Chaffee Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail and Connecting Route to the Wedde Creek Segment

Nothing satisfies quite like a fresh expanse of unbroken powder, except for, perhaps, the satisfying crunch of snow underfoot. On a cold, gray December day I set off to hike the Chaffee Creek Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Waushara County, Wisconsin. This trail can be approached from the Rest Stop 81 along Interstate Highway 39 or from a spur trail at the Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area.





I broke fresh powder on the trail previously disturbed only by deer and rabbits. I walked under an overpass and through a culvert below Interstate Highway 39. The walkway alongside the creek through the culvert was slick with ice. Micro spikes would definitely be in order for the culvert this time of year. Given the freezing temperatures, I was glad the water was not near the high water line shown by discoloration in the culvert. This would have been colder and wetter than I had my intentions set on for this day.

Video of my Christmas Hike

Follow the yellow Blaze!

A beautiful, quiet morning.

Even beautiful when dry and out of season.

Fungus among us.

The snow looks like icing on the trees.

Following the yellow blazes along the IAT.

Nature's holiday decor.

Nothing stirred in the forest on this cold, windy day. I saw only one fish in the creek. No birds, no squirrels at play, no wildlife to be seen. Just the wind in the trees and the occasional rattle of brown oak leaves still hanging onto the occasional tree.

Once at the end of the trail, I continued onto Czech Avenue to the trail head for the Wedde Creek Segment of the IAT. Things were slower going in the ice and snow, and holiday merrymaking awaited. Since it was a relatively short walk, I backtracked back the way I came in, and hiked the route in reverse rather than shuttling.

The sun tried so hard to come out, I even saw it for a moment.

Trail head signage.

Map of today's hike https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright.

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

Total Distance Covered -  The portion of the Chaffee Creek Segment is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) one way, and the connecting route to the Wedde Creek is 0.7 miles. This makes for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) out and back. Add an extra quarter mile for the spur trail I used to connect to the IAT if you plan to park at the Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area.

Difficulty - Easy - but I will give it a moderate for this time of year due to the ice and snow on the trail. I did end up putting on micro spikes for the hard packed ice and snow.

Trail Conditions - The trail is well-blazed and highly used. The culvert under Interstate Highway 39 was very icy and slippery, 21°F (-6°C).

Highlights -  Snow! Views of Chaffee Creek.

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official trail distance completed to date - 381 miles (610 km).

Amenities - Parking, vending and restrooms at Rest Stop 81 along southbound Interstate Highway 39.

Location - Parked in the Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural area and used the spur trail to access the IAT.