Wildcat Mountain State Park #38

We stopped at Wildcat State Park on the way back from visiting Perrot and Merrick State Parks. It was just a few days after the area experienced some very heavy rains, which made our hike extra challenging. At this park, you can drive to the top of the "mountain" (really, there aren't mountains in Wisconsin, doesn't mean there aren't great views and steep climbs though!), and see the view from there. We did take advantage of this option, and noticed a lot of great camping spots with spectacular views. We then drove back down to start the hike up.


So....the hike up was one of the toughest hikes, if not the toughest hike we have had this summer and fall. The compounding factor was the rain I mentioned previously (that's my attempt at foreshadowing), which must have also created the ideal environment for the mosquitos to really get in one more party before the cold weather arrived.


We took the Hemlock Nature Trail, which starts next to the Kickapoo River, and winds its way up Mount Pisgah, an elevation of 1,220 feet above sea level. The first part of the trail was fairly muddy, enough that we were sliding around on the way, not a big deal, unless you actually want to keep a brisk pace, which we did.


This trail was pretty much straight up, with a lot of switchbacks. If you were so audacious as to stop your backbreaking pace to catch your breath (me), or pick up bows and arrows aka sticks (G), the mosquitos descended with a cacophony unlike anything I've ever heard, and I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life. However, it was so worth it! The view was spectacular and most likely due to the less than ideal trail conditions, we saw only a few other people during our hike.


Wildcat Mountain State Park has several horse trail loops totaling 15 miles and offers 24 campsites for equestrians available. Canoeing and fishing are popular on the Kickapoo River, and snow shoeing and cross country skiing are available in the winter. Wildcat Mountain received its name when in the 1800s a group of farmers were upset because their sheep were being killed by a bobcat, or wildcat. They formed a hunting party and the wildcat was shot near the top of the mountain, and the hill was from that point on, known as Wildcat Mountain. It is a nice park, with a lot of option for activities in any season. Next stop, Natural Bridge State Park!