Join the fun on Saturday, December 21, 2024 to celebrate the Winter Solstice on the Ice Age Trail!
Details
Dress for the weather. 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.
The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the fourth annual Light Up Cross Plains event on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a “long” guided hike at 3:30 pm, or a “short” guided hike at 4:00 p.m.
Both hikes will start and end at Esser Square (the green space next to Crossroads Coffeehouse – 2020 Main Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528).
The long hike will be approximately a 3-mile loop. Hikers will explore part of the Cross Plains Segment to the north of Highway 14/Main Street. Enjoy woodlands, the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Andersen Preserve, a savanna restoration area, and the Hickory Hill Conservation Park and of course
The short hike will be approximately a 1.5 mile out and back (with a steep elevation up Hickory Hills Conservancy).
Both hikes will go to the location of the tree lighting 4:45 pm before returning to Esser Square.
Dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend bringing a headlamp and/or flashlight for the way back.
After the hike, head back to Esser Square to enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and s’mores available from 3:00 – 8:00 pm.
Photo by Brad Guhr
Explore the Lapham Peak Prairie Saturday, December 14th @ 3PM
The Hike:
Details:
We will begin at the Evergreen Lodge at Lapham Peak and hike west on the Ice Age Trail. As the trail approaches the northwest corner of the Lapham Peak Unit, we will loop back to our starting point on the paved recreation trail. The planned hike is easy to moderate difficulty, suitable for hikers of most ability levels, and will cover between 3 and 4 miles.
Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please be sure to bring water, and consider bringing a headlamp or flashlight. Plan on attending our
Chapter Holiday Gathering at Trecker Lodge afterwards!
Location:
Meet at the Evergreen Shelter parking lot.
Contact Information:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Mike.
Join the Dane County Chapter for a group hike on the Verona Segment of the Ice Age Trail! We will meet at the Badger Prairie County Park shelter and hike about three miles total (out and back). Come enjoy a fun hike and add to your Mammoth Hike Challenge milage total!
Fresh popcorn will be provided by Visit Verona and non-alcoholic beer will be provided for hikers 21+ courtesy of Athletic Brewing!
Thanks to Ice Age Trail Alliance partner Athletic Brewing Co., we’re excited to offer non-alcoholic Athletic Brews to 21+ attendees as a part of this event. Athletic Brewing Co. has supported boardwalk construction on several segments of Trail, funded habitat improvement along the Trail, and even filmed a short video that highlights the work of Alliance volunteers.
Two-For! Two Trail Segments, Two Trail Communities!
Details:
You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Location:
Meet at the Delafield Municipal Parking Lot. A bus will take our group to Centennial Park in Hartland. Enjoy a guided hike back to Delafield.
Contact:
Questions or comments can be made through our Waukesha/Milwaukee IAT Chapter Facebook page or through our chapter email.
This event is free and sponsored by The Delafield Promotion and Tourism Commission.
Photo by Dody Marriott
Hike:
Explore the National Ice Age Trail with us! This month we will be hiking four miles of the Loew Lake Segment. This segment connects with the Holy Hill Segment to the north and the Monches Segment to the south. Located in Washington County, the Loew Lake Segment of the IAT meanders through a moderately hilly area. Highlights of the segment include a lovely corridor of pine trees, views from hilltops, plenty of glacial geology, and wonderful views of Holy Hill. The segment highlights the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit (KMSF-LLU), an area that offers a variety of habitats for wildlife and is extremely popular with hikers, hunters and fishermen in all seasons.
Details:
You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well.
Location:
Meet at the Monches/Highway K parking lot. We will leave some vehicles there and carpool to the Kettle Moraine – Loew Lake Unit parking lot (off of Emerald Drive) where we will begin our hike.
Contact:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Mark.
Photo by Jeannine Guttermsson
Hike:
Explore the National Ice Age Trail with us! This month we will be hiking four miles of the Loew Lake Segment. This segment connects with the Holy Hill Segment to the north and the Monches Segment to the south. Located in Washington County, the Loew Lake Segment of the IAT meanders through a moderately hilly area. Highlights of the segment include a lovely corridor of pine trees, views from hilltops, plenty of glacial geology, and wonderful views of Holy Hill. The segment highlights the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Loew Lake Unit (KMSF-LLU), an area that offers a variety of habitats for wildlife and is extremely popular with hikers, hunters and fishermen in all seasons.
