The Story of Trees

Hiking in the Forest

When I'm hiking in the forest I notice a lot of things.  Because of the peaceful surroundings I'm able to take in the sounds, the smell and the environment.  I think one of the things I enjoy most is the environment.   When left alone, a forest can grow, mature, die and start over again.  

Over the last couple of years, I've really noticed this more and more.  And I'm always amazed when I see old trees surrounded by much younger trees.  It always makes me wonder what is their story.

The Majesty of Trees

I love to photograph old / big trees.  When I do - I always stop and take in their structure, their location and their surroundings.  Many times if you look around the tree - most trees around it are younger growth trees.  I then often wonder, how did this one tree or this group of trees survive?  What was here before that only this tree is left?  Did someone plant this tree?  How old is this tree?

Old growth tree - Long Lake Campground

Photographing old trees in just the right light can always make it look powerful and strong.  And then makes me wonder will the other trees around ever get the chance to get that old and big?  Or will someone, some day come along and cut it down.

The view from the Ice Age Trail @ Holy Hill

Maybe a little philosophical - but old trees are like the heart and soul of what holds a forest together.  Without them and their presence all we'd have are young trees and forests.  The magic would be gone.

Training for Another Mountain Climb

Seems like almost every year in early spring I like to take vacations that are always adventurous.  And many times these vacations require preparation and training.  March 2012 it was climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.  April 2013 it will be climbing Mt Whitney to raise money for Big City Mountaineers.

I think one of the things I like most about taking these vacations in the early spring is the fact I have to train all winter long.  It provides me a great opportunity to dig out the winter gear and go.

Today I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite places I've gotten to this winter for training and why these places are special to me.  Maybe next time you're thinking I'd like to go for a walk or a hike some where new - you'll get to explore on of these places and find the magic in them like I do.

Mt Kit Carson (Mt Spokane State Park)

Spokane, WA

OK, so for those of you in Wisconsin - this is not near us.  But this was probably one of the best snowshoeing trips I did this winter for training.  It was a beautiful place to snowshoe and had a great view of the Spokane Valley and out toward Idaho's panhandle.

The trail starts out following a small stream that yes, even with all the snow, was still flowing in the winter.  It then follows up through the woods and provides peeks of the area all the way up.  And if you really like snow and the magic of mother nature and how she can sculpt snow with all her powers, you'll really enjoy this trip.  I saw snow that was so heavy on trees that it made the tree roll over on itself and look like a candy cane and/or snail.

Snow sculptures along trail up Mt Kit Carson

Mt Kit Carson - Mt Spokane State Park

The trail starts at about an elevation of 3,900 ft and ends at about 5,260 ft.  Once at the top, I took a break to take in the views, have a little lunch and head back down.  This was the perfect place to be on December 21, 2012 and end another year of adventures.

View from atop Mt Kit Carson

Ice Age Trail - Multiple Areas

Southern Kettle Moraine - State Park Headquarters

Heading west toward the Horse Riders Camp

This is a great hike.  You start off on the Ice Age Trail heading through an open field.  In the winter it can be a big expanse of white snow and during the spring, summer and fall it's full of wild flowers.  Absolutely beautiful.  And if you're lucky enough like I was this winter, I got to break trail.  Since no other human footprints were in the snow, I was able to see many of the tracks left by the natural inhabitants to this area.

You could see the field mice tracks running around on top of the snow and then where they dove under.  You could see the fox tracks on the Ice Age Trail that would go off trail when they caught the scent of the field mice.  And plenty of rabbit tracks as you got closer to the edge of the field toward the wooded area.  Nature at its best.

Following fox tracks on the Ice Age Trail

And then once you get back in the woods - peace, quiet and solitude.  Looking at the shadows of the trees on the snow, listening to the birds, eating lunch by a frozen pond.  What else could you ask for?  What a perfect place to snowshoe.  

Ice Age Trail - Southern Kettle Moraine - West from headquarters

It's Wisconsin, so for training we don't have any mountains to climb, but this was a good trail for some quick hits up and down for pushes of about 175 ft.

