TRAIL/PARK CONDITIONS:
All trails are free of snow and most are in good hiking condition. A few trails were still muddy in spots as of Monday of this week, but with the warm temps and no precipitation predicted until possibly Saturday, even those spots should be dry by the weekend.
Sugar Maple Nature Trail and Sand Cave Trail were both opened in 2009, after being closed for more than 2 years due to heavy rains. Both trails were redesigned and should be more sustainable in the event of heavy rain. Both Big
Sand Cave and Little Sand Cave (Photo - Left)are now visible from Sand Cave Trail as well as Walnut Eddy on the Wisconsin River. Sentinel Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic trails at Wyalusing State Park. It can be accessed from Point Lookout and will follow the bluff all the way down to the Mississippi River (a drop of approximately 500 feet). Indian Mounds, nature labels, the Passenger Pigeon Monument and Green Cloud Picnic Shelter are located on Sentinel Ridge Trail. An outstanding view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be seen from the Green Cloud Picnic Area and the Passenger Pigeon Monument. All roads are now open in the park. Bluff Trail to Treasure Cave is open. To reach Treasure Cave, take the walkway from Point Lookout (as you are looking at the confluence) to the right. Take a left down the trail to Bluff Trail (through the opening in the rocks). Treasure Cave is located on Bluff Trail just below Point Lookout.
CAMPING AND RESERVATION INFORMATION:
Homestead Campground is closed for the season. Sites 101 through 112 and sites 136 through 155 will be open in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground. The showers, flush toilets, dumping station and all water fountains throughout the park are shut down for the season. A winterized water faucet for filling water containers is located to the east of the shower/flush building in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground (near site 114). Pit toilets are available near site 145. The concession stand is also closed for the season. Firewood is available in the area.
Reservations can be made 11 months in advance for reservations starting April 30, 2010 through October 31, 2010.. Reservations must be made at least 2 days prior to the arrival date. Reservations can be made through Reserve America at 888-947-2757 or online at www.wiparks.net.
Effective immediately – Because of the threat of the emerald
ash borer and other harmful pests and diseases, no person may possess
firewood that originates from greater than 50 miles from where the wood
will be used, or from outside the borders of the state.
Firewood
includes all wood, processed or unprocessed, intended for use in a
campfire. Firewood purchased locally, but identified on the bundle as
originating from out of state or greater than 50 miles from the
property is not allowed. The emerald ash borer was found in both
Crawford
and Vernon Counties in early 2009. Crawford County is adjacent to
Grant County where Wyalusing State Park is located. Because of this,
there is an additional quarantine on the movement of firewood from
both Vernon and Crawford Counties, even though those counties may be
less than 50 miles from the park. Please note, that Prairie du Chien
is in Crawford County, so please do not bring firewood from Prairie
du Chien, and Crawford or Vernon Counties. Spread the word and tell your
friends
and neighbors not to move firewood.
Please note that the perimeter for movement
of firewood will decrease to a 25 mile radius in May. Spread the word
and tell your friends and neighbors not to move firewood.
AREA BIRD SIGHTINGS: Returning spring migrants include: fox sparrows,
bluebirds, robins, killdeer, sand hill cranes 9Image right) , turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, pelicans, song sparrows, and belted kingfisher. A few cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, gold finches, bluejays, juncos and nuthatches can still be found at the office bird feeders. The birds at the feeders are not feeding with the sense of urgency that they had during the winter months. Bluebirds have been taking advantage of the moths that are attracted to the light near the self-registration station at the office. Male goldfinches are sporting spots of bright yellow as they molt into their breeding plumage.
The list of returning spring migrants should be changing daily within the next few days.
FRIENDS OF WYALUSING: The next meeting of The Friends of Wyalusing will be held on Monday, April 12. Hopefully the April meeting can be held at the newly renovated, yet un-named old park office. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. The park office has Friends of Wyalusing merchandise for sale, including a variety of t-shirts, sweat shirts, wildlife books and sticker books.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER INFORMATION: The Mississippi River is on the rise.
River level is 13.9, up .1 of a foot from yesterday.
PARK HAPPENINGS: Work continues at the indoor group camp. Once map changes are completed, the 2010 Wyalusing State Park Visitor will be ready to print. Campground hosts are in place for the upcoming season – many are “veterans” returning from previous years.
Upcoming Park Events
Sunday, May 1 – Guided Bird Walk – Alex Stark and Libby Zeman – time to be announced
Saturday, May 15 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks” – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 29th – Paul Kosir, former LTE Naturalist at Wyalusing State Park will return for the Memorial Day Weekend, presenting a number of programs:
10:00 a.m. – Edible Plant Hike – See the plants we’ll eat tonight and many more “incredible edibles”.Edible Plant Hike – Meet at Point Lookout – 10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. – Indian Mound Walk – Find out about the residents on this land before settlement. Meet at the Passenger Pigeon Monument.
