Shelby Butterfly Trails (WI) Hike

If you love bluff hiking and you are near La Crosse WI, you can't pick a better location than the trails leading up to and away from the butterfly garden in the town of Shelby. You encounter great overlooks, fine climbing trails (over 500 feet in elevation gain), great rock formations and quarries and a huge pollinator prairie garden near the top. 

A view from the top of Cliffwood Bluff

An unusual place for a sign!

Starting at the trailhead at end of Old Vineyard Rd, you can pick two basic starts. I went to the right towards the Eagle trail and a series of south-facing overlooks. The trails are narrow here and buckthorn is rampant and closes in on you. You gain elevation fairly quickly. Stay to the right to enjoy the Eagle's Point overlook. 

From there, you can continue on to the left on Old Quarry trail and explore the quarries on your way to the butterfly gardens. Along the way, hikers always look for the rusted out and scavenged remains of a Gran Torino. If you see it, you are on the right trail!

Abandoned Gran Torino - a familiar trail sign

Milkweed in the garden

The rocky, rooty dirt trail opens up to a garden with mowed trails dividing the wildflowers into two huge sections. Planted as an Eagle Scout project, this massive prairie is full of bees and butterflies during warm months along with a rainbow of native flowers (and a few invasives). 

The final ascent

After walking through the gardens, head back to intersect with the Hedgehog trail which narrows as you hike into a hardwood forest and continue up towards beautiful lookouts. There are a number of trails here, some rougher than others, that take you above, around, over and beside quarries and look-outs. You will eventually hit the Ironman trail and head to Cliffwood Bluff which affords a west-facing180° plus sweeping view of the La Crosse WI, La Crescent MN and MN bluffs and the Mississippi River.  The confusing warren of trails and final steep ascent to the loop trail up to Cliffwood bluff at the top are 100% worth it! 

My favorite way down is what I like to think of as "the escalator." You head down on the Ironman trail and descend quickly - and sometimes steeply - back to the trailhead and your car. 

THE HIKE

Bluffhounds unite! This 4 mile hike starts partway up the bluff - but you still gain 500 feet on you way up to the final Cliffwood blufftop. Dirt trails are crowded by buckthorn on much of the lower trails until they open up into hardwood forests. Trails are rocky and rooty as well as some steep ascents and descents so hiking poles can be helpful. There are a number of stunning lookouts on these trails as well as quarries, rock formations, ridgewalking and side trails to explore. You can also start this hike lower down the Old Vineyard Rd (park across the street). This trail is not as well-used so it can be overgrown as you switchback your way steeply up to the main trailhead on this 0.3 mile spur.

One of the stunning quarry walls

Location: 3701 Old Vineyard Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601

In La Crosse, head south on Losey Boulevard until you reach Farnum St. Turn left and follow the street towards the bluffs. Turn left on Old Vineyard Rd and follow it to the end where there is a small parking area for 5-6 vehicles.

Made it!
Image - Diane Palm

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!

I Spy on the Trails - June 18-30, 2023

We were thrilled to get almost 2 inches of rain on Saturday 6/17 - it's been about 5 weeks since measurable moisture.  Like many areas, the Driftlesss  had very poor air quality recently from wildfire particulates. I hiked masked often during these weeks. 

Clear air atop Maglessen Bluff 6/16/23

Same view with Canadian wildfire smoke  6/28/23

Most of the flowers I am seeing are in prairies and pollinator garden prairies. They are tough natives with deep roots that can survive. The birdsong more than made up for the lack of flowers in the woods though. 

I spent time in the middle of these two weeks at a conference in Chicago which increased my urban hiking and cultural intake but gave me much less nature to observe. I will say the cooled Lake Michigan air was a welcome respite in a city of concrete and glass.

