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Colors become more muted, but walks still enjoyable for all

Our Tuesday, Oct. 23, walk was on the white and red blazed Nordic ski trails north of LaGrange. All seven of us walked counterclockwise. The weather was very humid with some fog in the air.

The following day the weather was better, but warmer and still humid. It was sunny as the longer distance group that I led hiked the extended white John Muir bike/hike trail, a distance of five miles. We went clockwise as bike traffic would because the trail was closed to bicycling due to the rainy weather, but was open to hiking. Otherwise we would have walked against bike traffic.

About halfway around we stopped for a break where we drank a bit of water and snacked on a few trail snacks. A little farther along we were passed by a trail runner, even though some of the trail was a bit muddy and slippery.

The hike was nice and mostly on level ground, but all 17 of us missed the fall colors we had on walks during previous weeks.

In the meantime, our other walk leaders took a contingency of 18 short-distance walkers and two friendly canines on the loop around pretty Lake LaGrange on the Ice Age Trail and horse trail. They inspected the Kangaroo Walk and found a painted turtle and some small brown grass snakes that also were enjoying the warm weather.

Most of the walkers in both hiking groups had soup and sandwiches at the LaGrange General Store. The short distance group was finishing as the rest of us arrived.

Happy trekking, Russ

Events

-- Hike/potluck/calendar planning, Sunday, Nov. 4: Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Judy Wildermuth’s with dish to share and ideas, calendars with moon phases, etc. Contact: Judy Wildermuth, (262) 473-2415.

-- Eastern regional meeting of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Sunday, Nov. 11: Meet from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Zillmer Lodge in the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Register at the IATA website calendar link for the event. To carpool, contact Carol Prchal, (262) 495-8502. For additional meeting information, contact Brad Crary at brad@iceagetrail.org or at (800) 227-0046.

-- Monthly meeting of the Walworth/Jefferson County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Tuesday, Nov. 20: Meet at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Bank downstairs community room, 101 E. Walworth St., Elkhorn. Contact: Carol Prchal, (262) 495-8502.

-- Weekly walks: Meet each Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the U.S. Highway 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail crossing located about four miles east of Whitewater, about a quarter mile east of the intersection of Highway 12 with Sweno Road. The parking lot is at the west end of Sherwood Forest Road. Two or more walks of different distances are offered on Wednesdays (and Tuesdays when desired). All ages are welcome. A current state park pass is required to park a car at the lot. A daily or yearly pass may be purchased at the meeting place provided correct change is available.