3:00 p.m. – Geology Hike – Try out the new Sand Cave Trail and learn about the Earth History of the Park. Meet at the old park office.
8:00 p.m. – Evening Program – Julian Wild, the Fern Chef – Find out how to cook edible wild plants that are delicious, nutritious, and best of all free!. Meet at Peterson Shelter.
Sunday, May 30th
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – The trees are alive with the sound of bird songs. See what makes Wyalusing such a birding “hot spot”. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Spring Wildflower Hike – See the beauty and smell the fragrance of spring ephemerals while they’re here. Meet at the old park office.
1:00 p.m. Forest Ecology Walk – Get answers to many of your questions about trees and forests plus a whole lot more. Meet at Point Lookout.
3:00 p.m. Wyalusing History Drive – Visit the car accessible sites important to Wyalusing’s history in a new program led by an old character. Meet at Point Lookout.
Monday, May 31
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – Anything this good is worth doing again. Maybe we’ll even beat Sunday’s outing. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Cliff Ecology Hike – We’ll take a last look from the bluff before we look at the bluff during a hike that’s short on distance, but long on interest. Meet at Point Lookout.
June 14 – “Snakes Alive” – 6:30 p.m. Peterson Shelter
June 26 – Native American Storyteller
Point Lookout Shelter – time TBA
July 17 – Matt Heeter - Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
July 31 – Merle Frommelt, - “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
August 7 – Matt Heeter – Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
August 7 – Boy Scout 357 – Outdoor Cooking Demo
Across from the Tennis Courts
August 21 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
September 25- Spirits of Wyalusing Past
The Starsplitters of Wyalusing will present Astronomy Programs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday evenings beginning in May. Programs will be held at the Huser Astronomy Center and begin at 8:30 p.m.
Future Area Events
Please note, a number of these events will have an impact on camping reservations at Wyalusing State Park. If you are planning on camping on the weekends listed below, you may want to make your campsite reservation now.
June 17-20 – Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous
July 30-July 31 – Prairie Dog Blues Festival
August 6-August 7 – Country on The River Music Fest
All trails are free of snow and most are in good hiking condition. A few trails were still muddy in spots as of Monday of this week, but with the warm temps and no precipitation predicted until possibly Saturday, even those spots should be dry by the weekend.
Sugar Maple Nature Trail and Sand Cave Trail were both opened in 2009, after being closed for more than 2 years due to heavy rains. Both trails were redesigned and should be more sustainable in the event of heavy rain. Both Big
Sand Cave and Little Sand Cave (Photo - Left)are now visible from Sand Cave Trail as well as Walnut Eddy on the Wisconsin River. Sentinel Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic trails at Wyalusing State Park. It can be accessed from Point Lookout and will follow the bluff all the way down to the Mississippi River (a drop of approximately 500 feet). Indian Mounds, nature labels, the Passenger Pigeon Monument and Green Cloud Picnic Shelter are located on Sentinel Ridge Trail. An outstanding view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be seen from the Green Cloud Picnic Area and the Passenger Pigeon Monument. All roads are now open in the park. Bluff Trail to Treasure Cave is open. To reach Treasure Cave, take the walkway from Point Lookout (as you are looking at the confluence) to the right. Take a left down the trail to Bluff Trail (through the opening in the rocks). Treasure Cave is located on Bluff Trail just below Point Lookout.CAMPING AND RESERVATION INFORMATION:
Homestead Campground is closed for the season. Sites 101 through 112 and sites 136 through 155 will be open in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground. The showers, flush toilets, dumping station and all water fountains throughout the park are shut down for the season. A winterized water faucet for filling water containers is located to the east of the shower/flush building in the Wisconsin Ridge Campground (near site 114). Pit toilets are available near site 145. The concession stand is also closed for the season. Firewood is available in the area. Reservations can be made 11 months in advance for reservations starting April 30, 2010 through October 31, 2010.. Reservations must be made at least 2 days prior to the arrival date. Reservations can be made through Reserve America at 888-947-2757 or online at www.wiparks.net.
Effective immediately – Because of the threat of the emeraldash borer and other harmful pests and diseases, no person may possess
firewood that originates from greater than 50 miles from where the wood
will be used, or from outside the borders of the state.
