Hiking the Emmons Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Even on a wet, foggy morning in the October cold, a hike on the Ice Age Trail (IAT) is worth the dealing with the drive through the fog. I parked at the 2nd Avenue IAT trailhead parking area realizing the fog had delayed the already October-late first light of morning, and I had forgotten to pack a headlamp. I waited until first light made a faint outline of the trailhead, and began hiking into the cool fog. My shoes soaked through cold and wet and a glaze of water on my glasses blurred my vision before I had hiked more than a couple yards.

The Emmons Creek Segment of the IAT runs from the Hartmann Creek Segment to the north, and a long road walk to the Deerfield Segment to the south. This 2.6 mile hike traverses north from 2nd Avenue first through a wooded area chock full of no trespassing signs. Beyond this short distance though privately owned property, the trail passes through the wooded areas, oak savannas and restored prairie meadows of the Emmons Creek State Fishery Area. 

Emmons Creek Segment of the IAT

Oaks and pines in the fog

More Oaks

Many reminders of private ownership

Stop sign on private trail

I slid over the slick boardwalks covering mucky spots, and soon arrived at the bridge over Emmons Creek. A conveniently placed bench below the bridge made a perfect spot to relax and watch the creek rush by. I continued through a prairie meadow following the IAT down a mowed path.

Bridge over Emmons Creek

Wet prairie grass

I waked through a parking lot and crossed Stratton Lake Road. In what felt like less than a mile, I had hiked through a hilly wooded area and found myself at Emmons Creek Road. I turned back and hiked the trail in reverse back to the 2nd Avenue trailhead parking area. Along this segment of the IAT, an alternately blazed Faraway Valley Loop offers the hiker some variety if doing an out and back. 

Faraway Valley Loop Signage

Emmons Creek Road

Let's get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!

Map of Emmons Creek Segment 

Total Distance Covered -  2.6 miles (4.2 km) one way.

Difficulty - Easy to moderate with some light hilly spots. 

Trail Conditions - The trail well-maintained, sandy, narrow in some  places. The day was a moist, foggy 50°F (10°C). The boardwalks near Emmons Creek are slick when it's wet out.

Highlights -  Scaring up blue jays and a grouse.

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official IAT trail distance completed to date - 473 miles (756 km).

Amenities - There is trail head parking for the IAT on  2nd Avenue and on Stratton Lake Road. A white-blazed Faraway Valley Loop offers variety for the out and back hiker. The white blazed Murray Creek Segment of the IAT is also accessed from the 2nd Avenue trailhead parking area. It is not part of the 1000 mile end to end IAT Thousand Miler hike.

Location - Parked in the IAT trail head parking on 2nd Avenue.