Time 2.7 hrs Total Today 8.4 miles
TOTAL 940.7 miles
 |
| Completely uprooted on Oak Rd |
 |
| A storm with many downbursts brought down a lot of trees on July 20 in Central Wisconsin - from Antigo to Stevens Point. Thses trees were down on Oak Road |
 |
| Rabe Lake along the Connector Route (Polar Road) |
 |
| Crestwood Dr the roads in Langlade County have no shoulder therefore no place to park along the road |
Standing in Antigo you can literally see the advance of the last glacier. Looking north to northwest is the moraine of the Parrish and Summit Advance of the Langlade Lobe. Looking east to southwest are the Hancock, Almond, Elderon Bowler and Mountain Advances of the Green Bay Lobe. To the northwest is the Harrison Advance of the Wisconsin Valley Lobe. Outwash of more than 100 feet thick filled the area between the end moraines. The large outwash plain is called the Antigo Flats. At the time the land was mostly free fo vegetation, and silt-sized particles were picked up and blown across the flats. Eventually several feet of this loess accumulated here. The fine grained sediment holds moisture and when draped over well drained sand and gravel – makes excellent farmland.
AUGUST 1, 2019
WEATHER: 48 and clear at 5 am, 73 by 11
am; high in the low 80’s;
SUNRISE: 0542 SUNSET: 2022
Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– parked Crestwood & CTH S (St. Peter’s Church)
END – Old 29 & West
Bear Lake Rd
City of Antigo RV Park – WIFI still SLOW or NON-EXISTANT – can still connect via my phone's ‘hotspot’ but inconvenient. WIFI back to NORMAL – a large trailer with 2 kids in Site 12 (immediately next ot the antenna) are gone. WIFI HOGS
A member of the Langlade
County Chapter, IATA assisted with
the pick-up later in the morning after a return from a Memorial Mass and a
Visit to a cemetery in Merrill. . The Chapter Coordinator’s grandson sacrificed his life in the War
on Terror as a member of
the WIARNG..
Wore short
pants, t-shirt, New Balance Walking Shoes, “Cloudwalker 18” Camel-Bak backpack
WILDLIFE: 4 deer
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (13.2 of 24.1) 13.4 miles S 0630 F 1110
Total
Hiking Time 4.7 hrs Total Today 13.2 miles
TOTAL 953.9 miles
 |
| Antigo flats |
August 2, 2019
WEATHER: 59 at 5 am clear – 82 by 1030 - high of 86
SUNRISE: 0543 SUNSET: 2020
Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– Old 29 and West Bear Lake Rd
END – Sportsman Dr
parking Plover River Segment
City of Antigo RV Park – unable to connect to WIFI
at 5 am –
connected but still slow in the afternoon – still a lot of tin between me and
the antenna
A member of the Langlade
County Chapter, IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.- a nice gesture – the Plover
River Segment is in Marathon
County
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, carried the Tingley rubber overshoes in the “Cloudwalker”
Camel-Bak pack – didn’t need them. Sweat
soaked from head to hips.
WILDLIFE: plenty of small toads along the trail, some birdsong, butterflies in the
grasses
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (2.5 of 24.1 miles) 2.5 miles S
0710 F 0756
PLOVER RIVER Segment 5.9 miles S 0756 F 1040
Total
Hiking Time 3.5 hrs Total Today 8.4 miles
TOTAL 962.3 miles
 |
| Plover River Segment Map |
Connector Route – third segment of 24.1 miles – hoping the complete in less than 1 hour
The Plover
River Segment traverses Almond
terminal moraine of rolling,
forested hills. This is a well marked single track tread. A “rocks and boulders” trail section. Just before STH 52, there are wetlands and a 1,000
foot volunteer built boardwalk through some the wetlands. My first venture into the woods after the
destructive downdrafts of July 20, and just a few downed trees here – nothing
impassible..
After crossing STH 52 its grassy and muddy with the
trail eventually crossing the Plover River on a series of step-stones. Now on the east side of the river it is “roots and boulders’ for a time
while the trail follows close to the river. Climbing a moraine and then down
again, the trail continues southwest to its endpoint on Sportsman
Drive
A PLANNED DAY OF REST & RECOVERY – attempted repair of
the shades in the trailer – still difficult – I’m not sureI have the patience –
and I have patience – its probably about the right tools – I need a magnetized
screwdriver to hold the screw while I screw up in a very tight place
AUGUST 4, 2019
A member of the Marathon
Couty Chapter,IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
The Thronapple
Creek Segment begins/ends at the
intersection of CTH N and Fire Lane/Helf Road.
It is described as “rough and
rugged . . . often wet and may be difficult to pass” – it can be bypassed “”by continuing south on Thornapple Creek Rd
and then heading east on Partridge Rd” I took the bypass. It ends along CTH Z and Thronapple Creek Rd
The Connector Route between the Thornapple Creek and Dells of the /Eau Claire Segments
The Dells of the Eau Claire Segment follows the East Bank of the Eau Claire River and crosses 30 feet above the river on the on the Dells High Bridge that was built by the CCC in the 1930’s and spans 120 feet. This is a very pleasant walk along the river – mostly on a wide track. Climbing a bluff, the segment continues east – below, the river winds through a series of ledges and pools. In the mylonite bedrock a gorge formed thousands of years ago by from the glacial melt water of the Green Bay Lobe. Somehow I missed the trail when I crossed over the 2nd foot bridge by the dam. It made the walk a little longer.
This trail is currently under reroute – mostly finished.
 |
| Plover River Roots and Boulders and Mud |
 |
| Plover River boardwalk north of STH 52 |
 |
| Plover River stepping stones across Plover River |
August 3, 2019
WEATHER: 60 degrees at 5 am, clear – high
in the mid-80’s – a rain shower at 1530
SUNRISE: 0544 SUNSET: 2019
Antigo
TRAVEL: Antigo
area, laundromat, Menards, Fleet Fram carwash
City of Antigo RV Park - still unable to connect ot WIFI - a weekend - and no baseball games in the park
A PLANNED DAY OF REST & RECOVERY – attempted repair of
the shades in the trailer – still difficult – I’m not sureI have the patience –
and I have patience – its probably about the right tools – I need a magnetized
screwdriver to hold the screw while I screw up in a very tight place
Mass at St.