Wildflowers

Red admiral butterfly

• Purple stemmed angelica
• Motherwort
• Hairy wood mint
• Fringed loosestrife
• Enchanter's nightshade
• Prairie coreopsis
• Harebell
• Leadplant
• Butterfly weed
• Sandbar willow
• Purple-stemmed angelica
• Ferns (maiden hair, interrupted, lady, ostrich,bulblet)
• Sweet cecily
• White avens
• Jacob's ladder
• Canada anemone

Wildlife (seen/heard/detected)

Perfectly hidden Leopard frog

• Northern leopard frog
• Sandhill cranes and colt
• Great spangled fritillary
• Meadow fritilllary
• Eastern comma butterfly
• Red admiral butterfly
• Hackberry emperor butterfly
• Deer (buck/doe/fawn)
• Black-capped chickadee
• Eastern kingbird
• Yellow warbler
• Common yellow-throat
• Red-winged blackbird
• Northern cardinal
• Common yellowthroat
• American redstart
• House wren 
• Song sparrow
• Eastern wood pewee
• Hairy woodpecker
• Red-headed woodpecker
• Goldfinch
• Indigo bunting
• Baltimore oriole
• Eastern towhee
• Red-eyed vireo
• Yellow-throated vireo
• Warbling vireo
• Veery
• Scarlet Tanager
• Great crested flycatcher
• Black-and-white warbler

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

This week's hikes: Maglessen Bluff Hike, Rushford (MN); Beaver Creek State Park, Caledonia (MN); Whitewater State Park, Alture (MN); La Crosse River Conservancy, Onalaska(WI)

Sandhill crane

Beaver Creek State Park

The "I Spy on the Trails" column is a phenology (the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals) journal to chronicle year-round the weather, plant life and wildlife I observe while hiking. It is very useful in helping me compare observations from year-to-year. The column is published monthly from September through April and then twice-a-month from May through August when warm weather brings the natural world back to vibrant life.     

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters

Whitewater State Park (MN) Hike/Amble

I recently enjoyed a great summer amble/hike along the Trout Run Trail in Whitewater State Park near Altura MN.  Ambles are on flatter trails, usually at or under 2.5 miles. The goal is to find wonderful hiking spots in nature where people who prefer a slower pace or are rehabbing from illness or injury can still get up close to nature.

Whitewater River where Trout Creek runs in

The  2 mile out-and-back trail runs next to the middle branch of the Whitewater River and then turns to follow Trout Run Creek through for the rest of the hike.  The trailhead is in the South Picnic grounds at the site of a former German POW camp that became a CCC camp. Much of the stonework seen in buildings, bridges and signs were built by CCC workers who quarried limestone from quarry at trailsend to build the park structures. A tornado destroyed the structures 70 years ago and the area became the south Picnic grounds.

"Corduroy" (logs) on the trail

Like many wetland tails, these trails often are damp, can be muddy after a rain, and are very brushy. There are small parts of the trail that are permanently damp and squishy and had "corduroy" laid down. This dampness also means lush growth into the trails narrowing them considerably during the summer. I always recommend long pants even on warm days because the prolific wetland plants - and nettles - crowd the trail and often overgrow it. 

The trail wound along past an abandoned beaver pond that now hosts a new population of frogs from elsewhere in the park. Bridges of various types cross back and forth over the spring-fed stream and you pass through hardwoods, floodplain forest and the end up in the meadow of the quarry.

Hackberry Emperor butterfly hitched a ride

On our hike we saw swarms of butterflies, skippers and dragonflies on plants, on seeps, near and over the water. It made a fun day of looking and identifying them.

What I love about Whitewater is that it has great trails for every ability. There is another Amble-worthy walk on the Meadow Loop in a restored prairie south of the visitor's Center. For those who like challenging climbs, the narrow valley offers a number of options that give you great bluff hikes and even greater views. Therese trails include the 4.2 mile Dakota Trail which takes you up to Eagle Point; Coyote trail at 2.7 miles; and Chimney Point to Inspiration Point at 2.2 miles.

The Dakota Trail which has the Eagle Point Lookout has stromatalite fossils that  you walk right over when you are at the top of the lookout. The circles on the photo to the left are fossilized stromatalites on the trail! The Driftless area was once under a sea (and actually near the equator!). Seeing those fossils as you walk gives you a real sense of the expanse of time.

This park has alot of history surrounded it including tales of how early settlers lost the soil during repeated flooding when prairies with their deep-rooted plants to hold the soil were replaced with shallow-rooted corn and soybeans. The Visitor Center has a graphic (left) on the floor that compares long-rooted prairie plants on the left with short-rooted agricultural plants on the right that replaced them. 

