Wildflowers, pines await at Jones Spring

The Yellow-Orange-White Trails at Jones Spring passes several lakes.

Jones Spring area map.
Click map for larger version.

Hikers can enjoy wildflowers and pine groves in the southern portion of Wisconsin’s Jones Spring area.

The 6.1-miles Yellow Trail – with two side trails, the Orange and White – loops through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This trail is best done in early spring as parts of it can be overgrown in summer or underwater.

To reach the trailhead, from Townsend, take County Road T south. Turn right/southwest onto Fanny Lake Road. A parking lot sits at the end of the road.

A wide stem trail runs southwest. At 0.2 miles, it reaches a trail heading right/north that goes around the east and north sides of Fanny Lake. A few feet west of it, at 0.3 miles, the loop for the Yellow Trail begins. Continue straight-right/southwest.

Fanny Lake
The trail passes Fanny Lake’s south shore. Birch trees line the small lake.

At the lake’s southwest corner, about 0.4 miles in, the Yellow Trail meets the looping Red Trail. Continue left/southwest onto the Yellow-Red Trail; the two trails share this leg to make their loops.

The trail crosses Mary Creek then heads through a wetlands. Mud can be deep in sections – be forewarned that at times of the year it can be impassable, at least not without sinking up to your knees into the mud. Because of that, you may need to turn back here and then do the trail in reverse from how it is described here, as well as treat it as an out-and-back hike.

On the other side of the wetlands, the Red and Yellow trails split at 1 mile. Go left/south onto the Yellow Trail.

Orange Trail
The route next comes to a side trail, the Orange Trail, at 1.1 miles. Take it right/southwest.

The Orange Trail heads between Upper Jones Lake and Lower Jones Lake. About half-way between them, a three-sided shelter sits on a knoll, nestled in pine and birch, to the left.

On the other side of the isthmus, the Orange Trail rejoins the Yellow Trail at 2.1 miles. Go right/south onto it.

After crossing Mary Creek, the trail comes to a four-way junction, at 2.8 miles, where the White Trail loop connects with the Yellow Trail. Turn right/southwest onto the White Trail.

Pine groves and open fields dominate the White Trail.

Wildflowers
Several wildflowers also can be seen along the trail. Among them are butterfly milkweed, Indian pipe, Northern blue iris (usually in June or July), and partridge berry.

Upon completing the White Trail loop, you’re back to the four-way junction at 4.5 miles. Go right/northeast onto the Yellow Trail.

Pine and birch dominate this part of the trail. A wetlands appears on the trail’s left/west.

The next junction, at 5.7 miles, brings you to the stem trail on Fanny Lake’s south shore. Go right/northeast onto it back to the parking lot

Dogs are allowed to use the trail but must be leashed. Be sure to bring insect repellent.

Great trails abound at Kinnickinnic S.P.

Kinnickinnic River Delta, from the Purple Trail. Photo courtesy Wis. DNR.

For residents of the eastern Twin Cities and west-central Wisconsin, Kinnickinnic State Park offers a convenient central location to escape back to nature for a day.

The park is located on the St. Croix and Kinnickinnic rivers, almost equidistant from River Falls, Hudson, and Prescott, Wis. The latter two communities offer bridge access into Minnesota.

Among the trails at the state park (going from east to west):
g Red Trail – The 1.6-mile hike heads through prairie alongside a forest’s edge. Among the highlights is the Vulture’s Peak area. Near the park entrance, the set of two loops can be accessed from the park’s first two parking lot.
g Blue Trail – The 0.7-mile out-and-back trail (1.4-miles round trip) gives hikers the opportunity to explore gorges and coulees into the Kinnickinnic River Valley. Access the wooded trail from the second parking area past the park entrance. Add the 0.1-mile (0.2-miles round trip) Brown Trail, which serves as a sledding hill in winter, to extend the hike.
g Yellow Trail – The 1.2-mile loop edges a forest and prairie area. Watch for deer, pheasants and turkeys along the trail. The Kinni Overlook Lot is a good place to start; the trail can be extended by adding the Green, Orange or Purple trails.
g Orange Trail – A wooded out-and-back trail atop the Kinnickinnic River bluffs, it runs for 0.5 miles (1-mile round trip). Park at the Kinni Overlook Lot and access it via the Yellow Trail; add the Purple and Yellow trails for a longer walk.
g Green Trail – The trail loops about the outside of a prairie area under restoration and is an excellent place to spot partridge, pheasants and other birds. Access it via the Yellow Trail; from the Kinnic Overlook Lot, go left/north on the Yellow for a 1.6-mile round trip (The Green Trail itself is 1.1-miles long).
g Purple Trail – The 1.2-mile loop (when combined with a segment of the Yellow Trail), offers great views of the Kinnickinnic River Delta and the St. Croix River, as well as access to a swimming beach along the St. Croix. Park in the St. Croix Picnic Area Lot.

