Tuesday, April 7, 2026

12 Great Driftless Spring Hiking Destinations

Bloodroot twins
Now that spring is starting to pop, April and May are great months to hit the trails for the very earliest wildflowers and emerging/migrating wildlife. I am always eager to catch this season of fleeting delights.

What kinds of trails are on my go-to hike plans for the next two months? Pretty much everything all the time:

  • wetlands where I can find bright pops of marsh marigolds, migrating waterfowl and warblers, awakening turtles and the sound of frog's mating calls
  • woods where the fleeting, delicate spring ephemerals festoon trailsides in a succession of blooms, songbirds (including warblers) are easy to spot before leaf-out and spring mushrooms lurk in leaf litter
  • prairies where early hardy plants like Pasque flower, prairie smoke, hoary puccoons, lupine and wild indigo bloom in profusion

Here is a list of my most visited spring spots.

Prairie Smoke

MINNESOTA
Great River Bluffs (MN) State Park 43605 Kipp Drive, Winona MN (off Hwy 90)
East Overlook and ridge trail along the road to the campground is moderate for elevation gains and has many early spring ephemeral wildflowers and Mississippi views. Kings Bluff trail rewards you with wildflowers along the trail and expansive prairie and stunning views of the Mississippi at its end Approximately 1.5 miles on out and back for each. Pit toilets and well-marked trails. Park map

Beaver Creek Valley (MN) State Park, 15954 County 1, Caledonia MN
Cross the bridge and look for the trail marker for Switchback Trail. Cross the creek and head steeply upward through a succession of amazing ephemerals. This trail is challenging but worth it. Or continue past this trailhead and stay on the main trail through the valley on an easy flat trail next to the trout stream (filled with native wild trout) for approximately 2-3 miles on grass trails (can be out and back or use loops to return). A hidden gem. Park Map

Whitewater (MN) State Park, 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN
Woods, wetlands and prairies are all on offer at this state park which features a trout stream, incredible rock formations and easy to challenging trails. Bluff top trails offer glimpses of fossil stromatalites beneath your feet as well as wild, flower-filled prarie remnants. If you hike here in mid-May, be sure to visit nearby Carley State Park where a breathtaking profusion of bluebells (along with ramps and other spring wildflowers) by the Whitewater River will awe you.

Vetsch Park, 722 N. 2nd St, La Crescent MN 
This park’s trails can be confusing. The lower slopes past the pollinator gardens by the parking lot are full of ephemerals. But, if you can find your way to Stoney Point (admittedly a challenge!), the early ephemerals are stunning. Ruth Nissan and Betsy Knowles, two La Crescent naturalists created a guide to the wildflower guide that is mounted on the city website. Can you find them all?

A lupine in the dew

WISCONSIN
Holland Sand Prairie, W7781 County Road MH, Holmen
Fairly flat with some rolling hills on grass/dirt trails for views of a beautiful sand prairie with abundant wildlife and wildflowers. There is a 1.3 mile boundary trail and a shorter .5 mile trail through the center of the property. Mississippi Valley Conservancy Map 

Perrot State Park  W26247 Sullivan Rd., Trempealeau WI
Local hiker Sue Knopf recommends that hikers look "from somewhat beneath the little shelter (below where most of the wooden steps stop) to the park road which is filled with shooting stars, Dutchman’s breeches, wild ginger, and anemones, and then when you get to what I call the gorge, if you’re there at the right time (end of April, beginning of May depending on the year) the rock walls are filled with trillium, yellow bellwort, ferns, and more." Also recommended is the Riverview trail at the park!

Sugar Creek Bluff State Natural Area, N. Buck Creek Road, Ferryville
You’re almost on the blufftop of this beautiful mixed savannah/oak prairie and mixed hardwood trail (1.5 miles out and back) that leads through an ephemeral-filled forest and out to beautiful prairie with great high views of the Mississippi River and MN/IA bluffs. There are slight elevation gains on this grass and dirt trail. Mississippi Valley Conservancy Map

Duck Egg County Park, Vernon County, Irish Road
The spring ephemerals along these trails are stunning - profuse and varied. Worth the sweat on the steep trail at the Upper Trailhead and just as good along the flat streamside trail accessed at the Lower Trailhead. Forest Map

Lytle's Landing, W8582 Lytle Rd, Holmen 
This is a spring birder's paradise. Migrating waterfowl, eagles, raptors and many many migrating sonbirds can be found in March through May. This old railroad right of way, part of Wisconsin's Great River Bike Trail, invites bikers, hikers and birders to wander along its length, cross numerous bridges and enjoy the sloughs and wetlands of the Black River floodplain. Dragonflies, butterflies and turtles are also much in evidence as temps warm up. This out and back trail (the bridge 2.7 miles north of the trailhead is currently out and planned for reconstruction after a fire destroyed it) can be as long or short as you want to make it -but be sure to take your time to see all the sights.

