Lodi @ Æÿ P 90. Indian Lake. County Park. Segment. Shoveler Sink.

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1 GREEN ROCK Sauk City Ice Age Trail Dane and Green Counties Dane and Green Counties Æ% 78 (/ 12 Indian Lake Æ% 19 Lodi Marsh Wildlife Area Indian Lake County Park Lodi Marsh Æ% Æÿ P COLUMBIA DANE Æ% 19 Ice Age Trail Alliance Table Bluff Æ% 113 (/ 51 (/ 151 Blue Mounds 4 Æ% 78 (/ 14 Cross Plains Military Ridge Sta te Trail Cross Plains Shoveler Sink Valley View Valley View Preserve Æÿ S (/ 12 Madison Elver Park Æÿ PD Madison (/ 14 (/ 12 (/ 12 (/ 151 (/ 18 (/ (/ (/ Verona Verona (/ 51 Æ% 78 Prairie Moraine Park Æ% 92 Æ% 69 Æÿ PB Montrose Æ%138 (/ 14 Existing Ice Age Trail, subject to change as it evolves toward completion Other Trail DANE GREEN Æ% 39 Æ% 69 Æÿ W New Glarus Belleville B adger State Trail Brooklyn State Wildlife Area Æ% 92 Brooklyn Wildlife Brooklyn Æ% 59 Unofficial Connecting Route (unmarked) County Boundary Public or IATA Land Miles : 250,000 compilation scale February 15, 2014 Monticello Monticello Sugar River State Albany Trail Æ% 69 Æ% 59 Æÿ F Albany Æ% 104 Æÿ A (/ 14 Æ% 213

2 Table Bluff and Cross Plains (Atlas Map 65f) Snapshot Table Bluff 2.5 miles: Table Bluff Rd. to Scheele Rd. 1.9 mile Connecting Route Cross Plains 2.8 miles: Hickory Hill St. to Bourbon Rd. 3 2 The Table Bluff offers long ridgetop views and showcases the results of some remarkable land stewardship efforts. No reliable sources of water. The southern two-thirds of the segment crossing private land are closed during gun deer season. Dogs must be leashed. Two white-blazed loop trails and additional informal trails. 4 2 The diverse Cross Plains highlights a Trail Town, the Ice Age Trail Alliance headquarters and the surprisingly remote-feeling bluffs, prairies and woodlands north of town. At the public library, public pool and IATA headquarters. From Black Earth Creek. At Legion Park, 1 block west of the Trail on American Legion Dr. At Legion Park and town pool. Trail Access and Parking Portions follow town streets and sidewalks. Additional informal trail in Hickory Hill Conservation Area. Portions of this segment may be suitable for those using wheelchairs or similar devices. Table Bluff Rd.: From the Ice Age Trail Alliance headquarters in Cross Plains, take USH-14 west 1.2 mi At CTH-KP turn right and go north 2.4 mi. At Table Bluff Rd. turn left and go west 0.3 mi to the parking area on the south side of the road. Bourbon Rd.: From west of Madison on the Beltline Highway (USH-12/14) near Middleton, take Exit 251 for University Ave. (USH-14) and go west on University Ave. (USH-14) for 7.2 mi to Cross Plains. At CTH-P turn left and go south across Black Earth Creek then immediately turn right at Bourbon Rd. The segment begins a short distance west where a paved path intersects the road. Roadside parking. Additional Parking: (i) Roadside parking at Hickory Hill St. near the gated access road for Hickory Hill Conservation Park. (ii) Roadside parking at Lewis St. Trail access. (iii) Parking area at Village of Cross Plains Municipal Park pool at 2106 Lewis St. (behind the library). (iv) Parking area behind IATA headquarters (DA26), 2110 Main St. Note: USH-14 will be rebuilt through Cross Plains in Hikers should expect delays when accessing the Trail in this area during construction. The Hike I Located in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin, the Table Bluff traverses restored prairie as well as steep, rocky slopes. There is approximately 200 feet of total vertical relief and several vistas from the heads of two valleys 216 Ice Age Trail Guidebook 2014

