Ice Age Trail - Jerry Lake Segment

“Gonna try this trip again in June... I am in the mood for bugs.”

“Sorry Jimmysan, had to remove myself...I don't think I'll be strong enough by then...pneumonia doesn't seem to go away in a couple of days, more's the pity...have a good trip!”

“I read about that in the thread you posted. I felt really bad for you. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you feel better really soon.”

“Well, I"m out. Cuz I'm not even in the area... am on vacay, BABY!

I just left myself signed up cuz this trip has a way of changing weekends... hehehee.

Hope it's a go for ya this time, Jimmy San!”

“What are the chances you could come up on Wed. instead of Friday??? Probably not possible eh? I can/might hike this segment Wed. Thru Friday. I just got a reprieve on a previous obligation for Friday... but must be somewhere Saturday. Otherwise; maybe I'll see you in passing! ; )”

“I'll be in Miami on business most of next week. I won't get home until Thursday evening, otherwise I would be quite willing to leave eariler. Sorry, but hope to see you on the trail.”

“Wow, Miami... must be nice!
I went to your pictures from last year. You mentioned that it was not a trail for beginners. Could you please tell me why??? This would be my second trip; so I think that qualifies me as a beginner. Should I put this one off awhile? Not hike it alone? There's plenty to hike up here by me. I was thinking of the Escanaba Trail if I don't do Jerry Lake. I really appreciate well marked trails. I don't want to get lost obviously.
I would appreciate your input.
Thanks”

“You will do fine.

It can be buggy and wet, esp on the Chippewa Lobe.

If you go alone consider skipping the lobe, or at least the southern part of the lobe. The northern segment is fine.

You will have to cross the Yellow River. You no doubt saw the pics and know it is just crossing on rocks but I have not seen the river and it could be something one would have to ford, but I doubt it.

You will do fine.

I have done it solo several times. It's a great place. I would not be shocked if you ran into quite a few people out there. Last time I was there (in the Fall mind you) it was a highway but the people were nice. Summer when it's hot and buggy cuts down on the number of users.

I could care less about the bugs, standing water, and heat. Adds to the experience!”

“speaking of this thread...

How you feeling mataharihiker? I was thinking of you and your string of ill fate the other day. Sure hope you are felling better.”

“thanks for asking, Jimmy san...I guess I'm going to have to be patient...while I feel much better, no fever or chills since I began antibiotics, I still feel like I've been running uphill if I'm on my feet for 10 minutes...from what everyone tells me, pneumonia takes a long time to get over...should I try to carry anything weighing more than 10 pounds I'm out of breath in less than a minute or two...at least I'm eating again so when my lungs return to normal I should have regained my lost pounds....have a great trip...I'm sorry I have to miss it....”

“Thanks, and I hope you recover soon. What an ordeal!”

“I too hope you feel better Mataharihiker. Unfortunatly, I've noticed it takes me a little longer to recover from things as I get older. I also have less patience now! When I'm down, I wanna be back up as soon as possible. That just makes it more difficult I think. Best wishes! The Northern Highlands are rooting for you! ; )”

“2010??? jeese. thats a ways away. just popping in to say hello. i made the move to northern california a little over a year ago. it was nice to meet and hike with all of ya'lls. deffinently itching to go out again soon. did a day hike the other day. 600ft-2700ft in 5 miles. i am out of shape. damn. lost coast trail next month. yea!! any of you's in the area. hit me up.

but seriously the few hikes i did from this board are great memories and thanks for being suportive to a newby like me.”

“Hi AutumnMike. How is Odie doing in California?”

“This sounds like a great trip. Look forward to it!”

“Lol! This trip has been moved so many times that I forgot about it. Many of the regulars on the fall colors trip will actually be on my Grand Canyon trip this October so we may have to change the dates or someone else can pick up the trip plan.

This is a great backpacking trail. It is fairly remote, mile after mile of deep forest, fantastic hemlock groves, rich marsh areas teeming with wildlife. In the summer the orchids that grow on the marshy segments are to die for.

Sorry for botching the dates croft, and I appreciate your joining. We do need to hike this trail, the lot of us. It would be a classic TT destination and I have only hiked in solo in the past.”

“The Grand Canyon trip is in 2009. The Jerry Lake trip is in 2010.”

“lmao! i am so lost i can't even remember the year! ok i take it all back!

i wouldn't mind going there in the fall, outside of hunting season... it's GREAT in the spring but you have to not be freaked by bugs 'cause there are LOTS then.”

“okay - October 2010 is a long way out so i should be able to put this on my calendar without double booking - so I am in.”

“that camp site at the yellow river is very nice... much better than the one at jerry lake... MUCH better. the catch is that you have to cross the yellow river to get to it... stone hopping and likely a wet foot. then you have to scramble (up a well packed trail) up the bank of the river... all good fun and the water is generally shallow, but for a first-nights camp it is atypical. i have never actually managed to camp here, always camping at Jerry Lake... there is an established camp site on the SE corner of the lake just shy of the parking lot. we can camp there if the yellow river camp is too much for people arriving late... but for those getting there early the yellow river camp is worth the river crossing.

...of course being this is in 2010 none of this matters in the slightest.


Yellow River


Camp at Yellow River

Other goodies abound... wild stumps with birch trees sprouting over them, beaver dams, interesting fungus... it's got it ALL.


Stumps abound!


Camp at Chippewa Lobe of Ice Age Trail


View from Chippewa Lobe Camp Site
last edited: 6/05/09 5:09:53 AM”

“...like is said, if you are willing to brave the bugs and get really wet and muddy this place ROCKS in the spring. the vegetation is VERY lush and the marsh areas have these really pretty orchids... sometimes hard to find but really special.”

“in”

“If an approximate October date in 2010 holds, I'm in. If changed to the spring, I'll have to cancel as I'm hiking the AT from March-September.”