Hiking the Mecan River Segment of the Ice Age Trail

What gets you up and out early on a cold, gray January morning? I heard great eagle photo opportunities awaited in the Mecan Springs Area along the Mecan River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). So, on a cold, gray morning I headed northwest on the Mecan River of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) from the DNR parking area on Wisconsin Highway 21 as light snow fell. After a brief time on the trail, I headed north on 9th avenue for about 0.4 miles, then rejoined the IAT. 

Hiking the Parnell Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Sometimes a section of trail becomes a troublesome nemesis given the right circumstances and constraints. The hiker resolves to conquer the stretch of trail, returning time and again. The Parnell Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, not a particularly technical or difficult bit of trail, unexpectedly became my troublesome nemesis.