It's Cold! Let's Get Hiking! - Part 2

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (WI)

In Part 1, I explored gear and clothing, two of the components that add up to successful cold weather outdoor fun. 

Today we are going to look at how to plan hikes strategically in the colder weather and suggestions for hiking destinations in the Driftless.

While flora, fauna and fungi are tucked away during the cold and snowy weather, the bare trees allow even more expansive views of vistas and geological features so often hidden during the warmer, leaf-filled months. Brush also dies back freeing you to bushwhack and explore a bit more off-trail or hike more easily on lesser-used trails that are overgrown in the summer.

Reno's "spinal column" rocks

One strategy in planning your hikes is to think about some of the more dramatic vistas you enjoy or rock formations that you have glimpsed from trails but have never really seen as a whole. Also in the Driftless, the Mississippi River is a major migration flyway so there are exciting sights during late fall.

Another strategy is noting how cold or windy it is going to be. If you have a windy day, take note of wind direction and try bluffside hikes that take you below the rims where you will gain protection from bitter winds. Deciduous and coniferous forests can also be good choices in the wind. If you have a sunny but cold day with little wind, choose a sunnier spot for your hikes and start later in the day.

Is it time for the gun deer season? If you are in the Driftless area, the gun seasons for deer are often on different weeks from state to state. Pick hikes in a nearby state that isn't in gun hunting season (MN: Nov 9-17 and Nov 23-Dec 1. WI: Nov 23-Dec 1 and Dec 12-15.  IA: Dec 7-11; Dec 14-22).

If you think about your hiking destinations in some of these terms and you'll find an endless array of possible hikes. Here's a few suggestions to help you get started! Click on the hike title to find directions and descriptions of trails.

Migration Hotspots
November hiking affords dramatic migration action from many waterfowl including trumpeter and tundra swans. Hikes where you can look at these waterfowl or stop at an overlook on the way to see them are especially fun. So try:

Enjoying the views and spotting migrating swans
at Reno Quarry

• Reno Quarry (MN) - Stop at Brownsville Overlook to see thousands of swans, geese and ducks as they rest and eat along their migration route. The overlook is staffed the first 3 weekends of November. Then hike the quarry for the Mississippi River views and marvel at the rocks on the trail spur north of the quarry.

• Reno Spillway (MN) - If the spillway is open, take a walk right along the Mississippi River and see the thousands of ducks between the MN and WI bluffs. This hike is a gentle, flat one.

• Sugar Creek Bluff SNA (WI) - Heading south from La Crosse, stop at the Shady Maple Overlook just south of Goose Island to see swans and other migrating waterfowl. Then continue on to this Mississippi Valley property south of Ferryville and enjoy a gentle hike out to outstanding views of the river and woods.

Look Out for Those Rocks

There are so many geological formations that are hidden by trees on trails. Fall and winter are ideal times to hike trails that reveal these massive cliffs and rocks. A few trails to try:

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  Mushroom Rock revealed in winter!

  
  Beaver Valley State Park (MN) - The rim trails of the park are full of dramatic rocks; but so too is the trail that runs on either side of the trout stream. With leaves down, the rocks and narrow valley walls are breathtaking.

• Yellow River Forest - Luster Heights Unit (IA) This area is relatively flat with some rolling hills and magnificent views of the Mississippi River. The rocks are pretty spectacular too! This is also a great snowshoe area.

• Lost Creek Trail (MN) -  This is a fun late fall hike with great stream crossings and lovely views, not least of which is a series of towering limestone cliffs that are hidden during the growing season. The cliffs are about 2.25 miles in and make a great place to turn-around at this out-and-back hike that starts at the Ninebark trailhead.

• Greens Coulee/Savannah Oaks (WI) - This Mississippi Valley Conservancy boasts some impressive ups and downs, a view or two and a great mushroom rock formation. Invasive buckthorn makes the trail to this rock tough in the growing season but with no leaves, the rock is easily visible. It's worth the hike!

• Whitewater State Park (MN) - The Dakota trails are great for the dry part of late fall and early winter (I don't think I'd have the guts to snowshoe some parts of the narrow, sometimes eroded steep trails). The rock formations on these rim trails are amazing and a great way to enjoy the views.