The river became flooded with the lost soil and silted up causing multiple damaging floods each year. Eventually most of the homes and farms lost their value and people left. What was left of the town of Beaver was purchased by the state and made part of a restoration of prairie in the State Park and the nearby Whitewater WMA (Wildlife Management Area).

Richard J. Dorer's grave

We ended our hike at the small Beaver Cemetery where we found the grave of Richard J. Dorer. If you are familiar with maps of southeast MN in particular you often see the name of  "Richard J. Dorer hardwood forest" scattered across the forest and bluffland. He died fifty years ago and his rustic marker gives you a sense of his love of the land and his commitment to conservation. He was a main proponent and mover of the restoration of Whitewater Valley. You can read a bit more about him here, here and here.

THE HIKE
An easy in-and-out 2 mile trail that follows the creek through wetlands, forest, floodplain forest and ends in a meadow at the quarry. Great birding and wildlife along the way. A spur to climb up to Inspiration Point is on the trail for those who want to head up. This park has alot of history and the Visitor Center is a must to learn some of it. Other trails that climb up the steep valley walls make this a great destination for those who want mellow tails and/or challenging trails.

Location: 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN 55910
If you head into the park from the south, you can find the Trout Run Trail beyond the Nature Store parking lot on a road that goes to the South Picnic grounds. Other trails start at the Visitor's Center, North Picnic grounds and near the group camp.

Great spangled fritillary

Additional posts about Whitewater State Park trails:

• Dakota to Meadow Loop trail

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!

Bird Banding Adventures (WI & MN)

In the past month, I've had the opportunity to observe and participate in two bird banding experiences. Both were great learning experiences and added to my Master Naturalist knowledge base.

Carefully removing the bird
from collection bag

In May, after a 3 year hiatus due to COVID and avian influenza, our La Crescent Natural Resources Advisory Group aka NRAG (I am a member) sponsored a 3 hour World Migratory Bird Day Bird Banding demonstration for our community at Vetsch Park, one of our local blufflands parks. We collaborated with U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Biologists’ Banding Demonstration Team.

Making a precise identification

21 birds were caught and banded. We had 5 nets set up. The birds included American Redstarts (4), Magnolia Warbler, Song Sparrow, Gray Catbirds (6), Swainson's Thrush, Northern Cardinal (2), Common Yellowthroat, American Goldfinch (2) and Eastern Wood Peewee. 

Each bird was identified, weighed, aged and wings measured. In addition, they were checked for sex, fat stores and general health before they were banded and released. Observers often stayed for an hour watching the action or taking side trips led by NRAG members to see the rare showy orchid blooming on Vetsch's trails.

A very organized banding work space

It was the first time I had seen this work and I was very impressed with the process - especially the initial careful work in making an exact identification. Various sized bands were available to be used depending on the size of the bird. 

The data sheets were carefully maintained as the banders quickly worked to complete the banding and data so that the birds had the least amount of stress.

A banded bird ready for release

In the end the birds were quick to fly off. The data collected means migratory patterns can be tracked as well as information about the breeding and health of the birds, the success of their breeding, whether they arrive in their breeding grounds with sufficient food available and much more. 

In mid-June, I joined a colleague at a Natural Resource of Wisconsin guided field trip to observe a morning of banding at the Beaver Creek Reserve near Fall Creek WI. 

A mist net set up.

The field trip was described:

"The continent-wide Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) bird banding program is a constant-effort mist netting project created by The Institute for Bird Populations in 1989 to provide  annual estimates of post-fledgling productivity, adult survivorship, and population size for resident breeding bird species.  Beaver Creek Reserve has run a MAPS station at the Henke Farm continuously since 2003. This is a great opportunity for visitors to observe data collection for a long-term project and see birds in the hand. Over the years the Beaver Creek Reserve MAPS program have captured 1,654 birds of 59 species. Species list include gray catbird, golden-winged warbler, indigo bunting, veery, song sparrow ... Join us as we cover the diverse habitats at the Henke farm and see some of Wisconsin's magnificent birds up close."

