View source for Ice Age Trail

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{short description|Long-distance hiking trail in the United States}}
{{about|the trail in Wisconsin|the trail of the same name in Germany|Tiefwarensee Ice Age Trail}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
|name         = Ice Age National Scenic Trail
|photo        = IATWoodLake.jpg
|caption      = The Ice Age Trail's Wood Lake segment in [[Taylor County, Wisconsin|Taylor County]]
|location     = [[Wisconsin]], United States
|designation  = [[National Scenic Trail]]
|length       = {{convert|675|mi|km}} completed<br>{{convert|1200|mi|km}} planned
|trailheads   = [[Potawatomi State Park]], [[Door County, Wisconsin]]<br>[[Interstate State Park]] near [[St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin]]
|use          = [[Hiking]], [[Snowshoeing]]
|highest_name = Lookout Mountain, [[Lincoln County, Wisconsin|Lincoln County]]
|highest_ft   = 1920
|lowest_name  = Lakeshore of [[Lake Michigan]]
|lowest_ft    = 580
|difficulty   = Easy to moderate, varies by location
|months       = Year-round, subject to weather conditions
|sights       = [[Glacier|Glacial landforms]]
|website      = [http://www.iceagetrail.org/ Ice Age Trail Alliance]<br>[https://www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm NPS site]
|map=File:USNPS Ice-Age-Trail 6d05am.jpg}}

The '''Ice Age Trail''' is a [[National Scenic Trail]] stretching {{convert|1200|mi|km}} in the state of [[Wisconsin]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/iatr/faqs.htm|title=Frequently Asked Questions - Ice Age National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="TrailTrials" /> The trail is administered by the [[National Park Service]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://home.nps.gov/iatr/learn/management/index.htm|title=Management - Ice Age National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> and is constructed and maintained by private and public agencies including the Ice Age Trail Alliance, a non-profit and member-volunteer based organization with local chapters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/iatr/getinvolved/partners.htm|title=Partners - Ice Age National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> It became an [[List of the United States National Park System official units|official unit of the National Park System]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Marnie |date=2023-12-08 |title=These three US long-distance trails are now national parks |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/new-national-scenic-trails-united-states/index.html |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

==Route==
The trail roughly follows the location of the [[terminal moraine]] from the [[Last glacial period#Wisconsin glaciation, in North America|last Ice Age]].  As the route traverses the moraine, it sometimes meanders into areas west of the moraine, including the [[Driftless Area]] in southwestern Wisconsin. The trail passes through 30 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, from the northwestern part of the state to the [[Lake Michigan]] shoreline in the east.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iceagetrail.org/volunteerchapterslink |title=Ice Age Trail Alliance Chapters |access-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701181029/http://www.iceagetrail.org/volunteerchapterslink |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The western end of the trail is at [[Interstate State Park]] along the [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin–Minnesota)|St. Croix River]], which is the border between northwestern Wisconsin and eastern [[Minnesota]]. The eastern terminus of the Ice Age Trail lies at [[Potawatomi State Park]], on Wisconsin's [[Door Peninsula]] near the city of [[Sturgeon Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ice Age National Scenic Trail Hiker Resource Map|url=https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5ff8f517b1e34d46bb70ed21b36286c6&extent=-9756426.7694%2C5575651.9737%2C-9707507.0713%2C5605959.2554%2C102100|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.arcgis.com}}</ref>

Along its route, the trail crosses numerous city and county parks, [[Wisconsin state parks|state parks]] and [[List of Wisconsin state forests|forests]], state wildlife and natural areas, and the [[Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest]]. The trail often coincides with other trails within various county and municipal parks. It passes through the land of various owners, including the [[Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]], the Ice Age Trail Alliance, and hundreds of private citizens.<ref name="Ice Age Trail Alliance FAQ"/>

