Hiking the Ice Age Trail through Sauk and Columbia Counties - Eastern Bifurcation

If you've been hiking in the state of Wisconsin, you've most likely set foot on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), and may not even realize you have.  And if you have unwittingly set foot on the IAT, there's a good probability you've done it in Sauk County. Devil's Lake State Park in Sauk County is the busiest park in the State of Wisconsin and recently USA Today ranked Devil's Lake the 5th best state park in the US.  If you've hiked at Devil's Lake or even if you've had a picnic along its lakeshore, chances are you've stepped onto the 10.9 mile Devil's Lake Segment of the IAT in Sauk County.

Hiking the Connecting Route from the Portage Canal to the John Muir Park Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 Since Thanksgiving weekend occurs at the height of gun hunting season, and with the new law that children as young as 5 years old can hunt, I decided to knock out a few road-walk miles over the holiday weekend. I hiked the connecting route from the Portage Canal Segment to the John Muir Park Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). 

June Hike on the Gibraltar Segment of the Ice Age Trail

While hiking the Lodi Valley / Baraboo Hills Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail last winter, I decided to save a couple special miles to hike with my family. The Gibraltar Segment offers gorgeous views from the hills overlooking Lake Wisconsin. It also leads to the  Merrimac Ferry crossing on Lake Wisconsin, which happens to be a required portion of the 1,000+ miles to have officially hiked the Ice Age Trail.

March hike on the Ice Age Trail, Gibraltar Rock County Park and Connecting Routes

Sunrise hikes offer the opportunity to see more wildlife and experience a special kind of stillness. Morning's glow lights the trees in temporary shades of orange and gold before painting them their ordinary daytime browns. The stress of deadlines, business travel, and life's little worries melt away. There is nothing like a sunrise hike.

March Hike on the City of Lodi and Groves Pertzborn Segments of the Ice Age Trail

Motivated by yesterday's increased temperatures and sunshine, I hiked the City of Lodi and Groves Pertzborn Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail along with the connecting route that joins them. The well blazed trail proved easy to follow through both segments. The March sun and the extra effort on the hills kept me warm. What a joy to spend four hours walking in the sun after so many overcast days. A flock of migrating geese flew overhead signalling spring will soon arrive. Although I didn't see other hikers, the trail portions of the hike were well trodden and easy to follow.

Lodi Marsh and Eastern Lodi Marsh Segments

The Lodi Marsh and Eastern Lodi Marsh Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail meander along ridges and wind through woods, prairie, and oak savanna. The Lodi Marsh Segment comprises 1.6 miles (2.6 km) of the Ice Age Trail, although to hike the lasso-shaped trail requires 2.1 miles (3.4 km) of hiking as a portion of the trail is a loop, and a portion requires backtracking. The Eastern Lodi Marsh Segment is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from Pleasant Street to Lodi-Springfield Road and requires a complete backtrack.

Portage Canal Segment to Levee Road

The National Scenic Ice Age Trail meanders not only through prairies and forests, but through many small Wisconsin towns. The 2.9 mile (4.7 km) Portage Canal Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows the Portage Canal through the city of Portage. This canal runs between the Wisconsin River and the Fox River, but is no longer functional as the river locks have been decommissioned.

Pine Island State Wildlife Area and Pine Island Savanna State Natural Area

The Pine Island State Wildlife Area and Pine Island Savanna State Natural Area are part of the connecting route between the Sauk Point Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Portage Segment. The Caledonia Levee runs along Levee Road between the road and the Wisconsin River through the Pine Island Areas. Although there are no designated hiking trails through these areas, hiking is allowed. Today's total hike out and back was 15.5 miles (25 km).