Twilight Hike-Lapham Peak

The Waukesha/Milwaukee Chapter of the IATA is delighted to be offering a third season of weeknight hikes.  These well-attended hikes will be on the first Tuesday evening of each month, on different sections of the Trail.  No need to sign up, just show up.

This particular hike will incluse part of the Lapham Peak Segment.  We will hike from the Observation Tower (the highest point in Waukesha County at 1235 feet AMSL) to the Trailhead at USH 18 and then return back to the tower.  

Look for these phenological events on the hike:  Common milkweed, butterfly weed, St. Johns wort, compass plant, gray dogwood, and purple coneflower beginning to bloom. The ringneck pheasant broods begin to appear and bullfrogs begin calling. 
*Source: Aldo Leopold Foundation (ALF) Phenology Calendar. 

This 5 mile hike has a difficulty rating of medium.  Turnback options will be available for hikers who want a shorter hike.  Remember to dress appropriately for the weather, bring water and a flashlight/headland.  Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and cleaned up after. Please bring water for your dogs as well. 

It is interesting to note that this section of the Trail is near the now-closed Ethan Allen School for Boys reform school.  It operated in a former tuberculosis sanitorium from April 1959 until June of 2011. The school campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, notable for being the first and largest state sponsored tuberculosis sanitorium in Wisconsin.