One of the many amazing banding volunteers

We got to observe the crack team of volunteers collecting, identifying and gathering data from each bird that was netted that morning. Participants walked the net lines and were treated to lots of information on migratory birds from the VERY knowledgeable staff and crack volunteer team. There were twelve nets scattered in hardwoods, prairies, wetlands and pine stands. Every 30 minutes, three groups of volunteers, staff and field trip participants split the work of checking nets to recover birds.

Safe from mosquitos, the banders had
2 stations inside to do their work

The banding team worked in a great "bird cage" structure built by an Eagle Scout. It was completely screened in with a transparent roof giving plenty of light to the data collection and banding work. The screened windows allowed us to observe the banding as banders walked us through notable characteristics of breeding songbirds. We had a fascinating birds-eye view of the banders at their precise work. 

Karen Wittig transferring a warbler to me for release.
Image - Kris Lawson

Some participants also had a chance to gently release the banded birds. I felt lucky to have that privilege.

One of the many highlights of the trip was meeting and talking to Pat Henkes. She and her husband donated the 400 acre Henke farm to the reserve - and Pat made us gingersnaps! The restored prairie is alive with flowers and pollinators and the woods were full of birds including chestnut-sided warblers, common yellow throats, veery indigo buntings and more.

Learning opportunities like this abound. They stretch our understanding and help focus on on ways we can do citizen science work and help advance everyone's understanding of our natural world.

Imaged, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Magelssen Bluff Hike (MN)

Rushford MN is located in the scenic Root River valley in south eastern MN. It is probably best known by bikers who travel the Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley State bike trails. But it has a special hiking gem there too. If you have traveled along Hwy 16, you probably have seen the bluff that has Rushford's name set in stones high up on a bluff. That bluff is Magelsson Bluff, a city park.

This is a true bluff hike. You can start from the top (accessed off Magelssen Drive which starts you at the top of the bluff with it's park amenities) and hike down almost 500 feet as either an out-and-back or a loop. Or you can start at the bottom and head upward to it's 1174 ft top. The trails are old quarry and logging trails so plenty wide.

Trailhead sign at the base of the bluff

We chose the trailhead at the base of the bluff as our start. Found at the end of W. Winona St, opposite the Oak Grove Cemetery entrance, there is plenty of room for parking at the trailhead. The trail is about 1.8 miles total but while short in mileage, as you can imagine, it is elevation hiking at it's best. It took us about 1.5 hours.

The Oak Grove Trail is a steep initial introduction to the hike. It heads up 200 feet for the first quarter mile with only a turn our two on a dirt and mown grass trail. On these shaded, wooded trails on the north side of the bluff, the ferns were lush and covered the hills all the way up. They gave us resting time to catch our breath on the initial uphill slog and to enjoy and identify ferns (maidenhair, ostrich, lady, bladderwort and interrupted) plus many other fungi and flowers, both blooming and post-bloom.

Ferns were prolific along the slopes

Wide, well-maintained trails

We passed a small old shed and then headed up on the main trail which is wide and well-maintained with rocks and log borders to shore up the trail against erosion on the steep bluffsides. We really appreciated the trail work that had been done. There were also numerous switchbacks to ease the elevation gain which made for a pleasant ascent.

Go right, hikers, go right!

Shortly after we hit this wider trail, we had a decision to make - head to the right to the Quarry Trail or to the left to the Stair-Climber Trail. Our hiking app comments said go right - and we're glad we did. The rolling switchback trail was easy and continued upward, past the old limestone quarry and around to the south side of the bluff where we saw deer and fawns peeking at us.

Once on the top we were treated to spectacular views of surrounding bluffs and Rushford. There are also three outlooks above the "Rushford Rocks" goat prairie. 

You can add an additional 1.25 miles to your hike by walking out-and-back to all of them. You'll see the Rushford Burr Oak, a great-great-great-grandmother of a tree, and can discern a few mounds of indigenous people by some of the overlooks as well. It makes a wonderful "amble" trail for those who want the views but a less strenuous hike. Drive up to the park and walk along the road to the two lookout areas. From there head to the small picnic shelter. Behind it is access to the very last part of the trail. Turn right on the bark-chipped trail and follow it as it gently rises up to the easternmost look-out for an additional .75 miles.

