Hixon Forest Bicentennial Trail Temporary Closure

 

Chasing Snow in a Snowfall Drought

I am a huge snow lover and winter sports enthusiast. Back in 1991, my partner and I were lucky enough to share a cabin with friends near Elcho WI for over 20 years. It gave us a chance to have a headquarters to really enjoy winter sports up north and to try trails and winter adventures all over the northwoods. 

MN DNR Snow Depth Map

It also gave a multi-year perspective to notice a curious phenomenon - the gradual decline of snowfall during those years. We began to see that the snow that made us head up north to the cabin frequently came later and later each year. Multiple thaws in January and shorter winters also became the rule rather than the exception. 

This same pattern was happening south in our Driftless area too. Our snow cover came late and didn’t last as long and thaws became more frequent leaving trails icy, bare or heaving. I learned to get out and snowshoe immediately and frequently once it snowed if I wanted to enjoy my favorite winter activity.

Once we sold our cabin share, we headed up annually in January even further north in WI near Michigan’s U.P. and to MN’s North Shore where snowfall was abundant, snow cover reliably deep and trails were awesome. Chasing - and finding - snow away from home became an annual ritual. And we were seldom disappointed!

This year, after a small snow before the holidays, thaws left us with no snow at home as the new year started. So my partner and I started January on an eleven day quest to find some snow to play in up north in WI and MN. Here’s what we found in the new winter climate change paradigm of snowfall drought.

Our first stop was a stay in Phelps WI at Pete and Gail Moline’s Afterglow Lake, a small “Ma and Pa” silent sports resort next to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest about a mile south of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I’ve been there frequently over the years enjoying the hospitality and great trails that start right outside the cabins. The resort has miles of snowshoe/biking trails and cross-country ski trails that are meticulously groomed. 

Lake effect snow at Afterglow

While we had some gentle lake effect snowfall in the frigid days we were there, there wasn’t enough snow to snowshoe or cross-country ski in. Two days of heavy rain in late December melted the snow they had to an icy layer. The ski trails were closed. We ended up hiking with microspikes on the many melted-snow-icy patches on the snowshoe trails. That was a first. 

To say that the Moline’s are concerned about this lack of snow for their clients and their own livelihood is an understatement. And this isn’t the first poor snow year for them or the many other businesses like restaurants, taverns, lodges, hotels and stores up north that cater to winter sports enthusiasts. 

On our way to our next VRBO stay near Lutsen on MN’s North Shore, we passed through the best and deepest snow so far this year in Michigan’s Ottawa National Forest and Sylvania Wilderness area. It was still far less snow than this region usually has by this time but definitely deep enough for skiing and ‘shoeing. But this area was an oasis in a sea of scant snow across the north woods.

Dawn on Lake Superior

Lake Superior’s North Shore was also pretty snowless. It only had the remains of snow that fell before the late December thaws and rains. Once again we hiked trails virtually devoid of other people. It was clear to us while we were up at both places that there were far fewer snow tourists of any kind. 

Climate change that produces significantly less snow results in snowfall droughts that are affecting our Driftless areas as well as traditional high snowfall areas of the northern regions of those states as well as regions going further north into the Arctic. It is sobering to see the changes in real time as we chased snow this year.

Thankfully for the businesses, significant snow finally fell again the day after we came home in the areas we visited up north. My fingers are crossed that the temps stay below freezing to help their snow cover last.

Despite the lack of snow on our quest, we were glad we could support our northern neighbors by getting out hiking on the trails and spending money in the communities. It is one way to help them during these snowfall drought times. And even a snowless winter landscape up north has great beauty, tons of adventure and natural delights to discover.

Now we'll see what the rest of our winter has in store in these warming climate times.

Lake Superior always fascinates

Get in Gear - Deep Cold

-13F Afterglow Lake WI
Image - Michele Besant

Ok, then. After our December winter thaw, here comes some bodacious cold weather. MN meteorologist Paul Douglas wrote in his December 31, 2024 MN Strib column:

"Our mild, melty December will give way to a rude reckoning in January, with a series of character-building cold fronts. Highs will be stuck in the teens by late this week, and next week will bring a few crisp single-digit high days and maybe three or four nights below zero.

That’s not even close to record-setting, but compared to December it will feel like a cold slap across the face. Next week may be the coldest week of the winter. A lack of snow cover will keep us 5-10 degrees “warmer” than if we had snow on the ground, reflecting much of the sun’s energy back into space. Little consolation for snow lovers."