As of 2014, the trail was {{convert|1197.7|mi|km}} long.  At one point, the trail separates into two just north of [[Devil's Lake State Park (Wisconsin)|Devil's Lake State Park]]. The western portion of trail, {{convert|92|mi|km}} in length, is referred to as the Western Bifurcation. The Western Bifurcation consists mostly of proposed trail sections (though several miles of established trail do exist). The Western Bifurcation is rejoined by its 75-mile eastern counterpart near the town of [[Coloma, Wisconsin|Coloma]]. Though the eastern portion of the trail is more readily developed than its western counterpart, both are officially recognized portions of the Ice Age Trail.  As of 2008, the trail consisted of {{convert|467|mi|km}} of traditional hiking paths, {{convert|103.2|mi|km}} of multi-use trails, and {{convert|529.3|mi|km}} of connecting roads and sidewalks.<ref name="Ice Age Trail Alliance FAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.iceagetrail.org/frequently-asked-questions|title=About the Ice Age Trail|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> As of October 2020, {{convert|675|mi|km}} is completed with over {{convert|400|mi|km}} connected by connecting routes (usually roads).<ref name="TrailTrials" />

The Ice Age Trail has one of a few [[National Trails System#National Connecting and Side Trails|National Side Trails]], the Timms Hill National Trail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timmshilltrail.com/|title=Timm's Hill National Trail|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> National Side Trails are national trails established by the [[National Trails System Act]]. The ten-mile Timms Hill Trail connects the Ice Age Trail with [[Timms Hill]], Wisconsin's highest point, which is located in [[Price County, Wisconsin|Price County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usparks.about.com/library/weekly/aa060599.htm|title=National & State Parks - By Category|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405102111/http://usparks.about.com/library/weekly/aa060599.htm|archive-date=April 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
The Ice Age Trail began as conservationist [[Ray Zillmer]]'s idea for having an "Ice Age National Park" of {{convert|500|mi}}, starting at [[St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin|St. Croix Falls]], going south through Madison, northeast through the [[Kettle Moraine State Forest|Kettle Moraine areas]], and finally ending near [[Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin|Sturgeon Bay]].<ref name="TrailTrials" /> The park would travel through the terminal moraine of the most recent glacier to push through Wisconsin about 10,000 years ago.<ref name="TrailTrials" /> He envisioned that the park would protect features like [[kame]]s, [[drumlin]]s, and [[kettle moraine]]s.<ref name="TrailTrials" />

In 1958, Zillmer founded the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation (now the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA)).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iceagetrail.org/history|title=History - Ice Age Trail |access-date=2016-12-22 |work=Ice Age Trail Alliance }}</ref>

In a 1959 interview in Wisconsin Alumnus magazine, Zillmer emphasized the importance of prioritizing the project: "This land must be purchased soon, before the population explosion following the opening of the St. Lawrence waterways affects Wisconsin, before the hills are pre-empted by private homes and the land becomes too expensive."<ref name="TrailTrials" />

In December 1960, Zillmer died. The National Park Service decided a few months later, in 1961, that a long park was not feasible.<ref name="TrailTrials" />

In 1964, Wisconsin congressman [[Henry S. Reuss]] resurrected the idea, by sponsoring the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve bill, which was passed and signed. It established nine units that he hoped would be connected by a trail (six were utilized).<ref name="TrailTrials" />

In 1968, Wisconsin U.S. Senator [[Gaylord Nelson]] co-sponsored the National Trails System Act, which established the [[Appalachian Trail]] and [[Pacific Crest Trail]].<ref name="TrailTrials" />

During the summer of 1974, Reuss’ Legislative Assistant, James H. Rathlesberger, led a team of three Reuss staff routing the trail across Wisconsin.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

In 1980, the trail was finally established by an Act of Congress, in large part due to the efforts of Reuss, who a few years before had authored the book ''On the Trail of the Ice Age'' (1976).<ref name="TrailTrials" />

The previous year, during the summer of 1979, the first person to backpack the entire length of the Ice Age Trail, which had not yet been formally established, was 20-year-old James J. Staudacher of [[Shorewood, Wisconsin]].<ref name="TrailTrials">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Chelsey |title=Trail Trials |work=[[Post-Crescent]] |date=2020-10-25 |pages=10C, 16C}}</ref> He started at [[Potawatomi State Park]] in May 1979.<ref name="TrailTrials" /> Staudacher received maps with the proposed route and supply packages from Reuss and completed the walk at St. Croix Falls in August.<ref name="TrailTrials" /> Portions of the trail used existing trails in the northern unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest.<ref name="TrailTrials" />

