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At this time of year, the weather can change rapidly

Photo at left: Click for recent photos from the the Ice Age Trail.

It began to look like pretty bad weather a week ago Tuesday, with constant rain all day.

That is, until leaving for our walk. Only four of us met that day, because some stayed home due to the rain, and others were afraid of driving in the wind.

I can't blame them because some wind gusts were very strong.

Those of us who braved the storm walked south of Highway 12 to Highway P on the Ice Age Trail, and came back on the horse trails.

It was a total of six miles, and a very pleasant walk because the wind dried out some of the vegetation and kept us cool. It was a nice brisk hike and the trees tamed the strong gusts of wind.

The next day turned out to be perfect hiking weather.

Thirty of us, including one new to our walks, met and split up into two groups. Jim Christianson led 13 around beautiful Lake LaGrange while the other 17 of us took cars at the Bald Bluff parking lot and carpooled to Horseriders Park, about five walking miles away, to walk back on the Ice Age Trail.

I wanted to check out this section of trail to see if any trees had fallen on the trail from the previous nights wind. We cleared off lots of sticks and branches which had been blown onto the trail, but only one small tree plus a leaner were left on the trail for another work day.

It was a great hike! Other than the sticks the trails were in excellent condition.

Everyone enjoyed looking at a large garter snake sunning itself on the trail west of Tamarack Rd. We did not see much other wildlife but were serenaded by some sandhill cranes as they were flying over.

There was fall color, but mostly on small plants like Virginia creeper, sumac, and prairie plants, but nearly all of the tree leaves were still green. The next two or three weeks ought to be great for fall colors as the various tree species paint the landscape with continuous changing colors.

After a long break on Bald Bluff while enjoying the view, we split up. One small group walked back to a car at our starting point so that they could get more exercise Another person transported the drivers who had parked at Horseriders Park were taken to pick up their car.

Then those waiting at the Bald Bluff lot were picked up. Except for a couple who went home the rest split up into two roughly equal sized groups for lunch. Norwin took his contingency to Subway in Palmyra while I took mine to The LaGrange Country Store.

Happy trekking, Russ

Activities

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.: Monthly meeting of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance at US Bank, Elkhorn. Contact Russ Helwig (262) 473-2187.

Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m.: Trail volunteer workday. Meet at Highway 12 trail crossing. Contact Gary Klatt (262) 473-4973.

Sunday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m.: Hike, Potluck, Calendar planning for 2010 for Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter, Ice Age Trail Alliance. Meet at Wildermuth home. Contact Judy Wildermuth (262) 473-2415.

Weekly Walks

We meet at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Highway 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail crossing located about four miles east of Whitewater.

We include two or more walks of different distances on Wednesdays, and also do this on Tuesdays when desired.

All ages are welcome.

Note that a state park pass is required to park a car at the Highway 12 meeting place.

A daily or yearly pass may be purchased at the meeting place provided correct change is available.