Details:
You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well. Follow us at Hartland Walking Club on Facebook for more details and to stay updated on what’s happening. Jeff Romagna and the Hartland Recreation Dept. organized this hike.
Location:
Meet at the Monches/Highway K parking lot. We will leave some vehicles there and carpool to the Kettle Moraine – Loew Lake Unit parking lot (off of Emerald Drive) where we will begin our hike.
Contact:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Jeff.
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Photo by Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Hike:
Explore the Ice Age National Scenic Trail AND participate in a Mammoth Hike Challenge Event with us! This month we will be hiking the Holy Hill Segment. This segment passes through a mostly forested landscape across the glacial terrain that surrounds Holy Hill. This portion of the sgment offers just a few openings with views of glacial kame Holy Hill and the shrine and monastery that sits atop it, 1350 feet above sea level. Glacial geologists estimate at the time of the Wisconsin Glaciation, the thickness of the glacial ice extended another 1000 feet above Holy Hill. Glacial erratics are a common trailside sight in this area.
Details:
We will hike ~3 miles of this segment (includes 1.2 miles along Donegal Road). Hiking poles are helpful. Bring water. Dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Mark Miner organized this hike.
Location:
Meet at 9am at the DNR parking lot on Emerald Drive north of Monches. We will carpool to the parking lot at St. Mary’s of the Hill Parish Center, across from the entrance to Holy Hill. Heading south, we will then hike back to the DNR lot on Emerald Drive.
Contact Information:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Mark.
Photo by Unknown
About:
Hartland became Wisconsin’s first Ice Age Trail Community in 2015. The Hartland Walking Club was created by local volunteers on the Village of Hartland Ice Age Trail Community Committee. Check Hartland Walking Club’s Facebook page for updates and additional activities.
The Hike:
Join us for this Mammoth Hike Challenge Event! This family- friendly moonlight hike will be a walk around Hartland’s beautiful Ice Age Marsh.
Details:
Walking at a leisurely pace, this easy hike will last approximately two hours. Participants can elect to head back to the starting point at any time. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Leashed dogs are welcome. Dress for the weather. If conditions are unsafe we will cancel. There is no fee for this activity.
Location:
Park at the Cottonwood Wayside lot. We will meet at the pavilion.
Contact Information:
Email comments or questions to Jeff, your hike leader.
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Details:
You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well. Follow us at Hartland Walking Club on Facebook for more details and to stay updated on what’s happening. Jeff Romagna and the Hartland Recreation Dept. organized this hike.
Location:
Meet at Centennial Park in Hartland. Carpool to park and ride to the Nagawaukee Park and Ride Lot. We will then hike back to Centennial Park. This hike could be shortened by parking at Nixon Park.
Contact:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Jeff.
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We will hike out approximately three miles on this segment to Hwy CC and back. A State Park day pass or sticker will be needed. You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well. Follow us at Hartland Walking Club on Facebook for more details and to stay updated on what’s happening. Jeff Romagna and the Hartland Recreation Dept. organized this hike.
Location:
The main entrance to the Pike Lake Unit is located off of Highway 60, in Hartford. We will meet at the large parking area off of Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, toward the south end of the Pike Lake Unit, near the picnic shelters and beaches.
Contact:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Jeff.
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Photo by Unknown
Twilight Trail Hike – Scuppernong Trails and IAT
Hike:
Join us as we hike a portion of the Scuppernong Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This segment goes through the Scuppernong Trail System. Our hike will feature a member of the Kettle Moraine State Forest Friends Group who’ll share additional insight into this area and the Southern Unit of the State Forest. No need to sign up, just show up!
Details:
This hike starts at the Scuppernong Trailhead and is approximately 3 – 4 miles long. Hikers will start on the Ice Age Trail and loop back to the parking lot via the Scuppernong Trails. The terrain along this segment is particularly hilly as it travels through pine plantations and hardwoods. Bring water and remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Leashed dogs are welcome and must be cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well.
Location:
The Scuppernong Trailhead parking lot is located off of Hwy 67 north of Eagle, WI. Look for the IAT event sign as you approach this hike event.
