Myrick Park - LaCrosse

I haven't been back to Myrick Park in over 10 years. The last time I was there was probably 2010. So I decided to make the short trip from the Craft Store to the City Park.

One would not think of a marsh land park in a city as a place that would be popular. But Myrick Park is extremely popular for the students of the University of LaCrosse to take walks in and for members of the public to have picnics in.

On any day the park is busy with moms and kids, business folks having lunch, students and teachers taking a walk, or the general public bicycling on trails. 

The LaCrosse River Marsh offers so much in nature to see. Birds, plants, and wildlife. On my walk I saw Herons, Muskrats, Turtles, Frogs, Snakes, Squirrels, and Raccoons. I did get a shot of the Heron when I stopped to talk with a nature photographer. I didn't bring a long lens, but I did grab a shot of him/her.

The photographer, George, was relatively new to the area but was enjoying photographing the marsh's diverse wildlife. He had a HUUUMONGOUS Monster lens that needed a tripod to sturdy it. I thought about lens envy but that left my mind quickly. I didn't want to carry anything that cumbersome.

We chatted a while and then I continued on my walk. The only irritating part of the walk was those who had speedy E-bikes that were racing up and down the main trail. I felt like I had to watch for traffic.

I turned off the main paved trail to walk out to a viewpoint. I did not have a huge zoom lens, so I missed the turtles way out on logs and of course, the muskrat sitting on a stump.

I did however get a shot of a squirrel. I know, not exciting. But hey, it was wildlife.

It is interesting to note that the marsh has a gas pipeline and other utilities running through it. I don't think it really affected the beauty of the Marsh at all. I found the power lines to be a reminder that we were in the middle of a city.

Infrared Photo

 I'd brought my IR camera along as I knew there would be great elements for infrared. Sky, water, trees, foliage, and green pond scum.

I wanted to get to the floating docks to look out over the Marsh to the east where the bluffs rise above the Marsh towards Grand Dads Bluff [another must see in LaCrosse]. 

But I had to stop and admire this giant Cottonwood. It is one of the biggest trees I've ever seen.

There are several Memorial Benches in the area and a few that are arranged in a circle to look out between the willow trees to the west.

Below is an Infrared Image I took standing at the base of the tree looking upwards.

It was at this tree that I met a father and son on little E bikes that were more like little electric motorcycles. The kid nearly ran into me as he was very wobbly. The dad stopped and we talked about the tree. He had a milk crate on the back of his bike thing. He picked up his mini collie and put him in the crate before they took off again.

I decided to be polite and keep my opinion about his wobbly kid running into pedestrians. Basically, I think some of these E bikes are totally out of control. Too much speed for a bike - walking trail.

I made it to the floating docks and looked out over the Marsh to Highway 16 which I'd just taken to get to the Marsh. Far in the distance a train had stopped on the tracks. I could hear the traffic noise in the distance over the calm waters. When the train started up again, you could hear the couplings of each train car clack clack as they engaged.

The train with the bluffs behind it.

The other end of the trail loop was closed for repair works, so I backtracked the same way I'd come. I stopped once more to ask George if he found any more interesting wildlife. He told me what he had seen and we parted ways.

The following is copied from the Myrick Park website. I know I will be going back with my BIG lens to look for wildlife and migrating birds in the spring. I'll probably go back in the winter to admire the stark marsh landscape when it is frozen.

Myrick Park was one of the earliest known parks in the City of La Crosse. This large park is a place for both relaxation and play. It features the Kid’s Coulee play area, beautiful shelters, and lets you see nature up close if you choose to hike on the marsh trails. The La Crosse River Marsh borders Myrick Park and is an excellent example of a riparian (river) wetland. Marshes usually have a greater variety of plants and animals than do grasslands or forests, and are essential for drought and flood control. The Marsh is 1,077 acres and is included in the Mississippi River Floodplain. Trails through the Marsh are accessible from Myrick Park.

Wait ~ What?

 What did I agree to???

Pictured is my bicycle. It is a mountain/trails/road/gravel/ bicycle. It isn't meant for leaps and jumps, but more suited for decent terrain.

I have to push it up our driveway to get to the ridgetop so I can ride it. I haven't used it too much in the last two years as my hiking and bike riding buddy has bowed out of going to KVR with me.

During my long hike last Sunday I got a message from a cousin of mine and his wife. "Would I be interested in bicycling with them?" Sure! They were coming to my area and wanted to go biking.

The Reserve was out for them as E-bikes are not allowed unless you get a permit. Some say that isn't fair because bikes are bikes and people who can't ride the hills should be able to with E-bikes. 

Since 1997 the Reserve has not allowed anything motorized on the land. This dates back to 1995 when the land was under the Army Core of Engineers and there was no regulation. Lots of people came in with souped up, jacked up 4X4 trucks and blazed trails and tore up land. They used winches and chain saws without regard to the land and really caused quite the stir.

The Army Core of Engineers kicked everyone of the public land and closed it for a year. Then they only allowed equine and foot traffic back. 

The damages were pretty significant. Rich and I joined a club of equine riders that met each weekend to haul in straw and seed by equine. We tied rakes and shovels to our mules and went places to repair the damages and to reseed the lands. We worked on trails with sand bags to prevent erosion and rerouted washouts. Everything we did was by foot and by equine.

After all that work, the land became the Reserve and they cut out many of those repaired trails.

Anyway, that is the history of the why no motorized vehicles are allowed on the Reserve without a permit.

My cousin suggested the Sparta-Elroy-Wilton bike trail. It was an old railroad bed that years ago was transformed into a bicycle trail.

Saturday I'll meet them at the campground they are staying in and we'll saddle up and go riding together. My cousin and his wife have E-bikes.

My verdict on E-bikes is still out. But I see the reasoning for them. Older people can get out to do more trails with them. If you are not a hard core biker, you can enjoy more outside activities!
Tourism and money. 

More people can enjoy riding. It is pretty simple.

If I had one? I might be able to actually ride UP my driveway. I'm still on the fence, though. I like my bicycle and I too like the more moderate trails.

My cousin's wife texted me that we'd be riding about 30 miles and she'd pack lunch for us and my cousin would make us a fish dinner.

Gulp. 

Well I guess this will be a test of leg strength. After all. I hiked 9 miles last week. Why not try 30 by bicycle this week?

[thank you to my neighbors who will pick up my slack and keep an eye on my hubby!]