Firewood
includes all wood, processed or unprocessed, intended for use in a
campfire. Firewood purchased locally, but identified on the bundle as
originating from out of state or greater than 50 miles from the
property is not allowed. The emerald ash borer was found in both
Crawfordand Vernon Counties in early 2009. Crawford County is adjacent to
Grant County where Wyalusing State Park is located. Because of this,
there is an additional quarantine on the movement of firewood from
both Vernon and Crawford Counties, even though those counties may be
less than 50 miles from the park. Please note, that Prairie du Chien
is in Crawford County, so please do not bring firewood from Prairie
du Chien, and Crawford or Vernon Counties. Spread the word and tell your
friends
and neighbors not to move firewood.
Please note that the perimeter for movement
of firewood will decrease to a 25 mile radius in May. Spread the word
and tell your friends and neighbors not to move firewood.
AREA BIRD SIGHTINGS: Returning spring migrants include: fox sparrows,
bluebirds, robins, killdeer, sand hill cranes 9Image right) , turkey vultures, red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks, pelicans, song sparrows, and belted kingfisher. A few cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, gold finches, bluejays, juncos and nuthatches can still be found at the office bird feeders. The birds at the feeders are not feeding with the sense of urgency that they had during the winter months. Bluebirds have been taking advantage of the moths that are attracted to the light near the self-registration station at the office. Male goldfinches are sporting spots of bright yellow as they molt into their breeding plumage.The list of returning spring migrants should be changing daily within the next few days.
FRIENDS OF WYALUSING: The next meeting of The Friends of Wyalusing will be held on Monday, April 12. Hopefully the April meeting can be held at the newly renovated, yet un-named old park office. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. The park office has Friends of Wyalusing merchandise for sale, including a variety of t-shirts, sweat shirts, wildlife books and sticker books.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER INFORMATION: The Mississippi River is on the rise.
River level is 13.9, up .1 of a foot from yesterday. PARK HAPPENINGS: Work continues at the indoor group camp. Once map changes are completed, the 2010 Wyalusing State Park Visitor will be ready to print. Campground hosts are in place for the upcoming season – many are “veterans” returning from previous years.
Upcoming Park Events
Sunday, May 1 – Guided Bird Walk – Alex Stark and Libby Zeman – time to be announced
Saturday, May 15 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks” – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 29th – Paul Kosir, former LTE Naturalist at Wyalusing State Park will return for the Memorial Day Weekend, presenting a number of programs:
10:00 a.m. – Edible Plant Hike – See the plants we’ll eat tonight and many more “incredible edibles”.Edible Plant Hike – Meet at Point Lookout – 10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. – Indian Mound Walk – Find out about the residents on this land before settlement. Meet at the Passenger Pigeon Monument.
3:00 p.m. – Geology Hike – Try out the new Sand Cave Trail and learn about the Earth History of the Park. Meet at the old park office.
8:00 p.m. – Evening Program – Julian Wild, the Fern Chef – Find out how to cook edible wild plants that are delicious, nutritious, and best of all free!. Meet at Peterson Shelter.
Sunday, May 30th
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – The trees are alive with the sound of bird songs. See what makes Wyalusing such a birding “hot spot”. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Spring Wildflower Hike – See the beauty and smell the fragrance of spring ephemerals while they’re here. Meet at the old park office.
1:00 p.m. Forest Ecology Walk – Get answers to many of your questions about trees and forests plus a whole lot more. Meet at Point Lookout.
3:00 p.m. Wyalusing History Drive – Visit the car accessible sites important to Wyalusing’s history in a new program led by an old character. Meet at Point Lookout.
Monday, May 31
7:00 a.m. Bird Walk – Anything this good is worth doing again. Maybe we’ll even beat Sunday’s outing. Meet at the Tennis Court.
10:00 a.m. – Cliff Ecology Hike – We’ll take a last look from the bluff before we look at the bluff during a hike that’s short on distance, but long on interest. Meet at Point Lookout.
June 14 – “Snakes Alive” – 6:30 p.m. Peterson Shelter
June 26 – Native American Storyteller
Point Lookout Shelter – time TBA
July 17 – Matt Heeter - Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
July 31 – Merle Frommelt, - “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
August 7 – Matt Heeter – Reptiles and Amphibians
Peterson Shelter – time TBA
August 7 – Boy Scout 357 – Outdoor Cooking Demo
Across from the Tennis Courts
August 21 – Merle Frommelt – “Stones, Bones and Sticks”
Peterson Shelter – 7:00 p.m.
September 25- Spirits of Wyalusing Past
The Starsplitters of Wyalusing will present Astronomy Programs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday evenings beginning in May. Programs will be held at the Huser Astronomy Center and begin at 8:30 p.m.
Future Area Events
Please note, a number of these events will have an impact on camping reservations at Wyalusing State Park. If you are planning on camping on the weekends listed below, you may want to make your campsite reservation now.
June 17-20 – Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous
July 30-July 31 – Prairie Dog Blues Festival
August 6-August 7 – Country on The River Music Fest
