Hiking Wildcat Mountain State Park

I went hiking with Aurora again for our Fall hike at Wildcat Mountain State Park. We were too late for the peak fall colors but we still had almost picture perfect weather for our hike. The Old Settler's Trail drops from the ridge to a valley where we walked in peace and out of the gusts of winds.

We had our 'fearless' leader lead the way. Funny how he seems to know the trails by heart. He has only done this trail three times.

There are a few very steep parts of the trail and one is at the trail head where you descend log and dirt stairs down into a valley. The part we all forget is that this is a lollipop loop which means you have to come back up those stairs. 

The other steep part is coming around the base of the outcropping of rock and following the steep log and dirt steps up to the top of the rock. There is a look out on top with a guard rail to keep the idiots from climbing out on the prepuces and falling. 

I hopped over the railing and stepped to the edge as I have done for years.

In the summer you have to walk through poison ivy to see the tip of the rock.

Really, it isn't that scenic and wild at the end of the rock. The beauty is all around when you look down at the forest and valley below from the proper place behind the barriers. This rock and the scene it looks down on are best viewed in early spring and late fall.

I love the visuals on the trail. My favorite it this long bridge. This trail is also used for snowshoeing in the winter.

Same bridge in August 2020:

How different things look in different seasons. Try the winter! 
December 2016:

The trail through the pine stand was one of the trails I was so looking forward to. In years past, this has always been so incredibly beautiful no matter what the season. However, last years heavy wet snowfall combined with high winds took its toll on this gorgeous part of the trail.

August 2020:

and early morning in 2016:

Much to our surprise we were lucky enough to spot a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. I was only able to get these two halfway decent shots of one of them working on a tree.

I have two nesting pairs of these in our surrounding forest. They are shy birds that generally are hard to see unless you are deep in the forest. This was one of the rare times that I/we got to watch them work while seemingly undisturbed by our presence.

Another look at the trails that run through the woods in the summer.
August 2020:

Meanwhile we headed back towards the parking lot with the late afternoon sun shining down into the trees below us just before having to climb back up the steep stairway.

I really think these trails are stunning in any light and any season.

Last but not least...there is the overlook next to the parking lot. The view is downright stunning.

Our view on Wednesday:

and just below the overlook a view of the river taken at the same outlook at a different angle in October 2018:

This view looks down on the Kickapoo River.

Aurora and I had fun walking, talking, moving slippery leaves out of our way so we wouldn't slip and fall. The fun part of hiking with Aurora is that she has taught me to look at things differently with my eyes and camera.

Last note.
There are also up to 15 to 20 miles that are for equine and hikers. That may be my next challenge. 

Morning Jaunt

I went to Wildcat Mountain State Park earlier this summer in the middle of the week and found the place crowded with campers.

Fortunately not a lot of hearty souls were out on the the furthest part of the trails. I took side trails to keep from running into the mini hoards of people. This time was different.

There was one other vehicle there with a motorhome. They were bow hunters taking advantage of the open section of the park. The hiking trails are closed to trapping and hunting which is part of the reason I chose to take Charlie and enjoy a nice long walk in nature on nice trails.

My goal was to figure out how to hike to all the lookouts. I parked near the Ampitheatre area and took the shortcut to Taylor Hollow Lookout. From there I decided I'd just hike the Old Settler's Trail.

I brought along my little pocket camera that shoots infrared, this 'brown' season is great for black and white. Charlie and I are at the trailhead to Taylor Hollow Lookout.

Below, view of the stairs that lead down and around the rock. I am standing on top of the rock. Charlie is peering over the edge and surveying the landscape.

Next shot...See Charlie leading the way down the 'stairs'?

He loves trails, he loves hiking and like most dogs, he loves to be in the lead.

And there is always a rock to explore and pee on.

We hiked the first half of the trail down through the old pine plantation. We didn't run across anyone but saw a lot of tracks from weekend hikers. It was cold and breezy so I didn't expect to find many people out.

Charlie is wearing his long piece of rope which I can step on when I want him to stop or I use it as a leash when we see other people.

We did run across some Foresters working on some trees. There was a sign on the trail to 'forgive the mess' as the foresters cleaned out the diseased trees. 

There were six guys with chainsaws. We had to walk right past them so of course I had hold of Charlie and we stopped to say hello.

The Foreman asked if they could pet Charlie. Of course. 

I let him go so we could keep our distance and Charlie was surrounded by big burly guys in hard hats and chainsaws who all knelt on the ground to pet him. Oh Charlie was in heaven! His whole body vibrated with happiness and the tail circled and slapped overtime.

They thanked me and we were on our way again.

I had a notion as we went around a rocky formation that if I climbed up to the top I could shortcut or see out over the forest at least. 

The trail is built to do a serpentine through a valley and around a rocky ridge top.

We scrambled to the top and I was surprised to find that the parking lot to the other trailhead to Old Settler's Trail was right in front of us.

We could scramble back down to the trail we just left...or....

Explore.

My Trail Boss voted for Explore.

By some wicked chance, we found the Hiking/Cross Country Ski trail. I'd skied it in the winter, but it wasn't really on the hiking trail map. The confusion is this...the trail is for hiking and skiing but is only shown on the winter ski ridge map. 

I'm one of those people who like to walk/hike a trail and study the topo map to figure out exactly where I am and where I want to go.

IF I'd paid attention to the signs where I had parked, I would have had a clearer picture of how to 'find' the ski trail. 

Start. Hmmm. I'm not exactly sure what the red and white sign is on top of the post.

But I do recall that every year they have a cross country ski challenge on this section of Wildcat and this must be the start!

Well. Let's just say I figured out exactly where I will park next time and enjoy the 6 mile jaunt to the lookouts. 

