What to Wear for Winter Day Hikes in Wisconsin

Winter day hikes allow us to enjoy beauty and solitude. Quiet stillness, snow on the pines, and pristine blankets of snow surround us. There is no slogging through mud, there are no ticks or mosquitoes! But it's cold if we don't dress warm enough for conditions. If we overdress, our sweat will lead to extreme cold when we stop hiking.

Connecting Route from County Road X to Levee Road

A break in the frigid weather provided the perfect February day to complete the connecting route between the Sauk Point and Portage Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Starting mid-route from the parking area at the Lower Narrows historical marker on Wisconsin State Highway 33, I headed south to County Road X and back. Eagles and hawks soared overhead.

Lodi Marsh and Eastern Lodi Marsh Segments

The Lodi Marsh and Eastern Lodi Marsh Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail meander along ridges and wind through woods, prairie, and oak savanna. The Lodi Marsh Segment comprises 1.6 miles (2.6 km) of the Ice Age Trail, although to hike the lasso-shaped trail requires 2.1 miles (3.4 km) of hiking as a portion of the trail is a loop, and a portion requires backtracking. The Eastern Lodi Marsh Segment is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from Pleasant Street to Lodi-Springfield Road and requires a complete backtrack.

Following my Passion - Valentine's Day 2015

As a woman in a male dominated profession I've heard it all. The minute colleagues learn I'm headed out for a wilderness adventure or even a day hike at a state park the teasing begins. Bears, snakes, and various other forms of the Boogeyman, according to the guys, lurk out there waiting to "get" me.

Eventually they get around to asking the inevitable. Why would I want to get out there in the cold-rain-heat-bugs anyhow? For love. That's why. Love. Plain and simple.

Connecting Routes on the Ice Age Trail

To date, 15,524 people have become 2,000 Milers, thru hiking or section hiking the Appalachian Trail. Less than 100 people have completed the Ice Age National Scenic Trail to become 1,000 Milers. One reason for the difference may be that the Appalachian Trail was established earlier. But there's more.

Ice Age Trail Connecting Route from Parfrey's Glen to Hwy 33

An upturn in the weather provided a perfect February day to walk 14.3 miles (23 km) of the connecting route between the Sauk Point and the Portage Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Views of old barns, the surrounding hills, and Devil's Head kept things interesting. For the first time this year, I spotted deer on my hike. Another beautiful day in Wisconsin.

Portage Canal Segment to Levee Road

The National Scenic Ice Age Trail meanders not only through prairies and forests, but through many small Wisconsin towns. The 2.9 mile (4.7 km) Portage Canal Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows the Portage Canal through the city of Portage. This canal runs between the Wisconsin River and the Fox River, but is no longer functional as the river locks have been decommissioned.