I looked in the mirror, said, "buckle up buttercup" and got ready to break out my really serious cold weather gear for icy days ahead.

Besides some of the inner and outer clothes layers I mentioned a few weeks ago in a cold weather gear recommendations post, I have a couple of other go-to gear items that help me tremendously during frigid hikes. 

Note: colored, bold text has links to specific gear brands mentioned

Warm Skin Lotion
This MN-made lotion creates a great barrier on any exposed skin during cold weather. I use it on my face to protect me from wind and sharp cold. On their website, the folks at Warm Skin write: "Warm Skin® All Weather Guard – Barrier Cream for Skin, Great Cold Weather Protection. Warm Skin is protection for exposed skin, it adds another layer of insulation to your normal protective attire for the prevailing conditions." Some folks use vaseline but this product, with more natural ingredients, is my go-to.

Handwarmers

A few years back, I was a photographer for many of the twice-weekly winter hikes for a hiking club I was in. So I spent some time mitten/gloveless on the trails in low temps. Ever since, my hands have been more sensitive to sharp cold, no matter how good my mittens are. I use two things to help keep my hands warmer:

• Lambs Wool Padding - available in pharmacies and wildly inexpensive, a wad of lamb's wool stuffed in the tip of my mittens keeps my fingertips pretty toasty. The advantage of this padding - all natural, re-usable and a great insulator. and the price is right.
• HotHands commercial handwarmers. These air-activated packets can last up to 10 hours. On really cold days when I will be out for quite awhile, I break them out. That warmth on my fingertips is golden. I use them sparingly because they are "one and dones." I hate to add more to the waste stream.

I also wanted to see what other hikers were recommending for suiting/gearing up against the deep freeze on the Women Who Hike MN Facebook page.  Here are some of their great gear suggestions:

• Rhiana H. - I try to have no exposed skin and wear ski goggles. It helps me so much to not have cold air hitting my eyes!

• Kelly G. - Gauntlet style gloves/taller boots when able. Keeping the area/blood vessels warm above the wrists/ankles improves warmth of the extremities vs shorter gear.

• Tanya H. - Wool wherever possible - scarf, hat, mittens, wristwarmers under the mittens, socks, base layer. Then several light layers over the base layers. For short hikes I do minimal layers with a good coat and ski/snow pants.

• Ellen H. - 32 Degrees makes a good, warm headband that covers your ears. Neck gator, Smartwool Merino wool base layer & socks, Duluth Trading Post Flexipedition fleece lined pants (I find these stretch a fair amount so buy down if between sizes), love my Oboz mid hiking boots and HotFingers gloves. Quality gear isn't cheap but if you take care of it, it lasts a LONG time!!

• Kat L. - I'll have to look into WarmSkin lotion. I make my own beeswax-based skin balm that goes on thick and helps prevent chapped lips, cheeks and nose from wind and cold. It's not warm, tho!

Thanks to the above women for sharing. 

Any other gear we should think about having? Throw your thoughts in the comments section.

And meanwhile, see you on the trails!

-9F view on the North Shore

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

I Spy on the Trail - December 2024

European cranberry
Image - Doreen Hegy

We finally got snow during this month - as well as wildly fluctuating temperatures  (47F on one Sunday and then 2F with -20 windchill by the following  Thursday). These see-sawing temperatures continued for most of the month - although we lucked out with a little snow before the December holidays (whew). 

Of course, with the fluctuating weather, we also had rain, icy drizzle, fog and some wicked winds. Getting outdoors was a matter of threading the needle. Combine that with the busy holly-day season and maybe it was lucky I found hiking time at all! Despite that, I managed two quick snowshoe tramps in the brief perfect snow conditions and was able to hike pretty continuously throughout the month. 

Sadly, all the snow melted by month’s end with temps in the mid 40s and mid 30s. In the final week of December, the rain and high temps forced us out of the woods and onto paved or gravel surfaces to prevent damage to thawing trails, my least favorite type of hiking of the year. Sigh. But hey, some seriously cold temps are predicted to start January so trails will firm up again.

However, during the colder days this past month, the bluff tops and bluffsides were particularly beautiful. Referred to by Emily M. Stone in her Nature Connections blog as the "see-through season", the leafless trees allow hikers to see vistas and rock formations more clearly. There is always something interesting along the trailsides to explore - or deer paths to follow off-trail in the snow!

