Yawn...The Ticks Are Awakening

Longtime blog readers expect my frequent posts in late winter warning of muddy trails during freeze/thaw cycles - and alternative "firm trail" hiking suggestions.

And most of you know that hot on the heels of the last winter snows and March's warming temps, I will be sharing my annual alerts on tick re-activation in the woods and fields. 

Along with the robins, grackles and cries of migrating waterfowl, the time of ticks is once more upon us. When temperatures hit the 40s, ticks can become active. They will remain active from now until consistent freezing temperatures return in fall. 

In the Driftless area, it is the blacklegged deer tick that is of most concern. It's bite can transmit Lyme's disease as well as anaplasmosis.  What makes this early spring warming so critical is that not just adults are active, but their nymphs are too - and those little buggers are sneakily small. 

A. Nymph    B. Adult male     C. Adult female
Image/Text - Ohio Department of Health

This isn't to say we shouldn't get out hiking/bushwhacking in woods and fields as they firm up. Instead, it's to remind of us to exercise some common sense precautions for tick-free fun on trails.

When I gear up for spring trail hikes, there are a couple of things that help keep me worry free and tickless:

Pre-hike:

• Pre-treat hiking clothes and gear with Premethrin which typically lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washes before application needs to be renewed
• Use insect repellants with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin
• Choose lightcolored hiking clothes/gear so that ticks can be more easily seen.
• Spray boots and tuck pants legs into boots OR wear knee-high or ankle-high tick gaiters pre-treated with Premethrin
• Consider investing in chemical-free Rynoskin, light nylon long sleeve shirt/leggings gathered at wrists, waist and ankles (learned this tip from a Canadian paddler who did lots of spring paddling - and its a keeper)

Post-hike:

• Toss hiking clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high. If clothes need to be washed, do them in hot water
• Shower/bathe asap once off the trail to more easily wash off ticks
• Use mirror to do a full body check if returning from ticky areas. Areas to be especially mindful of: hair, behind the knees, between legs, on and around ears, under arms, around the waist
• Remeber in spring, the nymphs are impossibly small so really be aware as you do body/clothes checks
• Check gear and boots to make sure ticks haven't hitchad a ride

I typically head out on 50-60 March-May spring hikes with plenty of bushwhacking (any fungi, flower or fern screams at me to leave the trail and come closer) and have had no problems with ticks over the last five years that I've been doing the above routines. 

For more tips on way to prevent tick bites on the trail, on pets and around the outside of your home, check out this brief but excellent brochure from the Ohio Department of Public Health on being tick-smart.

An ounce of prevention and some careful investment can make the difference in spring hiking enjoyment.

See you on the trails!

Not tick bait!
Off-trail amidst the wildflowers
in Rynoskin and knee-high tick gaiters

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

I Spy on the Trails - February 2026

February prairie

We entered the month under the full Snow Moon and clearer skies have paraded a host of planets and constellations in our night skies. February is always a transition month. Still wintry, but the tug of spring is felt everywhere. 

Imbolc humor

It's no wonder. For those in the know on Celtic celebrations, Imbolc ushers in the month. This ancient holiday celebrates the halfway point between the winter solstice and upcoming March spring equinox. It heralds a time of longer, lighter days; sometimes wildly varying temperatures and the very earliest mating and migration for many birds. 

Buds getting feisty

Early buds begin to push out and some trees are beginning to display a fuzziness in their crowns as their buds enlarge in response to longer days and more sunlight. For those who have passed red osier dogwoods, their stems are reddening and are a clear and welcome sight against the usual grays and browns of late winter bushes.

Uncertain temperatures abound. After a crisp start, a run of high 40s and 50s mid-month brought a significant thaw over a two-week period. Trails became mushy/muddy and hiking switched over to solid surface trails. The freeze/thaw time is probably hardest for those who like to hit the woods trails. But care, restraint and using alternate trails prevents erosion and degradation, keeping the trails solid once the thaw is out and trails once more are firm. 