In 2023, the National Park Service recognized the trail as a unit of the National Park Service. Two other national scenic trails also became the country’s newest units of the National Park Service.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Three national scenic trails designated as units of the National Park System |url=https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/three-national-scenic-trails-designated-as-units-of-the-national-park-system.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207233158/https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/three-national-scenic-trails-designated-as-units-of-the-national-park-system.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2023-12-07 |access-date=2023-12-07 |publisher=U.S. National Park Service, Office of Communications |language=en-US |date=2023-12-07 }}</ref>

==Use==
The trail is open primarily to hiking, although other activities are allowed where the trail follows other existing routes. A 2019 survey gave an estimated annual usage of 2.3 million people for the trail.<ref name="TrailTrials" />

The trail is divided into just over one hundred segments. These segments range in length from about {{convert|1|to|16|mi|0}}. Although segmented, the transition between segments is often simply crossing a road running through the woods, where a sign welcomes you to the next segment.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

The trail offers numerous options for longer-distance treks, with camping facilities, including shelters, available in both units of the [[Kettle Moraine State Forest]]. More recently, the Trail Alliance has developed several "dispersed camping areas" (DCAs), spaced to encourage more overnight backpacking treks. As of January 2023, 22 DCAs have been developed.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

On the northwestern third of the trail, tent camping is allowed in some areas (particularly in Lincoln and Langlade Counties), provided tents are placed at least {{convert|200|ft}} from the trail.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

As of 2020, 19 local IATA chapters are working to try to turn connecting routes into permanent segments.<ref name="TrailTrials" /> The chapters' biggest obstacle has been acquiring land from private owners and permanently protecting it.<ref name="TrailTrials" /> Several trail chapters offer awards for completing hikes of all segments within their jurisdiction, and the Alliance also has a "[[geocaching|cold cache]]" program to encourage hikers to seek out glacial features along the trail using [[GPS receiver]]s.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

One study of trail users found that those who stay overnight are more likely to camp than use other forms of lodging.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/FERC-Use-Study-IATA_IANST-2020.pdf |title=An Analysis of Ice Age Trail Users |first1=Russell |last1=Kashian |first2=Dr. Matthew |last2=Winden |work=Fiscal and Economic Research Center University of Wisconsin-Whitewater |date=2020 }}</ref>

==Sights along the trail==
Primary attractions include topography left by [[Last glacial period#Wisconsin glaciation, in North America|glaciation]] in the [[Last glacial period|Last Ice Age]]. Glacial features along the trail include [[kettle (landform)|kettles]] (usually as a kettle lake), [[Giant's kettle|potholes]], [[esker]]s, [[kame]]s, and [[glacial erratic]]s. Many of the best examples of glacial features in Wisconsin are exhibited in units of the [[Ice Age National Scientific Reserve]], most of which lie along the trail.

Numerous species of mammals can be seen along the trail, including [[red fox]], [[American red squirrel]], [[white-tailed deer]], [[North American Porcupine|porcupine]], [[American black bear|black bear]] and [[grey wolf]]. Birds seen along the southern part of the trail include the [[Acadian flycatcher]], [[Henslow's sparrow]], [[red-headed woodpecker]] or [[hooded warbler]]. In contrast, further north [[white-throated sparrow]]s, [[ruffed grouse]] and [[bald eagle]]s become more common.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:IATMonches.JPG|A creek along the Monches segment in [[Waukesha County, Wisconsin|Waukesha County]]
File:YellowBlaze.JPG|Yellow blazes mark the path of the trail
File:IATPorcupine.jpg|A porcupine in Lincoln County's New Wood State Wildlife Area
File:Western Terminus of the Ice Age Trail (St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin).jpg|Western terminus of the trail at [[Interstate State Park]] in St. Croix Falls
File:Ice Age National Scenic Trail Eastern Terminus.jpg|Eastern terminus of the trail at [[Potawatomi State Park]] along Wisconsin's [[Door Peninsula]]
File:Ice Age Trail Sign.jpg|Sign at the Table Bluff segment near [[Cross Plains, Wisconsin|Cross Plains]]
File:KettlebowlSkiArea1.jpg|The [[Kettlebowl]] Ski Area near [[Bryant, Wisconsin|Bryant]] lies along the trail
File:IAT New Wood.JPG|Northern landscape in [[Lincoln County, Wisconsin|Lincoln County's]] New Wood State Wildlife Area
File:Ice Age Trail at Portage Canal.jpg|Crossing the [[Portage Canal]]
File:Ice Age Trail bog Taylor County WI.JPG|Crossing a bog in the [[Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest|Chequamegon National Forest]] in [[Taylor County, Wisconsin|Taylor County]]
File:Ice Age Trail Picnic Lake.jpg|October view of Picnic Lake west of [[Cornell, Wisconsin|Cornell]]
File:Ice Age Trail Holy Hill Segment August 2023 01.jpg|Holy Hill Segment during summer
File:Ice Age Trail Holy Hill Segment October 2024 05.jpg|Holy Hill Segment during fall
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[wikibooks:Geological Features of Wisconsin|''Geological Features of Wisconsin'']]
*[[List of hiking trails in Wisconsin]]
*[[Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin]], ''Geology of Wisconsin'' (1877)
*[[Ahnapee State Trail]], which coincides with the Ice Age Trail in the north

