Hike features Wisconsin’s only columbine

The red columbine grows on slopes in wooded areas.

Eagle Peak Trail topo map.
Click map for larger version.

Day hikers can see the only columbine that grows in Wisconsin on an Interstate State Park hill.

The Eagle Peak Trail takes you to the park’s highest point. Though short at 0.8-miles round trip, it climbs 120 feet in elevation, including up stone stairs.

To reach the trailhead, from the junction of U.S. Hwy 8 and Wis. Hwy. 35 east of St. Croix Falls, take the latter south. Turn right/west onto Park Road and head into Interstate. Drive past the Lake O' the Dalles. When the road curls west, turn left/south onto a spur road to the Silverbrook Trailhead. A small parking lot is at the end of the spur road; use the southernmost of the two parking lots.

The hard-packed dirt trail begins at the Pines Group Camp. A short side trail passes a traprock quarry built by the CCC during the 1930s on its way to South Campground.

Interesting volcanic rock formations line the path. They formed 1.1 billion years ago when this part of North America was splitting apart, much like Africa's Great Rift Valley is today.

Red columbine
Standing out amid the blue-gray rock during May and June is red columbine. Also known as Canadian, Canada, wild and eastern red columbine, it's the only native version of this much beloved lower found in the state.

The striking blossom has yellow petals with red sepals and spur-shaped petals. It is about 1–2 inches long and nods on a stem above the leaves. Nectar sits in the spur's round end, attracting butterflies, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and bumblebees.

During early summer, the caterpillars of Columbine Duskywing feed on the leaves, which are fern-like and grouped in threes. They grow from the plant's base and off the flower stems.

Eagle Peak provides an ideal environment for the red columbine. The plant thrives on slopes as well as woodlands and meadows, all of which are found on the trail. Drought-resistant, the plant does well on rocky soil, and much of Eagle Peak is covered in eroding volcanic rock.

Wild geranium
The European columbine - also known as the garden columbine - grows in Wisconsin as well but is not native. It appears wild in just five of the state's counties. The red columbine, however, is found throughout Wisconsin.

More than 60 species of columbine call North America home. All of them are new to the continent, having come from Asia over the Bering Land Bridge about 10,000 to 40,000 years ago. Many of the species in North America have evolved variously shaped and colored flowers as adapting to new habitats and pollinators.

Another pretty spring wildflower found along the trail is wild geranium. Lavender to purple in color, it has heavily veined five petals about 1-2 inches wide. Colonies in natural woodland openings are formed from long-lived clones of an individual plant. Wild geranium grows all across the state.

The highlights of the trail definitely are the columbines and ancient rock formations, as trees block much of the view at the peak's top. Once you reach the summit, though, there's room on exposed rock for a picnic or at least to rest a bit. After taking a break, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Dozen-plus hiking trails show off natural wonders of Wisconsin's Interstate State Park

St. Croix River from Summit Rock Trail.

Fantastic rock formations, a swimming beach, and waterfalls await day hikers at Wisconsin Interstate State Park.

More than a dozen trails crosscross the popular park near St. Croix Falls, Wis. The park entance is located on Wis. Hwy. 35 just south of U.S. Hwy. 8.