Mary & Hyacinth - 4 pm. Well attended – almost full – about 180
people. A young bearded priest – who
plays baseball – no servers – no bells. You wanted to listen to him, Older church – unique stonework on the
outside - most likely redone on the inside – unique copper stations of the
cross.
AUGUST 4, 2019
WEATHER: 60 at 5 am clear, 80 by 1130
SUNRISE: 0545 SUNSET: 2018
Antigo
TRAVEL: START
– DNR parking CTH N & Fire Lane Rd – walking south to north
END – Sportsman Dr
parking Plover River
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tingley rubber overshoes in “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak
pack
WILDLIFE: 3 deer on Sportsmens Dr
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
THORNAPPLE CREEK Segment 4.0
miles S0705 F
0836
DELLS OF THE EAU CLAIRE Segment 2.6
miles S 0836 F
1021
Connector Route 3.5
miles S 1021 F
1140
Total
Hiking Time 4.6 hrs Total Today 10.0 miles
TOTAL 972.4 miles
 |
| Thornapple Creek Helf Rd - looking north CTH N |
 |
| Thronaple Creek northern trailhead on CTH Z |
The Connector Route between the Thornapple Creek and Dells of the /Eau Claire Segments
 |
| Dells of the Eau Claire trailhead |
The Dells of the Eau Claire Segment follows the East Bank of the Eau Claire River and crosses 30 feet above the river on the on the Dells High Bridge that was built by the CCC in the 1930’s and spans 120 feet. This is a very pleasant walk along the river – mostly on a wide track. Climbing a bluff, the segment continues east – below, the river winds through a series of ledges and pools. In the mylonite bedrock a gorge formed thousands of years ago by from the glacial melt water of the Green Bay Lobe. Somehow I missed the trail when I crossed over the 2nd foot bridge by the dam. It made the walk a little longer.
 |
| Dells of the Eau Claire - mostly a wide track along the river |
 |
| Dells of the Eau Claire -'High Bridge'built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's |
 |
| Dells of the Eau Claire - unfortunately this picture does not do the view justice |
The Connector Route tracks east along Sportsman Drive is a lonely walk most of the way..
AUGUST 5, 2019
WEATHER: 60 at 5 am clear – 81 at 1040 – cloudy
by 1130 l- thunder downpour just before 2pm SUNRISE: 0547 SUNSET: 2018
Antigo
TRAVEL: START – DNR Parking CTH N & Fire Lane Rd
END – Hartley Library on
Curtis Avenue
City of Antigo RV Park – WIFI works at 1130 but the big rig next to me is
also gone – that more or less confirms that it was blocking the signal
A member of the Marathon County Chapter, IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings,wore Tingley rubber overshoes for 1st hours –not really
needed - “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack.
Humid today – fingers started to shrivel by 0930 – soaked with sweat
head to hips
WILDLIFE: a chipmonk, birdsong lots of forest floor toads & frogs
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
RINGLE Segment 7.9
miles S
0705 F 1040
Total
Hiking Time 3.6 hrs Total Today 7.9 miles
TOTAL 980.3 miles
This trail is currently under reroute – mostly finished.
After a 30 yard
walk on Helf Rd the Ringle Segment passes through heavily wooded country with maples, oaks and pines. Upon reaching Mole Brook Rd and Meadowolark
Lane the trial continues on Meadowlark Lane for 0.3 miles and then a private driveway –
at the end of the driveway the segment continues off road.
After a climb over Klaver
Kame the segment
crosses Plover Lane – eventually coming to the Mountain-Bay State Trail that occupies the former Chicago
and Northwestern Railroad right-of-way between Wausau and Green Bay. The segment ends in Hatley at Curtis Avenue (CTH Y) at an Ice Age
Trail kiosk.
Pine Grove Campground - showers are clean - refreshing
A member of the Waupaca
County Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
The first half of the Skunk & Foster Lakes Segment is a horseshoe- shaped walk in the Skunk & Foster Lake Natural Area (SNA). From its starting point the segment heads west and parallels Sannes Creek, which flows through a melt-water channel that surrounds the SNA The trail skirts the northeast shore of wetland surrounded Skunk Lake. A number of Wolf River granite boulders are strewn about the area.
The trail disappeared
due to windfall – I lost the trail
going around a tree – several trees that appeared to block the trail. The ADVENTURE begins - after 20 minutes of
wandering through the windfall I eventually found the trail again - and went
back to the cutoff that led to the parking area. The windfall area was along a hill filled
with boulders.
The topography is
mainly outwash made up of glacial
debris left behind when the glaciers retreated.
The trail climbs a steep slope, a result of buried ice melting and the
outwash surface collapsing, to a cabin built in 1986 by the Wisconsin
Conservation Corps.
The segment
flattens out to follow the Waupaca River. Translated “waupaca’ means“tomorrow’
because it took 24 hours to paddle the length of the river.
A member of the Waupaca
Chapter, IATA assisted with the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
From STH 54, the Hartman Creek Segment heads south between farm fields, enters a wooded area, crosses Allen Creek and passes through a pine plantation. Emerging on Edminster Rd.
I told Darrell about the trees down and losing the trail on Skunk & Foster Lakes – he acknowledged that the trail needs blazes and some additional sawyer work. He was working alone – an inspiration.
The segment makes its way south, almost all, of the segment through the park is on rolling forested terrain. Numerous benches . . . The segment ends near a parking area on Emmons Creek Rd.
The Emmons
Creek Segment heads south
through the Emmons Creek State Fishery Area climbing a ridge through oak woodlands. Crossing a footbridge the segments continues
on a boardwalk through a wet area. The
segment ends near a parking area on 2nd Avenue. Several areas of oak
savanna.
I walked 3.7 of a
14.6 mile long Connecting Route. I started the trail walking north
from CTH AA and 15th Rd to 2nd Avenue.
