Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park Hike - Old Settlers Trail

I recently had the opportunity to do a summer hike on the marvelous 2.75 mile Old Settler's trail in Wildcat Mountain State Park by Ontario WI. 

Scenic rock faces along the trail

Wildcat Mountain is an amazing hilly and rolling bluff area rising up above the Kickapoo River to lovely ridgetop trails and views. There is very little level hiking at this park but the four main hiking trails are relatively short: two out-and-back-trails are .75 miles each and the two loop trails are 1.5 miles for one with Old Settler's at 2.75 miles. Old Settler's features a 524 feet elevation gain so you experience a number of different microhabitats along the hilly, twisting trail.

At the upper parking trailhead

The trail is a loop that features two trailheads near the park's entrance station. The first is to the left  past the station at the upper picnic area Observation Point parking lot. The second trailhead is at the Nature Building - head towards the right from the entrance station. We did our hike starting at the upper parking area near Observation Point. 

Almost immediately, you steeply descend a series of wood steps that take you down almost 300 feet in the first half mile. Within a tenth of a mile, you will see a trail to your right - that's where you'll come out to complete your loop, so stay on the main trail.  The trail goes up and down along the bluffsides in heavily wooded areas featuring dense undergrowth and a bridge or two crossing trickling streams full of wetland plants before starting to ascend towards the Taylor Hollow overlook at the top, halfway through your hike.

Taylor Hollow sandstone

Taylor Hollow features some incredible sandstone rock formations you can explore and a viewing area with a bench at the top. The views up there at 1100 feet are great (although we had a poor air quality day due to wild fire smoke so the view was hazy). You are looking down at the village of Ontario WI and beyond to other bluffs in the Driftless region. You'll continue heading upwards for another 1/4 mile before starting your descent and heading west around the other side of the bluff under mixed hardwoods and pines to complete the loop and head back up to your starting point.

A narrower trail section

The trail we hiked on was narrow in places and overgrown after many hard rains. We also hiked after a recent significant wind event so we encountered many blowdowns to hop under, over and around. Hiking sticks and long pants helped with both the steepness/slipperiness on parts of our hike and the brush that narrowed the trails. 

Wrinkled peach mushroom

There were fungi everywhere along the forested trails with some new-to-me mushrooms. It was great fun spying them and getting photos so we could check their IDs. We also saw many spring wildflowers gone to seed and patches everywhere of  wildflower leaves so I have this trail marked for a return next spring. The bluffsides should be carpeted with wildflowers. 

If you start at the second trailhead, it is a quick tenth of a mile from the Nature Building to join the Old Settler's trail and do the loop the other way. 

Heading through one of the pine plantatons

For those wanting a shorter hike, you can start at the Nature Center for an out-and-back 3/4 mile hike to the Taylor Hollow lookout and back. Much of this part of the trail follows an old wide road through pine forest plantations planted by Ontario students. It has only about a 100 foot elevation change as you follow the ridge to the Overlook and back.

THE HIKE
While not long at 2.75 miles, the changes in elevation and sometimes steep grades make it challenging. It’s worth it for spring ephemerals, abundant fungi and forbs along the way and varying habitats at different elevations. The sandstone formations, rock faces along the trail and the view from Taylor Hollow overlook are wonderful. Hiking sticks are good to use year-round and long pants during lush summer months will protect you on narrow parts of the trail.

The Location
E13660 Hwy 33, Ontario WI

About an hour east of La Crosse WI, the highway runs through the park, a beautiful drive on its own. Look for the main park entrance on your left.

Fungi stalking 
Image - Nola Larsen

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 70 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters