SNA is

State Natural Areas. They are protected areas of WI native landscape that well, are very unique and protected from development.

My first ever visits to SNAs were Parfey's Glen and Pewitt's Nest. They are very well known ones near Devils Lake State Park.

This weekend I was treated to view two more known but...unknown places along the Mississippi River called Sugar Creek and Rush Creek. 

This widened areas I'd like to explore. 

I also joined a group that does weekend hikes. I plan my first hike with them in the LaCrosse area December 13th. There are gobs [I don't know what else to call them of trails in and around LaCrosse area. The group is called Blufflands Hiking Group.

Why not? Hiking in groups and discovering cool trails I've never even heard of sounds like a fun thing. I can always discover places and trial heads and then go back on my own. 

So Jason came Friday afternoon and we headed out early Saturday morning. He wanted to take a couple of rather easy hikes because  his dog Felix who isn't able to do very long hikes any more. He drove and I got to be the passenger.

We were headed to the Mississippi River.

Here are his dogs. Piper is in orange and Felix is behind her. He loves to refer to them as Tumble and Weed.

We visited Sugar Creek and Rush Creek SNA's above the bluffs of the great river.

The first view is from Sugar Creek.

To the south, an incredible intoxicating view.

Below. Looking the other direction. Highway 35 runs along the river and is also referred to as The Great River Road.

And from these views, indeed it is.

Next stop was Rush Creek.

I'd never gone to explore this area as it is 45 minutes from our house and basically I had no idea how to find trails.

Jason knew of a place we could drive to and park and take a very short walk out to the bluff.

He has climbed the bluff in the first shot below and encountered rattlesnakes in the areas in the grassy west facing hillside.

No thanks. I will go and hike the upper part and avoid the snake-y areas. And I will avoid the times of year that snakes are active.

Looking across the river from the same viewpoint.

A much closer look at Lansing Iowa across the river. The white part in the middle is the last of the metal bridges. It is now closed to traffic as they work on a new bridge.

This old bridge had a metal deck and was fondly called the Singing Bridge.

It also was the main throughfare for those in Iowa or Wisconsin to get back and forth to work. There is a ferry currently running, but I imagine when things freeze up those who have to travel an extra 40 miles one way to cross the river will not be happy. 

We then drove out to Bell Center [Kickapoo River Wildlife Area]. We took a short walk to check it out. I will probably go back after hunting season or in the spring. The area consists of open prairie and hills. It is stocked with Pheasants from a volunteer group.

This looks like it could be another neat place to explore.

I'm thinking it could be fun to snowshoe. It would be an easy place to get out of winter winds while hiking/snowshoeing/cross country skiing. Of course I would have to break my own trail.

The forest and open prairie look quite inviting.

It looks like my feet shall remain busy. 

This is a good thing.

OH!!! One last thing. While we were standing on the last bluff the wind really picked up quite a bit. Something very odd happened. Oak leaves starting drifting upwards from the valley below.

So the saying of the day was--->

The Leaves are Falling UP!

Why I like winter

A lot of folks dislike winter. And I understand that totally. Those folks are either unable to get out and enjoy the fresh cold air or ... well, simply don't understand how to dress for the cold foul weather.

There is a quote the Norwegians use that says:

There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

And I have to agree with that saying. Most people who dislike cold weather don't layer themselves properly. It is easier to throw on a stylish coat and a pair of nice looking gloves to go outside.

However.
I've learned to 'layer' with the clothing I have at hand. I can't afford North Face, I wish I could, and I can't afford some of the clothing that is high tech either. However I did invest in some lower tier 'moisture' wicking undergarments, and then just went with what I had at hand.

That said, it was pretty warm yesterday when I tossed on my wool blend hiking socks, warm tights, and a pair of wind pants that I'd picked up on sale. I dressed comfortably as it was in the high teens and the sun was shining.

Why else do I like winter? My hair can be messy and hidden under a nice cap. There are NO bugs. I repeat. No bugs. When hiking in this area the leaves and undergrowth are gone so a person can see the land formations.

Which leads me to my hike yesterday. I went to seek out the Ice Caves. The KVR has a guided tour for people in February to the ice caves. I chose not to do a tour, but like to explore the reserve on my own.
During midweek, there are generally not a lot of people on the trails.

There are quite a few *Ice Formations* in the area, but I wanted to see some I'd heard about from a woman at CrossFit. She'd told me how to find them.
There is something to be said about 'networking'.

I found them fairly easily by following the tracks in the snow.

This is a 4 shot panorama done with my cell phone. It literally looks like there are islands of snow floating among the ice.
That is how it shows up while looking at it through a camera.
However there are layers of rocks with mounds of earth and trees growing on them.

I just stood for a long time and stared. As the winter season moves on, the ice formations get larger if we have the proper weather. Since we've had the wettest fall ever, I imagine the ice formations could be fantastic by February or March. That is... as long as we have good cold weather.
The sun doesn't melt these areas as the winter sun doesn't reach the face of the rock formations.

The area I live in is unique in its landscape.
What more fun can it be than to be a person that loves the cold weather and explore all of this?

I found the next 'cave' and spent a few quick minutes exploring it.

I really wish I hadn't told Rich that I would be back by 1PM at the latest.

There was more to explore for sure. And there was another location with at least 3 more 'ice caves'. I had wanted to check out the one on what I refer to as the Green Trail too.

But now I know about the huge ice caves.

I also am eager to go check out the two ice caves on my neighbor's land.

The weather today will be perfect. Snow/sleet mix with grey skies.
I already know what I will wear and I will be comfortable.

It is only a 3 mile round trip hike, but if I hustle I can do it in about two hours. There are a few hills and valleys to cross, but it may be worth it.

[This photo was from March 2018]

I do ... like winter...
It is cool...

Weekend Away

Okay, it was not 'away' really. But it was away from Mother in Law care and appointment making, check book balancing, book-work, and fencing.

My friends from the Kenosha-Racine area came for another visit.
The men folk changed the oil in the diesel and we moved a hay feeder, took care of chores and items that needed extra hands.

Then we packed snacks and sandwhiches and instead of hiking in Awesome Creek we went to Duck Egg County Forest.

As you can see in the top shot, the Springville Branch of the Bad Axe River was running hard. Normally it is a very swift river anyway. The six inches of rain was still coming down the hills into the streams and rivers.
We had a scare with Scout, pictured below.
He loves water and decided to jump in next to the bridge, he was swept away and we all freaked out.
Lucky dog. He was able to get out about 10 feet down stream. We kept him on a leash near all the water crossings after that. Whew!
However, Scout is a quick learner. He didn't try those waters again.

Saturday morning was spent on exploring the recent flooding of the Kickapoo River.

The Kickapoo River is a rather slow moving river and when it floods it just creeps over the banks and spreads out.

Most of the towns along this river have parks into which the river can overflow into. After many historic floods most of the homes that can be flooded have moved homes out of the flood plane.

The wild flowers at Duck Egg were in rare form. 

I'll have to do another blog just on them.

So many wild flowers vivid at the same time instead of the usual order of things.

Just add imagination

"Do you want to go for a walk with the kids? We can go to the Reserve and do an nice easy trail...bring snacks?" I sent the question in an email to my neighbor.

We often went to my little creek for adventures, but the weather was supposed to be chilly. I wanted an excuse to get out of the house and visit with another female. And I wanted to go to my new favorite place. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Off we went.

We took Harris Road Trail to the ponds. We detoured around the ponds which was good. 
That meant that I was knocking off one more trail that I had to complete for that Dam Trail Challenge. 
It is actually just called The Trail Challenge, I just like including the 'Dam' in it. 
This was one of those small intersecting trails that I'd missed the other times while hiking the south part of KVR.

The kids ran ahead while 'we' adults walked along behind just enjoying each other's company and conversation. 

