Hiking the Connecting Route from the Greenbush Segment to the LaBudde Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a cloudy gray November morning, I walked the relatively short 4.4 mile (7.1 km) connecting route between the Greenbush and LaBudde Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). The air was cold, snow dotted the ground in patches.  The moment I arrived I heard gunshots, and I felt glad to be road walking in a direction away from this segment of the trail. Hunting season is upon us.






From south to north, this connecting route begins at the IAT trail head parking area on County Road P at the northern terminus of the Greenbush Segment. From the trail head parking, the route heads west towards Glenbeulah, but turns north just before the town. Glenbeulah offers a sports pub, bank and post office for the through hiker if needed, if there is time to step off route.

In less than a half mile, the route travels north on County Road P (also known as County Highway A and Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive) through farm country. Along the route, both active and abandoned farm buildings are seen. After a little more than a mile, the route heads east on County Highway A, also known as Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. In a mile and a half, the route turns north on County Highway A (also known as County Road J) and heads towards Elkhart Lake. 

Corn rows.

The town of Elkhart Lake offers dining and drinking establishments and a Post Office. At the Quit Qui Oc Golf Club in Elkhart Lake, the route heads southeast on Golf Course Road for a half mile. The Quit Qui Oc Golf Club restaurant is directly on this connecting route and is open to the public. From Golf Course Road, the route turns east on Garton Road for about a quarter of a mile where the southern terminus of the LaBudde Segment of the IAT is found. There is parking on Garton Road if you are so inclined,  approximately a quarter mile from the Garton Road trail terminus.  

Although the pictures on this dark day do not show it, there were beautiful moments along this route. I saw many blue jays, and at one point a beautiful buck leaped across the road about 20 yards in front of me. 

Stables for sale.

Burrs!

The sky stayed dark with snow clouds the entire route, and the photography showed the reality of one of those dark, shadowy November days with winter right around the corner. As I ended my hike the snow began to softly fall. I also hiked about three quarters of the LaBudde Segment of the IAT during this walk, but that is another story for another day when I finish the last mile and a half of the segment.

Map of Connecting Route

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That's all for now, let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!

Total Distance Covered -  4.4 miles (7 km) one way. 

Difficulty - Easy to moderate, does have some easy hills.

Trail Conditions - The roads had slippery ice in a couple of spots, but the majority was clear and easy to walk, warmed up to 35°F (2°C). 

Highlights -  I did see a gorgeous buck bound across the road and many blue jays along the route.

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official IAT trail distance completed to date - 424 miles (679 km).

Amenities - The towns of Glenbeulah and and Elkhart Lake are nearby offering banking, drinking and dining opportunities. The golf club Quit Qui Oc restaurant is directly on the route. There is trail head parking for the IAT on County Road P near Glebeulah and about a quarter of a mile from the trail terminus (but directly on trail) along the LaBudde Creek Segment of the IAT on Garton Road.

Location - Parked in the IAT trail head parking on County Road P near Glenbeulah.