Chippewa River Segment – Ice Age Trail
The Chippewa River Segment of the Ice Age Trail is a short but scenic segment. Plenty of water views along the trail make this segment worth coming back to!
Chippewa River Segment – Ice Age Trail 
Chippewa River Views
Location
This segment is located just outside of the trail community of Cornell, Wisconsin. Located in the heart of Chippewa County, part of the trail is located in the western part of Brunette Island State Park. Once you complete the trail, a short connector route will take you right into town.
If you are looking for a place to stay and enjoy this segment or another segment in Chippewa County, I highly suggest camping at Brunette Island State Park. It is perfect spot for adventuring. The campsites are right on the Cornell Flowage, where the Chippewa River and Fischer Rivers meet. Waterfront campsites that you can launch your kayak from, yes please!
Trail
The 1.9 mile trail was the perfect distance for my nine year old daughter and I. We set out with a plan for an out and back. We started the segment from a large parking area on County Road CC. The trail traverses through a gorgeous hardwoods.
The beginning of the trail follows up and down along high ridges on the Chippewa River Segment. The well maintained single track trail offers stunning views. There are some roots and rocks but the single track trail isn’t overly technical. Making this segment perfect for a beginning trail runner. It wasn’t a very fast run, because there was too much to see!
The trail emerges from the woods onto a short connector route and then then heads back into the woods. This section of trail winds through the 598 acre Krank Nature Preserve. As it winds through the preserve, you will cross a small stream with a rocky path to cross. The final portion of the trail wraps around Perch Lake. We had a total of 430 feet of elevation gain, for our out and back run on the trail.
Final Thoughts – Chippewa River Segment
If you are looking for a beautiful trail with water views this is it. Although the Chippewa River Segment is a somewhat hilly section of the Ice Age Trail it is an excellent option for kids who enjoy exploring. I highly recommend spending a few days to explore Chippewa County, as there are other trail sections in the county that are short drives from Brunet Island State Park. It was the perfect place to camp. We have our site booked for next year already!
