Ice Age Trail Tuesdays

CROSS PLAINS SEGMENT

The trailhead is located near the intersection of Continental Lane and Bourbon Rd in Cross Plains, across the street from the fire station, in between two apartment buildings. Street parking is available or there is a small parking lot at the intersection of Main St and Wilson St. A quick walk over a bridge and next to the creek will lead you to the trailhead.

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From the website:

This segment highlights the woods and restored prairies of the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Anderson Preserve, residential streets in the Village of Cross Plains, the Ice Age Trail Alliance headquarters, and the surprisingly remote-feeling bluffs and woodlands north of town. At the edge of Cross Plains, the segment continues along a connecting route toward Madison. At Old Sauk Pass Road, you'll encounter the National Park Service Cross Plains Interpretive site, which highlights a world-renowned example of the interface of glaciated and unglaciated terrain.

 

Heads up, this out and back hike will start with a steep climb. After I’ll be taking a short walk over the creek to Crossroads Coffeehouse. Join me if you'd like! The Ice Age Trail Headquarters is also a few doors down from the coffee shop if you’d like to make a stop there. The playground at Glacial Valley Park is also pretty great if you want to spend a little more time in the area.

VALLEY VIEW SEGMENT

The trailhead and parking lot are located at the intersection of Mound View Rd and Moraine Ridge Rd in Verona.

 

Paraphrased from the Ice Age Trail Guidebook:

We’ll start in a residential area featuring prairie-style homes drawing their inspiration from Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Please respect private property by staying on the Trail. After a short walk through a wooded section we’ll enter the Valley View Preserve prairie, where on a clear day, hikers can see the Blue Mounds. Increase Lapham wrote that the Blue Mounds “were very important landmarks to guide the traveler in his course through the boundless prairies.” Their Indian name is Mucha-wa-ku-nin or “Smoky Mountains.”

VERONA SEGMENT (IATA’s Moraine Kettles Preserve)

Parking and Trailhead located on CTH-M near Solar Ct in Verona.

 

Paraphrased from the Ice Age Trail Guidebook:

We’ll start in the woods and pass by several kettle ponds in the IATA’s Moraine Kettles Preserve. Leaving the woods, the trail cuts through a prairie with tall grasses and wildflowers and reenters the woods on its way to CTH-PB. Shortly before reaching CTH-PB, the segment passes a sign noting a section of roadway from the County Farm — Paoli Road that was in use from 1882 to 1929.

 LODI MARSH SEGMENT​

Parking area and trailhead located on Lodi Springfield Rd a little north of Lee Rd in Lodi.

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From the website:

This segment, just south of Lodi, easily transitions hikers from an urban hike to a beautiful natural area with outstanding restored prairies and stunning views. Extend your hike at the Lodi Marsh Segment where this quiet hike highlights a remarkable prairie and a glacially sculpted landscape of dolomite hills and deep valleys.

 

Join me on this 1.8 mile loop through the Lodi Marsh. If you have energy left I’ll be hiking a few bonus miles into the Eastern Lodi Marsh segment. A mostly uphill trek is worth it for one of my favorite views from the top. I’ve always meant to stop into Buttercream Bakery. This would be a nice stop for coffee on your way out of town.

VERONA SEGMENT

Meet at the park and ride on CTH-PB, near Verona Ave.

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From the Ice Age Trail Guidebook:

The segment heads west on the MRST for approximately a quarter-mile, then just past the “3 Mile” marker departs from the MRST and makes its way south along the west side of Badger Mill Creek, which flows through a meltwater gap in the moraine. The segment passes a spur trail with a bike/pedestrian bridge over the creek with trails heading east and south to a residential neighborhood.

Continuing southwest the segment passes through a wetland area, running on top of a berm for part of the route. After dropping off the berm, the Trail meanders through a wooded creek bottom and a pine grove to a bridge where it crosses over to the east side of the creek, crosses a swampy area on a 275-foot boardwalk/puncheon span and eventually intersects with a paved spur trail that connects two residential neighborhoods. To the west, the spur trail leads across the creek on the Lincoln Street footbridge and connects with the street’s dead end. Lincoln Street provides access to Verona’s city center less than a mile away. To reach several restaurants, a supermarket and a hardware store, hikers can walk northwest via Lincoln Street, left on Valley View Street and right on South Main Street.

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Sam from Playful Acorns will be joining us with her camera to capture photos of you and your babies! The optional photo add-on is $30 (5+ edited digital photos) with half of the proceeds going to your choice of local nonprofits...either Madison Babywearing or the Ice Age Trail Alliance! 

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After the hike I’m going to be stopping at Alice Good for coffee. Please join me to celebrate the final Trail Tuesday of the month (and check off another Trail Community on your Mammoth Challenge hiking log)!