"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape—the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."
— Andrew Wyeth
After several consecutive snowstorms, we accumulated about 6 to 8 inches of light, fluffy snow—ideal for snowshoeing. But where to go? By the time I had a chance to head outside, it was late Sunday, and the sun was already sinking in the west. Then Sue had a great idea—a section of the Ice Age Trail not far from my apartment.
Here's a map of the entire 1,000-mile trail:
In case you didn't know, Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail is a 1,200-mile-long hiking trail that winds through the state, following the path of glaciers that shaped the landscape during the last Ice Age around 12,000 years ago. It showcases dramatic glacial features such as moraines, eskers, kettles, and drumlins. The trail is a National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 in the U.S., and is managed by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the National Park Service, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Here's the section we decided to explore, just west of Middleton:
Sue had been here before, but not during winter. It was my first visit and possibilities for spring migration and insecting were apparent—I'll definitely return in May to check for warblers and other returning migrants.
Which way? That way!
There were a few small flocks American Tree Sparrows that we inadvertently disturbed from their evening roosting spots. They were pretty much the only birds with the exception of a lone Dark-eyed Junco. It was getting late, so the dearth of birds wasn't much of a surprise. The excursion was more about exercise and getting in some time outdoors.
As beautiful as the snow is, its time is limited. A prolonged period of warmer temperatures is set to arrive in our area on Sunday, gradually melting away the winter landscape. This warm spell is expected to persist for at least a week, bringing a noticeable shift in the season.
Enjoy the winter wonderland while it lasts!
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell