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Delafield, Wisconsin, United States

Ice Age Trail:Lapham Peak

Follow the Ice Age Trail through prairies and woods from Cushing Park Drive to the UW-Waukesha Field Station.

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
Duration: 1-3 hours
Family Friendly • Dog Friendly
 
Overview: The Ice Age Trail is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting the remnants left behind by glaciers during the last ice age over 12,000 years ago. Designated as a National Scenic Trail, the Ice Age trail follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation throughout Wisconsin providing some of the world's best examples of glacial formations such as kettles, moraines, and drumlins.

The Lapham Peak segment of the Ice Age trail goes through Lapham Peak State Park from the North Cushing Road to the UW-Waukesha Field Station.

This complete and detailed guide covers the Lapham Peak segment of the Ice Age Trail and all it's access points, trailheads, parking, connecting trails, communities, parks, preserves, and facilities. This guide contains almost 20 points of interest for the trail, viewable via your browser at home, or on the fly trailside via your mobile phone.

Enjoy!

WisconsinGuide


Tips: Trail Signage:

Yellow blazes, small rectangles painted or hung on trees or post along the trail, are the official trail blaze of the Ice Age Trail. Trailheads of sections certified by the National Park Service will include the "Woolly Mammoth Ice Age National Scenic Trail" rounded triangle sign.

Safety:

Always share your trip itinerary with family or friends before leaving for the back county.

Keep your itinerary private from strangers.

Carry a cell phone.

The trail and weather are always changing. Layering clothing is the best way to regulate your temperature during changing weather conditions and activity level such as climbing or descending bluffs. Be prepared with protective clothing for wet weather.

Be prepared by always carrying the appropriate gear: water, snacks, map, compass, matches, whistle, weather gear, and first aid gear. Your best tools are knowledge, experience, and common sense. Obtain and exercise them before venturing out.

Hunting is permitted in season in certain parts of the trail. Blaze orange and bright colors are required if in these areas in season.

Camping:

Camping vary greatly along the trail, from frequently and developed, to sparadic and undeveloped. Camping areas include: developed campgrounds, camping shelters, Walk-in campsites, and areas of dispersed camping in the back county

Points of Interest

Junction
map

Lapham Peak North Trailhead

The Lapham Peak segment of the Ice Age trail begins at the northwesternmost point of Lapham Peak State Park on CTH-C/North Cushing Park Road where the Ice Age Trail heads east across the prairie.

This segment connects to the Delafield segment to the North.

A small off road parking area is on the east side of North Cushing Park rd. The next closest parking is at Cushing Memorial Park.
Viewpoint
map

Tim's Woods

A small group of oaks standing over a prarie of wildflowers in marked by a sign.
Junction
map

Nemahbin Springs Spur Trail

A 0.25 mile spur trail leads down to Nemahbin Springs-a natural spring.
Viewpoint
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Boardwalk

A short boarwalk leads over some wetlands.
Junction
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CTH-C/Kettle Moraine Drive

The Ice Age Trail crosses CTH-C/Kettle Moraine Drive.
Junction
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Evergreen Shelter Spur Trail

A short spur trail leads to the Evergreen Shelter, restrooms, water, and parking.
Campground
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Backpack Campsite Spur Trail

A short spur trail leads to a reservable backpack campsite. The campsite has a firepit, picnic table, and pit toliet.

The backpack campsite is reservable by calling 262-646-3025.
Junction
map

Boy's School Road

The Ice Age Trail crosses Boy's School Road.
Junction
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STH-18

The trail crosses STH-18. A sign on the north side of STH-18 marks the trail access for the Lapham Peak segment. A gravel trail on the south side of STH-18 leads to the Glacial Drumlin Trail.

There is a small off-road area for parking.
Junction
map

Glacial Drumlin Trail

The Ice Area trail meets the Glacial Drumlin Trail and follows it for 2 miles to the UW-Waukesha Field Station.

The Glacial Drumlin Trail is a 52 mile long rail-trail between Waukesha and Cottage Grove.
Junction
map

UW-Waukesha Field Station Trailhead

The Ice Age Trail Lapham Peak segment terminates at the UW-Waukesha Field Station where the trail heads south into the woods.

Parking is available at the UW-Waukesha Field Station.
Junction
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Lapham Peak State Park

Lapham Peak State Park's signiture feature is the 1,223 foot kame known as Lapham Peak. A 45-foot observation tower crowns Lapham Peak.

Many trails surround Lapham Peak.
Parking
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Evergreen Shelter Parking

The Evergreen Shelter area has restrooms, water, and parking. A short trail provides access to the Ice Age Trail.
Parking
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Lapham Peak Parking

A parking lot atop Lapham Peak offers parking, restrooms, water, and an informational kiosk.
Parking
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Cushing Memorial Park

Cushing Memorial Park has water, restrooms, parking, a playground, and access to Wisconsin's Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk.
Viewpoint
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Lapham Peak Observation Tower

A 45-foot observation tower sits atop the kame at 1,223 feet above sea level, the hightest point in Waukesha County.
Junction
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UW-Waukesha Field Station Entrance

Access road on Waterville Road leads to the UW-Waukesha Field Station.

The UW-Waukesha Field Station was born when Gertrude Sherman donated here 92-acre farm to UW-Waukesha in 1967. The UW-Waukesha is restoring the acreage to communities of plants and animals native to Wisconsin.

Parking is available with access to the Ice Age Trail.
Parking
map

Ice Age Trail Parking

Small grass parking area with access to the Ice Age Trail via a grassy footpath.
Pictures in this guide taken by: WisconsinGuide, kwestlake

Ice Age Trail:Lapham Peak Trail Map


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About the Author

WisconsinGuide
WisconsinGuide
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An outdoor enthusiast living in SE Wisconsin. I believe there is adventure to be had exploring right...

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