IAT - 10-25-13 to 10-26-13 - New Hope Segment up to Plover River Segment

For this trip I hooked up with some fellow hikers that are also hiking the IAT.  We started at the Iola Winter Sports Club and hiked north.  The first day started pretty good with about 5 miles of actual trail, but after that we were out of the woods and pounding the pavement for 20 miles.  There were some long straight road stretches that were less than thrilling so I was very glad to have the company to keep things interesting.  The weather was nice and cool, but overcast for most of the day so didn't take too many pictures since the nice fall colors were mostly grayed out.

Iola Winter Sports Club ski jump.

Boardwalk along the trail.

There were a bunch of these cool sculptures along the trail.

Another little guy hanging from a tree.

A lake that was just off the trail.

Some trees along the trail.

Good view along a connecting route.

Cool looking barn.

Some cows that were very interested in us.

Kassie always making friends.

A TINY snake along the road.

The next day started with a nice sunrise and a (relatively) short 7 mile road walk.  From there the trail follows a bike path for a few miles and then we were finally back into the woods!  It was very nice to back in the woods and off of streets or flat bike paths.  From there the rest of the trip was much more enjoyable.  There were a few short road walks mixed between the woods, but overall we were in the woods the rest of the day.  The woods were very peaceful and we didn't see another person till we reached the Eau Claire Dells area.  The trail there follows the Eau Claire River with some nice views along the way.  We crossed the river twice on a bridge and then a dam and there were lots of cool rocks along the way.  At the end of the segment there is another 3 and a half mile road stretch that we knocked out as well so that we could all start at the Plover River Segment next time around instead of starting with a road walk.  All in all it was a nice couple days and got some good miles in.

Sunrise day 2.

Panorama of the sunrise on day 2.

Some kittens at a house we passed by.

(The other) Pike Lake.

The Mountain Bay State Trail.

Hill leading up to Klaver Kame.  This picture does not do the hill justice.

Old tractor along the trail.

Wouldn't want hikers to ruin all that beer drinking and killing stuff.

Small waterfalls along the Eau Claire River

The Eau Claire River.

View of the river along the trail.

View of the river along the trail.

Bridge crossing over the river.

Sean enjoying the view (and waiting to take a picture).

View from on the bridge.

View of the river along the trail.

Got to find out the name of this thing.  Very cool rock formation in the river.

Old bridge over the Eau Claire River.

Dam going over the river.

View from on top of the dam.

End of the Eau Claire Dells Segment.

Barn near the end of the Eau Claire Dells Segment near sunset.

Start of the Plover River Segment.