Helping to Make a Hiking Dream Come True

Our friends at the MN Driftless Hiking Trail, which is being developed in southeast MN, have more news! They are looking for volunteers to help make the dream come true. Read on:

Let’s Build This Trail Together!

We Need Your Help! Join the Volunteer Team for the MN Driftless Hiking Trail

Building a trail takes a community, and we’re looking for volunteers to help bring this project to life! As an independent, volunteer-driven effort, we rely on passionate people like you to make this vision a reality.

Starting in summer 2025, we’ll need volunteers to assist with trail designation, signage, and building. We’re also looking for those with skilled expertise—graphic design, mapping, events, outreach, and more—to support our work behind the scenes

Want to get involved?

Simply visit our website and send us a message asking to be added to our open call volunteer list! If you have special skills you'd like to contribute, let us know in your message.

Together, we can create something truly special for our community. Let’s build this trail together!

Contact Us And a reminder of the MDHT's upcoming Community Forum : Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail  Community Forum Monday, March 10, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. City of Caledonia Municipal Auditorium, 219 E. Main St "Join us for an engaging evening to discuss the future of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail! We’ll share updates on the trail’s development and provide an open space for your ideas, questions, and feedback. Whether you’re a passionate hiker, a local resident, or simply curious, your voice matters in shaping this exciting project. Refreshments will be served, and no registration is needed! This event is designed for residents of Caledonia and the surrounding communities. Whether you are a landowner, outdoor enthusiast, local business owner, involved in tourism, or simply interested in learning more and sharing your perspective, we warmly invite you to attend. Feel free to bring a friend or colleague—everyone is welcome! This project is supported by University of Minnesota's Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program, a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening small communities' projects and plans for resilient physical, social, and economic infrastructure through UMN partnerships. This is the second event in a 3-part series—a perfect opportunity to connect with trail staff, dedicated volunteers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming session in Whalen! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and help bring the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail to life. See you there!” If you are interested in this effort to create a 100+ mile hiking/backpacking trail across the Driftless region of MN, you can subscribe to the Minnesota Hiking Trails' newsletter here. These occasional newsletters are info packed and keep you in the know. Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23 Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24 Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Update  2/7/25

Why is That Bluffside Black?

Have you ever headed up La Crosse's Bliss Road towards Grandad's Bluff and glimpsed a blackened bluffside across the valley to your left? 

Hixon Forest's Zoerb Prairie after late January 2025 prescribed burn
Image - Jonathan Rigdon

If you have, then you've been seeing one part of the dedicated work of the Friends of the Blufflands and Coulee Region Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts burn crews and volunteers in Hixon Forest. Members of these two groups of volunteers are responsible for the cleared and healthy prairie remnants that these blackened areas represent. 

Our Driftless areas have many small remnant prairies dotted here and there. 

Prairies need fire to do well. Without them, woody invasives easily take over. The deep-rooted prairie plants can't compete with taller plants and some of the seeds need the fire for germination as well. A prairie that is regularly burned during a prescribed burn is healthier.

Zoerb prairie burn in progress
Image - Justin Nooker

It takes a burn crew to do this work of a prescribed burn. A recent Friends of the Blufflands blog post by Jonathan Rigdon, Anatomy of a Prairie Burn, has a great explanation about how these burns are conducted. 

The results of a burn are nothing short of extraordinary. As spring begins, the flowers and grasses return and within a few weeks, you can't even tell an area was burned. When you see these beautiful prairies in their warm weather glory, it's easy to take for granted their flower and grass-filled vistas. 

A healthy prairie at Hixon
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

Beyond fires, it takes real and consistent prairie management by dedicated Friends of the Blufflands/The Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers to keep the Hixon Forest (and other nearby) bluff prairies open and healthy. Their work includes removing woody invasives (trees and brush), gathering and broadcasting seed, grant writing, collaboration with surrounding communities and organizations and monitoring a host of Driftless prairies. 

This recent Friends of the Blufflands blog post Restoration Begins on Birch Point Prairie! discussing the work on the Birch Prairie restoration project gives a great peek into the work involved, the history and importance of our prairies and how many prairies these groups maintain.

When you take a hike sometime in upper Hixon Forest's Bicentennial trail (across the road from the weatherball) onto the Birch Trail and then on to Vista, you can see the changes coming and in progress on the Birch, Zoerb and Lookout prairies. I blogged about this three prairies hike here.