The trail led around more than one frozen pond and of course the kids wanted to explore the ice. 

However with the recent warm days and melt downs I was super cautious and said emphatically NO! Lauren and I discussed our fears of falling through the ice and being trapped under it. 

Of course, I did something silly on the walk as we negotiated the path around the one pond. 
I blathered on to the kids about how in another month or so they could see Canada Geese, Mallards, a variety of ducks, and other birds. Did they want to keep an eye out for eagles?

I realized as I chattered on that Lauren was probably the only one hearing me. The kids were concentrated on the ice chunks in their path, the rocks, the stumps, and the pure adventure of the hike...and not the coming spring or birds.

I laughed to myself then. I thought, just enjoy the chatter of the children and the fresh but chilly air.

We came around a bend and there was a corn crib type structure. 
It was a blind set up with boards that you could open to watch those birds who would be coming to nest.
The kids ate snacks and enjoyed opening the little windows.

Sure, I tried to explain that this was a bird blind. That really did't impress my audience. Then I may have said that it was a way to spy on birds. Now that peaked their interest!

The only Eagle we saw at KVR was the finger puppet I added to my collection. 

I generally have a toy in my pocket of some kind even when I am hiking without children. 

Off we went again along the Old 131 Trail. The trail is flat and fairly straight. I think it was pretty boring to the kids. Up ahead near Star Valley there is a magnificent old pine that had been damaged by a storm. This pine became the place for the kids.

First we went to the benches and markers on Star Valley Trail. I wanted to show the kids the memorial. They were interested in the small pond created by the melt down. 
They were not being rude, they were exploring. A small pond with a mostly frozen surface is far more exciting than the little memorial. They could break ice up and throw it onto the surface of the flooded area and watch the ice splinter.

We had snacks and before the kids got wet, we moved away from the alluring little pond of ice and water.
The kids saw a trail that led across the field.

"Can we go this way?"
Of course! 
Off they ran, pausing at every area that had ice. 

Surely Mother Nature had put those little frozen places there just for them.

How can you compete with Mother Nature?

We went off trail as the kids wanted to see the river. They liked the huge chunks of ice that seemed stuck in it. I called them ice shoves, but they are actually ice floes. 

That did get some "cools!" from the kids.

I told them to lead on!
And they did.

I felt that the little trail would lead us back to the old damaged pine tree.
And it did.

However now the kids were busy. 
The adults merely stood back and let them play.

Play is the work of children.
It is very serious stuff.
~~ Bob Keeshan [Cpt. Kangaroo]

The tree and part of the branch that had broken off became something different that could only be seen through a child's imaginative eyes.
They played.

Lauren and I stood back and watched. 

I am always amazed at how quickly children can find something to play with. They don't need toys. Sticks, pieces of bark, or even a rock can become toys. A field of grass and a stump can become a fort or house.

Just let it go and let the children play, they will bring their own imagination.

Hiking is good for the soul

Sunday was foggy and misty. Damp, dreary, and basically an ugly day. The sort of day that most people would cuddle up with a Kindle or a book and sit on the couch to read.
I thought it was a marvelous day to hike.

I packed some dried apples that I'd done this fall and water. I chose my clothes for layering. Hiking in the damp chilly weather can be uncomfortable if one is too warm or too cold.

Water, snack, compass, phone, camera, spare batteries, and a second pair of gloves...all check.
Area I was going to hike? Memorized. I'd downloaded a file of the place on my cell phone also.

I parked and got out. This was an exploration trip. I wanted to see how easy the trail would be. I wanted to find a scenic and rather easy hiking area to take friends to.

This is Old 131 Trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
In the summer it is a multi use trail. In the winter it is a CC ski trail that allows hiking alongside the groomed trail as well as snow shoeing. I decided to park along County P and hike south to the ponds.

The trail looked rather easy and level on the map, it followed the valley along side the Kickapoo River.
I wanted to see how long it would take me to hike quickly to the ponds. There is an observation 'deck' that faces east over one of the ponds.
I'm thinking it would be an amazing spot to watch a sunrise.

However, I am getting ahead of myself.

I was chilled right away. So I set a fast pace and headed south. I'd brought my ancient GPS device and tried to set it to the Trip Setting which would tell me how far I was going and the speed at which I traveled. I had a hard time making it work, for some reason the menus were evading me.
I dropped it back into my pocket.
I had an app on my cell phone called Sun Locator Lite. I could bring up a map from it if I needed to...if I was able to get reception!

I got to Bridge 15 much faster than I anticipated. I slowed down and looked at the river.
Through the trees I could see a rock formation.
I went off 'track'. I followed a deer trail alongside the river and had to negotiate a lot of piles of dead trees and wood from an accumulation of flash floods along the Kickapoo.

I was stunned when I came around some trees. I think I even said something like, "Holy Cow" or "OH my God!" or perhaps an "Oh Shit!"
I know, potty mouth right? I probably let my sailor mouth run off a bit.
Be still my beating little stony heart.

I continued along the river.

I decided to just stand still and look for a bit. The scenery was incredible and very hushed. The only noises were that of the river flowing.

All I kept thinking is, do I have enough time to stay here and explore? Should I follow the river? Common sense said I'd come back to the next bridge. The Kickapoo is known quite well for its twists and turns.

I looked up between the above pictured bluffs and saw a river of ice flowing down through the trees towards the river. I imagined myself exploring that area.

I turned around and retraced my steps and went back to the bridge. I put away the camera and shouldered the back pack. I hustled along crunching in the left over dusting of snow and ice covering the blacktop trail.

It seemed only minutes before I arrived at the next bridge. Bridge 16.

I was on the lookout for a way across the river that would connect this trail to the Little Canada trail across the river. I'd taken that trail last winter with the neighbors.

I enjoyed the view from the bridge for a bit and then checked out what I thought was another trail. It was just a short path to a summer campsite.
I turned around and kept up the fast paced march.
Here I walked alongside the river. I could see the hills and forest of Little Canada. I had ridden that trail in 1996 through 1999 when the reserve had changed hands.

I came around a curve and slowed down. I could hear water splashing. It reminded me of the Artisan wells that dotted the areas. I thought they had all been capped.

Color me tickled. I found one!

I came back out on the trail and saw the frozen ponds ahead of me. To my right a sign indicated a camp site and a horse only trail. I noted that it said NO bicycles and thought it was ironic that someone had taken a 'fat' tire bike down the trail.

I walked the trail and tried to recall if I'd ever ridden this trail. I must have at some point. I returned to bluffs. I know I'd hiked the bluffs above this point and ridden my mule also.
But I was stopped in my tracks again.

Why wouldn't I be?

I walked around another pile or two of flash flood debris and stopped. I had found the place.

What place?
I don't know, a place that gave me pause and gave me a sense of something not felt in a long time.
I let out a breath and stood still just letting my senses drink it all in. I felt calm and relaxed in so many ways.

I heard a squeak and looked up. A Bald Eagle landed in one of the pines above me. I just watched. I didn't attempt to pull out my camera. I was just happy to be in the moment.

I had reached the 'spot'. I unpacked the dried apples and chewed on them. I'd bring my friends back here and share this with them in about 10 or so days.

I sipped my water and decided that I'd take a look at the observation 'deck' at the pond and then head back.

I got out my compass and noted that the observation bench and area faced east. As I'd said earlier, this would be a great place to watch the sun rise. I noted that I was about equidistant from the parking on County P or the parking at the KVR building.
I think the hike would be fairly easy as it is along an old road.

I turned and waved to the bluffs and headed back.

So much more to explore.

Bad Weather is Good for..

Hiking and Photography! Really!

The NOAA said "Winter Storm Warning" for my area. For the area we had planned on going was "Winter Weather Advisory".

Now what exactly did that mean?
Well.
For my place it meant. Thundersnow, lightening, hail, rain, snow, more rain, more snow, and then sleet. And then Freezing Rain.

I woke up when the lightening and thunder occurred. It was loud and incredible. Then came the hail. 

Well, never mind that. I met up with the Kenosha Crew and we ate breakfast while deciding on where to 'adventure' first. We got into our Subaru's and headed to Mirror Lake.
I'd always wanted to go there and hadn't been there yet.

When I bought my annual sticker for my car my friends came in with me. The lady behind the counter sort of gave us a funny look when we picked up a trial map.
We gleefully announced we were going hiking!

I'm pretty sure she locked the door behind us.
Nah...she didn't. Maybe just radioed the rangers about the crazy folks in two Subarus.
We drove on the crunchy slippery roads with a mist of freezing sleet/rain/mist coming down.
We found an area that was open for parking and proceeded to put on hiking gear.

"Look mom...dad! I ran down the log and got out here!"
Mom and dad: "Be careful!"

"Whoops! Hey my boot IS waterproof!"

And we went on hiking.

And we went exploring. 
Do you know what it is like to feel like you have a whole State Park all to yourself? No? 
Well we did. The mist came down and when a bit of a breeze picked up we found places to get out of the wind.

I followed an old staircase that lead to nowhere and found an interesting view that looked out over the frozen lake.

However, the view straight down where my friends had been was just as interesting.

And roots. I like roots, so gnarly, so sturdy, so intriguing!

We headed down into the 'gorge' under the Ishnala Bridge and sort of wandered around exploring. Everyone did their own thing.

And that was just the first day of our 3rd annual Ice Hike. We were pretty sure that winter would have left us, but fortuneatly Mother Nature to quote my friend Daryl, "Did not disappoint."

I wonder if the lady in the Admissions office breathed a sigh of relief when we drove out. 

Little did she know that we were going to do it all again the next day, only someplace else.

Jersey Valley

One of my favorite places to hike and visit in our county is Jersey Valley Park.

We also have some other wonderful county parks that are amazing. Duck Egg [I have no idea how it got that name!], Esofea Park, and Sidie Hollow.

Jersey Valley has a really nice trail that can be demanding for those who are not used to our hilly terrain. Dogs are welcome on the hiking trail but you are supposed to have them on leash. 
Well supposed to is the key word.

But the main trail is wide and fairly easy to negotiate. Part of it is a snowmobile trail so it is well maintained.

The small footpath that hugs the shoreline is a bit more demanding, but isn't hard if you are used to hiking in less than perfect conditions.

You can choose the small foot path or the larger wider trail. If you have small kids, I'd take the wider trail.

This nifty little foot bridge is on the small trail just past the boat landing a ways. The main trail had bridges and crossings that were washed out in recent flash floods.

The county maintenance has rerouted the trail so that you aren't crossing over the washouts. It was well marked when I hiked it.

There is quite the variety of plants I found along the trail. Ginger, Blood Root, and some Trillium. I found Ginger cuddling up to some poison ivy so stay on the trail and know your plants!

Ginger

You can get glimpses of the lake from the wide trail but if you want to get up close and personal with the lake, you would have to choose the small footpath.

I was able to get these shots from the 'wide' trail on the north side of the lake.

Turtles on a log!

Open spot between trees.

I hiked above far above the lake on the south side and was able to look down through the trees towards the lake.

I always save the best for last. The view from the dam is always nice. It is a great place to watch the sun come up in the fall with mist rising from the lake.

It is also a good place to set up for a long exposure of the trees and the lake.

I haven't been able to do a sunrise visit yet this year with all the remodeling and extra activity around the farm.

I would like to visit this park in the winter also. I think they shut the road access with a gate in the winter as this is a steep road.
This lake is actually man made by the dam and is created by the waters of the West Kickapoo River.

I hope to go back next week and catch a wonderful fall sunrise.