A member of the Central
Moraines Chapter, IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
On this Connector Route parking is limited due to narrow roadways with little of no shoulder. I started at STH 153 and CTH I and walked north completing 14.3 of 28.5 miles. Nothing really along the route . . . . just a long road walk. CTH Y has more than a few vehicles on it..
 |
| Ringle |
 |
| Ringle new trail |
 |
| Ringle new bridge |
AUGUST 6, 2019
WEATHER: 61 at 0530 – foggy, clear by 8 am,
79 by 11, 89% RH with a dew point of 67 SUNRISE:
0548 Antigo SUNSET: 2013 Shawano
TRAVEL: City of Antigo RV Park to Pine Grove Campground,
Shawano, WI
Pine Grove Campground – less than an hour drive from Antigo but in the
middle of nothing – 13 miles east of Shawano on STH 29 a little more east of
the IAT than I’d like to be. This is
more for seasonal rentals than dailys . . . so very quiet during the
week. Nice pool and fishing pond that I
won’t use – not going to buy WIFI at $2/day - Grassy site – no sewer. Quiet and in the sun, a long walk to the pool
and showers.
AUGUST 7, 2019
WEATHER: 62 and clear at 5 am; 82 by
noon, thunderstorms at 5 pm on going rain until 6:30 pm SUNRISE: 0548 SUNSET:
2012 Shawano
TRAVEL: START:
Skunk & Foster Lakes SNA parking area near Foley Dr
END: STH 54
parking
Pine Grove Campground - showers are clean - refreshingA member of the Waupaca
County Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, wore Tingley rubber overshoes unitl I came oour ot the woods on Foley Rd - not really needed, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: birdsong, turkeys on the raod, chipmunks, a squirrel, a deer
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Skunk & Foster Lake Segment 4.3
miles S
0745 F 1012
Waupaca River Segment 5.2
miles S 1012 F 1205
Total
Hiking Time 4.4 hrs Total Today 9.5 miles
TOTAL 989.8 miles
Storm Damage Update -
Trail Open!
Date Posted
|
7/23/2019
|
Date Updated
|
8/2/2019
|
Segment
|
Skunk
and Foster Lakes
|
Description
|
Except
for a handful of trees, the Skunk and Foster Segment has been cleared!
Many thanks to the volunteers and chainsaw crews for their swift work! |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - "a handful of trees' in the first 15 minutes on the trail |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - "a handful of trees' in the first 15 minutes on the trail |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - "a handful of trees' in the first 15 minutes on the trail |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - "a handful of trees' in the first 15 minutes on the trail |
The first half of the Skunk & Foster Lakes Segment is a horseshoe- shaped walk in the Skunk & Foster Lake Natural Area (SNA). From its starting point the segment heads west and parallels Sannes Creek, which flows through a melt-water channel that surrounds the SNA The trail skirts the northeast shore of wetland surrounded Skunk Lake. A number of Wolf River granite boulders are strewn about the area.
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - "a handful of trees' - Where Oh Where Did the Trail Go? |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes backtracked to find the trail |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes - Skunnk Latke after the parking area |
BOTTOM LINE: The trail is open but take the cutoff.
The route goes by
shallow hard water Foster Lake, then circles east to Greenlie Lake, a clear lake fed by seepage and springs Never got here.
There is a ½ mile connecting
road-walk – very rural –
single lane – no traffic - goes off-road – up what appears to be a drumlin and continues south until it follows another
1.4 mile connecting route
road-walk ending at US 10 & Foley
Road
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes |
 |
| Skunk & Foster Lakes atop a drumlin |
Storm Damage Update -
Trail Open!
Date Posted
|
7/29/2019
|
Date Updated
|
8/2/2019
|
Segment
|
Waupaca
River
|
Description
|
The
Waupaca River Segment and blue loop trail are now cleared of downed trees
from the storm!
Many thanks to the volunteers and chainsaw crews for their swift work! |
The Waupaca
River Segment begins with a 0.6 miles
road-walk crossing US
10. US10 is the route of the historic Yellowstone
Trail, the first
transcontinental highway in the northern tier of the US.
 |
| Waupaca River - eveidence of cleandup on the trail |
 |
| Waupaca River - not all cleared |
 |
| Waupaca River |
because it took 24 hours to paddle the length of the river.
Leaving the river,
the trails continues along a 2.0 mile road-walk. The last off road section,
skirting a farm field is not marked. In
fact, most of this trail could use additional ’confidence
blazes” to indicate that
you are on the trail. There is a prominent field of drumlins about a half mile east of the
parking area.
AUGUST 8, 2019
WEATHER: 60 at 0500 clear, - high of 73 –
sweat but a pleasant walk with a breeze
SUNRISE: 0549 SUNSET:
2010 Shawano
TRAVEL: START:
STH 54 parking
END: CTH AA & 15th Rd (walk north)
Pine Grove Campground -
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, carried Tinley rubber overshoes in the “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack – didn’t need them.. Near
disaster – the cock
valve on the Camel-Bak baldder tube broke – eventually I popped the valve out
and set it to OPEN – no leaks or
water unless you suck on it. To create a vacuum.
WILDLIFE: not much birdsong .- no wildlife
- . . .
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
HARTMAN CREEK Segment 5.3
miles S
0942 F 1242
EMMONS CREEK Segment 2.6 miles S 0830 F 0942
Connecting Route (3.7 of 14.6 miles) 3.7 miles S 0720 F 0830
Total
Hiking Time 5.5 hrs Total Today 11.6 miles
TOTAL 1015.7 miles
Storm Damage Update -
Trail Open
Date Posted
|
7/23/2019
|
Date Updated
|
8/1/2019
|
Segment
|
Hartman
Creek
|
Description
|
Storm Damage
Update: The
Hartman Creek, and Emmons Creek Segments have been cleared of downed trees
from Hwy 54 to 2nd Avenue.
Many thanks to the volunteers and chainsaw crews for their swift work! |
 |
| Hartman Creek - evidence of recent winfall - this tree fell off the trail |
From STH 54, the Hartman Creek Segment heads south between farm fields, enters a wooded area, crosses Allen Creek and passes through a pine plantation. Emerging on Edminster Rd.
