Sunday, March 30, 2014

Spring Thaw on the Ice Age Trail

As spring arrives to Wisconsin, hiking on the Ice Age Trail can sometimes become a challenge.  With the traffic some sections of the Ice Age Trail receives during the winter, the snow gets packed down on the trails.  As the spring thaw comes and this packed snow melts and refreezes, it creates an ice pack on the trail.

Last week I hit up the Ice Age Trail which travels around Devil's Lake and it was a challenge in a lot of areas due to the ice.  This week I hit up the Ice Age Trail in Northern Kettle Moraine heading south from the Greenbush Recreation area and again there were some challenges.

Spring Thaw on the Ice Age Trail


Heading up to the Ice Age Trail from Milwaukee I had the thought that I'd be hiking through a lot of mud since in the city and north of the city, the snow has melted and things have started to dry up.  But as I hit Northern Kettle Moraine and was driving through it via the scenic route, I noticed a lot of snow yet still on the ground in the forest.  My first thought was - yeah, I get to enjoy a little of winter one more time this year.


Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine - Greenbush Rec Area
Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine
Arriving at the trailhead, I realized there is a lot of spring thaw still going on in this area.  And the 50 degree weather today was going to really help it along.  That's both good and bad on a day like today.  Immediately hitting the trail, I was on ice.  Melting ice.  Slippery melting ice.  Great.  Today I am training again with a full pack and I brought the dogs with me so no trekking poles along for support.  Ok - so off trail we go around the icy hills.

Ice on the Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest - Greenbush Recreation Area
Ice on the Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Melting ice on the Ice Age Trail Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest Greenbush Recreation Area
Melting Ice, Slippery Melting Ice.  Ice Age Trail Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest
Spring thaw also hit the open areas on the trail.  Ice. Snow. Mud.  Again - great.  The dogs are finding all of it.  And I know it will all be brought into my car.  But finding the open fields that were drier and having the sun hit us was a good feeling because it is a reminder, spring is coming.

Spring thaw on the Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest - Greenbush Recreation Area
Spring thaw on the Ice Age Trail - Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest
Though I am a lover of winter and snow, having a spring thaw reminds me that with spring comes a refreshing newness.  And with this comes new life in the forest.  And hiking the Ice Age Trail in a few weeks will be completely different than it was today.  Beautiful greens from the plants, vibrant colors from the flowers, buzzing of bugs flying through the air.  I think a hike today with the spring thaw has finally mentally prepared me for the next season.  Though I'm sad to see winter gone, it will surely come again and I'll be right here ready for it to arrive.

“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.”   John Muir

That's kind of how I felt today.



Saturday, March 22, 2014

Spring Training at Devil's Lake State Park

Spring Training at Devil's Lake State Park

With another trip just around the corner to go backpacking in the Pacific Northwest I figured Devil's Lake State Park would be the perfect spot to get in one last good training day.  Devil's Lake State Park, located in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin has some great bluffs bordering each side of Devils Lake.  Great for training when you need to get some quick elevation gain.

Devil's Lake State Park: East Bluff and West Bluff trails
Devil's Lake: East Bluff and West Bluff trails


Spring At Devil's Lake State Park

Having trained in Spring 2013 at Devil's Lake State Park for my Mt Whitney trip with Backpacker Magazine for Big City Mountaineers, I knew to expect the East Bluff Trail to be in a little worse condition that the West Bluff Trail due to the lack of sunlight in some areas.  Well, I'm not sure that was the case today.  With our crazy winter this year of freezing temps and snow on the ground for 90+ days, spring is coming slow.  

The trails were clear in some spots, snow covered in locations and ice covered in many locations.  Carrying a full pack of gear, maneuvering off trail to get around the ice on the slopes of the bluffs was a challenge.  But one that I was willing to take and enjoying.  

Snow on the East Bluff Trail at Devil's Lake State Park
Snow on the East Bluff Trail at Devil's Lake State Park


Still Winter at Devil's Lake State Park?

The best part of training today at Devil's Lake State Park was that I found a little bit of winter.  With my love for cold weather, snow and winter, I felt like not only did I get a good day of training, I got to experience winter one more time.  Arriving at the park it was 28 degrees (20 degrees with the wind), small random flakes of snow falling were present and the lake was still frozen over.  I'll take it.  And I needed it - a little bit of winter is a great way to refresh the soul while training.

Devils Lake frozen over
Devil's Lake frozen over (March 2014)

“I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature’s loveliness.”    John Muir.

And I hope I inspire some of you to look at, feel and be with nature - it gives far more than it receives.