Southern Kettle Moraine - Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Great day to get those snowshoes out and train because of the friends I had with me.  It was great getting them out snowshoeing especially since one had not done it before.  I love introducing people to the outdoors so this was a special snowshoe trip.

We had fresh snow and got to break some trail while out on the Ice Age Trail.  It was also a part of the Ice Age Trail I hadn't been on in a while so it was great to visit it again.  Another area where you get to go through some open fields where in the summer months are filled with wild flowers.  And this is Wisconsin so getting to snowshoe along the farmer's fields in the winter provides you with open views of the woods and area that Southern Kettle Moraine and these people get to call home.  Beautiful.

Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Again - not a lot of elevation to gain while training, but another 135 ft gained on this day.

Northern Kettle Moraine - Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

Probably one of the most scenic (in my opinion) parts of the Ice Age Trail in Northern Kettle Moraine.  From the New Fane trails parking lot, you'll head through the forest and then an open field for a bit.  But after crossing the road, you're in the woods.  The first section once you cross the road is full of remnants of the glaciers that went through Wisconsin.  High hills that you'll cross over and walk between provide some amazing scenery.  

View from the Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

I trained here by snowshoeing on one of our coldest days.  It was -4 degrees fahrenheit this day with the wind.  The second segment of this trail after crossing the next road climbs a hill and for a while follows the edge of the bluff.  From here you can see out quite a ways and even see the ski hill in Kewaskum, WI.  It really is an amazing view.  But didn't stay up here too long on this day due to the wind.  Continued on with the dogs and got back in the trees for the little protection they provide during the winter months.

Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

Again, not much elevation gain - maybe about 200 ft from the lowest point to the highest point, but still a good area to snowshoe in.  And again, finding peace and solitude in the woods.  

Training Continues

Those are just some of the favorite spots so far this winter where I've gone snowshoeing for training, though are not the only ones.  I hope this makes you want to go out and hike or snowshoe some of these areas.  They really are a great way to explore nature and some of the natural surroundings of the Kettle Moraine areas of Wisconsin.  Our state park system does a great job of maintaining and providing this for us to use, so get out there and use it.  And if you ever need someone to explore it with - just let me know.

Lapham Peak - Fall Colors and a Great Hike

Time to get ready for the big climb.  Though still 6 months off - it's never too early to start training.  And what better time to start training than in the fall.

Day 1 of training was an unexpected hike with the dogs at Lapham Peak in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest.  Saturday turned out to be a beautiful fall day and after taking Jasmine to the vet in the morning and getting some housework done, I couldn't take it any longer.  I needed to get out.  I decided to take the dogs out and do the 7 mile advanced black loop at Lapham Peak.  I'm not quite sure why it's "advanced", but maybe it's just me and my non-stop hiking and visits to as many mountains as possible that makes the hills on this trail seem fairly easy.

What started off as being a typical walk with the dogs in the woods and their normal 20 minute or so miles (they always seem to need to pee, poop or sniff something) turned out to be a brisk walk through the woods.  With the cooler temps, the dogs decided to move quick - even Wailea with her hip dysplasia and repaired knee.  What typically would have taken us about 2 1/2 hours or so ended up taking us just 2 hours.  Wow - those girls moved.

With that there only a few occasional breaks to enjoy some of the fall colors that were left.  What a perfect day, the remainder of the colors were bright and strikingly orange and red colors.  And what a perfect way to start training for the climb up Mt Whitney.  Based upon this, I'm hoping the rest of my training days go just as well.

Fall colors at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Climbing the Tower

After finishing the 7 mile hike in 2 hours, I let the dogs take a break while I took a quick run up the tower at the park to get an overhead view of the fall colors in the Delafield area.  Wow - it always amazes me, no matter what time of the year at how this area looks from above.

Fall colors from the tower at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Fall colors from the tower at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

I think the best part of running to the top of the tower was the trip down.  As I was walking down the stairs of the tower I saw a group of kids running to get to the stairs to climb up.  And one of the kids exclaimed - "this is a high tower, but this isn't no Eiffel Tower".  No kid, you're right, it's not the Eiffel Tower, but it is a view into the heartland of Wisconsin in fall.  