While you may not be able to participate in the preparation work, you can still support these two organizations through your memberships or donations at The Prairie Enthusiasts and Friends of the Blufflands.

Great work, my friends.

I Spy on the Trails - February 2025

A view of La Crescent from Eagle Bluff prairie
Image - Nola Larson

Again, this month has been a mix of winter weather:

• a welcome 3-4" inches of snow here. Barely enough to snowshoe in but I did anyway! It was especially nice for all the candlelit snowshoe hikes scheduled in February. But the Birkie cross country ski race up north in WI finally had decent snow again this year.

• plenty of serious sub-zero weather with a polar vortex dipping even further south below us. My temp limit for hiking outside is -10 with windchill so I caught up on lots of blogging and reading on the coldest days.

• a higher sun - we are now in the lovely eight months until November when it is reliably light at 5pm. Those longer days are great.

• a bodacious thaw to end our month and remind us that the spring equinox is almost upon us.

Trumpeter swans migrating on the Mississippi flyway

My time outdoors centered around favorite spots that had interesting features: rivers, creeks, quarry walls and rock formations, ice caves and other nature eye candy to keep me alert in a brown, partially snowless month.  Once we had snow, many animal tracks and deer beds were revealed. 

Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, eagles and hawks were spotted in abundance and the deer were active on the quietest hikes and in the ravine woods next to us. During the last week, I saw many flocks of trumpeter swans migrating through on their way north to their nesting grounds.

Ice caving
Image - Steve Dawson

As we enter sloppier weather in March, I will be turning my gaze away from some of the woodland hikes to preserve those dirt trails. This is a list of spots you can try if you're looking to conserve trails in the Driftless area as they hit their peak spring thaw time.

I look forward to longer days, spring bird migrations, skunk cabbage and the beginning of the greening season ahead!

Turkey tail takeover

What are YOU seeing on your hikes?

A month of hikes

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

Eagles Bluff Park, La Crescent MN (2); Pine Creek Campground trails, Fort McCoy WI (2); Hixon Forest, La Crosse WI; Stoney Point, Park La Crescent MN; Veteran’s Park Ravine Trail, La Crescent MN; Halfway Creek, Holmen WI; Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI; Kickapoo Valley Reserve, La Farge WI; Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario WI; Riverside Park, La Crosse WI (2); Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN

Finally, a bit of snow for snowshoeing
Image - Lloyd Lorenz

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Ice, Ice Baby! WI Driftless Ice Cave Hikes

Hiking with BLUFFLANDS hiking group at Weister Creek ice cave
Image - Steve Dawson

I recently reacquainted myself with the delightful fun of Driftless ice caves, thanks to the Blufflands Hiking group. Steve Dawson, the group’s leader, plans and scouts interesting hikes that are open to all. The ice caves of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR) at Weister Creek Rd was this month's delightful destination - plus we added an extra stop at Wildcat Mountain State Park. It was the perfect time of winter to visit - snow cover to help us follow access trails and massive ice formations at the caves.

Peeking out of the ice curtain

In the Driftless, February to mid-March are especially great times to visit the ice caves. The KVR is an incredible landscape of sandstone cliffs and steep hills that follow the meandering curve of the Kickapoo River.

Unlike the Lake Superior ice caves formed by wave action, these caves are formed by spring fed water that seeps through and percolates over the edges of the numerous sandstone cliffs in the Driftless hills and coulees, especially in Wisconsin’s Kickapoo Valley Reserve and nearby Wildcat Mountain State Park. 

Almost to the Weister Creek ice cave

Freeze and thaw cycles also add to the ice sheets and create curtains of icicles across the openings of eroded sandstone bowls. These curtains and the undercut sandstone create perfect caves. Icy pillars and other formations are also a highlight.

Inside the Wildcat Mountain SP ice cave

Hiking sticks and microspikes or ice cleats are really helpful for these hikes. The trails to some of the caves are often quite steep as you climb up or down the slopes to reach your destination. 

Stand up - carefully -  and be counted inside
the Weister Creek ice cave.      Photo - Steve Dawson

The ice cave floors are thick with ice so care is needed once inside. And care is also needed when entering caves. It’s an art to squeeze between or underneath icicles to avoid breaking them. Leaving the ice as intact as possible means hikers who come after you have the same great experience.

