Gandy Dancer Trail Part 2

59.5 miles done ~ 2220.5 miles to go. 

Gandy Dancer State Trail. (7.5 miles)

A second stretch of the Gandy Dancer State Trail - the straight and not so narrow. 

I parked in Milltown and did 4 miles to 200th Ave and back. It went pretty quickly. Was able to jog a bit. However, it was colder than I thought and my joints were not very happy. 

Not much to see today; so I'll mention many of the sounds. I heard dogs barking right off the bat. Then the creak of trees in the wind. Hopefully they will make it through the winter. Scared up a bird, and some chipmunks.

As I said, it was colder than I thought, so note to self, Camelback tubes freeze in the cold. So I could hear the slosh of water for a while. Then the crunch of the tube as it froze.

I stopped back at my car to get some water and change my camera battery; I think the cold drained it. Took some extra ibuprofen for the joints and went north, to do another 3.5 miles. A dog came out on the trail as I was eating my Clif bar; I threw a chunk at it since it was barking at me. It didn't notice it, but  luckily it was a friendly dog.

I wish the sun would have come out to warm me up a bit and make the day last a little longer. It started to get dark as I headed back to the car.

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 148

Costs: $8.42 for gas

St. Croix Falls

52 miles done ~ 2228 miles to go. 

Mindy Creek and along the river. (5 miles)

I left this small section to do along the St. Croix River and through the Wert Family Nature Preserve, due to snow on Easter Sunday. However, it ended  up being three segments because of deep and fast flowing creeks.

My friend joined me for the short hike that started on River Road and headed south along the St. Croix river. There were quite a few wet spots that could use stepping stones or boardwalk. This fall has had a lot of rain. But the weather wasn't too cold so it was quite pleasant until we hit one creek that was not going to be easy crossing. But since we were going out and back we decided to go back and then approach it from the other direction. No problem.

So we drove to the Lion's Park and ate our sandwiches looking out over the river. After the short break we decided to go across Hwy 87 and walk the part of the Mindy Creek segment I didn't finish. It was not as wet and very little understory, so you could see the woods quite well. But a bit hillier. I enjoyed the oak leaf patterns underfoot. Each one is beautifully shaped, but layer the thin red oak leaves on the rounded white oak leaves and it is quite visually stunning.

A few slippery spots, but the crossing of Mindy Creek was well done by the Mobile Skills Crew in 2005. Some nice overlooks from up top.

After we reached the point I had stopped on Easter we headed back to the park and then went north along the river. There is a wide crushed stone path for much of the trail. It made for fast, dry walking. Then after the picnic area it  goes back to narrow trail, with some hills. Again we reached another deep swift flowing creek difficult to cross. We believe there was just one hill in between to complete the section. There were nice wooden crossings on the wide flat trail, so these are needed further along.

It was a great walk.

From picnic spot.

Stats for the trip: Miles to get to trail: 152

Costs: $10.57 for gas.

Wayward Beaver Section

47 miles done ~ 2233 miles to go. 

Wayward Beaver Trail. (3.5 miles)

I was helping register hikers for the Chippewa Moraine Chapters Parade of Fall Colors hike in the morning at the Ice Age Center. (10/6/18) It was a bit chilly and cloudy, but 35 folks went out on the trail.

When registration was done, my friend returned from her 5 mile walk and we headed west to the end of the trail and back.

Fall colors were beginning. We commented on how the lime greens in fall were quite different from the lime green of the new leaves in spring. As are the reds and oranges.

We sat near a lake to eat our lunches and admire the reflections. However, the chill sets in quickly.

I related a poem I heard the week before by Japanese Buddhist monk/poet Ryokan.

Maple leaf

Falling down

Showing front

Showing back

So simple, yet it depicts fall and that one moment quite beautifully.

There were beautiful red mushrooms all along the trail. Along with many others, hidden in holes and hanging on tree bark.

It was a lovely walk and as we left for home the sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds.

Workday-Hike

43.5 miles done ~ 2236.5 miles to go. 

Deerfly Trail. (1.5 miles)

The Chippewa Moraine Chapter had a workday today and I thought we'd cover more of the trail. However, we cleared more logging road in order for a truck to bring in the lumber for the new bridge.

So it was only about a mile and a half out and back on actual trail. We did get to walk on part of the new trail. It was a pleasant day, since the temperature dropped, but the ticks are out. 

