Sierra Club Outings Calendar

Saturday, September 18th - 10:00 AM, Prato Bello and Donald Park Hike.
Prato Bello (Italian for "Beautiful Prairie") is a good example of a private prairie restoration on a fairly large scale.  We'll tour Prato Bello with land owner Michael Schmitz and learn about his experiences in turning 60 acres of old pasture into restored prairie.  Then we'll head over to Donald
Park (just a mile away) for lunch and hiking.  Donald Park is a lesser known gem of the Dane County Park System with many miles of trails through prairie, wetlands and woods.  Please bring a water, a lunch, a good pair of hiking shoes or boots and weather appropriate clothing.  The trails are gentle to moderate with some short steep areas and can be wet and/or slippery after rain.  Meet at 10:00 A.M. at Prato Bello. For those interested in carpooling from Madison, we'll meet at 9:30 AM in the western parking lot of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation building on 4802
Sheboygan Ave..  Donald Park is located at 1495 SR 92 between Mount Horeb and Mount Vernon.  For directions to Prato Bello and any other questions please contact Jon Higgins at 608-345-5997 or jonnylv@earthlink.net

Thursday, September 23rd  - 7:00 - Full Moon Autumn Equinox Hike
Join the Dane County Chapter on the Ice Age Trail's beautiful Table Bluff Segment for a wonderful trek kicking off the fall hiking season. Take Hwy 14 about 2 miles west of Cross Plains to Cty KP and turn right. Go 2 miles on KP, then left on Table Blulff Rd for about .3 miles. Park along road by
rocks. To RSVP or for directions or more info, contact Kathy at 608-848-5076 or kmulb@charter.net.

Saturday, September 25th  - Trail Construction - Verona (stay tuned for details)

Saturday, October 2nd - 10:00 A.M. - Hike the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail
Join us for a 6-7 mile moderate difficultly hike on the Lodi segment of the Ice Age Trail. Meet at the south trailhead along Lodi Springfield Rd (the one with the kiosk) .5 miles north of Lee Rd. Carpooling from Madison will meet at 9 AM at the Hill Farm State Office Building (DOT) on Sheboygan Avenue. Bring a lunch, water, bug repellent, sunscreen and weather
appropriate clothing. For more info, directions, or to RSVP contact David
Smith (Madison) at 608-233- 1210.

Tuesday October 5th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Harvest
Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney Street, Madison. Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.

October 8-10, Annual John Muir Chapter Sierra Club Autumn Assembly
Fall is coming and with it the annual John Muir Chapter Autumn Assembly. All Wisconsin Sierra Club members are invited to attend this fun and educational gathering. This year’s Autumn Assembly will be held in Mindoro, WI. In this beautiful outdoors setting, we will offer great speakers, hiking and other nature activities. It is also a chance to meet Sierra Club members from other parts of the state. Information and the registration form for this year’s Autumn Assembly -- agenda, speakers, registration -- can be accessed by following this link: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Events/aa.asp. Hope to see you there!

Devil's Lake Hike Summer 2010

Saturday, October 9th, 10:00 AM - Baxter's Hollow
One of the best places, if not the best place, to be in southern Wisconsin in autumn is in the Baraboo Hills about 40 miles northwest of Madison. We'll visit The Nature Conservancy's Baxter's Hollow in the heart of the largest swath of contiguous forest in the region.  We'll talk about the
plants and animals living there and about the ancient geology that created the hollow.  The summer's rain has taken a toll on some of the roads and trails in the Baraboo Hills and we may have to hike a mile or so to reach the trailhead.  The trails are fairly gentle but can be under water in some places and there is a stream crossing hopping over chunks of concrete. Baxter's Hollow is located at the end of Stone's Pocket Road which can be reached from US 12 via County C across the road from the old Badger Ammunition complex north of Sauk City.  For carpooling from Madison we'll depart from the western parking lot of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation building on 4802 Sheboygan Ave at 9:15 AM.  For directions and other questions please contact Jon Higgins at 608-345-5997 or jonnylv@earthlink.net

Saturday, October 16th - 6:30 P.M. - Candlelight hike at Lake Kegonsa State Park
Join us for a beautiful fall evening hike along 2 miles of trails lit with hundreds of glowing luminaries. When we are done hiking we can warm up by the bonfire and enjoy refreshments sold by the Friends of Lake Kegonsa State Park, and grills will be available for cooking - bring your own meat or purchase from the Friends. Carpooling from Madison meets at 6:00 PM at Dutch
Mill Park & Ride (Hwy 51 and Broadway Rd). Please RSVP if you wish to meet at the trailhead. A valid state park admission sticker is required. To RSVP or for directions or more info, contact Kathy at 608-848-5076 or kmulb@charter.net.

