Kettle Moraine State Forest - Wisconsin

August 15, 2023

This forest is like a park and spread over many miles. While the forest has numerous longer trails intended for hiking, biking and skiing, I hiked five shorter nature trails totaling about 5 miles.
1. Rice Lake follows a trail around the lake that was formed when glaciers receded. It left a shallow, algae choked lake that has many turtles and dragonflies. Very noisy place from the fauna alone.
2. Bald Bluff was a rocky steeper climb to a viewpoint.
3. Stony Ridge was confusing as there were numerous branches in the trail and it was difficult to tell which way to go. The trail goes up to a ridge and looks down into kettles (depressions from the glaciers) and the oak forest.

4. Paradise Springs is a paved path that wanders around a restored former estate. Remnants of some of the former buildings are still on site including a spring house and the foundations for a spring water bottling plant, hotel and tennis court. Brook trout were visible in the water at the spring.
5. Scuppernong was my favorite with a nice trail around a marsh that has numerous side trails to springs. Tons of native wildflowers including Goldenrod and Black Eyed Susan. I saw three huge sandhill cranes on the side of the road on the way into the parking area. The male was giving me the side eye while the two females scampered further from the road. A very skittish doe and fawn were on the trail on my way out. Completely different attitude than the deer in the National Parks.