One pro tip, if you haven't gone before, wait until there is snow on the ground. It is MUCH easier to follow the tracks of other ice cave seekers as you make your way to the caves

THE HIKE and The Locations
In the Driftless, February to mid-March are especially great times to visit the ice caves. The KVR boasts an incredible landscape of sandstone cliffs and steep hills that follow the meandering curve of the Kickapoo River. The cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park is also a very short, easy hike for everyone.
Here are three great hikes to see the ice caves:

Wildcat State Park ice cave
Image - Julie Keitel

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Weister Creek [EASY TO CHALLENGING] - S2666 Weister Creek Rd, La Farge  43.630471, -90.650354 (south of Ontario WI on Hwy 131, off Cty Rd P west) - A short 1mile out-and back hike. From the trailhead, walk alongside farm fields (any antler shed in those standing corn fields with deer tracks everywhere among the stalks?) and the banks of Weister Creek quickly brings you to a short, forested climb up to the first ice cave. The access to the first cave is very steep but the reward is worth is. This is a long cave with enough room for a group to stand in and be completely hidden by the icicle curtain. A second, less impressive cave that is more challenging to access can be found further down the unmarked trail.

• 
  Kickapoo Valley Reserve Valley of the Ice [CHALLENGING] - 3803 Corps Rd, La Farge   43.592603, -90.640282 (from the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, head left on Corps Road until you get to the Stark Town Hall and Maintenance Shed and park. You should see signs directing you towards the ice caves on the West Ridge snowmobile trail to begin your hike. Watch for blue tape to guide you). This is a longer hike (about 2.5 miles) and I would rate it as difficult due to the extremely steep and slick slopes as well as significant ice spillage as ice melts and refreezes outside the caves. Once beside the snowmobile trail, you will head up a high hill with some pretty sweet views. You will cross under some power lines which will alert you to look to the right for a trail(s) down into the valley. This is challenging and pretty steep going and is NOT recommended for those who are not in great shape and strong hikers. Even then, microspikes/ice cleats and at least one hiking stick can be extremely helpful.

• Wildcat Mountain State Park Ice Caves [EASY] - 13766 Cty Rd F, Ontario  43.688403, -90.568754 (Head through Wildcat Park and continue onto Cty Rd F to the parking lot by the ice cave sign parking lot) - This extremely short (just over .6 miles out and back) well-used trail, that starts between a flowing creek and impressive sandstone rock walls, is very easy with just a slight elevation gain making it perfect for all ages. The ice cave is fairly large and when I was recently there you could hear water dripping. There are pit toilets available near the halfway point in the trail.

I highly recommend at least one trip to explore these icy beauties. You need to purchase daily or annual passes for both the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Wildcat Mountain State Park. I urge you do to so. So many parks and outdoor nature centers are struggling especially in recent times of funding cuts now and over the past decade or two. Our dollars can help support their missions.

You can read additional reviews of these trails at Wisconsin Explorer and Explore Southwest Wisconsin blogs.

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 60 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

The opening to the Weister Creek ice cave
Image - Tim Anderson

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Thaw Time, Big Time - Spare the Trails

Just a quick check-in to everyone. With these unbelievably beautiful temps, I know we all want to get out on the trails. But hold off on woods and bluff trails that are soft or muddy please. 

Together, the city of La Crescent, city of La Crosse and ORA all shared the same message yesterday.

If you find sloppy, muddy trails, below is a list I recently shared of nearby trails to try instead.

Here are some Driftless area hiking alternatives to try during winter thaws. These trails feature grass, gravel, asphalt or concrete trails. They give us a chance to still experience the outdoors and nature while preserving trails. Thanks to my hiking buddies Nola Larson and Kris Lawson for their input to this list.