Ice shards along the Mississippi River's edge

A late, narrow-band snowstorm at the end of our third week brought 8-10" of welcome snow, perfect for some final winter snowshoeing. And of course after a last week of 10s and 20s, 40's popped back before a final string of 20's to end the month.

On the trails, I've noticed deer, eagles, hawks, chickadees, bluebirds, woodpeckers, starlings, trumpeter swans, beaver action and v-flights of Canada geese. Friends have reported seeing robins, starlings and horned larks. The titmice and dark-eyed juncos still remain but I expect they will be migrating back to their northern nesting grounds shortly. Once ponds, rivers, creeks and other waterways open from the ice, I expect we will see waterfowl migration begin in earnest. 

Looking back over the past 3 months of winter, I enjoyed 41 hikes and snowshoe treks in the Driftless. Despite challenging temperatures and conditions, this past winter held multiple outdoor delights and a fairly consistent snowcover to keep bluffs and coulees gorgeous and white. 

Still, I look forward to March and all the spring changes we'll see as the days lengthen and temperatures climb. It promises to be an exciting month for nature lovers.

A tiny wild strawberry peeks out

     

  A Poem for Imbolc

At the halfway point

between solstice and equinox

spring latches hooks into winter

and pulls us into the light.

        --Megan Schliesman

See you on the trails!

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.
Bluffside Park, Winona MN (3); Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI (2); Yellow River State Forest Luster Heights Unit, Harper's Ferry IA; Pine View Campground, Sparta WI;  Reno Quarry, Reno MN; Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper's Ferry IA; Hixon Forest, La Crosse WI (2); Reno Spillway, Reno, MN; Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI; Holland Sand Prairie, Holman, WI; Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN; Ravine Woods, La Crescent, MN; Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor's Center, Brice Prairie WI

Reno Spillway

The "I Spy on the Trails" column is a phenology (the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals) journal to chronicle year-round the weather, plant life and wildlife I observe while hiking. It is very useful in helping me compare observations from year-to-year. The column is published monthly from September through April and then twice-a-month from May through August when warm weather brings the natural world back to vibrant life.

Image - Kris Lawson

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates 2/23/26

The planning and work towards the 100 mile Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MHDT) is really starting to coalesce. As a reminder, the trail is a multi-year effort to create a hiking/backpacking trail in southeastern Minnesota similar to the Ice Age Trail. 

It's been six months since the last update so let's take a peek

The map that the group produced originally has been updated below to show the work that has been accomplished and the coming year's plans. The gray area on the map shows a wide swath of land between Chatfield Mn and the Mississippi River where the trail might go. That gray area contains public land like wildlife and state management areas, state forests, state parks and private lands that could possibly be connected to create the trail. The MDHT group plan is to work with willing landowners and partner with them to procure easements to allow the trail to pass through portions of their land. They are also working with communities to have trails pass through them so hikers can enjoy all that southeastern Minnesota has to offer.

So what's new?

The area in green above shows where the planners have secured access, This area includes the 6.5 mile Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield as well a designated 2.5 mile trail through Chatfield. 

The area in yellow, which includes Eagle Bluff Environmental  Center and the Big Woods/Newburg area and Beaver Creek Valley State Park to the Caledonia area, are area that are going to be worked on in 2026.

Grant funds secured from the MN Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund in 2024 allowed the group to hire a full-time director and purchase trail building equipment that will make building trails easier. Grant writing is underway to secure additional funds.

To read details of the 2026 plans, please stop here.

To stay updated, you can follow their FB page, stop by their website and/or subscribe to their newsletter. All in all, it's pretty exciting.

Additional posts on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 7/25 Update
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - March 2026

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 throughout the month as new events are announced - usually an additional 5-8 as the month goes on - so feel free to stop back for updated info.

Golden morning sky

March Events

In last month's edition of events listings, we shared some amazing 40 hour training courses for Master Naturalist volunteer certification. All of them occurred during the day and in person. I "get" the challenges this presents for working folks. So I want to share this new online summer MN Master Naturalist training that I noticed coming up this summer with evening sessions and morning sessions!

