Halfway Creek (WI) Urban Forest Amble/Hike

One of my favorite "urban forest" hikes is nearby in Holmen WI. I think of that type of hike as wildland that nestles in the middle of a community/communities. Housing, businesses and roadways surround the parklands or forest but when the trees are leafed out, trail users feel that they are much more remote. 

Wide graveled trails are great for any age

The last one I hiked was in a major metropolitan area. Halfway Creek Park is in the small community of Holmen WI with a population of 10,000. The trailhead is located just behind the village's government offices and a typical community park with picnic tables, play equipment and recently, tents for the annual Kornfest!

From the park, the wide trail of crushed rock heads down into the shaded forest. You get tantalizing peeks of Halfway Creek in between the trees. But it is only as you pass under the first road underpass along the trail (they are three overpasses on the hike) that the creek bursts into full view alongside the trail.  

Halfway Creek is a small, wild meanderer. It winds back and forth over almost the full 3.4 mile trail length. The trail features five sturdy steel bridges that cross the creek as you hike along the woods...sometimes next to the creek and sometimes further away. 

Yarn-bombed tree last winter!

The woods are full of wildflowers and plants. If you hike or snowshoe the trail in the winter it is surprising how many houses and buildings you see along the trail that are completely hidden during seasons when the leaves are lush. A treat along the way is the slim sapling that has been yarn-bombed. It's hard not to take a picture by it.

The trail ends after 3.4 miles at Hwy ZM near the village's waste water treatment plant where it runs into the Great River Road bike trail. On the other end of the trailhead where we began, you can also continue along the park until you meet up with Hollands Bluffs trailhead.

THE HIKE

Halfway Creek is 3.4 mile wide graveled trails that features fairly flat trails with hills only at the beginning and end. Hikers wind along the trail playing hide-and-seek with Halfway Creek as it meanders throughout most of the hike near the trail. Hikes can be tailored for any length (turning around at the third overpass gives you a perfect 2.5 mile Amble). This is a great place for snowshoeing off-trail in the winter. The forest floor is fairly clear in enough places to get you near the creek as you snowshoe. In summer and early fall, dense leaf cover makes you forget you are in the midst of a community. Three roadway overpasses do remind you - although, before you know it you are beyond them. A highlight of the hike are the five bridges crossing the winding creek.

The Location - 300 W. Roberts Street, Holmen, WI

From Hwy 53 heading north from Onalaska, take the first Holmen exit and head north. Turn right at the second set of stoplights. Take the third exit on the roundabout onto Main St. Turn left on Legion St or Roberts St and park in back of the library.

A lovely, tired old tree stump

                                                    All images - Marge Loch-Wouters