Ambles are what we in the Driftless Drifters* call hikes that are up to 2.5 miles long on flatter trails. They are perfect for people who like a slower pace, are recovering from illness or injury or just like to spend a little extra time on shorter trails enjoying nature.
When we are planning Ambles, we like to make sure, in this hilly part of the Driftless, that hikers can enjoy some of the same fun as during our regular weekly long hikes. That means finding rim trails accessible at the top to get Amblers up to the good views; mixing in low prairie and wetlands hikes with forested hikes that often feature more rolling hills and small climbs in the lower portions of the bluffs.
Hixon Forest, a huge tract of forested bluffland in La Crosse WI park system, has a number of multi-use trails (bike/hike) and a few hike-only trails running throughout it's trail system. There is both an upper and lower trail system plus newer Gateway trails. All these trails combine to make a number of fun hikes possible in the hiking/biking trail system. This post focuses on just one possibility!
The Hickory Trail in lower Hixon is a great bluff trail to enjoy an Amble with a bit of elevation thrown in. It gives Amblers some rolling hills and a few elevation gains on the lower side of the bluff. This particular trail has plenty of fungi and spring ephemerals and nice shade for summer hiking.
To make this a loop trail, start the hike on the Bicentennial trail from the Lower Hixon parking area. This wide trail hugs the border next to a nearby golf course. This part of the trail is multi-use and features a a grass and dirt, wide old road bed. The trail gradually narrows and starts to slowly gain some elevation. Continue on until you hit the junction for the Hickory Trail heading to the left (the blue trail on the map).
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| Golden oyster mushrooms Image - marge Loch-Wouters |
This hike-only portion of the trail climbs up a little higher on the lower bluffside from here. Once up, you turn towards the left following the trail to enjoy a rolling walk along a narrow dirt path. The hardwood forest is a feast of wildflowers in the spring and a wonderful shady hike in summer. The hike brings you down again to the parking lot for a 2.6 mile amble.
If you want to add miles and challenge, once you've turned south on the Hickory Trail, you can look for the trail junction to the Savanna hike-only trail and head up to the top of the bluff where you can follow multi-use trails like Vista to a number of beautiful overlooks before heading down and back.
THE HIKE
Hardwood forest, rolling hills and some great fungi possibilities, spring wildflowers and solid trails make this a fun Amble or family hike. The 2.6 mile trail has a total of 250 feet elevation gain, the majority of which are gradual. One long elevation climb of about 100 ft halfway through the hike to access the Hickory trail can be taken slowly by Amblers and the rest is all downhill to the trailhead.
Location: 2600 Old Quarry Road
From the southside of La Crosse, take Losey Blvd south on Hwy 16. Just past the stoplight at La Crosse St, you go over a railroad overpass. Turn right almost immediately at Bluff Pass Rd, then another right at Milson Ct. That road ends at the large parking lot. There is a porta-potty available at the trailhead.
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| On the trail checking out the fungi Image - Marge Loch-Wouters |
* The Driftless Drifters is a member-led hiking club program sponsored through the La Crescent-Hokah Community Education Department of MN ISD 300. Begun in 2021, the group goes on weekly "under 5 mile" hikes around the Driftless area and weekly "Ambles - shorter hikes on flat surfaces for hikers looking for a slower pace. All hikes feature learning opportunities as they identify flora, fauna and fungi around the area. New members are welcome - the fee for the club is $14 /yr (July through June). Members have access to a weekly newsletter with hike locations. Contact Community Ed at 507 895-5150 to join.
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