After parking in the Ice Age Trail trailhead parking area on State Highway 67 just north of Eagle, Wisconsin, I headed up the Eagle Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). An owl hooted as I hurried down the trail trying to warm myself against the cold.
After walking across a boardwalk, I hiked into an open area and passed the spur trail to some springs before continuing across a gravel road and up to a scenic overlook. While I chose not to explore the springs, a short time later I did follow a spur trail to a scenic overlook. Only a few yards off the IAT, the scenic overlook is worth checking out as it provides views of the surrounding countryside from all directions.
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Frosty brush along the IAT. |
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Scenic view along the Eagle Segment of the IAT. |
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Here comes the sun! |
I continued to follow the trail past Brady's Rocks, a dolomite outcropping and the site where the Brady homestead once stood. This outcropping may be further explored by following a spur trail.
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Brady's Rocks. |
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On the Eagle Segment of the IAT. |
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Snow nest. |
I followed the IAT briefly through a wooded area onto an expansive stretch of low lying prairie. After reaching Wilton Road, I followed the road for a short stretch and entered a partly wooded, partly open area of trail that led to County Highway N.
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Along the Eagle Segment of the IAT. |
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Broken trees making an arch over the trail near County Highway N. |
After crossing County Highway N, I was greeted by an expansive view of a wide prairie. After marveling at the view from a well-placed bench, I followed the trail across the wide prairie until I eventually came to a gravel road.
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Caw, Caw! |
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Overlooking the bed of what once was glacial Lake Scuppernong. |
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The frigid weather did not keep this stream from moving. |
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Yellow blaze, frozen water. |
The trail then followed a gravel road to State Highway 59 when the Eagle Segment ends and the Stony Ridge Segment begins. That's all for now, let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!
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The gravel road where the Eagle Segment ends and the Stony Ridge Segment begins. |
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Eagle Segment of the IAT. |
Total Distance Covered - 11.2 miles (18 km) total, 5.6 miles (9 km) one way.
Difficulty - Easy with a a couple of easy to moderate hills.
Trail Conditions - Blazed and well traveled trails. Cold, 5°F (-15C).
Highlights - Views of the surrounding glacial terrain.
Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official trail distance completed 257 miles (414 km).
Amenities - Natural spring.
Location - IAT trailhead parking on Wisconsin State Highway 67 just north of Eagle, WI.
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