Monday, November 7, 2022

Recap: Mammoth Hike Challenge 2022

Last year, I participated in the Mammoth Hike Challenge as a way to get out on the trails while I rehabbed my broken ankle and foot. Heck, even if I hadn't had an injury, I would have done it. I discovered the Ice Age Trail during the pandemic and fell in love with the beauty, the climbs, and the solitude. Regular readers know that I spend many happy miles on these trails, both hiking and running. 

When the Ice Age Trail Alliance announced this year's Mammoth Hike Challenge, I optimistically signed up, knowing that I would be out of town for a week in October. Even so, since I was running, I thought that maybe I'd be able to cover more miles this time. This year, the IATA awarded 10 bonus miles for participating in an official event, which I had earned from the Wisconsin Fall Colors Run. That gave me a little breathing room. But you know me...and I wanted to do all my 42 miles on the trail. Since this is a recap, you know that I did.

The challenge also requires that participants visit 3 official trail communities--towns adjacent to the trail that partner with the IATA. This year, the IATA added several new communities and I would expect more to join in the years to come. It's a win-win for both and encourages hikers to visit the towns. After visiting Janesville, I was on a mission to find murals this year and was rewarded in each of the towns I visited.

THE RUNS

Janesville Segment, Devil's Staircase, Arbor Ridge 9.25 miles

I kicked off the challenge at the beginning of the month by driving up to Janesville, a small city just north of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. I had plans to run on 3 segments there: the Janesville segment, Devil's Staircase, and Arbor Ridge. I parked in downtown Janesville and was excited to see many of the murals I found on a Google search. The Rock River divides the town in 2 and the trail runs along the river. I ran on a mostly shaded pavement trail along the river for about 3 miles until I reached the Devil's Staircase. 


When I came to a staircase, I learned that this steep staircase was not THE Devil's Staircase but that it would take me there. At the top of the staircase, I ran along a bluff on a very narrow wooded trail high above the river. It was peaceful and it was lovely. There was some graffiti on the rocks, a reminder that this was an urban trail. The real Devil's Staircase was a very steep, stony climb that winds around a gorge. There are no handrails and it is somewhat treacherous! 


Once at the top of the Devil's Staircase, I made my way to the Arbor Ridge Segment. This segment was more like the IAT that I'd come to know and love--woodsy and hilly. Once I reached a prairie, I thought I reached the end of the segment, so I turned around and headed back. Later when I checked my map, I realized I had another mile to go--doh!

Gibraltar Segment, 7.2 miles

I've run this segment many times and was really excited to participate in the Wisconsin Fall Colors Run, which took place there. When I run here, I usually stop for photos and take my time, but since it was a race, I knew I would be pushing myself. I'm glad I knew what I was in for--we ended up with 1300 feet of climbing--and I made a friend, another runner who was struggling with the climbs. It was a beautiful morning to be on the trail and how fun to participate in an official IATA event! My only disappointment was that we didn't run past the overlook.

Fern Glen Segment, 3 miles (hike)

On a beautiful Saturday morning, I wanted to get in a few IAT miles on the Fern Glen Segment in Lodi. I don't go here often, but this windy, cool, sunny fall day was the perfect day to take it slow. The trail winds around a ravine and the climbs are pretty intense. 

Lodi Marsh Segment, 8.7 miles

I was up and out the door early in my blaze orange gear to run the Lodi Marsh Segment. The pheasant hunters were out and while I heard gunshots throughout my run, they weren't anywhere close to me. I've run this segment many times and it never disappoints. It was a misty cool morning, but the colors were still popping. With the foliage drying up a bit I was able to climb down the steep 'staircase' to the marsh and take in the fall beauty everywhere. 



Blackhawk Segment, 14 miles

The Blackhawk segment is a 7 mile out and back and I knew this was how I wanted to get those 14 miles I needed to finish the challenge. Last year, I hiked the Whitewater Segment and did a couple of miles on this segment, hiking to Lake Lagrange and back out. This time, I ran through a variety of topographies--from the sandy shores of Lake Lagrange, some prairie, typical IAT woods, hills, and ravines, and the piney woods of the Kettle Moraine National Forest. I also passed an old settler's cabin. I absolutely loved the changing landscape on this segment. 

THE COMMUNITIES

Janesville

Janesville has really spruced up its downtown and I was not disappointed! There is plenty of free parking along the Rock River and a lovely pedestrian bridge is the centerpiece of the area. Murals abound and I enjoyed looking for them after I finished my run. I was there too early in the morning to visit any of the cute shops and restaurants but I will definitely be back!

Lodi

Since last year, Lodi has filled many of the empty storefronts along its historic Main Street with shops and restaurants. It's really great to see! We frequent the meat market regularly for the bacon (and meat). Interestingly, they don't sell poultry. There are some little farmstands that sell fresh eggs.  There's a bakery that has very good treats and Colectivo coffee. Many little shops have opened and I hope they continue to do well.

That's Gibraltar rock in the mural!

Whitewater

This is my second visit to Whitewater after time on the IAT. I was happy to find the Prairie Tillers Mural, directly across the street from the brewpub I visited last year. How I missed it then, I have no idea. The mural depicts various features of the area, from the millstone in the middle to Native American themes. Around the corner from the mural is the historic downtown Main Street and when I was there, it was bustling with people visiting the shops and restaurants that line the sidewalks. I stopped to get lunch before I headed back home.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While my finish wasn't as emotional as last year, I was thrilled to have completed the challenge with that 14 mile run! I knew I had those 10 bonus miles that I could use, but it didn't feel right to me. I took so many pictures along my runs and it was hard for me to pick just one to represent each segment here. If you click on the title of each segment, it will take you to my weekly recap where I've shared other photos from each expedition. I also share many photos on my Instagram account.


The IATA continues to grow this event and there were some new experiences this year. It was fun to participate in the trail race and even nicer to receive 10 bonus miles for that! I also ran 4 segments that were new to me and would like to check out others in next year's challenge. I would also like to visit some other trail communities. Most likely there will be even more next year.


42 miles, 4650 ft of vert, 7 segments, 3 communities. What will next year bring? I can't wait!

Have you ever done a challenge that required you to accumulate mileage? What is an event you like to repeat every year? Does anyone want to join me on this challenge next year?

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJen, and Lisa.




22 comments :

  1. Congrats! I would love to do those runs. I participate in a hiking challenge with Conserving Carolina. They are great because I can do them with my dog and sometimes with my son. The hikes bring awareness to conservation and many of them feature easements provided by private landowners. There are also great prizes...a patch, certificate, and gift certificates. And just the joy of finishing the challenge.

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  2. Congrats. What an accomplishment. I wished I lived closer but I doubt I could keep up with you. The scenery is so pretty. I know I would enjoy it.

    During the pandemic, I completed a mileage challenge. It included running and walking but anywhere counted.

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    1. I know you would enjoy this and I have no doubt that you would pass me up!

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  3. How nice to read about the Mammoth Hike Challenge in one compact post! It's a wonderful idea and I would participate immediately if I was nearby. Such a beautiful area for a challenge! Is it always 42 miles?

    I participated in the "Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee", a 1'000km virtual race. It wasn't thaaaat much fun, as it only required to add up the miles that I was running locally.

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    1. The challenge mileage is based on the years that the trail has been an official National Trail. So next year, 43 miles it is!

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  4. I've never done a challenge like this, where you accumulate mileage. But I love the idea of it. These trails are so, so beautiful! I would do this challenge with you if I could... but I'm a little too far away.

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  5. Way Cool - Such Gorgeous Segments For One To Challenge Themselves - Thanx For Sharing The Murals As Well

    Big Hugs Little W,
    Cheers

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    1. The murals were a fun little bonus! Looking forward to next year.

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  6. Congrats on your accomplishment, Wendy! I love how the challenge is set up with accumulating miles. I've never done anything like that before. The picture from Lodi Marsh is so pretty - what a lovely place to run.

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    1. I really enjoy this challenge--and it is a logistical challenge for me since the trails are all out of state! But well worth it, as you can see.

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  7. huge congrats Wendy this challenge really required lots of planning and commitment! You should be really proud of your efforts

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    1. That last run had me over the moon! I was so happy to have completed all 42 miles on the trails. I'm already looking forward to next year.

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  8. This looks like a lot of fun, not to mention hard work and planning to make it all come together. Those trails look amazing! Congrats!!

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  9. This looks like an amazing challenge -- and a bit beyond me, probably. I may have run 13.1 on a trail, but it was a pretty flat trail and most of my hiking is really short (due to Mr. Judy and/or time constraints).

    It does look really beautiful though!

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    1. You do have an entire month to complete the challenge--if you split it up, it's not so bad!

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  10. Congrats! This looks like such an awesome challenge. During 2020 I did a challenge that required a certain number of miles over the summer. I think it would be much more interesting running on all these different trail segments! Although I would be so worried about getting lost running in all those new places by myself.

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    1. They really do a great job of marking the trails with the yellow blazes. I do enjoy these trails!

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  11. Congrats! I am not surprised to hear that even though you had those miles from the race, you still decided to do all of them. I know you will do this challenge again next year!

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