Kettle Moraine Ice Age Trail 2025 10

This week my wife and I were joined by my brother-in-law and his wife. This is a trip we had been planning for a while, so we were excited for the hike. However we would find the difficulty of this trail painful to say the least.

Key Features

• Glacial Topography: The trail traverses the classic, dramatic glacial features of the Kettle Moraine, including kames (steep hills), eskers (winding ridges), kettles (depressions), and moraines (glacial debris).
• Distance: The distance of the Ice Age Trail between the Butler Lake and Parnell Tower access points is approximately 3-4.5 miles, depending on the exact route taken, as it is part of a longer 13.9-mile segment (the Parnell Segment).
• Terrain Difficulty: This section is considered moderate to difficult due to the highly rolling and hilly topography, which requires continuous climbing and descending.
• Parnell Tower: A major point of interest is the 60-foot Parnell Tower observation tower, located near the trailhead. Climbing the tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding glacial landscape and is the highest point of elevation in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
• Trail Loops: Both the Butler Lake and Parnell Tower areas feature separate, named loop trails (about 3-3.5 miles each) that overlap with portions of the Ice Age Trail, allowing for shorter hikes.
• Backpacking Shelter: The area includes one of the designated rustic backpack shelters along the Northern Unit of the IAT, specifically Shelter #4, located near the Parnell Tower section.
• Water Access: Drinking water is available at the trailheads for both Butler Lake (hand pump well) and Parnell Tower (wellhead spigot), which is a key amenity for hikers.
• Parnell Segment: This section is part of the longer 13.9-mile Parnell Segment of the Ice Age Trail, which is popular for both day hikes and backpacking trips.
• Butler Lake: The trail passes near Butler Lake, which is part of the 158-acre Butler Lake and Flynn’s Spring State Natural Area. Hikers can find interpretive displays at the base of the esker overlooking the lake.
• Trail Markings: As part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the path is marked with the distinctive yellow blazes to guide hikers along the route.

Review

When planning this trip we were looking to hike the Ice Age Trail. We have hiked sections of the Ice Age trail before in Hartman Creek and Point Beach State Park. But this one was going to be a different hike.

Kettle Moraine is a state forest in south eastern Wisconsin. Its best known for the glacial deposits that make up the dramatic geological feature of its name. The Kettles and Eskers made a dramatic back drop for the trail.

We decided to start at the Butler Lake Trail Area but first we dropped our car off at Parnell Tower. Riding in my brother-in-law’s truck, we quickly traveled between the two parking lots.

We made the decision to place a vehicle so that we could hike the trail one way and not worry about the return trip. And by the time we were done we were glad for that decision.

Both of these parking lots require a State Park sticker or day parking pass. So while my brother-in-law purchased a park sticker, I took the time to check out the working hand powered water pump. I also checked out the plaques describing the glacial process that create the geological features.

Soon though we started on our trek. A quick stop allowed us to view the lake, a kettle formed from leftover ice creating a depression in the landscape. We started climbing the short 20 foot stairway to the top of the Esker.

The top of the Esker was a narrow rocky path running along the top of the ridge. And we found that this was what we would see for the most of the trail. Though the trail soon dropped down to a small creek that ran into Butler Lake.

Then the trail rose back up to an open hill with a full view of the lake and surrounding wetlands. After a brief stop to enjoy the view we continued on the path.

The trail dropped back in to the wet lands again before rising up to the top of another hill before crossing our first road.

That would be what we would see for most of the trail. Up and down the hilly Esker. Hiking along the mostly single file trail while on top of the ridge lines. And the trail would widen when we were on an extended section between the hills.

We were hiking along pretty well until about a mile into the hike. On our way down one hill, I stepped wrong on a loose rock and briefly lost my footing. As I regained my balance I felt a pain in my left ankle. I paused briefly to check my ankle and though it felt a little sore I felt I could continue.

We continued on our trek up and down the Esker as we made our way through the forest. For the most part we were given a rocky single file path with little room for passing hikers.

Eventually we got to Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr near Parnell Tower where we stagged our car for the end of our hike. Exhausted we debated walking the road to the parking lot or continuing on the trail until it split off to the parking lot.

I urged us to take the trail to avoid speeding cars on the road. However I did not know that the trail climbs almost 200′ above the road before a stair way leads back down to the parking lot.

So we trudged up the summit until we felt extremely exhausted. But finally we reached the stairway down and got to our car. My wife and in-laws waited while I walked back to the car to pick them up. We quickly packed up and drove back to Butler Lake.

Though we were exhausted and injured, we enjoyed our hike. But the trail is not an easy one. Considering Eskers are just hills made from the rocky deposits of a melting glacier, the path is just a worn trail through this wilderness.

If given a choice to walk this trail again, we will probably go the other way. The trail from Butler Lake to Parnell Tower was up hill, so going the opposite way would be easier.

We are already looking at walking the loops at both Butler Lake and Parnell tower in the future. So please keep an eye out.

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