South of Edminster
Rd the trail enters Hartman
Creek State Park. The park is located on terrain formed as the
glacier retreated. The eastern part of the park lies on gently
rolling ground moraine and pitted
outwash. Once I left the
park headed north to STH 54 I ran into a trail maintainer, his name was Darrell
and I thanked him
for his diligence – he was cutting grass on a “troad” with a shoulder slung,
power trimmer.
 |
| Hartman Creek - the Sword In The Stone yes - that is a big boulder |
 |
| Hartman Creek the optical illusion |
I told Darrell about the trees down and losing the trail on Skunk & Foster Lakes – he acknowledged that the trail needs blazes and some additional sawyer work. He was working alone – an inspiration.
The segment makes its way south, almost all, of the segment through the park is on rolling forested terrain. Numerous benches . . . The segment ends near a parking area on Emmons Creek Rd.
 |
| Emmons Creek trailhead 2nd Ave |
 |
| Emmons Creek a peaceful place |
 |
| Emmons Creek a gentle walk |
 |
| Connecting Route |
 |
| Connecting Route |
 |
| Connecting Route old school house on 2nd Avenue |
AUGUST 9, 2019
WEATHER: 53 and clear at 5 am, high in the low 70's, little shade on the route
SUNRISE: 0550 SUNSET: 2009
Shawano
TRAVEL: START:
CTH I & River Road
END: Hatley Library on Curtis Ave
Walked to my
truck and drove back to Burlington.
Pine Grove Campground - left
trailer here over the weekend
Wore short pants,
t-shirt, New Balance Walking shoes , “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: 5 deer, butterflies
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connecting Route (14.3 of 28.5 miles) 14.3
miles S 0715 F 1210
Total
Hiking Time 4.9 hrs Total Today 14.3 miles
TOTAL 1015.7 miles
 |
| Connector Route - on the road - it wasn't all this level |
 |
| Connector Route - start |
On this Connector Route parking is limited due to narrow roadways with little of no shoulder. I started at STH 153 and CTH I and walked north completing 14.3 of 28.5 miles. Nothing really along the route . . . . just a long road walk. CTH Y has more than a few vehicles on it..
AUGUST 10, 2019
WEATHER: pleasant & sunny
SUNRISE: 0551 SUNSET: 2007
Shawano
TRAVEL: SE
Wisconsin
The ceremony was
at 1300 hours, Oak Creek Armory. The 126th Field Artillery was my regiment and I commanded both Charlie and
Headquarters Batteries in the 1980’s. In
the 1990’s I became its battalion commander.
It is sad to see this regiment
and its lineage
come to an end
Previous commanders of the 1-126th FA that attended were David Thompson, Jim Holmes, Dominic Cariello and self. The only regimental Command Sergeant Major to attend was Bruce Hannah. Others included – Dick Sobczak, Bruce Klem, . . , 1SG Rob Thomas, 1SG Mike Smith, Jeff Sobczak and several past members of C Battery. I’m sure I’ve missed a few . . . my apologies.. It could have been better attended.
It was said that
the lineage would go back or follow the 105 Cav in the 32 IBCT – we’ll see how Army Heraldry sees it.
AUGUST 11, 2019
WEATHER: cloudy – high in the 70’s
SUNRISE:0552 SUNSET:
2006 Shawano
TRAVEL: Burlington
to Pine Grove RV Park
Pine Grove Campground -
Originally I was going to drive to Oak Creek and return the
same day (Saturday) being able to walk today.
Re-evaluation indicated that 8
hours of driving plus 4 hours on site (Oak Creek) did not make for a good day –
I stayed at home over night – went to church and hit the road half past noon..
AUGUST 12, 2019
WEATHER: 62 at 5 am 78 by 1 pm cloudy to
mostly cloudy
SUNRISE: 0553 SUNSET: 2004
Shawano
TRAVEL: START:Iola Winter Sports Park on CTH MM
END:
parked my truck at Skunk & Foster Lakes SNA Parking A N Foley Dr
I could not confirm
the shuttle pick up with the Waushar Chapter Coordinator on Sunday evening via
e-mail of telephone. . . .
Pine Grove Campground -
Wore short pants,
t-shirt, New Balance walking shoes, back pack and 4 bottles of water
WILDLIFE: 7 deer, 1 squirrel, butterflies, grasshoppers and the sounds of
birdsong and jet fighters and 1 explosion to the east – who knows what that was
about/
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connecting Route 13.1
miles S 0750 F 1240
Total
Hiking Time 4.8 hrs Total Today 13.1 miles
TOTAL 1028.8 miles
 |
| Connector Route Iolas Winter Sports Area to Skunk-Foster ski jump in background |
 |
| Connector Route Iolas Winter Sports Area to Skunk-Foster on of many trees down |
 |
| Connector Route Iolas Winter Sports Area to Skunk-Foster lonely narrow roads |
 |
| Connector Route - Fairfield Drumlins - the towers (right backgorund) are on the Skunk-Foster Lakes Segment |
WEATHER: 62 and cloudy at 5 am – very
humid – with a temp of 66 at 11 am and occasional sprinkles of rain. This was a sweat soaker – water literally
dripping from my hat – shirt was soaked. SUNRISE: 0555 SUNSET: 2003 Shawano
TRAVEL:
START: Sunset Lake Rd parking
(New Hope Iola Ski Area)
END: Iola Winter Sports Club parking (CTH MM) – parked truck
& trailer here in order to save an hour’s drive back to Pine
Grove Campground
Pine Grove Campground to
Rock River Leisure Estates-
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, back pack with 2 bottles of water and Tingley rubber
overshoes. Probably did not really need
the overshoes but wore them the entire trail.
WILDLIFE: none not even singing birds – strangely quiet – I did hear the call of
a loon
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
NEW HOPE IOLA SKI HILL Segment 5.7 miles S 0830 F 1105
Total
Hiking Time 2.6 hrs Total Today 5.7 miles
TOTAL 1034.5 miles
Storm Damage Update -
Trail open!
Date Posted
|
7/23/2019
|
Date Updated
|
8/1/2019
|
Segment
|
New
Hope-Iola Ski Hill
|
Description
|
Update
on the Krogwold Rd. to T section and the Sunset Lake Rd to Z section – Both
of these sections are now clear as of 7/27/2019.
