09/24/06

IAT Thru Hike

John Bauer and Bill Rhodes - 2006 Ice Age Trail Thru Hike Journal

2006-07-24 / Monday

Log Entries For Day 32 Thru Day 45 - Skunk/Foster Lakes Area To Wood Lake, Taylor County

(Photographs Are At End Of Log Entry - Scroll Down)

Hi Friends of the IAT, 

Day 32-36 - I left the Krogwold residence early in the morning and headed out on a long road walk.  It was a rough day.  I wanted to get to trail so bad that I pushed myself extremely hard.  I made it to Mission Lake County Park and a little beyond.  Over 30 miles.  I was in a tough spot and camped from 10-3:30 am.  I woke up quickly and began hiking at least an hour before sunrise.  I was pushing for the Ringlet Segment.  By the time I arrived I was so tired from pushing myself hard and lack of sleep.  I set up my tent atop the Klaver Kame for a late morning nap.  I woke around noon and was excited to hit the Dells of the Eau Claire.  A gorgeous walk.  At this point in the hike I was a bit down but the beauty of the Eau Claire Dells got my mind back into a good place.  The next day was a 31 mile road walk in 95 degree heat through Antigo and onto the Kettle Bowl Segment in Langlade County.  I camped a half mile from the trailhead.  Langlade County was rough for me.  Blazing is sporadic at best and logging along the trail also causes confusion.  I found myself lost a few times.  Only making it 12 miles that day.  It was Hot!  Water was a major factor.  The next day I made it through to Highway 45.  Another 95-100 degree day and rough terrain made for an inspiring walk.  I ran out of water and wanted to bring my core body temperature down so I headed for Pence Lake figuring I could find a residence to fill my water.  I swam in the lake and cooled off then went looking for water.  I came across a family at their summer cottage enjoying the day.  I introduced myself and explained what I was doing and that I needed water.  They were happy to help and even offered me some food.  Then a young man about my age gave me a ride back to where I left off.  I had to backtrack a bit, but it was worth it.  The next day my friend Crystal Gilbertson came to meet me and I rested.  Exhausted from the heat and mileage the previous days.  And to be quite honest-mentally moral was low for me. 

Days 37-41 - I began hiking where I left off at the Hwy 45 trailhead.  I enjoyed the Highland Lakes segments.  Took it easy that day and camped near Lake Susan.  The next day I wanted to make time.  The Parrish Hills and Harrison Hills Segments were tough, a lot of up and down.  Climbing and descending.  And it was another scorcher of a day.  Water continues to be a problem.  I camped near the town of Parrish, WI.  The next day I wanted to make it to The Underdown Recreational Area, but failed.  I was dealing with rough terrain and in a remote area I decided to take it easy considering the heat.  I camped near the Prairie River, 2 miles short of Underdown.  The wildlife was abundant over the past days, I caught a glimpse of a Bear and cub, Also could hear the Timber wolves at night howling and hunting.  Awesome!  The next day I pushed 20 miles to Camp New Wood County Park where I was to Camp and meet up with Biscuit.  The Underdown Segment was tough 150-200 ft grades, but gorgeous and nice trail.  I walked to New Wood and was able to bathe and wash my clothes as I waited for Biscuit to Arrive.  He would be backpacking with me for the weekend. 

Day 42-45 - Dan and I packed up camp early and set off for Grandfather Falls and Turtle Rock Segments.  A rough hike and full of obstacles we made it and enjoyed the beauty of the area.  Now headed for the New Wood State Wildlife Area.  One of the most remote areas in the state.  We hiked Wau-mo and East/West New Wood Segments before camping at Historic Logging Camp # 27.  Dan and I had a great time and I was pleased to be able to show him what the backpacking adventure can bring.  We also were able to hike some great MSC project segments including the portion of trail I led a crew on National Trails Day 06’.  A sentimental walk for me.  Dan got the best of the I.A.T.  A versatile walk for anyone who plans to thru-hike.  You get a bit of everything. 4-step tread, some bushwhacking, blaze finding, logging roads, water purifying, rough terrain, and some small grade.  Beat up from the 24 mile day before we did not know what was in store for us on Sunday.  Things began to turn bad when my camera broke and I lost my sunglasses.  Upset about not being able to capture on film the gorgeous surroundings.  We were way out in the forest and it was incredible.  We heard the Timber wolves early in the Morning and saw some amazing Cranes near a killer beaver dam we had to forge.  Only after forging a smaller one an hour earlier.  “How come no one warned me of this?” I wondered as I trekked across the dam. We passed through another awesome segment-Timberland Wilderness Segment and made it Wood Lake where Dan’s journey would end.  Mark Burglund met us on trail and helped shuttle Dan around.  Thanks Mark, your trail was a pleasure to hike. 

-John Bauer 7/23/06

New Hope Segment, Iola Winter Sports Club

Dells Segment, Kettle Bowl Segment, Lumber Camp Segment, Old Railroad Segment, Parrish Hills Segment, Harrison Hills Segment

Underdown Segment, Grandfather Falls Segment, Camp New Wood County Park

Grandfather Falls Segment, Turtle Rock Segment, Wau-Mo Paper Segment, New Wood Segment, Camp 27 Segment