Online Minnesota Master Naturalist Certification Training for Big Woods, Big River biome

Registration is now open for an online Big Woods, Big Rivers Minnesota Master Naturalist Course. We offer either a Morning or Evening section which you will be able to choose when you pay.
Summer Morning - Thursdays  from 9:30 - 11:00 am, weekly May 27-August 5  or

Summer Evening - Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, weekly May 27-August 5
The Big Woods, Big Rivers course explores the natural and cultural history of Minnesota’s temperate deciduous forests – the area that runs from the northwest corner to the southeastern region of the state. The class will cover the same topics (geology, water, plant communities, wildlife, human impacts, interpretation) as an in-person class, but will take place mostly online, using Zoom for class meetings and the learning platform Canvas. One in-person field trip is also REQUIRED in the Twin Cities metro area on either Friday, July 10 or Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 am-5:00pm. The class will meet online every week from May 27 through August 5, 2026. In addition to class meetings, participants are expected to spend an additional 3 hours working independently between online sessions to complete assignments such as reading the text, viewing lecture videos, researching on the internet, visiting a nature location near home, and completing journal entries. To successfully complete the course, participants will be expected to attend all class Zoom sessions, an in-person field trip and complete a small group capstone project. Sponsor: University of Minnesota Extension

Maple Syrup Making Demonstration
 - March dates and times - TBD (please pre-register to be informed of dates when scheduled)
 - Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 Hwy 26, Lansing, IA
Come join us to learn how maple syrup is made! This is a free demonstration and learning opportunity; we will have a free will donation jar out if you want to contribute toward costs of production and take home a bottle of syrup. NOTE: Dates and times will be set once we know when sap will start flowing. We plan to schedule some weekend times in March, but would consider sessions during the week if there is interest. 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. Register here. Sponsor: Iowisota Retreat and Education Center

Winter Blufflands Hike - Lower Hixon Forest 

 - Sunday, March 1         1:30 pm

 - Forest Hills Tennis Court parking lot

Hixon Forest - Regarded by many, the outdoor gem of La Crosse, known for its extensive trail network. Split into two regions, Upper and Lower, Hixon Forest offers activities for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, birdwatchers, etc. We will enjoy hiking LOWER HIXON in this event. We will have an easy 3 mile option and for those who want a little more a 5.5 mile option. What they include: 3 Mile Option: The lower Bicentennial/Hickory Trails Loop. Includes exploring the Flury Farmstead ruins. 5.5 Mile Option: We will begin on the same route as the 3 Mile, but will climb the bluffs via Savanna Trail to connect with Vista before descending back to our cars. Also includes Flury Farm, Lookout Prairie Overlook and Vista Prairie Overlook. DIFFICULTY: 3 Mile Option: Easy. 5.5 Mile Option: Moderate. Both start at the Lower Hixon Forest Trailhead Parking Lot  (https://maps.app.goo.gl/sm3ixXjTLxnR6ook8) Sponsor: Blufflands Hiking Group

Candlelight Hike. Canceled due to weather and trail conditions

 - Tuesday, March 3              5:00pm

 - Gateway Trailhead, 3020 Grandad Bluff Rd, La Crosse WI

A crowd favorite! ORA will again host a series of candlelit walks! This is a free, all-ages event that begins at 5pm, and lasts until 7pm, or until we run out of fire wood! This location utilizes a path that is considered "easy to moderate" to navigate. 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. These walks are self-guided. Snacks and beverages will be on site, including fire pits with s'mores! Sponsor: ORA: Outdoor Recreation Alliance

Enviro-Wednesdays

 - Wednesday, March 4               7:00-8:00pm

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI
Enviro-Wednesdays is an adult (ages 14+) nature series on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 PM at The Nature Place (unless otherwise noted). Free, no registration necessary.  Join us to enhance your nature knowledge. Different topics and speakers every month! This month’s program: Aditi is a high school senior in Onalaska, WI. She is passionate about Earth and Planetary Sciences. Sustainability work is also important to her. She will talk about her work on her sustainable technology book and her Miyawaki forest projects, both of which she did with funding from the Youth Climate Action Fund. She will also discuss sustainability and climate education in schools and how it is so important for the younger generation to be informed. Aditi loves to see how policy and government intersect Earth and Space, and plans to do an interactive workshop for kids around La Crosse County on this topic, taking them around the bluffs, rivers, and courthouses! Sponsors: The Nature Place and Friends of the Marsh.