Trillium

IOWA
Yellow River Forest Paint Rock Unit, Hwy 364 Mississippi River trailhead, Harper's Ferry IA
This riverside trailhead takes you steeply up 300 feet along a narrow ravine festooned with spring ephemerals (some at eye level). The rim trails are also great for spotting spring flora. It is a stunning display in May. Forest Unit Map . Also recommended by Sue Knopf, an avid local hiker, is another Yellow River unit, the Paint Creek unit which has carpets of bluebells and other wildflowers in the lovely forested lowlands near the park office.

Phelp's Park Trollkor's Trail, 613 Park Dr, Decorah IA
This trailhead, located by a small parking area leads you directly to a paved path (part of the larger Trout Run trail) along the Upper Iowa River that starts by algific talus slopes that host unique plant life (air -conditioned by the icy air outflowing from holes and gaps in the cliffs). Near the next trailhead, head right and climb to City Park to walk  past the CCC constructed stonework fences, walls, steps and bridges to the flower-filled woods back to the start.

Lost Canyon Valley of 13 Caves Trail,  29912 9th Avenue, Bernard, IA (near Dubuque)
This is a lovely 2.5 mile hike in spring as the ephemerals make their showing. Part of the Whitewater Canton Wildlife Area, you descend and ascend through large prairie and forested area down onto the canyon. The limestone walls encase the wide trail through a wah between them. On each side there are small and large openings and caves just begging to be explored. Follow well worn trails up to entrances and enjoy the wildflowers along your walk. Be sure to bring flashlight/headlamp to explore the cave ceilings and walls for fossilized marine remnants.

Ribbit?

If you'd like to get a peek at what flora and fauna you might expect to can be find on the trails in April, please stop here.

Let me know what's your favorite spring trail? I'll be happy to try it out!

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 75 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Image - Diane Palm

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.
at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Sunday, April 5, 2026

For the Birds!

Yellow Warbler, Frontenac State Park, May 9, 2024
Image -  Steve Dietz
The major spring songbird migrations are just about to explode!  In the last few days, my inbox has also exploded with announcements of guided bird hikes in the next 6-7 weeks. 

We all have a short-lived opportunity during these weeks before summer hits to observe and learn more about these fleeting friends. Fortunately, here in the Driftless, we have multiple opportunites to join expert guides on short, slow walks to observe birds or at programs for all ages. 

Plan for and mark your calendars for these upcoming birding events. Bring your binoculars and your curiosity and be amazed at all you will see, hear and spot!

How to Use eBird and Merlin
 - Wednesday April 8               10:30am
 - Wabasha Public Library, 168 Alleghany Ave, Wabasha MN
Steve Weston will expand our horizons beyond the field guide and a pair of binoculars and speak about the Merlin Bird ID app and the eBird database, both were built and managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology - both free apps. All are welcome at this free event .Consider downloading the apps before April 8 and you will need your password if we have time for practice. The third ingredient will be an introduction to the Minnesota Ornithological Union (MOU) website: https://moumn.org.   Steve Weston is a Naturalist, Birder, and Vice President of Minnesota Valley Audubon Chapter. Steve has done more than two hundred Christmas Bird Counts, including Wabasha Christmas Bird Count, Midwest Crane counts, and is a leader of field trips to Minnesota’s Salt Lake on the wester Minnesota border. He has led warbler field trips to Hok-Si-La Park in Lake City, and Frontenac State Park and other locations. Steve Weston is “the kid that never grew up” and I believe he will remain as curious today as he was at age five! Sponsor: Bird City Wabasha/Wabasha Public Library

 - Saturday, April 11         10:00am-noon
 - Ferryville Village Hall, 170 Pine St, Ferryville, WI
The LaCrosse based organization, Driftless Birds, will be leading this workshop. It is open to anyone interested in the birds who share our Mississippi River community. The workshop will be led by retired Wisconsin DNR biologist, Craig Thompson and his fellow birding experts. Topics to be shared include the importance of birds to our area, native plants that will attract birds to your yard, ideas for reducing bird strikes to your windows, using shade grown coffee, and the great bird identification tool, the Merlin app. Each short segment will be concise and full of great information. Craig and his team help out in a wide variety of birding events throughout the area including Marowski Bluff Prairie and Sugar Creek Bluff Natural Area hikes. This will be wonderful information for all levels of bird watchers. Treats will be provided. There is no charge for this event. Sponsor: Ferryville Tourism Council