Among the trails that can be day hiked at the state park are:
g Eagle Canyon Trail – The path links the Summit Rock and the Lake O’ the Dalles trails in a 0.7-mile loop. If the day is hot, you’ll instantly cool down on the trail as the nearly sheer, talus canyon walls moderate the temperature.
g Eagle Peak Trail – Though short at 0.8 miles, it climbs 120 feet in elevation, including up stone stairs, to the park’s highest point, Eagle Peak. The trailhead begins at the Pines Group Camp. A short side trail passes a traprock quarry built by the CCC during the 1930s.
g Horizon Rock Trail – The westernmost steps of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail end with this 0.5-mile route, which runs northwest between the Ice Age Visitor Center and the Pothole Trail. The trail descends the forested bluff to a creek bed where you’ll instantly cool off on humid days.
g Ladder Tank Trail – The short trail can be reached without having to enter the park; instead, park in downtown St. Croix Falls along Washington Road between U.S. Hwy. 8 and Kentucky Street with the trailhead on the road’s west side. The trail runs atop a tall ridge offering fantastic views of the St. Croix River with visibility of up to eight miles on clear days.
g Lake O’ the Dalles Trail – A 1-mile loop circles the 23-acre Lake O’ the Dalles. The trail offers exceptional opportunities to view wildlife and a swimming beach.
g Pothole Trail – When floods from melting glaciers swept through at the end of the last Ice Age, swirling water literally drilled holes into the basalt rock underlying this region. The 0.4-mile loop takes you past a number of these interesting geological features.
g Ravine Trail – The 0.5-mile trail drops 260 feet from the valley rim to a shelter, the amphitheater, and a picnic area at the beach parking lot. It is a spur off the Skyline Trail.
g River Bluff Trail – This 0.7-mile trail takes hikers between the St. Croix River gorge and the Lake of the Dalles. The rocks and sparse vegetation gives it a Rocky Mountain feel.
g Skyline Trail – The route runs for 1.6 miles (3.2-miles round trip) northeast from the valley’s forested rim through rock-covered ravines. It passes the Ravine Trail and then the Skyline Nature Trail junctions. Wooden benches are along the way.
g Skyline Nature Trail – The 0.75-mile trail loops though several plant communities. Interpretive signs describe how those communities differ as the landscape changes. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs east from the loop behind the visitor center toward the park entrance.
g Silverbook Trail – To get away from the park crowds, hike this 1.2-mile trail (2.4-miles round trip) to the park’s remote, forested southern end. It passes an abandoned copper mine, the Silverbrook Mansion grounds, then reaches the trail’s highlight: 18-foot Silverbrook Falls.
g Summit Rock Trail – The trail takes hikers to the park's best vista. It runs atop billion-year-old lava flows, the sands of a 500-million-year-old sea, and at the edge of a massive glacial flood from 10,000 years ago.
g Talus Slope Trail-Meadow Valley Trail – A steep switchback, the Talus Slope Trail links the Horizon Rock Trail to the 0.3-mile Meadow Valley Trail. Meadow Valley crosses through ferns, mosses and various wildflowers on what is now an extinct riverbed carved by glacial meltwaters during the last ice age.

Read more about day hiking Interstate State Park in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Wisconsin and Minnesota Interstate State Parks guidebook.

Hike scenic lake that once was part of river

Lake O' the Dalles Trail runs
for mile in Wisconsin state park

Families can hike around and even swim in a lake that once was part of the St. Croix River at Wisconsin Interstate State Park.

The Lake O’ the Dalles Trail circles its namesake, a 23-acre lake, in a 1-mile loop. Nicely lined with hardwood trees, the trail is relatively flat with a few stairs.

To reach the state park, from St. Croix Falls, Wis., at the junction of Wis. Hwy. 35 and U.S. Hwy. 8, travel south on Hwy. 35. In half a mile, turn right to enter the park. Follow the park road down the hill to a parking lot on the left/east side. The trailhead is on the lot’s north side; head left/west onto the trail, passing the picnic area.

Where the river once ran
During the past 10,000 years, the St. Croix River has changed its course several times. The small ravines across the park indicate where it once ran. During those course changes, the river hollowed out this backwater lake; sediment then filled in the space between it and the St. Croix’s current course. No more than 12 feet deep, the Lake O’ the Dalles’ bottom is about 99 percent rock.

After the trail circles the lake’s north side, it comes to a junction with Echo Canyon Trail. Continue paralleling the lake.

Despite being cut off from the main channel, the picturesque lake recently has been invaded by the non-native curly-leaf pondweed. Originally from Eurasia, the plant lives from the shoreline to depths of up to 15 feet in lakes, where it can displace native plants. It’s a problem across the Great Lakes states.