International Owl Festival

- March 6-8            all day
- 126 E. Cedar St, Houston MN
Live owl programs, kids crafts, owl prowls, speakers and other activities plus much more at this event International Owl Center in Houston MN. Sponsor: International Owl Center, Houston MN

Nature Saturday for Families

 - Saturday, March 7           9:30-11:30am

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

Join us for a free family event at The Nature Place on the first Saturday of each month. Each event provides a unique seasonal opportunity to learn about the critters and nature patterns found within our region's ecosystem. If you have a question about the event, please reach out to our Community Programs Manager, Steph Hanna at Steph.Hanna@natureplacelacrosse.org **Weather notices or immediate updates regarding one of these events will be shared on our FB stories the day of the event. Sponsor: The Nature Place

Hands-on maple syrup making at Whitewater (MN) State Park

Aldo Leopold Day Observance 

 - Saturday, March 7       9:00am-noon

- 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI

Join us for La Crosse’s annual celebration of Aldo Leopold and his enduring land ethic — the idea that the land is “a community to which we belong.”This year’s program is held at The Nature Place and will explore how birds and aquatic insects serve as indicators of environmental health, reflecting both the strength and vulnerability of our ecosystems! We have incredible speakers lined up:
-Dan Goltz, Wildlife Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will discuss his involvement in sampling eaglet blood to study pollutants such as PFAS and their ecosystem impacts.
-Richie Swanson, Citizen Scientist & Environmental Blogger will teach us how mayfly populations reveal pollution levels and what that means for the birds that rely on them.
-Christine Custer, Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey – “Using birds as indicators of contaminant exposure and effects: Perspectives from 50 years of study.”
The morning also includes FREE activities through our usual Nature Saturday’s Program, including the following activities:
-Crafts, and live animals in the Discovery Room
-Readings from A Sand County Almanac
-Additional community outreach tables in the atrium
-A guided marsh walk with Friends of the Marsh
Since 2000, communities across Wisconsin have gathered to honor Leopold’s legacy and reflect on our shared responsibility to care for nature. Partnerships for this event include: Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Friends of the Blufflands, Viterbo University D.B. Reinhart Institute, Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and ORA Trails.
Program Timeline:
-9:00 AM – Doors Open
-9:10 AM – Welcome & first reading from “A Sand County Almanac” - Dave Skoloda & Karen Acker
-9:30–11:30 AM – Nature Saturday’s – FREE Family activities in the Discovery Room offered by The Nature Place
-9:30–10:00 AM – Dan Goltz – “The Impact of PFAS”
-10:05–10:35 AM – Richie Swanson – “Mayfly populations reflect pollution levels”
-10:35–10:55 AM – Break & outreach tables
-11:00–11:30 AM – Christine Custer – “Using birds as indicators of contaminant exposures”
-11:35 AM – Second reading from “A Sand County Almanac” from Pat Wilson
-Noon – Optional marsh walk with Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 7      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 7      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Online webinar - Learn About MN's Wilderness Inquiry

 - Monday, March 9         10:00 am

 - email muse.abdi@olmsteadcounty.gov for Microsoft Teams link

Join presenter Tracy Larson to learn about the impactful work of MN's Wilderness Inquiry. Their mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities and abilities through outdoor adventures - so everyone can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature. Learn about inclusive, nature-based programming; explore partnership opportunities with Wilderness Inquiry and discover how outdoor experiences support health and learning. Tracy Larson is the Education and Day Program Manager at Wilderness Inquiry. She leads the development and planning of outdoor education programs for K-12 schools through WI's Canoemobile program. She collaborates closely with teachers and school districts to create meaningful outdoor learning experiences that support academic success and student wellbeing. Sponsor: Southeast MN Park Rx Coalition

