Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
donatedprivate landforright-of-way,Potawatomi State ParkinDoorCountywillbe
linked with Interstate State Park on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway via one
continuous footpath.
THE ICE AGE SCIENTIFIC RESERVE
Technically, the trail is but a segment of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, es-
tablished by congressional fiat in 1971 after decades of wrangling by forward-think-
ing ecologist Ray Zillmer of Milwaukee.
The reserve's nine units are scattered along the advance of the glacial periods and
highlighttheirmostsalientresiduals.Numerousotherstateandcountyparks,equally
impressive geologically, fill in the gaps. Kames, eskers, drumlins, moraines, kettles,
and all the glacial effects are highlighted in the units on the east side of the state. An
interpretive center is planned for Cross Plains, Wisconsin, west of Madison.
THE TRAIL
As of 2013, around 720 miles of
official
trails had been established either by the Na-
tional Park Service, county chapters, or state parks; the rest are link-up trails, roads,
orevenMainStreetUSA's.ThelongestestablishedstretchescomeintheChequame-
gon and Nicolet National Forests, along the Sugar River Trail in southwest Wiscon-
sin, through the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and along the Ahnapee State Trail in
the Door Peninsula. Hiking the whole thing is possible, though it takes about three
months and oodles of patience attempting to circumvent cityscapes where segments
have not yet opened.
Camping is a problem along the route if you're outside an established park or
forest. Do not trespass or private landowners may stop any progress.
INFORMATION
View the National Park Service's website (
nps.gov/iatr
) or contact the Ice Age Na-
tional Scenic Trail (608/441-5610,
www.iceagetrail.org
) in Madison.