Rushford Burr Oak, reported to be over 200 years old

Going down

We took the Stair-Climber Trail on the way down. The stairs drop for an amazing 250 feet pretty much straight-down with a few turns but nothing resembling a switchback. Again, I admire the trail builders but it is a knee-pounding experience on uneven heights from stair to stair. I can safely say that I would rather go down them rather than up. 

A welcome rest halfway
down the stairs

We rested at a bench near sandstone that lies under the Oneota Dolomite (limestone) that caps the bluff. Then onward!  Once down the stairs, the remainder of that trail again becomes a wide rolling trail around the east and north sides of the bluff. 

Bridge over the ravine

The trail joins the Oak Grove Trail again shortly after passing a bridge crossing a steep ravine.  The waters must really roar during the spring thaw and heavy rains! Before long we were dashing down the final steep 1/4 mile to our start!

THE HIKE
A true bluffhound's dream hike (although you need to feel comfortable with very steep sections to truly enjoy this hike). Lush hardwood forests shade the trails as you gain a quick 200 ft at the base of the bluff on this 1.8 mile loop (or out-and-back trail). The profusion of ferns covering the slopes is simply amazing. The rest of the wide, well-maintained trail leads you through switchbacks up to the top of the bluff where the city park is. Add an additional 1.25 miles to your hike by walking out-and-back to all the lookouts at the top. Return the same way or challenge your knees on the Stair-climber Trail as you drop a quick 250 feet to a lower level of the trail that eventually joins back up with the Oak Grove Trail.

Location:
If hiking from the base, head into Rushford until you come to West Winona St. Turn left and follow it to the parking lot at it's end. The trail head is opposite the Oak Grove cemetery gate. If beginning the hike from the top, head into Rushford, turn left onto Hwy 30 until you come to Magelssen Drive. Turn right and follow the road up to the park at the top of the bluff. The trailhead is down from the parking lot by the east overlook

More ferns...because I was super impressed!

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!

Let's Get Hiking - and Learning - July-August, 2023

It's time for a summer update on adventures, programs and field trips that help you learn more about the geology. ecology and flora, fungi and fauna of the Driftless area. Our first post on guided hikes took us from May through June. What's coming up in July and August?

WHITEWATER STATE PARK (MN)
Fossil Field Trip Saturday July 1, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m
During this program we will go and look for ancient sea life that lived in the area hundreds of millions of years ago. We'll start with a brief introduction at the visitor center, then drive out of the park 9 miles to hunt for fossils. Bring transportation.

Medicine Forest Walk Monday July 3, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join a naturalist on a short walk to explore some of the medicinal plants of the forest. Learn how many of the medicines synthetically made today originated from plants growing in our area. We'll also learn how the forest provides wellbeing benefits to all who walk among the trees. Meet at the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center

Friday Foray - Exploring the Whitewater WMA Friday July 7, 8:00 -10:00 am
Join us for an early morning trip into the Whitewater WMA. During this program we will learn about the Wildlife Management Area's origins. We will explore a former farmsite and learn how the valley made the transition from farmland to hunting land. Bring Transportation. Hiking Boots and Pants are required.

Guided Forest Bathing Walk - Walk with Ease Sunday, July 30, 1-3:00pm
Join park naturalist and certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, Sara Holger, for our monthly forest bathing walk at Whitewater State Park. These gentle walks incorporate mindfulness activities and meet standards for the Walk with Ease program of the Arthritis Foundation. To sign up, email sara.holger@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301.

FRONTENAC STATE PARK (MN)

Bruce Ause shows bluebird chicks

Saturday Morning Hikes with a Naturalist    Every Saturday through Sept 2, 10-11:00 am

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause! Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour. Meet at the Campground Kiosk at 10 a.m

Prairie Loop Bird Walk   Saturday July 8   8:00 - ?

Meet at the Ranger Station Parking Lot. Walk along mixed prairie and forest trails to the Pine Loop and back. Hope to see a wide variety of forest and prairie dwelling birds. Bring binoculars. The mowed trail is well maintained and traverses some elevation change. The full route is approximately 2 miles long. When birding, this can take 2-4 hours depending upon how many birds we are seeing, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. In Partnership With: Frontenac State Park Association.

Public Sky Observation   Saturday, July 29  8:30-10:30pm

Meet at the Picnic shelter. Park in the overflow lot. There will be volunteers on site to assist with directions. Join the Rochester Astronomy Club at 8:30 p.m. in the picnic shelter for a presentation about public sky observation. At 9:30 p.m., the viewing event will take place in the picnic area of the park. Public Sky Observation of the young Moon, 11.7 days after the New Moon. See the planet Saturn, bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance from the Rochester Astronomy Club. More information can be found here at their event website. This event is weather dependent. Check the event website above for updates or call the park at 651-299-3000.

Pine Loop Bird Walk   Saturday August 5  8:00- ?

Meet at the Ranger Station Parking Lot.

Walk along mixed prairie and forest trails to the Pine Loop and back. Hope to see a wide variety of forest and prairie dwelling birds. Bring binoculars. The mowed trail is well maintained and traverses some elevation change. The full route is approximately 2 miles long. When birding, this can take 2-4 hours depending upon how many birds we are seeing, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. In Partnership With: Frontenac State Park Association.

WILDCAT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK (WI)

Astronomy in the Park Friday, July 14 8:30-11pm
Jeff Moorhouse from the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society will be presenting an astronomy program. Telescopes will be available for viewing. Meet at the Amphitheater.

Geology Hike Saturday August 5 10am-noon
Join Chris Zahm for a geology hike. Learn about the local geology and see some of the rock formations along the Kickapoo River.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONSERVANCY (MVC) (WI)
Prairie Polinators Walk Saturday, August 19 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m
La Crosse Blufflands-North: Cty Rd FA Trailhead (Mathy)
Guides for this wildflower walk include Chris Kirkpatrick and several leaders of Friends of the Blufflands, who will share their knowledge of the prairie pollinators and the beneficial roles they play in La Crosse’s bluffland ecology. It's an easy hike out onto one of the northernmost sections of the beautiful La Crosse Blufflands seeing rock outcroppings, blufftop prairies, and the remains of a rock quarry.

How about some Shakespeare?!? The Summit Players, a troupe of young actors, will be presenting SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: MACBETH at a couple of WI State Parks if you need a little literary fun. "A web of secrets, trickery and danger entangles Macbeth, his wife Lady Macbeth, his rival Macduff and countless others as he claws his way to the top. See the classic Shakespeare play, Macbeth, at Wisconsin State Parks! The Summit Players Theater is a traveling theatre company that presents free, accessible Shakespeare workshops and performances to audiences at Wisconsin State Parks. Bring a blanket or chairs! Performances are free. Vehicle admission is required."

Wildcat Mountain State Park  Friday, August 4  5:30-9:00 pm  (The workshop is at 5:30 p.m., recommended for ages 8 and up. Show at 7 p.m.)

Perrot State Park,  Sunday August 6  1-4:30 pm (The workshop is at 1 p.m., recommended for ages 8 and up. Show at 2:30 p.m)                                                                                            

About to release a chestnut-sided warbler
on a recent bird banding field trip with
Natural Resources Foundation of WI. 
Image - Kris Larson

Note: There are still openings in the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for field trips around the state. These low cost field trips are a great way to see new places and gain valuable information that helps you grow as a naturalist. Check out what they have.

Be sure to check local listings for your area preserves, reserves, parks and see what you can learn on the trail!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Make a Hiking Visit to Frontenac State Park (MN)

I wanted to do a special focus on MN's Frontenac State Park, north of Winona and a few miles south of Red Wing. I have only hiked a few trails there so I am by no means an expert but it is a favorite stop when we are traveling the Mississippi River Rd on our way up to the Twin Cities or just because. 

Bruce Ause showing bluebird chicks
 on a Saturday Naturalist hike

The park features a variety of trails and terrains (prairie, hardwood forests, blufflands, floodplain forests) as well as stunning views of the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. There are birds a plenty and wildlife. 

I have attended two of their awesome programs and can't say enough about how informative and fun they are. Throughout the summer on Saturdays from 10-11am, naturalist Bruce Ause takes you on a nature walk through the ever-changing woods and prairie. Monthly Bird Walks on Saturday mornings at 8am hosted by MN Master Naturalists Janet Malotky and Steve Dietz help you really SEE the birds!

And, for me, best of all, a wonderful free online newsletter that helps me discover all the programs and information I need to make the most of my time there. Written and edited by Pamela Miller, a sister MN Master Naturalist and member of their very active Frontenac State Park Association, each monthly issue highlights the best of the park and it's staff, volunteers, programs and ruminations on what can be found inside the park. Pamela has a great dry sense of humor and every issue is a gem. Subscribe!

I want to share an article, "Trails to Try" from the Frontenac State Park Association's most recent issue that contains some great trail recommendations depending on your situation. :

"One of the many things that makes Frontenac State Park special is the diversity of terrains it enfolds. On a single long hike, you might walk along bluffs, on prairie, and through hardwood and floodplain forests. How to choose a trail? Print out a trail map ahead of time or grab one at one of several handout sites. And consider this cheatsheet:

You don’t have much time, have small kids in strollers, are pushing or in a wheelchair, or of limited mobility: Travel the paved path that runs along the top of the bluff near the main overlook and all the way to the campground. It’ll lead you, gently, past breathtaking views and through mature maple-dominated woodlands.

You like a challenge, your knees are just fine, and your Fitbit is itching for a whole buncha stairs, because that’s how you roll: The Upper and Lower Bluffside Trails are a beautiful challenge. They feature rocky trails with many limestone or wooden stair steps leading to a view of Lake Pepin. Not recommended for little kids, unless you can stuff them into your backpack.

In the Forest at Frontenac
Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

You prefer gentler hills, and love mixed woodland and prairie: Follow the Hiking Club Trail, marked in yellow on the park map. Everything about it is just lovely, especially the Eagle Point overlook. We recommend, however, that you use a park map to keep track of whether you’ve passed points F, G, H, I, J, K or L on the trail, because otherwise you might find yourself walking round and round and round in beautiful, familiar circles, sort of like the first time you drove in a roundabout. (Don’t ask us how we know that.)

Bonus loop: Several of the trails mentioned above link to the Pine Loop Trail, an unexpected, quiet, level loop of towering white pines planted long ago by a farmer. Rest on one of the loop’s rustic wooden benches and watch for owls sailing through the pines.

You love bluebirds, meadowlarks and prairie grasses swaying in the wind: Follow the gently rising and falling Prairie Loop trail, which starts on the south side of County Road 2 and curls over to Pleasant Valley Lakelet, which features a nifty wildlife viewing blind that kids, especially, will love. A lot of this trail is under the blazing sun, so wear sunscreen and a good hat, eh.

You want to see a floodplain forest and sandy beach, neon-colored little frogs, and the sometimes rare birds that live in both areas: The Sand Point trail begins away from the main park area. Bike or drive to the small parking area off Hwy. 61 and County Road 2 and follow the signs. It’s especially important to remember your mosquito repellent for this one (don’t ask us how we know that).

Want to see the park’s newest area?: Check your park trail map for the as-yet-unnamed trail southwest of Hill Avenue. It’s a steep loop up to a gorgeous view to the southwest and southeast of what’s historically been known as Waconia Cliffs, acquired by the park in 2020.

You prefer a trail less traveled: Frontenac State Park is a sprawling place, and the park map doesn’t show it all. If you’d like to explore some less-traveled paths, go to the park office and ask for directions to the two trailheads on the north side of Hill Avenue (or you can email pamelamarianmiller@gmail.com for maps and info). Both are moderately challenging hillside climbs that lead to high prairie paths that go northeast to the bluffs overlooking Lake Pepin. One is called the Santelman Firebreak trail, the other the Rattlesnake Bluff trail. Yes, there are some endangered timber rattlesnakes up there. No, you are not likely to be lucky enough to see one."

June 23, 2023 issue. Pamela Miller

Image - Pamela Miller

So head up or over to this great hiking park - and sign up for the free online newsletter too. You'll be glad you did!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters