Photo Credit: David Lonsdorf

The Hike

The Prairie Moraine section of the Verona Segment starts at the gate in the northwest corner of the parking lot, adjacent to the fenced off dog exercise area, and heads north before turning to the east. It then climbs a few switchbacks to a saddle of the terminal moraine on the St. Peter sandstone bedrock. There is a spur trail to the east to a viewing platform offering views of a ravine cut in the moraine by meltwater and of the upper Sugar River Valley in the Driftless Area to the south. The Ice Age Trail continues from the junction with the spur trail to the northwest about 0.8 miles, descending along the north-northwest side of the moraine before heading north through the woods for a short bit. The Trail then crosses Cty Hwy PB at the end of the median in the road (caution: heavy traffic), before going south to enter the Moraine Kettles portion of the Verona segment. As you head west on the segment, you will see a sign the noting the old section of roadway for the County Farm Paoli Road that was in use from 1882 to 1929. The Trail continues to the west before turning north to cut through a prairie with tall grasses and wildflowers. The next set of woods has several kettle ponds formed from ice buried when the glaciers retreated, subsequently melting to form a depression that usually fills with water. Finally there is another small prairie before reaching the Moraine Kettles parking lot and Cty Hwy M.

Event Details

Location

At the gate/kiosk in the first lot as soon as you turn on Wesner Rd.