Prairies in bloom make for spectacular hiking
Photo at left: Click for recent photos from the the Ice Age Trail.
The prairies are near full bloom, so our walks this week were spectacular.
Several new hikers participated in our adventures, including one who participated on both days.
A walk around Lake LaGrange Tuesday gave us great views of large drifts of prairie wildflowers and nice reflections of trees and clouds from the nearly flat water surface.
Big bluestem was heading out and switchgrass was in full bloom. A great blue heron flew over the lake as we reached our first good view of the water.
One person on the walk wore mosquito netting, although I did not and was only bothered by the pesky critters in the woods in areas where the gentle breeze did not penetrate.
The next day, 25 of us split up, with Meg and Ellen taking the smaller groupo on about two miles of the Nordic Trails with the hope that the woods would be cooler than the prairies.
The rest carpooled to the Scuppernong Prairie to hike north from the hunter parking lot along the Ice Age Trail north of Wisconsin Highway 59. We hiked north to Wilton Road and returned on the same trail, which took us through much of the beautiful prairie and give us about four miles on our pedometers.
We found a wide variety of wildflowers, birds and butterflies along the route. I stopped to take many photos along the way while Norwin led the lead group. When the leaders crossed one of the boardwalks near Wilton Road, a couple hikers farther back were stung by yellow jackets, so someone must have disturbed their nest.
Once reaching Wilton Road, several hikers returned to the previous road crossing. The rest of us took the trail back and did not have any trouble with the hornets and reach our destination shortly before the others with Norwin still in the lead.
There was a stiff breeze and we had no problem with mosquitoes when in the prairie, but I had to put on a bit of DEET in the wooded section. The breeze kept us cool so we did not mind the heat, but we were also hiking before the heat of the day.
Happy trekking, Russ
Activities
Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m. Trail Work: Meet at the U.S. Highway 12 trail crossing to assist with trail maintenance while enjoying the great outdoors. Contact Kangaroo, (608) 883-2825.
Tuesday, July 27, 8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. program. Walworth County Prairie Walk at the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Highway 67 and Stark Street, Williams Bay. Registration $15 includes lunch. Due by July 23. Registration form is HERE.
Saturday, July 31, 4 p.m. -6:30 p.m., Kiswauketoe Nature Conservancy 20th anniversary celebration at Highway 67 and Stark Street, Williams Bay. Beverages, hors d'oeurves, program. Details: HERE.
Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 12-15, Mobile Sikills Crew: Join with the crew for camping, eating and assist in new trail construction on the Ice Age Trail in Waushara County. Contact Gary Klatt (262) 473-4973.
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m., Meeting of the Walworth/Jefferson Co Chapter, Ice Age Trail Alliance: Meet at US Bank, Elkhorn. Contact Liz DeBraal (262) 723-2625.
Sunday, Aug. 22, Trail Maintenance: Meet at the Highway 12 trail crossing to assist with trail maintenance while enjoying the great outdoors. Contact Jerome Converse (262) 473-7304.
Weekly Walks
We meet at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Highway 12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail crossing located about four miles east of Whitewater.
We include two or more walks of different distances on Wednesdays, and also do this on Tuesdays when desired.
All ages are welcome.
Note that a state park pass is required to park a car at the Highway 12 meeting place.
A daily or yearly pass may be purchased at the meeting place provided correct change is available.
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