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Lodi High School Through Lodi Marsh
With Special Guest Bernard Gallenberg
Dated Hiked: Thursday, April 12, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 50 degrees and windy, cold enough for Bernard to wear long pants
Trail Condition: Good, no Downed trees, etc
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Length Hiked: I hiked 6 miles and biked 5 miles, Bernard hiked 7 miles
Who Saw Tman: Some motorists and Moose, a backpacker getting ready for Mt Rainier
Unusual Features: Hiking through the town of Lodi
Hike Description: We started out near Lodi High School where we crossed a big trail bridge then
when up a hill. We left the grassy area and headed into some woods, coming out at a Lodi Park.
We hiked through Lodi and went along a creek in the Veteran's park. Eventually we headed out
of town and crossed some Lodi Canning Company Land. Then we hike uphill through some woods for a
long time until we reached the top. On the top of the hill we reached a big grassy hill with good view. This is
where we met Moose, a backpacker from Sun Prairie, who is training for a Mt Rainier Backpacking Trip.
Then we alternated hiking through woods then fields with good views. We then reached a field where we hiked
down to the trailhead. After the Trailhead, we actually hiked near the Marsh, then through an Oak Savanah.
We ascended a hill then hiked along the ridge during the loop section. Pretty soon we looped around to
the bottom of the ridge and hiked back to the trailhead.
Tman's Additional Comment: This should really be called the Lodi Bluff Segment because you are mostly hiking
up on top of a big bluff
Highway 12 to Lodi Marsh
Dated Hiked: Friday, April 6, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 55 degrees and a little windy
Trail Condition: This was a road walk,
Trail Difficulty: easy
Length Hiked: I hiked 9 miles and biked 8 miles
Who Saw Tman: Some Motorists and Farmers
Unusual Features: Going past some future Park Land near Highway 12 and Ballweg Road
Hike Description: I parked the van at the Lodi Marsh Trailhead on Lodi-Springfield Road, then I
biked to the Highway 12 bridge using Simpson Road as a short-cut. I started hiking west on
Highway 12 to Ballweg Road, which is the suggested route by the IAT. Then I used a series of
country roads to get me back to Lodi Marsh. There were some beautiful farm views along the way.
Tman's Additional Comment: I was running low on battery power for the camera, so I didn't take
as many photos as I would have wanted. Nevertheless, I was able to photograph the whole hike.
Table Bluff Segment to Highway 12 Including Indian Lake County Park
With Special Guest Bernard Gallenberg
Dated Hiked: Thursday, April 5, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 50 degrees and windy
Trail Condition: This was mostly a road walk, with 2 Trail Miles in Indian Lake County Park
The Connecting trail north of Indian Lake County Park was wet.
Trail Difficulty: easy
Length Hiked: I hiked 10 miles and biked 5 miles, Bernard hiked 9 miles
Who Saw Tman: Some motorists and a family of hikers
Unusual Features: The Trail Bridge over Highway 12
Hike Description: Bernard hiked the northern loop of the Table Bluff Segment while I parked the van
at the Western Entrance of Indian Lake County Park. I rode my bike back to Table Bluff Road and then
Bernard and I started hiking. We took several rural roads to Highway 19 and then hiked to the western
entrance of the park. After taking a short break we hiked the two miles of Ice Age Trail in the Park. It starts
out going through a big grasslands, then it goes through some woods on the Northern Shore of Indian Lake.
Eventually, the trail take takes a turn to the south on some ski trais and goes through some deep dark woods,
before it comes out at another grassland where the Skier Warming Shelter is located. After that it is
a short distance to the main parking lot. At the main parking lot, we took the park road going to Highway 19.
Then Bernard took the trail that goes north of Indian Lake to go back to the Western End parking lot where
the Van was locate. I continued north on Matz road, which is a stead uphill climb most of the way to
Highway 12. I took a right on Collins Ridge Road and met Bernard at the Highway 12 Trail Bridge
Tman's Additional Comment: The Highway 12 bridge is like the bridge to nowhere, hopefully they will
get the Highway 12 bike trail and the Ice Age Trail connected to it soon
Cross Plains and Table Bluff Segment
With Special Guest Bernard Gallenberg
Dated Hiked: Thursday, March 29, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 60 degrees a little windy
Trail Condition: Good, only one downed tree in the way
Trail Difficulty: Major Uphill Sections going up from Cross Plains and at
Table Bluff, other than that it's pretty easy
Length Hiked: 6 miles one way from the Ice Age Trail Office to Table Bluff where
we did the new loop on top of the Bluff
Who Saw Tman: Todd from the On the Creek Fly Fishing Store, and a few dog walkers
and hikers on the trail
Unusual Features: The Rock Formations at Table Bluff
Hike Description: We hiked about 6 blocks in Cross Plains the reached a trail segment that
immediately went up a hill to an overlook. Then we hiked along the hill to a newly restored
Oak Savanah, and reached a big field on top of Hickory Hill. Then we went down into some
woods in a valley, then back on top of the hill. We returned to Cross Plains using a different
route. Then it is a road walk out to Table Bluff where we hiked the new loop on top of the hill.
Tman's Additional Comment: I hiked Table Bluff in October of 2010 and now there is a new loop there.
Shoveler Sink Waterfowl Area to Cross Plains
Dated Hiked: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 70 degrees and clear
Trail Condition: It's a Roadwalk
Trail Difficulty: Easy with a few uphill sections
Length Hiked: 6 miles one way from the Shoveler Sink Waterfowl Area to Cross Plains
Who Saw Tman: Many motorists and bicyclists
Unusual Features: Passing by some new, yet to be developed Ice Age Trail Properties
Hike Description: I hiked south on Timber Lane the west on Old Sauk Pass. Then I hike
south on North Birch Road then west on Stagecoach Road. Then I hiked South on County P
and hiked west on Bourbon Street to the Ice Age Trail Headquarters
University Ridge Golf Course To Shoveler Sink Waterfowl Area
Dated Hiked: Thursday, March 22, 2012 during Mid day hours
Weather Conditions: 75 degrees and threatening to rain
Trail Condition: It's a mostly a Roadwalk except for two off road sections
Trail Difficulty: Easy with a few uphill sections
Length Hiked: 5.5 miles one way from the University Ridge Golf Course to
the Shoveler Sink Waterfowl Area
Who Saw Tman: Many motorists and bicyclists
Unusual Features: the Valley View Preserve
Hike Description: I hiked south on Woods Road to Midtown Road where I
started hiking west. Eventually you get to a trail section along a subdivision and
another Trail section in the Valley View Preserve. Then you hike north on Timber Lane
to Mineral Point Road where Shoveler Sink is located
Tman's Additional Comment: The Valley View Preserve has some nice interpretive signs
Badger State Trail to Frenchtown Road
Dated Hiked: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 during midday hours
Weather Conditions: 76 degrees
Trail Condition: Good, you are mainly hiking on the State Bike Trail
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Length Hiked: 4.25 miles one way from the Purcell Road Trailhead to
Frenchtown Road
Who Saw Tman: Some Bicyclists and Tractor Drivers
Unusual Features: walking the State Trail with Cuts on both sides of the trail
Hike Description: Hiked South on the Badger State Trail, then the Ice Age Trail
turns to the East and goes next to a cornfield then into some woods. You reach Pillar
Road then hike south to Frenchtown Road. Biked back to my car
Prairie Moraine County Park to the Badger State Trail
Dated Hiked: Sunday, March 18, 2012 during the late afternoon
Weather Conditions: 80 degrees and a little Windy
Trail Condition: It's a Roadwalk
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Length Hiked: 3 miles one way from the Prairie Moraine County Park to the Badger
State Trail at Purcell Road
Who Saw Tman: Some Bicyclists and walkers
Unusual Features: Llama farm and Private Golf Course.
Hike Description: Hiked along the busy Highway PB to Sunset Road. Then
hiked east on Sunset Road passing several nice houses, a Llama Farm and
a personal Golf Course. Turned south on Borchert Road then East on Purcell Road.
