Ice Age Trail and the First Snowfall

Over the years I've probably visited and hike the Ice Age Trail like what feels like a million times.  There are areas I can go to and know every little turn, rock and where to find the hidden gems.  Today was one of those hidden gem type of days.

First Snowfall on the Ice Age Trail - 2014

Each year when we get our first snowfall I tend to steer myself to the same section of the Ice Age Trail in Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest.  The section that runs north from Mauthe Lake Campground can be magical in winter.  And over the years, I've noticed that this is the one section of trail that I like to do solo (or with my dogs) in the winter.  I have a spot by one of the three creek crossings that I find is a great place to take a break, think about things and sometimes try to put things into perspective.  The serenity it provides is something you'll not find in the city or our daily on the go lives.  Part of it is because of the beauty of the spot and the calmness the creek provides.  And part of it is the ability of the place to let the mind go free and let your imagination roam.  It's that power of nature that provides a calming sensation and prepares me for what may come.

Yes it was the first snowfall last night.  And yes, I went back to my favorite spot today.  I was fortunate enough to only have to share it with the deer, squirrels and rabbits today.  I now feel relaxed and refreshed after having the ability to look at the forest in a fresh layer of snow and my spot on the burbling creek.  And I feel a little more ready for what's ahead.

First snowfall on the Ice Age Trail Creek Crossing

First snowfall on the Ice Age Trail Creek Crossing
The power of the imagination.  What do you see?

First snowfall and my trail companion

"Everybody needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike"  John Muir

I hope you all have similar spots you can go to and if you're lucky that means you'll be in nature.

Related Posts:

• Put Your Boots On - Go For a Hike
• Healing Powers of Nature
• Hiking in the First Snowfall (Dec 2012)

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

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

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

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.

30 Nights, Rain and Best Day of Summer

So if the title of this blog doesn't say a lot. 

30 Nights

• I have camped 30 nights in a tent (and it's only August 5th)
• 6 of those nights were in a tent hiking up Mt Kilimanjaro
• 1 of those nights was snowshoeing up in the Kettle Range in February and camping on a ridge overlooking the mountains and summiting Mt Wapaloosie the next morning. 
• As of today (Aug 5th) - the only month in 2012 I have not camped and slept in a tent was in January (need to work on that for next year).
• It has only rained during 3 of my camping excursions (sprinkles on Kili, Memorial Day weekend and this weekend - very unusual for me)
• I have visited 19 State Parks / Forests (that I can think of) and camped in the 10 of them (some 2 times).

Rain

Rain - with the droughts we're having, I've only seen rain really two times this entire summer so far while camping.  Memorial Day weekend and the storms that came through which caused me to spend over 8 hours in a 2 person tent with 2 dogs.  We all got good naps.  And then just this weekend we have a brief 2 hour storm that went through (again, good nap time).

For me - that's just really unusual.  I'm so prone to camping and hiking in rain that this has just been a weird summer.

Best Day of Summer

Since it's been dry with no rain - I think this horrible heat we've been having all summer goes along with the drought.  Hiking in heat with dogs makes for short hikes before we all start to get over heated.  Today (Sunday Aug 5th) was probably the best day for camping and hiking all summer.  Woke up this morning to 64 degrees and it didn't move much.  Went for hike in the woods with the dogs with the brisk wind and cool temps and just didn't want to leave. 

If this is what rain brings - bring on the rain and cool temps.