Charlie and I ended our outing with a picnic in the back of the Subaru, out of the wind and in the warm sun. Dog cookies, PB&J, water, and an apple.

August 5th

I woke up and could not get back to sleep. I had gone to bed with an idea crawling around in my brain.

AND it did not involve the news or Facebook .. or any Social Media.

Get up and figure out if I can get to the ponds before sunrise.

The Ponds are 23 minutes by car. Hmmm and a 30 minute walk.

On a whim I decided to head out. Ahhh, but 49 degrees? It made for some heavy fog along the river.

My drive was slower due to the valley fog. I wasn't concerned and decided I'd just keep on going and enjoy the time driving.

As a last moment's decision, I decided to drive up to the KVR Dam site and park.

The fog was hovering right over the river which is probably 50 feet below where I was standing.

I left and took a back road.

 

It was a good call. That white foggy spot is the river. 

This route was one I considered for our bicycle adventures.

I took a leisurely drive and dropped down into the valley....

It was pleasant. Buckeye Ridge Road. It was almost wide enough for two vehicles.

~~~ It's sort of funny how things go.

When I got home it was not long after the sun actually came up. I fed the mules took out Sven and Little Richard and put them in their places for the day.

I picked tomatoes and sweet corn.

All before 8AM.

I made coffee....

I checked my email and had my WOD from the coach. Uffdah. More weight lifting! 

Some days I just don't think I am going to have any energy. And then there are those other days that it is boundless.

I got Rich situated and just before lunch, Charlie and I left for an adventure.

I thought I'd try our State Park called Wildcat Mountain.

It had been a while since I'd hiked the Old Settler's Trail and I thought it would be a good one to take Charlie on. The temperatures were cooler and he had been nagging me for a LONG walk.

We actually had a very good time. However.

How...ever.

I am awfully spoiled by the reserve and other local places that are not as well known as this state park.

Dogs, kids, people.

Campers galore.

Of course! Camping may be the one safe way to avoid an infected motel room and to socially distance. It does make sense.

But the park felt crowded.

Charlie and I struck out anyway. We headed down a steep trail and met a grandmother and a grandchild with their dog 'Charlie'. We exchanged pleasantries. Grandma and child wore a mask. I flipped mine on when I saw them walking up towards me.

I passed them and took an unmarked trail. I call these trails the sneaky doodle trails.

They exist but aren't maintained. 

But sometimes they have little surprises. 

Charlie and I followed this unused trail and I could tell by the voices echoing through the woods that we were just below the proper trail.

There was a pink ribbon and an orange ribbon tied in a few different spots. This park allows bow hunting in the fall. I was on a hunter trail. 

I loved it. Charlie and I had the privacy we so craved in these Covid Times.

I just love the rocks. Rocks.

Rocks.

It appears as though a giant just tossed these here.

We joined up with the main trail and had it to ourselves. Most of the campers weren't going to hike this trail. It is a challenge. The notes on the brochure do caution that even though the loop is only 2.5 miles it has some steep inclines.

I live in this area, so I am used to the hills and steep trails.

Charlie took this incline like a trooper, pulling at his leash. 

So not all the trails are steep nor demanding.

Here are some shots.

It is a bit different looking since my first adventure along this trail in 2015.

The trail was less used and less popular. The link will take you to my very first hike along this trail which was just after sunrise....

The bridges had to be rebuilt after the 2016 and 2018 flash floods. 

The rest of my day is boring. However, I did figure out the quickest way to The Ponds!

It is do-able!

And the sweet corn is blanched and frozen.

The tomatoes are eaten.

And I was tired!

Love it. X-Country Skiing.

Here I am trying to explain to Charlie that he isn't quite up to going on a cross country ski adventure.
He sat on the couch and gave me that look.
Sorry Charlie.

My neighbor had emailed me and we'd talked about going skiing together on a trail. Would a day that her youngest was at school work?
I checked my schedule when I got home from CrossFit and texted her that 'Today will work if you are able..."
I received a text back and it looked like it was going to work out as an unplanned quick get away.

I packed a few power bars and some water, an extra pair of gloves, a wind breaker, extra dry socks, and the emergency space blanket. I took the old handwarmer packet out of the plastic zip lock bag and stuck it in next to my pocket camera.
I was ready.

And then we were off! I'm on the right with sweat pants over my warm tights. I have a pair of soft tights on underneath.

And off we went...well. We first did the black trail as shown on the screenshot below. Since it was the first time in a long time since I'd skied, I wanted to get a feel for things.
And I went the wrong way...

So once we did the black loop we headed off on the red trail. I had no idea how long it would take us.
Lauren had to be back to pick up the kids for soccer practice.

The trail had been packed but not groomed yet. So we blazed our own tracks. This is my favorite picture from our adventure...

Yes I edited it to look like a painting. 

When we got to the midway point we stopped and had a discussion. Could we do the whole trail and still have time to get Lauren back on time?

Lauren gave me a thumbs up and off we went. This time I led and set a hard pace.

The scenery was gorgeous.

I wasn't sure we had time to stop at all the overlooks. But I did stop and pose for Lauren.
Always...always we must goof off, right?

This was my imitation of the little person on the X-Country Ski sign.

The temperature was about 19 degrees with a light breeze. I'd started out with a light jacket and gloves but soon warmed up enough to stuff them in my backpack.

We pushed hard and finished up the trails faster than we anticipated.

Lauren and I sat in the Subaru and ate snack bars and drank water before we headed back home.

Next time we'll know how long the trails will take us.
Both of us felt tired yet refreshed.

Cold air and adventure.
It felt so good.

I can't wait to do it again.

And Charlie was so relieved to see me....