Tman's Additional Comment: I didn't have very much time today so I did a short roadwalk
Verona Segment South
Dated Hiked: Friday, March 16, 2012 during the afternoon
Weather Conditions: 70 degrees and not Windy
Trail Condition: Very Good
Trail Difficulty: Easy, with two harder uphill stretches.
Length Hiked: 4 miles one way from the Military Ridge Trail to the
Prairie Moraine County Park, Then about 3 miles biking back to the Trailhead
Who Saw Tman: Some Runners and Dog Walkers
Unusual Features: walking along the swamp area near Badger Mill Creek then along
a cool hillside in Prairie Moraine County Park.
Hike Description: Hike along Badger Mill Creek and wetlands for a long time. Then
before you get to Hwy M you go up a hill with an overlook at the top. Unfortunately, the
overlook is mainly of suburbia. The trail descends along an travels along Hwy M, going
up a hill near the Verona Water Tower. After crossing the Hwy 151 bridge, you cross
Hwy M and go into some woods. You then reach some cornfields and hike along the
edge of them. Eventually you head back in the woods and reach Hwy PB. After crossing
PB you are in Prairie Moraine County Park where you are hiking next to a big hill.
When you get to the end of the hill, you hike along the other side of the hill next
to the Dog Exercise Area to the parking lot
Tman's Additional Comment: I saw a Sandhill Crane in the wetlands along Badger
Creek, and I saw a flock of Turkeys in Prairie Moraine County Park
Verona Segment North
Dated Hiked: Thursday, March 15, 2012 during the afternoon
Weather Conditions: 75 degrees and not Windy
Trail Condition: Very Good
Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length Hiked: 3 miles one way from the Ice Age Junction Area Trailhead to the
Military Ridge Trail Trailhead
Who Saw Tman: Some bicyclists
Unusual Features: Major Grassland area
Hike Description: I hiked south from the Ice Age Junction Area Trailhead. The trail
goes skirts the edge of a big grassland area on top of a hill. Then the trail goes down
through some woods and comes out near the Reddan Soccer Complex. You hike through
the grasslands next to the soccer fields until you reach Cross Country Road. Once you
cross the Road, you are in Badger Prairie County Park. You hike up a hill through
more grasslands towards a cylinder styled water tower. On the other side of the tower
you reach a Through Hiker Campsite, Picnic Shelter and Rest Rooms. Down hill from
that you join a paved bike path that goes under Main Street using a tunnel. Shortly after
that you reach the Military Ridge Trail parking lot. I hopped on my bike and pedaled back
to the Ice Age Junction Area Trailhead using a paved bike trail that is to the east of
the segment I just hiked.
Tman's Additional Comment: Nice Bike and Hike opportunity because the paved
bike trail brings you back to the trailhead
Madison Segment
Dated Hiked: Thursday, March 15, 2012, during the midday hours
Weather Conditions: 75 degrees and not Windy
Trail Condition: Very Good
Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length Hiked: 4 miles one way from Woods Road to the Ice Age Junction Area
Trailhead on HWY PD/McKee Road.
Who Saw Tman: Some Golfers
Unusual Features: Hiking through a Golf Course
Hike Description: I parked my van at the Ice Age Junction Area Trailhead
then rode my bike west 3 miles on HWY PD then 1 mile north on Woods Road.
At first you are hiking in the woods between the Fairways of the University Ridge
Golf Course. Then after you pass the Clubhouse, you hike in the grasslands
between the fairways. Eventually you head into some woods again then
cross HWY M. After HWY M, you are hiking with a subdivision on one side
of the trail and a grassy swampland on the other side. After Raymond
Road, you have a steady uphill climb in some woods next to a subdivision
all the way back to HWY PD.
Tman's Additional Comment: They may be building a trail head off of Raymond Road.
An area looked like it was being cleared out.
Montrose Segment
Dated Hiked: Sunday, October 30 2011, Evening
Weather Conditions: 50 degrees and not Windy
Trail Condition: Brand new Trail!!!!
Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length Hiked: 2 miles one way to meet up with the Brooklyn North Segment.
