Lots of Orange and chasing Fall

Can't sleep? 

3AM and the house is silent. Too quiet.

Since nothing else worked, I got up. 

I lit up two candles and then noticed the nice light that shone on the fall decorations. I couldn't help myself but to set up the camera and see if I could capture the orange light tossed off by the candles.

By the time the sun rose, I was ready for something else to do. Charlie and I decided to take a very early morning walk. This is where our driveway meets the ridgetop.

I spent the rest of the morning clearing burdock and making brush piles in the mule's winter pasture. I cannot believe how many burdock plants there are! 

This area can't be mowed as it is full of rocks and logs.

We decided to take a break and hike the Rockton Trail on the Reserve. Bright orange and yellow were the colors of the day. There are some bow hunters in parts of the Reserve, but they are usually not near any well used trails.

However, bright colors are best thing for hiking at this time of the year. 

I parked at the Rockton canoe landing and headed down the Old 131 trail which is paved. Actually, it should be called the Old County P trail. The northern part of the Old 131 trail [as it is named now], was actually a county road that met up with the old highway.

Any time there was a heavy rain the County Road was closed due to it being right next to the Kickapoo.

You can see that the trail had river water on it from Tuesday's rain.

The river. 

I was standing on the paved trail when I took this shot.

One thing most people miss while biking, hiking, or riding horses on this trail are the cold rock vents. These little bluffs have cracks and vents in them. On a warm day you can stand on the trail and feel the cold damp air coming from the rock face. I've walked up to the rocks and cooled off on hot days.

The loop I did stayed mostly on the Ho Chunk land which is open for public use. This covered bridge replaced the county road bridge over a small stream.

After the bridge, I followed the Indian Creek Trail to the second Ho Chunk bridge. This trail leaves the Old 131 Trail and used to be a secondary road also.

Charlie perked up once we got into the woods again.  This section was rather muddy and the little dog really got his little jacket full of mud splatters.

When I got back out on top of the ridge I came across a gent who just loaded up his Spring Spaniel. We talked about Pheasant Hunting, Quail, Deer, and dogs. He was also a Forester who helped people decided what trees should be taken and how to keep a forest producing. He had a lot to say about clear cutting and poor forest practices.

We probably talked for a half hour. 

When we finally got back to the Blue Beast, there was a mom and two grandma's loading kids into strollers for a walk on the paved trail.

I was done chasing colors and leaf peeping for the day. Brush piles waited for me at home as well as a Charlie bath.

Charlie did not like his bath.

Another beautiful fall day completed.

KVR Trail Challenge ~ Rockton Trails

I once in a while use mapmywalk app to get an idea of exactly where I hiked. It is a fairly useful app and it is fun to see it with a Satellite photo or Terrain photo of the area hiked.

I started at the parking area for the Canoe launch and landing site #12. I'd walked a good half of this route along Old 131 [which is actually Old County P--but I won't explain that].

As soon as we started, it began to sleet. I was surprised but since it was sleet and not heavy rain I wasn't bothered in the least. 

Sleet on Charlie's back:

Rocks on Old 131:

I just love seeing these little rock formations!

Charlie and I walked south along Old 131 to the first Ho Chunk bridge and then took a right to follow Indian Creek Trail. I knew from previous studies of the map, that if I simply took right hand turns at each intersection, I'd likely do just fine.

First Ho Chunk Bridge:

Second Ho Chunk Bridge:

The trail signs at KVR are pretty decent, but having a map in hand is really handy to have also. When I reached one spot in the trail I had 3 choices. Point #9 went up hill into the pines towards Black Hawk Rock, this was an equine trail. Another arrow pointed to Indian Creek Trail. The arrow to the right said Rockton Trail. That was the one I wanted.

Further on down the Rockton Trail, that trail split into two sections, both labeled Rockton trail. I knew I wanted to bear right, but I decided to check the map. One of the trails was a bicycle use only and the other was hiking/riding. 
Curious though. The Trail Challenge it does not specify exactly which trail is to be done except I decided that was a no brainer. I followed the tiny hikers that are nailed to the trees.

I was so surprised to find myself in a pine forest that had been planted many years ago. The trail wound through the pines. The ground was covered with beautiful pine needles and well...

My little pocket camera couldn't capture the sights, smells, and sounds that we experienced. But the colors were muted and amazing under the sleety/rainy/dull sky.

We entered a hardwood forest and simply had to just stop. Well, I stopped and sat on a log while Charlie explored the great smells. 

I put the camera on a delayed timer and walked away down the trail. I'm wearing a safety vest as there are pheasant hunters in the field areas. Bow season is open but those hunters are rarely near a trail.

During Gun Season, I just stay away from all forests even those on my own land.

The trail was just so beautiful along here.

The trail led us to Lisney Road for a very short jaunt before it went back into the woods. And we ended up in the field behind Rockton Bar. 

I counted 12 horses tied to the rails while their owners were probably in the Bar eating burgers. Hubby and I used to go their for lunch any time we were riding the Gov't Ground as it was called years ago.

Charlie set the pace on this hike. He loves the cooler weather and he actually has a pretty fast pace. He can cover a mile in 20 minutes which I consider fast for a dog with 3 inch front legs. 

Sections finished:
#34, #35, and #36.

5 sections left to go.
I want to get those done before Deer Gun Season!

Three of the sections are going to be a bit harder as I will have a 2 mile walk in one direction and then have to turn around and come back. I am curious as to why they include walking along the side of a county road as part of their hiking trail challenge.

Walking along a county road that can be busy at times is not really my idea of a peaceful hike. However, I'll get it done!