;Stages
*[[Quaternary glaciation]]
*[[Illinoian (stage)|Illinoian Stage]]
*[[Laurentide Ice Sheet]]
*[[Pleistocene]]
*[[Last glacial period]]
*[[Driftless Area]]
;Components
*[[Interglacial]] (longer warm period during ice age, such as today)
*[[Interstadial]] (brief warm period during ice age, weaker than interglacial)
*[[Stadial]] (brief cooler period during interglacial, such as [[Older Dryas]], [[Younger Dryas]], [[Little Ice Age]])
* [[Little ice age]]
* [[Post-glacial rebound]]
* [[Timeline of glaciation]]
*[[Canadian Shield]]
*[[Glacial history of Minnesota]]
*[[Lake Agassiz]]
*[[Wisconsin glaciation]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Ice Age Trail Alliance. ''Ice Age Trail Atlas''.
* Ice Age Trail Alliance. ''Ice Age Trail Companion Guide 2011''.
*Mittlefehldt, Sarah. [http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/wmh&CISOPTR=43567&CISOSHOW=43510&REC=2 "The origins of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail: Ray Zillner's path to protect the past,"] ''Wisconsin Magazine of History'', vol. 90, no. 3 (Spring 2007)
*Reuss, Henry S., Tanner, Gilbert, Dinsmore, Philip, Hellman, Robert, with The Milwaukee Public Museum, On the Trail of the Ice Age: a hiker’s and biker’s guide to Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and Trail (January 1976)
*{{cite book |last=Reuss |first=Henry S. |title=On the trail of the Ice Age : a guide to Wisconsin's Ice Age National Reserve and Trail for hikers, bikers, and motorists |year=1990 |publisher=Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation |location=[[Sheboygan, Wisconsin]] |isbn=0-9627079-0-2|lccn=90082717 }}<!-- LOC said 1990, Wikipedia previously said 1976 -->
* {{cite book |last1=Smith|first1=Bart|title=Along Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail |date=2008 |publisher=The University of Wisconsin Press |isbn=978-0-299-22664-0 |pages=104 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ice Age Trail}}
*[http://www.iceagetrail.org/ Ice Age Trail Alliance website]
*[https://www.nps.gov/iatr/ Ice Age National Scenic Trail, National Park Service website]
*[http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/iceagetrail/ Wisconsin DNR]
*[http://www.trailjournals.com/journals/Ice_Age_Trail Hiking Journals and Photos from the Ice Age Trail]
*[http://video.wpt.org/video/1855452283/ Ice Age Trail Design] Video produced by [[Wisconsin Public Television]]

{{Navboxes
| title = Articles Relating to Ice Age Trail
| list =
{{TrailSystem}}
{{Wisconsin hiking trails}}
{{Protected areas of Wisconsin}}
{{Continental Glaciations}}
}}
{{Subject bar |portal1= Environment |portal2= Ecology |portal3=Contents/Health and fitness }}

{{coord|43|26|01.8|N|89|43|20.9|W|type:landmark_region:US-WI|display=title}}

[[Category:1980 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Long-distance trails in the United States]]
[[Category:National Scenic Trails of the United States]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1980]]
[[Category:National Park Service areas in Wisconsin]]