Sauk Creek Falls

Sauk Creek Falls - View from south bank below falls

More waterfalls on the way home from Kohler-Andrae State Park.  Located in Port Washintgon, WI you can find Sauk Creek Falls in the Sauk Creek Nature Preserve. A short distance from the trail head you can cross a bridge with views up and down stream. The northern bank is above the falls, and while viewing … Read more

Kohler Andrae State Park

Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sandhill Crane on Cordwalk south section

Had to work late Friday which bombed my plans to camp for the first time of the year.  Instead, took a day trip to Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  Located directly on the Lake Michigan shoreline, this is actually two parks managed as one unit with portions protected as State Natural Areas.  With only … Read more

All Evil Wave

Quarry Lake - All Evil Wave waterfall

All Evil Wave is a small waterfall located within Quarry Lake Park in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.  Access to the falls is just a short walk from the parking lot through the bushes.  Water levels seem very low right now, and although this is a small falls (rapids?), probably better earlier in spring. Other rapids are … Read more

Richard Bong State Recreation Area – Blue Trail

Richard Bong State Recreation Area - Wolf Lake from the blue trail

The Milwaukee/Chicago corridor isn’t known much for it’s hiking, but luckily a shorty drive from my home west of I-94 provides a small glimpse of wilderness.  Shockingly though, aside from one brief disaster of a camping trip in 4th grade Boy Scouts, I have never hiked here.  The Dude can no longer abide.  On an … Read more

Belleville Spillway

Belleville Spillway - Common Water Snake on rocks near falls

Final stop from Memorial Weekend day trip was the spillway at Belleville Community Park. I thought it had an actual waterfall for my checklist but I read incorrectly – this is an all man-made spillway.  Oh well, still kinda neat. Best part was the extraordinarily friendly & social snakes (northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon).  These little … Read more

Big Spring Creek Cascades

Big Spring Creek Cascades - View from above

Big Spring Creek in the small town of Highland, Wisconsin contains a fantastic cascades/waterfall just a short hike from the parking area.  Also goes by the name of Big Spring Branch waterfall and other variations.  This creek is well known for class I/II trout fishing, and the spring itself is fed from an underground river. … Read more

Nelson Dewey State Park

Nelson Dewey State Park - Mississippi River in the distance

The plan for today was just a quick daytrip with short hikes.  After Belmont Mount was a bust, I tried my luck next at Nelson Dewey State Park.  Just picked up a new Forester so any good excuse for a drive will do. Much like Belmont Mound, this site only has about 2 miles of … Read more

Belmont Mound State Park

Belmont Mound State Park - Observation tower views

Had some free time on Memorial Day weekend for a short day trip.  Decided to head southwest and start at Belmont Mound State Park.  This is a small park & State Natural Area operated by the local Lions Club. Main feature is an observation tower that still stands but has been permanently closed by the DNR … Read more