Dells of the Eau Claire - October 3, 2020

79 miles done ~ 2201 miles to go.  

Dells of the Eau Claire. (4.5 miles)

Yesterday I was able to enjoy a lovely hike with two wonderful people: Rob and Kieran. The weather was great and the fall colors spectacular. It was our first day of the 40 mile challenge in October. 

The trail runs along the river from the County Park to County Road Z. It is relatively flat however one must beware of rocks and roots. Thus looking around requires a stop so you don't trip along the way. As you cross the river on a lovely bridge make sure to stop for a photo and to enjoy the view in both directions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail was fairly busy on this fall Saturday. Kieran enjoyed asking if we were there yet and breaking sticks on trees. And we even stopped for a sword fight. My dad's walking stick would have won that battle if other hikers didn't interrupt us.

Rob stopped often on the way out to take photos for his hiking blog and books. I stopped often as well because I love water and the river was rushing and babbling and quite picturesque.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a great segment to start our 40 mile challenge for the month of October. I have a feeling I may have to continue the rest of the journey on my own.

Happy Trails!

I was in Luck - April 10, 2020

74 miles done ~ 2206 miles to go. 

Gandy Dancer State Trail. (8.0 miles)

I

I was in Luck yesterday. Luck, Wisconsin that is, enjoying the third stretch of the Gandy Dancer State Trail. I kept my social distance and saw very few people.

I parked in Luck and did 4.5 miles to mile 12 and back. It was sunny, but below freezing so the thin layer of ice made beautiful patterns. I met some wildlife on this part of my walk. First two huge geese were on the trail. I thought perhaps they would move down toward the water, but no they started walking ahead of me, honking and putting up a loud racket. Then finally took off flying.

Next, I met Lacy the yellow lab. She came out onto the trail barking the whole time. I know her name because they called her, but she didn't go home. I brought out my good "go for a walk" voice, but she kept barking. I knew she was more frightened of me when I took a step and she jumped back. So I walked on and she followed behind until the path back to her house.

The rest of this leg was just me and the spring peepers and chorus frogs. At one point I could hear them just over the road noise. It was interesting when they were in water close to the trail, I would hear them then they would go quiet as I walked by. There was usually one that kept calling after the others, as if they didn't get the cue from the rest. Then a sudden stop when I was too near. 

In town there is quite the pavilion museum dedicated to Hanne Ravnholt and the local creameries. You must checkout the large butter churn barrel.

I sat at the nice bench at the trailhead to eat a Kind bar and take some more ibuprofen. Then I set out north. This is where I saw 4 people and I realized 8 miles might have been a little too much. I did a little mindful walking where I kept my breath and steps in synchronization. More frogs to quiet on this stretch.

It was such a nice sunny day I am glad I made it to mile post 16 and back.

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 161

Costs: $5.71 for gas

Delafield Segment -- March 15, 2020

66 miles done ~ 2214 miles to go. 

Delafield Segment (2.5 miles)

 

With all the stress and anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nice to get outside for a walk in the sunshine. After a visit with my parents, I stopped to walk the Delafield segment. I decided to walk out a half hour and then return.

The trail started out along the Bark River among the cattails. I have walked this path before, but it has been extended. Luckily the signage is very good, because I had an old map. No problems finding my way into town.

Delafield is a quaint town, with a lot of shops and restaurants. Many things still seemed opened on a Sunday, but I didn't stop. I was a bit disappointed that the trail no longer goes past Hawks Inn. Last time around, we had a great tour there.

I headed to the Lake Country Trail and it was easy to find. It is a nicely paved bike trail and there were a few others taking advantage of a sunny day. In a shady spot, there was some snow still visible.

I turned around at a cross-street so I have an easy starting point next time. I would recommend getting out during this tense time. Very easy to give yourself some social distance.

Lapham Peak

63.5 miles done ~ 2216.5 miles to go. 

Lapham Peak-County Road C. (4.0 miles)

A second stretch of the Lapham Peak area. 

I had two hours to hike on my way home after visiting family. The weather was cool and cloudy; perfect hiking weather. And a breeze kept the mosquitoes away.

I started off from the evergreen parking area. I love the huge oak trees. After traversing the three boardwalks completed during an MSC project in 2015, I crossed over the ski trail into a wonderful stretch of trail. It was magical among the tall oaks with little understory. And the new trail was well worn and an easy walk uphill to the tower.





Then the other side of the hike. It was filled with opposites. Steep downhills that

made my knees ache. I wonder how one reaches a certain age and all joints seem to stop working properly. I was hoping going back up would be less painful. I was grateful for my walking stick. Then as I approached the end of the first hour I neared Hwy 83. The traffic noise was deafening and then I heard helicopters and airplanes. It seemed so harsh after the relative quite of the woods.




