The Return to Hemlock Trail

Sometimes I find a particular trail that I enjoy and decide that I have to go back in as many different seasons as possible to hike it and see it.

Saturday I had a few hours to myself so I headed to Wildcat Mountain State Park with the intention of hiking the Hemlock Trail and then stopping at the Prairie Trail outlook.

I parked near the canoe launch site and hoisted my camera backpack onto my shoulders and started off.

We'd had a killing frost and the temperatures were in in the 40's.  

I'd worn my insulated camo pants and jacket with a nice warm vest.  

I encountered quite a few 'tourists' wearing some really nice name brand outdoor gear with cameras slung around their necks.
I'm sure I got the odd look, but my gear was just as comfortable as their high priced stuff and was a bit more practical in my opinion.  
When not used for cold weather hiking, my camo clothes were used for cold weather coyote hunting.  

I secretly wished it had been a tad bit colder and I could have worn my skunk hat.  

I ran into a family.  Mom had a baby in a front carrier, they had a four year old, Dad, and Grandma.  I caught up to them and asked how they were doing.
This was their first visit to the trail.  I cautioned them about the backside being pretty steep and having some tough trail sections.

They didn't seem concerned.  Meanwhile, Grandma was sitting on the side of the trail and needed help up.
I shrugged and passed them headed out to a rock out cropping that I wanted to visit.

This finger of rock juts out over ... nothing.  I had seen it in June but decided it was too narrow to take walk out on with another person.

And...it was.
I decided to sit down and just enjoy the view for a while. If a person had balance issues or vertigo, this would not be the place to come and enjoy the view.  

And the view was worth it.

Of course the sun was in the wrong spot for a really great shot, and the Autumn Haze was difficult to deal with, but I took several shots anyway.

Even the rocks I stood on were exceptionally beautiful. Golden lichen covered those below me.

I made my way back to the trail and spoke with a young couple who were sitting in the sun on a rock outcropping. I told them the view from the finger was exceptional if they were very careful.  
But I wouldn't recommend it to most casual hikers.

We talked a while about the area and I found myself telling them about some other neat places to visit.

I moved on and headed to the Scenic outlook that had a bench and wooden guard rails.

I had to wait my turn as the family with Grandma was there and they were trying to take family shots and 'selfies'.

The colors were washed out and many of the trees had lost their leaves due to the high winds we'd had all week, but I still felt the view was worth it.

I packed my gear up and headed towards the backside of Mt. Pisgah.  As I started the steep downward climb, I recalled reading in a review, that this trail was rated as Moderately Difficult to Difficult.

I wondered if the family was coming this way.  I got to another rock outcropping and carefully tried to find a good position to shoot it.  I realized that this too should have morning light on it and not afternoon light.

I wouldn't have a chance to 'shoot' it in the winter as this trail was closed.

The footing on this portion of the trail was very difficult. I walked down and around to where there is a rock ledge that looks like a bench and waited.  I could hear the Family and Grandma coming down the trail.

When they got to the steep log steps I could hear them wondering how safe it was.  In my opinion, if 'Grandma' had trouble on the other parts of the trail, this was going to be the worst for her.

I walked back and offered to help the family out. Grandma leaned on me and I helped her negotiate the sharp turn and steep section.  The footing was dry and powdery which made it as slippery as if it were mud.

The Family thanked me and then asked if I were a Forest Ranger or something.  I laughed and said "No, just someone who enjoys this trail quite a bit!"

I hiked down the rest of the trail and had to step aside for quite a few hikers now.  I decided that weekends were not the prime time to have this trail to myself.

I did't mind the people and had enjoyed meeting them.
But I felt self conscious setting up and taking photos of the trail and the surrounding area.

By the time I reached the parking area, the lot was nearly full.  
I decided that I'd make my return trip even if the fall colors were gone, during the week.


However I did enjoy my experience and need to put Old Settler's Trail back on my fall list.
The rock outcroppings on that trail are fantastic.

Old Settler's Trail, Wildcat Mountain State Park, WI

Since I had done the Hemlock Trail a few weeks ago, I was curious to go back to Wildcat Mountain State Park and try the longer trail called Old Settler's
Trail.

The 2.5-mile loop trail is rugged and covers a 390-foot elevation difference. Once used by early settlers and later by area farmers, the Old Settlers Trail also winds through three separate pine plantations planted by Ontario students as far back as 1951. This loop trail can be reached from either the northern end of the upper picnic area or from the nature building. Alternatively, hikers can opt to walk only one segment of the Old Settler's Trail. Starting at the nature building, the trail can be taken on the accessible 0.4-mile (one-way) portion to the Taylor Hollow Overlook, Wildcat's best view of the Village of Ontario below.



This is a quote from Wildcat Mountains website describing the trail.
I will say this, the lookout doesn't really allow you to see Ontario.  Not unless you climb the barrier fence and walk out ~ which I didn't do.

I didn't visit the other scenic outlook as I was pressed for time and wanted to make the whole trail and be back home before the day's real heat kicked in.

I was surprised to find these little blue flowers that I'd like to call Bell Flowers. Well, technically I am not exactly sure of the name, but they are delicate blue flowers that tend to like more shaded areas.  I've seen them most near and around the northern side of the rock formations as the park.

I think I'd love this trail during early spring, late fall, and yes, in the winter.  The wonderful rock outcroppings would be easier to photograph.
In the spring I'd be able to languish in the Jack in the Pulpits, Blood Root, and other wild beauties.

Blood Root

I came across some bizarre things also, this neon yellow 'blob' growing on an old stump.  Now I don't think it was fungi, perhaps some sort of lichen?

The trail was narrow in places and wide in others.  If you do the whole trail you get quite a work out.  If you just go from the Nature Building and walk that .4 mile trail, it is wide and well traveled.

I prefer the less traveled parts of the trail.

There were spots that were just a footpath which I found very interesting.

And ... the rocks.  The formations of rocks are incredible and no matter how often I see them I am in awe.  I've lived in this area and after 20 years, still find the rocks something incredible.

My thoughts on this trail?  It is best to be in some sort of shape to do the whole trail.  It is a work out for the legs with the hills.  Since I am fairly new to checking out one trail against the other, I'd go with what the park website has to say.

I tried to do it as quickly as possible and I hiked hard and fast, more of a workout than a casual hike.

Bring water.  There are benches in more than one location if you wish to have a seat and enjoy the view.

Bring a snack.  It sometimes is pleasant to have to stop and have an apple or something.

Bring your trash out with you.

This trail can be done in all 4 seasons.  Part of it is a cross country ski trail.  I wonder if snow shoes are allowed. 

It is a unique trail and there is a lot to look at.  The trail is mostly shaded so it would be a nice way to spend some time out of the sun.

I can't wait to go back.