Ice Age Trail Tuesdays
Everything you need to know about Trail Tuesday hikes during October!
We'll meet at 9:15am every Tuesday in October for carrier fit checks* and leave for a hike promptly at 9:30am. Each hike will be about 2 miles, rain or shine (or snow). Come prepared with sunscreen, bug spray, warm layers, snacks and water, and of course your baby carriers (these will not be stroller friendly hikes)! I'll have a selection of carriers available at the trailhead if you're interested in trying something new. If the weather looks too severe I'll make a cancellation announcement here and on my Instagram by 8am Tuesday morning. Heads up, most trailheads do not have restrooms or drinking water available.
Interested in joining the Ice Age Trail Alliance's Mammoth Challenge?
Check it out here.
Questions? Contact me
*While I can offer some quick fit tips and answer babywearing questions, there won't be time for any carrier deep dives. Please reach out to schedule a consultation if you're looking for 1-1 help with a certain carrier or skill.
October 6th
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.
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.
October 13th
VERONA SEGMENT
This week we'll start and end at the playground at Badger Prairie County Park. Be prepared for a few hills and great views through prairies and past a soccer field. The turn around will happen after strolling through a small wooded section for a change of scenery. We'll pass the Verona Public Library which is connected via a spur trail if anyone wants to take a little detour on the way back to read a book in a castle.;)
October 20th
TABLE BLUFF SEGMENT
Last year we parked on the southern end of the trail. Let's check out the northern end this year! The Table Bluff Rd parking area is just west of CTH-KP located here.
Paraphrased from the Ice Age Trail Guidebook: The segment heads south across the Holmes Preserve. After passing through a prairie hikers will come to an intersection with a white blazed loop trail that offers a half mile "bubble" to the west. The loop trail traverses up a ridge through mixed hardwood forest containing a grove of several large oaks.
Join me on the this fun loop!
October 27th
INDIAN LAKE SEGMENT
Let's close out October's Tuesdays with a bang and check out the new trail at Indian Lake County Park! Volunteers are scheduled to finish up a section that eliminates a road walk on busy Hwy 19 on October 22 and 23. There's a chance that the trail won't be open quite yet. If that's the case, there will be a different meeting spot, but we'll still plan on the beautiful Indian Lake segment. I'll keep you posted!
The current plan is to park on the southern end and perhaps walk a little further than the usual 2ish miles. We'll see what everyone is up for that day. See you there!