Hiking the Connecting Route between the Deerfield Segment and the Emmons Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail

I set out on a crisp fall morning to walk the the connecting route between the Deerfield and Emmons Creek Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). With October colors popping and geese calling overhead, I left my bike at the terminus of the Deerfield Segment of the Ice Age Trail on County Road O and parked at Roberts Park in the Village of Wild Rose. Cold wind rustled the leaves as I began walking through Wild Rose. I enjoyed an outpouring of Halloween decorations and seeing wildroses still in bloom. 

Hiking the Deerfield Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a late September morning I hiked the Deerfield Segment of the Ice Age Trail (IAT) in Waushara County, Wisconsin. I parked in the sandy IAT trail head parking lot about 0.2 miles from the trailhead kiosk on Beechnut drive and took the white-blazed loop trail over to the IAT trailhead. 

Hiking the Bohn Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail, Along with the Connecting Routes to the Deerfield and Greenwood Segments

Layered up and ready to go, I hiked the Bohn Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) and the neighboring connecting routes on a windy 12°F (-11°C) February morning. The Bohn Lake Segment of the IAT is 1.8 miles in length, bookended by short connecting routes on either end. To the northeast the connecting route carriers the hiker 1.8 miles to the Deerfield Segment of the IAT, and to the south the connecting route carries the hiker one mile to the Greenwood Segment of the IAT.

Hiking the Greenwood Segment of the Ice Age Trail and the Connecting Route to the Mecan River Segment

Turkeys strutted in the middle of Buttercup Drive near Coloma, not minding my car a bit. I stopped and waited for them to clear the road. Excited, I thought about seeing turkeys this close up along my hike. When they finally moved off, I parked my car at the trail head parking at the northern end of the Mecan River Segment of the Ice age trail. As I hopped out of the car, my feet flew out from under me. Yes, it had done more than a little mid-April snow dusting in this area. Freezing rain had encrusted the 4 to 5 inches of snow covering the area. I would definitely be hiking in micro-spikes.

Hiking the Mecan River Segment of the Ice Age Trail

What gets you up and out early on a cold, gray January morning? I heard great eagle photo opportunities awaited in the Mecan Springs Area along the Mecan River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). So, on a cold, gray morning I headed northwest on the Mecan River of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) from the DNR parking area on Wisconsin Highway 21 as light snow fell. After a brief time on the trail, I headed north on 9th avenue for about 0.4 miles, then rejoined the IAT. 

Wedde Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail and Connecting Route to the Mecan River Segment

The Wedde Creek Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) is one of the trail's shortest segments, but paired with the connecting route to the Mecan River Segment it makes for a nice little winter's walk. On a cold December day I parked at the DNR parking area on Czech Avenue in Waushara County and began my hike.

Chaffee Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail and Connecting Route to the Wedde Creek Segment

Nothing satisfies quite like a fresh expanse of unbroken powder, except for, perhaps, the satisfying crunch of snow underfoot. On a cold, gray December day I set off to hike the Chaffee Creek Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Waushara County, Wisconsin. This trail can be approached from the Rest Stop 81 along Interstate Highway 39 or from a spur trail at the Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area.