Zillmer Yellow Loop cross-country ski trail takes the skier to this scenic overlook
original photo by Ted Nelson
The Raymond T. Zillmer cross-country ski trails in the North Kettle Moraine State Forest are among the best trails in the Midwest. Many skiers prefer the Greenbush trails, and these trails are great, but for the Chicago skiers this trail system is another 25 minute drive north on an already 2 hour plus trek.
A stone at the beginning of the trail dedicates the trail system to Raymond T. Zillmer. Many would pass this stone without a thought. Every name has a story. Nearby Bong Recreation Area is named after America’s greatest flying ace Major Richard Bong.
The story behind the Zillmer trail name is just as interesting. Zillmer was a Milwaukee attorney and an avid outdoorsmen and an early environmentalist. He advocated and led land acquisition movements that were successful. This success was the cornerstone of the current Kettle Moraine Parks. However, Zillmer had a more grand vision. He dreamed of a national park with a hiking trail that followed the terminus of the last glacier.
He passed away in 1960, but his dream did not and became reality when in 1980 President Carter signed a law establishing the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This trail now covers almost 1,100 miles and starts in Door County and ends at the Mississippi River. Anyone who hikes and enjoys this trail can thank Zillmer for his vision. His name deserves mention with the greats of early environmentalists like John Muir, Rachel Carson, and Theodore Roosevelt.
The trail system consists of a 5.4 mile Yellow Loop, a 3 mile Red Loop, the 1.8 mile Green Loop, and a 1.2 mile Brown Loop. All of the Kettle Moraine trail systems have these varying degrees of distance, which makes it convenient for the skier as they can choose the distance they are comfortable with. All trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing.
The Yellow and Red Loop are challenging trails and both have some fun hills. The Yellow Loop reaches the top of a moraine at about the 2.5 mile mark which has great views of the surrounding countryside. The trail then descends straight down for about a quarter of a mile in a series of twists and turns. The Red Loop has a similar hill after breaking off from the Yellow Loop. Therefore, these two trails are definitely for experienced skiers only.
Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame member Raymond T. Zillmer remembered with a rock
and the trail system
original photo by Ted Nelson
From Chicago, take I-94 to U.S 45 in Milwaukee and head north towards Fond du Lac. About twenty miles north of Milwaukee take U.S. 45 north to West Bend. Continue through West Bend and Kewaskum and go 7 miles north of Kewaskum and turn right on Wisconsin State route 67. Then turn right on County SS and the Zillmer trails will be on the left.
Enjoy the Zillmer trails at the North Kettle Moraine State Forest. Bear in mind that it is the Raymond T. Zillmer Trails named after one of Wisconsin and America's great conservationalists.
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Comments
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Interesting history behind the trail name... Now where did Kettle Moraine come from?
On related articles click on what is a Kettle, what is a Moraine. They are glacial geologic figures. Basically a fancy way of saying hill (moraine) and valley (kettle).
Good article, Ted.
Good pics!
More detailed cross country info presented ...will this info eventually show up in your go -to cross country book? Photos are good, as well...
Cheers...
Another fine article Ted, thanks for this.
I'm surprised Bong Recreation Area hasn't shown up as a movie location in a "Silent Bob" film or something. ;-) That's really cool that Zillmer's vision was finally realized. I love stories like that!
Interesting background. Nice to know about people who work hard to protect land for the public.
Thanks for adding the historical information to this piece.
Good to learn about hiking options, a much more interesting method of getting exercise than, say, a treadmill. (Which often end up as clothes rack anyway!) ;) You have a knack for luring us into the healthy outdoors. It's those great photos!
Is there no end to the cross-country ski options in your neck of the woods.
Wisconsin tends to celebrate their outdoors-men much better than Illinois.
I guess now that we have so much snow I can't be jealous of your snow and skiing opportunities, huh? At least I still have the excuse of not having nice trails like this one, though. :)
Looks like a great place. Is there anyplace for xc skiing that you haven't visited?
Looks like a great place with lots of trails. I guess we're now into wait til next year time, but we sure had plenty of snow for a few months.
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