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When you think of backpacking, Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trail may come to mind. Epic trails, a deep walk in the woods, everything you need for several days strapped to your back. But Wisconsin also has its National Scenic Trails, right outside our backdoors, and they are no less beautiful and inspiring.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT) lies fully within Wisconsin, following a circuitous 1,200-mile course from Sturgeon Bay to St. Croix Falls, skirting the edges and geological formations left behind after the Wisconsin Glacial Episode of the Ice Age, more than 11,000 years ago. A rustic footpath, built primarily by volunteers, totals 600-plus miles and combines with 500 more of on-road connections. Throughout its length are marked dispersed camping areas as well as some bordering public parks with campgrounds, giving you the opportunity to test your backpacking skills a short distance from home.
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The Northern and Southern Units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest offer 30-plus-mile sections of the IAT only broken by road crossings, making them ideal for 2-4 day treks for backpackers. Taylor County’s 42-mile section includes a long continuous section through Chequamegon National Forest just west of Medford. A 22-mile section near Chippewa Moraine passes along the shores of more than a dozen lakes. Other sections may require a mile or three down country lanes to the next bit of wilderness. The Ice Age Trail Alliance has a running list of more than 400 “Thousand-Milers” who have completed the challenge either in one thru-hike or in sections.
Then there’s the Badger State’s 220-mile share of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail, which crosses from the UP to Minnesota. A 95-mile trail-only segment traverses Chequamegon National Forest, another cross Copper Falls State Park.
On either trail you can get your long trek in and find a place to pitch your tent at the end of the day.
The websites for both trails offer planning tools, and the IAT has a book and atlas for sale. See iceagetrail.org and northcountrytrail.org.
