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09/03/2013
Portage
Arrived in Portage, crossing the Wisconsin River. The 10 miles from Aldo Leopold center to here was about the most UNscenic part so far but the weather was great so we chewed it up.
We found an all-u-can-eat Cinese buffet and nearly put them out of business! Now, after checking email at the Portage library right by the trail, we are off to either check out showers or hike a few more miles.
We met J & N from Waupaca on the trail - yet another example of great WI folks! We're hoping to run into them again later in the hike.
PS:. We stink :-)
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Posted: 09/03/2013
Posted: 09/03/2013
Aldo Leopold Center
We're up before daylight and on the trail through fog and sunrise. It's cold this morning - about 44 degrees - so we walk to warm up.
All roadwalks today heading to Portage and we've reached the Aldo Leopold center. Very nice building (with bathroom) so we're taking a break to check out the displays. He had a big impact on outdoor ethics and promotion of wild places. Hopefully, we'll find some water here also.
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Posted: 09/03/2013
Posted: 09/03/2013
09/02/2013
Labor Day
I walked 54194 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 24.5 miles today.
A stupendous day all around! From a fun ferryboat ride to camping in a generous person's yard, you couldn't ask for more of an adventure.
This pic is a view down the steep rocks on the East Bluffs at Devil's Lake. Dozens and dozens of people were going up and down them, from tiny children to old folks - amazing!
After hiking out of D.L., we reached Parphy's Glen where there was to be water. Oops! No water since the well was broken. We were given refreshments by a wonderful family eating there and then hiked on to find a place to camp. In a homestead frontyard, a woman returned our greeting and we asked for water. She shared her ice cold well water with us and then her husband let us set up our tents out back. It's now dropping to 50 degrees and may get a bit chilly by morning. On to Portage tomorrow.
Devils Lake
We made it around the big Devil's )ake horseshoe - a 10-mile loop that winds up nearly where we started! But, it was a beautiful area with great cliffs and TONS of people this Labor Day.
Now, we're hiking on out of the park towards Portage.
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Posted: 09/02/2013
Posted: 09/02/2013
Merrimac Ferry
Up early and hiking by first light. Found a nice spot to sleep which as good since the specified camping area was ridiculously sloped when we reached it this morning.
Crossing on the Merrimac Ferry was fun! Too early for any snacks but the public restroom on the north side had hot water and soap so we washed up.
The weather is practically perfect and we're moving right along. We've met a couple out birding, a female trail runner, and a couple going biking. Now, it's on to th Devil's Lake area.
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Posted: 09/02/2013
Posted: 09/02/2013
09/01/2013
Gibraltar Rock
I walked 24378 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 11 miles today.
Picking up right where we left off at the Lodi Marsh, we started hiking at 5pm today. The hike into Lodi was great! The trail was well maintained, the temperature was comfortable and the humidity was much lower. It felt wonderful to be back on the trail again, strolling over the miles.
In Lodi, we met a family having ice cream and talked about the IAT with them a bit. Then, we met the owners of a beautiful house that we were admiring right on the trail through town. They've made it into a B&B and they were very friendly folks asking us if we needed anything. We also met a past mayor of town who offered directions though we were fine with our maps.
You probably figured out all this chatting took up some time. :-). Leaving Lodi, the breeze, setting sun, and fresh air were perfect for walking more miles. We completed a nondescript section and then roadwalked around Gibraltar Rock which is shown in this photo. We hiked on until about 9pm - well after dark - to our camping spot under some nice pine and walnut trees.
The crickets and fireflys are out and it's time to rest for another day. Tomorrow, we ride the ferry!
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Posted: 09/01/2013
Posted: 09/01/2013
Back On Trail
Leaving for the trailhead in an hour. Anxious to get moving again and looking forward to the 20 degree drop in temperature and new terrain to cover.
We picked up more supplies for the next month and that's one of the best parts of long hikes - I get to eat pretty much anything I want and as much of it as I can hold. :-)
You might notice that some of this is not healthy food you'd want your family eating every day, but on the trail we're trying to get lots of calories in a light load. I do have fish, cheese, crackers, raisins, and noodles besides all these snacks.
Camera and cellphone are charged. Maps are ready. Clothes are washed. Ready to go.
