Connecting Route from the Brooklyn Wildlife Segment to the Monticello Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a gorgeous February Sunday, I parked in the Hughes Road parking lot at the Brooklyn Wildlife Area trail head. I began walking west on Hughes Road, south on County Highway D, then west on Wisconsin 92 / County Highway W to the Monticello Segment of the Ice Age Trail. After completing the connecting route between the Brooklyn Wildlife and Monticello Segments of the Ice Age Trail, I headed south on the Monticello Segment to Tunnel Road, before back-tracking back the to car.


The Ice Age Trail overlaps with the Badger State Trail at the northern end of the Monticello Segment, but isn't yellow-blazed. This is a fairly easy walk, and it felt good as the temperatures climbed above freezing. Several of the locals had dogs running about unattended, so I got barked at and followed a few times, but no biters. The roads were clean, making for an easy road-walk. However, the Monticello Segment, covered with foot-packed ice and snow, felt slick. I put on my Yaktrax for this portion of the walk.

Although it seems early in the season, once again I saw plenty of geese and happily took it as a sign of an early spring on its way. Overall an easy walk, hiking poles and Yaktrax helped with the slick areas (the Monticello Segment and the parking area on Hughes Road), but were entirely unnecessary on the roads. Of note, the former Exeter Segment of the Ice Age Trail is still signed at the crossing on County Road D, but is no longer an operating trail segment. Other than a few squirrels, there was not much going on in terms of wildlife. Just Wisconsin farmland with a dash of suburbia here and there.

Closed down Segment of the Ice Age Trail.

The Sugar River in Dayton, WI

Monticello Segment of the IAT overlaps with the Badger State Trail.

The Exeter Segment of the  Ice Age Trail is closed, now a road walk is required.

County Road D on the CR between the Brooklyn Wildlife and Monticello Segments of the IAT.

Town of Exeter on the CR between the Brooklyn Wildlife and Monticello Segments of the IAT.

 

Map of today's hike, connecting route and a bit of the Monticello Segment.

Trail Conditions - Road walk is clear of ice and snow. The Monticello Segment is slick with ice and snow.

Total Distance Covered  - 9.8 miles (16 km) out and back.

Difficulty - Easy, but the frozen lumps and slipperiness on the Monticello Segment will slow you down.

Concerns - Lot's of barking dogs running out to the road (but no biters).

Location - Parked at the Hughes Road public hunting parking area at the Brooklyn Wildlife Segment.

Highlights - Warmed up the 40°F (4°C).

 
Total Official Ice Age Trail Miles Completed to Date - Total official Ice Age Trail distance completed 135 miles (216 km). Trail 72 miles (115 km), connecting route 63 miles (101 km).