Views to Die for

Ok, not really, but there are some spectacular views to be had when the leaves are off. They show a different face of familiar places and vistas that go on forever.

Paint Rock Unit of 
Yellow River State Forest

• Yellow River Forest - Paint Rock Unit (IA) - With it's high bluffs and climbing trails to get to the fabulous rim trails, cool weather is a perfect time to tackle these bluffs. The views that greet you of the Mississippi are worth the price of admission.

• Great River Bluffs State Park (MN) - Many iconic overlooks await you on these forest trails. The south trails have some steep and rolling spots so cool weather is your friend. It is another off-trail gem of a park for snowshoeing.

• Levis-Trow Mounds Recreation Area (WI) - Great shared trails that climb up and down towards the rim. Amazing vistas on these high mounds offer views of the flatter glaciated land with the Driftless area's bluffs rising in the distance. Also had amazing rock formations!

Winter Wonderland

Snowshoeing is so much fun in the Driftless. And half the fun of being on 'shoes is that you can literally go wherever you want. You can stay on trails or explore off-trail to your hearts content. I'm an inveterate off-trailer, seeking deer trails and drifts to follow.  A winter day on snowshoes is a day worth living! Try some of these:

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  Apple Blossom Overlook Park (MN) - A wonder of prairie flowers in the summer and a fun challenging snowshoe in winter. The off-trailing here is great fun . I only attempt the steep Dakota Overlook trail in winter to the little quarry and often follow the old road down to the highway. Owls await the silent.

• Mathy Quarry Snakeroot Trail (WI) - a beautiful hiking trail that winds through prairie, pines, birches and woods. A winter wonderland in the snow indeed

• Root River WMA (MN) - Lightly used, this is an off-trailing snowshoers dream. There are plenty of open areas to explore and enjoy majestic views of the surrounding bluffs. Keep an eye on watery spots.

• Halfway Creek (WI) - This wide trail is great in summer but in winter it is a snowshoeing off-trail dream. You can follow along the creek, cross the bridges and explore the other side of the winding water. Though some snowshoe on the trail, I say why bother. Let hikers have it while you live the snowshoeing dream.

Bluffside Trails Protection 

Trails along bluffsides can be great in the winter. They offer protection from sharp winds. Often these can be bike trails which are far quieter in the winter. And bikers appreciate snowshoers coming in after snowfalls tramping down trails for bikes. Try these:

On Hixon's Chicanery bike trail
Image  - Kris Lawson

• Hixon Forest Bike Trails (WI) - These trails are really delightful in winter when the snow is on the ground. You can use spikes on tamped down trails or snowshoes in fresh snow. Break it up a bit. Stinky/Chicanary. Another day do Twister/SpillHill/boB. Then try Prairie/Twister/Mr. Hyde. All of these trails are bluffside trails and offering wind protection depending on the direction of the wind.

• Hixon Oak Trail (WI) - A hike-only trail that offers alot of rolling hills. I do this one with spikes since it is well tramped down and this gives me needed traction. 

Sunshine in the Open Air

Sometimes on a mild winter day, it's nice to have some sunshine even if it is a bit weak.   Try these to catch some Ds.:

Mertes Slough snowshoe

• MacGilvray's Seven Bridges (WI)  - A lovely walk or snowshoe across six historic bridges through wetlands and woods.

• Wildwood Loop (MN) - High atop the Holzinger Trail system are these loop trails. On a sunny winter day, you get views of Winona and surrounding bluffs.

•  Aghaming Park Trail (MN) - This trail down by the Mississippi River and its sloughs is a great snowshoe. Many off-trailing opportunities exist.

• Mertes Slough (MN) -  An excellent snowshoe exploration. Make sure the ice is thick for this one. Your reward? Eagles nest, grand views and a labyrinth of possible trails.

Hope you challenge yourself to some year-round, cold-weather hiking adventures. I think you'll be glad you did!

Late fall chillaxing on a "sofa"
(fallen logs across the trail) on a MN bluff
Image - Diane Palm

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters