March hike on the Ice Age Trail, Gibraltar Rock County Park and Connecting Routes

Sunrise hikes offer the opportunity to see more wildlife and experience a special kind of stillness. Morning's glow lights the trees in temporary shades of orange and gold before painting them their ordinary daytime browns. The stress of deadlines, business travel, and life's little worries melt away. There is nothing like a sunrise hike.

My first sunrise hike since November started at the Groves Pertzborn Ice Age Trail parking area.  I headed northwest on County Roads J, JV, and V to the Gibraltar Rock Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. My drinking water froze starting out, by the time I got to the Gibraltar Segment things were warming up.

After hiking to the bluff, I completed the connecting route between the two trail portions of the Gibraltar Rock Segments on V and Slack Road, before backtracking. Needing to get home to prepare lunch for our family, I decided to save the last mile or two and the ferry crossing for a time when my family can join me. It will be a short but pretty hike, with a ferry crossing and an opportunity stop for a treat near Lake Wisconsin. A perfect outing for kids.

Connecting route on County Road J.

Connecting route on County Road J.

Connecting route on County Road JV.

Morning frost on leaf, Gibraltar Segment of the Ice Age Trail.

View from the bluff, Gibraltar Segment of the Ice Age Trail.

View from the bluff, Gibraltar Segment of the Ice Age Trail.

Southern portion of the Gibraltar Segment.

Deer on County Road V, connecting route between the Gibraltar Segments of the Ice Age Trail

Norther portion of the Gibraltar Segment at Slack Road.

View along the connecting route.

Frozen farm pond alive with waterfowl song along the connecting route on County Road J.

Along the connecting route on County Road J.

Trail Conditions - Well groomed trail with a few patches of snow remaining. Sunny. Started out cold and 17°F (-8°C), warmed up to 31°F (-0.5°C).

Distance Covered Today - 8.5 miles (13.7 km).

Difficulty - Moderate level of difficulty hiking up the bluff.

Location - Parked on County Road J near Lodi at the Ice Age Trail parking area for the Groves Pertzborn segment.

Highlights - Views of surrounding hills and farmsteads, abundant waterfowl, deer.

Total Official Ice Age Trail Miles Completed to Date - Total official Ice Age Trail distance completed 65.2 miles (105 km). Trail 39 miles (62.4 km), connecting route 31 miles (49.6 km).

Total Additional Backtracking Miles Completed - 70  miles (112 km).