Sunday, October 17th - 10:15 A.M. - Hike at Blue Mounds State Park
We'll meet at the Park & Ride at the corner of Old PD and Business 151 at 9:30 and carpool to Blue Mound State Park at 9:45. You can also meet us at the park at 10:15. A State Park Sticker is required on all vehicles entering the park: annual $25.00 daily $7.00. Look for me wearing a white Life is Good  baseball style hat. We'll hike several of the trails at Blue Mound State Park, about 5 miles total. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy hiking boots. Pack plenty of water and a lunch. Plan on returning to the Park & Ride at 2:00 P.M. For more information contact Bill Fenske: duh.guru@att.net

Friday, October 22nd - 7:00 P.M. - Full moon hike at Indian Lake County Park
Come learn about the geologic and settlement history of Indian Lake and observe the majestic oaks by night. Meet at 7 PM at the Indian Lake parking lot on Hwy 19, 2 miles west of Hwy 12. Wear good walking footwear and bring fluids, a snack to share, and a light. Conducted with the Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail. To RSVP or for more info, please call Kathy at
608-848-5076 or kmulb@charter.net.

Sunday, October 31st - 9:00 A.M. - Prairie Restoration in Lodi - (stay tuned for details)

Tuesday November 9th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Imperial Garden
Imperial Garden, 2039 Allen Boulevard, Middleton. Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.

Saturday, November 13th  - 10:00 A.M. - Pheasant Branch Conservancy Hike
Join Bill for a hike at the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.  We may see deer and wild turkeys while hiking. We'll hike for about 2 hours; starting up the hill where we'll be able to see Lake Mendota and the Capitol Building. We'll then hike in the wooded area on the Conservancy Loop Trail.  Wear
hiking/walking shoes and bring water and a snack. Meet at the Conservancy parking lot at 4484 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI (The Northernmost parking lot) at 10:00 am. Please R.S.V.P. to Bill Fenske: duh.guru@att.net.

Saturday, November 20th - 10:00 AM - Devil's Lake Rim Hike
Finding a safe hiking place during deer gun hunting season can be a challenge.  Fortunately, the trails circling the Devil's Lake gorge in Devil's Lake State Park are far away from the shooting.  We'll do the rim hike climbing both the East and West Bluffs.  Along the way learn about the
powerful forces of plate tectonics, volcanism and massive glaciers that shaped the place we call Devil's Lake over the last 2 billion years.  The hiking varies from easy to challenging and involves some climbing over rocky, steep and potentially slippery trails with and altitude change of
about 600 feet in a quarter mile.  Bring water, a lunch, a good pair of hiking shoes or boots and weather appropriate clothing.  Weather in mid-November can range from crisp and sunny to wet and cold so be prepared. We'll meet in the South Shore parking lot by the concession at 10:00 AM. Carpooling from Madison will leave the western parking lot of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation building on 4802 Sheboygan Ave at 9:00 AM: be a little early please.  Devil's Lake State Park is located 3 miles south of Baraboo in Sauk County along SR 113.  A state park sticker or day pass is required for cars in the park.  For directions and other questions please
contact Jon Higgins at 608-345-5997 or jonnylv@earthlink.net

Tuesday December 14th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Liliana's
Liliana's, 2951 Triverton Pike Drive, Fitchburg, WI. Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.