3 and two prominent goat prairies that 4.8-mi CR to Indian Lake P. East on Table offer great views of DA23 Bluff Rd., north on CTH-KP, KP the Driftless Area. north on Pine Rd., east on Spring valley Rd., north on Meltwater from the Schumann Rd., north on DA22 Laurentide ice sheet CTH-K, east on STH-19. poured through a preglacial valley 0 ½ 1 depositing sand and miles gravel and partially KP filling the lower valley floors, which County Festge now hold extensive Park Andersen Preserve wetlands and a tributary stream of Black P Earth Creek, a Class Scheele Rd. 14 I trout stream. The DA14 area is home to vari- Earth ous types of wetland, 8.0-mi CR to DA26 Cross Valley View KP prairie oak opening Plains IATA and forest plants. office From the Trail access on Table Bluff Rd., the segment heads south across a 73-acre IATA-owned property. After passing through a prairie and then an old orchard Parea hikers will come to an intersection (DA23) with a white-blazed loop trail that offers a 0.5- mile bubble to the west of the main Ice Age Trail route. The loop trail traverses up a ridge through a mixed hardwood forest containing a grove of several large oak trees and offers views of the valley floor to the east. Back on the main segment, from its initial encounter with the white-blazed loop trail the segment continues south across a large prairie restored to its natural state. A thriving population of the rare pale purple coneflower can be found here. Hikers will find this area to be a wildflower treasure trove shooting star, rattlesnake master, stiff gentian, hoary vervain, pasque flower, prairie smoke, leadplant, bird s-foot violet, compass plant, harebell, cream gentian and cream baptisia have all been identified here. The segment then enters a wooded area and dips down onto a valley floor. After crossing an open area the segment makes its second connection with the white-blazed loop trail (DA22). The remainder of the segment traverses the privately owned Swamplovers property. From the valley floor, the segment climbs up a ridge and traverses nearly a mile of woodlands of oak and hickory before entering a prairie/oak savanna area that is being faithfully restored to its native state by owners of the Swamplovers property. This area, including a second white-blazed loop, features dramatic rock outcroppings of Ordovician dolomite and views southwest to the Blue Mounds. At the top of the bluff area is a shelter with picnic tables that is available to hikers when not already in use by the property owners. From the top of the bluff the segment drops precipitously on a series of switchbacks to the seg- Rd. Scherbel Table Black Bluff Rd. Creek Bourbon Rd. Lewis St. Stagecoach St. Church Rd. P Thinnes St. quarry Springfi Black Birch North Dane County 217

4 ment s endpoint on the Swamplovers property access road. To reach the Cross Plains, hikers should follow the 1.9-mile connecting route by heading south on the access road to its intersection with gravel Scheele Road. From there, hikers should turn left and head east on Scheele Road, turn right and head south on CTH-KP, turn left and head west on USH-14 (Main Street in Cross Plains), turn left and head north on Hickory Street which jogs slightly to the right, then turn left and head north on Hickory Hill Street. The Cross Plains shows off the village of Cross Plains, which is situated along Black Earth Creek in a valley between tall bluffs. It sits at the boundary of the most recent glaciation to the east and north and the Driftless Area to the west and south. Meltwater from the receding glacier eroded and carried the terminal moraine downstream from the site of the village. Cross Plains is named for the intersection of two early roads: the military road from Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien) to Fort Howard (Green Bay) and the lowland road from Arena to Madison. The segment starts at the end of Hickory Hill Street, where a gate crosses an access road that leads north uphill into to the Hickory Hill Conservation Park. Departing from the access road, the segment enters a former agricultural field being restored to native prairie which shows great variations and color over the seasons. Shortly after entering the former agricultural field, hikers will encounter signage for a cut-off path that heads east. To continue with the full segment hikers should veer northwest at this junction. The segment continues across the former agricultural field and soon enters a woodland that features not only native flora such as jack-in-the-pulpit, shooting stars and wild ginger but also the glacial drainage network known as Three Gorges. The segment exits the forest and once more crosses the former agricultural field. After passing by the cut-off path, hikers will continue southeast through an oak savanna in the midst of a restoration. The segment continues southeast, gaining elevation up the side of a dolomite ridge. At the head of the ridge hikers will find a Leopold bench and views to the south and east displaying what conservationist Increase Lapham described as the Great Dividing Ridge. On the distant ridge to the south hikers may see a lone majestic white pine, marking the approximate location of a future Ice Age Trail segment through the Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve. The Blue Mounds are also clearly visible to the west. At this point the segment drops steeply 150 feet down a series of switchbacks to emerge at Lewis Street (DA14) between two houses. From here, the segment continues on sidewalks and roads through residential Cross Plains. The segment heads east 0.2 miles on Lewis Street to its intersection with Caesar Street, where hikers should turn right and head southwest on the east side of Caesar Street, passing the Rosemary Garfoot Public Library and Village of Cross Plains Municipal Park and Pool. At the intersection of Caesar Street and Julius Street signage directs hikers to continue southwest on Caesar Street but first to cross to the opposite (west) side of the street. The segment reaches busy Main St. (USH-14), which hikers should cross cautiously and then turn left to head east down Main Street. Hikers will soon encounter the Ice Age Trail Alliance s headquarters building (DA26) on the south side of the road at 2110 Main Street. The headquarters building 218 Ice Age Trail Guidebook 2014

