Step into a landscape literally shaped by time as we backpack the South Kettle Moraine Section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
The Ice Age Trail is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States and the only one that traces the edge of a single geologic event — the last continental glacier. As we hike this section, we’ll be walking along the terminal moraine where massive sheets of ice stalled, melted, and reshaped the land roughly 12,000 years ago, leaving behind the ridges, kettles, and valleys that define the region today.
The South Kettle Moraine is especially fascinating because the geology is so visible and dramatic. Steep moraine ridgelines rise unexpectedly from the forest, kettle lakes dot the landscape where buried ice blocks once melted, and the trail follows the natural contours left by retreating glaciers. Our section of the 1,200 miles of the Ice Age Trail runs through one of Wisconsin’s most ecologically diverse landscapes, blending prairie remnants, oak savanna, and hardwood forest.
This beginner-friendly backpacking trip is a great chance to see uniquely Midwestern terrain, and practice for a longer thru-hike. Whether you’re drawn by the science, the scenery, or the simple desire to live out of your pack for a few days, this journey offers a deeper understanding of why the Ice Age Trail is such a unique and meaningful place to hike.
Adventure Rating: Beginner
This trip is rated beginner because the route is beginner friendly. We’ll be hiking ~25 miles over four days, with our longest day coming in at 10 miles. We’ll be staying in backpacking shelters with access to pit toilets.
Backpacking with Wander Women: Things to Consider
Wander Women backpacking trips are physically exerting as you will be carrying up to 25-35 pounds of weight in your backpack while hiking in hilly terrain.
If you are looking for a trip where you can sneak away for lots of alone time, this is probably not the trip for you. Although, there will be chill time built into the trip!
This is a very hands-on trip. You will be expected to help with different aspects of setting up and tearing down camp, and general camp duties. This will all be done under the guidance of an experienced guide.
There will be personal items you will need to pack. We will provide you with a detailed packing list prior to the trip.
Be prepared to camp in all types of weather (rainy, cold, hot, stormy)
ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCATION
On this trip, we’ll be staying in remote backcountry sites that have backpacking shelters and pit toilets.
About the Ice Age Trail
More than 12,000 years ago, an immense flow of glacial ice sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty across Wisconsin. As the glacier retreated, it left behind a variety of unique landscape features. These glacial remnants are now considered among the world’s finest examples of how continental glaciation sculpts our planet.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand-mile footpath that highlights these landscape features as it travels through some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas. The Trail is entirely within Wisconsin and is one of only eleven National Scenic Trails. More than 2.3 million people use the Ice Age Trail each year to hike and snowshoe, to backpack, to disconnect and reconnect.
Behind the scenes, a vibrant community of volunteers across the state work to build and maintain the Trail, making it one of the country’s best hiking experiences. Source: Ice Age Alliance
GETTING THERE
If you are flying in from outside of Wisconsin, the closest airport is Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) (about a 50 min drive away). You’ll need to rent a car to get to the our starting point, or arrange carpool with a local Wanderer. Carpooling details are sent pre-trip in the private trip Discord channel. Carpooling arrangements can’t be guaranteed, especially for out-of-Iowa trips, but we try our best to connect Wanderers for coordination!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your registration provides you:
Expert planning and two Wander Women guides to help make the weekend as seamless and fun as possible!
Three nights of camping accommodation
All backpacking meals for the trip, including a snack pack
Group backpacking supplies, including water filters, satellite communicators and first aid kits
Wanderer swag bag full of goodies
A private trip Discord channel to connect with guides and fellow participants before & after the trip
Comprehensive pre-trip online guide with detailed logistics, packing recommendations, and trip tips
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Participants will be responsible for providing/paying for:
Transportation to/from the trip (we always encourage carpooling and can connect you with other participants to ride with!) and to trip activity locations
One post-hike lunch in town on our final day
Gear: Participants must provide their own backpacking gear, or are able to rent backpacking gear from Wander Women
INVESTMENT
$495
PAYMENT PLAN
We offer payment plans for all our trips, so you can pay a deposit now and the rest over time! WeTravel (our booking platform) easily lets you make a downpayment (this is also your non-refundable trip deposit!) and set up automatic payments for the remainder. For the payment plan schedule, just check the WeTravel page for details. There is NO fee for choosing the payment plan option!
Deposit for this trip: $200