The next two trail junctions are for the River Bluff Trail. The Lake O’Dalles Trail can be extended by hiking the River Bluff Trail, a 0.7-mile loop that takes hikers between the St. Croix River gorge and the Lake O’ the Dalles. The rocks and sparse vegetation gives it a Rocky Mountain feel. If adding that loop, the hike’s total length is about 1.6 miles.

The next highlight along the lake trail is a railed fishing pier that you can walk onto. You’ll often find anglers here catching largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and walleye from the lake.

Wildlife viewing trail
As following the trail around the lake’s west side, the River Bottoms Picnic Area is to the west next to the St. Croix River. Along this side of the lake, about 40 yards of the trail follows the park road.

A footbridge then crosses Dalles Creek as the trail loops back around the lake’s south side.

An excellent trail for spotting wildlife, you stand a good chance of seeing white-tailed deer or fox near the lake. Eagles and osprey also are likely as they circle overhead looking for a meal. More rarely, black bear have been spotted plodding about nearby.

The trail then heads up the lake’s eastern side to the stone Beach House. The CCC and WPA constructed the rustic building during the Great Depression. A swimming beach is located here. The beach house is near the trailhead, with your parking lot in clear view.

Read more about day hiking Interstate State Park in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Wisconsin and Minnesota Interstate State Parks guidebook.

Explore Interstate State Park’s ‘urban’ trails

A section of downtown St. Croix Falls sits within Wisconsin Interstate State Park and offers a short albeit interesting day hiking trail ideal for little children.

The Ladder Tank Trail can be reached without having to enter the park via the road. Park along Washington Road between U.S. Hwy. 8 and Kentucky Street; the trailhead is on the road’s west side.

The trail runs atop a tall ridge of sediment left by the meltwater of a retreating glacier that was last seen in these parts some 10,000 years ago. The ridge offers fantastic views of the St. Croix River with visibility of up to eight miles on clear days.

While not technically in Interstate State Park, the Ladder Tank Trail can be extended by taking the brief Gaylord Nelson Riverwalk from the overlook to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitors Center.

Read more about day hiking Interstate State Park in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Wisconsin and Minnesota Interstate State Parks guidebook.

Kid-friendly trails explore Interstate S.P.

Dalles of the St. Croix at Wisconsin Interstate State Park.

The heart of Wisconsin Interstate State Park’s can be explored on day hikes through a series of connecting trails.

Take the park entrance road to the parking lot to the Lake O’ the Dalles beach parking lot. From there, you have the choice of two trails.

Summit Rock Trail heads to the bluff’s highest point and is a dirt surface, so expect an uneven and steep walk at times. Small sections of the 0.5-mile trail (one way) consist of stone and wooden steps through the forested area. The highlight of the hike without question is the incredible view of the riverway from the summit. Looking north, the Old Man of the Dalles rock formation is visible just beyond glacial potholes.

Taken clockwise, the Eagle Canyon Trail links the Summit Rock and the Lake O’ the Dalles trails in a 0.7-mile loop. The trail crosses an ancient riverbed that glacial meltwaters carved out of the landscape at the end of the last ice age. If the day is hot, you’ll instantly feel cool down on the Eagle Canyon Trail as the nearly sheer, talus canyon walls moderate the temperature. There are some stone stairs, and the trail can be steep at spots.

The route briefly shares a segment of the Lake O’ the Dalles Trail, a one-mile loop circling the 23-acre Lake O’ the Dalles. The trail offers exceptional opportunities to view wildlife.

The Lake O’Dalles Trail can be extended by taking two connecting paths:
•River Bluff Trail – This 0.7-mile trail in takes hikers between the St. Croix River gorge and the Lake of the Dalles. The rocks and sparse vegetation gives it a Rocky Mountain feel.
•Camp Interstate Shelter connector – The short path heads southeast to a reservable shelter and a picnic area.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

St. Croix 360 features excerpt from ‘Hittin’ the Trail’ guidebook

St. Croix 360 on Thursday ran an excerpt from my recent release, the ebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin. The excerpt is a description of the Summit Rock Trail, just north of St. Croix Falls, in Wisconsin Interstate State Park. St. Croix 360 covers environmental, outdoors and other news related to the scenic riverway. Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin lists dozens of great family-friendly trails in or near all of your favorite Polk County communities, including St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Amery, Turtle, Frederic, Luck, and Balsam Lake.

Find out about other trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Great Ice Age Trail routes in St. Croix Falls

Horizon Rock Trail

Some 10,000 years ago, much of Wisconsin lay beneath a towering glacier. The glacier crushed and flattened the landscape, and remnants of it formed many of the lakes seen across the county and northern Wisconsin by depressing the land and melting. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs nearly 1200 miles across the state – with its western end at St. Croix Falls – largely tracing the extent of the glacier during the most recent ice age.

From its western edge at Wisconsin Interstate State Park, the trail runs through St. Croix Falls north along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. It then heads east along 100th Avenue, paralleling and crossing State Hwy. 35 near the small village of Centuria. Several of these Ice Age Trail segments near St. Croix Falls make for great day hikes:
• Interstate State Park section – The westernmost steps of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail end with the park’s 0.5-mile Horizon Rock Trail, which runs northwest between the Ice Age Visitor Center and the Pothole Trail. From the center, you’ll pass a historic stone shelter, known as Historic Rock, offering a panoramic view of the river gorge below. From there, the trail descends the forested bluff to a creek bed where you’ll instantly cool off on humid days.
• Esker Trail – This short trail runs atop a tall ridge of sediment left by the meltwater of the retreating glacier. The ridge offers fantastic views of the St. Croix River with visibility of up to eight miles on clear days.
• Mindy Creek Ice Age Trail Segment – Starting with a blufftop view of the St. Croix River Valley, the trail runs through a ravine boasting boulders and interesting rock formations left here during the last age. Access the trail from Day Road, about 0.8 miles from the Louisiana Street junction; park at Zillmer Park off of Day Road.
• Riegel Park Ice Age Trail Segment – The trail runs through the village’s 76-acre Riegel Park Preserve. A trap rock meadow of moss and lichen with scattered trees covers the preserve.
• Indianhead Flowage Trail – Walk atop billion-year-old volcanic rock surrounded by the deep blue of the St. Croix River and the lush green of the Northwoods forest on this 1.5-mile trail.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Blue Trail offers scenic day hike thru woods

Balsam Branch Cross Country Ski Trails

Balsam Branch trails beautiful during autumn as leaves color

Cabin-goers can truly get back to nature by hiking the Blue Trail of Balsam Branch Cross Country Ski Trails.

Located south of Balsam Lake, Wis., but conveniently close to the nearby towns of St. Croix Falls and Amery, Balsam Branch’s trails can be used for day hiking once the snow disappears. The area is virtually all forested with Northern hardwoods and so is quite beautiful in autumn during when leaves change color.

The trails cross three recreational areas – the D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area, Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp, and the Garfield Recreation Area. Nordic Ski Club of Amery manages the trails in winter.

Good shade
The ski trails consist of a number of meandering loops of varying lengths and grades. Of the three general trails that the loops break into, the Blue Trail is in middle as far as difficulty is concerned.

To reach the trail, from U.S. Hwy. 8 in Polk County turn south onto 150th Street then east onto 120th Avenue. East of Kennedy Mill Avenue, take the next right to the parking lot.

From the lot, head straight south for 0.37 miles. You’ll notice right away that the trail is nicely shaded. Maple and oak predominate, but as the terrain closes on lower-lying, wetter areas in Balsam Branch, you’ll see birch and tamarack.

At the first junction, go left for 0.12 miles, beneath a power line. Large and small game abound in Balsam Branch. You’re very likely to spot white-tailed deer here, as well as squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits.

Upon reaching the next trail junction, go right, then wind south and west for 0.68 miles. At the next T-intersection, go left for 0.5 miles.

Add trail length
As recent as 12,000 BC, Balsam Branch sat under the front edge of a massive glacier. As the glacier melted and retreated, outwash covered this region.

At the next trail junction, beneath the power line, go right/north for 0.25 miles. Many of the boulders and stones covering the ground in this area were carried and left here by that glacier.

Upon reaching the next trail junction, the route rejoins the Green Trail; go left for 0.19 miles. At the T-intersection, go right for 0.25 miles to parking lot.

The Blue Trail runs about 2.36 miles. Different loops and connectors can be combined to add to the trail length.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.

Polk County (Wis.) Info Center now carrying ‘Headin’ to the Cabin’

The Polk County (Wis.) Information Center is carrying my recent book, Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin. The center provides tourism information for visitors to Polk County and Wisconsin in general and includes a gift store featuring books on local topics. Headin’ to the Cabin details more than three-dozen Polk County trails, including those in or near the communities of St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Amery, Frederic, Luck, Turtle Lake and Balsam Lake. The information center is at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 8 and Wis. Hwy. 35.

Find out about other trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

St. Croix 360 features excerpt from ‘Hittin’ the Trail’ guidebook

St. Croix 360 on Friday ran an excerpt from my latest release, the ebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin. The excerpt is a description of the Indianhead Flowage Trail, just north of St. Croix Falls, in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. St. Croix 360 covers environmental, outdoors and other news related to the scenic riverway. Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin lists dozens of great family-friendly trails in all of your favorite Polk County communities, including St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Amery, Turtle Lake, Balsam Lake, Frederic and Luck.

Find out about other trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Third ‘Hittin’ the Trail’ book, on Polk County, Wisconsin, released

The third book in my Hittin’ the Trail hiking guide series, Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin, went on sale Tuesday. The ebook lists dozens of great family-friendly trails in all of your favorite Polk County communities, including St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Amery, Turtle Lake, Balsam Lake, Frederic and Luck. Included is a primer about day hiking essentials, such as gear, clothing, navigation, and how to avoid various trail dangers. Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin is available as an ebook on Kindle, Nook, iBook/iPad, Kobo, and other formats.

Find out about other trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Hiking opportunities abound in City of Trails

St. Croix Falls is the self-proclaimed “City of Trails,” and it’s a richly deserved title. Of all cities in northwestern Wisconsin – and probably the entire state for that matter – none can boast the number or diversity of trails available to hikers. Here’s a small sampling:

g Gandy Dancer State Trail – The trail runs roughly north-south for 98 miles with a number of accessible points in Wisconsin cabin country, making it ideal for a day hike. A scenic segment to hike is the 4.5 miles from St. Croix Falls to Centuria.
g Esker Trail – This short trail runs atop a tall ridge of sediment left by the meltwater of a retreating glacier that was last seen in these parts some 10,000 years ago. The ridge offers fantastic views of the St. Croix River with visibility of up to 8 miles on clear days.
g Indianhead Flowage Trail – Walk atop billion-year-old volcanic rock surrounded by the deep blue of the St. Croix River and the lush green of the Northwoods forest on this 1.5-mile trail. It is located in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
g Ladder Tank Trail – At the scenic riverway visitor’s center, you can take 60 stairs to the top of a ridge for an overlook of the St. Croix. It’s a short trail but pretty with a great view at the top.
g Pothole Trail – When flood waters from melting glaciers swept through at the end of the last Ice Age, swirling water literally drilled holes into the basalt rock underlying this region. The 0.4-mile loop takes you past a number of these interesting geological features in Wisconsin Interstate Park.
g Riegel Park Trail – The west end of the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail runs with this trail at the village’s 76-acre Riegel Park Preserve. Moss and lichen with scattered trees covers a trap rock meadow.
g River Bluff Trail – This 0.7-mile trail in Wisconsin Interstate Park takes hikers between the St. Croix River gorge and the Lake of the Dalles. The rocks and sparse vegetation gives it a Rocky Mountain feel.
g Rock Creek Trail – Located about 5 miles east of town, the trail parallels its namesake through a 20-acre restored prairie. Boulders on the forested part of the trail were brought here by glaciers.
g Shadow and Angle rocks lookouts trails – Across the border in Minnesota Interstate Park are a couple of set of short trails that upon reaching the top offer great vistas of the St. Croix River and the gorge rock formation.
g Summit Trail – The trail takes hikers to a high scenic vista at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. It runs atop billion-year-old lava flows, the sands of a 500-million-year-old sea, and at the edge of a massive glacial flood from 10,000 years ago.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Explore Wisconsin's major geological events

