Skip to content

Details

Status: RSVPs to open April 26 at noon CT

Trip Summary:

  • Mileage: Moderate
  • Terrain/conditions: Moderate
  • Distance: 19 miles
  • Location: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, Whitewater WI
  • Capacity: 10 people total

This trip will hike south through the Blue Spring Lake, Blackhawk, and Whitewater segments of the Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit. We will spend one night car camping and one night backcountry camping. You can view trail maps and Ice Age hiking guide here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kms/maps.

Requirements: This is a trip for intermediate backpackers, or beginners who have appropriate experience to hike and camp without assistance. If you have not completed an overnight trip with our group, please direct message the organizer to introduce yourself. Review the club guidelines posted here: https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/.

Meetup messaging is unreliable, and we use email for pre-trip communications. You will be asked to enter your email when you RSVP. Respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Participation is at the discretion of the organizer. DO NOT RSVP UNLESS YOU FULLY INTEND TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE ARRANGED FOR TIME OFF FROM WORK, ETC. Cancellations and non-responders require the organizers to take additional time to contact and confirm waiting list participants to fill the spots.

About the Trip:
This backpack will be a moderate hike along the Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, approximately 2 hours northeast of Chicago.

The trail consists mostly of packed dirt along rolling terrain. There are hills throughout, mostly under 25’ gain. While we will take breaks throughout the day, you should be in good physical shape so that the group can stay together and have a positive experience. We will camp at KMSF-Southern Unit backpack site #3 on Saturday night.

Water access:

  • On Saturday, we can refill using faucets at Horserider’s camp, about 3.5 miles into the day. We can also cache water near our Saturday night campsite in advance.
  • On Sunday, we can refill with cached water, and there is a spot to filter water about 3 miles into the day (Lake LaGrange).

Gear: this is a self-supported trip, meaning each participant should provide their own backpacking gear as though this were a solo trip. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stove and fuel, but the organizers can share theirs with participants who do not have these items.

Itinerary:
You can view a trail and campground map on the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit website here. We will be following the Ice Age Trail.

Friday June 26, evening:

  • Meet at Hickory Woods group camp for overnight car camp. (This is near the Whitewater Lake Campground.) You can use the following Google Maps plus code: Q8R5+MH Whitewater, Wisconsin; or the GPS coordinates: 42.8336205° N + -88.7323272° W.

Saturday June 27:

  • 6:30 am - 7:30 am: Breakfast
  • 7:30 am - 8:00 am: Break camp
  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Leave some cars at Whitewater Lake as this will be the end point. Shuttle cars to start at Emma Carlin Trailhead (approximately 20 minutes). If needed, leave one car with water near Duffin Road, 0.2 miles from Shetler #3.
  • 9:00 am - 9:15 am: Trail briefing, review backpacking etiquette, and Leave No Trace principles.
  • 9:15 am - 3:00 pm: Hike the Ice Age Trail south 9.6 miles, though Blue Spring Lake and Blackhawk segment. Take breaks throughout the day, including a lunch break.
  • 3:00 pm: make camp at Shelter #3. Gather firewood, eat dinner, and share camaraderie.

Sunday June 28:

  • 6:30 am - 7:30 am: Breakfast
  • 7:30 am - 8:00 am: Break camp
  • 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: hike south on IAT 9.1 miles to Whitewater Lake, including breaks.
  • 1:00 pm - TBD: can go for a swim in Whitewater Lake to cool off. Can have picnic lunch at Whitewater Lake or go into town of Whitewater for lunch. Shuttle drivers back to Emma Carlin for their cars.

Transportation: trip organizers do not arrange carpools, which are optional, but we do encourage carpooling. Once the participant list is set, the Organizer will send out an email and share contact info with permission for those who wish to participate in carpooling. Each car should make its own arrangements for gas and WI State Park Vehicle Admission Pass. More information on vehicle pass here.

Costs: camping costs will be divided evenly among the participants and organizers. Approximately $12/person.

Acknowledgement: As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) Terms of Service agreement which you signed when you joined Meetup (link below) and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.

Click here to review the [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) Terms of Service.
(https://www.meetup.com/terms/)

Prior to the weekend, you will be emailed a waiver form that must be signed and returned before the trip. Again, please ensure that you provide an email address that you actively use

We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the trail!

Erika A. and Nathan B.

You may also like