Come out for a short evening stroll on this Dane County Parks property that is part of the Table Bluff segment of the Ice Age Trail. The trail has some gentle, rolling hills and an expansive section of land restored to native prairie. A portion of the trail does loop through a section of woods. This 1.5-mile hike offers a grand view toward Blue Mounds (on a clear day).
Tag Archives: Dane County
Dane County Chapter Hike – Madison Segment
About a 6-mile round-trip (out and back) hike on the Ice Age Trail from north side of Verona to Woods Rd (end of Madison segment). The hike starts at Ice Age Trail Junction parking lot located at Hwy PD/McKee Rd and High Point Rd. The hike will traverse north and west to University Ridge Golf Course and return back to the Hwy PD parking lot. This surprisingly remote feeling segment passes unobtrusively through a scenic golf course and residential neighborhoods. You’ll be able to read several interpretative signs about the presence of glaciers in the area, and hike on trail that snakes through wooded and prairie areas.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No dogs on this one. Dogs are not permitted along the trail through University Ridge golf course, so please leave the furry friends at home for this one.
Dane County Chapter Hike – Verona Segment
Start your Thursday off with a hike on the Ice Age Trail at Prairie Moraine County Park, southeast Verona. We’ll hike through prairies and woods where you can enjoy Dane County’s most visible section of the glacial terminal moraine. Total will be ~4 miles as we’ll enjoy the trail up to County M through a section we call Moraine Kettles due to some nice kettle ponds we’ll go by. We’ll also explore off the IAT in Prairie Moraine a little by going up to the observation platform for some great views of the Sugar River valley.
Dane County Chapter Hike – Lodi Marsh Segment
In total, we’ll have a 6-7 mile moderate difficulty hike on the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail. This scenic hike will go through woods and prairies with lovely views of the valleys and Baraboo Hills in the distance. We’ll start going East and can do out and back all the way to parking area at Hwy 113 or we can stop at County Line, return to our parking and then do the loop trail west of the parking which overlooks the marsh and crosses over and around a nice drumlin left behind by the last glaciers. Either option is about same distance. Or we can make shorter and just go to county line, turn around and skip the west loop.
Dane County Chapter Summer Solstice Hike
Not only is it the summer solstice, but one day short of full moon with moonrise about halfway through the hike.
We’re looking at about 3.5 mile hike in the Halfway Prairie area north of 19. We’ll start in Indian Lake Park by the shelter and restrooms, but then head north along the Trail, cross Hwy 19, check out the farmstead ruins, and hike to where the segment ends. We’ll then loop around on some of the other trails on the property to return. About 3.5 miles total.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Hwy 19 is under construction, but park is accessible. Best option is coming from Hwy 12 and Matz Rd. Take Hwy 12 to Collins Ridge Rd (loop end closer to Sauk City), then turn on Matz Rd. Matz Rd ends across Hwy 19 from park entrance, so just cross 19 carefully.
The Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Goes to the Ballpark!
Join the Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail at Warner Park for a Madison Mallards game!
Dane County Hike- Cross Plains State Park
Meet us at the Cross Plains State Park (Old Sauk Pass parking lot) for a fun 5 mile hike!
Save the Date: Trail Improvement, Verona Segment, Dane County
Photo Credit: Cameron Gillie
9AM – 3PM, May 11 and 12, 2024 (Saturday and Sunday)
Reddan Woods Reroute
We will be constructing tread (walking surface) for a 516′ reroute. This bypasses a heavily eroded section of trail that follows the fall line down a hillside, and will follow a more sustainable winding route.
More details will be provided via the Dane County trailbuilders-dciat mailing list in late April. To be added to this list, contact Megan Schliesman (schliesfrau@gmail.com) and ask to be added to our Trailbuilders list. (Note: Megan cannot answer questions about workdays; she coordinates the list, not workdays.) Emails sent on the listserv will contain all the details for a workday, and you should contact the listed leader for any given workday with questions.
Your help is welcomed for any part of the project. No experience is necessary – certified crew leaders will guide you to get started!
Trail Improvement, University Ridge-Madison Segment, Dane County
Photo Credit: Cameron Gillie
Friends,
It’s time to head out to University Ridge to continue the trail improvement work we’ve been doing over the past 14 months. The results of our work are gratifying–I walked the west woods today to the Woods Rd. trailhead The look and feel of the trail is such a wonderful improvement! It soothes the soul…
We have only 385 feet of trail left to finish phase 1 of this project. Wow!
What: Clear invasive brush to improve forest health, reveal the area’s natural beauty and enhance the hiking experience. We will pile the cut brush for winter burning. Note: We will not be burning brush piles on Feb. 18.
Hand tools will be provided.
Chain sawyers (NPS certified): Sawyers are very welcome and much needed.
When: Sunday, February 18, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Where: University Ridge Golf Course. Enter through the main gate at 9002 County Hwy. PD, Madison.
Park in the large parking lot near the clubhouse. See map.
What to wear/what to bring: Please dress appropriately for the weather. There is plenty of thorny gooseberry, prickly ash and buckthorn, so keep your skin covered. Leather gloves are a must. Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch.
Homework: There are several attachments to this event. Please take a few minutes to read them. This info will help you identify black cherry (good), common buckthorn (bad) and burning bush (bad). You’ll also learn the basics of constructing a proper brush pile. Trust me–poorly-built brush piles are a huge time-waster when it’s time to burn them.
Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program: The National Park Service asks that all volunteers file, on a yearly basis, a Volunteer Service Agreement form. In the unlikely event of an injury, a VIP’s medical expenses are covered by the federal government. Go to: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/packet-individual-301a-exp-10_2024.pdf
Courtesy: If you are going to arrive late or cannot come as planned, I understand. Please afford me and your fellow volunteers the courtesy of a phone call, text or email to me as early as possible. Thank you.
If you plan to help on February 18, please reply to this message. This is very important so I can plan for enough tools and supplies. It also allows me to communicate with you, should plans change due to weather, etc.
Questions? Call, email or text me. I hope to see you Sunday morning!
Happy Trails—
Link to work site location: Map for next trail improvement day
Building & burning brush piles (handout)
2024 Dane County Hike-A-Thon
Join the Dane County Chapter on Saturday, June 1, 2024 for the annual Dane County Hike-A-Thon!
Choose between two hike options:
- A 14.5-mile hike going from north to south on the Cross Plains, Valley View, Madison, and part of the Verona Segments
- A 3-mile hike going from north to south on part of the Madison and Verona Segments
Due to trail restrictions, please leave your furry friend(s) at home (no dogs are allowed on the Hike-A-Thon). See below for hike details!
Either way, you’ll get a T-Shirt, shuttle, refreshments, some swag, and you’ll be contributing to the creation of more trail within Dane County. It is also a great way to celebrate National Trails Day!
Dane County Hike-A-Thon T-shirt
Registration for the Hike-A-Thon is $40/person (tax-deductible).
All proceeds from the Hike-A-Thon will go towards the Dane County Land Protection Fund. The Dane County Land Fund is a fund established to help us permanently protect and manage land for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Dane County. Your donation helps with land acquisition to support the goal of “closing the gaps” between off-road sections of trail.
*Note: As of 5/31, we only have large shirts left.*
The Details:
All participants will receive a shuttle from their car to the start of the hike, and refreshments during and after the hike.
14.5-Mile Hikers: Meet at Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 at 7:30 am for check in.
- The bus will leave promptly at 8:00 am and shuttle hikers to N. Birch Trail, along the Cross Plains Segment for the start of the hike.
- Hikers will then walk the Cross Plains Segment, a short connector route, The Valley View Segment, another short connector route, the Madison segment, and part of the Verona Segment, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.
3-Mile Hikers: Meet at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 at 10:30 am for check in.
