The Ice Age Trail is a 1200 mile trail located throughout Wisconsin. The trail meanders through Wisconsin, following the edge of where the glaciers ended during the most recent Ice Age. The terrain is varied, but always very nice. There are kettles and kames, streams and ponds, springs, bogs, wetlands, hardwood forests, etc. It is beautiful

Because I live in Southeast Wisconsin, I have hiked many miles of the Ice Age Trail. In 2012, my sister and I set off to hike as much of the trail as our schedules would allow - which was usually one day of most weekends. We would drive two cars, park one at the trail where we wanted to stop, then drive the second car to the start and hike to the first car. We would start each weekend where we left off the weekend before. In all, we went from the northern edge of Waukesha County into Walworth County. We have each done other hikes on the Ice Age Trail as we come upon it during our treks across Wisconsin, but that summer, we were dedicated to walking.

Along the way, we saw all sorts of wildlife, and were continually impressed with how beautiful the landscape was. The section we were on primarily was in the Kettle Moraine area of the trail - in the southeast part of the state. We ran across deer, squirrels, cranes, and several other animals along the way - including one not very welcome bat. Both my sister and I love to travel, and we found ourselves wondering why someone would go to all ends of the earth to go hiking, when the scenery in Wisconsin is so beautiful. (at least in summer)

In March, 2015, I started a quest to have a meaningful visit at a National Park Service property in every state. I decided that none of my previous adventures would "count" towards this goal, and it was with no difficulty at all that I set out to have a hike on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. I set out with my daughter to hike a section that runs through Lapham Peak State Park, in western Waukesha County. This park has special meaning to my family, as my father hosted many many family get togethers at this park. When he passed, we donated funds to the Lapham Peak Trail foundation, and dedicated a bench to him. His was the first dedicated bench in the park, and now there are dozens.

My daughter and I also decided since we had hiked here several times in the past, that we would combine it with a little bit of geocaching. We set out and found the cache, and had a great time being in nature and enjoying each other's company. It was a good day.

Some links for the Ice Age Trail can be found at:

National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm

Ice Age Trail Alliance http://www.iceagetrail.org/ice-age-trail/

#Wisconsin