Valley View Segment and Connecting Route to the Madison Segment of the Ice Age Trail

I hiked the Valley View Segment of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail and the connecting route to the Madison Segment on a brisk November morning. The Valley View Segment meanders through woods, prairie, and oak savanna, while the road walk on the connecting route is residential for the most part. Although I had planned to push forward onto the Madison Segment, I decided to back track to the car turned back by the penetrating effect of the cold wind.


The highlights of the Valley View Segment are the fantastic homes and views of the valley and surrounding hills. After parking on the right side of Ice Age Trail Lane near the fence, I hiked into the woods behind the lovely Noll Valley homes of Verona. Just about the time I thought my tour of amazing homes had ended, I crossed a residential driveway leading to a breathtaking home lit up beautifully for the Christmas season. The only way it could have been prettier is if there had been snow.

Lovely home on the Valley View Segment.

Beyond this, an the trail meandered through restored prairies and oak savanna, passing through a neighborhood of beautiful prairie style homes. The trail led to a "park" on Moraine Ridge Road consisting of a small parking lot for the Ice Age Trail. After a short road walk to the right on Mound View Road and to the left on Saracen Way, it was back into the woods and through the fields on the Ice Age Trail.

Prairie style home on the Valley View Segment.

The connecting route from Mid Town Road and then right on Woods road led to the Madison Segment. A fairly easy walk, but with the cold wind whipping through the open spaces, I decided to save the Madison Segment for another day, and backtracked back to the car.

Heading to Mound View Road.

Madison Segment

Mid Town Road.

Residential area along the road walk.

Valley View Segment.

Valley View Segment.

 

More amazing homes along the Valley View Segment.

 

Map of today's hike.

Trail Conditions - Well maintained trail through woods and restored prairie. Low traffic on connecting route. Windy, sunny and 22°F (-6°C).

Distance Covered Today - 7.2 miles (11.6 km).

Difficulty - Easy with a few moderate hills.

Location - Parked on Ice Age Lane on the right side of the road near the fence.

Highlights - Views of expansive homes, the valley and surrounding hills.

Total Official Ice Age Trail Miles Completed to Date - Total official Ice Age Trail distance completed 107 miles (171 km). Trail 50 miles (80 km), connecting route 57 miles (91 km).

Total Additional Backtracking Miles Completed - 92  miles (147 km).