National Scientific Reserves (Non-Units) - Wisconsin

Ice Age National Scientific Reserve

8/25/1998 Reached Devil’s Lake State Park, one unit of the Ice Age [National] Scientific Reserve. Took a little hike near this pretty lake with steep rock bluffs on two sides. On the way out, stopped for a brief hike on the Ice Age NS Trail.

Maureen by the lake

Rocky bluffs

The Trail blaze ...

... and a sign

5/26/2000 Drove up to St. Croix Falls, WI and to the Interstate State Park, along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Went to the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve visitor center to look at the displays, then down to the Pot Hole trail. This 0.4 mile trail went down to the bluffs over the Dalles of the St. Croix, a pretty gorge. Along the way were large, deep holes drilled by rocks and debris in whirlpools of the ancient river running through during the glacier melt. Also went on the 0.5 mile River Bluff trail for other great views. Maur dropped me at one trailhead which led back to the visitor center on the Ice Age Scenic Trail for 0.5 miles and met me there.

The park sign

Looking along the river ...

... in each direction

Maureen by a pot hole

The NST blaze

6/22/2009 Continued just a short way to the WI side of Interstate SP. This whole thing is a second time around for me but in a really nice place. Stopped at the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve VC for directions and to look at the exhibits on the ice age impact on the area, including the “pot holes” we’d see later. Drove a little more to the parking area for the Pot Hole Trail, the first half of which was the terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Walked along the high cliffs over the gorge, enjoying the weather and view, checked out the pot holes created by rocks swirling around in the glacial floods and looked at the stern-wheeler tour boar. Back in the car and drove the length of the park ending up at the boat ramp where we hung out on the St. Croix and watched the cruise boat go by.

The park sign

Ken at the VC with a pot hole maker

Ken getting a closeup of ...

... the Trail blaze

Some info on the terminus of the NST

A nice panorama, with me enjoying the view

Me in a pot hole

Ken above the river