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The southernmost Ice Age Trail Segment in Waushara County is the Chaffee Creek segment, a moderately difficult 2.5-mile footpath. The trail route begins between rows of corn on Czech Avenue. There is not a place to park at this trailhead, A parking lot for the Wedde Creek Segment is 3/4 of a mile down Czech road. The Chaffee Creek Segment continues over a variety of terrain and ducks under Interstate 39 before finishing at a highway wayside.
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This scraggly section of the IAT is not well-traveled. Though the volunteers do a good job of keeping the footpath clear of encroaching vegetation. The forest here isn't that pretty, but in 50 years it might be a breezy shaded oak savanna. In fact, it is an oak savanna now, just a very young one. The vegetation is lush, with trees and grasses twisting and knotting around themselves. At times the ground beneath the path can be so dense with roots and grasses as to feel springy like a trampoline.
What will be memorable about this segment for long-distance hikers is that this is the segment that crosses Interstate 39. Hikers first encounter Chaffee Creek as they approach the Interstate. The first bridge that you pass under is a typical concrete bridge. There is a muddy embankment next to Chaffee Creek which is wide enough to cross over to the median area without getting your feet wet. The trail cuts around through a forested section of the median before leading back down to the creek where there is a crossing through a large metal culvert. Inside the culvert is a raised concrete sidewalk. During heavy rains, of course, it might not be possible to cross under either of these bridges.
After crossing the interstate, it is less than a 1/4 mile to reach the wayside/rest stop. There are vending machines, flush restrooms, and running water at the wayside. Another point to mention is that the bridges under the interstate at Chaffee Creek also signify the county line where hikers will be leaving Waushara County and entering Marquette County.
Overview: Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment
COUNTYWAUSHARA COUNTY, MARQUETTE
COMMUNITIES
COLOMA, WESTFIELD
TOTAL MILES
2.5-MILE POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
920 AMSL CHAFFEE CREEK
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1033 AMSL
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
467 FT
TOTAL ELEVATION LOST
-494 FT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
JOHN MUIR SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
WEDDE CREEK SEGMENT
POINTS OF INTEREST
Chaffee Creek State Fishery Area, Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area
Directions and Trail Map
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPWESTFIELD EAST QUADRANGLE
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: W12136 Czech Ave, Coloma, WI 54930
| coordinates: 43.996640, -89.484155 |
| From Milwaukee | 2 Hours |
| From Madison | 1 Hour |
| From Green Bay | 2 Hours |
| From Wausau | 1 Hour |
| From Minneapolis | 3.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3.5 Hours |
Photos
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| Ice Age Trail Chaffee Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Chaffee Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Chaffee Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Chaffee Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Chaffee Creek Segment |
Links
Ice Age National Trail Alliance
Ice Age National Trail - National Parks Service
Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area