Backpacking Weekend - Kettle Moraine North / IAT - March 2026

OVERVIEW Join us for a weekend of late winter backpacking in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Overall distance for the weekend will be about 11 miles over two days on the IAT (portions of the Parnell and Greenbush segments). Overnight we have the option to sleep in a shelter or bring a tent and setup nearby. (Please read the event description completely before signing up.)

DETAILED ITINERARY
FRIDAY MARCH 13, 2026
There won't be a scheduled meeting or start time, instead arrive that afternoon or evening as your schedule permits and hike the 1/4 mile in to shelter 3.

Shelter 3 parking is located on the west side of Division Road about ½ mile south from County Highway F in a small lot. [WINTER INFO: Division Road is plowed to the parking area which can usually accommodate 4 or 5 vehicles providing the snowbanks aren’t too big. Depending on participation and the number of vehicles, we may need to shuttle Friday evening to make room, otherwise, we'll shuttle Saturday morning in the daylight. Please DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD! It may appear that the road ends where the plowing stops, but it does continue and is used by vehicles or snowmobiles depending on conditions.]

The trail to the shelter starts west up a small hill from the parking area and joins the official shelter access trail (indicated by the dotted blue line on KMSF-NU map) and then continues west to the shelter.

The shelters areas are often picked clean of firewood, and we will want a nice warm fire so I will bring firewood. There isn't potable water near Shelter 3 (although there is a spring) so plan accordingly. Our next potable water source is about 3 miles into the hike on Saturday.

SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2026
In the morning we'll likely get the fire going again to warm up, if necessary, or just warm up some breakfast. Once packed up, our first order of business will be to shuttle a couple vehicles to our ending point. We'll figure out the exact logistics that morning. When that is taken care of, we'll head out hiking east on the shelter spur to the IAT (Ice Age Trail). We'll take the IAT north for about 3 miles to Butler Lake where we can take a short break and replenish our water from the hand pumped well. From there we’ll continue another 4.5 miles to Shelter 4 where we’ll spend the night.

There is a designated potable water source for Shelter 4; however, it is not very close or on our route. The well is located at the Parnell Tower parking area which is about a mile from the shelter making it a 2 mile round trip. I find it easier to just load up at Butler Lake than do the extra distance but it's nice to have options. If the weather is nice and the trails are fast, we may end up at the shelter fairly early. In that case we could head over to the Parnell observation tower to take in the view with the option to grab some water.

I will drop some firewood near Shelter 4 prior to the weekend to ensure we're able to have a nice warm fire without regard to what we may be able to scavenge around the shelter.

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2026
Again, we'll likely get a brief fire going while we pack up and have breakfast. Once we're packed and fueled, we’ll continue our hike north on the IAT for about 3.5 miles toward the Greenbush Recreational Area. We usually conclude our hike at the parking area for Shelter 5 but occasionally, with snow, that lot can become difficult to access. In that case we'll continue on to the main parking lot adding an additional half mile which would put us at a maximum of 4 miles. We'll know our final destination once we shuttle cars Saturday morning.

Once our hike is complete, we’ll get everyone shuttled back to their vehicle. Optionally, we may want to get second breakfast or lunch somewhere nearby.

GENERAL INFO
The shelters have a pit toilet/outhouse but don't count on there being any toilet paper. Shelters have no heat but with a tarp over the door (which I'll provide) we have good protection from the wind. You’re welcome to sleep inside the shelter; it will cozily accommodate 10 people between the benches and floor or bring a tent and sleep outside. (If you sleep in the shelter, bring earplugs! Between snoring, folks rustling, sleep mats squeaking and the door tarp flapping, there can be quite a bit of noise!)

Participation for this trip will be limited to 10 persons based on the DNR shelter (site) occupancy limit. The parking areas for shelter 3 and shelter 5 do not require a parking sticker, however the main Greenbush lot does. Parking stickers/permits can be purchased there at the self-registration station.

A Yes/Attending RSVP signifies that you have read and understand the Meetup Terms of Service agreement including the Waiver of Liability contained within Section 6 and understand that participation is solely at your own risk. Furthermore, I do not have any backpacking, safety or first aid related training. Paying for this event is not hiring a guide; it is simply sharing costs between participants.

TEMPS - Avg High: 39F, Avg Low: 23F
DAYLIGHT - Sunrise: 7:07am, Sunset: 6:56pm

FEES & PAYMENT INFO
Your participation fee covers:
Shelter Reservations - $49.95 ($21.00/Night & $7.95 Reservation Fee)
Firewood - $117.00 (Budgeting for 18 bundles @ $6.50ea)
Meetup Fee - $3.00 (Toward group operating expenses)

Your participation does not cover:
Personal gear, food or transportation
WI State Park vehicle admission sticker or daily pass

RSVPs will close 24 hours prior to the posted event start time.
Participant payments are due within 48 hours of signing up and 24 hours prior to the event!

Payments can be made thru either:

• Venmo - @Randall-Ostracon-Schultz
• PayPal - backpackwithrandall@gmail.com

Please include the event title in your payment description!

Refunds will be granted if requested a minimum of 10 days prior to the event start.

LINKS
KMSF-NU Map: [KMSF-North_Map.pdf](https://widnr.widen.net/s/nsvfvfttlc/kmsf-north_map)
KMSF-NU IAT Distance Chart:
p.widencdn.net/qskygm/KMSF-Northern-Unit_Ice-Age-Trail-Distances_PR-275
Shelter 3 parking on Google Maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X6WJ2pBZ5pyedsVM9
2023 IATA Atlas Maps
88f Parnell Segment
89f Parnell Segment / Greenbush Segment

CONTACT INFO
Please feel free to contact me directly through the Meetup messenger with any questions or use the event comment section.