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Winter Hike
January 26, 2020 @ 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Winter presents the opportunity to explore the interior of the Cedarburg Bog.
Jim Reinartz (Field Station Director Emeritus) will lead the annual hike into the heart of the Bog. This is a 4-mile hike, and weather or snow and ice conditions can make this hike challenging. In the past we have hiked in bitter cold, on a warm day with wet slush over the ice, in deep snow, with no snow at all on very slick ice, and when we were lucky, with a little snow over solid ice. If ice conditions in the Bog are not safe, we will hike in the uplands instead.
Update on Conditions – January 25, 2020
We will be able to hike to Long Lake, and probably Donut Lake tomorrow. The trail will be VERY slushy and wet. Without waterproof winter boots, hikers will get wet feet. I will wear my snowshoes just to keep up out of the slush a little bit.
There are a couple places in cattails where there are spots that a boot could poke through the ice. It will be VERY important that hikers stay on the trail that has been beaten down with snowshoes. Hikers must accept the risk that they could get a wet foot if they step through the ice. Hikers are required to sign a liability release.
Wear good boots, and glasses (safety glasses or sunglasses) are always recommended for walking in the Bog. The conditions under foot will not be ideal, but the Bog will guarantee astonishing beauty!
Jim Reinartz
Update on Conditions – January 22, 2020.
I will preface this by saying this is just an educated guess. I think that there will be safe ice to hike to Long Lake, but I will not know for certain until Saturday. If the route is safe, it will be important to stay on the trail. If we can’t hike to Long Lake, we will hike elsewhere.
There is almost no chance that the hike will be on slick smooth ice, but always bring your ice traction devises with you just in case. Based on the weather forecast, I think there is a good chance that there will be slushy wet snow and water over the ice. Waterproof winter boots may be needed.
Jim Reinartz