 - Tuesday, April 14                   8:00 - 9:30 am
- Brice Prairie Conservation Association Clubhouse, 8441 Lytle Road, Onalaska, WI 54650
We’ll walk along the Great River State Trail. It’ll likely be before the peak spring songbird migration, but birds will be easier to see before tree leaves are fully grown. Early spring arrivals will be here!In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on FREE bird identification walks through the floodplain forest! We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl.” We’ll have a few pairs of binoculars available for folks to borrow. In spring, thousands of migratory songbirds stop over for a bite to eat at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, some of which travel hundreds of miles from their wintering grounds! Some birds will stay here to nest for the summer, while others move on further north in just a week or two. We look forward to their return each spring! Please leave pets at home. Parking spaces may fill up; please park close to leave space for other visitors. Walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled in thunderstorms or heavy rain. Please bring drinking water and wear bug protection – ticks may be out. Trails are mostly flat and we’ll walk about 1 mile. The theme of World Migratory Bird Day this year is "Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!" It highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats and factors that impact their populations and contribute to our knowledge about how to protect them. We will keep track of the birds we see using the eBird app and often use the Merlin app to listen for birds as we walk. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

 - Saturday, April 18            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.

 - Tuesday, April 28     6:30-8:00 am
 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park , La Crosse WI
We will meet at head of main trail at the east side of the Nature Place parking lot. We will walk a loop on the marsh trails and be back at the parking lot around 8:00. All are welcome and it is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Thursday, April 30    6:30-8:00 am
 - Hixon Forest, lower parking lotLa Crosse WI
We will meet at the Hixon Forest parking lot at the end of Milson Court. We will walk a loop on the lower trails that follow the north edge of the golf course. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Saturday, May 2        10:00am-noon 
 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI
A bioblitz is a community science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. To kick off this year's series, we'll be starting with BEAUTIFUL BIRDS, in honor of National Migratory Bird Day. The Nature Place partners with donors, the Viterbo University Biology Department, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Biology Department, Mississippi Valley Conservancy, and the City of La Crosse Parks, Rec and Forestry on the Driftless Area BioBlitz (DABB). DABB uses iNaturalist which is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. It is a social network of naturalists, community scientists, and biologists built on mapping and sharing biodiversity observations across the globe. iNaturalist may be accessed via its website or from its mobile applications. DABB is a free, annual, one-of-a-kind, opportunity for families, students, and all nature lovers to search for and learn about plants and wildlife in the Driftless Area. Sponsor: The Nature Place

 - Saturday, May 2          9 -11:00am
 - Frontenac (MN) State Park picnic shelter, 29223 County 28 Blvd, Frontenac, MN
Walk along the river bluff to the Point No Point Overlook, then continue into mixed prairie and forested habitat. Hope to see migrating birds and birds returning to the park for the breeding season. Bring binoculars. The trail is mowed grass. We'll walk a mile or so, however folks can head back whenever they would like. Meet at the picnic shelter. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park/Frontenac State Park Association.

 - Tuesday, May 5                       6:30-8:00 am
 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park , La Crosse WI
We will meet at head of main trail at the east side of the Nature Place parking lot. We will walk a loop on the marsh trails and be back at the parking lot around 8:00. All are welcome and it is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Wednesday, May 6      6 - 7:30pm
 - Shady Maple Interpretive Trail at Goose Island County Park, W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard, WI. (As you enter Goose Island County Park, take the first left turn before the flagpoles to find parallel parking for the interpretive trail. If you see Shelter #1, you’ve missed the turn.)
We’ll walk along the Great River State Trail. It’ll likely be before the peak spring songbird migration, but birds will be easier to see before tree leaves are fully grown. Early spring arrivals will be here!In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on FREE bird identification walks through the floodplain forest! We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl.” We’ll have a few pairs of binoculars available for folks to borrow. In spring, thousands of migratory songbirds stop over for a bite to eat at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, some of which travel hundreds of miles from their wintering grounds! Some birds will stay here to nest for the summer, while others move on further north in just a week or two. We look forward to their return each spring! Please leave pets at home. Parking spaces may fill up; please park close to leave space for other visitors. Walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled in thunderstorms or heavy rain. Please bring drinking water and wear bug protection – ticks may be out. Trails are mostly flat and we’ll walk about 1 mile. The theme of World Migratory Bird Day this year is "Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!" It highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats and factors that impact their populations and contribute to our knowledge about how to protect them. We will keep track of the birds we see using the eBird app and often use the Merlin app to listen for birds as we walk. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

 - Thursday, May 7                      6:30-8:00 am
 - Hixon Forest, lower parking lotLa Crosse WI
We will meet at the Hixon Forest parking lot at the end of Milson Court. We will walk a loop on the lower trails that follow the north edge of the golf course. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Saturday, May 9      7am- 12:30pm
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Reguge Rd, Trempeleau WI
Each year the Refuge celebrates WMBD to encourage support for migratory bird conservation. The theme for this year’s installment of the annual celebration is “Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!”. Join us for a few hours or for the whole celebration! Follow our Facebook page for more details closer to the event date 