• Goose Island Park along the roads near Wigwam Slough and down the slough trail south of the campground.
• La Crosse Marsh Trails (access points include Myrick Park near the dog park on N. East St off  La Crosse St or by the Nature Place; or at Riverside International Garden for paved trail.
• Chad Erickson Park, La Crosse
• Riverside Park, La Crosse
• Pettibone Park roads, La Crosse
• Lytle's Landing, Brice Prairie (or other sections of graveled bike trails - be aware that some sections get gooey/muddy)
• Dresbach MN Hwy 90 Rest Stop - walk behind the building on the plaza and loop down to the river or hike on the shared trail past the MN sign to Dresbach, or walk down to the Lock and Dam along the road, or walk under the Hwy 90 bridge along the road down to the boat launch
• Reno Spillway
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center, Brice Prairie
• Apple Blossom Overlook Park, Dakota MN
• Maglessen Bluff, Rushford MN - drive to the top and walk along the paved road and grassy area to overlooks
• Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville WI
• McGilvrey 7 Bridges, New Amsterdam WI
• Halfway Creek Park, Holmen WI
• Holland Sand Prairie, Holland WI
• Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge trails (especially the dike trails), Trempealeau WI
• Lake Park Walk, Winona MN
• Pammel Creek Trail, La Crosse WI - while you can jump on this sidewalk along the creek anywhere, a great spot is at the Shelby Hillview baseball field which has a large parking lot next to the trail.
• Veteran's Park, West Salem, WI - hike park and connect up to the La Crosse River State Trail
• Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN
• Perrot State Park - walk the campground; Black Walnut and Riverview trails may be accessible too.

Let’s Get Hiking and Learning - March 2025

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 March as new events are announced, so feel free to stop back for the most updated info.

March Events

Aldo Leopold Days

Aldo Leopold Days 2025 Celebration
A Visit from Will Dilg
- Thursday, February 27 7:30 pm 
-Viterbo Recital Hall, 929 Jackson St, La Crosse
This is a Steve Marking performance presented by D.B. Reinhart Institute. Steven Marking plays Will Dilg in an inspiring, one-man performance. An avid trout fisherman and Chicago advertising executive, Will Dilg and his wife spent their summers on a houseboat in Winona, Minn. After suffering from the drowning death of his son in the early 1920’s, Dilg rose from the depths of depression to save a 261 mile stretch of Mississippi River backwaters from drainage for agriculture. This stretch of river is now known as the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Through Dilg’s creation of the Izaak Walton League of America and successful engagement of private and public organizations, Dilg petitioned Congress for this stretch of the river to become the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The refuge is one of more than 500 national wildlife refuges offering high quality wildlife habitat and opportunities for public recreation.

Driftless Water Ways: Leopold’s Land (and Water) Ethic in a Time of Deluge

-  Saturday, March 1    9:00-noon

 - The Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse

Following the lessons of Aldo Leopold's work in the Coon Creek Watershed Project in the 1930s to reduce erosion, Mississippi Valley Conservancy and many of our landowner friends are always thinking of ways to slow the movement of water. This is ever more important in these times of weather extremes, when a deluge of rain can take away valuable topsoil and damage downstream communities. Our local conservation partners are also thinking of ways to mitigate the effects of a changing climate, so, when planning this year's La Crosse Leopold Days Celebration, we easily agreed on WATER as a central theme. Conservancy President Gretchen Pfeiffer will share examples of things landowners are doing to slow water at the Leopold Day event in La Crosse on March 1 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at The Nature Place in Myrick Park to illustrate the relationship between land management and water. Many local experts will also be at the event to present information and strategies for managing water from heavy rains. Family activities will also be offered. The Conservancy annually works with partner conservation and environmental organizations to hold the Leopold event as a way of building on Leopold’s work that informs collective efforts to protect the lands and waters of the Driftless Area. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. 

ORA Community Trail Farm Exploration
- Saturday, March 1. 2:00-4:30 pm
 - W5701–W5725 WIS-33, La Crosse
Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA) invites the community to extend the celebration at the Community Trail Farm with exploration and walking tours. Discover the connections between Aldo Leopold and Louis H. Pammel and their impacts on land ethics and conservation, and how these principles relate to the Community Trail Farm and surrounding areas today. Learn about stream ecology, understand the importance of restoration efforts, and enjoy engaging activities around a fire. 2-4:30 p.m. Learn more about the Community Trail Farm here: https://www.oratrails.org/trail-farm/

Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Conservancy, ORA, Friends of the Blufflands, Viterbo University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ferryville Eagle Day
- Saturday March 1       9:30am-2:00 pm
- Ferryville Village Hall, 170 Pine St (off Hwy 35)
Live raptors, educational programs, eagle art by students, kids crafts, hooting contest and bald eagle nest building. Sponsor: Ferryville Tourism

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 1     10-11:30am 

 - Saturday March 1      1-2:30pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the outdoor amphitheater behind the Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Maple syrup programs will be offered each Saturday in March. Registration is limited to 20 people at each program. We want all visitors to feel safe and welcome. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a face covering and social distance from others. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Making Demonstration  Note: this event has been postponed; sap is not running yet. They hope to reschedule to 3/8 or 3/15. Check the event link on FB For updates.

