Ice Age Trail – Bohn Lake Segment

The Ice Age Trail Bohn Lake Segment is another gorgeous section of trail that is definitely worth exploring. It is perfect for a short trail run. Another bonus is the parking, which is located near the start and end of the trail so no need for a complete out and back here.

• 

• 

Location

The Bohn Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail is located in Waushara County. The central Wisconsin trail is located just outside of Hancock, Wisconsin. You will find ample parking in the Bohn Lake State Natural Area. The start of the trail is a short walk from the parking area down a country road.

The Trail

Although this is a short section of the Ice Age Trail with only 1.8 miles of trail, it is gorgeous. As far as trails go, it is perfect short run for a beginner. The weekend I completed this section was my annual girls weekend. We spent the morning doing yoga followed by a run walk on the trail. Making the trail run a perfect way to end the morning!

Once you start on the trail it follows through a field. It was a gorgeous summer day perfect for exploring. The field section leads to a wooded trail a mix of oaks and tall pines. The trail was relatively flat in this section, but then it begins to descend down to Bohn Lake.

Overall the trail is not super technical with only a few tree roots scattered across the trail. The Ice Age Trail tail loops around Bohn Lake. Bohn Lake is a hard water seepage lake. When the glacier was present it had meltwater rivers beneath it. This created a large tunnel channel. When the tunnel collapsed, a large bit of ice melted creating the lake. The water depth of the lake varies greatly season to season depending on the hydraulic cycle. The vegetation also varies with the water depth.

• 

• 

• 

As come around the lake, you will reach a boardwalk that crosses the lake on one side and a small pond on the other. It is a gorgeous setting, and I would take time on the boardwalk to enjoy the scenery. Once you cross over the board walk, you will meet another trail that is part of the Bohn Lake State Natural Area trail. Watch for yellow blazes. The trail continues on through a wooded section with some hills follow the yellow blazes to 9th lane where the segment ends.

Once we completed the trail at 9th lane, we circled back to the natural area lake loop trail which ended at the parking lot. All total we ended with about 3 miles.

In Conclusion

I haven’t found a section of trail that I didn’t like yet. I am still looking! The Ice Age Trail Bohn Lake Segment is amazing. The scenery can’t be beat. It is perfect for a beginner. In addition it is an excellent segment to complete if you are looking for a shorter distance run. Another section that I would definitely plan to return to.