A Bloy and his Blog

When hiking, don’t forget to look down. There’s beauty and wonder on the forest floor as well.

Taken in Wisconsin’s Northern Highland American Legion State Forest.

I hiked up the bluff trail at Devil’s Lake State Park today.

read the rest of: Devil’s Lake bluff trail

Last Sunday I went for a hike at Cherokee Marsh. When I got to the section of trail that has a boardwalk, I couldn’t help but focus on the old, weathered boards.

read the rest of: Along the boardwalk

I also visited Copper Falls State Park while vacationing in Northern Wisconsin earlier this month.

The most scenic views of the park are along the Doughboys’ Nature Trail. Along that thick, wooded trail, you get great views of the deep gorges and park’s largest waterfalls.

read the rest of: Hiking through Copper Falls

In spite of the hassles that come with the record amounts of snow, it really was quite beautiful this morning. I decided to put on my hiking boots and get out there with my camera, before all the snow blew off the branches. Below is a shot looking east down Schroeder Road.

read the rest of: Hiking in a winter wonderland

If I had to pick a favorite scenic spot in Wisconsin, it would be this one. The Black Lagoon on the Star Lake Nature Trail.

I’ve mentioned that trail before — it’s my favorite hiking trail in the state. While hiking there, you’ll walk through a thick boreal forest, a bog, a plantation of century-old pine trees, and along the lake shore. You’ll see (and hear) loons and other birds, and if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of a bald eagle. Beautiful views can be seen all along the trail, but there is none better than the Black Lagoon.

The Star Lake Nature trail is located off of Hwy K, about a mile west of the intersection with Hwy N in Vilas County. Map

Yesterday I visited Parfrey’s Glen, a State Natural Area close to Devil’s Lake State Park.

read the rest of: Parfrey’s Glen