Sugar Creek Bluff State Natural Area (WI) Hike

A view from the top of the overlook

While this Mississippi Valley Conservancy property (MVC) is a wonderful short amble, it would be a disservice not to include it's potential as a great hiking spot as well!

The trail out to the prairie

The mowed trail from the parking lot off North Buck Creek Road in Ferryville WI is a quick 1.5 mile out-and-back hike to an overlook on rolling hills - the elevation gain is relatively slight.  You can increase your mileage by exploring further down and around the prairie slopes. During the growing season, the flowers, grasses, pollinating insects and songbirds are abundant.

The trail  takes you through a ridgetop forest that is festooned with wildflowers and the songs of migrating birds in the spring. It leads out to a spectacular overlook and goat prairie at the end. Summer and fall are the best times to enjoy the ever-changing colorful prairie plants along its steep sides. Any time of year is a great time to stop at the overlook and see the Village of Ferryville along the Mississippi River below and the Iowa bluffs across the river.

Down in the prairie
looking up towards the overlook

A huge, steep goat prairie fans out below the overlook. A faint path goes out into the prairie to progressively lower elevation rock outcroppings. Hiking sticks and care are important here. There are many rocks as you explore and they can be tippy and trippy. Also, as in any Driftless blufftop hiking, be aware that you are in timber rattlesnake territory. Be alert and respectful.

A burn circle from restoration work

The results of MVC restoration work on the prairie, in the woods and at the entrance are clear. A huge tree planting by volunteers 2-3 years ago greets you at the small parking lot. As you walk the woods trail, you will also see burn circles where invasives and dead ash trees have been removed and burned. 

The prairie looking toward Ferryville

The prairie has been consistently cleared of red cedar along with other woody invasives and prescribed burns have helped bring out a plethora of prairie forbs and grasses. On a late June hike through the woods and tramp up and down the steep prairie slopes, I spotted tall hairy agrimony, grooved flax, self-heal, Joe Pye weed, tall boneset, purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, wild bergamot, grey-headed coneflower, purple coneflower, tall cinquefoil, leadplant, hairy sunflower, white heath aster, woodland sunflower, false sunflower, wrinkle-leaf goldenrod, flowering spurge, big bluestem, little bluestem, bottle-brush grass, sideoats grama, lady fern, hoary vervain, American germander, whorled milkweed and Virginia mountain mint.

If you like a little prairie slope scrambling and hiking, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a true prairie remnant with a vibrant flowering season of native prairie plants and their pollinating insects. And if you like great views, anytime of the year is a great time to hit this trail.

Bloodroot in the spring

THE HIKE
A short, one way .75 mile hike through woods brings you to a great goat prairie overlook above the Village of Ferryville, the Mississippi and Iowa bluffs. Head down into the prairie slopes to access progressively lower rock outcroppings and huge swaths of blooming prairie flowers and grasses during the growing season. Bring hiking stick(s) and be cautions on the steep, rocky slopes. Return by the same trail for a minimum 1.5 mile hike (or more if you wander and climb the slopes of the prairie).

The Location -North Buck Creek Road, Ferryville WI. Heading south on Hwy 35 from La Crosse, turn left on N. Buck Creek Rd about a mile and turn left into the small parking lot by the MVC kiosk.

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!

Images - Marge Loch-Wouters

Additional posts describing Sugar Creek Bluff:

• Sugar Creek Bluff Amble