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Dodging Shots by kingsnake  From the Butler Lake TH, the Ice Age Trail climbs a short set of stairs. Don’t head out the south end of the parking lot: That is the horse / snowmobile trail, which parallels, and occasionally crosses, the Ice Age Trail. It is not illegal to walk on the snowmobile trail, but is illegal for anything other than hikers on the Ice Age Trail. Other the prairie at Buter Lake’s north end, there were a few more open areas south of Butler Lake, and they tended to be larger than the ones north of it. In each open area, the mosquitoes magically disappear. 1.4 miles south of Butler Lake, the Ice Age Trail crosses County F. At the 2.0 mile mark, at the south end of a clearing, there is a branch trail to the Shelter #3, the “Dundee Shelter”. Just past the split, the trail begins following the west shore of Kellings Lakes, at the south end of which is a “dog training area”. I was under the impression that meant simply there might be some hunters training their dogs there, not actually firing off shots. So imagine my concerned surprise when I heard a quite close, very loud, shot.Conveniently, south of that point, there is a small rise between the lake and the trail, so I had some cover. At 3.3 miles, the Ice Age Trail crosses dirt Division Rd. Just past that, the trail begins following the west shore of Crooked Lake. The segment ends a mile later at County SS. I turned up the dirt road, towards the boat ramp, where there is a decent size parking area. Check out the Official Route and Triplog. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Review
Butler Lake to Crooked Lake - Ice Age Trail
Parnell Tower to Crooked Lake
In my continuing quest to do at least one hike — a real hike, as opposed to the city walks I did the last two days in Plymouth — every place I visit, I did another two segments of the Ice Age Trail. While the Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail, unlike the Appalachian Trail, it has many paved segments: For instance, around the west side of Road America, between Glenbeulah and Elkhart Lake. In all, 530 of 1,200 miles are paved. While I accept that city walking naturally involves pavement, when I am hiking I prefer to avoid it. Otherwise, what is the point?
Last year I hiked south from Glenbeulah to the Greenbush Campground, and from there to the Parnell Tower. This year, I continued south from Parnell Tower to Butler Lake, then to Crooked Lake.
The open areas along the Ice Age Trail are a welcome relief as, despite a re-application of Off!, I was getting eaten alive. The buzzing was so bad around the back of my head, I tried several times to video them. But I was not flexible enough, as I am not a Chinese gymnast. By the end of the hike, I had several dozen bites across my shoulders. Thankfully no chiggers, though, the bites of which are still itching three weeks after my hike on Oklahoma’s Bison Trail, where I picked them up. That despite the trail frequently becoming indistinct with overgrowth, weeds & grasses, in the open areas.
I hear guns all the time in Arizona, but the shooting near Kellings Lakes really got my attention. And it seemed like it was towards the trail, not over the lake. I was concerned enough that I yelled to let them know I was there. Conveniently, south of that point, there is a small rise between the lake and the trail, so I had some cover. Thankfully, there was no more shooting.
My patient wife was waiting for me at Crooked Lake. Without her, I would not be able to do shuttle hikes. (Where'd the flower smiley go?)
Hike Video: [ youtube video ]
Wildflowers
More fungi than flowers. The fungi were spectacular.
Last year I hiked south from Glenbeulah to the Greenbush Campground, and from there to the Parnell Tower. This year, I continued south from Parnell Tower to Butler Lake, then to Crooked Lake.
The open areas along the Ice Age Trail are a welcome relief as, despite a re-application of Off!, I was getting eaten alive. The buzzing was so bad around the back of my head, I tried several times to video them. But I was not flexible enough, as I am not a Chinese gymnast. By the end of the hike, I had several dozen bites across my shoulders. Thankfully no chiggers, though, the bites of which are still itching three weeks after my hike on Oklahoma’s Bison Trail, where I picked them up. That despite the trail frequently becoming indistinct with overgrowth, weeds & grasses, in the open areas.
I hear guns all the time in Arizona, but the shooting near Kellings Lakes really got my attention. And it seemed like it was towards the trail, not over the lake. I was concerned enough that I yelled to let them know I was there. Conveniently, south of that point, there is a small rise between the lake and the trail, so I had some cover. Thankfully, there was no more shooting.
My patient wife was waiting for me at Crooked Lake. Without her, I would not be able to do shuttle hikes. (Where'd the flower smiley go?)
Hike Video: [ youtube video ]
Wildflowers
More fungi than flowers. The fungi were spectacular.
2016-08-04 kingsnake
