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| Observation Tower on the Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |
Views from Lapham Peak observation tower reveal many features familiar to hikers on the Ice Age Trail. You'll be able to see Whitewater Lake, Lowe Lake, Pike Lake, and Holy Hill. Also, in the distance you can view of the rising skyline of Milwaukee.
Lapham Peak is historically significant, as I learned on this hike. It is the site of the first published national weather forecast - recorded by Allen Lapham on November 8th 1870 - calling for "High winds and falling temperatures for Chicago, Detroit and Eastern cities." It was Allen Lapham who wrote the original proposal for the establishment of a national weather service which was adopted by congress in 1870.
I've taken a college level meteorology class, and am in awe of the youth of forecasting. The science of forecasting wasn't really developed in earnest until World War II when it was critical for establishing the time for the D-Day invasion. Forecasting remains a Wisconsin innovation to this day - with the University of Wisconsin being the control center for the GOES satellites which provides satellite modeling we take for granted in this modern era.
The hike up to Lapham peak is an athletic climb. The wide IAT trail meanders through long switch backs up the northern face in what ultimately results as a level 5 mountaineering rated climb. If you're not up for a climb, you can drive to the top as well. A 24 hour water station and restrooms are available near the observation tower.
On the southeastern side of the peak the trail becomes more interesting as a single track through thick vegetation. It lands at a long walk through meadows alongside Scuppernong creek. And eventually, this trial joins the Glacier Drumlin state trail - a paved bike trail.
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| Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |
Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Lapham Peak Segment
COUNTYWAUKESHA COUNTY
COMMUNITIES
DELAFIELD
TOTAL MILES
8.4-MILE POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
MODERATE
LOWEST ELEVATION
902 AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1230 AMSL
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
920 FT
TOTAL ELEVATION LOST
-880 FT
CAMPING
Hikers Campsite - area for multiple hikers - register at Park Office
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
DELAFIELD SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
WATERVILLE SEGMENT
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner.
Address for your GPS: N295 County Rd C Delafield, WI 53018
| coordinates: 43.040589, -88.403432 |
| From Milwaukee | .5 Hours |
| From Madison | 1 Hour |
| From Green Bay | 2.5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 2.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 4.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 2 Hours |
Photos
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| Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |
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| Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |
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| Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |
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| Glacier Drumlin Bike Trail and Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak Segment near Delafield WI |