Cactus Bluff in spring

      If you haven't been there this should give you some idea of the experiences you might have on Cactus/Ferry bluff  during different seasons. I'll feature Ferry Bluff in another blog. This appeared in the SP Star on 4-20-14.

     Ferry Bluff is a popular hiking spot overlooking the Lower Wisconsin River. Its trails open April 1^st. after being closed for the winter months. During the winter the bluff becomes a favorite roosting spot for bald eagles. Many late afternoons during the winter I can watch eagles heading west down river, most likely going to Ferry Bluff for protection from the bitter winter winds.

     During warm weather the trails can be accessed by boat from the river or a short drive from Sauk City, west on Highway 60 to Ferry Bluff Road. There are some informational boards at the beginning of the trail leading from the parking lot. On the left, Honey Creek empties into the river. Some of my childhood memories of this area are of fishing with my grandparents and parents on hot summer afternoons. Since then, spring flood waters have filled the slow-running creek with sediment. A short distance east, Otter Creek enters the river. Both creeks have their source high in the Baraboo bluffs. Then they gather more water while crossing the Sauk prairie. Some dry summer days canoes have a difficult time navigating out to the river. If there were trails leading to the bluff when I spent time there, they were never used by us; we were there to fish.

     The trails are now maintained with signage along the way. On the hillside the path is held in check by retaining walls; for hikers like me they make perfect benches to catch your breath. If you stop to check out all the wildflowers and other forms of native plant life you may not need to rest. This is what you might see on a spring time hike. You'll be greeted by the pale pink of the pasque flowers at the top of the bluff. During mid-May the forest paths leading up are adorned with Jack-in-the- pulpit, blood-root, Dutchman's breeches and many more. 

Once you reach the top of the trail, heading forward on the plank path leads you to Cactus Bluff (most people mistake this for Ferry Bluff). Before you reach the flat rock-landing of this part of the hike there are several more informational boards. They cover a wide variety of historic and natural topics. The beauty of this area will not disappoint if you decide not to complete the hike to Ferry Bluff. The southern views from here are of the river and points in the far distance. On a clear day and with a pair of binoculars, you can see the steeple of St. Norbert’s Church far in the east. If you’re lucky you'll be at eye level with turkey vultures soaring over the glistening blue waters of the river. There's been an active bald eagle nest in the area for the past ten years. In late summer the adult bald eagles will be teaching the juveniles the delights of being free spirits, one of which is rising high on air thermals and then swirling back to earth with one of its siblings in hot pursuit. For the more adventurous (with safety in mind) there are a couple of not well-traveled paths leading to more amazing sites, one of which will take you to a wide ledge created by erosion. The wall is also covered with messages left behind by generations of visitors.

                          (This where we took Jesse Hieb, the paddleboarder)

I'll take you on the other half of the trail to Ferry Bluff in the near future.

Again while hiking in this area keep safety in mind ( if you fall it's a long way down).