 - Sunday, March 2.  1:30-3:30 pm

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

Come join us at Iowisota to learn how maple syrup is made! This is a hands-on demonstration and learning opportunity; No cost to attend. Programming/participation: No Cost; We ask for an RSVP so we know how many people we might have. This is a small-volume production, with 25-35 tapped maple trees on-site. You will get to observe and/or participate in the steps of making maple syrup: Setting a tap in a tree, collecting sap from the maple trees, reverse osmosis to remove some of the water, boiling the concentrated sap to remove more water and caramelize the sugars, filtering and bottling. And, of course, tasting! We plan to start the short hike at 1:30, followed by demonstrations of the other steps around 2:15; so if you are not able to do the short walk, feel free to join us a bit later. Sap flow is highly temperature dependent, so weather conditions will affect whether sap is flowing during your visit. We expect that you might want to spend up to 2 hours learning about the various steps. Owners Dennis and Linda Haugen are both foresters and will explain the process and answer questions about all the steps, including management of the trees. They have been making syrup on-site since 2014, and Linda has known these woods since 1968.

If you would like to do a visit at another time with an after-school or homeschool group, let us know and we can set something up. 

Maple syrup (limited quantities available): Suggested donation of $18/pint; bring cash or check. The tastings are free.  Overnight “B&B” immersive stay: If you want to stay overnight during syruping season, reach out to Iowisota through the "Accommodations request form" on the website or email to iowisota@gmail.com, and we'll work out the times and details! More information about the available spaces and costs are also available on the accommodations page

Crooked Slough Sugarbush -Tapping Sugar Maples

 - March 1-22

 - Prairie Island Park, Winona

All are welcome to experience the process of gathering silver maple sap and making syrup!  The community is invited to be part of learning more about the gifts that nature provides and ways to give back.  This event will actually take place until at least the 22nd of March.

The community is invited to join in the following ways:

- Collecting Sap

- Sap Boiling

- Buckthorn Removal 

- Naturalist hikes

SAP COLLECTION is happening everyday at 4pm the month of March, except Saturdays at 3pm.  Bring a ½ pint jar, get a ½ pint jar full of syrup!  

To sign up, go to: 

https://sammisfamilyproductions.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=97161

SAP BOILING March 8th, 15th, 22nd, and maybe 29th.  From sunrise to sunset, the arches are burning!  Come gather, snack on some MANOOMIN snack (wild rice) cranberry, and watch sap boil!

BUCKTHORN REMOVAL every Saturday of March 1:00-3:00pm

To sign up, go to: 

https://sammisfamilyproductions.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=97161

The following NATURALIST HIKES will be taking place from 10-11:30am:

March 1st - Learn how to Identify Trees in the Winter

March 8th - Seeing Resident Birds at PI

March 15th - Noticing the Seasonal Changes along the Phenology Trail 

March 7th - “March through Prairie Island Park” 

   With Conservation Minnesota 2:00 - 3:00pm 

For every event, meet at the Prairie Island Campground Campstore. Sponsors:Prairie Island Campground and the Boozhoo Family with the City of Winona, Boats and Bluegrass, Two Fathoms Brewery, Izaak Walton League - Will Dilg Chapter, and Conservation Minnesota.

