The Mishicot and East Twin River Segments of the Ice Age Trail can be paired together. Both are short in distance and are only separated by a seventh of a mile on an easy, low-traffic road connection. The Mishicot Segment is 2.9 miles long, and the East Twin River Segment is 1.4. Both are easy to hike and without significant hills.
Mishicot is a trail town, and most of the trail here runs along sidewalks and city park trails. Hikers can find other services such as restaurants, laundry, groceries, parking, and access to city park features, including picnic shelters, restrooms, and potable water.
The scenic highlights for both segments are views of the East Twin River. The East Twin River segment is especially scenic with its dense cedar-lined shores. A dispersed campsite is located on the river nestled into this outstanding forest.
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| Covered bridge on the Ice Age Trail Mishicot Segment |
Hiking the Ice Age Trail has brought me to many corners of the State and small towns that I would have otherwise been unlikely to visit. Count Mishicot as one of those. I’m not sure I would call this quaint rural town charming, but I was surprised by the beauty of the East Twin River.
I parked in the high school parking lot at the East end of this pair of easy trail segments. From that spot, I found my way to Mischicot Village Park, which is a darling little park on the banks of the river. I could imagine watching 4th of July fireworks from the steep hill in village park with its view of the meandering river beyond the baseball diamonds – it would be true Americana.
A fishing tournament was underway, and fishermen in waders fanned out below the dam. Framing the view above the dam is a solid covered bridge. The route of the Ice Age Trail uses the covered bridge to cross the river a second time before sending you uphill towards the village water tower. A water tower tends to be the signature landmark of most midwestern towns. In this case, you can use it to navigate towards. Its shadow seems to always point in the direction of the trail. At the water tower, you will cross Randolph Street (County V) and head down Oak and Pit roads to pick up a bendy section of footpath through the woods.
The Mishicot segment closes out on Princl Road after cutting along the edge of cornfields. Head North on Princl, take a right on Rockledge, and head downhill. Just after crossing over the East Twin River again, you’ll find the trailhead for the East Twin River Segment.
The East Twin River Segment is barely longer than a mile, but it is a true delight in this part of the state. The forest cover of mixed pine and hardwood along the East Twin River is an outstanding sample of forests more commonly found much farther up-north.
If you need to camp overnight, there is an excellent dispersed camping area here with direct access to the river. The only downside is that there are no campfires allowed. But, for multi-day hikers crushing miles, this will be a welcome place to rest and relax.
Just as you’re getting into the wilderness feel of this trail … it ends at a parking lot on Hillview Road. You can then see it all in reverse, complete an easy 10-mile out-and-back before noon, and enjoy a slice at the local pizzeria.
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| Along the East Twin River Segment |
Ice Age Trail Mishicot Segment and East Twin River Segment
COUNTY
MANITOWOC
COMMUNITIES
MISHICOT
TOTAL MILES
5-MILES POINT-TO-POINT (COMBINED)
DIFFICULTY
EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
590AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
660 AMSL
TOTAL CUMMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN
200 FT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
IAT TISCH MILLS SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
IAT POINT BEACH 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: Hillview Rd, Mishicot, WI 54228
| coordinates: 44.27686245543078, -87.66619421196754 |
| From Milwaukee | 1.5 Hours |
| From Madison | 2.5 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 1/2 Hour |
| From Wausau | 2 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3 Hours |
Photos
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| The dame and covered bridge from Village Park on the Mishicot Segment |
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| Follow the yellow blazes on the street sign posts to stay on the Ice Age Trail, or just walk up to the foot of the water tower. |
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| Footbridge over the East Twin River |
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| The East Twin River from the East Twin River Segment of the Ice Age Trail |
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| Dispersed camping area on the East Twin River Segment |
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| The blue trail is a short side trail leading to the Dispersed Camping Area |
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| An impressive stand of cedars on the East Twin River Segment |
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| The parking lot at the North end of the East Twin River Segment |