Looked forward all week to the weekend photographing the scenic vistas along the Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT). Thought I'd get some excellent sunrise photos, and arrived early to make it happen. As things go, the weather had other ideas. Overcast skies made for a gray morning. That said, this lovely stretch of trail thrills the senses even on the grayest of days.
On a glorious, sunny December day, I hiked the connecting route between the Clover Valley and Whitewater Lake Segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This connecting route runs 5 miles (8 km) through Walworth County near Whitewater, Wisconsin.
The Clover Valley Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) runs 1.6 miles (2.6 km) through the Clover Valley State Wildlife Area near Whitewater, Wiscosin in Walworth County. After several good snowfalls followed by a good bit of rain and temperatures above freezing, a glorious sunny day appeared. With the sun came an opportunity to step through icy water and melting snow.
The connecting route (CR) from the Storrs Lake Segment to the Clover Valley Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) runs 9.3 miles (15 km) along country roads. With a careful eye, small arrows along the route at most turns can be spotted.
The Storrs Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) runs 1.9 well-blazed miles (3 km) through the Storrs Lake Wilderness Area with designated parking areas at both ends. Starting from the IAT parking area on N Bowers Lake Road, this short segment briefly follows and then crosses N Bowers Lake Road. The trail meanders through a hilly wooded area for a short time, then follows Bowers Lake until heading through the trees to the parking area on E Storrs Lake Road.
The Milton Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) runs 4.4 well-blazed miles (7.1 km) between the Janesville to Milton Segment to the Storrs Lake Segment of the IAT. The trail runs directly past the Milton Family restaurant and other amenities through Milton. With short stretches in one direction or the other and plenty of variety, this Segment doesn't feel like the 4.4 miles that it is.
The Janesville to Milton Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) is about half road-walking and half hiking on a well-maintained railroad line converted into a multi-use trail. The segment runs 3.2 flat, easy miles (5.1 km). This segment falls between the Janesville and Milton Segments, hence the name "Janesville to Milton Segment".
