Recently, in a post on the Women Hiking WI Facebook page, I was intrigued by a wonderful gem of a hike in east central WI at a small county park between Horicon and Mayville. The video that was shared showed tumbled slabs of rocks, stairways and slots among high rock walls. Oooh.
Since I was heading to a conference in Oshkosh, I thought that exploring that spot on my way would be a perfect break before the serious business of the conference.
Ledge Park is well-named. It is part of a geological formation called the Niagara Escarpment. This arcing limestone formation originates in Canada, just under Lake Ontario curves upwards through Canada into Upper Michigan before descending through Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula before ending in the east central part of that state. While other portions of softer surrounding rock eroded over millions of years, this spine of dolomite endured to create a system of dramatic ledges.
This particular part of the escarpment has hiking trails on top the ledge. I chose the main trail, a one mile long trail (the red trail on this map) as my main trail. It follows along the rim but for the first half mile or so also has stone and wooden steps that lead to winding trails through a jumble of limestone slots and tumbled rocks under the rim. Pair that with an absolute riot of spring ephemerals in May and you have one of the most beautiful and fun exploratory hikes in Wisconsin.
Ledge Park is well-named. It is part of a geological formation called the Niagara Escarpment. This arcing limestone formation originates in Canada, just under Lake Ontario curves upwards through Canada into Upper Michigan before descending through Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula before ending in the east central part of that state. While other portions of softer surrounding rock eroded over millions of years, this spine of dolomite endured to create a system of dramatic ledges.
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| Image - Wikipedia |
The paths below the rim are a rock scrambler's dream. There are a few places to descend to a wonderland of narrow labyrinthian trails. They take you in and out of tight spots, climbing over boulders and through slots that lead to dead ends or narrow twisty passage. You won't put on miles but you can spend a long time playing around in the complex off the main trail.
If you ascend back up to the rim, you can hop between the tops of dolomite columns or cross a few by wooden bridges. The trail continues through the woods and behind a long series of campsites on the rim top to extraordinary views of the surrounding area including the massive Horicon marsh. 
While I was there on the last day of April, I was surrounded both on the rim and among the lower trails by carpets of Dutchman’s breeches, bellwort, wild ginger, bloodroot, sharplobed hepatica, spring beauty, trout lily, white trillium, violet, false rue anemone, bulbet bladderfern, ramp. By the time you read this, endless shooting stars will be blooming.
This 2 mile out-and-back hike runs along the rim of a dramatic ledge as well as down below the rim. The rim hike has outstanding views as you traverse some of the ledge columns. For those who like to scramble and explore, stone and wood steps lead you down below the rim to tumbled limestone rocks and slots in a series of short trails. For an added bonus, plan your hike in late April/early May and enjoy massive spring ephemeral blooms.
The Location - N7403 Park Road Horicon, WI, 43˚ 27.706’ N 88˚ 34.875’ W
While I was there on the last day of April, I was surrounded both on the rim and among the lower trails by carpets of Dutchman’s breeches, bellwort, wild ginger, bloodroot, sharplobed hepatica, spring beauty, trout lily, white trillium, violet, false rue anemone, bulbet bladderfern, ramp. By the time you read this, endless shooting stars will be blooming.
I can't recommend this fun spring hike enough. I thank Dineo Dowd for highlighting it and encouraging people to hike it!
THE HIKEThis 2 mile out-and-back hike runs along the rim of a dramatic ledge as well as down below the rim. The rim hike has outstanding views as you traverse some of the ledge columns. For those who like to scramble and explore, stone and wood steps lead you down below the rim to tumbled limestone rocks and slots in a series of short trails. For an added bonus, plan your hike in late April/early May and enjoy massive spring ephemeral blooms.
The Location - N7403 Park Road Horicon, WI, 43˚ 27.706’ N 88˚ 34.875’ W
Located approximately 3 miles northeast of Horicon off Raasch Hill Rd. Follow the park signs to turn onto Park Drive and then a leaft into the park. Park at the first parking lot and hit the trail!
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| Trout lilies |
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch -Wouters
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 60 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!
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