Old Man of the Dalles

Walking path leads to vista
of Old Man of the Dalles

Families can hike across or see the results of the three most significant geological events to affect Wisconsin on the scenic Summit Rock Trail in Polk County.

The trail takes hikers to the highest point at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. It runs atop billion-year-old lava flows, the sands of a 500-million-year-old sea, and at the edge of a massive glacial flood from 10,000 years ago.

Interstate State Park sits off State Hwy. 35 just a half-mile mile south of U.S. Hwy. 8 along the St. Croix River. A national park pass will get in you for free.

Follow Park Road into Interstate. As it heads south and reaches Lake O’ the Dalles, look for the parking lot on the road’s right side. The trailhead is at the lot’s north end.

Prickly pear cactus
Expect the park to be busy. It annually boasts visitor numbers on par with national parks. Additional parking lots can be found on the road’s left side.

The trail heads to the bluff’s highest point and is a dirt surface, so expect an uneven and steep walk at times. Small sections of the 0.5-mile long trail (one-way) consist of stone and wooden steps through a forested area.

Moss and autumn leaves cover the surrounding rock and ground. Maples, basswood and eastern white pines line the trail. At the top, prickly pear cactus even can be spotted amid the outcroppings.

Though the park includes a campground and is near an urban area, wildlife abounds. Don't be surprised to see squirrels, raccoons, deer and dozens of bird varieties along the way. Fox, muskrat and beavers live closer to the river.

The bluff wouldn’t exist if not for a major geological event dating some 1.1 billion years ago. At that time, massive lava flows covered this region of the world. As you near the trail’s top, the black basalt rock you pass and step upon dates from this era.

Old Man of the Dalles
The highlight of the hike without question is the incredible view of the riverway from the summit. Looking north, the Old Man of the Dalles rock formation is visible just beyond glacial potholes.

The rocks making up the Old Man actually were laid some 515 million years ago when this region sat under a warm shallow sea near the equator. As sediments piled up and were covered, they hardened over the eons into rock; the landscape finally rose above the sea about 345 million years ago.

Then about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age (the third major geological event affecting Wisconsin), a glacial torrent swept through the area when ancient Lake Duluth drained south. This flood broke off the basalt in chunks, created the intriguing cliff formations and gouged out the deep gorge that is now the river valley.

During the flood, giant eddies from the flow drilled holes into the landscape; these are the potholes between the summit and the Dalles. The largest glacial potholes in the world are just across the river in Minnesota.

Return to the parking lot the same way you came for a 1-mile round trip. If you have a full day to spend, a plethora of other activities are held at the park; check at the visitors center for a schedule.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Hike Wis. trail along scenic St. Croix River

Sugar maples and oaks make for colorful fall autumn hikes on
the Indianhead Flowage Trail.

Indianhead Flowage Trail
Click map for larger version.

