Midwest Adventurers

Situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Devil's Lake State Park offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Visitors enjoy nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, four miles of off-road bike trails, lakeshore picnic areas, swimming beaches, scuba diving, paddling opportunities, campsites, concession stands, picnic shelters and picnic sites, fishing, hunting, rock climbing and year-round naturalist programs.

There are so many awesome trails to explore here, let’s start doing some after work hikes. They will be either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night hikes and will range from 3 miles to 7 miles. The starting times will range between either 5:00pm or at 5:30pm and usually finish between 7pm and 8pm depending on how long the hike is. Nothing too crazy, but just enough to get some exercise in the evenings after work. Eventually we will repeat some trails, but again, this is just to get out and get some exercise during the week.

Trail this Week
We will be doing the West Bluff Trail going up on the north side and then continuing back doing the Tumbled Rocks Trail on the south side to walk back to the north side of the park. This will be a loop and about 3 miles. The West Bluff Trail going up the north side involved more rock steps than going up it on the south side, so be prepared for more steps.

Friendly dogs are always welcomed, just be sure and bring water for them and they will need to be on a leash, with the many visitors that are out on the trails and the other dogs we need to follow the rules.

What to Bring
Please bring water, electrolytes, snacks, bug spray and trekking poles if you use them.

Weather
Please check the weather forecast and come prepared for various temperatures.

Directions
As the park gets more and more busy it will be hard to grab a picnic table, so instead look for my vehicle. I will be parked by the North Shore Chateau parking area and I have a black Toyota 4 Runner that has red mountain graphics on the sides, you can’t miss it. I will put a picture of the vehicle in the photo section.

Fees
There are no fees for these evening hikes. A Wisconsin State Parks vehicle sticker is required for parking in Devil’s Lake State Park.

This evening hike is open to all skill levels. Natural Bridge State Park is a 530-acre state park located in North Freedom, featuring Wisconsin's largest natural arch. Natural Bridge became a state park and state natural area in 1973. Directly beneath the arch is the Raddatz Rock Shelter, a rock shelter once used by Paleo-Indians and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The natural sandstone arch was created by the eroding effects of wind and water. The bridge opening is 25 feet high by 35 feet wide. The native land cover of the property is mainly oak woods, with some open fields and patches of native prairie. Several wildflowers bloom throughout the growing season and bird watchers may see turkey vultures, pileated woodpeckers, songbirds, and bald eagles, among other species.

Hike
We will meet by the parking lot area at 5:30pm then hike the 2.6-mile Natural Bridge and Whitetail Trail Loop. This trail is on AllTrails if you would like to download it before the hike. The loop takes you to Natural Bridge which you can climb right up on top of and then under the bridge is a natural rock shelter. The trail is mostly through the woods. There are some steep sections in the woods which makes for a great workout. Be sure and bring water and snacks for the hike. Friendly leashed dogs are always welcome.

What to Bring
Please bring water, bug spray, electrolytes, snacks, and trekking poles if you use them.

Weather
This is a summer outing, please come prepared for warm temperatures and check the weather forecast before heading out.

Fees
There is no fee for this hike, but a Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker is required. In

Mirror Lake State Park is named for its centerpiece, a lake which often is so calm that not a ripple marks its surface. The lake reflects a wooden shore lined with cliffs up to 50 feet high, a swimming beach and wetlands that are home to a variety of wildlife. The parks 2,200 acres includes several picnic areas wooden campsites, summer rentals and a cabin for people with disabilities. The park offers recreational opportunities year-round for everyone. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and hiking. In spring/summer/fall months enjoy kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, shelters and a playground.

There are lots of great trails to explore here, let’s continue with our after-work hikes.

Trail this Week
We will be doing South Fern Dell Loop. This is a 3-mile loop. This route can be found on AllTrails labeled “South Fern Dell Loop”.

Friendly dogs are always welcomed, just be sure and bring water for them and they will need to be on a leash, with the many visitors that are out on the trails and the other dogs we need to follow the rules.

What to Bring
Please bring water, electrolytes, snacks and trekking poles if you use them.

Weather
This is a summer outing, please check the weather forecast and come prepared for warm temperatures.

Directions
We will meet at 5:00pm at the trailhead parking lot. This is down the road from the main state park entrance. The coordinates for the parking lot is 43.55827, -89.80839.

Fees
There are no fees for these evening hikes. A Wisconsin State Parks vehicle sticker is required for parking in Mirror Lake State Park.