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Only a short throw from a hub of activity at Hartman Creek State Park, the more secluded and scenic Emmons Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail is an often-overlooked hiking experience. The Emmons Creek Segment is easy and relatively short at 1.7 miles linear, but it can be combined with the hillier Faraway Valley Loop Trail to create a 3.5-mile loop.
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| Faraway Loop Trail at Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
The Emmons Creek State Fishery was the site of a WI Coldwater Research Station studying the spawning of brown trout. These studies helped determine the fishing season in Wisconsin. Emmons Creek feeds into the Chain O'Lakes at Long Lake. Trout from the lakes swim upstream in Emmons Creek to spawn from October through January. Hikers on the Emmons Creek Trail may observe the spawning run in mid to late October.
Most day and section hikers will be happy to find that the Emmons Creek Segment is a beautiful 3.5-mile loop trail when combined with the Faraway Valley Loop in the Emmons Creek Fishery. But, if those are not enough miles for you, then add on the 6.7-mile Hartman Creek Trail which is accessed from the same trailhead as Emmons Creek. Also, at the south end of the Emmons Creek mainline there is a white blazed lollipop to Murray Creek which can add an additional 2.5 miles.
Taking just the Emmons Creek and Faraway Loop will be an easy to moderate one hour hike. This hike can be accomplished by hikers of almost any fitness level. There are a few brief hills on the Faraway Loop. The trails are well defined and well-marked. The Faraway Loop is fluorescent green blazed, and of course the Ice Age Trail is yellow blazed.
I found the Emmons Creek Segment to be more scenic, rustic, diverse, and enjoyable than the adjacent Hartman Creek Segment. I would say that this segment is not one to miss and can be considered a destination trail in Central Wisconsin.
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| Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
Overview: Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Emmons Creek Segment
COUNTYPORTAGE COUNTY
COMMUNITIES
WAUPACA
TOTAL MILES
1.7-MILE POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
940 AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1080 AMSL
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
400 FT
TOTAL ELEVATION LOST
-360 FT
POINTS OF INTEREST
Emmons Creek, Emmons Creek State Fishery Area, Faraway Loop Trail, Murray Creek Lollipop Trail
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
DEERFIELD SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
HARTMAN CREEK SEGMENT
Directions and Trail Map
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPKING QUADRANGLE
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: 9588 Stratton Lake Rd Waupaca, WI 54981
| coordinates: 44.301264, -89.242947 |
| From Milwaukee | 2 Hours |
| From Madison | 2 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 1.5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 1 Hour |
| From Minneapolis | 3.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3.5 Hours |
Photos
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Emmons Creek Segment |
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| Faraway Loop Trail at Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
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| Faraway Loop Trail at Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
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| Faraway Loop Trail at Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
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| Faraway Loop Trail at Emmons Creek State Fishery Area |
Links
Ice Age National Trail AllianceIce Age National Trail - National Parks Service
Emmons Creek State Fishery
Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area
Hartman Creek State Park