The Ice Age Trail winds through Wisconsin for over 1,000 miles. Currently only 600 miles are official trail with the rest still under development. Though it is possible to thru hike the entire trail by using roadways. Have a favorite stretch? Birding the IAT story? Let me know and I will include it here.

Katie is a fan of the 3-miles stretch from North Lake to Monches.

About the hike:

A mature maple forest is the setting for much of the Monches Segment. The forest here is named in honor of conservationist Carl Schurz, United States Secretary of the Interior from 1877 to 1881. He established the first U.S. Forest Reserves and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. The segment departs from East Kilbourne Road, briefly heads east then north, and soon arrives at a bridge over a picturesque cascading brook. Skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds inhabit the natural, spring-fed environment. Continuing north hikers will enjoy glimpses of the Oconomowoc River. In spring and early summer, expect to see ephemeral flowers like Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, shooting star, marsh marigold, trillium, and jack-in-the-pulpit. The segment soon reaches a boardwalk and crosses another bridge to the west side of the river. In early May, trout lilies carpet the steep hillside just north of the bridge. As it makes its way through the forest to its endpoint on County Line Road(CTH-Q), the segment climbs the bank remnants of a glacial meltwater spillway(river) (WK1). On top, the view across the meadow offers a nice example of forest progression. Just west of the segment’s endpoint is a large sign (WK21) memorializing Carl Schurz.

Plan a Hike:

Greatest Hits of the Ice Age

50 of the Best National Scenic Trail Miles in Wisconsin

Volunteer:

Trail Development and Maintenance help needed