The Alta Junction Segment of the Ice Age Trail is a 1.2-mile easy footpath that connects the Underdown Segment via a short connecting road route and directly to the Harrison Hills Segment. The trail runs through the Prairie River State Fishery Area, and three small parking lots serve the trail and the fishery area.
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| Hiking along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Alta Junction Segment |
Short in mileage the Alta Junction Segment is not short in history. The trail runs along a former railroad grade in a straight line between County Highway J and Alta Springs Road. The railroad had been part of the famed Milwaukee Road and there was a junction here with another east-west running timber railroad.
Another historic site on the trail is Alta Springs, named after the Alta Springs Bottling Company. This company bottled and sold the spring water abundant in the headwaters of the North Branch of the Prairie River.
The trail itself is easy to walk. It's a straight shot without obstacles and notable scenery, so I won't dwell on the sights and sounds of this trail. It's an essential connector with a bit of heritage and history to its name.
Those hiking on the Underdown or Harrison Hills Segments may start their hikes at the parking lots here, as there are no other places to park on this end of either of those adjacent segments. Camping, restrooms, and water can be found nearby at the Underdown Recreation area.
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| Part of this segment is along a highway heading towards the Underdown Segment |
Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Alta Junction Segment
COUNTY
LINCOLN
COMMUNITIES
GLEESON, ALTA JUNCTION
TOTAL MILES
3.5-MILES POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
VERY EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
1445AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1470 AMSL
CUMMULATIVE TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
100 FT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
IAT HARRISON HILLS SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
IAT UNDERDOWN SEGMENT
Directions and Trail 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: (Nearest Address - use coordinates instead) N6250 County Rd J, Gleason, WI 54435
| coordinates: 45.340835859936085, -89.5489516834856 |
| From Milwaukee | 3.25 Hours |
| From Madison | 2.5 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 2 Hours |
| From Wausau | 1/2 Hour |
| From Minneapolis | 3 Hours |
| From Chicago | 4.5 Hours |
Photos
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| Alta Junction Trailhead |
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| Hiking along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Alta Junction Segment |
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| Hiking along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Alta Junction Segment |
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| Hiking along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Alta Junction Segment |
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| Trailhead for the Alta Junction Segment |
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| Parking at north end of the trail by Alta Springs |
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| Parking spot near Alta Springs |
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| Parking lot at mid-trail trailhead. Room for 2 cars max. |