 - Tuesday, May 12                 6:30-8:00 am
 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park , La Crosse WI
We will meet at head of main trail at the east side of the Nature Place parking lot. We will walk a loop on the marsh trails and be back at the parking lot around 8:00. All are welcome and it is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Thursday, May 14                    6:30-8:00 am
 - Hixon Forest, lower parking lotLa Crosse WI
We will meet at the Hixon Forest parking lot at the end of Milson Court. We will walk a loop on the lower trails that follow the north edge of the golf course. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Saturday, May 23          9 -11:00am
 - Frontenac (MN) State Park picnic shelter, 29223 County 28 Blvd, Frontenac, MN
Walk along the river bluff to the Point No Point Overlook, then continue into mixed prairie and forested habitat. Hope to see migrating birds and birds returning to the park for the breeding season. Bring binoculars. The trail is mowed grass. We'll walk a mile or so, however folks can head back whenever they would like. Meet at the picnic shelter. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park/Frontenac State Park Association.
You can check the daily forecast maps of bird migration across America - and local migration dashboards -  at Birdcast sponsored in part by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 



Enjoy and see you on the (birding) trails!


at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Friday, April 3, 2026

Nature Sneak Peek - April 2026

Marsh marigold

It's always a pleasure to get on firmer trails in April as the March snows melt and the ground thaws. April finds me heavily hiking wetlands and forests with just a bit of blufftop and sand prairies. 

What are we going to see in the lovely month of April? 

Here is a sneal peek of just a few things you may discover this month as spring warmth takes firmer hold.



Wetlands
A yellow-bellied sapsucker's
neat work
Birds
Snowy egrets - return in April. 
Ducks - everywhere, all at once. Be sure to bring your binoculars to spot some of the less common migrants like wood duck, merganser, bufflehead, canvasback, northern shovelers, blue-and green-winged teal, lesser scaup.
Songbirds  - rusty blackbird, ruby-crowned and gold-crowned kinglets are prominent in wetlands and...
...Warblers - the earliest returnees and migrators are yellow-rumped warblers.
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers - unlike other woodpeckers that over-winter, the sapsucker returns in April to drill orderly holes in trees (think cribbage board) searching for sap and insects. 

Remember, you can follow the daily migration predictions of songbirds at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology’s Birdcast (with other partners) through the spring. Pro tip: from now through the end of May migration periods, please turn off outside lights from midnight until dawn to support birds in their nightly migration.

Plants
Marsh marigolds - bright flower clumps in streams are a pop of color this month.
Watercress - this is the last month to reliably harvest watercress but warm temps mean lots more bugs; hence more careful cleaning. But this peppery foraged green found in clear running streams is worth it. There is no gathering allowed in MN state parks.

Amphibians/Reptiles
Frogs are calling - spring peepers and wood frogs join chorus frogs in loud mating calls. Toads and tree frogs aren't far behind with leopard frogs adding their two cents, filling ponds with a raucous cacophany of sound.
Turtles - continue their activity spending significant time on logs as they re-energize from their winter underwater.

Forests and Prairies
Birds - listen and look for the eastern phoebe (one of the first flycatchers to return each spring), bluebirds, meadowlarks and numerous sparrows on the prairies. Warbler alert is on!
Swans - migration will be slowing considerably as they race to their nesting grounds. You may see a few trumpeter pairs who will nest in the Driftless during our warm season.

Wild ginger's ground-level flower
Plants/Fungi
Ephemerals - this month brings our earliest ephemerals - roundlobe and sharplobe hepatica, spring beauty, anemones (rue, false, wood), bloodroot, bellwort, Dutchmen's breeches, trout lily, birdfoot violet.
Wild Ginger - look at the base of this plant for it's flower. Beetles are its pollinator so its flower is hidden at ground level.
Lyreleaf rockcress - this small hardy perennial can be found in sandy as well as rocky areas. 
Ramps - this oniony delight of spring woods will start to cover north facing hills and forest floors. In MN state parks, no foraging is allowed, but on other public lands, you are free to take some. Remember to only take a few to preserve the resource.
Morel mushrooms - if it's warm and damp enough, keep your eye out for early morels.
Catkins - these male flowers will double in size and turn yellowish with their pollen. They depend on wind to help them with pollination before the trees leaf out.



Tricolored bumblebee
Insects
Bumblebees - the queens will be emerging from the winter hibernation finding a home for the new colony she'll make and foraging on early blooms to restore energy for her work ahead.

Butterflies - watch for the return of red admirals later this month. Nettles are their larval host plant so keep an eye out while you are near them!