One of my fun, kismet hiking adventures this month happened on December 21 at noon during Winter Solstice. The sun broke through the cloudy day right at noon just in time to capture me casting my longest noon shadow of the whole year! It was truly a special science moment. You can read more about it here thanks to the US National Weather Service in La Crosse WI.

I'm being followed by a Solstice noon shadow,
noon shadow, noon shadow...

5:00 pm daylight on Christmas Day.
Welcome oncoming spring!

I also celebrate the Winter Solstice as it heralds the beginning of longer sunlit hours. By tomorrow, New Year's Day, we will have gained a precious four minutes more of daylight - and an hour by the end of January. While it doesn't seem like much, I appreciate having lighted skies again at 5pm like we had on Christmas day. 

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

Bottlebrush grass on a goat prairie

A month of hikes/snowshoeing

Hikes below in bold color or underlined have links to previous posts OR descriptions/location of the trails found online. 

Stoney Point, La Crescent MN; MacGilvray 7 Bridges, New Amsterdam, WI; Pickwick Quarry, LaMoille, MN; Hixon Forest, La Crosse WI; La Crosse River Landfill Trails, Onalaska WI; Riverside Park Rotary Lights, La Crosse WI (2); Bluffside Park, Winona MN (3); Apple Blossom Overlook Park, Winona MN (2); Dresbach MN Rest Stop Infrastructure Hike; La Crosse Marsh Trails, La Crosse WI

Off-trailing to an overlook on the season's first snowshoe.

                                                All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Bluffside Park (MN) - Quarry/Cistern Trails

On Cistern trail

I recently had the pleasure of hiking some of the higher bluffside and rim trails at the top of Bluffside Park in Winona. These trails are sometimes referred to as the Holzinger Lodge trails since a number of the trails start low on the bluff by the old lodge. These fifteen miles of trails (or more with recently opened trails) are shared bike/hike trails in this city park overlooking Winona and the Mississippi River. They vary between older, narrow trails, logging and access roads and newer trails that are slightly wider.

Heading up Quarry trail

The crisp snowless December weather made for excellent footing on the higher, rocky trails we were hiking on. And because we were hiking in December, the vistas were spectacular and clear. 

We started from the Wincrest Dr. East trailhead. To get to the Quarry Trail, stay to the right on the trail past  the map kiosk. It's a bit confusing at the beginning of the hike since multiple trails are designated with the name Wildwood. By staying to the right as you head into the trail system here, you easily hit the Upper Connector trail and continuing on the right leads you to the Quarry Trail.

Looking at the map, we dropped down from red Wildwood and followed the hilly orange Upper Connector trail to maintain more of our elevation. We again stayed on the right to catch the purple Quarry trail. 

Click here to see the full map with trail names and mileage for each.

Quarry image - Diane Palm

Once on the Quarry trail, you gradually ascend on the bluffsides and narrow, rocky ridge trails to the old quarry. There is plenty of room to explore the rocks, some of which sport the usual grafftti  - and some rather more artful images. You'll see great rocks and views as well.

The cistern

Past the quarry, you head quickly downward until you are quite near the Woodlawn Cemetery, where you will see additional lower trails. Stay on the Quarry trail until you spot the old cistern to your left. Take a steep left onto this gorgeous bluffside trail that ascends gradually as it takes you back to the trail junctions of Quarry and the Upper and Lower Connectors and head back to the trailhead. 

THE HIKE

This 3.3 mile loop hike features rolling ups and downs through mature hardwood forests along the bluffsides and rim trails of the southeastern portion of the Bluffside Park trail system. The elevation gain is 470 feet so it is a great aerobic climb. While you see neighboring houses above you and the cemetery below you on some portions, you also see lovely vistas, rock formations and forested bluffsides. Many of the higher trails are quite rocky so hiking sticks can definitely help. 

Location

From Hwy 14/61, turn south on Huff Rd (toward the bluff). Take an immediate left onto W. Lake Blvd, then an immediate right onto Garvin Heights Rd. Follow that road to the top of the bluff; turn right on Conrad Dr. Stay on Conrad (it goes left at the T) to Wincrest Dr- take a right and park at cul de sac by trailhead.

Additional posts describing Bluffside Park trails:

• Wildwood Trail Loop Amble

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

It's Snowtime Showtime!

Each season's first snow storm is always exciting for me (if I don't have to drive too far in it!). It kicks off one of my favorite outdoor recreation seasons - winter. 

