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.