So I turned around to escape the noise and couldn't. It was always a gentle hum in the distance. But then slowly approaching me down the trail was a buck. It was in no hurry and I

was able to take a few pictures. It stopped, but then kept coming down the trail straight toward me. Then at about 10 feet he decided to go into the woods. It seemed like I could have gone up and touched him.

The uphill back to the tower wasn't as hard as going down. I decided to save my knees and not go up the tower. With the overcast skies I didn't think the view would be great.

So I continued down the hill through the huge oaks at a much more gradual slope. There were a lot of people out on the trail, which is so nice to see. Most of the time you hardly see a soul.

I made it back within two hours and was on my way.

Gandy Dancer Trail Part 2

59.5 miles done ~ 2220.5 miles to go. 

Gandy Dancer State Trail. (7.5 miles)

A second stretch of the Gandy Dancer State Trail - the straight and not so narrow. 

I parked in Milltown and did 4 miles to 200th Ave and back. It went pretty quickly. Was able to jog a bit. However, it was colder than I thought and my joints were not very happy. 

Not much to see today; so I'll mention many of the sounds. I heard dogs barking right off the bat. Then the creak of trees in the wind. Hopefully they will make it through the winter. Scared up a bird, and some chipmunks.

As I said, it was colder than I thought, so note to self, Camelback tubes freeze in the cold. So I could hear the slosh of water for a while. Then the crunch of the tube as it froze.

I stopped back at my car to get some water and change my camera battery; I think the cold drained it. Took some extra ibuprofen for the joints and went north, to do another 3.5 miles. A dog came out on the trail as I was eating my Clif bar; I threw a chunk at it since it was barking at me. It didn't notice it, but  luckily it was a friendly dog.

I wish the sun would have come out to warm me up a bit and make the day last a little longer. It started to get dark as I headed back to the car.

Stats for the trip: Roundtrip miles to get to trail: 148

Costs: $8.42 for gas

St. Croix Falls

52 miles done ~ 2228 miles to go. 

Mindy Creek and along the river. (5 miles)

I left this small section to do along the St. Croix River and through the Wert Family Nature Preserve, due to snow on Easter Sunday. However, it ended  up being three segments because of deep and fast flowing creeks.

My friend joined me for the short hike that started on River Road and headed south along the St. Croix river. There were quite a few wet spots that could use stepping stones or boardwalk. This fall has had a lot of rain. But the weather wasn't too cold so it was quite pleasant until we hit one creek that was not going to be easy crossing. But since we were going out and back we decided to go back and then approach it from the other direction. No problem.

So we drove to the Lion's Park and ate our sandwiches looking out over the river. After the short break we decided to go across Hwy 87 and walk the part of the Mindy Creek segment I didn't finish. It was not as wet and very little understory, so you could see the woods quite well. But a bit hillier. I enjoyed the oak leaf patterns underfoot. Each one is beautifully shaped, but layer the thin red oak leaves on the rounded white oak leaves and it is quite visually stunning.

A few slippery spots, but the crossing of Mindy Creek was well done by the Mobile Skills Crew in 2005. Some nice overlooks from up top.

After we reached the point I had stopped on Easter we headed back to the park and then went north along the river. There is a wide crushed stone path for much of the trail. It made for fast, dry walking. Then after the picnic area it  goes back to narrow trail, with some hills. Again we reached another deep swift flowing creek difficult to cross. We believe there was just one hill in between to complete the section. There were nice wooden crossings on the wide flat trail, so these are needed further along.

It was a great walk.

From picnic spot.

Stats for the trip: Miles to get to trail: 152

Costs: $10.57 for gas.

Wayward Beaver Section

47 miles done ~ 2233 miles to go. 

Wayward Beaver Trail. (3.5 miles)

I was helping register hikers for the Chippewa Moraine Chapters Parade of Fall Colors hike in the morning at the Ice Age Center. (10/6/18) It was a bit chilly and cloudy, but 35 folks went out on the trail.

When registration was done, my friend returned from her 5 mile walk and we headed west to the end of the trail and back.

Fall colors were beginning. We commented on how the lime greens in fall were quite different from the lime green of the new leaves in spring. As are the reds and oranges.

We sat near a lake to eat our lunches and admire the reflections. However, the chill sets in quickly.

I related a poem I heard the week before by Japanese Buddhist monk/poet Ryokan.

Maple leaf

Falling down

Showing front

Showing back

So simple, yet it depicts fall and that one moment quite beautifully.

There were beautiful red mushrooms all along the trail. Along with many others, hidden in holes and hanging on tree bark.

It was a lovely walk and as we left for home the sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds.