A pretty little walk on the Emma Carlin trails

On a warm(ish) winter Sunday, I finally got my butt back out on the trail. Thankfully had 4 wonderful companions, one of whom was an energetic little dog.

I guided my companions out west of Milwaukee, to the Emma Carlin trails, which, during the summer months, are flooded with mountain bikers. We only saw one fat-tire biker heading into the hills at the trailhead, didn't see anyone else the rest of the time.

It was great to see this little spot without the trees, the views peeked as the mountain biking trails took us up and down ridges.

A little pond

We walked the Emma Carlin trails for about 3 miles, then cut cross country (hooray, off trail!) and linked up with the Ice Age trail, hiking a mile or so of trail I'd hiked this summer.

Watching Artie (the dog) rushing around between our group, making sure none of us got too separated was a good time. He'd tear off through the brush, spot one of us, then rush back to the rest of the group to let us know everything was okay.

All in all, it was a good, relaxing day.... a short hike that really satisfied my need to wander.

Up on a ridge top