Who Saw Tman: Nobody
Unusual Features: An Upland Island
Hike Description: I start out at the corner of Frenchman Road and Pillar Road
hiking south next to a corn field. Then the trail goes into a wooded area
and up a hill. On top of the hill, the area opens up to a field then curves around
and goes downhill through some more woods. After hiking next to another
field the trail heads uphill through some more woods to meet up to where
it hiked previously at the Brooklyn North Segment.
Tman's Additional Comment: Nicely done new section of trail
Brooklyn Wilderness Area North Segment
Dated Hiked: Saturday, April 3, 2010, Evening
Weather Conditions: 50 degrees and not Windy
Trail Condition: Very well maintained and mostly easy to follow.
Before getting to HWY D, there is one wet spot on the trail.
After hiking next to a house, the trail ascends to the top of a hill,
where there is a labyrinth of trails making it difficult to figure out
which is the official IAT
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Length Hiked: 2.5 miles including the loop on top of hill, .5 mile walk back
on HWY D
Who Saw Tman: Dan, Amber and their dogs (didn't get a photo)
Unusual Features: Panoramic view of Marsh, Big Field on top of the hill
Hike Description: I started out at the same trail head I finished at a few
days ago. When I made it to junction of the IAT I headed north. Soon
there is a nice overlook of the big grassland/marsh area. Then you hike
through some scrubby woods to reach the HWY D crossing.
After the HWY D crossing, you hike between two houses to reach
some woods that the trail goes through to get to the top of a hill. Once
you reach the top of the hill, there is a big field area. with many trails.
It is difficult to get lost, because you know how to get down from the hill,
but it is difficult to determine which trail is the official IAT. All of the trails
are well maintained and clear.
Tman's Additional Comment: I believe that the hill area would be very
popular if it had it's own parking lot and if you didn't have to hike between
two houses to get to it.
Brooklyn Wilderness Area Segment
Dated Hiked: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Afternoon
Weather Conditions: 60 degrees and Very Windy
Trail Condition: Very well maintained and mostly easy to follow.
There were a few spots where there is no yellow markings.
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Length Hiked: 3 miles each way, riding my bike down HWY DD
back to the trailhead
Who Saw Tman: Tom, Randy and Rachel, and their dogs
Unusual Features: There is a hand water pump out in the middle
of the wilderness area. It works and is certified safe to drink from.
Hike Description: I started at the Hughes Road Trail Head hiking North.
First I traveled through a grassy area then a wooded area with
many fallen trees, but none blocking the trail. There was one spot at a
trail junction where it was hard to tell which trail to take. They could use
more yellow markings in that area. Eventually, you come to a hand water pump
which works well. Then there is a long stretch of the trail where you
are on a ridge overlooking a big marshy area. Then you come to a
panoramic overlook of the marshy area. You walk through a grasslands
for a short stretch, then you are back in the woods. The woods have
many big gnarly oak trees. After hiking in the woods for a while,
a came to the intersection of the Trail leading to the parking lot.
I hiked out to the Trail head near the intersection of HWY D & DD
where I had my bike locked up. Then I took the ride down HWY DD
back to my car.
Table Bluff Segment
Dated Hiked: Monday, March 29, 2010 Early Evening
Weather Conditions: 60 degrees and not windy
Trail Condition: Very well maintained and easy to follow
Trail Difficulty: Easy To Moderate
Length Hiked: 2.4 miles each way, taking the alternative
White Trail on the way back
Who Saw Tman: Local resident Steve and his Dogs
Unusual Features: There was evidence of a controlled burn on the
Swamplovers property going up the hill past the trail. Also, there
was a sunbathing alligator
Hike Description: I started at the Table Bluff Trail head heading
south, walking along a hill then through a valley up to another hill
where you cross a wooden footbridge over a gully. Then you walk
along a ridge to get to a park shelter and some rock formations. After
that you descend the hill and cross a short boardwalk to get to
Scheele Road. On my way back to the Table Bluff Road Trail Head
I hiked the alternative "white" route on the west side of the valley.