Hiking the Pike Lake Segment and Slinger Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Starting from the campground at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, I hiked the Pike Lake and Slinger Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). The state park at Pike Lake offers plenty of parking options for these segments; however, a state park admission fee or annual state park sticker is required. The Pike Lake Segment of the IAT heads uphill hiked south to north, and downhill hiked north to south. As I am a back-tracker rather than a shuttler, I experienced both. The Slinger Segment is relatively flat.

Camping at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest

The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, is located on Wisconsin State Highway 60 between Slinger and Hartland, Wisconsin. The park offers a beach, bike trails, camping, and plenty of hiking trails including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. After another 5-day work week within this lengthy holiday-free span between New Year's Day and Memorial day, we packed up and headed out. We stopped in Hartland on our way into the park for a Cousins sub.

Arbor Ridge and Devil's Staircase Segments of the Ice Age Trail

Hikers often say the worst part of hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) is the road walk between the Albany Segment and Janesville. Using the unexpected layer of ice that accumulated on the back roads overnight as an excuse, I delayed getting started on this dreaded road march, and did a bit of trail hiking instead. After parking at the trail-head near the Janesville Schools Outdoor Laboratory, I hiked the Arbor Ridge  and Devil's Staircase Segments of the IAT. The day started out cold with trees and trails laced with snow that melted as the day wore on.

John Muir Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The John Muir Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a short, easy loop trail around Ennis Lake in Marquette County, Wisconsin. If you hike with small children, this 1.7 mile (2.7 km) loop is perfect. This segment is located in the John Muir Memorial County Park near the boyhood home of John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club.