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Scouts help with Ice Age Trail work

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

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This past weekend, the local chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance Chapter, with the assistance of several Boy Scouts, built a short reroute of the trail around a steep and badly eroded section south of Young Road.

Since I was not around to participate in this project, I was anxious to check out the new trail. So on Tuesday, our walk took place on a three-and-a-half mile loop consisting of the Ice Age Trail and horse trail south and east of the Bald Bluff parking lot.

We took the loop counterclockwise, so we checked out the new trail near the beginning of the walk. It was very nice and is constructed so that water will run across, rather than down, the trail. A little finish work is still needed, but nonetheless it is a major improvement in the trail.

We found many asters still in bloom and the fall colors were nice although not as brilliant as in past years. The floor of the woods and much of the trail was carpeted with freshly fallen leaves.

The next day, 34 hikers, including three new to our adventures, divided into two equal-sized groups with Meg and Ellen taking the shorter distance walkers to hike from Tamarack Road to the Bald Bluff parking on County Highway H via the Ice Age Trail.

This three-and-two-tenths mile walk is quite hilly with a steep climb up the bluff. Ellen took the lead and Meg stayed behind with the slower walkers.

The view from the bluffs of the fall colors was fabulous.

The rest of us carpooled to the Emma Carlin Trails parking lot to hike from there to the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest Headquarters on the Ice Age Trail.

From there we hiked the Stoney Ridge Nature Trail and then to Ice Age Trail Shelter No. 3. Some of us hiked the steep hill below the shelter to the springs while the others stayed back to enjoy the view.

We continued on the ridge westward toward Stute Springs. There is a shortcut along this path to the outer ski loop of the McMiller Trails, which we took, turned left on the ski trail, which took us to the side path going up Big Hill, a high hill on which the Stute's would have Sunday picnics while enjoying the view.

After checking out the hill, we hiked to Stute Springs to look at the remaining farm buildings and springs before completing our walk on the nature trail and more ski trail which led us back to County Highway Z near our starting point.

This was a six-mile walk, with stunning scenery, including steep wooded hillsides with kettles at the bottom, several kettle ponds, prairie, a small savannah, springs, a trout stream, old farm buildings, great views and fall colors.

We saw a small, red-bellied grass snake crossing the path near the end of the walk. This is one of my favorite walks, and everyone agreed that it was one of the best we have had this year This is truly a great time of year to be on the trail.

Happy trekking, Russ

Mobile Skills Crew, Oct. 14-17: Join the crew building new trail in the Gibraltar Rock and Merrimac Ferry area north of Lodi. Check http://www.iceagetrail.org/calendar for details.

Annual Harvest Fest, Oct 15: Meet at Kishwauketoe Nature Conservacny from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Use the main entrance on Wisconsin Highway 67. Free event featuring a bonfire, hot dogs and assorted refreshments. DJ for music. Please bring a chair and hot dog stick. For more information see http://www.kishwauketoe.org/activities/calendar/calendar.html

Walworth/Jefferson Co Chapter meeting, Oct. 19, Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance at 7 p.m. at US Bank, Elkhorn for the chapter's regular monthly meeting. Refreshments will be served. Contact Liz DeBraal, (262) 723-3635.

Trail maintenance, Oct. 23, Meet at 9 a.m. at the Highway 12 Ice Age Trail crossing four miles east of Whitewater. Wear bring water, personal snacks, and gloves and wear appropriate work clothing. Tools furnished. Contact Gary Klatt (262) 473-4973.

Regional Ice Age Trail Alliance meeting, Nov. 7, Meet at 9 a.m. at Heartland Village Hall, 210 Cottonwood Av. Contact Brad Crary, IATA Eastern Field Rep. (262) 370-2995.

Trail maintenance, Nov. 13, Meet at 9 a.m. at the Highway 12 trail crossing. Contact Gary Klatt (262) 473-4973.

Hike/Planning/Potluck, Nov. 14, The Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter, IATA event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Judy Wildermuth's home on Engel Road south of Whitewater for hike, or 1 p.m. for planning. Potluck lunch at noon. Contact Judy at (262) 473-2415.

Walworth/Jefferson Co Chapter meeting, Nov. 16, Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance at 7 p.m. at US Bank, Elkhorn for the chapter's regular monthly meeting. Contact Liz DeBraal, (262) 723-2625.

Activities

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.