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.






At the northern terminus of the West Bend Segment of the IAT, the Kewaskum Segment of the IAT begins. After crossing County Road D, the trail follows Friendly Drive for about a quarter mile before the trail leaves the road. The trail follows power lines to the IAT trailhead parking at the terminus of the Southern Kewaskum Segment on Wildwood Drive.

Hiking Video

Along Friendly Drive

Kewasksum Segment of the IAT

Dried weeds frosted with snow

The connecting route heads along country roads, first north on Wildwood Road, then northwest on Townline Road, before heading west on Ridge Road. The connecting route starts out in a somewhat forested area, then heads through some farm country. One of the interesting highlights along the connecting route is the use of antique milk cans for mailboxes.

Christmas along the connecting route

Unique use of an old milk can along the connecting route

Along Townline Road

Along Wildwood Road

From the Ice Age Trail parking area on Ridge Road, the Kewaskum Segment heads north through some fields and forested areas, then begins to head east through the Sunburst Winter Sports Park. The trail cuts through and around cornfields. Nice views overlook the surrounding countryside. On this segment a Designated Camping Area (DCA) is found. There isn't much to the DCAs along the IAT. A DCA typically consists of a designated bare spot and a small sign with rules. Beyond the winter sports park the trail briefly follows Prospect Drive to the north, then continues east to the underpass for US Highway 45, before terminating at the Milwaukee River Segment of the IAT.

Kewaskum Segment of the IAT

View of the Sunburst Winter Sports Park from the IAT

Sunburst Winter Sports Park

Lots of holes for critters in this sweetheart tree along the IAT

Map of Kewaskum Segment, Connecting Route and Southern Kewaskum Segment of the IAT

Before long, it was time time to flip-flop and backtrack back to the car. I headed home ready to celebrate Christmas with family. May your holidays be filled with all the joy the season can bring. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

That's all for now. Let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild.

Total Distance Covered -  11 miles (17.7 km) out and back total, 5.5 miles (8.9 km) one way. 

     Southern Kewaskum Segment, 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
     Connecting Route, 2.2 miles (3.5)
     Kewaskum Segment, 2.1 miles (3.4 km)


Difficulty - Easy along the Southern Kewaskum Segment, moderate hills along the connecting route and the Kewaskum Segment.

Trail Conditions - Snow covered, well maintained, 19°F (-7°C).

Highlights -  Watching the light snow fall on Christmas weekend. 

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official trail distance completed to date - 339 miles (546 km).

Amenities - IAT parking at the Kewaskum trailheads along Wildwood Road in West Bend and Ridge Road in Kewaskum. A DCA, and the Sunburst Winter Sports Park.

Location - The Kewaskum trailhead along Wildwood Road.