A little hiking heaven at Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin
Devil’s Lake East Bluff and Woods Trail / You have to go back to the Ice Age to explain most of Wisconsin’s landscape, when glaciers carried sediment and debris before eventually melting and leaving random mounds. The moraines, as they are called, may be the closest things the upper Midwest has to mountains.
The bluffs at Devil’s Lake State Park, smack in the middle of Wisconsin’s moraine land, also can credit glacial movement for their formation, along with the park’s 46-foot-deep namesake lake. Today, the bluffs frame the pristine lake and boast a trail system with hikes of all levels.
The East Bluff has become a rock-climbing mecca for beginning and experienced climbers from surrounding states.
But if hiking is your thing, the East Bluff and Woods Trail can’t be beat. It’s a 2.6-mile loop with spectacular views of the lake from the bluff tops as well as a lower-elevation jaunt through a thick forest.
(Trail is highlighted in yellow.)
My husband and I drove to the trailhead, which was next to a parking lot a quarter mile east of the visitor center. Just for kicks, I wanted to start the hike in the early evening, aiming to return before dark. It was the best way to avoid the scads of other hikers we were certain to see on a July day in the popular park.
Immediately, as with most loop trails you’re faced with a decision: clockwise or counterclockwise?
I chose counterclockwise to catch some photos of the lake during the “golden hour” before sunset. That meant the East Bluff trail would be the first half and the East Bluff Woods trail the second.
Parkinson’s tip
I seem less fatigued after a hike when the challenging ascending portions are near the start. It’s probably psychological, but I’ll take it.
Up, up, up goes the trail, starting with stone steps and then over some fairly rocky paths. It’s quite steep at times. Poles could be helpful.
As you get higher, there are places where you can step off to the right of the trail for some awesome views.
But be aware of the risk.
You’ll be standing on a cliff.
Parkinson’s tip
If balance or hypotension is an issue for you, follow our family’s Rule for Cliffs: Stand no closer than 10 feet to the edge for even the most sure-footed.
I love how the setting sun splashed light over portions of these trees, making them almost glow.
Watch for poison ivy. The park is full of it, often right next to trails. “Leaves of three, let it be” – even if you think you’re among the 15% of people who are immune to its effects on the skin.
If you keep a steady pace — and Devil’s Lake tempts you to stray for only a couple more scenic views — you should make it to the halfway mark in less than an hour.
The East Bluff trail continues straight along the cliffs, but at the map kiosk, shown above, it’s time to make a sharp left onto the Woods trail.
Signage is solid along the trail.
The East Bluff Woods Trail descends quickly, and the path, smooth and covered with small rocks, could send you skidding. Small steps and poles are a good idea.
The rocks were tiny enough to get into my closed-toe hiking sandals, but of course the annoying pebbles might well have been boulders.
I had to empty the sandals out a few times.
Choose your shoes wisely.
There’s a reason this portion of the hike is called “Woods” trail. It’s wall-to-wall trees, and their denseness created a nightlike atmosphere well before the sun was down.
Parkinson’s tip
Parkinson’s can diminish one’s sense of smell, and I’ve found I miss scents that my companions can smell just fine. That’s why I love being outdoors during that dusky time of the evening, when sounds and smells are more acute, even for my half-shut-down olfactory system.
Surprisingly, there were no bugs.
(That can’t be normal.)
Well before dark, we were back at the trailhead.
Hike info
PD difficulty level (see chart): Moderate
Distance: 2.6-mile loop
Elevation change: 518 feet
Location: S5975 Park Rd., Baraboo, Wisconsin
Road access to trailhead: parking available next to the trailhead, but lots do fill up
Bathrooms: none at trailhead, but various buildings in the vicinity have them
Emergency support: within 10 miles
Costs: State parks day sticker is $13, or $16 for out-of-staters
Insider tip: To avoid the crush of humanity at this park, hike early morning or early evening.
Great article. I especially liked the sun setting picture. See you soon v
#helpfromfilter 🙂
I’m offended you thought my photo editing skills are limited to filters 😜
Ha ha, I forgot that you helped make that shot so stunning. And with a skillful use of tools beyond just filters!
Some of my favorite childhood memories are from here!