Coulee Experimental State Forest (WI) Hike - Russlan Coulee Trailhead

At the trailhead expansive views of the forest

The Coulee Experimental State Forest is tucked away in the rolling hills near Bangor WI. According to the WI DNR's website, "this 3,000 acre forest is used for long-term forest watershed research studies to develop land management practices. Coulee accurately describes the area, as the forest has many deep gulches and ravines."

The forest features a number of trails that primarily follow old roads around the huge property. One road trailhead, the Russlan Coulee Road, actually was used to drive between Barre Mills and Bangor. As such it features old bridges and culverts - and a trailhead at each end of the forest where people drove between the two communities! 

Old roads create wide trails
perfect for hiking/skiing

These extensive roads create wide, easily walked - and for skiers in winter - easily skiied (groomed for both classic and skate ski) trails. These ski trails and hikes are primarily at the top of the bluff.  During warmer months, the trails are often mowed. We noticed on our most recent hike that one road had been upgraded and newly graveled. 

We chose a through-hike route rather than and out and back loop for this particular hike. We left one vehicle on the westside Russlan Coulee lower trailhead. Then we dropped off the other car at the Cty Rd II trailhead (opposite Antony Rd) at the top of the bluff and hit the trail.

Peak colors!

You can follow the gravel road on the hike or zig left into the woods on an old dirt road following the North Loop trail. It winds through a beautiful hardwood forest as well as pines. The trail rolls up and down as you wind along. After about a mile and a half, you emerge into an intersection of trails - one can take you down the other side of the bluff to the east Russlan Coulee trailhead near Bangor; one can take you further along the North Loop to additional trail spurs; one can take you down to the west Russlan Coulee trailhead.

We followed the rim for a bit of exploring before turning back and heading down the steep trail back to the weat Russlan Coulee trailhead. If we had done just a straight through-hike, I would guesstimate we would have had about a 2-2.5 mile hike. Ferns and fungi were out in profusion and we hit peak color so the hike was particularly beautiful on this sunny day.

THE HIKE

Great for listening for/spotting birds, prolific plant life (oh, those ferns) and a bumper crop of fungi, you can choose your own adventure on these trails during warmer months. While we did a 3.6 mile through-hike with some exploring added in, you can add or subtract miles depending on your choices. State-provided trail maps are somewhat confusing - not all trailheads are listed on each different map they provide online. An app like AllTrails can help. This forest has hunting so wearing bright colors during small game hunting seasons is highly recommended. I would not recommend this hike during gun deer season.

Location - La Crosse County WI

I can't say it better than the WI DNR page. Just a heads-up. There is currently (10/27/23) road construction on Hwy 162 of I-90 so the western entrance way is your best bet until that clears up.

All images -Marge Loch-Wouters