So, of course, we had to go back. Masochism and refusal to let the segment win over us. But, this time we would approach Lookout Mountain from the North end. And we would bring with us reinforcements. Joining Bob and I, this time, were Kevin and Nick. Kevin I've known for years, and lives in the area. Nick lives just over the border in Minnesota, and is part of an online community where I was discussing the hike, and managed to entice him into joining us.
Preparations would begin far in advance, outfitting Kevin and Nick with the supplies that would help them on our journey. Kevin obtained a REI Traverse 70 backpack after test-driving several in the store, while Nick would wind up borrowing a spare external frame backpack we had. Both tried the Vasque Breeze boots whose praises I just cannot stop singing, and purchased a pair of their own. Same with the Snow Peak 900 Titanium Pot and my beloved $6 Cannister Stove. Kevin and I did a shakedown and hike cooking test at High Cliff State Park, and we really do need to get out there and hike more, get in better shape for our next outings. Nick too, got out more often, braving the early spring weather to make sure he was ready for the trek.
Day of the hike, Kevin drove up to Appleton to join Bob and I, and then Bob drove us to Merrill WI, where we linked up with Nick. From Merrill, we proceeded to County Highway B, to drop off extra water at our lunch site, and then from there, to the trailhead where we would begin. Nick packed up his borrowed pack, we sprayed on some permethrin to discourage the ticks, adjusted our packs, and we were off!
Day of the hike, Kevin drove up to Appleton to join Bob and I, and then Bob drove us to Merrill WI, where we linked up with Nick. From Merrill, we proceeded to County Highway B, to drop off extra water at our lunch site, and then from there, to the trailhead where we would begin. Nick packed up his borrowed pack, we sprayed on some permethrin to discourage the ticks, adjusted our packs, and we were off!
In the days approaching our hike, Northern Wisconsin DID see a few inches of snow, and some of it remained on the shadowy sides of hills, or on the trails, and I believe this was a boon to us, suppressing many of the ticks we may have otherwise encountered. I think the Permethrin also helped, because the gorgeous weather we had that day would drive temperatures above 60 degrees. The first leg of our trip was a rather simple one, navigationally there were simply a few turns at which other roads, or ATV trails, or alternate hiking routes converged with the Ice Age, and you just had to make sure you followed the yellow blazes. There were no sections of trail without an obvious path, and there were no connecting roads. The atmosphere was nearly one of fall, the ground still blanketed with fallen leaves, and the trees still bare of leaf due to how early in the spring it was. In motion, I had absolutely no need for my fleece, and soon had the sleeves of my shirt rolled above my elbows. The only obstacles we faced were minor hills, a few fallen trees across the path, and a picturesque stream swollen with spring meltwater, that obscured the blocks meant to be used in it's crossing. Bob and Kevin chose a wiser route than Nick and I did, but all four of us navigated, dry, across that obstacle and to the other shore.
It was not long before we reached camp, and we would take a short break there, at Chain Lake. Then, we searched the hills nearby for suitable locations to place our tents. The terrain was nice for the firepit, which sits beside the lake, but it was difficult to find sufficiently flat ground on which to pitch tents. Kevin made what seemed one of the smarter moves, and utilized my Xada hammock for his lodgings, while I pitched my REI Passage 2 nearby. Nick and Bob also had tents. I think, if I go back, I'm more likely to spend the night in my ENO Singlenest Hammock, which will be far more comfortable than the lumpy patch of ground that I fit my tent into. Lighter to carry as well. Once camp was established and we were refreshed, we hit the trail once more.
From camp, we proceeded down the Ice Age Trail, maps of the area indicated that we would pass what was, or possibly still is, some manner of ski hill. As we rounded the other end of Chain Lake, we would cross a feed stream twice, pausing in between crossings to ponder some scat (we decided it was likely bobcat or coyote, we could have made a case for either) and scale a hill, at the top of which we found an unusual asphalt slab and stop because I forgot to take my Aleve. Pondering the purpose of the slab, we decided that it must have been related to the ski hill. The course of the trail took us around the hill and we never really saw where exactly the skiing occurred. At least I couldn't tell. I would be interested in going back just to explore that area in greater detail, but we had miles to conquer, and so we moved onwards.
Beyond the Ski Hill was an area that I can really only refer to as the Logging Blight. I don't think we took many photos of it, it wasn't that picturesque. This was a zone of both old and new logging, which bared the hills upon which most of our course took us, and below us, in the valleys, lay marshes and bogs. We could see some watery attempts to either drain or navigate these valleys, some manner of road or shallow ditch, but the terrain was very reluctant to relinquish any part of itsself to man's design. It was around now, that the away team began to concoct stories of the local bog witch, who would surely crack our bones for marrow and sink us within the moist fens of her turf. We were still encountering snow at this stage of the trip, though less of it where the canopy was stripped away.
Hunger began to set in as we trooped through the blight, and we began to wonder when we would reach our designated lunch spot. I was about to say that we should just stop at the next clearing that looked suitable, and make our meals there, but a quick consultation with the app Nick was using to map our journey indicated that we were less than a quarter mile from the appointed lunch site. Mustering our reserves, we pushed on ahead and were soon rewarded with sight of County Highway B, and the ATV shelter at which we would cook our lunch.
To be continued...
