My first Winter Trip: Kettle Morraine

“Guys,

I thank you all for your help. My trip was not only a success but a great experience. I eventually ended up renting a sack and sleeping bag from REI. Bought a REI half Dome plus 2 tent and went up to Kettle Morraine....stayed NEXT to Shelter #5 (for those who have been there) and parked all the way down on Butler Lake. Hiked the Ice Age Trail from Mile 1 to 16 (the Northern section). My feet are a little sore probably cuz I cut my nails too close :) but all I have in mind is the scenic trail...could have been better but no regrets!

I'll write again. Got in at 5 pm today - right on ETA!!!!

Once again, thanks very much and I will be checking in for any scheduled trips!

Best regards

Triguy734”

“Be more specific. Done a fair amount of the Kettle Moraine a few years ago. Tell us more.”

“Stump,
The weather was in between snow and foggy from the moment I arrived. The Ice Age Center opens at 9.30 on the weekends so I had to wait an hour and a half for them to open so I drove around the scenic trails....then got me a shelter assigned (sucks that you must pay $10 a day for a shelter even though hardly anyone camps in it)...however, I started at Butler lake (people were snow fishing on the lake) and I started walking down south on the Ice Age Trail....hit the 16 mile marker and then started hiking back up North to my assigned shelter (#5)...only one other shelter was occupied but I never saw anyone camped around there so I guess I was the only one backbacking. Saw some rabbit markings.....lots of dogs around for walks so couldnt figure if the ones I saw around my shelter was a dog or a wolf marking?? lol...

Got me a fire burning but everything was wet ..it took me time...next morning was almost impossible due to some snow overnight..water was an issue..I had to walk .5 mile to the nearest well to pump my water (hard for a one person to do it). Water was muddy so I had to boil everything on the stove...but on the whole, good trip!!Id take an extra blanket next time..it was too cold and I was sucking up the low temp from the ground up...

anything you wanna know specifically?? Met the ranger twice....said October is a terrific time to visit!

Over and out.

Triguy”

“Yeah, there's gotta be a better way to suck water out of the ground than the pumps DNR uses. Water was probably "muddy" just for the lack of use of the well. If you pump it and waste some of the muddy water, it usually comes clear.

What kind of pad did you have under you that you were sucking up cold from the ground?

As for the user fees, mixed feelings on that, especially seeing use level is so low much of the year. Wonder if you could walk in without a permit and camp and nobody would notice, but then you said you saw ranger Rick twice. Seing Wisconsin, as well as other states have no money, suppose the user fees might help to keep areas open.

Yes, October is a great time, no bugs, few people, but some areas ya gotta look out for hunters.

Glad you had a good trip!”

“Its a SHE - the Ranger....she was the one I originally spoke with when the attendant at the Ice Age Center went clueless about some procedural stuff....however, she was really nice and suggested some routes - drove around in the RANGER truck so I thought shed be!

As for the $$, I had no problem paying it - I guess the state needs money and they also need to track people to make sure no unwanted stuff goes on. There WERE HUNTERS this time too and everytime I heard a shot I got in position to duck or hide so I can make it back in time for my splendid work week coming up - its gonne hurt I know it!

I was using a rented Thermapad - is there a better option?? I am sure there is. The 0 deg Sleeping Bag was a life saver. I noticed the muddy water phenomenon - and I drained some after I saw it started coming clear....I still boiled it so everything got taken care of, from what I see so far.

What year did you go there??I talked with some skiiers that live nearby and they werent too happy with the hot winter.

Later

Triguy”

“Okay, so it was ranger Rachel! But if you can call everyone "guys" here, I should be able to get away with the generic "ranger Rick" :-)

It's been a while that I've done any overnights in the Kettle Moraine, mainly dayhikes, and seeing I've been stranded in Chicago the past few years must of my hikes in Wisconsin have been restricted to the Southern Unit.

Glad you got back in one piece with all those hunters lurking. Did you remember to wear some orange. I didn't ONCE on a day hike and about soiled my pants when I rounded a bend in the trail and there were 3 hunters--thankfully their rifles were pointed down. Needless to say, it was a quick hike out.

Don't know the thickness of the sleeping pad, for winter camping you might want to go to a thicker pad, but then you'll pay for it in pack weight.

By the way, TriGuy, where do you live? Fairly close to the Northern Unit?”