There were many trees down on the Krogwold to T section, probably the worst was along the fence-line from Krogwold Rd. to where the trail enters the woods. These have now been cleared. There is a “widow-maker” on that section, but it is not obstructing the trail. It is in the section from Krogwold Rd. to Budsberg Lake. Because of the high water level, one of the two bridges just west of T is floating. Unless you are very fast, or very light, you are going to get a wet foot crossing that bridge. It is also quite slippery. Thank You, volunteers! Your efforts to clear this segment is nothing short of amazing! |
 |
| New Hope Iola trailhead |
 |
| New Hope- Iola the 1st 'floating bridge' |
Upon reaching CTH T the segment follows the road for
0.2 miles ro Stollenberg Road and an off-road eastern track through the ski area to parking on CTH MM.
I ran into a man trimming trees with a hand saw – he worked for the Ski
Club. The trails looked freshly mowed.
 |
| New Hope Iola the real 'floating bridge' it did sink as you walked across |
 |
| New Hope Iola still some trees down |
 |
| New Hope Iola good trail - but many ups and downs |
 |
| New Hope Iola - map |
 |
| New Hope Iola I wonder if this 'jumper' has a name? Sven, Olly, Leif??? |
Truly, a short but demanding walk.
AUGUST 21, 2019
WEATHER: mid 70’s at 3 pm sunny
SUNRISE: 0607 SUNSET: 1953 Hancock, WI
TRAVEL: Durand,
WI to Oasis Campground, Hancock, WI
 |
| Oasis Campground - main building |
Oasis Campground: NO
WIFI but I did
receive 4 wristbands for the pool and water park for the next 7 days – fairly
level site – no shade - clean restrooms
and showers – close to the trail I am walking.
Located about 30 miles south of Stevens Point on I-39 – cannot hear
traffic
AUGUST 22, 2019
WEATHER: 51 at 6 am -cloudy to mostly cloudy
all day – high of 72
SUNRISE: 0610 SUNSET:
1951 Hancock, WI
 |
| Oasis Campground - Site 48 |
TRAVEL: START:
CTH AA &15th Rd (walk south)
END: Parking on Beechnut Rd end of Deerfield
Segment
Oasis Campground: in the high
60’s – not many in the pool – a few in the big pond – a few more trailers arrived
in anticipation of the weekend
A member of the Waushara
Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: no mammals, not even birdsong – I did scare 2 ducks to take flight from
a wetland near the road, butterflies, caterpillars, mushrooms
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route 10.9
miles S 0720 F
1032
DEERFIELD Segment
3.7 miles S 1032 F 1220
Total
Hiking Time 5.2 hrs Total Today 14.6 miles
TOTAL 1049.1 miles
 |
| Connector Route - walking south |
 |
| Connector Route - walking south |
A longer walk than
I wanted to do today but there is no safe parking at the end of the Connector
Route. The Connector Route seemed mostly uphill – a local did pull his
pickup and trailer over asking if I was “getting ready for hunting?” I replied “No. I’m walking the Ice Age Trail” to which he
replied “just thought I’d ask because I need to get in shape (for hunting).” .
 |
| Connector Route - Lake Wautoma |
 |
| Deerfield - pine plantation limbs being trimmed |
 |
| Deerfield - a good number of "Leopold" benches along the trail |
A good part of the Deerfield
Segment is on private land
– the land is testament to glaciation.
The segment is mostly wide tracked, well marked and maintained. The landowners have been praised for
practicing sustainable forestry in the woodlands and prairies. The segments starts south through hummocky
pitted outwash to 12th Ave and then ascends the crest of the Almond
Moraine. Lots of mushrooms
on the trail. As the trail makes its way
to its endpoint, the segment descends into a tunnel channel with a deep kettle at the bottom.
 |
| Deerfield - mushroom |
 |
| Deerfield - mushroom |
 |
| Deerfield - mushroom |
AUGUST 23, 2019
WEATHER: 52 at 6 am – partly cloudy with
a breeze from the East; 64 at noon - mostly sunny SUNRISE: 0611 SUNSET:
1949 Hancock, WI
TRAVEL: START: terminus of Deerfield Segment
END: Brown Deer Ct parking, Greenwood Segment
 |
| Oaisis Campground - pool |
A member of the Waushara
Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: again no birdsong – no wildlife to speak of except butterflies and an
occasional bird.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route 1.8
miles S 0705 F
0740
BOHN LAKE Segment 1.2
miles S 0740 F
0813
Connector Route 1.5
miles S 0813 F
0843
GREENWOOD Segment (3.5 of 4.9 miles) 3.5
miles S 0843 F
1010
Total
Hiking Time 3.1 hrs Total Today 8.0 miles
TOTAL 1057.1 miles
 |
| Bohn Lake trailhead |
The Bohn
Lake Segment (pronounced ‘bon’)features undeveloped Bohn
Lake. Bohn Lake is part of a 14 mile long
glacial tunnel channel created by melt-water flowing beneath glacial ice. The outlet was where the village of Hancock
stands today, The
lake was created by a stranded block of ice left behind as the tunnel collapsed. The land is a mix of
wetland, oak forest and open fields.
 |
| Bohn Lake - a new trail to the south of the lake - the trail was flooded - probably 2-3 ft deep |
 |
| Bohn Lake - high water on the trail - note the yellow blaze on the post in the water "Can't go through it" Can's go over it" "Got to go around it" Also note the two crossed red flags on the trail - lower par of the photo |
The trail dips to
cross between Bohn Lake and an unnamed
body of water to it’s east. The trail
was impassable. There was no sign but a
look around found an alternate trail, a reroute, the followed the south side of
the lake. This was an adventure – reminding
me of the trek across some rough land when I lost the trail on the Eastern
Lodi Marsh Segment - However, here someone took some painstaking
time to carefully mark the route with yellow flags and ribbons. The line of sigh was limited – so like
crossing a lava field in El Malpais, New Mexico or Kilauea, Hawaii – I didn’t go forward
until I saw the next yellow flag or ribbon (cairns in the lava field)
 |
| Greenwood - trailhead |
 |
| Greenwood |
The Connector
Route was a walk south
on CTH B (9th Avenue) crossing CTH C until it reached the Greenwood
Segment trailhead.