I sure hope we run into some scouts or hikers out on the trail during the next week or so. That would be a fun surprise!
Hike On
08/29/2013
The Vortex
Folks talk about getting caught in the town vortex when hiking long trails. It happens when a hiker stops in a town for a rest, enjoys the food, enjoys the bed, stays another day, and suddenly realizes he's lost a week of hiking!
Well, you could say that has happened to me this past week. A two-day break was followed by very hot and humid weather that would be miserable, slow miles. That weather lasted longer than expected. Then, arranging travel back to the trail where we stopped hiking worked out to add a couple more days. This wasn't what we had planned, but I think it was the right thing to do for health and enjoyment of the adventure. So, it looks like the hike will resume on Sunday.
I'm fully rested, no blisters, no leg pain, no sunburn, full stomache, and hair freshly cut - ready to do the last 650 miles of the trail. We've purchased food for the next leg of trail, fixed and cleaned gear, and made a rough schedule.
As it turns out, this break fits nicely into my mental image of the Ice Age Trail. The first part was heading south roughly along the Lake Michigan shore, through small towns and the Kettle Moraine. The next part was a U-shaped loop across the bottom of Wisconsin through farmland and more towns.
The next part has us heading nearly straight north through the center of the state, transitioning from towns and farmland to the north woods. Once we reach Antigo, the last part of the trail aims West, traversing the forested wild areas of northern Wisconsin where it will be cooler and more remote.
I'm not sure if that's what we'll actually experience, but that's the picture I have in my head.
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Posted: 08/29/2013
Posted: 08/29/2013
08/21/2013
Too Hot
It's good to have plans and it's good to keep them flexible.
We left Cross Plains early with the plan to shuttle our vehicle to Portage and reach it in 3 days. The temperature was 71 degrees at 6:15am.
Matt, of the IATA staff, met us on our roadwalk around 8am after we'd put in about 7 miles. He shuttled us to Portage and back to the trail. We hiked on as the temperature rose. Our plan was to reach Lodi.
We received word that a storm might build in the evening and the temperature rose. It was now mid-day and about 90 degrees. We drank all our water and received more from a generous farmer along the road. You could tell by the look on his face that he thought we were idiots for walking down the road in the middle of such a hot day - we agreed with him.
Our camping options in Lodi did not pan out so it looked like we might be stealth camping with a storm coming - not something we were looking forward to. So, my mom picked us up at the Lodi Marsh trail start and we arrived in West Bend for a break tonight. We'll have a few zero days in which I'm catching up on blogging, resting our feet, and watching the Green Bay vs. Seattle football game. We're hoping for a general drop in temps and humidity, but it currently looks like Monday is back up near record highs. We'll see and keep things flexible.
We left Cross Plains early with the plan to shuttle our vehicle to Portage and reach it in 3 days. The temperature was 71 degrees at 6:15am.
Matt, of the IATA staff, met us on our roadwalk around 8am after we'd put in about 7 miles. He shuttled us to Portage and back to the trail. We hiked on as the temperature rose. Our plan was to reach Lodi.
We received word that a storm might build in the evening and the temperature rose. It was now mid-day and about 90 degrees. We drank all our water and received more from a generous farmer along the road. You could tell by the look on his face that he thought we were idiots for walking down the road in the middle of such a hot day - we agreed with him.
Our camping options in Lodi did not pan out so it looked like we might be stealth camping with a storm coming - not something we were looking forward to. So, my mom picked us up at the Lodi Marsh trail start and we arrived in West Bend for a break tonight. We'll have a few zero days in which I'm catching up on blogging, resting our feet, and watching the Green Bay vs. Seattle football game. We're hoping for a general drop in temps and humidity, but it currently looks like Monday is back up near record highs. We'll see and keep things flexible.
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Posted: 08/21/2013
Posted: 08/21/2013
08/20/2013
IATA HQ
We reached the Ice Age Trail Alliance headquarters in Cross Plains today. It took us almost 12 hours, starting at 5:00am and arriving just before closing. It was an extremely hot day and tomorrow is supposed to be even worse.
We had met Matt on our long roadwalk to Albany two days ago and he was very helpful in staying late and arranging to shuttle our vehicle tomorrow. We got to shower and wash clothes in the IATA basement and then eat at Kurt's bar/grill. I had gyros and Papa Bear had pizza - both were good and reasonably priced.
After buying food at Piggly Wiggly, we hiked 1.5 more miles in the dark up to an IATA property where we camped.
Earlier in the day, we passed through Verona. At a Kwik Trip truck stop, we stopped and bought stuff for breakfast - pulled pork sandwiches and doughnuts! The guys at Dot's Tavern in Basco last night said we should contact the police for help in retrieving my cellphone. We had the license plate of the car from two photos that Papa Bear had taken, so we were hoping to find the Verona police station and try our luck.
As we were sitting in the Kwik Trip, in walked a Verona police officer. We explained what had happened, he took lots of info, and went back to his car. Quite awhile later, he returned. He had identified the owners, contacted them, and they had searched the car - no phone found. He left them Papa Bear's number but that was all he could do. As soon as we thanked him for his help and he left, Papa Bear's phone rang - they had found the phone upon a more thorough search and would be sending it to my folks' address! Happy Day.
We had met Matt on our long roadwalk to Albany two days ago and he was very helpful in staying late and arranging to shuttle our vehicle tomorrow. We got to shower and wash clothes in the IATA basement and then eat at Kurt's bar/grill. I had gyros and Papa Bear had pizza - both were good and reasonably priced.
After buying food at Piggly Wiggly, we hiked 1.5 more miles in the dark up to an IATA property where we camped.
Earlier in the day, we passed through Verona. At a Kwik Trip truck stop, we stopped and bought stuff for breakfast - pulled pork sandwiches and doughnuts! The guys at Dot's Tavern in Basco last night said we should contact the police for help in retrieving my cellphone. We had the license plate of the car from two photos that Papa Bear had taken, so we were hoping to find the Verona police station and try our luck.
As we were sitting in the Kwik Trip, in walked a Verona police officer. We explained what had happened, he took lots of info, and went back to his car. Quite awhile later, he returned. He had identified the owners, contacted them, and they had searched the car - no phone found. He left them Papa Bear's number but that was all he could do. As soon as we thanked him for his help and he left, Papa Bear's phone rang - they had found the phone upon a more thorough search and would be sending it to my folks' address! Happy Day.
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Posted: 08/20/2013
Posted: 08/20/2013
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All Comments:
Feb 13, 2020 - Jason Berklund
Hey hiking dude I have several questions planning my first north to south trip
from 270 all the way down. I kind a know what to wear what to eat all that
important jive. I am in relatively good shape definitely Not concerned about
where in tear. 45 years old going with a 21-year-old nephew. My question is
I have friends in Duluth that I don’t want to burden with driving me what’s the
best way to get up to otter Lake Road that’s not gonna cost a crap ton. We
were thinking 15 miles a day. We were also thinking hammocks. Let me
know what you think please. I have read so much and look at so much and
heard so many opinions but You seem to be very realistic on your
comments. Thank you
Feb 13, 2020 - Hiking Dude
@Jason - Hammocks work fine - most campsites have lots of trees.
15MPD is realistic, and you'll probably do more than that many
days.
Getting to the northern terminus is expensive (in my mind). If you can schedule correctly, Arrowhead Transit is cheapest to Grand Marais, but then Harriet Quarles is the only shuttle I know of. You might find a good ol' boy in Grand Marais willing to drive you the 35 miles to the end for a few $$$.
It's a 3 hour drive from Duluth - that's 6 hours and 300 miles round-trip. Maybe your friend would like to drive up the north shore for a day.
Getting to the northern terminus is expensive (in my mind). If you can schedule correctly, Arrowhead Transit is cheapest to Grand Marais, but then Harriet Quarles is the only shuttle I know of. You might find a good ol' boy in Grand Marais willing to drive you the 35 miles to the end for a few $$$.
It's a 3 hour drive from Duluth - that's 6 hours and 300 miles round-trip. Maybe your friend would like to drive up the north shore for a day.
Feb 04, 2024 - John
Me and my fiance are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon and we
are so excited!
May 02, 2024 - Zeke Mead
Has anyone cycled this Camiño? Sounds like the trail is a road
and if trucks are able to do it, maybe bikes too?
May 03, 2024 - Hiking Dude
@Zeke - Someone could certainly bike part of the Camino de Costa
Rica, but other parts are simple trail that would not be passable
by bike.
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