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Perfect summer weather for a hike

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We had great hiking on our first walk last week with the temperature at 70 F and cloudy skies. There was a light rain forecast starting a couple hours after our meeting time, so we thought that we should be able to get in a four-mile hike.

We carpooled to the Nordic trails where we walked the 3.7 mile, green-blazed trail and added a loop of the blue trail which added a couple tenths to the walk.

It was a great walk which ended with a couple sprinkles coming down on us which turned into light rain on our way home. The next day, 32 of us split up into three groups, one hiking at Natureland County Park, and the second group around Lake LaGrange on the Ice Age and horse trails.

The third group of 15 hikers carpooled to Tamarack Road leaving a couple cars on Duffin Road at the Oleson cabin, which is where we planned to finish up the hike. I was with the latter group.

Gerhard and Theresa Stegemann brought their friendly canine companion. They opted to start their hike at the cabin and met up with us near Bald bluff to hike back with us. This eliminated the need for the dog to be transported in another vehicle.

It was a beautiful day and we had great hikes. After our 6-mile walk we regrouped at the LaGrange Country Store for lunch.

Happy trekking, Russ

• Trail work, Sept. 15-18: Join the IATA Mobile Skills Crew at the Devil’s Staircase portion of the Ice Age Trail in Janesville repairing trail and building new trail to the west. Contact: Gary Klatt, (262) 473-4973.

• Hike for Uline Corporation, Sept. 17: Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Whitewater’s Rice Lake parking lot to volunteer to assist with a 3-, 5-, or 10-mile hike on the Ice Age Trail from Clover Valley Road to Oleson cabin. The group will be setting up at Oleson to organize shuttling, and hiking options. Contact: Russ Helwig, (262) 473-2187.

• Ice Age Trail Alliance Chapter meeting, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Meet at the US Bank in Elkhorn. Contact: Carol Prchal, 262-495-8502.

• Ice Age Trail hike, Sept. 24, at 8:30 a.m.to Gibralter Rock. Meet at the Converse home for carpooling, drive to the Merimac Ferry parking lot ( or meet there at 10). Hike the IAT south to Gibralter Rock. See marvelous views of Lake Wisconsin and surrounding countryside and shuttle back to cars. Contact: Barb Converse, (262) 473-7304.

• Trail maintenance, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. Meet at Highway 12 trail crossing. Contact: Jerome Converse, (262) 473-7304.

Weekly walks: We meet each Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Highway 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail crossing located about 4 miles east of Whitewater and about a quarter-mile east of the intersection of Highway 12 and Sweno Road. The parking lot is at the west end of Sherwood Forest Road which is a short road that intersects Highway 12 at each end. 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 lot. A daily or yearly pass may be purchased at the meeting place provided correct change is available.