Around the yard
Flowers - early flowers like daffodils, dandelions, crocus, scylla and a few more early risers. 

We'll see if April showers keep moisture levels high and herald in the riot of growth and greening that May will bring.  

If you're interested in some great Driftless hiking destinations to find the above spring treats we'll see in April and May, please stop here for my top picks.  See you on the trails! 

Ooooh, an early morel!

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.


at 2 comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

I Spy on the Trails - March 2026


Spring equinox eastern comma butterfly.
They hibernate over winter
in leaf litter and behind bark.
Wild spring!!

We had amazing and variable weather - snow, rain, sun, ice, blizzard, warmer temps, cooler temps, 80s. As Minnesota meterologist Paul Douglas calls March in Minnesota, "The Land of 10,000 Weather Disappointments" in the "United States of Weather Extremes." Amen, brother!

Trails have been mushy so I've spent most of my time on paved, graveled or grassy trails through prairies, and wetlands. Our blizzard snow let me test out my the deeply discounted Atlas snowshoes that I bought at Madison's annual Canoecopia paddle show in mid-March. They work swell!

Mid-month late snow and cold looked like it might delay a few some of our earliest wildflowers by a few days compared to last year but sharp-eyed hikers spotted the first green ground-hugging leaves of avens, prairie smoke and a few ferns - and garlic mustard,  of course and...

...two of our earliest blossoms arrived this month:
Silver maple is one of the earliest flowering trees
  • Tall majestic silver maples in the Black River bottomlands at Lytle's Landing are displaying their delicate flowers that have pushed through their red buds. I seldom see them close-up but a fallen maple across the trail allowed me an eye-level view of these first flowers of the season. They are a real treat to see close up.
  • Pasque flowers made their welcome debut and should be around the Driftless area through late April. My phenology notes indicated them blooming on March 24 last year. Nice to see their timely return.  Be sure to seek them out on sunny, sandy prairies or on blufftops or quarry floors through April.

Trumpeter swans on
La Crescent's Blue Lake 

The migration of waterfowl has really picked up with a few of our hardy songbirds joining in their return. As songbird migrations begins in earnest, we are seeing and hearing the earliest returning migrants. Early butterflies are making the scene as well.

Spring prairie burns are starting. It is amazing to see how these burns re-ignite forbs during the ensuing growing season. 

Despite sloppy weather and spending two weeks off the trail while sick, I was able to hit the trails quite a few times this month. I was eager to see the migration action and the first spring flowers and sprouts! Thanks to friends and family who joined me in watching the spring world begin her awakening.

Plant Observations

3/22/26
Image -Kris Lawson
Flowering:
  • bloodroot
  • buttercuo, prairie
  • Pasque flower
  • silver maple buds
The series of pictures to the right show 
one clump of Pasque flowers
over a four day period.

The blooms respond to sun, temperature
and timing. It was great fun to see the 
first picture, taken by a hiking friend.
She also included a picture of the 
3/24/26
exact location so I could find it.


Two days later, a friend and I were able to locate the clump.
The buds were more prominent, but
the one opening bloom was closed in
the cloudy 40s temps.




The next day, a sunny 70s, all the blooms
were open and the party had begun.

You can find Pasque flowers blooming through mid to late April. 

If you want to see this clump, head to the pine tree at Holland Sand Prairie. They are right on the path. Others are easily visibly
on the path to the pine as you look left.

Enjoy!



          

Sprouts:
  • aster, aromatic
  • aster, silky
  • aster, silver
  • butterfly weed
  • cecily, sweet
  • columbine
  • goldenrod, Canada
  • goldenrod, showy
  • Dutchman’s breeches
  • fern, spinulose wood
  • pussytoes
  • pussywillows 
  • toadflax, bastard
  • white avens
  • wormwood, field
  • yarrow 
Fungi/Moss/Lichen:
  • moss, hair
  • moss, woodsy thyme
  • mushroom, scarlet elfin cup 

Wildlife Observations (seen, heard, detected)
Trempealeau Wildlife Rufuge

Birds:
  • blackbird, red-winged
  • blackbird, rusty
  • bluebird
  • blue jay
  • cardinal, northern
  • chickadee, Black-capped
  • cowbird, bow headed
  • creeper, brown
  • crow, American
  • eagle, bald
  • flicker, northern
  • junco, dark-eyed
  • grackle
  • hawk, Coopers
  • hawk, redtailed
  • killdeer
  • kingfisher
  • kinglet, golden-crowned 
  • nuthatch, white-breasted
  • phoebe, eastern
  • robin, American
  • sparrow, house
  • sparrow, song
  • sparrow, tree
  • starling, European
  • thrush, hermit
  • titmouse, tufted
  • towhee, eastern
  • woodpecker, downy
  • woodpecker, hairy
  • woodpecker, pileated
  • woodpecker, red-bellied
  • woodpecker, red-headed

