Experimental Forest

Hike Name: Experimental Forest Location: southwest WI Length: 8 Submitted by: Wapiti Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Wisconsin trail reviews Wisconsin national parks Wisconsin state parks
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Description
Coulee Experimental Forest, located on a ridgeline overlooking West Salem & the Barre township. This parcel is almost completely ridgeline property, with three distinct trails designed & conditioned for XC skiing. The south loop is easy, relatively short, and includes a great vista looking SW off the ridgeline. Downside is that this loop is used most often by equestrians, so watch the horse apples!

The West trail is a straight cut from the main parking area amongst cornfields and into the woods again for a straight run along the ridgeline to a dead-end somewhere 1/4-short of the ridgeline\'s end. No vista. Great spot for stealth camping, however.

The North loop runs a bit longer than the others, and intertwines with a \'skate\' trail or something similarly vague in its uses. The loop gets a little rough to follow near its end, as the \'skate trail\' intersects with both sides of the loop and an old access road all in one \'five-points\' junction with some overgrown signs. Experience or a map is necessary to get outta that mess. Coyotes frequent this portion of the north loop--especially the forest fringes alongside the cornfields at the ridge\'s summits.

All in all a good dayhiking spot, with very little in the way of crowds. You\'ll never escape the sound of engine-braking trucks, as this is still the coulee region and you\'ll hear those semi-truck descents night and day echoing off the bluff faces.

Directions to Hike
Easiest way to the main trailhead is off of La Crosse County highway 'II' off of County 'I' which connects to both County 'M' and (iirc) Wisconsin state highway 162. So: from West Salem head south on County M until you see the turnoff (to the left) for County I. This will take you along the bottom of Russian Coulee, where there is eventually another right turn to County II and upward into a cut at the ridgeline's summit with a quick right turn into a gravel access road.

Contact Information
http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/

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