Winter Tree ID Walk on the Upper Miss Refuge

 - Thursday, March 6         2- 3:00 pm 

 - Goose Island County Park,  Shady Maple Interpretive Trail, W6448 Cty Rd GI, Stoddard 
Get outside and enjoy the winter woods! Join our very own forester Bruce Henry and Audubon Upper Mississippi River forester Jeff Butler on on a FREE guided tree identification walk. Winter is the best time of year for observing tree structures and offers a unique glimpse into the inner workings of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge’s forested areas. The walk will be focused on the identification of trees using bark characteristics during winter conditions. All ages and experience levels are welcome! The walk will fittingly take place at Goose Island County Park, as it is a great showcase of forest management on the refuge. This walk is outdoors and on an unpaved trail approximately 1 mile long. Participants are encouraged to dress accordingly for the weather. As you enter Goose Island County Park, take the first left off County Road GI to find the Shady Maple Interpretive Trail. Parallel parking is available alongside the road. Please contact the Refuge at (608) 779-2399 with questions. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Guided Hike Through Crooked Slough

 -Friday, March 7        2pm

 - Prairie Island Park Winona

Join Conservation Minnesota and Winona Public Library for a March through Prairie Island Park (1340 Prairie Island Rd, Winona).  Participants will walk along the Crooked Slough Trail and learn about the native prairie seeds planted there and the invasive Buckthorn that has been removed.  Registration is required for this program. To register, go to https://winona.lib.mn.us/event/prairie-island-nature-walk/ or call the Library's Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860.

Maple Sugaring

 - Friday, March 7     10:00am -noon

 - Wabasha Public Library

Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Wabasha Public Library

Maple Sugaring

 - Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m.-noon

 - Frontenac State Park

Nature Explorers/Nature in the Neighborhood: Maple syrup tapping demonstration. Learn how maple syrup is made. Meet at the park’s main picnic shelter for this family-friendly event. Sponsors:  Project Get Outdoors, a partnering organization of the Frontenac State Park Association.

International Festival of Owls
- March 7-9
- International Owl Center, Houston MN
We are still working out the final details, but the tentative festival schedule is now posted and registration is open! Pre-registration is required for:

• Owl prowls on Friday, March 7 (the adult owl prowl usually sells out quickly, so don't procrastinate!)
• World Owl Hall of Fame award presentation and keynote address by Scott Rashid of the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute on Saturday, March 8
• Birding, Natural History and Geology Bus Trip on Sunday, March 9

You can also purchase your admission for Saturday or Sunday online in advance so you can skip the longer payment line at the Festival. Other special speakers this year include two readings of "Owl Music" by author Kat Beaulieu (signed first edition copies will be on sale), and, if all goes well, past World Owl Hall of Fame winner Raju Acharya from Nepal will also attend. There will still be more tweaks to the festival schedule and several of the event pages still need updating, but event registration is good to go! Sponsor: International Owl Center

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 8    10-11:30 am 

 - Saturday, March 8   1-2:30pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the outdoor amphitheater behind the Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Maple syrup programs will be offered each Saturday in March. Registration is limited to 20 people at each program. We want all visitors to feel safe and welcome. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a face covering and social distance from others. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Community Forum

 - Monday, March 10        5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

 - City of Caledonia Municipal Auditorium, 219 E.Main St.

Join us for an engaging evening to discuss the future of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail! We’ll share updates on the trail’s development and provide an open space for your ideas, questions, and feedback. Whether you’re a passionate hiker, a local resident, or simply curious, your voice matters in shaping this exciting project. Refreshments will be served, and no registration is needed! This event is designed for residents of Caledonia and the surrounding communities. Whether you are a landowner, outdoor enthusiast, local business owner, involved in tourism, or simply interested in learning more and sharing your perspective, we warmly invite you to attend. Feel free to bring a friend or colleague—everyone is welcome! This is the second event in a 3-part series—a perfect opportunity to connect with trail staff, dedicated volunteers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming session in Whalen! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and help bring the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail to life. See you there! Refreshments will be served, and no registration is needed!

 

Nature Field Trip

 - Tuesday March 11. 10:00 am -noon

 - Prairie Island Park, Winona

Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Winona Area Public Schools

Details at The Secrets of the Universe Facebook page

Whitewater State Park HOP program
 - March 12 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | 

 - Whitewater State Park Headquarters, Altura
Birds and Their Songs: Even common birds have interesting lives and make interesting sounds. Join MN Master Naturalist instructor Joel Dunnette to learn about 20 fascinating birds you can see and hear in our area. Whether you are a novice or know several native birds, you should enjoy this interactive presentation! Sponsor: Friends of Whitewater State Park

