Hiking the Kewaunee Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The Kewaunee River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) follows a portion of the  crushed limestone Ahnapee StateTtrail along the Kewaunee River from Harold Ruckelberg Park in Casco Junction to Kewaunee. The multiuse Ahnapee State Trail is does not require the purchase of a trail pass. I hiked a portion of the Kewaunee River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) on a cold winter day and returned on a warm May day to finish. 

The official IAT segments are connected by suggested routes, mostly roadwalks, which are optional. This means any on-foot method. That is, to have officially hiked the IAT end to end. Starting out this hike, I made my own 11 mile connecting road route from the northern terminus of the Tisch Mills Segment on Nuclear Road to the Kewaunee River Segment at Bruemmer Park in place of the suggested 25.3 connecting route. 

The Kewaunee River Segment of the IAT

The Kewaunee River Segment of the IAT follows travels East-West along the Ahnapee State Trail bewteen Casco Junction and Kewaunee. This trail traces a former rail route along a raised surface of about 10 feet in width covered with crushed strone. I did not see anyone on trail during my winter hike. When I returned in May, I saw a number of hikers and bikers.

Stepping onto the Kewaunee River Segment from the connecting 

route between the Kewaunee River and Tisch Mills Segments

View from the IAT near Bruemmer County Park

Milkweed

Horses along the IAT

Reeds

Boats near Lake Michigan

The world's largest grandfather clock

When I reached Bruemmer County Park and Zoo, I headed to the east on the Kewaunee River Segment. I passed through a forested area and into Kewaunee not realizing what waited at the terminus. There it stood at the corner of Miller Street and Milwaukee Street, the world's largest grandfather clock. Kewaunee's clock is made of redwood and stands 35 feet and 10 inches tall. A fun and interseting stop along the IAT.

Segment Map

Way Signs

I returned to the Kewaunee River Segment of the IAT in May, and parked at the western terminus of the segment at Harold Ruckelberger Park (the Sunset Road parking area), Heading east, I marveled at the amount and variety of spring wildflowers. What a treat to see the side of the trail lined with marsh marigolds, violets, trillium and many more species of wildflower. The trail followed the direction of the Kewaunee River and I really enjoyed my occasional river views, partucalarly the view of the river near the bench between Sunset Road and Clyde Road. 

The trail surface is crushed limstone

Trillium

Wild Geranium

Wood Anemone with a few violets

When hiking the Kewaunee River Segment, keep an eye out for a bench. It is this location that offers the best place to walk near the river. Here the trails is worn with some nice rock for a clean approach rather than hiking through the brush. Note: the other good riverview comes when passing over the wooden bridge over the Kewaunee River. 

The Kewaunee River

                                                             Trail Signage at County Road C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The trail tunnel under Clyde Road

Ground Ivy

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

Map of Today's Hike

Total Distance Covered -  12.5 miles (20.1 km) one way.

Difficulty - Easy. 

Trail Conditions - A windy 25°F(-4°C) February day and a 70°F(21°C). Didn't see anyone else on the trail in February, but found the trail busy with hikers and bicyclists in May.

Highlights -  Spring wild flowers near Sunset Road were quite spectacular. The world's largest grandfather clock in Kewaunee.

Total Ice Age Trail Miles to Date - Total official IAT trail distance completed to date - 557 miles (896 km).

Amenities - Trail head parking in many places including, but not limited to Sunset Road in Casco Junction, County Road C, Bruemmer Country Park, and the at the clock on the corner of Miller and Milwaukee Streets in Kewaunee. Kewaunee offers small town amenities including dining, lodging, laundromat, post-office, parks and beautiful views of the water.

Location - Parked at Sunset Road in Casco Junction.