Living in Wisconsin and Minnesota almost all my life, I have always embraced the season  - from sledding, ice skating and hockey, building snowmen and snow forts and having snowball fights as a kid to ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as much as possible as a grown-up, snow and cold are my pals. I love when my friends post about downhill skiing, fat tire biking, tubing, ice climbing and snowboarding. In my world, any outdoor winter recreation is great recreation.

Snowshoeing is my favorite snow play and I am out most days when the snow is on the ground. I love that snowshoes let you go off trail and really explore, bug-free! I also like helping winter fat tire bikers by hitting shared hiking and biking trails and tramping down the trail to make it more welcoming for the bikes. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy trails that are often too busy with bikes in warmer temps that are much quieter in winter time.

If you do use the wide, groomed cross-country ski trails this winter for walking, hiking or biking, please keep in mind that the groomed ski trails are set for skiers and be mindful of how to use them to keep the groomed tracks in good shape for our skiing friends. Here is a recent message shared by ORA Trails on that: 

Snow is Here!!!

This is your friendly reminder that as snow groomers gear up to lay down some tracks, there is an intended way to use them!

• Traditional skiing stays on the right (You'll see the straight tracks)
• Skate skiers use the center lane (groomed like corduroy)
• ALL OTHER USERS stay left (walkers, bikers, snowshoers)

This will allow everyone to #getoutside and enjoy this wintery weather!

Happy Winter Solstice and see you on the snowy trails!

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - January 2025

First off - SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

We received a solid 6" here in La Crescent on December 19. Let's get out and play!

For more information on the trips, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike.

I will be updating this post periodically during December and January as new events are announced, so feel free to stop back!

Whitewater River Valley Annual Christmas Bird Count
- Wednesday, January 1           8am- noon

 -Whitewater State Park

Kick off the New Year at Whitewater State Park by helping with the Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count! Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Work in small groups to survey locations within our count circle. Reservations are required. To sign up, email jeremy.darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Image -Kris Lawson

First Day Hikes
 - Wednesday, January 1, 2025

 - State Parks - or any trail near you!

Start your year off right with a First Day Hike. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America's State Parks to get people outdoors, with over 400 hikes scheduled this year in all 50 states. Kids and adults all across America will be participating in First Day Hikes, getting their hearts pumping and enjoying the beauty of a state park. 

But don't forget you can also hit the trails at any nearby spot!

Nearby MN First Day Hikes 

 - Whitewater State Park - Visitor Center

 - Wed, Jan 1      2-3:00pm

Start the New Year right! Come out and explore the great outdoors with our park naturalist. We will take a peaceful 1 mile walk along the Whitewater River and look for hints of the old as we celebrate the new. If there is enough snow, we will snowshoe. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow some from the park. To sign up, email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301.

Frontenac State Park

You are invited to join the Frontenac State Park Association for their annual First Day Walk. FSPA members will provide warm fires and treats at the main picnic shelter for folks beginning their new year in the fresh, bracing air.

Click here for a listing of all MN First Day Hikes

Nearby WI First Day Hikes 

 - Roche-a-Cri, Friendship WI

 - 1-2:30pm

Meet at the winter lot on Czech Avenue (Lat: 43.9962° N, Lon: 89.8170° W, a 1/4-mile west of Highway 13, north of Friendship, WI) to hike through the prairie to the petroglyph viewing platform and back through the woods for a 1.2-mile hike. The Friends of Roche-A-Cri will provide hot chocolate and treats after the hike. Pets on leashes are allowed. The trail is hilly by the bridge but level the rest of the way. You’re free to hike more in the park afterwards, but the Mound Trail and stairway remain closed due to fire damage.

Click here for a listing of all WI First Day Hikes

Nearby IA First Day Hikes

 - Yellow River State Forest

 - 9:00 am

Meeting Location: Firetower Cabin.  Park Address: 729 State Forest Rd., Harpers Ferry, IA 52146 Description: This two-mile hike will start by going up White Pine Trail and circle Camp Glen Wendel, and head back on the Forester Trail to the hike's beginning at the Firetower Cabin. Contact: (563) 586-2254

International Owl Center Minnesota Neighbor Weekends 

 - January 4-5

 - International Owl Center, Houston MN

Residents of local MN counties (Winona, Fillmore, and Houston counties) , including college students, are specially invited to visit the International Owl Center for FREE on Neighbor Weekends. Come see live owls in person, check out our hands-on displays, and stay for our live programs at 11 and 2 each day. Please bring a driver license, student ID or other form of identification to verify your place of residence. Visitors from elsewhere are also welcome, but will be required to pay the regular admission fee of $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military and $6 for children aged 4-17. Sponsor: International Owl Center 