The Greenwood
Segment features deep
kettles, restored prairies and oak savannas. It is a wide path – the yellow blazes are not
as frequent as on the Deerfield Segment and many could use some fresh paint but
the trail is easy to follow. This
segment is located between two major melt-water tunnel channels.
To the south is the Mecan River tunnel channel.
To the north is the segment of the Hancock Lakes tunnel channel.
This segment generally follows the Almond Moraine
The trail follows the course of a narrow, mile long, banana-shaped kettle with four separate ponds at the
bottom, because of foliage, I never saw any of the ponds.
 |
| Greenwood - Oak Savanna - and perhaps the edge of a shallow kettle |
AUGUST 24, 2019
WEATHER: 47 at 5 am clear skies – lots of
stars; Orion and the winter constellations were in the sky; a steady breeze
from the east made the walk pleasant i.e. not too sweaty – 70 at 11 am – high
of 73 SUNRISE: 0612 SUNSET: 1947
TRAVEL: START:
Brown Deer Ct pakring area
END: STH 21 parking area
Oasis Campground: it’s Saturday – a number of the
seasonal trailers are occupied and all of the rental sites – the last weekend
before Labor Day. I’ve got an end site:
Kamp K9 across the road to my right and a trailer to my left; nobody to the
front and a seasonal to the rear – 50 yards to the bath house
A member of the Waushara
Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack. Did not carry the TIngley overhsoes – could
have used them through the grass in some spots but it was OK
WILDLIFE: :a rare squirrel, crickets and butterflies in the prairie and savanna and
fields; some birdsong and I may have seen an eagle – hard to identify through
the tree canopy of the Mecan (pronounced
either - me-can or me-caan) River
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
GREENWOOD Segment (1.4 of 4.9 miles) 1.4 miles S 0713 F 0755
Connector Route 0.5 miles S 0755
F 0806
MECAN RIVER (7.1 ITA, 0.4 CR) 7.5 miles S 0806
F 1100
Total
Hiking Time 3.8 hrs Total Today 9.4 miles
TOTAL 1066.5 miles
 |
| Greenwood - I found one big pond at the bottom of the kettle - not four |
 |
| Greenwood |
South of Chicago Rd the Mecan River Segment heads into the Mecan River headwaters and intersects a tunnel channel. The channel extends several miles through the Almond Moraine to the edge of the Hancock Moraine. There are great views of Mecan Springs, a visiting place for many migratory and wetland birds. The Mecan River is known as one of the finest trout streams in Wisconsin.
 |
| Mecan River Segment - amp |
 |
| Mecan River - it was a long walk across this field |
 |
| Mecan River - clear and fast running |
 |
| Mecan River - the springs are in the distance |
Departing from the Mecan River State Fishery Area the trail goes through a recently logged area and comes back to a pine plantation and back onto 9th Avenue for about 0.4 miles before going off road and across a 70 ft boardwalk and bridge where the segment ends at the Cumberland parking area.
 |
| St. Paul's - Plainfield,WI |
Mass at St.
Paul’s Catholic Church, 4:30 pm in
Plainfield. WI. A newer church, yet a previous cornerston dates back to 1878. Room for - 150 close to 100 in attendance. A
middle aged priest . . . a boy and girl as servers – offered communion by
extinction if requested - - - come forward with folded hands and he would ‘dip’
for you and place the host on your tongue.
“The first shall be last and the last shall be first” – it’s not easy to
get through the “narrow gate.”
AUGUST 25, 2019
WEATHER: 51 and partly cloudy at 5 am; mostly cloudy and a high of 73
SUNRISE: 0613 SUNSET: 1946 Hancock, WI
TRAVEL: START:
STH 21 parking
END: 6th Ave cul-de-sac parking
Oasis RV Park: weekend over – more than 50% of the sites were empty by the time I got
back – quiet time again – no neighbors – although this wasn’t bad – most come
here to lay in the sun on the sand or swim – lots of bicycles
A member of the Waushara
Chapter , IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning.
Wore long pants,
t-shirt, Redwings, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
Wore the Tingley rubber overshoes for the Mecan River portion of the walk
– not needed – took them off and put them in the pack after I reached the
Conenctor Route.
WILDLIFE: some birdsong, two cats on the Connector Route followed by a catapillar, a turkey, some forest floor frogs or toads
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route 2.3
miles S 0722 F
0808
WEDDE CREEK Segment 1.2
miles S 0808 F
0839
Connector Route 0.7
miles S 0839 F
0904
CHAFFEE CREEK Segment 2.5
miles S 0904 F
1015
Total
Hiking Time 3.1 hrs Total Today 6.7 miles
TOTAL 1073.2 miles
 |
| Today's hike started in the upper righ hand corner on STH 21 parkingand then up the the parking area on 6th Avenue |
Actually, I
finished 0.4 mile of the Mecan
River Segment starting from
Highway 21. Started at 0711 finished at 0722 – a short walk.
The Connector
Route passed through
Richford – the route to Wedde Creek trailhead was full of several Amish carriages going to a Sunday meeting
somewhere.
The Wedde
Creek Segment passes through oak
woodlands and highlights quiet Wedde Creek. From its
start point on Cypress Road the trail heads south through hardwood forest and a
prairie restoration area to a crossing on a wooden bridge of the South
Branch of Wedde Creek. After following a ridge on the south side of
the creek it heads south and then west along the end of a small moraine.
 |
| Wedde Creek trailhead |
 |
| Wedde Creek snowmobile bridge |
 |
| Wedde Creek shared IAT & snowmobile trail |
 |
| Chaffee Creek I missed this walking on Czech Avenue |
 |
| Chaffee Creek |
I missed the turn off for the Chaffee Creek Segment on the Czech Avenue Connector Route by ¼ mile – I had to retrace my steps.
From Czech Avenue
the Chaffee Creek Segment heads south between two agricultural fields – continuing south it passes
several trailside kettles while passing through meadows and savanna woodlands. Just
before I-39 I ran into Randy with a brush mower – a trail maintainer – I
thanked him for his work. The trail
continues west under I-39 to the rest area. The Chaffee Creek Segment highlights savannas, meadows,
and of course Chaffee Creek.