- The bus will leave promptly at 11:00 am and shuttle hikers to the OJ Noer turfgrass facility.
- Hikers will then walk portions of the Madison and Verona Segments, ending at Badger Prairie County Park Shelter #1.
There will be two aid stations along the route with water refills and lots of snacks: Cross Plains State Park parking lot (Timber Lane) and the OJ Noer Turfgrass Facility.
Long hike route is highlighted in yellow+red, short hike is highlighted in red
Location/Parking Details:
LOCATION: Badger Prairie County Park, Link to Google map
PARKING: Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1, Link to location on Hiker Resource map
Post-Hike Celebration:
After your hike, join Dane County Chapter volunteers at the Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1 for grab and go sandwiches, soda, beer, other drinks, and snacks to refuel after a long hike.
Make plans to enjoy local businesses in the our Trail Community of Verona and Trail Community of Cross Plains
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift as part of this event is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Thank you sponsors for supporting the Dane County Hike-A-Thon:
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Habitat Improvement: Table Bluff Segment at SwampLovers’ Preserve
What You’ll Help Do:
Help maintain habitat diversity and ecosystem quality in Alliance-owned SwampLover’s Preserve. Remove invasive brush from the oak savannas and woodlands using loppers and hand saws. Trained sawyers will bring down invasive trees, too. All this effort prepares the preserve for future broadcast burning. If there is adequate snow cover, we’ll also burn the brush piles.
Join us each day, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, January 19, and learn what it takes to maintain the lush prairies and savannas of these Preserves.
We also need NPS-trained sawyers and swampers (a person to ensure crew safety when a sawyer is running the chainsaw) and brush haulers to pile and burn the debris. We encourage NPS-certified sawyers to bring their chainsaw and PPE.
Registration:
All Talents and Abilities Welcome!
No experience is necessary and there’s a role for volunteers of all ages and abilities. Certified and friendly staff and volunteer crew leaders will provide hands-on training to get you started right away.
Schedule
Your contribution of time and energy is welcome for any part of the event.
The event runs Friday, January 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lunch is provided.
Parking and Volunteer Check-In
Parking may be limited this time of year, so please consider ride-sharing. (Park at Scheele Road parking lot.)
There is no overnight camping or base camp for this project.
What to Bring
• Winter-appropriate footwear. If snowy/icy, consider snowshoes and ice cleats (Micro Spikes, Yak Traks, etc.) for secure footing.
• A plastic sled and/or backpack for hauling gear may prove helpful.
• Appropriate ‘near-fire’ clothing (no synthetics – leave that fancy coat at home).
• Clothing to dress in layers (for warmth and to keep dry).
• A daypack, sunscreen, and leather gloves.
• A water bottle(s) and a thermos filled with a warm beverage.
• NPS certified sawyers are welcome and encouraged to bring your own saw and PPE.
Looking Ahead:
Join us for similar-style habitat improvement efforts at Steenbock Preserve:
February 9 & 10: Steenbock Preserve, Gibraltar Rock Segment, Columbia County
Questions?
Please contact Steve Pence, Land Restoration Specialist, by emailing: Steve@iceagetrail.org
We hope to see you soon!
Happy Trails,
The Table Bluff Segment Project Team
Dane County Winter Fun Extravaganza
Event Description
Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Lussier Family Heritage Center and Dane County Parks at the Winter Fun Extravaganza! The event will be a great opportunity to get outside this winter. Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers will be at the snowshoe area to help attendees with gear and questions. Alliance members will also have maps, stickers and bandanas for everyone who comes by to say hello.
Here is a list of fun things that will be going on that you can participate in.
- Sledding – A few sleds will be available at first come, first serve basis.
- Warming Shelter Fire – We will light up the fire in the warming shelter and be providing s’mores with a donation to our environmental education programs.
- Snowshoeing – Snowshoe rentals will be $5 a pair to use during the event on a first come, first serve basis.