5 is open 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except in the case of special events. Though not a true Visitor Center hikers are urged to stop in IATA staff love to chat with Trail users! Restrooms and drinking water are available for all, as are shower and laundry facilities for thru-hikers. Ice Age Trail merchandise can be purchased here as well. The segment leaves Main Street and turns southwest to cross the IATA headquarters property, which features a rain garden, lawn with native prairie plants and boulders along the segment route bearing the names of the IATA s 21 volunteer chapters and the organization s key partners the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. The segment exits the IATA headquarters property and crosses Black Earth Creek on a bridge then heads east on a paved path through H.M. Zander Community Nature Park to the segment s terminus on Bourbon Road. Mobile Skills Crew project site, 2004, 2006, 2009 Points of Interest Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve and Future National Park Service Interpretive Area: From the IATA Headquarters in Cross Plains: Take Main St. (USH-14) east 2.6 mi. At Cleveland Rd. turn right and go south 0.9 mi. At Old Sauk Pass Rd. turn right and go west 0.5 mi to entrance gate. Roadside parking. Do not block the gate with vehicles. From west of Madison on the Beltline Highway (USH-12/14) near Middleton: Take Old Sauk Rd. exit and go west 4.0 mi. At Timber Ln. turn right and go north 0.5 mi. At a bend in the road, continue west on Old Sauk Pass Rd. 0.7 mi. Additional parking: Shoveler Sink, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Area, on Timber Ln. This area features a complex of lands owned by Dane County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service and includes the Cross Plains Unit of Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, one of nine such units. The area represents a world-renowned example of the interface of glaciated and unglaciated terrain. The relationship between moraine and glaciated landscapes on one side of the moraine and unglaciated bedrock landscapes on the other side is strikingly exhibited. Rugged ridges of the moraine formed during the Wisconsin Glaciation meet the eroded Driftless Area to the south and west. Oak savanna, oak forest, wetlands and prairies cover the area. Unmarked hiking trails penetrate both the DNR land north of Old Sauk Pass and the NPS-owned land south of the road. Dogs are welcome on leash. There are no public restrooms or other visitor facilities available at this time. The National Park Service is in the process of developing a general management plan for the area. This area will be home to a segment of the Ice Age Trail in the future. Details are available at parkplanning.nps.gov/projecthome.cfm?projectid= Area Services Cross Plains: Restaurants, grocery store, convenience store, general shopping, lodging, library, medical care. On Trail. Most services on Main St. (USH-14). Meals at Crossroads Coffeehouse (2020 Main St., , crossroadscoffeehouse.net) and Coach s Club (1200 Main St., , coachsclub.com). Area info available from the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce ( , crossplainschamber.net). Mendota County Park: Camping. From the IATA headquarters go east 7.0 mi on USH-14. Pass under the Beltline Highway and continue east on University Ave. for 1.0 mi. At Branch St. turn left and go north 0.6 mi. At CTH-M/Century Ave. turn right and go east 1.3 mi to the park entrance (5133 CTH-M, Middleton, , reservedane.com). Cedar Hills Campground: Camping. From the IATA headquarters go ~8 mi west on USH-14. At STH-78 go 3.0 mi north to the campground entrance (seasonal; 6406 STH-78, Mazomanie, ). Middleton: See Valley View and Madison, p From the IATA headquarters on USH-14 go east ~8 mi. Also see Trail Access and Parking directions, above. Madison: See Valley View and Madison, p From the IATA headquarters on USH-14 go east ~13 mi. Dane County 219

6 Must-Have Ice Age Trail Books! The Ice Age Trail Guidebook 2014 features more than 100 detailed segment-by-segment descriptions and maps to help you connect with the thousand-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Written for those seeking a wide range of adventures on the Ice Age Trail, the softcover Guidebook includes these items and more: - A detailed written description of each segment along the Ice Age Trail s thousand-mile route. - A helpful map excerpt for each segment from the Ice Age Trail Alliance s popular Ice Age Trail Atlas. - Ratings for each segment on a variety of criteria to help hikers find the Ice Age Trail excursion that s right for them. The Ice Age Trail Atlas 2014 is a set of 105 color, shaded relief style maps at 1:48,000 scale. In contrast to the smaller map excerpts in the Ice Age Trail Guidebook 2014, each map in this package is printed on an 8.5 x 11 sheet and includes not just the Ice Age Trail route but also a wider snapshot of the area around the Trail. Both books were written and published by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. All proceeds for each book help build and maintain the Ice Age Trail. Please call the IATA at (800) with any questions. To order, visit or complete the order form below. Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Item Quantity Price Guidebook x $24 (members) or $30 (nonmembers) = Atlas x $18 (M) or $22.50 (NM) = Shipping $6 for one book, $1.50 extra for each additional book = Sales Tax 5.5% for orders shipped to a Wisconsin address = TOTAL = I have enclosed a check or money order payable to the Ice Age Trail Alliance Please charge my Visa or MasterCard Card number: Please send this form to: Expiration date: Ice Age Trail Alliance Amount: 2110 Main Street Signature: Cross Plains, WI 53528