Langlade County Chapter

Ice Age Trail Descriptions and Maps

Ready to explore the Ice Age Trail? Download an excerpt from our Ice Age Trail Companion Guide 2008 covering the Trail in this region. The Companion Guide includes a detailed description of the entire thousand-mile Ice Age Trail.   You can also download a map of where the Ice Age Trail goes in this region. For highly detailed hiking maps, check out our Ice Age Trail Atlas.

Ice Age Trail Updates

Hikers should be aware that the Ice Age Trail is not a static entity. As the Trail evolves toward completion, its route changes over time as volunteers build new sections and other sections are rerouted or closed. Weather (flooding, storm damage and heavy snow) can alter Trail navigation and access. Humans activities such as hunting and land management (e.g., logging) can also affect Ice Age Trail use.

The following notes describe new sections and reroutes not described in the Companion Guide excerpt above and updates on navigation and access when weather and/or human activities affect the Trail.

Parrish Hills Segment
Ice Age Trail Atlas Maps 31f and 32f; Ice Age Trail Companion Guide p. 227
The segment requires a ford across the Prairie River. The bottom of the river is firm and the water level is usually below the knees.

An example of a wet crossing on the Parrish Hills Segment

Depending on water levels, the segment also has several wet crossings, which may require detours and off-trail navigation and can lead to soggy feet and pants. (The photo above is an example of such a crossing.) For those uncomfortable with navigating around large wet areas, a road walk along Five Cent Rd. west to County Road H skirts several of the wet areas. Active logging is occurring on county-owned land south of the Prairie River ford so caution is advised. (06/02/09)

Highland Lakes Western Segment
Ice Age Trail Atlas Maps 32f and 33f; Ice Age Trail Companion Guide p. 225
Several parcels are being logged. Hikers are urged to use caution through the logged areas. (03/24/09)

Old Railroad Segment
Ice Age Trail Atlas Maps 33f and 34f; Ice Age Trail Companion Guide p. 220
- A short section of the Trail within this segment was recently rerouted. Hiking east to west, as the Trail passes Veteran’s Memorial Park and Jack Lake, hikers will arrive at Pence Lake Road. Rather than continuing north along a fire lane on the old section of Trail, hikers should walk west on Pence Lake Road approximately 300 feet, head north on the ~1/4-mile new section of Trail, then bear west where the new section of Trail meets the old. (09/28/09)

Kettlebowl Segment
Ice Age Trail Atlas Maps 35f and 36f; Ice Age Trail Companion Guide p. 216
- The section of the Ice Age Trail that formerly ran between Polar-Price Road to Sherry Road is closed at landowner request due to logging. Long-distance hikers heading north out of Polar (i.e., the Hwy 64 crossing) should use the following road-walk route: north on Polar Rd., east on Groth Rd., north on Price Polar Rd., east on Oak Rd. to the trailhead on Sherry Rd. (09/14/09)
- Thanks to efforts by a volunteer with the Langlade County Chapter, a short reroute on this segment just south of the Kettlebowl Ski Area eliminates some hiking along Kent Fire Tower Rd. Click here to see a map of the reroute. The upshot is that hikers moving in either direction will want to take a left turn instead of a right turn when intersecting Kent Fire Tower Rd., hike a very short distance along the road, and then continue with off-road hiking. (09/14/09)



Have you used the Ice Age Trail in this region lately? Please let us know how it went. Hiker reports are key to our ability to keep the Ice Age Trail well-maintained and user-friendly. We welcome both compliments and complaints. You can call or email the IAPTF main office (800-227-0046, info@iceagetrail.org) or contact the volunteer chapter coordinator with your feedback.

Remember, the Ice Age Trail is built and maintained by volunteers. We can always use your help! Contact the IAPTF main office or the volunteer chapter coordinator to learn how you can get involved or take a look at upcoming activities on our online calendar.
©2009 Ice Age Trail Alliance