Waterfowl:
  • Canada geese
    Merganser
    Allan Bigras, Merlin Bird ID
  • crane, sandhill
  • duck, bufflehead
  • duck, canvasback
  • duck, gadwell
  • duck, green-winged teal
  • duck, mallard
  • duck, merganser
  • duck, scaup
  • duck, shoveler
  • duck, widgeon
  • duck, wood
  • gull, ring-billed
  • pelican, American
  • swan, trumpeter
Reptiles/Amphibians
  • frog, chorus 
  • frog, spring peeper
  • turtle, painted
Insects/Arachnids:
  • butterfly, comma eastern
  • butterfly, mourning cloak 
First sighting of bloodroot this season
It's reddish leaves are still wrapped around its stem

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.

Holland Sand Prairie, Holman WI (4); Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN (2); Ravine Woods, La Crescent, MN;  Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI (2); Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI (2); Edna Taylor Conservation Park, Monona WI; Bluffside Park, Winona MN (2); Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area, Bernard IA; Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry, IA ; Lytle's Landing, Brice Prairie WI (2); Reno Quarry, Reno MN


Bushwhacking and working on tree identification.
Still just 50/50 on tree ID skills.
Image - Kris Lawson

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.


Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Great views in Yellow River State Forest - sunny and 60's


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.
at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - April 2026

Image - Kris Lawson

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

This post will be updated 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.



April Events

 - Wednesday, April 1               7:00-8:15pm
 - 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!  Sponsors: The Nature Place and Friends of the Marsh.

 - Saturday, April 4          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

 - Wednesday, April 8              10:00 am - noon
 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN
Join us on Wednesday for our monthly A.L.P.'s (Advanced Learning Program - formerly called HOP) facilitated by the Friends of Whitewater State Park! In April, we welcome Christine Johnson, Manager of the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area. She will help us understand how climate and the land’s history are shaping the decision-making of today. She will discuss how these influences are impacting the preservation of the historic Marnach House, habitat management, and even the Master Plan for the site. Sponsors: Friends of Whitewater State Park/Whitewater State Park.

 - Wednesday, April 8        4:30-5:30 pm
 - Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Ave S, Onalaska, WI
Join us for messy, handmade fun at the Onalaska library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Second Saturday Hike with Friends of the Blufflands
 - Saturday April 11      9:00 am
 - Hixon Forest Oak Trail, first parking ares on the left going up BlissRd
Friends of the Blufflands is launching a series of hikes called Second Saturday Hikes which will be on the second Saturdays of most months through the summer and fall. We will  hike on Oak Trail to the second parking area, then either double back on the trail or walk down the road as seen on the map. Led by Scott Cooper and Jon Rigden, the theme will be to introduce the amazing, lilliputian world of Bryophytes, which includes the mosses and liverworts. Although neither of us claim to be experts in this area, we will discuss the basics for identifying the mosses with a few examples of some of the common mosses to view at the start. We will have a dissecting microscope at the start to open up this amazing, miniature world and to look at some of the features of mosses that aide in their identification.Then we will set off down the trail to look at some of the mosses growing along the trail and see as well as one liverwort often called the Great Scented Liverwort due to its alluring scent. We hope that this hike will spur the interest of some to begin to learn more about these ancient plants that we often walk right by without noticing. And although the focus will be on the mosses those attending can also point out and discuss other interesting plants along the way. Last, there is a lot of trash, including an old dresser, that has been left around the parking area, and we will plan to pick up and remove most of it. If you plan to stay for this, bring gloves. If this needs to be canceled due to rain, an email will be sent out and it will be posted on the Friends of the Blufflands Facebook page. Bring a 10x magnifying lens if you have one, but we will have a few for the group to use. Sponsor: Friends of the Blufflands

 - Saturday April 11       10:00am - 3:00 pm
 - Perrot State Park, 26247 Sullivan Rd, Trempealeau, WI
Horse-drawn wagon rides. Enjoy music with Under Paris Skies from 11-3. Learn nature skills and crafts with Happy Dancing Turtles. Make a bird or wren house to take home. Plant native seeds in a pot to start your own butterfly garden. Join a walk with the naturalistLight snacks or bring your own lunch. Thanks to Invenergy for the wagon rides, to Black Oak Land Management for the music, and Happy Dancing Turtle for fun and informative education. As always, thanks to staff at for making this happen. Sponsors: Friends of Perrot State Park/Perrot State Park

