Hiking the Ice Age Trail through Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties

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. 

Hiking the LaBudde Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Thinking of the short and easy segment I had planned for the day I hiked out with confidence. The LaBudde Creek Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) has about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) of trail and 0.8 miles (1.3 km) of road-walking. The terrain is not particularly challenging and the distance is short. The hills are pleasant. Many birds and squirrels are seen along this segment of the IAT.

Hiking the Parnell Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Sometimes a section of trail becomes a troublesome nemesis given the right circumstances and constraints. The hiker resolves to conquer the stretch of trail, returning time and again. The Parnell Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, not a particularly technical or difficult bit of trail, unexpectedly became my troublesome nemesis.

Milwaukee River Segment of the Ice Age Trail Part 2 - Fond du Lac County

Hiking in January's bitter cold without a trace of snow on the ground feels a bit like walking down a sandless beach. Your feet long for what's missing. In place of the satisfying crunch of snow underfoot, frozen grass and leaves crackle. Occasionally thin ice snaps. As I hiked the Milwaukee Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Fond du Lac County, the clouds drifted in and the day turned gray. Snow on the hike would have been beautiful. The sky had other ideas, saving the snow for the drive home.