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Backpacker Magazine – May 2009
America's Best Day Hikes: Midwest
Beaches, wildlife, and prairies in Minnesota, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, North Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois make the Midwest a hiker's paradise.
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PRAIRIE
Ponca State Park, NE 8 miles (Moderate)
If you think Nebraska is totally flat, you haven't been to Lookout Hill. With a vista over a sprawling oak forest and verdant Missouri River valley, and across Ponca's high bluffs and prairie ridgetops, it's hard to call this terrain horizontal. Hike a loop on the park's Whitetail Trail to explore stands of black oak, basswood, and walnut, and wildflower meadows bursting with Canada violet, blue phlox, and white cicely in spring. Look for flashy scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, and orioles along the way.
Season Spring for flowers and songbirds, fall for foliage and migrating waterfowl
Info ngpc.state.ne.us/parks
Sylvan Runkel State Preserve, IA 12 miles (Moderate)
The planet looks wrinkled here, in a zone of peak-and-saddle hills and tall- and mixed-grass prairie. To explore this surprising sanctuary, start in the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area (at the 205th Street trailhead, near Onawa), and hike round-trip (go north) on the preserve's only trail, on a ridgeline above oak and hickory forests. Continue through the preserve, where in spring you'll see wildflowers like prairie moonwort and pasqueflower; in fall you'll walk through head-high bunchgrass.
Season May-October
Info (712) 423-2426
Sheyenne National Grasslands, ND 9 miles (Moderate)
Pristine tall-grass prairies offer a unique peek into America's scenic past. This North Dakota gem offers that, plus a well-maintained section of the North Country Trail. As you hike through the towering grasses, look for the rare regal fritillary butterfly and threatened Western prairie fringed orchid. Start at Sheyenne's eastern trailhead (near Lisbon), and follow the rolling path west to the Iron Spring Creek oasis–a perfect lunch stop with flowing water and shade from cottonwoods. Turn back here. Season May-October Info northcountrytrail.org
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READERS COMMENTS
Conkle's Hollow is part of Hocking Hills State Park. You might have trouble finding it without that info.
Just got back from Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry, Iowa on a winter hike. Amazing time. Hills are much steeper than I had anticipated but it was worth it. We had the whole park to ourselves and the campsites were pretty nice. Saw a few deer and bald eagles and fell asleep to the sound of coyote howling. Highly recommend a trip to YRSF, only 3 hours from the Quad cities and far less crowded then other trails I've been on
A few more nice spots for shorter hikes would be Turkey Run/Shades SPs in IN and Whitewater SP in MN. Eagle Mountain trail in MN. One I really want to do in WI is Devil's Lake SP.
Please change your link for the Konza Prairie to one that works:
http://kpbs.konza.ksu.edu/konzatrails.html
Thanks.
I hiked the French Creek Trail and it was very much bushwacking. My girlfriend didn't tell me she only had tennis shoes and flip flops till we already started the hike. Very amazing place. Check out all the details at http://www.photocamping.com/frenchcreek.html
Just hiked the 9 mile loop at Itasca this weekend. The number of lakes in a small area is amazing! We broke for lunch along Lake Mary and saw some loons on the lake. I would recommend a LOT of mosquito repellent. The hike is great for beginners as well, with very little elevation change and well-maintained trails.
The Hawk Ridge trail is listed in the section of the article that's wildlife-focused, genius, not just for great hikes on the North Shore. And you see the raptors from the ridge, not along the trail. But if you know the area so well, you already know this. I've seen more raptors from here than anywhere else in the country.
Wow, no mention of the Ice Age Trail, NCT; and, of the great forests in northern MN, WI & MI, etc. There are so many great places to hike in the Midwest and none are mentioned here.
The listing for the Hawk Ridge trail in Duluth is very misleading and a poor choice. There is so much great hiking on the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior. This trail is two miles of trail and two miles of road. There are no spots on the trail where you'd see congregations of hawks. Next time, ask someone who actually knows the area for their recommendation.
I hiked part of the canyon today. There were several trees blown down over the road leading to the gate where you park to begin the hike. Also, several trees were blown down onto the trail that you will need to hike around. Ran into two water moccasins today (9-3-09). Beautiful place.
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