What Challenges do you face?

 

How about doing a the Trail Challenge with a toddler? We took Aiden with us yesterday -- Charlie too. This little guy will turn 2 in a few months. 

At one time I was told that Charlie was too tiny of a dog to accomplish something like the Trail Challenge of 59+ miles. We did it.

A week ago, as I was hiking with Olive on one of our uncharted adventures, I mentioned the Trail Challenge. She mentioned that her hubby and she wanted to do some serious backpacking with Aiden this coming year.

What better way to get in shape but to hike locally on tough trails? When she got home, she printed up two copies of the 2023 Trail Challenge. One for her, one for me. 

I think I said something about trying this Challenge back to back one time. But I think I was kidding.

Now I am not.  

I suggested a trail hike on Sunday morning while the snow was still crisp but the temperatures still fairly mild. I asked if she'd like to bring Aiden along and we could put him in a sled and pull him on the snow. The answer was yes.

Olive negotiates coming down a steep
hill with Aiden in the sled.

The little adventure was a win for everyone. 

Charlie got to hike and enjoy a nice long walk, 

Aiden got to ride in a sled and play in the snow. 

Olive and I got to do the girl talk thing, and Olive's hubby got a break from the little guy! 

Aiden enjoyed the weather so much that when mom tried convince him to 'come along' he did this...

And...this:

I think he was telling us to...

Stop

And

Enjoy.

You just can't be in a hurry with little people along. 

I guess we/I are/am doing the Trail Challenge again. So here we go...

The Yellow was intentional and the pink line was an exploration to see if the ponds by the bird viewing area still had ice. The ponds were still iced over. But we still finished one more tiny section.

We had seen two swans on the Kickapoo River on our drive to the Reserve.

Happy Challenges!

KVR Trail Challenge ~ Rockton Trails

I once in a while use mapmywalk app to get an idea of exactly where I hiked. It is a fairly useful app and it is fun to see it with a Satellite photo or Terrain photo of the area hiked.

I started at the parking area for the Canoe launch and landing site #12. I'd walked a good half of this route along Old 131 [which is actually Old County P--but I won't explain that].

As soon as we started, it began to sleet. I was surprised but since it was sleet and not heavy rain I wasn't bothered in the least. 

Sleet on Charlie's back:

Rocks on Old 131:

I just love seeing these little rock formations!

Charlie and I walked south along Old 131 to the first Ho Chunk bridge and then took a right to follow Indian Creek Trail. I knew from previous studies of the map, that if I simply took right hand turns at each intersection, I'd likely do just fine.

First Ho Chunk Bridge:

Second Ho Chunk Bridge:

The trail signs at KVR are pretty decent, but having a map in hand is really handy to have also. When I reached one spot in the trail I had 3 choices. Point #9 went up hill into the pines towards Black Hawk Rock, this was an equine trail. Another arrow pointed to Indian Creek Trail. The arrow to the right said Rockton Trail. That was the one I wanted.

Further on down the Rockton Trail, that trail split into two sections, both labeled Rockton trail. I knew I wanted to bear right, but I decided to check the map. One of the trails was a bicycle use only and the other was hiking/riding. 
Curious though. The Trail Challenge it does not specify exactly which trail is to be done except I decided that was a no brainer. I followed the tiny hikers that are nailed to the trees.

I was so surprised to find myself in a pine forest that had been planted many years ago. The trail wound through the pines. The ground was covered with beautiful pine needles and well...

My little pocket camera couldn't capture the sights, smells, and sounds that we experienced. But the colors were muted and amazing under the sleety/rainy/dull sky.

We entered a hardwood forest and simply had to just stop. Well, I stopped and sat on a log while Charlie explored the great smells. 

I put the camera on a delayed timer and walked away down the trail. I'm wearing a safety vest as there are pheasant hunters in the field areas. Bow season is open but those hunters are rarely near a trail.

During Gun Season, I just stay away from all forests even those on my own land.

The trail was just so beautiful along here.

The trail led us to Lisney Road for a very short jaunt before it went back into the woods. And we ended up in the field behind Rockton Bar. 

I counted 12 horses tied to the rails while their owners were probably in the Bar eating burgers. Hubby and I used to go their for lunch any time we were riding the Gov't Ground as it was called years ago.

Charlie set the pace on this hike. He loves the cooler weather and he actually has a pretty fast pace. He can cover a mile in 20 minutes which I consider fast for a dog with 3 inch front legs. 

Sections finished:
#34, #35, and #36.

5 sections left to go.
I want to get those done before Deer Gun Season!

Three of the sections are going to be a bit harder as I will have a 2 mile walk in one direction and then have to turn around and come back. I am curious as to why they include walking along the side of a county road as part of their hiking trail challenge.

Walking along a county road that can be busy at times is not really my idea of a peaceful hike. However, I'll get it done!