Day hikers can walk atop billion-year-old volcanic rock surrounded by the deep blue of a river and the lush green of a forest on the Indianhead Flowage Trail in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Located along Wis. Hwy. 87 about a mile north of St. Croix Falls, the 2.8-mile round trip trail begins at Lion’s Club Park. The trailhead is on the park road’s southwest side.

That the path sits at the western start of Wisconsin’s famed Ice Age National Scenic Trail is appropriate. When the last glacier covering this region melted thousands of years ago, massive floods smashed through the area, carving the St. Croix River Valley out of volcanic basalt bedrock that formed some 750 million years before dinosaurs walked the Earth.

Several small creeks and streamlets flow into the St. Croix River along the trail. Footbridges cross most of them.

Summer flowers
A warm, dry spring day marks an excellent time to hike the trail. Colorful wildflowers from trilliums and marsh marigolds to blue flag iris and wild geraniums carpet the area. In summer, the forest greenery dominates, but watch for trail-side raspberries in July.

A variety of migrating songbirds also can be heard during spring. Squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer and raccoons abound through summer and autumn.

In autumn, sugar maples and various oaks provide brilliant gold and red colors. Being so close to the shoreline, yellow-leafed aspen and birch also are common but by mid-October their leaves have fallen off.

While the highlight of the trail in fall are autumn leaves, asters occasionally could be spotted.

Primitive trail
Wide with a pea gravel, the first 0.7 miles of the trail is handicap-accessible. Upon reaching a riverside campground, the trail narrows to a dirt path and continues on to River Road.

North of the campground, one beautiful, steep stream requires hopping rocks to get across. The much wider Big Rock Creek, depending on water flows, sometimes will stop you from reaching River Road. The autumn day we hiked the trail, the logs used as a makeshift bridge appeared too rotted and unstable to safely cross so required a fording through half-foot high water.

During spring and summer, be sure to carry insect repellent, as mosquitoes, deerflies and horseflies sometimes can be an annoyance. Always check for deer ticks after returning from the trail. Also, make sure kids stay on the trail, as poison ivy grows in the area (Remember: “Leaves of three, let it be.”).

Bathrooms, a playground, picnic area, and boat launch are located at Lion’s Club Park.

Gandy Dancer Trail heads thru Northwoods

Old railroad line converted

to 98-mile hiking route

The Gandy Dancer State Trail runs roughly north-south for 98 miles with a number of accessible points in Wisconsin cabin country, making it ideal for a day hike. Built atop an old Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie railroad grade, the trail is named for the Gandy Tool Company workers who built the route back in the 1880s.

Paralleling Wis. Hwy. 35, one of the easiest places to get on the trail is in St. Croix Falls at the Polk County Information Center, located at the junction of U.S. Hwy. 8 and Hwy. 35. Plenty of parking is available at the info center.

The trail begins as paved asphalt then turns to packed crushed limestone, which makes for easy walking. As trains once needed to make their way where you’ll walk, grade changes always are gradual.

A variety of trees often form a long canopy over the trail, offering plenty of shade and a real escape back to nature experience. This is especially so in autumn, when leaves change to form red, orange and golden roofs over hikers. In grassy areas, lupines, phlox and columbine flower during June.

When passing waterways, dragonflies frequently can be spotted during summer. Songbirds light most of the route with their melodies while squirrels scamper along the ground and up trees. Watch for white tail deer springing back into the woods when rounding curves.

The first segment of the trail runs 4.5 miles from the information center to the village of Centuria. If you have young children, you certainly don’t have to walk the entire trail; mile posts signs along the way tell how far you’ve walked so you know when to turn around.

If your cabin is a little farther north, no worries. Running through nine villages and connecting with city parks, you can find a trailhead at several locations, including: Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Lewis, Siren, Webster and Danbury. Those trail sections pass farmland, lakes and forests. Bicyclists also are allowed to use the trial; be sure to keep an eye on children so they don’t get in the way.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.