Full Moon Candlelit Hike
 - Thursday, March 13         5 - 7:00pm

 -  Gateway Trails, Grandad Bluff Park

A crowd favorite! ORA will again hosts this candlelit walk when the moon is fullest each month. This is a free, all-ages event that begin at 5pm, and last until 7pm, or until we run out of fire wood! We chose 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 Outdoor Recreation Alliance 

Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse
 - Friday, March 13

 - Your house! 
The year kicks off with a stunning total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon, when the Earth perfectly aligns between the Sun and the Moon, casting a deep red hue over the lunar surface. Totality will last for an impressive 65 minutes, offering plenty of time to take in the breathtaking sight. It's also worth looking up about 75 minutes before and after these times to witness the partial eclipse phases, as Earth's shadow gradually moves across and then away from the moon's surface.

• Duration: 3 hours, 38 minutes
• Totality: 1 hour, 5 minutes (from 1:26 AM to 2:31 AM CDT)
• Visible from: The Americas, Antarctica, Alaska, northeastern Russia, and parts of Africa

 Sponsors: our moon and sun

Maple Sugar Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 15    10-11:30 am

 - Saturday, March 15      1-2:30pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the outdoor amphitheater behind the Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Maple syrup programs will be offered each Saturday in March. Registration is limited to 20 people at each program. We want all visitors to feel safe and welcome. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a face covering and social distance from others. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Family Winter Hike and Animal Signs

 - Saturday, March 22.        9:30 am - 11:30 am

 - Holzinger Trails, 925 E. Lake Blvd, Winona MN

Join us for a winter hike and hunt for animal signs! We will explore the rolling Holzinger trails and search for evidence of animal activity with a scavenger hunt while enjoying the winter weather. This family friendly programming is our first Wilderness Weekend with Emily of 2025 and we are so excited to welcome everyone back. Grab your boots and see you on the trail! Wilderness Weekends, led by Emily Gorman, is an environmental education program offering an immersive experience to explore the ecosystems and ecological treasures of Winona County. Join us to discover, appreciate, and protect the region's natural wonders. Please register here. Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative

 

Sand Point Bird Walk

 - Saturday March 22    10 am- noon

 - Frontenac State Park, Sand Point parking lot

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point. Look for our winter waterfowl as well as resident birds of the forest, gulls, and raptors. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long, but you can head out whenever you need to. No need to register. If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. This event is free. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park in partnership with the Frontenac State Park Association.

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 22   10-11:30pm

 - Saturday, March 22   1-2:30pm

- Whitewater (MN) State Park

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the outdoor amphitheater behind the Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Maple syrup programs will be offered each Saturday in March. Registration is limited to 20 people at each program. We want all visitors to feel safe and welcome. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a face covering and social distance from others. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

-Saturday, March 22

Fireside Stories @ the Nature Place

 - Wednesday March 26       5:00-6:00 pm

 - The Nature Place, Myrick Park, 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse WI

Gather around The Nature Place fireplace and enjoy the warmth of connection at our Fireside Stories event series. Join us for a FREE family event at The Nature Place on the 1st Saturday of every month.
Each evening will begin with a story read by our Community Programs team, followed by a charming Winter tale told by our special guest storytellers! Special guest storyteller Delena Leon from the Main Library La Crosse, will bring her unique touch to this experience. Families can also enjoy Light snacks and warm beverages will be provided to keep the evening cozy. For children ages 2-10, a brief scavenger hunt will follow the stories, adding a bit of fun and adventure. Meet our Community Programs team, learn about our critters, and create a nature-focused craft. We're excited to meet you and explore the wonders of the natural world together. The program is free and no registration is required. Sponsor: Nature Place 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Master Naturalist Certification Course - Registration open
- April 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28             10:00am - 3:30pm
- Spring Valley MN Public Library
This two week course exploring the Big Woods, Big River curriculum combines classroom time with outdoor field trips. The Spring Valley Master Naturalist course is sponsored by Project Get Outdoors and will introduce participants to the natural history of the Driftless Area through hands-on activities and field trips. Topics include geology, wildlife, native plant communities, ecology, watersheds, human history and ways to share nature with children. Sessions begin at the library and then move outdoors for immersive tours of local nature areas. All participants complete a small group capstone project to be assigned by the instructor Sara Holger. Sara has worked as an environmental educator since 1994, leading programs and activities for a variety of natural resource agencies and organizations. From 1999 - 2023, Sara worked as an Interpretive Naturalist for Minnesota State Parks at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park and Whitewater State Park. Sara is the Founder and Program Coordinator for Project Get Outdoors, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides training and resources to help communities implement after school programs that connect low-income youth and children of color to nature exploration. Sponsors: UM-Extension and Project Get Outdoors

Do you know of other March events I should include?  Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my web version of the blog.

