Hiking the Southern Kewaskum Segment, Connecting Route, and Kewaskum Segment of the Ice Age Trail

There is nothing like a hike in the snow to make it feel like Christmas. With a holiday bounce in my step, I hiked the Southern Kewaskum and Kewaskum Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) along with the connecting route between them. As I hiked, light snow began to fall. Snow was not in the forecast, an unexpected joy.

Hiking the Connecting Route from the Portage Canal to the John Muir Park Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 Since Thanksgiving weekend occurs at the height of gun hunting season, and with the new law that children as young as 5 years old can hunt, I decided to knock out a few road-walk miles over the holiday weekend. I hiked the connecting route from the Portage Canal Segment to the John Muir Park Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). 

Hiking the West Bend Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

I put on my favorite hiking shoes and a pair of gaiters, grinning like a hiker will for the first snowy hike of the year. Each year, my appreciation for the beauty and solitude of the snow season keeps me hiking the trail through winter despite the cold. I woke up to 2017's first appreciable snowfall and instantly changed my plans from heading to the gym to heading to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). The driving conditions were poor due to the weather and it took double the normal drive time to reach the trailhead. But I didn't care. I was going hiking in the seasons first appreciable snow!

Hiking the Ice Age Trail through Dane County

Have you ever returned to the same hiking trail again and again and experienced vastly different hikes? I am forever amazed by the uniqueness of each moment. I've returned to the same bit of trail again and again and found myself immersed into vastly different experiences. I've hiked the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) through Dane county in all seasons. Early one autumn day I hiked the IAT at Indian Lake and watched the mist dissipate from the lake, while I had previously hiked Indian Lake in early spring with my family and witnessed a devastating fish kill. I love the way each season offers unique sights and sounds, each precious in it's own way.