Hiking the Emmons Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Even on a wet, foggy morning in the October cold, a hike on the Ice Age Trail (IAT) is worth the dealing with the drive through the fog. I parked at the 2nd Avenue IAT trailhead parking area realizing the fog had delayed the already October-late first light of morning, and I had forgotten to pack a headlamp. I waited until first light made a faint outline of the trailhead, and began hiking into the cool fog. My shoes soaked through cold and wet and a glaze of water on my glasses blurred my vision before I had hiked more than a couple yards.

Hiking the Plover River Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The Plover River Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) offers a 5.9 mile (9.5 km) forested hike with manageable hills, swampy low lying areas filled with small boulders, and gorgeous views of the peaceful Plover River. Hiking this segment in late November offered my husband and me bug-free conditions in the swampy areas. That said, extra care is a must when hiking this segment during the snow season due to hard-packed ice and snow on boardwalks, rocks and slippery hills.

Hiking the Connecting Route between the Tisch Mills Segment and the Kewaunee Segment of the Ice Age Trail

Sometimes in life you find yourself thinking there's got to be a better way to do a thing. Preparing for this hike, I looked at the suggested 25.3 mile route between the Tisch Mills and Kewaunee Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAG). Being that I am a section hiker, not a thru-hiker, no compelling reason exists to do the entire IAT and all of it's connecting routes in a manner that traverses purely east to west, or purely west to east.

Hiking the Connecting Route between the East Twin River Segment and the Tisch Mills Segment of the Ice Age Trail

To officially complete the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), one must hike all trail segments and connect them by foot along connecting routes of one's choice. Last spring I finished the East Twin River and Tisch Mills Segments of the IAT, but not the road walk joining the two. Our family's summer canoe trips and camping adventures took center stage starting in May. This weekend, with an autumn chill in the air and bright maples leaves blowing across the driveaway, I felt that old urge calling me back to the IAT. 

Frost River Loop - BWCA 2022

My husband, our teenage daughter and I set aside 10 days to spend together canoe tripping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in August, 2022. We wanted to single-portage along a loop route, and put in some travel time as well as time laying around on a couple of nice campsites and doing, well, a whole lot of nothing. With an entry permit for Entry Point #50 Cross Bay Lake in hand, we studied our maps.

Hiking the Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age Trail

The majority of the Sturgeon Bay Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) overlaps with the Ahnappee State Trail. Starting near the corner of County Road H and State Highway 42 in Maplewood, the trail heads northeast on a raised railway bed that has been converted to a multiuse trail. A swamp lines this raised railbed and is a good viewing spot for deer and water birds. This segment of the IAT is a favorite of mine.

Hiking the Tisch Mills Segment of the Ice Age Trail

 

A small brown sign on a hill overlooking County Highway B marks the southern terminus of the Tisch Mills Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic trail. On a windy April morning, I headed up the grassy hill from County Highway B onto the trail. I nearly missed the small trail sign, as it is on a hill up off the road and follows private property along the edge of a farm field. When you do this segment, keep your eyes open!