Driftless Eco-Explorers for Children

 - March 11 and March 18     11:00-11:45 am

Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Driftless Geology

 - Wednesday, March 11             10:00 am - noon

 Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Join us March 11th at 10 am for our monthly A.L.P. at the Whitewater State Park visitor center (Advanced Learning Program) hosted by the Friends of Whitewater State Park! In March, we welcome Jeff Green, retired Hydrogeologist. He will be taking us on a journey through the science behind how the surface and subsurface geology effect the way water moves through the landscape. He will be highlighting the unique features that characterize the Driftless region of Minnesota and how they differ from the rest of the state. Sponsor: Friends of Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 14      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Fest
- Saturday, March 14              Noon-4:00pm
- Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 28097 Goodview Dr, Lanesboro, MN

Be a part of the entire maple syrup making process, from identifying maple trees to a sap boil-off!
Tours will start every half hour between 12-4pm. A tasty treat of maple syrup and mini pancakes awaits you after your tour. Think you know your syrup? Take part in our maple syrup taste test! Cost $10/person; kids 5 and under are free, youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Pre-registration and walk-in registration both welcomed. Sponsor: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 14      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Spring Equinox Sunset Hike (page 4)
 - Friday, March 20th            6:45 PM
 - Yellow River State Forest, Luster Heights Unit
481 Luster Heights Rd., Harpers Ferry IA
Celebrate spring with Assistant Naturalist Melissa on this scenic sunset hike! The hike will start from the Luster Heights Unit and will be approximately 2 miles long. This event is open to all ages, but participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsor: Allamakee County Conservation Corps

Sand Point Bird Walk

 - Saturday, March 21         9-11:00 am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the Sand Point parking lot off Hwy 61

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point. Hope to see winter resident birds of the forest as well as early spring migrating waterfowl. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. It can be muddy following rain. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long. When birding, this can take 2-4 hours depending upon how many birds we’re seeing, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association.

Ferryville's  Bald Eagle Day https://www.facebook.com/Ferryvillewi

 - Saturday, March 21            9:30am-2:00pm

 - Ferryville (WI) Village Hall, 170 Pine St (off Hwy 35), Ferryville WI

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 21      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 21      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Golden Eagles Club - Mindfulness Walk

 - Thursday, March 26               10-11:00 am

 - Effigy Mounds National Monument, 151 Hwy 76, Harper's Ferry IA

Join a park ranger for a mindfulness walk on the Yellow River Boardwalk. This is one in a winter series offering weekly programing for our new Golden Eagles Club at the park. These programs are intended for mature adults but open to anyone. Programs may be a variety of activities and topics and will run weekly until April. For a full schedule of the weekly presentations (book  discussions, hands-on work and presentations), please visit their events website. Sponsor: Effigy Mounds National Monument

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 28      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 28      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

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! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

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


You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and IA.

Lending a "Nature" Hand

There's always something to be said for giving back as a trail user and nature lover. As certified Master Naturalist volunteers (MNV), my colleagues and I throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin contribute at least 40 hours annually in volunteer work. Most of the MNV I know contribute far more.

This service ethic has helped countless outdoor-centered organizations through our contributions of time and effort to fight invasives, maintain natural areas and trails, serve on parks and forests Friends groups, assist communities by serving on natural resource board, present interpretive programs.

But you don't have to be a MNV to lend a hand to help "nature." Your time, effort and/or donations can have a huge impact.

Here are a few opportunities I have run across just this past week. Won't you please consider lending a hand - or giving a donation if your body says "I can't do that anymore."

Nature Backpack Project

Project Get Outdoors, partnering with Lark Toys in Kellogg MN and Janky Gear in Rochester MN, is asking for help so they can create "nature backpacks" to distribute to kids who are sheltering in place during ICE operations in their communities. The backpacks will contain nature-themed books, puzzles, games, field guides, and sensory pouches filled with agates, fossils, shells, rocks, and gemstones - bringing the calming, healing power of nature indoors.