“Hey Triguy - I'm from Green Bay. I've been in the Kettle Morraine a few times but never overnited - I guess the assigned shelter system and the overcrowding turned me away. I guess I could try winter though ...
We usually go further north - to the Nicolet National Forest during the winter.
I have had good luck using two mattresses - a self inflating on top of a $6 blue closed cell foam pad. I even added an extra 12" of length to the foam pad - I am 6'3" and my feet get really cold if my heals are resting on the snow.
I thought I read on another post you we headed for Michigan - I'm glad you came to Wisconsin and had a good time.”

“glad you had a good trip..what stove did you end up getting?

Good choice on the tent.”

“Well let me go in order here....OK Stump - I wus joking too!!!:)

I will take your advice on the mat...I just didnt have enough time or options this time but I learned my lesson...Instead I used my extra sweater and towel as a cushion....didnt help much but it could have been worse....

Hangman, WI was a last minute but better decision - the driving time was much less, and then I just wanted a change from MI - my last summer trip was to Ludington, another spectacular trip.....I enjoyed myself thoroughly there as well..the beach is just magnificent with the lighthouses and all...

Brian, thanks for your list of things - couldnt have done without it!! The guy at REI was real helpful though disbelieving that I was headed out on my own for the first time - he kinda looked at me in skeptically all through "hike orientation at REI".
I am looking at Nicolet - so one at a time.....but I need to wait and buy the right gear first.

Also, is REI considered expensive compared to other retailers - I know its a co-op but I was talking with someone who told me he found REI quite expensive....just wondering.

Looking forward to my next trip..

Triguy”

“Good trip report and way to go on your trip.I know it sucks how much they charge to go backpacking in there on that part of the Ice Age Trail.

I think it would be real cool if ya come out with us and do 30 miles of it in May.

8)”

“Thanks CMB,

I have a tough work schedule thats why the spontaneous urges but if I know what dates, Id be delighted to join...and not start walking South instead of North that time :)

Oh yea to answer BB's question, I got a MSR Pocket Rocket - good thing is its adjustable so no burning my food...40 bucks...not bad??

Triguy”

“Thanks CMB,

I have a tough work schedule thats why the spontaneous urges but if I know what dates, Id be delighted to join...and not start walking South instead of North that time :)

Oh yea to answer BB's question, I got a MSR Pocket Rocket - good thing is its adjustable so no burning my food...40 bucks...not bad??

Triguy

CMB, thanks for your advice as well...I packed my stuff in exact order from your website instructions but put my bag instead of the tent and then the tent and mat on the outside as the bag wont fit on the outside..too wide!”

“The trip is in the trip planner!

8)”

“Hey, ya plan some other Wisconsin area hikes, let us know, OK? Have been in the southern Kettles, although mountain biking.

Do you have to stay in the shelters? Ya can't just set up tent along the trail somewhere?

Also, I don't know if any of you guys are Sierra Club members, but there's some cool stuff scheduled for Wyalusing State Park on MY side of Wisconsin (considering I'm from NE Iowa... lol). That will be lodge camping at Wyalusing (unless there's not enough to do that, then it's winter camping)... and a bunch of fun things. If anyone's interested, I'll post a link to more info.”

“triguy - i learned about the cold that comes up from under last winter, so now i carry extra padding for under in cold weather.

did you take any pics while you were out there?”

“Unless they changed the rules, ya gotta stay in or around the shelter--"minimum impact."

Unfortunately many of the shelters seem to be close to roads. One night, a number of years ago, I was at a shelter in Northern Kettle Moraine, only to find out early that evening, where the trail crossed the road (less than 1/2 mile away) was a party stop for some local youngins! Fortunately they must have had an early curfew.”

“Whoops! The stuff I mentioned... you do NOT have to be a Sierra Club member to participate. Currently, I am not, although I have been in the past and most likely will be again. Don't worry, I'm not a crazed Sierra Club member. I more or less hate hog confinements and George Bush... and like to crusade for mountain bikes in the wilderness, a thorn in the S.C.'s side... LOL!”

“lizs- the Sierra Club chapter here is in the process of setting up a Mountain Biking section. The Sierra Club. Imagine that!”

“Lizs,

I will be heading out to WI, IA, MI, IL and some TX trips at short notices (which means with little time at my disposal it would be hasty packing). The other questiong regarding shelters I believe someone already answered!

At this time of the year, one usually hears gunshots from the hunting season..didnt hear too many vehicles or parties...maybe now theres more cuz of New Years.
I'll put some pics out when I develop my prints....I am very lazy at that..:)

Triguy”

“TriGuy734, where are you located? If you head Yellow River State Forest way, lemme know. ALMOST in my backyard.

And Stumprider, what are you doing now that you have the degree?? Getting outta Chicago?”

“Congrats on the trip! Sounds like it was a good one. :-)”