Hiking the Drifted - IAT Segments Near Aniwa (WI)

During the week following Memorial Day, I spent some quality time with hiking buddies from WI, exploring three segments of the Ice Age Trail in northern WI's Marathon and Langlade counties near Aniwa and Summit Lake. The Ice Age Trail (IAT) is a 1200 trail through WI's glaciated area that hugs the edges of the WI areas where the glaciers stopped. We left cars at both ends of the trails so all our hikes were one way.

Head nets and a rustic river crossing
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

As I mentioned in a previous post, hiking in the "drifted" area of WI and MN is quite different than the Driftless area. Our unglaciated high bluffs scream "Climb high on me!" The Ice Age Trail on the other hand is land that was ground down by the glacier and runs along its terminal moraine. This makes for rocky trails (or boulder-y as the case may be) and roller-coaster-y hiking. 

With their boggy sections and the ticks and mosquitoes out in force, head nets and/or a lot of DEET were a must. Actually, they kind of saved us - we were able to hike at a leisurely pace with no bloodletting.

A rock river crossing with perfectly placed
rocks that were "rock steady"
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

Plover River Segment (3 mile portion - Sportsma's Trailhead to Hwy 52 Trailhead)

We started at at the north end of the segment and worked our way south along the Plover River. We had some welcome boardwalks to get over the very wet boggy area and some river crossing as we hiked  The wildflowers were profuse - trillium, Canada mayflower, starflower, blue-bead lily and wild sarsaparilla were the thematic flowers for all three hikes. 

From its's boggy portions, the trail climbed up and down and included a great rock river crossing. The rocks were well-placed for hopping and steady as...a rock - no tipping. We were all impressed with the work of the IAT volunteers who maintain this trail. Their care and detailed building work made the trail a joy to hike!

The hike wound through fields of trillium in the hardwood forest - and fields of huge boulders left by the glaciers. The views of the river peeked in and out all along the trail. After crossing one final bridge at woods' end, we hiked through open grasslands to trailend. It is a delightful trail and I would highly recommend it for all hikers.

Nearing the end of the Plover River trail.
Image - Susan Knorr

Dells of the Eau Claire Segment (2.6 mile portion - Dells of the Eau Claire County Park to Hwy Z Trailhead)

Eau Claire River along the trail
Image-Marge Loch-Wouters

This segment was far and away the most picturesque of the three IAT hikes we did in the area.  The Dells are truly magical. 

Mylonite bedrock boulders
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

We started at the south end of the segment in open fields and prairies and headed north. At the start, the young, sun-lit forest and grassy areas were again full of wild flowers. Soon we hit the Eau Claire River and followed it's swiftly flowing waters for the rest of the hike though huge boulder fields and mature forests.  

Near Sandberg Island at the southern boundary of the county park we passed the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the north pole. Stairs led down to the river and at low river levels, it looked like hikers could rock hop over to the island.

Hanging out in the dells
Image - Michele Besant

The reminder of the hike closely hugged the river and brought us to the main area of the dells, huge mylonite rock formations rising along the river banks. There were multiple places to head down to the banks and admire the rocks. Near hike's end, we crossed a massive old CCC constructed stone bridge with great views of the river. The hike ended in the county park. The trail is very easy, fairly short and connected to the county park trail system so it can be busy. We lucked out and had the trail to ourselves!

Highland Lakes Eastern Segment (2.8 mile portion, Deep Wood Rest Stop to Hwy B Trailhead)

This was our least favorite trail of the week, not least because we played Pied Piper to swarms of mosquitoes along the whole length of the hike. While no blood was spilled, it was an unceasing and annoying accompaniment to a ho-hum trail.

Open boggy area near Lake Susan
Image - Marge 

The first part of the hike went through a lovely wooded area along eskers and kettles and up and along a ridge to excellent views of Lake Susan. From the woods, the trail came out onto a gravel road that descended into an open boggy area. 

From there we followed the wide, graveled entrance road of Camp Susan through hardwoods, large swaths of firs and hummocky scenery. It was bird heaven on this hike. We heard and saw a fine variety of songbirds and waterfowl. 

While the scenery was nice, the wide road took away some of what we love about trail-hiking - narrow trails that bring you right into the topography and flora and busy life of the woods. Except for the slight elevation in the trail to the ridge, this is a hike that is quite easy for all levels of hikers.