- Permit Free Weekend for Cross County Skiing!
- Bonfire – We will have a bonfire going at the shelter and be providing s’mores and hot chocolate with a donation to our environmental education programs.
- Snow free play! Use our igloo bricks to build an igloo, make snow people and more!
This is a free event open to the public, no registration is required. This event is weather dependent, check Dane County Parks’ Facebook event page and other social media platforms for cancelations.
Location
Indian Lake County Park
8183 State Highway 19
Cross Plains, WI 53528
Get Directions
Contact
*Image credit: Lussier Family Heritage Center, Dane County Parks
Dane Chapter Annual Meeting, Cross Plains
Photo of the book cover from our guest speaker.
Event: Chapter Annual Meeting – Dane County Chapter
Time:
5:45 pm Social hour
6:15 pm Potluck Dinner – Bring a dish to pass.
7:00 pm Business meeting, followed by a presentation by photographer and Thousand Miler Cameron Gillie.
Location:
Rosemary Garfoot Library, 2107 Julius St, Cross Plains, WI 53528 (Park along Jovina Street and use that entrance.)
Contact:
Bob Kaspar
Guided Hike- Springfield Hill
Enjoy a nice wintertime hike! There is not quite enough snow to use snowshoes, but that won’t stop us from having lots of fun. Come out for a nice time!
[CANCELLED] Snowshoe Hike- Liebetrau Prairie
This event is cancelled due to weather. Please check back for more group hike opportunities!
Enjoy a nice wintertime hike, and if there is enough snow (fingers-crossed) we will be using snowshoes. Come out for a nice time!
Winter Solstice Hike – Springfield Hill Segment
Join the fun on Thursday, December 21, 2023 to celebrate the Winter Solstice on the Ice Age Trail!
Details
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Springfield Hill Segment
- Distance: 1.6-mile loop
Dress for the weather. Headlamps and/or flashlights will be needed. There are no bathroom facilities available at the Springfield Hill Segment.
After the hike, enjoy FREE hot cocoa provided by the Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. All are welcome, including well-behaved and leashed dogs.
Springfield Hill Segment
This segment, a short loop that can be hiked in either direction, highlights the 198-acre Springfield Hill Natural Resource Area. This property consists of steep wooded valleys, glacial kettle ponds, and open meadow. The stunning prairie changes with the seasons and demonstrates what’s possible through extensive and ongoing restoration efforts. The Trail’s route provides outstanding views from atop Springfield Hill, one of the highest points in the area.
Photo by Joe Ulmer.
Trail Improvement, Madison Segment, Dane County
Photo Credit: Cameron Gillie
When: Saturday, November 18, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Where: University Ridge Golf Course. Enter through the main gate at 9002 County Hwy. PD, Madison. Park in the large parking lot near the clubhouse. See map.
Parking: Please park in the area shown on the attached map.
What to wear/what to bring: Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and lightweight boots. There is plenty of thorny gooseberry and multiflora rose. Leather gloves are a must. Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch.
Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program: The National Park Service asks that all volunteers file, on a yearly basis, a Volunteer Service Agreement form. In the unlikely event of an injury, a VIP’s medical expenses are covered by the federal government. Go to: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Packet-Individual-301a-IATR-Staff_508-1.pdf
Courtesy: If you are going to arrive late or cannot come as planned, I understand. Please afford me and your fellow volunteers the courtesy of a phone call, text or email to me as early as possible. Thank you.
Questions? Call, email or text me.
Happy Trails
Link to map: University golf course map 11-18-23
A Road Walk Becomes a Walk in the Woods!
The final MSC Trailbuilding project for 2023 in Cross Plains brought a record number of volunteers and service hours.
Continue reading
Habitat Improvement: Table Bluff Segment at SwampLovers’ Preserve
What You’ll Help Do:
Help maintain habitat diversity and ecosystem quality in Alliance-owned SwampLover’s Preserve. Remove invasive brush from the oak savannas and woodlands using loppers and hand saws. Trained sawyers will bring down invasive trees, too. All this effort prepares the preserve for future broadcast burning. If there is adequate snow cover, we’ll also burn the brush piles.
Join us each day, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, and learn what it takes to maintain the lush prairies and savannas of these Preserves.
We also need NPS-trained sawyers and swampers (a person to ensure crew safety when a sawyer is running the chainsaw) and brush haulers to pile and burn the debris. We encourage NPS-certified sawyers to bring their chainsaw and PPE.
Registration:
To help us plan this event with your needs in mind, please register by Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Limit: 50 volunteers.
All Talents and Abilities Welcome!
No experience is necessary and there’s a role for volunteers of all ages and abilities. Certified and friendly staff and volunteer crew leaders will provide hands-on training to get you started right away.
Schedule
Your contribution of time and energy is welcome for any part of the event.
The event runs Friday, January 12 through Saturday, January 13. Each day’s event hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lunch is provided each day.
Parking and Volunteer Check-In
Parking may be limited this time of year, so please consider ride-sharing. (Park at Scheele Road parking lot.)
There is no overnight camping or base camp for this project.
What to Bring
• Winter-appropriate footwear. If snowy/icy, consider snowshoes and ice cleats (Micro Spikes, Yak Traks, etc.) for secure footing.
• A plastic sled and/or backpack for hauling gear may prove helpful.
• Appropriate ‘near-fire’ clothing (no synthetics – leave that fancy coat at home).
• Clothing to dress in layers (for warmth and to keep dry).
• A daypack, sunscreen, and leather gloves.
• A water bottle(s) and a thermos filled with a warm beverage.
• NPS certified sawyers are welcome and encouraged to bring your own saw and PPE.
Looking Ahead:
Join us for similar-style habitat improvement efforts and at two other Alliance-owned preserves.
January 26 & 27: Hartland Marsh Preserve, Hartland Segment, Waukesha County
February 9 & 10: Steenbock Preserve, Gibraltar Rock Segment, Columbia County
Interested in knowing what’s in store for the entire season? Our Season at a Glance is coming, soon!
Questions?
Please contact Steve Pence, Land Restoration Specialist, by emailing: Steve@iceagetrail.org
We hope to see you soon!
Happy Trails,
The Table Bluff Segment Project Team
Mammoth Hike Challenge BINGO
Join Monty and the Ice Age Trail Alliance for this FUN Mammoth Hike Challenge event = BINGO at Nineteen09 Wine Bar in Cross Plains.
No registration needed but early arrival is suggested to get a table.
IATA staff and volunteers, along with Monty, will be onsite at 4:00 selling merchandise, answering questions and talking Trail. BINGO takes place 5:00 – 7:00 pm. $5 per card. Prizes every round.
Event Details:
- Sunday, October 15
- 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- BINGO takes place 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Mammoth Hike Challenge TRAIL MAGIC: Nineteen09 will be donating 20% of all sales from Sunday, October 15 to the Ice Age Trail Alliance!
New to Nineteen09? They are a locally owned wine bar, gift shop and event venue in Cross Plains, WI. Enjoy a glass of wine, specialty cocktail or mocktail, along with locally crafted beer in a historic building or if the weather is nice, outside on their beautiful patio. Check out their website to learn more, www.nineteen09.com.
Explore Cross Plains, an Ice Age Trail Community, before heading to Nineteen09 and bingo.
Trail Improvement, Madison Segment, Dane County
Photo Credit: Cameron Gillie
I’m planning a trail improvement day at University Ridge golf course. We’re going to make a huge improvement at the Woods Road trailhead! In a few hours we will transform this area from buckthorn jungle to an attractive Ice Age NST trailhead.
What: Clear invasive brush to improve forest health, reveal the area’s natural beauty and enhance the hiking experience. Pile the cut brush for winter burning.
Chain sawyers: We can use gas chain saws in this area. Your help will be much appreciated. Battery-powered saw? We love you too!
When: Sunday, July 23, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Where: University Ridge Golf Course. Enter through the main gate at 9002 County Hwy. PD, Madison.
Parking: Please park in the area shown on the attached map. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON WOODS ROAD–THE SHOULDER IS NARROW AND STEEP. TRAFFIC MOVES FAST ON THIS ROAD. INSTEAD, PARK SAFELY IN THE AREA SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED MAP.
What to wear/what to bring: Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and lightweight boots. There is plenty of thorny gooseberry and multiflora rose. Leather gloves are a must. It is tick season. Wear outer clothing treated with Permethrin. Tick-borne illness is no fun! Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch.
Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program: The National Park Service asks that all volunteers file, on a yearly basis, a Volunteer Service Agreement form. In the unlikely event of an injury, a VIP’s medical expenses are covered by the federal government. Go to: https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Packet-Individual-301a-IATR-Staff_508-1.pdf
Courtesy: If you are going to arrive late or cannot come as planned, I understand. Please afford me and your fellow volunteers the courtesy of a phone call, text or email to me as early as possible. Thank you.
If you plan to help on July 23, please reply to this message. This is very important so I can plan for enough tools and supplies. It also allows me to communicate with you, should plans change due to weather, etc.
Questions? Call, email or text me. I hope to see you on July 23!
Happy Trails
Link to details: July 23 workday map
Future in the Outdoors – Stewardship Social
Join fellow young professionals for a summer evening of stewardship, snacks, and fun!
The Ice Age Trail Alliance invites young professionals to a special Future in the Outdoors “Stewardship Social” volunteer event. This event is a fun way to learn more about the Alliance’s Habitat Improvement program, support the native wildflowers, and increase habitat for critical pollinators. It is also a great way to try your hand at volunteering, meet other young professionals interested in the outdoors, and even find a hiking buddy for the upcoming 2023 Mammoth Hike Challenge!
Future in the Outdoors – Stewardship Social will take place at the southern end of the Table Bluff Segment on Picnic Hill Prairie in the Swamplovers Preserve (Cross Plains/Dane County), one of the most diverse restored dry prairies in the area.
Project Description:
Invasive species are a sad reality for land conservation efforts. They usually lack natural predators that keep them under control in their native ranges, leading to out-competition of native species which decreases high quality habitat for insects, birds, butterflies and other critters. The Picnic Hill Prairie on the Swamplovers Preserve has been well established for years but still needs regular tending to help the native species compete against invasive ones.
The work will include walking carefully through a medium tall prairie full of stunning wildflowers and ‘spot weeding’ invasive plants. We’ll discuss a few target weed species and explain how to identify them. From there, we will split into small groups to start weeding. You’ll have an expert close by to help answer any questions and help identify what stays and what gets pulled. Enjoy a social and snacks after weeding.
See map of the project area[PDF].
Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023* @ 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- 5:30 p.m. Arrive, park and hike up to Picnic Hill Prairie (there is a steep incline on the trip up)
- 6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Welcome – Introductions – Project Overview
- 6:15 – 7:30 p.m. Get your hands dirty! Weeding in the prairie.
- 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Social and snacks*, self-led hiking.
What to Bring:
- Gardening gloves
- Close-toed shoes
- Sun hat/sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Long pants, long sleeve shirt (we will be in tall grass)
- Personal drinking water and container
- Picnic or snacks**
- Raingear – we will work in light rain, please check the forecast
*The rain date is Thursday, August 24, 2023.
**The Ice Age Trail Alliance will provide light refreshments and snacks. A porta potty is available onsite.
We love dogs, but we ask that you not bring them to this event. Wooly mammoths are welcome.
Registration is FREE, but spots are limited!
Register today to save your spot and help us plan accordingly!
Volunteers in Parks Information:
No experience is necessary and volunteers of all ages are welcome, provided youth attend with an adult chaperone. If you are NEW to volunteering with the Ice Age Trail Alliance, please submit the volunteer agreement before the event, see below for more details.
- Please complete this Volunteer Agreement, OF-301A Fillable Form.
- Please email the completed form to Dan Watson, NPS Volunteer Coordinator, (daniel_watson@nps.gov).
- Dan will reply to you with a signed copy of the form.
Featured image by: Cameron Gillie
Dane County Chapter Hike – Montrose Segment
Photo Credit: Brent Sieling
The Hike
The Trail starts from the parking lot heading south between two agricultural fields before entering a wooded area, and then winds uphill and west before turning to the south, passing an impressive bedrock outcropping dotted with ferns. It then continues east through an agricultural field and turns southeast to a high plateau. The Trail turns east when entering another woods, and drops down a ridge, then continues south across a farm field and reenters the woods. From this point the segment climbs gradually up the west side of a sandstone ridge, eventually making its way to a fine goat prairie and trailside bench with outstanding views across a glacial outwash plain to the Sugar River watershed and the city of Belleville. The segment takes a northeast turn and crosses a high prairie plateau before entering a woods and turns southeast to reach Cty Hwy D.
Event Details
We’ll hike the Ice Age Trail south while traversing through wooded and prairie areas. From sandstone vistas we’ll see the surrounding Sugar River Valley area. This is an out and back moderate hike (from Frenchtown Rd to Hwy D) with some rolling hills and with a total distance of about 5.5 miles.
Well behaved dogs are welcome on leash.
Be aware of possible Hwy 69 construction and allow extra time to arrive as portions may be closed. May need to access Frenchtown Rd from either Hwy PB (west) or Hwy D (east).
Location
Meet at Parking lot at the intersection of Piller Rd and Frenchtown Rd.
Dane County Chapter Hike – Verona Segment
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
Time for an evening hike on the Ice Age Trail at Prairie Moraine County Park, southeast Verona. We’ll hike through prairies and woods where you can enjoy Dane County’s most visible section of the glacial terminal moraine. Total will be 2.5-3 miles as we’ll enjoy the trail up to County M through a section we call Moraine Kettles due to some nice kettle ponds we’ll go by. We’ll also explore off the IAT in Prairie Moraine a little by going up to the observation platform for some great views of the Sugar River valley.
Location
At the gate/kiosk in the first lot as soon as you turn on Wesner Rd.
Dane County Chapter Hike – Brooklyn Wildlife Segment
Photo Credit: MacKenzie McDermit.
The Hike
The Brooklyn Wildlife segment traverses an area featuring highly eroded glacial deposits from an earlier glacial advance more than 60,000 years ago. The segment highlights meadows, woodlands, oak savannas, and colorful prairies. The variety of habitats in the area results in great bird-watching opportunities. Herons and cranes fish in the Story Creek wetlands and plenty of turkeys resting with their young can be stirred up on sandy portions of the segment. Volunteers from the Friends of Brooklyn Wildlife Area and the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Dane County Chapter have worked extensively on prairie restoration and removal of invasive species throughout the Brooklyn Wildlife Area. When heading north from the blue spur trail from the Hwy DD South parking lot, you will encounter a particularly impressive overlook and view from the Trail of the Story Creek wetlands and the Johnstown Moraine. Heading south of the blue spur trail will lead to a trail-side hand water pump.
Event Details
We’ll explore several miles of the Brooklyn Wildlife Area along the Ice Age Trail — maybe around 5 miles total. There’s several parking areas on that segment – we’re meeting in the larger one in the middle of the segment. Should see lots of summer prairie plants, but we’ll also be in some wooded areas that should be a bit shadier at times.
Well behaved dogs on leash are welcome.
Location
The ‘Hwy DD South’ parking lot entrance is about .8 miles south of the Dane County Hwy D intersection with Hwy DD, and just north of the Green County line.