Photo by Ali Stanczyk
Hike:
Hike the entire Waterville Segment with us and check out the progress on this section of trail! Many improvements have occurred here over the last three years. Recently constructed trail replaced most of the dangerous, nearly one mile road walk. Our chapter volunteers also improved the safety of this segment by rebuilding the old boardwalks and bridge. Additionally, two Dispersed Camping Areas (DCAs) were added. Currently, a stone wall highlighting historical building practices from the area’s Welsh immigrants is nearing completion. We’re not done! Your hike leader, Jeff, will fill you in on the details.
Details:
This hike is approximately 5 miles long and has easy to moderate terrain. You may find hiking poles helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well. Follow us at Hartland Walking Club on Facebook for more details and to stay updated on what’s happening. Jeff Romagna and the Hartland Recreation Dept. organized this hike.
Location:
Meet in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa. We will leave some vehicles there and carpool to the The UWM at Waukesha Field Station (Google map). Please do not park in the Wildlife in Need Center parking lot (first driveway). Proceed north to the second driveway for the Field Station parking area. We will begin our hike from the UWM at Waukesha Field Station (website), where a short spur will connect us to the Waterville Segment.
Contact:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Jeff.
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Photo by Nader
GREAT NEWS, HIKING FANS! THIS HIKE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD. WOO-HOO!!
Twilight Trail Hike – Eagle Segment & Brady’s Rocks
This summer, the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit will partner with our Chapter on our Twilight Hikes in the KMSF-SU. How cool is that? Each of these partnered hikes will feature a member of their Friends Group joining the hike giving us an additional insight into the KMSF-SU!
Those hikes are:
- Tuesday, June 25 – Eagle (south) / Start at the IAT parking lot on Stark Rd., on Hwy 59.
- Tuesday, August 27 – Eagle & Brady’s Rocks / Start at the Brady’s Rocks Trailhead parking lot on Hwy 67.
- Tuesday, September 24 – Scuppernong Trails and IAT / Park at the Scuppernong Trailhead parking lot on Hwy ZZ.
No need to sign up, just show up!
Hike:
Join us as we hike some of the Eagle Segment’s northern portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This part of the segment includes the Brady’s Rocks white-loop trail. The Brady’s Rocks area is home to several rare species of ferns and snails, and visitors should stay on the trail to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.
Details:
This hike starts at the the Brady’s Rocks Ice Age Trail trailhead east of the Eagle Segment and is approximately 3.25 miles long. We will then head south on IAT to the prairie, turn around, and hike a loop return on DNR access road to the IAT up the hill and back to the parking lot. This portion of the trail is mild and easy walking. Bring water and remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well.
Location:
The Brady’s Rocks Ice Age Trail trailhead parking lot is located off of Hwy 67 north of Eagle, WI. Look for the IAT event sign as you approach this hike event.
Photo by Unknown
The Hike:
Explore the National Ice Age Trail with us! This month we will be hiking the Scuppernong Segment. This out and back hike will start at Scuppernong’s southern trailhead and will be 3-5 miles in length.
Details:
Meet at the Scuppernong Hiking Trails parking lot on the north side of Hwy ZZ. We will hike north on the Ice Age Trail and have the option of returning on one of the Scuppernong Trails. Distance will vary depending on which trail you return on.
Bring water. Dress for the weather. Hiking sticks are helpful. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are are free, and all ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after.
Location:
Meet at the Hwy 67 Trailhead parking lot.
Contact Information:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Mike.
Photo by Gerald H. Emmerich Jr.
Twilight Trail Hike – Waterville Segment
Great news, hikers! The Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is back with the Twilight Trail Hikes series; its well-attended, weeknight series of hikes for 2024! This series of hikes will take place on the last Tuesday of the month, April through September. No need to sign up, just show up!
Hike:
This out-and-back hike of the Waterville Segment begins at the UWM at Waukesha Field Station (website), where we will experience a beautiful prairie walk. From there we’ll connect to the Waterville Segment and hike on to the drumlin located at the recently acquired WDNR property and return.
Details:
This is an easy, approximately 4 miles long hike. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and a flashlight/headlamp, if conditions warrant. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well.
