Hixon Forest (WI) Wilder Way/Xe Xete/Ni Tani Amble

Quarry walls beneath Grandads

I always love to encourage people who are looking for shorter, less challenging hikes to check out some of the blufftops in the areas. There are often trails with a bit of elevation gain or loss that still give you spectacular vistas and interesting rock formations.  So rather than starting at the bottom of a bluff and climbing 500 feet up to experience the top side views, you can access them more easily.

One of the overlook views

Xi Xete ("mountain" in the Ho Chunk language, pronounced hay-hot-a) and the Ni Tani ("three rivers" in the Ho Chunk language, pronounced knee-ta-knee) Gateway trail loops are located in the east and west quarries just beneath Grandad's Bluff in La Crosse.  These shared bike/hike trails perfect for a gentle Amble that is easy on the knees but packed with interest, especially on a weekday when bike traffic is lower.

The parking lot for the Gateway Trails is on the left hand side of the road just before you enter the main parking lot for Grandad blufftop views. Head over to the Pink Wilder Way trailhead (59) for a 1-2 mile hike just below the blufftop.

La Crosse Park and Rec Gateway Trails Map

Wilder Way descends about 75 feet over .34 miles via switchbacks to the quarry floor. Once there you will see a map kiosk at (58). Head towards the right to follow the Green .37 mile Ni Tani trail loop that explores the west quarry. You follow a flat surface along quarry walls (look for climbing anchors) before turning near old quarry works and heading towards a great vista of south La Crosse. 

When you reach the (58) junction, look for (57) and get onto the Yellow .39 mile Xe Xete trail loop. About halfway along this quarry floor trail at (56), you'll come to another great vista that shows you Ebner Coulee and views towards MVC's Dobsen's tract.  From here, you can continue along the loop back, viewing more quarry walls and woods views to Wilder Way and back up and out for a one mile or so hike.

Or.....

Rock formations on War Eagle

...you can use the Black War Eagle connector (56) for .06 miles and head on a slightly hillier portion of the hike to see some great rock formations as you head up to (55). Take a left there and continue climbing .15 miles out of the quarry until you can *just* see the parking lot. Hop through the brush on your left and you will see a wide path (George's trail - unmarked)  Go left out to an outcropping (George's Point) for a great "drone's-eye" view of the two quarries below you. You can end your hike here by following George's trail (or hopping back down to the end portion of War Eagle) to the parking lot for a 1.25 mile hike....

A "drone's-eye" view of the quarry floor from George's Point

Or....

...you can retrace your steps along the rocks back to Xe Xete and finish the Yellow loop back to Wilder Way, up and our,  for a full 2 mile hike.

THE HIKE
This is a pretty, gentle 1- 2 mile hike exploring two short loops. Take the Wilder Way trail from the parking lot down 100 feet on a gentle switchbacking trail to the quarry floor beneath the grand overlook of Grandad's Park in La Crosse. There is a vista overlook on each of two flat loops along with dramatic quarry walls and rocks on this shared hike/bike trail. An additional 75 feet of elevation and extra mileage can be added by hiking the War Eagle Connector up to War Eagle and adding a third vista overlooking the rock quarry floor at George's Point.

The Location - 3020 Grandad Bluff Rd, La Crosse, WI
From La Crosse, head west on Main St and continue straight up Bliss Rd. Turn right at the Alpine Inn and continue on Granddad Bluff Road until you see a large parking lot to your left with a map kiosk and pit toilet (if you reach the main Grandad parking lot, you've gone too far). The Wilder Way trailhead is on the westside of the parking lot near the entrance.

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!

Additional posts describing Hixon Forest trails:

• Oak Trail
• Hickory Trail Amble/Hike
• Remnant Prairies Amble/Hike
• Twister/Spill Hill/boB/Chicanery/Stinkys Trails
• Prairie/Twister/Mr. Hyde/Obi/Twister Trails
• Stinkys/Chicanery/Quarry Trails

Selfie time at a vista overlook
Image - Linda Sible

Mathy Quarry, Quarry Trail (WI) Hike

Like many bluff trails, this Mississippi Valley Conservancy property (in cooperation with the City of La Crosse Park and Rec) was once a rock quarry. As such, it has quarry trails set on solid gravel and is a great bet for later winter/early spring hiking. The main Quarry trail is one that brings you to the top of the quarry as well as the quarry floor.  You have options to make this hike into a 2-5 mile hike depending on what you want to explore.

The "big" rock

On this hike, I like to start at the gate just to the left outside the parking area. You head through a lovely wooded area descending gently until you come out and turn left on the rim of the quarry. You pass a large rock and continue on down toward the floor of the quarry.

About a mile into your hike you will notice a narrow rocky spur to your left off the main trail. This is a pretty little 1/4 mile loop that rejoins the main trail. It gets you closer to the rock walls and is a fun diversion. You can continue past the old building foundation and turn around at the MVC border signs.

If you re-trace your steps to the large rock, you can return a different way to the trailhead. Watch for where the trail heads left along the edge of the quarry. This is a more eroded trail and can be mucky if wet but offers a number of spectacular views of surrounding bluffs to the north and east of the quarry as well as a bird's eye view of the quarry floor. You can turn right when you come to a T and rejoin the original trail to your trailhead or take a shortcut directly into the main parking lot.

There are also options to stay down on the quarry floor (Blazingstar Trail) and climb back up though a pollinator prairie which is in it's glory in the warmer growing months. One can also continue along the Snakeroot Trail for more mileage. The Quarry trail continues on a biking trail on the east side of the parking lot through a beautiful bluffside forest that connects to a number of other hike/bike trails in Hixon Forest. Maps of these trails are available here.

The southern quarry wall

THE HIKE

A 2-5 mile hike, depending on your selected route(s), with elevation gain of about 360 feet await hikers who explore the trails in this old quarry. One can do out-and-back and loops depending on your druthers. You start at the rim of the quarry and descend onto the wide quarry floor following old road bed gravel trails and some grassy more eroded trails depending on your route. The hike is known for its spectacular rim views of bluffs and layered rocks visible in the quarried walls. There are also woods and prairies depending on your route.

Location : N3065 Cty Rd,F, La Crosse.

In La Crosse, continue east on Main St past Losey Blvd and the railraod tracks and veer left to get onto Bliss Rd which winds you through hairpin turns up to the Alpine inn. Turn left there (a right turn would bring you to Grandad's Bluff) and follow the road for about 1/2 mile until you come to Cty Rd FA. Take a left and the parking lot is at the end of that road.

The view from the western rim

Additional posts describing Mathy Quarry trails:

• Snakeroot Amble/Hike

All images - 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!