It ends at the kiosk at the I-39 rest stop north of Westfield A short spur trail of 0.2 miles
leads to the 6th Avenue cul-de-sac – where I parked my car..
 |
| Chaffee Creek - this picture does not do the view justice there was a Leopold bench here and the flowers were just perfect |
 |
| What must be Chaffee Creek the west underpass under I-39 not a bridge - a large culvert with a concrete walkway |
It may be fitting
that as I’m finishing these last segments of the IAT – that these segments were some
of the first I did a recon of in the early spring of 2018 – there was snow on
the ground then and the segment trailheads seemed difficult to locate.
 |
| Mecan River trailhead December 18, 2018 |
 |
| The route of the Ice Age Trail generally follows the extent of the last glacier 8,000+ years ago |
AUGUST 26, 2019
WEATHER: 61 at 5 am and showers - forecast of rain – on and off most
of the day – possible thunder showers – high in the low 70’s
SUNRISE: 0615 SUNSET:
1944Hancock, WI
TRAVEL: Oasis Campground to Burlington,
WI:
I had originally
planned to walk a 14.2 mile Connector Route in Portage County – a route
without any cover – really in the ‘boonies.’ With the weather being uncertain, I decided
to cancel the walk yesterday. Hopefully,
a good decision because I didn’t want to risk possible misery followed by a
miserable cold - I leave for the NGAUS Conference in Denver this Thursday the 29th.
I have completed
all but one of the named segments (Greenbush 8.7 miles) on the Ice Age Trail and a total of 34.9 miles of Connector Routes, which now include the 14.2 miles that I did not walk today. Plans call to finish the remaining total of 43.6 miles in September after the NGAUS Conference.
“Know anyone who wants to buy a truck and trailer?”
SEPTEMBER 7, 2019
WEATHER: 54 at 0710 68 at noon
SUNRISE: 0628 SUNSET:1922 Westfield, WI
TRAVEL: START – Westfield near McDonald’s
END – Parked car in cul-de-sac end of 6th
Avenue
Drove from
Burlington, approximately 2.5 hours, stayed Saturday night (7 SEP 19) at Holiday
Inn Convention Center – Stevens Point.
Wore New Balance
walking shoes, shorts, t-shirt and ‘Cloudwalker’ Camel-Bak back pack
WILDLIFE: 2 herons, butterflies.
This walk goes through Amish country. Several carriages early on the route going to Westfield to sell produce.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (9.4 miles of 35.4 mile-CR) 9.4 miles S 0710 F
1018
Connector Rooute (CTH CC to Pleasant Lake) 1.1 miles S 0000 F 0000
Connector Rooute (CTH CC to Pleasant Lake) 1.1 miles S 0000 F 0000
Connector Route (Pleasant Lake to cul de sac) 2.9 miles S 1018 F 1140
Total
Hiking Time 4.5 hrs Total Today 13.4 miles
TOTAL 1086.6 miles
This continuation
of the Ice Age Trail appears to actually be 2 Connector Routes in separate counties, therefore Chapters
– Waushara and Marquette. Although I indicate 11.0 miles
walked, the Guthook Guides app indicates my route was at least 13.2 miles
long. A pleasant walk in rural Wisconsin
on a pleasant day. The pictures tell the
story.
 |
| Connector Route |
 |
| Connector Route Pleasant Lake at County Line |
 |
| Connector Route Amish School - heated by wood note outhouses |
Attended 5 pm Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Stevens Point. The Church is adjacent to UW-Stevens Point and Ascension Hospital, about 200 people in attendance. The priest was middle aged with an extremely soothing voice and presentation style – slow and deliberate. No bells – middle school boy and girl as servers. The overriding message was that you “reach the kingdom – one step at a time.”
SEPTEMBER 8, 2019
WEATHER: 50 at 0500 mostly cloudy; wind from the East ,60 when I finsihed walking
SUNRISE:0628 SUNSET: 1921
Amhurst, WI
TRAVEL: START:
CTH I & River Rd
END: New Hope Iola trailhead Sunset Lake Rd
Wore short
pants, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, New Balance walking shoes,, “Cloudwalker” Camel-Bak pack
WILDLIFE: 7 deer on the road during the drive but then little or nothing – no
birdsong – no butterflies – an occasional flock of birds:
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (River Dr to County Line) 4.1 miles S 0705 F 0820
Connector Route (Cty Line to Sunset Lk Rd) 10.1
miles S 0820 F
1150
Total
Hiking Time 4.7 hrs Total Today 14.2 miles
TOTAL 1100.8 miles
This Connector
Route is long . . . . my
second attempt to complete it, the first on August 26th was
cancelled because of rain. Forecast
calls for rain today – I hope to be done before the rain starts. No rain during the hike – evidence of a local
shower on the north end of Sunset Lake Rd.
 |
| Connector Route |
 |
| Connector Route Alban General Store |
 |
| Connector Route Lions Camp |
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
WEATHER: 59 at 0700 cloudy, forecast of
rain
SUNRISE: 0625 SUNSET: 1908 Mishicot, WI
TRAVEL: START – Sunset Lake Rd north terminus of
Point Beach Segment
END – Woodlawn & CTH V in Mishicot
A long drive of
over 220 miles round trip to complete a 5.2 mile segment - scouted out Greenbush
Segment parking;
visited the Ice Age Center on STH 67 near Dundee, and had
lunch with my brother on the way back home.
A member of the Lakeshore
Chapter, IATA assisted with
the pick-up/drop-off in the morning..
Wore New Balance
walking shoes, shorts, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shrit and ‘Cloudwalker’ Camel-Bak
back pack
WILDLIFE: a flock of turkeys and a pair of
herons.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (post Mishicot Segment) 5.3
miles S 0705 F 0850
Total
Hiking Time 1.8 hrs Total Today 5.3 miles
TOTAL 1106.1 miles
This Connector
Route was a flat,
straight walk and uneventful – finished before the rain came. There was evidence of heavy rains yesterday in
the streams, rivers and roadside ditches.