Location:
We will start at The UWM at Waukesha Field Station (Google map). Enter the Field Station private driveway entrance on the east side of Waterville Road, which is approx. 0.40 of a mile south of USH 18 (and just north of the Glacial Drumlin Bike Trial) and proceed about 0.20 of a mile east on the private driveway until you reach the Field Station (second) driveway. Please do not park in the Wildlife in Need Center parking lot (first driveway). Proceed north to the Field Station parking area. GPS Coordinates for the private driveway entrance on Waterville Road are: 43.01605 degrees N, 88.44262 degrees W, and GPS Coordinates to the Field Station driveway are: 43.01628 degrees N, 88.43919 degrees WLook for the IAT event sign as you approach the hike event.
Photo by Kris Van Handel
Twilight Trail Hike – Eagle Segment
This summer, the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit will partner with our Chapter on our Twilight Hikes in the KFSF-SU. How cool is that? Each of these partnered hikes will feature a member of their Friends Group joining the hike giving us an additional insight into the KFSF-SU!
Those hikes are:
- Tuesday, June 25 – Eagle (south) / Start at the IAT parking lot on Stark Rd., on Hwy 59.
- Tuesday, August 27 – Eagle & Brady’s Rocks / Start at the Brady’s Rocks Trailhead parking lot on Hwy 67.
- Tuesday, September 24 – Scuppernong Trails and IAT / Park at the Scuppernong Trailhead parking lot on Hwy ZZ.
No need to sign up, just show up!
Hike:
Join us as we hike the Eagle Segment’s southern portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This portion of the trail meanders through the Kettle Moraine Low Prairie which includes a sedge meadow, a wet-mesic prairie, and native and wild plants such as blue-joint grass, valerian, and Ohio goldenrod. This low prairie is part of the Scuppernong River Habitat area in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest, and is home to many different birds and wildlife. Eventually the low prairie gives way to a pine plantation forest.
Details:
This out-and-back hike starts at the Eagle Segment’s southern trailhead on Stark Rd. and is is approximately 3.75 miles long. We will north to Wilton Rd. and return. The southern portion of the trail is mild and easy walking. Due to it’s high water table, it can be wet in places. Bring water and remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well.
Location:
The Eagle Segment’s southern trailhead is located off of Hwy 59 on Stark Rd., west of Eagle, WI. Look for the IAT event sign as you approach this hike event.
The Hike:
Explore the National Ice Age Trail with us! This month we will be hiking the Monches Segment. This segment connects with the Loew Lake Segment to the north and the Merton Segment to the south. Located near the Waukesha/Washington County Line, the Monches Segment of the IAT traverses a mature maple forest and parallels the Oconomowoc River. It features spring and early summer woodland wildflowers.
Details:
This hike is approximately 3 miles long. Hiking poles are helpful. Bring water and dress for the weather. We will cancel if weather or conditions are unsafe. These hikes are free. All ages and abilities are welcome. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Follow us at Hartland Walking Club on Facebook for more details and to stay updated on what’s happening. Jeff Romagna and the Hartland Recreation Dept. organized this hike.
Location:
Meet at the the First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa parking lot. We will leave some vehicles there and carpool to the The UWM at Waukesha Field Station where we will begin our hike.
Contact Information:
Email comments or questions to either of your hike leader, Jeff.
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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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore the Pike Lake Segment & the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest!
Pike Lake Hike:
Join us as we travel to Washington County to explore the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest! This loop hike will begin on the Ice Age Trail’s Pike Lake Segment and utilize the Pike Lake Unit’s color-coded trail system to return to our starting point.
Details:
We will begin near the south end of the Pike Lake Unit, and hike north on the Ice Age Trail. Near the family campground, we will loop back around to the south, heading towards the shore of Pike Lake before returning to our starting point. The planned hike is easy to moderate in difficulty, suitable for hikers of most ability levels, and will cover slightly more than 3 miles.
Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please be sure to bring water, and consider bringing a lunch for post-hike socializing. If the weather is warm, you may also want to bring your bathing suit!
Location:
The main entrance to the Pike Lake Unit is located off of Highway 60, in Hartford. We will meet at the large parking area off of Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, toward the south end of the Pike Lake Unit, near the picnic shelters and beaches.
Contact:
Contact your leader, Mike with any questions or concerns.
