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| Mathy Quarry Snakeroot Trail Image -Kris Lawson |
With Thanksgiving and the December holiday seasons hard upon us, it's easy to turn inward towards family, warmth, curling up under a blanket to read, craft or just enjoy toasty warmth. But don't forget to find some time to bundle up and get out on the trails!
Here are a few tips as we enter our cold season hiking and snowshoeing over the next few months. Besides layers and good gear mentioned at the post above, it's also time to think of safety during hunting seasons while you are on the trails.
In November and December, check your state's DNR site for various gun hunting seasons. Those seasons in particular have alot of hunters about and they want you safe as much as you do! If you are in the Driftless area, the deer gun seasons are often on different weeks from state to state. If you can, pick hikes in a nearby state that isn't in gun hunting season. If not, for your safety, always wear some blaze orange and choose hiking trails that are not on or near public lands. Here are Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa hunting season calendars to help you.
As you plan your hikes, think about weather conditions and temperatures. Mild temperatures invite us to explore favorite spots with dramatic features (rocks, running water, great vistas and more). It's see-through season - with no leaves, hidden views are revealed. With the understory more clear and often snow-covered, it's a great time to explore off-trail without the worry of bugs and tripping hazards.
Colder temps and higher winds shouldn't necessarily stop you. Consider sheltered bluffside hikes or hikes through denser forests to protect you from the worst of the winds. Sunny days with low winds and temps are great times to explore more exposed prairies and blufftops.
If you think about your hiking destinations in some of these terms, you'll find an endless array of possible hikes. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started! Click on the hike title to find directions and descriptions of trails.
MIGRATION HOTSPOTS
Late 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:
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
Pine View Campground (WI) – Inside Sparta’s Fort McCoy is a lovely winter hike, following the winding, nascent La Crosse River (here just a stream) through the woods to small Trout Falls.
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.
PROTECTION FROM THE WIND
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. Try these:
Hixon Forest Hiking/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.
Phelps Park (IA) – The limestone cliffs and cliffside ravines of this Decorah city park are a joy to hike in any season but late fall (before the snow flies) provides grand views uninterrupted by leaves - and often a glimpse of deer from it’s narrow trails.
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 vitamin D’s:
MacGilvray's Seven Bridges (WI) - A lovely walk or snowshoe across six historic bridges through wetlands and woods near Holmen WI
Wildwood Loop (MN) - High atop Winona’s Holzinger Trail system are these loop trails. On a sunny winter day, you get views of Winona and surrounding bluffs.
Chickadee Trail (MN) – a great snowshoe on this Bluffside Park rim trail in Winona. Add the Troll trail on the winter solstice on a sunny day and, at noon, see your longest shadow of the year!
Holland Sand Prairie (WI) - While the snow-covered prairie sleeps, it’s a wonderful time to step out and explore the open rolling sand dunes of this Mississippi Valley Conservancy property. Deer trails can show you the way on a windless day.
No matter which type of hike you prefer, I hope you get out during our coldest months. And don't forget to start planning your "First Day Hike" for New Year's Day!
If you think about your hiking destinations in some of these terms, you'll find an endless array of possible hikes. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started! Click on the hike title to find directions and descriptions of trails.
MIGRATION HOTSPOTS
Late 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:
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| Swans at Reno Spillway |
Reno Quarry (MN) - Stop at Brownsville Overlook to see the last of the swans,
geese and ducks as they rest and eat along their migration route. 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 graveled 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:
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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| "Spinal column" rocks at Reno Quarry |
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. Closed during MN’s gun season.
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!
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.
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. Closed during MN’s gun season.
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!
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.
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| Reno Quarry, MN overlooking the Mississippi River |
Yellow River Forest - Paint Rock Unit (IA) - With its 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 has 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:
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 has 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, Dakota MN |
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
Pine View Campground (WI) – Inside Sparta’s Fort McCoy is a lovely winter hike, following the winding, nascent La Crosse River (here just a stream) through the woods to small Trout Falls.
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.
PROTECTION FROM THE WIND
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. Try these:
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| Checking "bacon ice" at Vetsch Park, La Crescent MN Image - Bonnie Lyman |
Hixon Forest Hiking/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.
Phelps Park (IA) – The limestone cliffs and cliffside ravines of this Decorah city park are a joy to hike in any season but late fall (before the snow flies) provides grand views uninterrupted by leaves - and often a glimpse of deer from it’s narrow trails.
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 vitamin D’s:
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| Noon shadow on winter solstice Bluffside Park, Winona |
MacGilvray's Seven Bridges (WI) - A lovely walk or snowshoe across six historic bridges through wetlands and woods near Holmen WI
Wildwood Loop (MN) - High atop Winona’s Holzinger Trail system are these loop trails. On a sunny winter day, you get views of Winona and surrounding bluffs.
Chickadee Trail (MN) – a great snowshoe on this Bluffside Park rim trail in Winona. Add the Troll trail on the winter solstice on a sunny day and, at noon, see your longest shadow of the year!
Holland Sand Prairie (WI) - While the snow-covered prairie sleeps, it’s a wonderful time to step out and explore the open rolling sand dunes of this Mississippi Valley Conservancy property. Deer trails can show you the way on a windless day.
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| Cedar waxwing in November at Yellow River State Forest IA Image - Kris Lawson |
No matter which type of hike you prefer, I hope you get out during our coldest months. And don't forget to start planning your "First Day Hike" for New Year's Day!
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| Ice cave at Kickapoo Valley Reserve Image - Kris Lawson |
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 75 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!
Portions of these lists are reprinted from 2024
You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
