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.



Although I didn't see any other hikers on these segments, plenty of sirens and the sounds of traffic in the distance reminded me that these segments of the Ice Age Trail run though Janesville. The Arbor Ridge Segment starts out on a paved walkway featuring an 1800s cabin with a not-so-1800s security camera warning sign. Where the paved portion ends, the trail meanders through wooded areas with moderate hills. A bit of road walking near the end of the Arbor Ridge Segment leads to the Devil's Staircase Segment of the IAT. The road-crossing to transition to the Devil's Staircase Segment requires vigilant care as cars drive extremely fast around the corners in this area.

1800s cabin on the Arbor Ridge Segment of the IAT.

1800's cabin on the Arbor Ridge Segment of the IAT.

Arbor Ridge Segment of the IAT.

Arbor Ridge Segment of the IAT.

Arbor Ridge Segment of the IAT.

Turkey Tracks?

The Devil's Staircase Segment of the Ice Age Trail follows the Rock River to Riverside Park. As seen in the opening photo, the rock stairs that meander up and down the bluff overlooking the Rock River can be narrow and slick when covered with snow and ice. Take proper care and precautions with this segment. Today trekking poles and proper footware did the trick, but there are plenty of other segments of the IAT to hike when it's icy. As I hiked along the Rock River I thought about the saying that money can't buy happiness. Well, maybe money can't buy happiness, but it can buy a house on the Rock River with a birds-eye view of the IAT and a canoe on the riverbank.

After walking along the Rock River in Riverside Park, I turned back and repeated the hike in reverse. As the sun grew brighter, the snow began to melt and the hard ground beneath my feet became soft. April in Southern Wisconsin can be a time of extremes, it can be calm and sunny one minute, with gusty winds and hail, rail, or snow the next minute creating blizzard-like visibility levels. Snow can fall layering our world in a blanket of white, then melt away as if it were never there several times in one day. The temperature in a day can range from below freezing to 60°F (16°C). 

Rock River.

On the IAT in Riverside Park in Janesville.

Willows at Riverside Park in Janesville.

Devil's Staircase Segment of the IAT.

Devil's Staircase Segment of the IAT.

Devil's Staircase Segment of the IAT.

Map of today's hike.

Trail Conditions - Started out frozen 16°F (-9°C) but quickly warmed to 33°F (0.6°C).

Total Distance Covered  - 7.2 miles (11.6 km) out and back.

Difficulty - Moderate.

Highlights - Eagle riding the thermals over the Rock River.

Location - Parked at the IAT trailhead near the Janesville Schools Outdoor Laboratory on N. Bluebird Trail.

Total Official Ice Age Trail Miles Completed to Date - Total official Ice Age Trail distance completed 155 miles (248 km).