Wintering Golden Eagle Survey

Registration deadline is January 10

 - Saturday January 18         10am-noon

Whitewater State Park

Join other trained survey volunteers to patrol the Whitewater State Park survey area and document observations of wintering golden eagles. Participants must complete identification training before taking part in the survey. To sign up, email jeremy.darst@state.mn.us.  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Winter Festival

 - Saturday, January 11    Beginning at 10 am

 - Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor's Center, S3661 WI 131, La Farge WI

Kick off to the 25th anniversary of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. This is one event that's not to be missed! Winter Festival is a wonderful family event that highlights outdoor winter activities. Activities include sledding, skiing, snow sculpture, ice hikes, wildlife talks & hikes, face painting, horse-drawn bobsled rides, snowshoe exhibit, sled dog demonstrations. La Farge Lions host Chili and Bread Contest! Bring your child and your dog and try out the Mutt Fun dogsled run. Conquer the snow mountain & snow tunnel. Test your skills at the Traditional Snow Snake Competition or Smoosh Races. Night winter activities can include star gazing and candlelight snowshoe hike. Admission to Winter Festival is free and open to the public! Friendly dogs are welcome on leash. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activities subject to change due to weather conditions. Find more information on our website or on our Facebook page. Sponsor: Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Winter Bird Walk

 - Saturday, January 11      9:30am

 - Frontenac State Park ranger station parking lot 

What birds can you see in January? We will take a short prairie loop to look for year-round residents such as Pileated Woodpeckers, identify some of the over-wintering sparrows, such as White-throated Sparrows as well as, possibly, Eastern Bluebirds, and perhaps see some early raptors such as an American Kestrel. Sometimes it's mostly just beauty. Bummer. ❄️ If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. This event is free. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. Permits are $7 per day or $35 for an annual sticker. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

After the Hunt: Cooking with Venison

 - Saturday, January 11     10am - 1:30pm

 - Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 IA-26, Lansing IA

We welcome guest expert Chris Gavin back to Iowisota on Saturday January 11th, 2025, to teach us how to prepare a variety of cuts of venison into tasty dishes, which we will taste-test at the end of the session. Cost per person is $50. Registration required.

Hidden History Snowshoe

 - Saturday, January 11      Noon-2:00pm

 - Whitewater State Park Visitor Center

When the leaves are gone and the snow is falling, nature reveals her hidden secrets. Come join us for an afternoon on snowshoes as we find some of these historic relics only visible this time of year. Bring your own snowshoes or use the park's. If there is no snow, we'll hike through the woods! Distance: 1 Mile. Contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Candlelight Walk, Ski or Snowshoe

 - Saturday, January 11      5:00-9:00pm

 - Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park

Hike, snowshoe or ski a 1.5-mile torchlit trail, warm up around a roaring campfire, and gaze up at the stars. Refreshments will be available. 5-7 p.m. John Heasley of Driftless Stargazing, LLC will be hosting a stargazing activity, weather permitting. Four planets and an almost full moon will be lighting up the night sky. Bring binoculars and learn to use them for stargazing. Trail is relatively flat with a few short hills that can be slippery when snow or ice covered. Pets are not allowed on packed or groomed ski trails, this includes the trail used for the candlelight event. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather. Contact: Emily.Alf@wisconsin.gov, 608-337-4775. Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain State Park.

Owl Prowl

 - Saturday, January 11      5:00 -7:30 pm

 - International Owl Center, Houston MN

We start with a 30-minute program indoors to teach you how to identify owls by sound and the ethics of calling owls. Then you hop in your vehicle and follow the Owlmobile to about three different locations in rural Houston where Jo, our resident expert owl caller, will imitate owl calls in hopes of getting some responses. The program is capped at 30 participants, and these always sell out in advance. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Due to the need to stand perfectly still for 10 minutes or more at a time, these owl prowls are not recommended for children under age 12. No pets, smoking or vaping allowed either indoors or outdoors. Registration required. Registration opens December 13.  [Note: Registration for the February 8, 2025 Owl Prowl begins January 12]. Sponsor: International Owl Center 

