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.

January Hike on the Sauk Point Trail

The Sauk Point Trail is part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and travels east-west between Parfrey's Glen and Hwy 113 through the Devil's Lake State Park. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Baraboo, WI. The Sauk Point Trail is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) in length according to the map, 4.2 miles (6.8 km) according to the signage at the park, but only 3.9 miles (6.3 km) according to my GPS app. If you don't bring 2 cars, plan on hiking a total of about 7.8 miles (12.6 km) out and back.