Connecting Route from Indian Lake to Table Bluff

Fragrant May blossoms and warm weather made the morning perfect for hiking the connecting route between the Indian Lake and Table Bluff Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. If you like rolling hills and red barns, this is the walk for you. On today's walk I got scolded by a killdeer, said "hello" to passing cyclists, and spotted a coyote near Table Bluff Road. The cyclists got me thinking about leaving a bike at the end of future connecting routes to use for backtracking to the car rather than doubling up on the walking.


Starting from the parking area at the Indian Lake County Park on Wisconsin State Highway 19, I headed west, then south on County Road K to Schuman Road, onto Spring Valley Road and then Pine Road, and finally County Road KP to Table Bluff Road before backtracking to Indian Lake.

Enjoying the cool morning breeze before sunrise.

Red seed corn spilled along the road. Wonder what eating this will do to the bird or deer that wanders along. Wonder what the weed killer resistant GMO chemistry experiment does to us all.

May flowers.

Rolling hills.

Wondering, what do they do when six feet of snow pile up on the roof?

Spring colors looking almost like fall.

Coyote?!?

Table Bluff Segment - Trail Head.

Red Barns.

Indian Lake County Park.

Trail Conditions - Country roads with temperatures of approximately 60°F (15.6°C).

Distance Covered Today - 9.8 miles (15.8 km).

Difficulty - Easy to moderate (hilly in spots).

Location - Connecting route from Indian Lake County Park on Wisconsin State Highway 19 to the Ice Age Trail trail head on Table Bluff Road in Black Earth.

Highlights - Spotting a coyote on Table Bluff Road, rolling hills, red barns, being scolded by a killdeer.

Total Official Ice Age Trail Miles Completed to Date - Total official Ice Age Trail distance completed 74.9 miles (119.84 km). Trail 39 miles (62.4 km), connecting route 35.9 miles (57.4 km).

Total Additional Backtracking Miles Completed - 66.8  miles (106.9 km).

Concerns - The half mile along State Highway 19 is not pleasant for walking due to traffic.