 - Saturday, April 11         10:00am-noon
 - Ferryville Village Hall, 170 Pine St, Ferryville, WI
The LaCrosse based organization, Driftless Birds, will be leading this workshop. It is open to anyone interested in the birds who share our Mississippi River community. The workshop will be led by retired Wisconsin DNR biologist, Craig Thompson and his fellow birding experts. Topics to be shared include the importance of birds to our area, native plants that will attract birds to your yard, ideas for reducing bird strikes to your windows, using shade grown coffee, and the great bird identification tool, the Merlin app. Each short segment will be concise and full of great information. Craig Thompson and his team help out in a wide variety of birding events throughout the area including Marowski Bluff Prairie and Sugar Creek Bluff Natural Area hikes. This will be wonderful information for all levels of bird watchers. Treats will be provided. There is no charge for this event. Sponsor: Ferryville Tourism Council
 
 - Saturday April 11               1:00 pm
 - Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, 1944 Columbus Road, Lansing, IA
The Upper Iowa Audobon Society will present on the impact that artificial lights at night can have during seasonal bird migrations. Local efforts to monitor and control light pollution, as well as what we can do to help combat the issue will be presented. Sponsors: Allamakee County Conservation Board/Upper Iowa Audobon Society

 - Tuesday, April 14                   8:00 - 9:30 am
 - Brice Prairie Conservation Association Clubhouse, 8441 Lytle Road, Onalaska, WI 54650
We’ll walk along the Great River State Trail. It’ll likely be before the peak spring songbird migration, but birds will be easier to see before tree leaves are fully grown. Early spring arrivals will be here!In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on FREE bird identification walks through the floodplain forest! We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl.” We’ll have a few pairs of binoculars available for folks to borrow. In spring, thousands of migratory songbirds stop over for a bite to eat at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, some of which travel hundreds of miles from their wintering grounds! Some birds will stay here to nest for the summer, while others move on further north in just a week or two. We look forward to their return each spring! Please leave pets at home. Parking spaces may fill up; please park close to leave space for other visitors. Walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled in thunderstorms or heavy rain. Please bring drinking water and wear bug protection – ticks may be out. Trails are mostly flat and we’ll walk about 1 mile. The theme of World Migratory Bird Day this year is "Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!" It highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats and factors that impact their populations and contribute to our knowledge about how to protect them. We will keep track of the birds we see using the eBird app and often use the Merlin app to listen for birds as we walk. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

 - Tuesday, April 14       4:30-5:30 pm
 - Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library, 702 Industrial Dr, West Salem, WI
Join us for messy, handmade fun at the  library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

 - Wednesday, April 15       4:30-5:30 pm
 - John Bosshard Memorial Library, 1706 Henry Johns Blvd, Bangor WI
Join us for messy, handmade fun at the library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

 - Wednesday, April 15       4:30-5:30 pm
 - FJ Robers Library, 2548 Lakeshore Dr, La Crosse WI
Join us for messy, handmade fun at the library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

 - Monday, April 16          6-7:00 pm
 - online virtual presentation
Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and time for questions and answers. This week, Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry IA is featured. In the Upper Mississippi River Valley, there were thousands of sacred earthen mounds built by American Indians. During this talk, a ranger from Effigy Mounds National Monument will discuss the cultural landscape within the Monument, which includes over 200 mounds in geometric shapes, as well as bears and birds. This talk will also discuss the continued use of the landscape, including the underexplored industrial history of the site. From a sawmill run by Jefferson Davis, to the web of logging roads and quarries constructed by laborers, the lands that now comprise the park contain thousands of years of human history. Stop here to register for the whole free series and get the link for the Effigy Munds presentation as well! Sponsors: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor/Effigy Mounds National Monument

 - Saturday, April 18            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.

- Saturday, April 18           10:00am -noon
- Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN
During this program we will go and look for ancient sea life that lived in the area hundreds of millions of years ago. We'll start with a brief introduction at the visitor center, then drive out of the park 9 miles to hunt for fossils. Please bring your own transportation. For more information, please contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us. If you need an accommodation, please call or email the event contact listed above by two weeks prior to the event. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park.

 - Saturday, April 18       1-4:00pm
 - Yellow River State Forest Forestry Office , 729 State Rd, Harper's Ferry IA
It’s been said if you had to divide Iowa into two parts there would be Northeast Iowa, and then the rest of the state. The Paleozoic Plateau is what makes our area different… but what exactly does that mean Come learn about the bedrock that makes us unique!  Local geologist Phil Burgess will share is knowledge of the Paleozoic Plateau and answer questions about the geological history of this region.
After the presentation kids and grown-ups alike are welcome to bring any local rock or fossil you have Phil will tell you its fascinating history - which will likely go back more than a million years! The conversation will be engaging and questions are highly encouraged. Sponsor: Friends of Yellow River State Forest

