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.

LÄRABAR

Trying to give up sweeteners and missing your granola bars? For me, foregoing granola bars on hiking and canoe trips turned out to be one of the toughest things about giving up sweeteners (sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners). Many of the "healthful" granola  bars and all of my former favorites contain sweeteners. 

Spring Hike on the Indian Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Two weeks changes everything. Soft mud now replaces the hard-packed ice and snow trail cover. Caught up in the whirlwind of the first two weeks on a new job and business travel, I've missed the trail. With spring in the air and the weather a bit warmer, my family happily joined me in hiking the Indian Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

March Hike on the Cross Plains and Table Bluff Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Another sunny March day beckoning, I headed to Cross Plains for a walk on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. After so many months of overcast skies, March sun and geese honking overhead provide welcome signs spring will soon arrive. Today's hike covered the Cross Plains Segment, a finish up of the Table Bluff Segment, and the connecting route between the segments.

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.

What to Wear for Winter Day Hikes in Wisconsin

Winter day hikes allow us to enjoy beauty and solitude. Quiet stillness, snow on the pines, and pristine blankets of snow surround us. There is no slogging through mud, there are no ticks or mosquitoes! But it's cold if we don't dress warm enough for conditions. If we overdress, our sweat will lead to extreme cold when we stop hiking.

Connecting Route from County Road X to Levee Road

A break in the frigid weather provided the perfect February day to complete the connecting route between the Sauk Point and Portage Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Starting mid-route from the parking area at the Lower Narrows historical marker on Wisconsin State Highway 33, I headed south to County Road X and back. Eagles and hawks soared overhead.