Chippewa Moraine’s glacial terrain is great for day hikes
I first had my eye on the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area as a possible backpacking destination.
A segment of the Ice Age Trail passes through the 3,568-acre property in northwestern Chippewa County, and a couple primitive campsites along the trail plus other trails in the area make it a good spot for a weekend backpacking jaunt.
But when I visited in early January, it was only with a daypack on my back, and the recreation area proved a great spot for an afternoon hike in a gorgeous glaciated landscape.
The Chippewa Moraine is one of nine Ice Age National Scientific Reserve units in Wisconsin. The Reserve was established in 1964 and protects glacial landforms and landscapes. Most of the units are connected by the Ice Age Trail, a 1,200mile trail that traces the edge of the last glacier to plow through Wisconsin. (Other reserve units include Interstate Park, Devil’s Lake State Park, Horicon Marsh and the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit.)
In addition to classic glacial landforms like eskers, kettle lakes and hummocky (hilly) terrain, the Chippewa Moraine protects an ice-walled lake plain. The plains is a flattopped hill — it sits above the surrounding hilly terrain and was created by glacial lakes that had silt and clay deposits on their bottoms that were left behind when the ice receded and the lake drained.
The reserve is also home to dozens of lakes, most of which are seepage lakes, which means water comes in and out through the ground and not rivers.
Most of those features are visible — and explained — on the 0.7-mile Mammoth Nature Trail, which begins at the David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center.
center sits on top of the icewalled plain and offers views of the surrounding woods and prairie.
The trailhead at the nature center also provides access to two other loop trails: the 1.8-mile Dry Lake Trail and the 4.5-mile Circle Trail. The Ice Age Trail’s 7.6-mile segment through the reserve intersects all three trails.
They’re all open to hiking, snowshoeing and skiing in the winter, although they’re not groomed. The trails around the nature center are well traveled, packing down the snow and creating slick conditions on some of the steep hills. But the hills are short and manageable for most hikers — a family of four, with a baby slung around mom’s neck and a snowsuit-clad toddler ambling along behind Dad, managed the Dry Lake Trail just fine.
With the multitude of lakes and lowThe lying areas, it’s not hard to imagine the bugs being prolific in warm-weather months. But the terrain would still make for a great, quick backpacking trip. So I’ll be back — maybe after the first frost in fall.
More information: Because the recreation area is part of a national reserve, federal national parks passes are honored. Everyone else needs a state parks sticker ($28/year, $8/day).
The interpretive center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. In addition to viewing displays about glaciers and their effect on the surrounding landscape, visitors can hold a snake, pet a turtle, dig for fossils, do a scavenger hunt and borrow snowshoes.
The area’s three primitive campsites are available on a first-come, firstserved basis; two are hike-in sites, one is accessible only by boat. They cost $16 per night for Wisconsin residents and $21 for non-residents; registration is required at the interpretive center.
Pets are permitted in the recreation area; they must be on a leash around the visitor center.
Hunting is permitted in the recreation area. Wear bright clothing if you’re hiking during hunting season.
Getting there: The Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area is at 13394 County Highway M, New Auburn, about 280 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Google Maps will take you to the general area, but will probably direct you to an area southeast of the nature center. Use the address above or the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Unit as your destination, and you’ll end up at the visitor center off County Highway M east of North Shattuck Lake.