 - Wednesday, April 22         6:00 pm
 - Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Reguge Rd, Trempeleau WI
Join Nora & Delaney from Happy Dancing Turtle out on the trails for a guided nature walk in partnership with the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge! Meet other nature-loving families as we take a leisurely hour(ish) walk, observe the many signs of spring, listen for frogs, learn some fun facts, & take an evening to appreciate all the gifts from nature as we celebrate Earth Day!Walks take place in the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, but the meeting location will be dependent on weather, trail conditions, & phenology! You will be emailed a meeting location the week of the walk. Space is limited and reservations are required. Sign up for FREE at bit.ly/HDTNatureWalk Sponsors: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge/Happy Dancing Turtles

 - Thursday, April 23         4-5:00 PM
 - La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St
Join Nora and Delaney from Happy Dancing Turtle and explore the wonders of water and how we can help keep it clean. Become a water droplet and take a journey through the water cycle! Sponsors: La Crescent Public Library/Happy Dancing Turtles

 - Saturday, April 25
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 entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours. 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 2026: Saturday, June 13; and Friday, November 27, 2025. Sponsor: MN DNR

Wildcat Mountain Earth!Work!Play Day
- Saturday, April 25                        9:00am- Noon
 - Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 Hwy 33, Ontario, WI
Bring along friends and family to join park staff and the Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park for this fun annual stewardship event and celebration of Earth Month. Activities may include tree planting, campground and trail clean up, invasive species removal, picnic table maintenance and litter clean-up. Bring sturdy footwear and some work gloves. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park. After volunteering, we encourage you to stay and recreate in the park for the afternoon! This event is weather-dependent. For more info, contact Emily Alf, emily.alf@wisconsin.gov, 608-337-4775. Sponsors: Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park and Wildcat Mountatin State Park

Signs of Spring Hike
- Saturday, April 25                  10:00am - noon
- Whitewater (MN) State Park, trout Run Trailhead parking lot past the South Picnic Grounds, 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN
Explore the signs of spring and how nature is interconnected at Whitewater State Park on a guided hike. Participants will use their observations and easy-to-use science tools to compare plants, waters, and signs of animals across different habitats, amidst the backdrop of beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers. This program for ages 8+ features an easy to moderate 1.5 mile hike. No registration necessary.  For more information, contact Jonathan Ismail at 507-312-2300 or by email at jonathan.ismail@state.mn.us. If you need an accommodation, please call or email the event contact listed above by two weeks prior to the event. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park.

Earth Fair
- Sunday, April 26           11:00am-4:00pm
 - Myrick Park and the Nature Place, La Crosse WI
A FREE family-friendly event celebrating Earth Week  Kids activities, Farmers market, Live music, Local artisans, Food vendors, Eco Education, and SO MUCH MORE. Also featuring the Nature Place Critter Mobiles, Sustainability Institute Green Goose Chase Mini Missions, Friends of the Marsh Marsh Walk, Drum Circle, Recycling Relay with Happy Dancing Turtle, Story Times & Activity Stations with La Crosse County Library, Y on the Fly Van, hands-on activities, prizes, live raptor demonstration, and Rainbow Ridge Farm animals! Visit our website for a schedule of events and full list of vendors.Sponsored by the Sustainability Institute

Guided Marsh Hike at Earth Fair 2026
- Sunday, April 26                11:00am -4:00pm
 - Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse WI
Join Dr. Chuck Lee, Emeritus Professor of History at UWL, for a free and informative hike and discussion about the marsh and all of those who depend on it. This hike is part of Mississippi Valley Conservancy's Linked to the Land series of educational events which are hosted across the Coulee Region. The La Crosse River Marsh, at the confluence of the La Crosse and Mississippi Rivers, is a thousand-acre wetland located in the middle of the City of La Crosse in western Wisconsin. This marsh not only provides the city with critical flood protection, clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities, but it also helps to create a sense of community and bolsters the local economy. Local organizations, community members, and city government are all working together to protect and care for this vital resource. Bring your binoculars and your questions to make your hike even better. Sign up for this hike here. After the hike, stay for loads of Earth Fair fun for the whole family. There will be hands-on activities, guest speakers, information from many wonderful conservation-minded organizations, food vendors, and opportunities for outdoor play. Visit EarthFairLaCrosse.com to learn more! Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy

 - Tuesday, April 28     6:30-8:00 am
 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park , La Crosse WI
We will meet at head of main trail at the east side of the Nature Place parking lot. We will walk a loop on the marsh trails and be back at the parking lot around 8:00. All are welcome and it is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

 - Thursday, April 30    6:30-8:00 am
 - Hixon Forest, lower parking lotLa Crosse WI
We will meet at the Hixon Forest parking lot at the end of Milson Court. We will walk a loop on the lower trails that follow the north edge of the golf course. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Do you know of other April 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.


at No comments:
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)