Gently used or new backpacks can be dropped off at Janky Gear (611 N. Broadway Ave, Rochester) as well as agates, fossils, shells, rocks, and gemstones you might have and want to donate. Deadline for backpack, sensory object donations: February 28. 

You can also donate directly on-line through the Project Get Outdoors website Or mail donations to: Project Get Outdoors, PO Box 244, Wabasha, MN 55981 Project GO is a 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible. 

Volunteers Needed for Nature Restoration Work

This has been a busy year for cutting invasive brush and trees, saving and spreading seed and other tasks on Driftless prairies and in forests. Volunteers willing to get time outdoors and meet some incredible stewards of the land are always needed and welcomed. Again, if your body isn't able, these organizations gratefully accept donations to help them.

The Prairie Enthusiasts

From a recent FB post: "If you have cabin fever, cold weather is actually perfect for work like this. Wet snow makes for wet humans. Dry snow makes for warm, comfortable humans. Most people shed their outer layers soon after starting. If you are looking for a chance to get out and do good near where you live with other members of your community, find one of our work parties. This work can be strenuous, but we've got logs and limbs of all sizes, so you can pick your challenge! Check out our Events Calendar" Our nearby chapters are the Minnesota Driftless and Coulee Region. Donations are also welcome.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy

The work MVC does on its many nature preserves is extraordinary. While opportunities abound outside, they can also use help in other support projects that can match your skills. And again, sometimes the support you give might be monetary and that is an important way to lend a helping hand as well!

Trail Work and Maintenance

Outdoor Recreation Alliance 

Headquartered in the La Crosse area, ORA does a tremendous amount of shared biking and hiking trail building and trail maintenance in the blufflands of Hixon Forest and now at their Community Trails Farm. They train and set up regularly scheduled trail work and are always looking for folks to pitch in. It's a great way for hikers to contribute to the trails we use.

And they just put out a survey asking trail users to help them prioritize trail work for the upcoming season. Hikers, let your voice be heard and fill in this brief survey! The survey closes on February 27 and takes less than 3 minutes! It's an opportunity to prioritize some "hike only" trails (there are currently just .5 miles of hike-only) for their farm.

Hope you can lend a hand to make sure lots of people can enjoy our beautiful Driftless area!

See you on the trails.

Here Comes the Freeze Thaw Cycle

Image- Nola Larson

I know you know, but you know...

The next week+ of predicted high temps that presage coming spring are definitely going to have a deleterious effect on trails across the Driftlesss region. The freeze-thaw cycle will be kicking in despite the fact that the calendar is clearly saying February. 

I'm sharing our local ORA group's timely Wednesday Facebook post to remind you, followed by notice of road closure for access to Lower Hixon Trails.

Outdoor Recreation Alliance Facebook page

And here are trails to try that are paved/grassy/graveled to help you make alternate choices for your hiking destinations until trails firm up again.

Alternative Hiking Trails During Freeze/Thaw Cycles

• Goose Island Park along the roads near Wigwam Slough and down the slough trail along the Mississippi River 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)
• Reno Spillway -watch for running water and ice across the spillway and turn back if conditions are dicey. 
• 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
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center, Brice Prairie - paved and graveled paths
• 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 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.

See you on the trails!

You can read my column on seasonal hiking suggestions in the quarterly Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Naturalist's Corner - Driftless Bluff Faces

I am so pleased to share this post from Linda Haugen. She and her husband Dennis own Iowisota, a nature-themed retreat and education center located in the Driftless area of Northeast Iowa. Both retired from the U.S. Forest Service, their family has stewarded the almost 200 acres of forested bluffs for over 50 years. They host retreats as well as programs like making wild-crafted pottery, soaps, cordials as well as hands-on foraging workshops, tree identification saunters, hikes and more. They warmly welcome everyone to the retreat center and are fonts of information. To find out more, please stop be their website.
In this beautifully written post, reprinted with permission from their January 31, 2026 Iowisota blog, Linda shares information and muses on the towering Driftless bluff faces and what they mean to us - and to the flora and fauna that inhabit them.

