Ice Age Trail Tuesdays

CROSS PLAINS SEGMENT

 

Let's start in Cross Plains, the home of the Ice Age Trail headquarters!

Meet at the large parking lot on Old Sauk Pass (Maps link), across the street from Cross Plains State Park. ​

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Paraphrased from the Ice Age Trail Guidebook:

From the parking lot, we'll enter a prairie with wide mowed paths. At a high point are scenic long views to the east, north, and west. The segment soon enters a woods and meanders gradually downhill through the forest. The segment passes a rock outcropping where hikers may also notice a sandstone outcropping in the distance to the east. From here the segment skirts a farm field, passes the sandstone rock outcropping and winds its way uphill to the terminus on Timber Lane near a cell tower and an electric substation.

 

Just a few steps from the parking area is a tiny loop with a cute bridge if you'd like to spend a few more minutes on the trail.     

MADISON SEGMENT *Madison Babywearing donation event and Leslie's birthday hike*

 

Parking and Trailhead at the Ice Age Trail Junction Area, 7701 McKee Rd. 

 

Our hike of this segment starts with the pedestrian bridge over CTH-PD (McKee Rd) and ends at the tunnel under CTH-M (Pleasant View Rd). Some parts of the Ice Age Trail feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but this segment will find us walking alongside housing subdivisions, as well as through some beautiful prairies. 

 

For my birthday, I will be accepting donations (both financial support and your old baby carriers) for Madison Babywearing, a non-profit group that is near and dear to me. Cash, Paypal, or credit card accepted. Please make sure carriers are clean and in good, useable condition. Some will stay with the group, others will be donated to the ARC Mother and Infant program. I'll also have some birthday treats for after the hike!

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​*No requirement to participate in fundraiser to join us on the hike, but if you could RSVP to the event on Facebook I'll have an idea of how many birthday treats to have along.;)

TABLE BLUFF SEGMENT

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Located just outside of Cross Plains, park at the Swamplover's Preserve parking area on Scheele Rd. (Maps link)

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​Paraphrased from the Ice Age Trail Guidebook:

After a bit of climb, we'll find ourselves on top of a bluff with a picnic shelter. The Swamplover's Preserve features dramatic rock outcroppings of Ordovician dolomite and views southwest to the Blue Mounds. This part of the segment also features oak and hickory woodlands. We may even spot an alligator on our walk!   ​​​

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VALLEY VIEW SEGMENT *Connect + Contribute hike with Playful Acorns*

 

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

 

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.”

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For our final Tuesday, Sam from Playful Acorns will be joining us with her camera to capture photos of you and your kiddos! The optional photo add-on is $30 (5+ edited digital photos) with half of the proceeds going to the Ice Age Trail Alliance! 

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*No requirement to participate in Connect + Contribute to join us on the hike!