Originally printed July 8, 2020.
With some medical procedures on the horizon, I’m taking advantage of any chance to hike new segments of the Ice Age Trail. So, last Sunday, July 5th, I returned to Taylor County to get in some more hiking. I scouted the routes I was going to bike in order to self shuttle from each segment’s terminus to its trail head. For Sunday supper, I had intended to stop at a favorite restaurant in Medford for dinner before checking in to a hotel in Abbotsford, the next town to the south. Trouble was, in this area, all but the fast food chains appear to close on Sundays. So, I had to resort to Plan B. Arby’s – We have the meats!
Wisconsin has been having a big heat wave lately, and thunderstorms were a possibility Monday afternoon. So, I turned in early and awoke at 5:30. At 7:49, I arrived at the end point for today’s hike along Taylor County Highway D. A 40 minute bike ride (with occasional walking up steep hills) ended at the trail head for today’s hike along Wisconsin Highway 102. After locking my bike to a tree, I donned my back pack and started hiking at 8:43. It was 77 degrees and very humid.
The early part of my hike was a brief trek through the forest of the IATA’s Marimore Preserve. Whether I was in the woods or in one of the interspersed meadows, the country in this segment was, with two exceptions, quite flat. In actuality, the connecting route I walked Monday was much more hilly than the two trail segments I hiked. While in this particular segment, I was grateful for the extended boardwalk that allowed me to cross St. Clair Creek. The highlight of this portion of the hike was entering a meadow to find a doe who looked up at me while munching on some grass. We stared at each other for several moments before she gracefully bounded into a stand of trees.
After walking in the woods for about a mile and a half, I arrived at County C. There I was greeted with a sign advising me of a reroute. This change took away a small chunk of trail and added to the day’s road walking. I later learned the reason for the change from Buzz, the local IATA chapter coordinator. The IATA is in a multi-year process of building a new trail to connect two county roads and eliminate most, if not all, of the road walking in this section. Part of the trail is already is already built; easements are being sought so the rest can be completed. This is an example of the continuing evolution of the trail. I am aware of two IAT segments in the eastern part of the state that came into existence long after I had hiked through that area. It is a continuous process.
The road I hiked threaded its way past five lakes. Happily, the trees provided s great deal of shade. For me, the highlight of the day was the beach at South Harper Lake. When I drove on this road the day before, it was afternoon, and the tiny beach was crowded with little ones and their parents (no masks or social distancing to speak of) . I made up my mind that if the conditions were right, I was going to take a break here and soak my aching feet. Conditions were right – I had the beach entirely to myself. Off came my shoes and socks, and into the water went my feet for 10 minutes of heaven. I realize that the picture of my dogs at the top of this page is not especially attractive. but this was easily the most memorable thing about today’s hike.
Shortly afterward, I entered a smaller, second section of trail. While less than a half mile, it was significant because (1) I was walking on trail instead of road, and (2) within the actual trail I hiked today, it was easily the hilliest. It was also a little hard to follow because of some clear cutting. Somehow, I found myself on another bit of trail that ran parallel with the IAT. No matter; I was soon back in my car and headed for a dish of ice cream!
My Days on the Ice Age Trail 