The weathered faces reveal lifetimes of adversity. They aren’t human faces; they are the rocky crags that look out over the Mississippi River. Each face is unique and beautiful, full of character. Their expressions change throughout the seasons and even throughout the day, with the nuances of snow and cloud, shadow and sun.

The rocky faces of the bluffs reveal layers of limestone and dolomite of the ancient Paleozoic Plateau. This plateau of sedimentary rock was not scraped or buried by the last 3 to 4 glaciers, but it also wasn’t untouched. Meltwater floods cut valleys and reorganized the landscape, moving massive quantities of rocks and soil. Meanwhile, the rocky escarpments weathered to the faces that still watch over the now quieter rivers and valleys.

These faces have been present for a very long time, and they hide secrets. Some faces have rock overhangs and nooks forming protected pockets. Other people lived on this land for hundreds of years between when the last glacier left and when Europeans arrived. I wonder what I could find in those hidden cavities or shelters. Petroglyphs? Tools left behind? Other artifacts? I’m sure someone more athletic and braver than I would have long since explored the farthest reaches and removed any treasures, so most likely I would only find a few animal bones and other debris. Still, I do wonder what secrets the faces hide.

The faces are a place of refuge. Deep crevices in the cliffs offer protection from hot and cold extremes, and when fires swept up the hillside prairies, the rock faces escape the flames. The term “refugium” literally means a place that supports an isolated or relict population of an organism. Protected spaces can serve as refugia, and you may find rare and unique plants and animals on these sensitive sites. Words like karst topography, algific talus slopes, Pleistocene snail, and northern wild monkshood come up in conversation about refugia and the Driftless Area, but I don’t know if my local faces are home to any rare plants and animals.

The faces harbor danger, in the form of steep cliffs, unstable rocks, and venomous snakes. Nature doesn’t install guardrails to protect the foolhardy, and the edges are not always stable. There may be a ledge to stop my fall down the steep cliff, or there may not be. So, I keep a safe distance from the edge. The lower slopes of the bluffs are littered with boulders that were once part of a face, until erosion and gravity prevailed and they came crashing down. Rocks may break free at any time, but landslides and rock falls from the faces are more common in Spring (following the freeze-thaw cycle) and after heavy rains. And then there are the rattlesnakes. They shelter in the cracks that extend deep into/under the cliffs and bask in the sunshine on ledges and rock shelves. In fact, they need the deep cracks and fractures that lead back into protected dens where they can overwinter; that’s why we have rattlesnakes here in the Driftless Area, but not in the rest of Iowa. The timber rattlesnakes aren’t usually aggressive, but they don’t really like getting cornered or stepped on. I don’t like to be surprised by them any more than they like to be surprised, so I tread with caution.
At Iowisota, we live between two faces. We call the steep, bold face on the front of the “South Bluff” Cedar Point, because of the ancient, gnarly red cedars (junipers) that have grown protected on the rock cliff for hundreds of years. I’ve never measured the height of the drop from the top of Cedar Point, but my guess is perhaps 75’. The face on the “North Bluff” is less abrupt; this bluff has a east-west oriented ridge above a south-facing hillside “goat” prairie that feathers into a series of short rocky ledges (with snake-harboring crevices) along the southeast face. The ridge above the goat prairie provides amazing unobstructed views over the Mississippi River valley to the south. The east-facing front face is mostly hidden by the trees below but is still a long enough drop that I wouldn’t care to go down that way.

I’m rather fond of our faces, even with all their dangers, and sometimes because of their dangers. Sometimes I look out over the view that they have watched for so long and reflect on the changes to the River and landscape. The Mississippi River was once uncontrolled and wild, the Upper Iowa River meandered alongside the Mississippi for several miles and joined in within view of the faces. Influencers of the landscape included fire, floods and beavers. The past 250 years have brought new influencers, including intense agriculture, logging, fire suppression, channelization, fertilizer and chemical pollution, introduction of invasive species, etc. It is sobering to contemplate what we have done, and perplexing to contemplate what we should do now. Ancient rocks, towering trees, and singing birds remind me that nature endures, even though it changes.