The Milwaukee River Segment of the Ice Age Trail is split into two portions: The Washington County Segment and the Fond du Lac County Segment. This post reviews the Washington County portion which runs for 6.8-miles between the Kewaskum Segment and the Fond du Lac County line near New Fane. This segment is a blend of open prairie and shaded woodlands. Finding your way is easy on the well worn single track footpath that courses up and down hilly terrain, making this segment a moderate hike overall.
There are large parking lots at CTY-H, Highway 28, East Kettle Moraine Drive, and the New Fane Trails on County Line Road. You'll find restrooms and a water pump at the New Fane trails lot. A water pump is also located along the trail near the CTY-H lot. Just up the hill from there, distance hikers will find Backpacking Shelter #1 which also has a privy, fire pit, picnic table, and camping area.
The Washington County Milwaukee River Segment connects directly to the Kewaskum Segment at the Eisenbahn State Trail and also directly to the Fond du Lac County Milwaukee River Segment on Kettle Moraine Drive in New Fane.
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| Shelter 1 on the Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
Well, it was another great sunny, green, and warm summer weekend for hiking. I worked up quite a sweat hiking on this trail as it rolled up and down over hills. Though, it is not as hilly as it could have been as it stayed up on top of a snaking ridgeline most of the way.
I had hoped for a bit more scenery on this trail. Being named for the Milwaukee River, I had imagined it might wind alongside the river, but that wasn't the case. My only encounter with the river is when I nearly died crossing the bridge on Highway H. This bridge is the most dangerous bridge for pedestrians on the entirety of the Ice Age Trail. Do not cross it!
There is too much traffic that is moving too quickly and there is no shoulder whatsoever on the bridge. I was lucky with my first outbound crossing and managed to time it so that I could run between traffic. But, on the return trip, when I attempted to find a similar break, I was caught midway with two trucks on the bridge at the same time. I nearly jumped into the river. There is a parking lot for the trail on both sides of the bridge. So, if you want to hike the section between Kewaskum and CTY-H I suggest moving your car down to the lot there or skipping it. Of course, you are going to think I'm exaggerating the dangers of this bridge as you are reading this. I am not, and you'll find out if you test it.
The uncrossable bridge situation is a bummer, as the section between County H and the Kewaskum Segment is the best part of the Milwaukee River Segment. The trail coursed over gentle contours through gorgeous meadows and down into surprising forested glens. There's even a bit a view of the Milwaukee River in the distance.
The rest of the trail cuts a line through woodlands typical of the eastern part of the state; young oaks and maples.
There is a nice shelter that can handle a large troop of backpackers, and I've reserved it for a backpacking trip next year. It is, sadly, poorly located, too close to a loud highway, and too close to the end of a trail. If you are shuttle hiking this segment, you might as well get in your cars and drive home rather than stay the night in the shelter. But, for beginning backpacking, It can still be nice to experience shelter camping. Come to think of it, you could even stash a cooler packed with steaks and beers at the parking lot just below the shelter so that when you arrive you are ready for a feast.
If you are heading northbound from County H, Shelter #2 on the Fon du Lac portion of this trail is a few miles north of New Fane near Mauthie Lake State Recreational Area. Mauthie Lake also has campsites for distance hikers.
For the Eastern region of the Ice Age Trail, the Milwaukee River Segment is a nice trail course that isn't interrupted often by road crossings. At times, it can even be quiet and peaceful as you walk. Though, just as your mind may begin to wander, a pack of motorcycles will roar past on the nearest highway, reminding you that you are never too far from civilization when hiking in the Northern Kettle Moraine.
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment
COUNTYWASHINGTON, FOND DU LAC
COMMUNITIES
KEWASKUM, NEW FANE
TOTAL MILES
6.8-MILE POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
MODERATE
LOWEST ELEVATION
928 AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1126 AMSL
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
998 FT
TOTAL ELEVATION LOST
932 FT
CAMPING
Shelter #1
NEXT IAT SEGMENT HEADING EASTBOUND
IAT PARNELL SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT HEADING WESTBOUND
IAT KEWASKUM SEGMENT
Directions and Trail Map
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPKEWASKUM QUADRANGLE 2018
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
WEST BEND QUADRANGLE 2015
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: 3084 County H, Kewaskum, WI 53040
| coordinates: 43.498716, -88.193128 |
| From Milwaukee | 40 Minutes |
| From Madison | 1.5 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 2 Hours |
| From Wausau | 2.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 2.5 Hours |
Photos
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Underpass to Kewaskum Segment |
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| Eisenbaum State Trail |
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| The most dangerous bridge crossing on the Ice Age Trail - Avoid if possible |
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| Ice Age Trail Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Water pump near shelter #1 |
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| Shelter #1 on the Milwaukee River Segment |
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| Trail diverting to Shelter #1 |
Links
Northern Kettle Moraine State ForestIce Age National Trail Alliance
Ice Age National Trail - National Parks Service