Home stretch!
Twenty-nine miles over three days in high heat separated me from completion of the Ice Age Trail.
My hikes were planned to take advantage of the relatively cooler predicted temps of 90 degrees on July 22nd and 24th( on the 23rd, the predicted high was 94). Today would be the highest mileage day of the three – 13 miles – to also take advantage of my fresh legs. Friday’s hike on the hottest day of the three would also be the shortest at 7 miles. Saturday’s penultimate hike would be the 9 mile St, Croix Falls segment.
Gandy Dancer is one of several rails-to-trails conversions on the Ice Age Trail. I’ve read comments from other hikers to the effect that it is the most boring segment of the Ice Age Trail. I’m not sure I agree – the Kewaunee segment on the Ahnapee State Trail isn’t terribly exciting, either. Gandy Dancer was originally part of the Soo Line railway. According to the IAT Guide, its name honors the men who built and maintained the tracks. ” ‘ Gandy Dancers’ used tools manufactured be the Gandy Manufacturing Company., and, while working, followed songlike calls and melodies that helped synchronize the swinging of tools and the movement of feet as they ‘danced’ to the next rails.”
Now you know.
So, what is the value in such a boring trail? To me, it comes down to one word – access. Hiking this segment is, to me, a far better alternative to walking on the nearby state highway. Most important, it provides access to the physically challenged. Some day that could be me. The access alone is why I am such an enthusiastic supporter.
My wife, Jane, was along to help me. We were up super early on the 22nd with the plan for being on the trail by 7:00 – 7:15 to take advantage of the cooler temps. Alas, this best laid plan went awry, and I didn’t start until 8:00. Still, the temps were in the high 60s with partly cloudy skies.
The trail was small pebbles ground into a road a little more narrow than the average city alley. Very easy on the legs. Thankfully, the trail was protected by a canopy of trees, like in the picture immediately above. This was the case for the bulk of my hike. When not in the shade, one side or the other of the trail would periodically open to reveal marvelous vistas – sheep, horses or cows grazing or simply an open meadow. Along the way, I met one hiker and several bicyclists.
Aside from some rabbits and squirrels, I didn’t see any critters. But, don’t jump to the conclusion that flat trails mean no danger. While in an area store, Jane mentioned that I was hiking the segment. One person reacted by asking if I had seen the bear that was recently in the area.
A very attractive feature of this segment is that it passes through three small towns – Luck (pop. 1,227), Milltown (pop. 1,030), and Centuria (pop. 8030). On today’s hike, I went through Luck and Milltown. Once I had started my trek, Jane went to a restaurant in northern Luck called Cafe Wren for a snack. She didn’t realize it at first, but the restaurant’s back end overlooked the trail. She quickly got there in time to wave and offer support as I passed. I saw her several more times at intersections in the trail; she was a real boost for my spirits. For my part, having access to these other towns via the trail gave me options I wouldn’t normally have. Coffee shops, convenience stores, bathrooms (yay!!). All were available if I was willing to take a short detour off the trail.
I finished my hike at 1:00. Considering the stops I made along the way, I completed it at a pretty good clip, and I was glad to be off the trail before the really high heat kicked in.
Two hikes left.
My Days on the Ice Age Trail 