Sunday, December 19th - 9:00 A.M. - Retoration and Brush Burning at Table Bluff (stay tuned for details)

Sunday, December 19th - 6:30 P.M. - Winter Solstice Bonfire - Picnic Point
Come to our annual Winter Solstice bonfire beginning at 6:30 PM located on the farthest fire pit area out on Picnic Point. Bring warm liquids for yourself and a snack to share. Don't forget a knit hat, warm gloves/mittens and boots. Feel free to bring cozy Holiday stories to share or holiday songs to sing. Picnic Point can be accessed along the north side of the Picnic Point peninsula, just off of the Lake Mendota Lakeshore Path. To RSVP, contact Lacinda at lacinda.athen@gmail.com or 608-274-7870.

Saturday, January 1st - 11:00 AM - New Years snowshoe/hike at Blue Mound State Park
What better way to start the New Year!  Blue Mount State Park has some of the nicest snowshoe trails around.  We'll snowshoe (or hike) through forests and ravines on the north side of Blue Mound and learn a little about the life of a forest in winter as well as the geology of Blue Mound and the Driftless Area in southwest Wisconsin.  If there isn't sufficient snow we'll hike, otherwise snowshoes are strongly recommended.  Bring water, a lunch or snack and layered, weather appropriate clothing.  The trails are not steep, but be prepared for several miles of snowy trail and the physical challenges involved.  Blue Mound State Park is located off US 18/151 just north of the
town of Blue Mounds.  We'll meet at the trailhead parking lot by the swimming pool at 11:00 AM.  Carpooling from Madison will leave the western parking lot of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation building on 4802 Sheboygan Ave at 10:15 AM: be a little early please. A state park sticker or day pass is required for cars in the park.  Be aware that your 2010 state park sticker will have expired at midnight.  For directions and other questions please contact Jon Higgins at 608-345-5997 or jonnylv@earthlink.net

Saturday, February 5th- 4:00 P.M. - Winter camping/candlelight Ski Blue Mound State Park
Join Bill for a great time skiing, snow shoeing and camping at Blue Mound State Park. We'll begin by meeting in the campground parking lot at 4:00 PM and then select a campsite at the park and set up our tents (all sites are walk-in only). A bonfire will quickly follow. I'll supply turkey chili
(spicy) for the camper's evening meal. Please bring along a dish to pass and your own beverages. We'll participate in the candlelight ski or snowshoe hike put on by the Friends of Blue Mound State Park. Hot beverages are also available from the Friends Group. Please bring your own food for breakfast Sunday morning. We'll ski, snowshoe, and/or hike on Sunday after breakfast.
All vehicles must have a State Park Sticker <http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/fees/> .  Camping fees are $10.00 - $14.00 per campsite. Please RSVP to Bill by January 28th:at
duh.guru@att.net.

Tuesday February 15th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Paisan's
Paisan's Italian Restaurant, 131 W. Wilson, Madison  Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.

Saturday, February 26th - 10:00 A.M. - Snowshoe/hike at Goth Park
Join Bill for a pleasant day of snowshoeing or hiking at Goth Park - Goth Park is on Old Sauk Road in the Town of Middleton (~3 miles west of Beltline). We'll meet in the parking lot near the trailhead at 10:00 AM and snowshoe or hike for about 2 hours. There are about 20 acres at Goth Park; plenty of variety for experienced snowshoers to novices. Families are welcome. Snowshoes can be rented at REI, Fontana Sports and Rutabaga.  To get to Goth Park take Old Sauk Road west from the Beltline. It is very close to the end of Old Sauk Road near Timber Lane.  For more information or to RSVP contact Bill: duh.guru@att.net.

Tuesday March 15th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Vintage Brewing Company
The Vintage Brewing Company, 674 South Whitney Way, Madison.  Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.

Tuesday April 12th - Cruisin' for Cuisine at Bunky's Cafe
Bunky's Cafe, 2425 Atwood Avenue, Madison.  Enjoy the company of fellow Sierrans while sampling fine local cuisine and participating in a thought-provoking educational discussion. We try to mix locations and price points, so hopefully we'll hit a spot you like! Open to members and non-members alike, so bring a friend if you want.  Please RSVP a week in advance to Lacinda Athen at lacinda.athen@gmail.com  or 608-274-7870 and she will make reservations for the group. Dinner time will be provided when you RSVP.