On a clear February morning, I parked at the Skunk and Foster Lakes State Natural Area along N. Foley Drive in Scandinavia, Wisconsin. I exhaled long, white streams into the frigid air, and zipped my down jacket all the way up to my chin. I pulled my hood up over my hat. It was time to begin my section hike of the Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT).
On the cold, snowless first morning of 2024, I hiked the Waupaca River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). I started at the State Highway 54 trailhead parking circle, hiking north and then west through a narrow corridor of trees around a farmer's field. When I arrived at Townline Road, I began walking north. I walked up a hill near Nelson's Tree Farm only to find police blocking the road. Due to the police presence, I began to head back towards the Highway 54 trailhead parking area.
If you love to hike up and down rolling hills and along the tops of wooded esker ridges, you will thoroughly enjoy the Fond du Lac and Sheboygan County portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). This stretch consists of a delightful 30 trail miles through the Northern Kettle Moraine in Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties and only 10 road miles. The Kettle Moraine is known for its eskers and kames with kettles and small lakes.