I had planned to walk the 4.4 mile Connector Route between the Greenbush
and La
Budde Segments but was unable to
connect with a Lakeshore Chapter member for a shuttle in the area.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2019
WEATHER: in the low 50’s sunny and clear
reached low 70’s
SUNRISE: 0631 SUNSET: 1903 Glenbeulah, WI
TRAVEL: START –
STH 67 southern terminus of Greenbush Segment
END – northern terminus Greenbush
Segment
Walked the Greenbush
Segment with a friend
(the only segment of the trail that I walked with a companion). He parked his bicycle at the northern
terminus and rode back to the southern end to pick up his car.
Wore Redwings,
long pants, t-shirt and ‘Cloudwalker’ Camel-Bak back pack
WILDLIFE: none
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Greenbush Segment 8.7
miles S 0706 F 1214
Total
Hiking Time 5.1 hrs Total Today 8.7 miles
TOTAL 1114.8 miles
 |
| Greenbush Segment |
Accumulated supraglacial
debris on the top of a
glacier’s surface results in hummocky topography when the ice beneath it melts The Kettle
Moraine has high relief
hummocky topography because rivers on top of the ice deposited sand and gravel
that collapsed as buried ice slowly melted.
After crossing
Kettle Moraine Dr the trail passes through forested high-relief
hummocky topography going
up and down and around kettles and ridges.
As the trail nears
STH 23 it intersects s blue-blazed trail to the Village of Greenbush and the Wade
House Historic Site. At the juncture of STH 23 the
trail parallels the highway until crossing north through some mature red pines
and continuing high relief hummocky topography. This is where I really slowed down – pulled a
muscle. The segment ends on CTH P just
east of Glenbeulah.
A Few Firsts Today:
1st time I walked
the trail with a companion
1st time
I had someone to talk to on the trail for a whole segment
1st time
I walked the trail without a cup of coffee in the morning
1st time
I walked the trail without breakfast
1st time
I didn’t drive to the trailhead and park my truck/car – someone else drove
1st time
I didn’t listen to music while walking at least a portion of the trail
1st time
I pulled a muscle on the trail-seriously slowing down my pace to less than 1
mph – didn’t even take pictures after reaching STH 23 – the last 3 miles were
slow and agonizing – a lot of rest breaks
Due to the muscle
pull – I didn’t finish the last 4.4 mile Connector Route from the end of the Greenbush
Segment to the La
Budde Creek Segment as planned. I did walk about a mile to Glenbeulah
while my companion
biked back to STH 67, loaded the bike on his car and drove to meet me in Glenbeulah.
The Connector Route skirts the Village of Elkhart Lake and Quit Qui Oc Golf Course.
Additionally, after
reviewing the IATA 1000 Miler Spreadsheet – it appears that I did not walk approximately 2.4
miles of the Parnell
Segment from the Parnell
Tower cutoff on the trail to Hwy 23..
,
So I’m actually 6.8 miles short of connecting all the
segments on the Ice Age Trail.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
WEATHER: 58 degrees at 9 am sunny and
clear, a brisk wind from the west kept it cool – high 60’s –perfect
weather SUNRISE:
0644 SUNSET: 1841 Elkhart Lake, WI
TRAVEL: START – CTH P terminus Greenbush
Segment
END – parking area southern terminus of La
Budde Segment
START – STH 67 northern terminus of Parnell Segment END – parking area of Parnell
Tower off STH 67
A relative
assisted with the shuttles, he golfed while I walked
Wore New Balance
walking shoes on Connector Route to the La Budde Creek Segment parking area - wore Redwings on the remaining portion of
the Parnell Segment, long pants, t-shirt and black
backpack
WILDLIFE: butterflies, caterpillars
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Connector Route (post Greenbush Segment) 4.4+ miles S 0903 F 1037
to La
Budde Creek parking area on Garton
Rd
PARNELL Segment (Hwy 23 to Parnell parking) 2.4+ miles S 1119 F 1251
Total
Hiking Time 3.1 hrs Total Today 6.8 miles
TOTAL 1121.6
miles
 |
| La Budde Creek segment start of the trail on Garton Road |
 |
| Connector Route - appears the route was once the Road America course |
r
THIS COMPLETES MY HIKE OF THE
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Miles Hiked 2018 637.2 miles
Miles Hiked 2019 484.4 miles
TOTAL MILES HIKED 1121.6
Days Hiking the trail 2018 58
days
Days Hiking the trail 2019 45
days
TOTAL DAYS ON THE TRAIL 103
Average Miles Per Day 2018 10.9
miles per day
Average Miles Per Day 2019 10.7
miles per day
AVERAGE MILES PER DAY 10.8
Days Planned to hike the trail but rained out 2018 3 days
Days Planned to hike the trail but rained out 2019 3 days
TOTAL DAYS PLANNED TO HIKE THE TRAIL BUT RAINED OUT 6
Shuttles Requested from IATA Chapter Members 2018 33 days
Shuttles Requested from IATA Chapter Members 2019 43 days
TOTAL SHUTTLES REQUESTED FROM IATA CHAPTER MEMBERS 76
Shuttles Requested from Friends/Family 2018 20 days
Shuttles Requested from Friends/Family 2019 4 days
Bus Rides From IATA Conference 3 days
TOTAL SHUTTLES FROM FRIENDS/FAMILY/IATA 24
Nights spent in my trailer while on the trail 2018 38 days
Nights spent in my trailer while on the trail 2019 49 days
TOTAL NIGHTS SPENT IN A TRAILER WHILE ON THE TRAIL 87
Nights spent in hotels while on the trail 2018 2 nights IATA Conf
Nights spent in hotels while on the trail 2019 1 night IATA Conf + 7 Hotels
TOTAL NIGHTS SPENT IN HOTELS WHILE ON THE TRAIL 10
In retrospect, I
looked back and attempted to reconcile the mileage splits that I walked each
day with two versions (2018 & 2019) of the IATA1,000 Miller spreadsheets
The spreadsheet
totals are correct and the Total Miles walked of 1121.6 is correct. I actually walked more than that Total.
I have pulled the
trailer a total of 2,322 miles. There is
an unknown number of miles travelled by automobile/truck to do recons
and get to segments of Ice Age Trail. Well
over 5,000 miles . . . . but I did see parts of Wisconsin that most people
never will see.