Here's to hoping fall, winter and spring bring just as many beautiful days for training.  Because if so, training is going to be a blast.

To find out more about my bid to climb Mt Whitney with Summit for Someone and Backpacker Magazine - read some of the following:

• Climber Story
• Backpacker Magazine Makes Its Selections
• I Want to Climb Mt Whitney

An Uneventful 4th of July

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  As I imagined, it was quiet hiking the Ice Age Trail.  But as usual, hiking with two dogs in the woods is always interesting. 

Jasmine and Wailea exploring the Ice Age Trail

Jasmine decided Saturday was a good day to go squirrel hunting since the squirrels were relatively active and noisy as we walked along the trail. 

Not only did they find many squirrels, but also the biggest mud puddle on the trail.  Wailea must have thought it was pretty cool so she decided to lay down in it.  Of course it was the one time Saturday we saw another human on the trail and I had to grab them out of the mud puddle.  Next thing I knew I was coated in the mud.  Yuck.

Sunday saw a few more people on the trail, but still no one til we had done almost 6 miles of trail. 

Hiked IAT:

Saturday - from Butler Lake north

Sunday - from Mauthe Lake north

Up next - not sure yet.  But I'm sure it will be interesting with two dogs. 

2011's Half Over

Hard to believe 2011 is now officially half over.  Where did the time go? 

Since the year is half over, it's only fitting that I take the dogs hiking for the weekend.  Jasmine and Wailea love the freedom of the woods and open trails.  It's great to be able to give them the freedom to roam and explore when and where I can.  I know it makes them happy and makes me feel good at night to know I've done something for my dogs that not a lot of other dogs get to do.  They are spoiled, but well worth spoiling.

Jasmine and Wailea hiking at Newport State Park, Door County, WI

This weekend they'll be lucky enough to be able to hike on the Ice Age Trail again.  One of my favorite places to hike.  Even though this will be a busy weekend at the lakes and parks - the Ice Age Trail will remain fairly quiet and uneventful as the crowds of people will be elsewhere.  I'll still be able to hear the birds chirp, see the squirrels run and who knows maybe catch a glimpse of a deer drinking at one of the streams. 

Thankfully we live in a country where we have the freedom to do all this.

Happy 4th of July everyone. 



Winter Hiking on the Ice Age Trail

Today as I was attempting to hike on the ice age trail in Southern Kettle Moraine - I once again came across hunters on the trail. What is scary is that this time I had the hunter look in my diretion with his rifle. Needless to say - that was the end of our hike on the ice age trail today.

Today's hike was to start at the Forest Headquarters in S. KM and head west on the Ice Age Trail toward the Emma Carlin trail. After my experience last weekend with again - hearing gun shots on the Ice Age trail just north of here and then hearing a bunch of men yelling "Did you get it", I checked out the hunting schedule for this area. Unfortunately for those of us who want to enjoy the state forests - hunting season runs from September to May in this area. The brochure mentioned it is discouraged for hunters to hunt near trails where other individuals (hikers, bikers, cross country skiers, etc) may be. Given that - you would think hunters would realize that on a nice day - many people would be out using the trails. Guess Not.

I also looked at the map of S. KM - it shows on the map the trails in and around S KM and the Ice Age trail - the hunting areas and the non-hunting areas. All trails in S KM are IN the hunting areas. SO - if I was a hunter, guess I'd be happy - I would have 9 months out of the year to hunt on the state park land. While I'm not a hunter and would like to feel safe out hiking on the trails in the State parks, I only get 3 months out of the year to do it without hunters on the land. Wouldn't it make sense that with all the land in and around the state park in S KM that a portion could be set aside as a No Hunting area year round so that all hikers, bikers, etc could enjoy the land without the thought of "will I get shot?"

This wasn't the first time I've had this happen, previously I was mountain biking on the John Muir trail in S KM and biked right up to a hunter standing with his rifle on the bike trail. I've also had a relative walking on the Nordic Trail and had a bullet fly by his head. I'm actually surprised no one has been shot out there yet.

I guess until May I will need to go out and buy blaze orange to wear for both myself and my dogs if we want to hike. After my experiences I don't feel safe walking the woods from Sept to May in S KM.