Pine View Campground (WI) Trails - Winter Paradise

Huge pines on the trail
Image - Steve Dawson

Thanks to a hike guided by Steve Dawson of the Blufflands Hiking group in mid-January, I was introduced to this great winter hiking trail. In the past month, I've returned with friends and family a number of times.

Located in Fort McCoy near Sparta WI, the Pine View is a popular and busy campground in the warm months of the year. 

But during the quiet times of the cold winter, the trails are nearly empty. And what is the draw in the winter? 

La Crosse River near it's source

The La Crosse River. It flows just behind the campsites between the trails  on the loop and creates a stunning hike in the bleakest times of winter. The source of the river is nearby and the waters - just the size of a healthy stream here - meander, creating a beautiful setting in a forest filled with giant pines and hardwoods. 

Trout Falls

The trout-filled river with its icy edges flows swiftly and features some rills and Trout Falls, a gorgeous small waterfall as well as crystal clear waters. The main trail is a 1.5 mile mostly flat loop trail perfect as a gentle amble hike or a regular hike. It is a delight in snowless cold months to have the river alongside as you hike the trail. It brightens those usual brown-and-buff snowless hiking days. And the towering pines add to the ambiance and glory of the trail.

One of many bridges

The first time I hiked this trail, I thought I HAVE to snowshoe this - it would be perfect. And indeed it is! When it snows, the trails are a snowshoer's dream. The river's icy edges contrast with the flowing water as you cross multiple bridges on the main loop trail. There are numerous spots to enjoy the river view along the way. The short length and flat terrain make it perfect for beginner snowshoers as well as vets.

There is enough dense brush and invasives along the river trail that it's hard to do off-trail snowshoeing. Further from the river, there are a few open areas to tramp that have a clearer understory. While I usually love a good off-trail tramp while snowshoeing, the trails here are pretty enough to satisfy me.

At the halfway point on the trail, you come to Trout Falls, which is clearly a very popular place in the summer. Beyond the falls, the river quietly pools and flows around some stunning rock formations. You have to fight through brush to see this but it is worth the effort.

There are additional trails that follow a disc golf course on the southwest side of the river that can add another mile or so to a snowshoe adventures as well. They can be slightly confusing beyond the main trails but that's why snow is nice. You can always easily follow your trail back. There are also little narrow, rough, alternative trails near the river that you can wander on.

Other than a rustic map at the trailhead near the main entrance, there aren't detailed maps of the hike. There is parking near Trout Falls that one can also use to access the trails as well. To the left is my AllTrails map from February 21.

This river trail loop will remain a go-to winter destination for me.  It's quiet forest beauty and close river views are refreshing during long snow-drought days of recent winters.  And during snowshoe treks, the snow blanketed forest and ice formations make a beautiful and easily snowshoed scene.

THE HIKE

A 1.5 mile loop trail on both sides of the narrow La Crosse River and under a canopy of massive mature pines and hardwoods make this mostly flat trail a jewel for easy winter hiking/snowshoeing. Multiple short bridges along the route add to the fun. Trout Falls at the halfway point is a high point. There are info kiosks along the trail highlighting the flora, fauna and terrain of the area.

La Crosse River

The Location
Don't trust your GPS on this one or you'll end up at Fort McCoy's front gates. These directions will get you to the trailhead: From Sparta, take Hwy 21 east until you see the large Pine View Campground sign. Turn there. Follow the road for 3/4 of a mile and turn right by the sign that says "White Tail Ridge". Follow that road until the yield sign at the end (ignore the sign near White Tail Ridge that indicates a right hand turn to the campground). Turn left and follow the road .6 miles and take a right at the campground entrance. Immediately take a right again onto an unplowed campground road and follow it around until you see playground equipment with a basketball hoop on your right. Park by the net. Head west beyond the playground equipment and you will spot the trailhead!

At the foot of a BIG pine

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 60 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!