2021 Canoe Trip to the Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area

The Bittersweet Lakes is located within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, in Vilas County, Wisconsin. On a hot, July morning we loaded our gear and the canoe onto our car and headed off into the morning. We arrived to a sandy parking area, buggy and hot from the morning sun. 

Hiking the Connection Route between the Point Beach Segment and the Mishicot Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a cold January morning I arrived in Mishicot planning to park at the Mishicot Village Park and begin hiking only to find the lot unplowed. Having difficulty seeing where the parking lot ended and the park greens started, I drove around Mishicot looking for a place to park off the snowy streets. Since it happened to be the weekend, I decided to park in a freshly plowed visitor's spot in front of the Mishicot Elementary School.

Hiking the Point Beach Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Like many of the other segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), I hiked the Point Beach Segment of the IAT twice, once out and once back. I hiked the first 2.1 miles of the Point Beach Segment in early December when I finished the Two Rivers Segment with no snow and ice. I returned to finish the other 8 miles of the segment in early January, this time with hard packed ice and snow on the trail.

Hiking the Two Rivers Segment of the Ice Age Trail

On a crisp, sunny December morning, I hiked the Two Rivers Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) in Manitowoc County. This segment provides an easy 3 mile stroll through town with plenty to see and do along the way. The Two Rivers segment of the IAT passes through residential areas, the historic downtown, and along the waterfront passing historic sites, shops, restaurants, bars and views of scenic waterways.

Together in the BWCA

With the Northern Minnesota drought, along with Canadian and Northern Minnesota wildfires and the uptick in Covid19 cases filling the news, BWCA enthusiasts' discussions in online forums had become concerning. Heading up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for our family's 2021 canoe trip we talked about all we'd  read. Would we come home to find our daughter's school closed again due to the pandemic? Would the water on our route be too low? Rather than paddling small rivers would we be slogging through mud and climbing over rocks with extra carryovers? Would wildfires cut our trip short? 

The Dunes Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 

Want an easy fall hike along a wooded footpath near the amenities of a trail town? The Dunes Dunes Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) provides exactly that. The Dunes Segment is a fairly flat, short 2.7 miles (4.3 km). Starting from the Mariner's Trail, the Dunes Segment crosses Highway 42 (Memorial Drive) and heads towards the Aurora Medical Center. The IAT nearly circles the complex, then follows a footpath through the Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve. I enjoyed my time admiring the gold and red autumn colors along the Dunes Segment of the IAT on an idyllic, crisp fall day.

Hiking the Manitowoc Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The iconic Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) experience includes walks through picturesque trail towns. As a hiker fond of quiet places and solitude, I avoided the Manitowoc Segment for a time in favor of forested footpaths and road walks through the countryside. Finally, on a cold, clear October morning, I walked the 7.5 mile (km) Manitowoc Segment of the IAT. What a surprise!