Moonlight Hike/Snowshoe

 -  Sunday, January 12     6:00 pm

 - 2345 Power Plant Dr, Lansing, IA

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board for a Moonlight Snowshoe Hike. The hike will take place just south of Lansing on County Road 527. The route will be approximately 4 miles on mostly flat ground with views of the Mississippi River. County Road 527 is located 4 miles south of Lansing on Power Plant Drive. Participants are asked to park near the Rural Recycling drop off location. The Moonlight Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable the participants to see the stars and moon like they have never seen before. The event requires preregistration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the ACCB and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The event will take place as a regular hike if there is minimal or no snow cover. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions the Moonlight Snowshoe may be postponed or cancelled and will be announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page. Appropriate sized snowshoes and trekking poles will be provided to individuals who do not have their own equipment with preregistration. Participants should dress for the weather with appropriate layers including outerwear, winter hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. A headlamp or small flashlight is also recommended, but not required. Any dogs must be on leash at all times. A full schedule of upcoming events hosted by the Allamakee County Conservation Board is available by following the ACCB on Facebook. To register or to receive more information on this event or any event you can call the ACCB at (563)538-0403. Sponsors: Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center.

Full Moon Candlelit Walk

 - Thursday, January 16        5 - 7:00pm

 - Chad Erickson Park, 3601 Park Lane, La Crosse

A crowd favorite! ORA will again host a series of candlelit walks when the moon is fullest each month. These are free, all-ages events that begin at 5pm, and last until 7pm, or until we run out of fire wood!
Additional hikes: February 12, 2025 - Lower Hixon Park and March 13, 2025 - Gateway Trails, Grandad Bluff Park. Each location chosen utilizes a path that is considered "easy to moderate" to navigate by foot, stroller or wheelchair. Candles will light the route, but if you'd like to see clearly where you're stepping, consider wearing a headlamp or bringing a flashlight. Snacks and beverages will be on site, including fire pits with s'mores! Consider volunteering for this event here: https://signup.com/go/atqotKm   Sponsor: ORA Trails (Outdoor Recreation Alliance)

Winter Walk and Bonfire

 - Saturday, January 18        3-5:30pm

 - Sidie Hollow County Park -  E6051 CR-XX, Viroqua, WI Map to Sidie Hollow Park Pavilion 

The Friends of Vernon County Parks and Forests will be hosting this special guided Winter Walk (as well as one in February) exploring two Vernon County parks! These winter walks bring awareness to our county parks in the winter season as well as allow the greater community to come together! The winter walks and bonfire are for friends and families of all ages and will take place at Sidie Hollow January 18 and Lower Duck Egg Feb 22. Walkers are to meet in the park parking lot. All walks will begin promptly at 3pm and will be approximately 1 hour long, with a bonfire and beverages to immediately follow. We encourage walkers to always dress appropriately for the walk and the weather and invite your family and friends! Sponsor: The Friends of Vernon County Parks 

Free Park Day
 - Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King Day)

 - All MN State Parks
On four days each year, all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed. Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. The goal is to encourage families and friends to spend time together in nature. Research shows many health and wellness benefits to spending time in nature. According to ParkRx, contact with nature improves one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Getting outdoors makes exercise more fun and can boost mood and immunity. The American Psychological Association shares that exposure to nature is linked to benefits including improved attention, lower stress, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even increases in empathy and cooperation. Additional dates for free park days in 2025: Saturday, April 26; Saturday, June 14; and Friday, November 28, 2025. Sponsor: MN DNR

Registration Open: Prairie Enthusiasts Online Conference

Finding Your Place in the Prairie

 - February 12-15, 2025

Our annual virtual conference brings together people of various prairie and savanna knowledge-levels. Whether they’re just discovering prairies or are looking to deepen their skillset, we strive to provide opportunities for all to connect and learn. The 2024 conference had 568 attendees come together to learn, share and find a prairie community. Our 2025 “Finding Your Place in the Prairie” conference will focus on:

• Examining individual species examinations, connections, dependence
• Engaging volunteers and supporters to partake in land stewardship
• Showcasing the uniqueness of prairie ecosystems
• Providing opportunities to connect with fellow Prairie Enthusiasts

Registration Link. Sponsor: The Prairie Enthusiasts

To find additional events, check often during the month with local hiking groups, universities, naturalist-interest groups, nature conservancies, nature centers and their Friends groups, state parks, US Fish and Wildlife centers and others in your area to see what's new to help you understand the natural world around you better. 

Do you know of other January events I should include?  Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my website. Happy holly-days!