Ice Age Trail Alliance
Lodi Chapter

Trail Descriptions and Locations in the Lodi Area

HIKE ALL OUR OUTSTANDING TRAIL SEGMENTS: FIND DIRECTIONS TO ALL OUR TRAILHEADS FOLLOWING THESE DESCRIPTIONS.

EVEN BETTER - buy a guide book from IATPF - click on the link to the left of this page.

LODI MARSH SEGMENT: 1.6 MILE LOOP: ON THE WEST SIDE OF LODI-SPRINGFIELD ROAD

Start at the Robertson Trailhead parking area (by the kiosk) on Lodi-Springfield Road. This loop winds through glacially sculpted landscape of dolomite hills and deep valleys in the 1,000-acre State Wildlife Area. The IAT travels along the edge of a marsh, through a lowland prairie and over bedrock ridges. It crosses the least disturbed dry-mesic prairie in the state, which contains species such as big and little bluestem, Indian grass, showy goldenrod, sky-blue asters and the state threatened prairie thistle. Other features include dry forests of oak, hickory, cedar glade and exposed limestone cliffs. On the north-facing slope is a dry-mesic forest of sugar maples and basswoods. Breeding birds include the great-blue heron, sandhill cranes, and several rare species.

EASTERN LODI MARSH SEGMENT: 2.4 MILES: LODI-SPRINGFIELD ROAD TO LODI

From the Robertson Trailhead parking area, (the kiosk), off Lodi-Springfield Road (which becomes Riddle Road in Columbia County), cross the road and follow the trail north as it extends through the Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area, and into the city of Lodi. The trail follows several dolomite ridges that were sculpted but not obliterated by glacial ice. It passes through woods and open areas, some with outstanding views of the marsh below. Hikers will travel through areas of large oak, walnut, and other hardwood trees. One may also find white tail deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, woodcock, geese and other waterfowl, and the beautiful Sandhill Crane. Prairie flowers include Shooting Stars, Lily of the Valley, and Yellow Lady Slippers.

After reaching the trailhead at Hwy 113, turn left and continue north .4 miles to the city of Lodi on a mowed path along the highway.

CITY OF LODI SEGMENT: 3.2 MILES: VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK TO BEHIND LODI SCHOOL

At Pleasant Street and Hwy 113, turn left on Pleasant Street and cross Spring Creek on the road bridge. After crosssing, turn right into Veteran's Park. Recross Spring Creek on a footbridge, cross a parking area and continue up the walkway to Main Street. After winding through town, the IAT passes prairie restoration efforts behind the Lodi Middle and High Schools.

GROVES-PERTZBORN SEGMENT: 1.6 MILES: BILKEY ROAD TO COUNTY HWY J

This segment provides a view of the unique transition between glaciated and unglaciated terrain. Rounded hills covered with a thin layer of glacial till support area fields and woods. The Trail travels through dense woods filled with oak, basswood, aspen and other woodland species. Several species of fern as well as jack-in-the-pulpits and may apples are among the highlights. The diverse vegetation, steep ravine and dense forest canopy give this section a rain forest feel. A grassland section offers views to the north and west of Gibraltar Rock, Lake Wisconsin and the Baraboo Hills.

MERRIMAC FERRY: ACROSS LAKE WISCONSIN: As the only moving segment of the Ice Age Trail, the historic Merrimac Ferry is a lone survivor of about 500 ferries that used to operate in the 19th century across Wisconsin.

COLSAC SEGMENT ON THE STEENBOCH TRAIL: About 1.5 miles. Heading south from the Merrimac Ferry the Colsac Segment parallels Highway 113 under the cover of light woods including white oaks, shagbark hickory and maple. Crossing Highway 113 at Northern Cross Arm the trail continues to parallel the highway until reaching the IAPTF owned Steenbock Property. Traveling in a southeasterly direction the route steadily climbs the north face of the property taking in views of Lake Wisconsin through the screen of large oaks. From the trail one can see the opening of a large sandstone escarpment. Cross slope in this section is quite steep. The trail turns south and leaves the dense woods found on the north face and enters remnant prairie areas with light and sandy soil. A series of climbing turns takes one to the top, also known as the Slide, with views of Lake Wisconsin and the surrounding topography. From here the route continues southeast through dense red cedar entering rooms of existing remnant prairie areas with large blue stem, Indian grass, little blue stem and other native grass species. Restoration is an ongoing priority on this property expanding from the trail outward, opening key view sheds and maintaining current prairie areas. From the Steenbock Property the trail will reach Slack Hill Road and the DNR owned 7 – acre Mills Parcel which is just a hop, skip and a jump from Gibraltar Rock.

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEADS: Maps can be found at most businesses in Lodi. NOTE: Lodi-Springfield Road in Dane County and Riddle Road in Columbia County are the same road.

TWIN PINES:From the four way stop in Lodi, go west on Hwy 60 for 1/4 mile. Turn left(south) onto Riddle/Lodi-Springfield Road and go about 2 miles. Parking is on the east side of the road.

ROBERTSON TRAILHEAD and KIOSK (also known as The Lodi Marsh Trailhead): From the four way stop in Lodi, go west on Hwy 60 for 1/4 mile. Turn left(south) onto Riddle/Lodi-Springfield Road and go about 3 miles to the kiosk on the right.

STATE HWY 113 TRAILHEAD: From Lodi, travel south on 113 for 1/2 mile. Parking is on the west side of the Highway.

GROVES-PERTZBORN: County Hwy J trailhead:: Corner of Cty Hwy J and Lovering Rd. Go north through Lodi on Hwy 113. Turn left onto J. Go for about 2 miles to Lovering Road, on the left. GROVES-PERTZBORN: Bilkey Road Trailhead: From Lodi take Hwy 113 north. At J turn left and go west 1 mile. At Bilkey Road turn left and go south, then west 0.5 miles. Limited roadside parking at the trailhead.

COLSAC: This is sometimes referred to as the "Steenboch" property. The Trailhead is at the wayside park just south of the ferry landing on the Columbia County side of the Merrimac Ferry.