Ice Age Trail Days 21-23, April 13 to 15: It is COLD!

April 16, 2025, Merrill, Wisconsin, by Roger Carpenter  / Greg in Wild

I appreciate the numerous kind comments written on this blog and Facebook about the passing of my brother, Jim. The thoughts expressed have comforted me and helped me move forward on the IAT. Thank you.

For three days and 51 miles, I experienced most of the discomforts an upper Midwest hiking trail in early spring: rain, deep, cold water, boggy trail, mud, snow and freezing temperatures. To make the experiences even more complete, I fell into a  creek up to my lower torso! This is what the hiker community calls Type 2 fun! As I navigated the IAT gauntlet of these trail conditions, I kept reminding myself that I was not bothered by heat, humidity, mosquitos, and ticks. I came to the IAT well prepared because I made good decisions about clothing and gear. The photos, below, are in chronological order and provide the best description of the 51 miles of the IAT.

I carried an image of Jim on my backpack while hiking the Continental Divide Trail in 2016, one year after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Still, wouldn’t it be nice if real spring weather would arrive? On April 14, I reached the 300-mile point of the journey and beyond the first 25% of the thru-hike. Aside from minor aches and pain, I feel good and seem to be getting stronger. I expect to hike about 20 miles per day if necessary, but I have the luxury of time. The weather WILL get nice, right?

Jim requested that family and friends need not cancel travel or other plans and responsibilities in order to attend his memorial, which is tentatively scheduled for June 22 in the Phoenix area. He would have told me, “Hike on, Greg in Wild!” Good idea, Jim! I will do that in his honor.

I want to acknowledge the kindness of Ruby, a Trail Angel who picked me up from the biting cold at a park on the Wisconsin River. Ruby drove me to the post office and continued to a hotel where I spent a warm zero day (mostly) indoors. Thank you, Ruby! Belatedly, my thanks also go to Pat and Julie Kosher in Cornell, who hosted me for two nights in their lovely and warm home.

Greg in Wild hikes on!

The well-positioned rocks reminded me of the Appalachian Trail. This is great work by the kind  IAT Alliance volunteers.
This segment of the IAT is near the most northern part of Wisconsin. Some patches of snow refuse to yield to spring.
There is no sign of new buds on the trees. The sky was blue in the middle of the day on April 13.
At the end of the day on April 13, happiness is a campsite with a picnic table at Wood Lake County Campground.
Woodpecker
There are two narrow logs across the creek. There were three logs before I snapped one and fell in the water. No major harm was done, but it was poor hiking technique!
On April 14, it got cold quickly. In those conditions, I prefer to dine while warmly wrapped in my sleeping bag.
Morning, April 15 and 31 degrees.
The Wood River was slightly above my knees with strong flow. This ford demanded my full attention.
My feet were very cold all morning.
More water.
More snow.
More rocks. Near the western shore of the Wisconsin River.
More snow and the whitewater of the Wisconsin River.

4 thoughts on “Ice Age Trail Days 21-23, April 13 to 15: It is COLD!”

  4. I really like the way the trail looks. Makes me want to do it. After i finish the CDT and the GET. I need some trails that are done all at the same time of year.

    Reply

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