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

Hike offers great view of river delta, valley

Kinnickinnic River Delta. Photo courtesy Wisconsin DNR.

Purple Trail

Day hikers are certain to spot wildlife on the Purple Trail at the southernmost state park along the St. Croix River.

The 1.2-mile loop, which includes a segment of the Yellow Trail, takes hikers along a first-class trout stream at Kinnickinnic State Park in Pierce County, Wis. Though a compact park at a little more than 1200 acres, it contains an old-growth oak forest, restored prairies, and a river delta.

To reach the park, from Wis. Hwy. 29 northeast of Prescott, Wis., take County Road F north for about 5.5 miles. Turn left/west onto 820th Avenue then left/south into the park; follow the entry road west all of the way to its end and park in the St. Croix Picnic Area Lot.

An access trail to the main course begins in the lot’s western corner. Upon reaching the Purple Trail, turn right/north. Most of the trees in this area of Wisconsin were cut by pioneers and 19th century logging companies, but the trail here passes through one of the few woodlands to escape the ax.

Wildlife abounds as well in this area. Watch for whitetail deer, raccoon, rabbits and squirrels. Hikers have spotted weasels, gray fox, red fox and even beaver nearby.

Restored prairie
In about 600 feet from the access trail, you’ll pass a path to the swim area. Continuing on the main trail, the woods soon gives way to a restored prairie.

This region was plowed under by the area’s first white settlers but since 1972 (when the state park was established) have been among 50 acres of land at the park restored to original prairie. Watch for partridge, ringneck pheasants and other birds that prefer grasslands.

You’ll soon reach a junction with the Yellow Trail; go right/south on it through more prairie. In about 600 feet, you’ll cross the park entry road, so make sure any little ones with you watch for traffic.

Rivers below
The Yellow Trail then rejoins the Purple Trail; go right/south onto the latter. After a junction with the Orange Trail, the Kinnickinnic River should come in view to the left/south. You’re on a bluff overlooking the river; don’t get too close to the edge, though, as the limestone cliff is a straight drop down.

White pines line the river, which is popular with anglers for its brown trout. Watch for mink slinking along the banks looking for food.

Rounding the picnic area, head into the overlook on the left/west to see the Kinnickinnic River Delta with the St. Croix River. Sediment from the Kinnickinnic reduces the St. Croix’s width here by about 75 percent.

The result is a faster current, which during winter leaves the St. Croix ice-free. Because of that, bald eagles enjoy a year-round fishing area, so keep your eyes to the sky for the bird of prey.

The access trail to the parking lot is directly across from the overlook.

Good options
If time and energy allows, consider extending the hike by adding the rest of the Yellow Trail; to do that, at the first junction of the Purple/Yellow trails, go left/north onto the latter. The 1.2-mile Yellow Trail (You’ll only do about a mile of it for a 1.8-mile hike total.) loops along the forest and prairie edge. A flat trail, it offers the opportunity to spot wild turkeys. When the Yellow rejoins the Purple, go left/south onto the latter.

Alternately, enjoy a dip into the St. Croix River at its swim area that the Purple Trail passed at its start. There’s a small sand beach at the swim area, and the St. Croix is one of the Midwest’s cleanest waterways.

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

Great beach day hikes for kids in New Jersey

Camp May Point State Park lighthouse

Walking through shoreline natural areas or up and down a long ocean strand will delight any child. On the Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey boasts a number of such great beach trails:
g Cape May Beach State Park’s Yellow Trail – The 1.5-mile long trail heads through varying coastal habitats, including a wetland marsh, coastal dunes and the grand finale: the ocean beach.
g Corsons Inlet State Park – Listen for migratory birds and watch for the nesting sites as hiking a sandy path through a lush coastal forest.
g Barnegat Lighthouse State Park – Climb 217 steps to the top of this lighthouse built in 1859. Afterward, picnic at the lighthouse’s base. Warning: Following Labor Day, the lighthouse closes for winter.
g Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail – Keep an eye out for osprey and wading birds as this trail heads through a thicket at Island Beach State Park on a 1-mile round trip. Cool off afterward with a dip into the ocean.
g Fisherman’s Cover Conservation Area – Bring Spot or Queenie with you to this dog-friendly beach. The shoreline runs several hundred feet on Manasquan Inlet.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.