Happy Mother's Day

42 miles done ~ 2238 miles to go. 

Road Connect. (4 miles)

I was already visiting in Merrill so I headed a short distance north to do a short section of road walk near the Underdown section. 

The colors of new leaves were intense - lime green, red, orange, olive. The fiddle heads were coming up and starting to unfurl. Birds were singing and I got to enjoy a view of a quiet lake. 

I wish all days could be so pleasant.

Stats for the trip: Extra miles to get to trail: 34.3

Costs: $2.84 for gas, $7.80 for lunch.

Gandy Dancer Trail

38 miles done ~ 2242 miles to go. 

Gandy Dancer State Trail. (9 miles)

The Gandy Dancer State Trail is an old railroad bed, thus it is fairly flat. Not much to see today; not even people. Just one loan figure in the distance ahead of me. 

Without the threat of dogs, I could jog a little more than last week on the country roads.

Near the end of the way out there were a couple of ponds where the spring peepers, chorus frogs and birds were all singing at once, quite a din

Maybe you can hear it too in this short video clip. 

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 143


Costs: $8.82 for gas

First Road Connection

29 miles done ~ 2251 miles to go. 

River Road to Gandy Dancer State Trail. (9 miles)

Today I had the intention to walk 5 minutes, jog 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes for the 9 miles. Easy peasy, right?

As I started my first jog, a golden retriever came running and barking out into the road, so I stopped jogging. Second try, I heard another dog barking behind me. I wonder if I need to carry walking sticks for protection?

As I turned onto 160th Avenue, I started counting all the empty bottles of Sutter Home wine. I was up to 35, someone is drinking in their car. Luckily they were the small bottles. Lots of other beer cans and vodka bottles along this stretch. I wonder how long it would take if I picked up all the trash along the way?

I walked most of the way, because I found out it was all up hill from the St. Croix River. There go the jogging plans out the window.

Three horse farms along 160th Avenue. Some looked better than others. And then I saw a bald eagle soaring overhead, but my calm was disrupted by two small yippy dogs running out after me. 

The Gandy Dancer trail was still snow covered so I'm glad I chose the road. Even though the road back was all down hill, I walked most of the way because my left hip started hurting. Boy do I feel old. I even pre-medicated.

Overall it was lovely to be out in the sun and 50 degree weather.

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 150

Costs: $9.25 for gas

After Blizzard Evelyn

20 miles done ~ 2260 miles to go. 

Viceroy Road to Lake Michigan. (2 miles)

I travelled to Sheboygan on Friday for the Ice Age Trail Annual Meeting, chased by a rain storm and blizzard.

So my friend Cheryl has been hosting me for the last three days. After being trapped for Saturday and Sunday, we decided to scout the roads. Some of the roads on my route home are still snow covered and slippery. So I had an unplanned day off, felt like I was playing hookie.

Since we were going out, we decided to break my rule from the last post-don't hike in snow. We grabbed two pairs of snowshoes and hiked a mile out and back.

We were feeling pretty good. We did find a frozen finch, which was very sad. It must have gotten confused in all of this snow and couldn't find food.

We took this selfie, but realized backing up in snowshoes does not work well. Thus the body print in the snow. We laughed very hard.

Our hike ended at a bench at Lake Michigan. The brown water, with the turquoise horizon and grey purple sky, set off the white snow. It was beautiful. We enjoyed a snack and were amazed at how we didn't feel cold. After the snack we looked over the edge of the dunes; the trail ended at an abrupt 6 foot dropoff to the beach below. Something will need to be done about this.

We headed back and we realized our snowshoes felt 20 pounds heavier than on the way out. And we realized we hadn't pre-medicated so we made sure to take some ibuprofen. We contemplated when a pleasant hike becomes a death march. Probably when the talking and laughing stops.




It was a beautiful winter hike. Oh, but if you note the date it is April 16th. When will spring arrive?

Happy Easter

18 miles done ~ 2262 miles to go. 

Riegel Park to Mindy Creek in St. Croix Falls. (6 miles)

Happy Easter! When I was a kid we would always go for a Good Friday hike, but now I have to work so that hike doesn't happen very often. And this year I didn't spend the weekend with the family, so I made it an Easter hike.

And the word of the day was snow. March left like a lion and dumped 3-4 inches of snow on northern Wisconsin yesterday. Some places it must have been 5-6 inches. This made for a more strenuous hike. I think I have decided not to hike in snow any more. The extra effort is not worth it.

It is beautiful, all of the whites and blues and browns with a flash of yellow. I tried to follow in someone else's footsteps, but they seemed to be running or really tall because it seemed I walked two steps for every one they did. Although I followed tracks the whole way, I never found the people who made them. It is peaceful being out in the woods all alone. Hearing birds every once in a while and the wind through the trees is often the only company along the Ice Age Trail.

Much of my travels was on trail that had been constructed after my last hike so it was brand new to me. I know I came out at least one day to help build one of the sections, but it looks very different in winter.

I had hoped to make it to Lions Park, however, walking the cross-slope in Mindy Creek area was like balancing on a tightrope. Every other step, I was almost slipping down the steep slope, so I decided to turn back. 

I left little messages along the way - a heart here, the word "HI" there and had to make a snow angel. I hope it makes someone smile. 

The way back seemed more difficult today. Felt like I was going uphill the whole way. And even my own stride changed and I wondered if I was running or very tall because I couldn't step in my same tracks going back; this made me laugh.

A lovely cold, winter-like day in spring, but I was worn out when I was done.

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 145
Costs: $8.73 for gas and $4.67 for breakfast

Second Day out

12 miles done ~ 2268 miles to go. 

Western Terminus to Riegel Park in St. Croix Falls. (7 miles)

I realized why the last time around we didn't hike in snow. It can be quite challenging going up and downhill in snowy conditions. My ice cleats might have come in handy.

I parked at the Ice Age Center in Interstate State Park and took the short hike to the terminus and back. I thought it wouldn't take me very long, seeing as it is less than a mile. However, from the get go it was pretty icy and poorly blazed. So even though I've hiked this section multiple times, I was a little wary. And they really mean it when they say trails are not maintained for winter. When I arrived at the parking area for the terminus trail I thought it would be a quick jaunt out and back. Not so, people walk wherever they want in the snow, so following tracks is not a good idea. Ended up at a dead end, so turned around and found the right path. 

I love the overlook of the St. Croix River and with the ice and snow it was beautiful. I decided to go back the same way and it was a little easier knowing where it was icy and where you had grip.

I directed a family to the overlook; I hope they followed the correct path. These were the only other people along the trail except for two sketchy teenagers building a fire in the shelter between the terminus and the center. 

When I got back an hour later, the interpretive center was open so I went in. Nice to use a bathroom and fill the water bottle.

Then I headed out again and followed the sign to the left, however I didn't see blazes for a while so was a little worried, but then I found an arrow. The road walk along Hwy 35 is not scenic, but there wasn't much ice or snow.

The Hospital Esker was quite scary going up and down the icy slopes twice. Yikes! But the view is wonderful. Another short road walk and the paths around the schools were pretty, but again well used and a bit slick. I really like the rocky section through Riegel Park. And the sun decided to come out for my walk back.

Last week I noticed that going back some of the trail looked different. In this case it was literally different. When I got back into Interstate Park, part of the way back was on a different trail. I think it had been detoured for skiing. 

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 145
Costs: $8.83 for gas and $7.50 for breakfast

First hike of my new adventure

5 miles done ~ 2275 miles to go. 

Cushing Memorial Park to Cty Road C in Lapham Peak Unit. 

My new challenge is to hike the Ice Age Trail again; I have done it once. In order to do it mostly on my own I will go out and come back the same way. Thus in the end I will have hiked the trail two more times.

Last time we hiked 11 miles a day, which was pretty hard on the body. It will take me longer, but I might hike shorter distances, unless I get lost along the way, which will most likely happen multiple times.

I have hiked Lapham Peak multiple times in the past; this bench under a large oak tree is one of my favorite spots. On the way back, I paused to eat part of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It was a very nice day so I encountered many people along the way. One thing I noticed was that when I passed a couple the women were usually hiking behind the men. I wonder if that is a protection thing? One couple stayed side by side.

The prairie is not very colorful this time of year, but the tall grasses and dried plants are interesting to look at. I also heard the bugle of some cranes in the distance.

This should be an interesting experiment retracing my steps because even on this short hike, as I returned the trail looked different and I would swear I hadn't come the same way on the trip out. But I also found myself not paying as much attention on the way back, so I will need to catch myself as I walk in the future.