Entrance to Mirror Lake State Park
When taking part in outdoor adventure travel, the changing of the seasons is acutely noted by those who take part. This is especially true between fall and winter and winter and spring. I call this period the in betweens.
Not only does the weather change, but the activity themselves change. Alpine and cross-country skiing gives way to hiking and ice fishing gives way to traditional fishing. Hiking boots, bikes, paddles, and tents will be taken out of the closet replaced by skis and poles. Here are some other adventure travel ideas.
Mirror Lake State Park in Wisconsin
The problem with this change in the season is the division is not so clear cut. While running in a forest preserve near my home a couple weeks ago I saw two robins flying around and playing with two juncos on the same tree. Robins are birds known for the arrival of spring while juncos are winter birds. This was perfect symbolism for early spring in the Midwest as sometimes it seems the weather cannot make up its mind whether it is winter or spring.
Was today a day for skiing boots or
Would it be a day for hiking? Hard to tell in the in between period
I drove up to Mirror Lake State Park in Wisconsin for some late winter early spring cross-country skiing. The conditions for the state park noted that they had received 3 inches of snow during the week, so I thought it might be a good place for my last ski excursion of the season.
The day was a beautiful early spring day in the mid 30s. The Canadian geese flew in V shaped formations. I even heard and saw one sandhill crane, one of the earliest birds to make the spring migration. Despite the moderate day, winter remained firmly rooted up here with over a foot of snow in the woods and ice fisherman present on the lake. In fact, one fisherman even had his SUV on the lake.
Beautiful Mirror Lake State Park through the trees
Right away I could tell the ski conditions were mediocre. The snow was kind of slushy and the new snow had not been groomed. There is one great hill on the Ishnala Trail that winds through a little canyon down to the lake. I went half speed down the hill and actually stopped midway down the run due to the slow snow conditions.
The good thing about the slow descent is I got this picture of icicles on the rock formation
This was a little disappointing, but there was one other hill on the course I knew would be good. It is a steep run that even with slushy conditions would be fun as gravity always prevails. I excitedly got to the top and headed down. Unfortunately, at the bottom of this hill was a three foot gap of snowless ground at the bottom of the hill. Check out the 30 second video to see how this turned out.
I decided it was time for spring and threw my skis in the car and headed to Devil’s Lake State Park in nearby Baraboo. Fortunately, I had the foresight to pack the hiking boots too. I hiked up to the top of the bluff with beautiful views of the frozen lake.
Hiking Devil’s Lake State Park was a good decision
In one day I bridged the adventure travel activity gap between winter and spring. I felt like I passed outdoor adventure travel baton to myself from winter to spring via skiing to hiking. It felt great to get out and hike. Even though there was still a lot of snow on the ground, my new L.L. Bean boots gripped the snow and helped me up the bluff and back down.
Enjoying the view at Devil’s Lake State Park
I then followed the Tumbled Rocks Trail down by the shore back to the car. In one day I did 8 miles of skiing and 4 miles of hiking on this early spring late winter day.
Hiking the Tumbled Rocks Trail
Although I will miss cross-country skiing, I am looking forward to the future hikes I will make this year. I am already planning a spring hike in either Kentucky or Tennessee along with a two week trip to Oregon and Washington in July. There is always a hike or two in fall to enjoy the changing colors
Soon enough it will be November and the snow and cold weather will be upon us. That suits me fine as it will be time to take out the skis again. That is the great aspect about outdoor adventure travel. There is always a great activity to match the season.
TT
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I just enjoyed my first hike of spring as well. It included tramping through a lot of snow, but felt great! My sister and I plan to do more once we get out to Salt lake next week.
I love seeing the shots of Devil’s Lake in snow and ice! Such a different scene than when we were there before, but lovely in a whole new way.
I love comparing winter to summer shots.
I figure we’re into the last of the good weekends for xcountry skiing and concur about the in-between seasons. I like the break in a way – as it means that after a lot of trips to the mountains I can take it a bit easier for a month in the spring and fall – maybe even sleep in on a weekend. Yesterday did another 13 mile, 2000 foot ski with crappy conditions down low and amazing snow up high.Still I start getting itchy for what lies ahead in the summer.
Leigh recently posted..Trekking in Colombia: Day 5 in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
I agree Leigh. I am looking forward to a couple of quiet weekends before I start hiking and canoeing.
That’s a pretty good day – both skiing and hiking. When I was in Yosemite last month, most of the hiking trails were closed. However, the snow conditions were OK for doing some hikes. Since I am not a skier, I never thought about that transition. However, you made the most of a winter day.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Easter Island travel guide for budget travelers
If you are not out in the winter and spring, you never give much thought to this transition. I can only imagine how important it was for Native Americans and settlers who relied on frozen lakes and/or open waterways to get around. There would be a couple week perhaps a month when they could not do either.
Lovely pictures, as always, Ted! I know what you mean by the in between time! Looking forward to spring? I am!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..My hOtel – Swiss Luxury Apartments in Geneva, Switzerland
I am looking forward to spring too. I know it is officially already here, but it is not spring until I start doing spring outdoor activities. Going fishing in a couple of weeks.
Your photos look exactly like my hiking photos. Where I live, there’s no snow, but where I’ve been hiking, there’s a ton! I’ve never experienced the in betweens until now, and I’m not sure how I’m feeling about them…
I can tell you how I feel about them: they suck. At least most of the time it does. If the weather turns one way or the other I can handle it, but when it is 40 degrees and raining, that is just plain ugly.
Cool stuff Ted. The in-between isn’t fun for us golfers either. The change in season brings a transition in turf grass and makes for sloppy conditions on the greens for a few weeks. I usually decide season has changed when I begin to see all the geese that make their way to Florida flying north. It’s quite a site and something I try not to miss. Hundreds and hundreds of them, seemingly miles up in the air, all heading home…
I can imagine how this period in the weather would make golfing a nightmare. Reminds me of the scene in Caddyshack when the dude hits a ball in the hole in the pouring rain and a huge frog jumps out.
Its great you made the most of the in-between time and was able to capitalize on the mild weather! Never though much about the transition of seasons, great take on the day and the seasons
lola recently posted..The Great Escape – Copenhagen, Denmark Edition
When you camp outdoors you think about it quite often. The change is not so bad between fall and winter, but it is longer and more annoying from winter to spring.
Your definition of spring looks very different from mine.. you know, the California spring. LOL. Very pretty pictures!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Weekend Getaways: Sonoma Wine Country
Our spring can be pretty dismal. So far it has not been too bad this year, but it is still early.
Love the pic of the icicles on the rock formation – amazing how even the birds are confused by the weather now too!
Fiona recently posted..Chasing Red: One Man’s Obsession with the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona
Thanks Fiona,
I have seen a heron wading in the river near my house all winter. They used to fly south for the winter, but now a few stay up north.
After seeing and enjoying all your winter photos over the last few months, I’m ready for some green.
Leah Travels recently posted..#FriFotos: 10 Dishes I Adore
I too am ready for some green and some hiking Leah.
usually we just get drunk and loudly whine about the weather if we don’t like it. way to look on the bright side of things!
thelazytravelers recently posted..no travel required: #frifotos
That is just the way I roll Lazy Travelers.
We have that dilemma all the time…do I ski or do I cycle? Hmmm….maybe I can do both! Love this time of year!
Anita Mac recently posted..St Patrick’s Day Parade New Orleans Style
I am glad someone does. I like the good days, but there are too many 40 degree and rainy days when you really can’t do either. The good days though are usually beautiful.