• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Cool weather and few mosquitoes make for a great week of hiking

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

Share

Eureka! The weather was perfect for hiking this week, which was quite a change from the hot, muggy, buggy days we have had during much of the summer. Wind and cool weather cleared out the mosquitoes and left us with drier air and temperatures in the 60s for our walks.

On Tuesday we walked the Rainy Dew Muir Hiking/Bicycle Trail north of LaGrange. We went in the opposite direction of bicycles so we could see them coming, and as we walked, we stepped off the trail for several bicyclists to zip past us who were also enjoying the great weather.

The next day, 27 of us met at our U.S. Highway 12 meeting place. Meg McCormick took the shorter-walk group to hike at Lulu Lake and the Mukwonago River from the parking lot on County Highway J. This is a nice walk, and fringed gentians can be found along the trail near the lake. A ridge east of the lake leads to the river.

Meanwhile, the rest of us carpooled to the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail located across from the Ottawa Lake campgrounds. We took a leisurely walk to the marl pits where we found fringed gentians, a variety of golden-rods, and other wildflowers and grasses.

We walked the nature trail and many of the side trails, which led to springs. A large variety of wildflowers were observed along with the nearby crystal clear springs and creeks.

Then, we ventured across the road towards the campgrounds and found both fringed and bottle gentians scattered almost everywhere. We walked to the lake and the perimeter of the campground, and then stopped at the camp office on the way out.

During our four-and-a-half mile walk we met many others who also were enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery. We also found fringed gentians near the lake. Happy trekking,

Happy trekking, Russ

Activities

Friday, Sept.10, 2 p.m., Bike/Hike/Eat excursion: Meet at the Converse home for carpooling. We'll drive to Belleville, bike south on the Badger State Trail to the tunnel and back (about 8 miles), then bike or drive north 3 miles to hike the new section of Ice Age Trail built last year. We'll then eat at a restaurant run by chapter member Gary Klatt's daughter. RSVP to Gary at (262) 473-4973.

Thursday - Sunday, Sept. 16-19, MSC weekend: At the Ice Age Trail at Plover River State Fisheries Area in Marathon County where we'll look to further work started at our June statewide event in Marathon County. Free group camping and meals are available. Contact Gary Klatt, (262) 473-4973.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Ice Age Trail Meeting: Meet at US Bank, Elkhorn for the regular monthly meeting of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter, Ice Age Trail Alliance. Contact Liz DeBraal (262) 723-2625.

Friday, Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m., Full-moon hike: Meet at the Nordic Ski Trails parking lot a couple miles north of LaGrange and hike under the full moon. We'll aim to get to an overlook and see the moon rise as the sun sets. Bring a camera and your best anti-clouds totem. Contact: Barb Converse, 262-473-7304.

Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m., Trail maintenance: Meet at U.S. Highway 12 trail crossing. Contact Bill "Kangaroo" (608) 346-2825.

Sunday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m., Trail maintenance: Meet at Highway 12 trail crossing. Contact Jerome Converse, (262) 473-7304.

Saturday, Oct. 9, 8 a.m., Long hike: Join the Wisconsin Go Hiking Club for their annual 22-mile hike around Geneva Lake. Meet at the parking lot across from the beach in Williams Bay. We may set up an early bailout. Contact Ron Nacker (262) 642-4872.

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.