4.04.2007

In the Lion's Den


Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve ~ Grafton, Wisconsin
Sunday, April 1, 2007




When I awoke Sunday morning to sunshine and bird songs I knew it was an invitation to go for a walk. It was still damp outside from the previous night's two inch rain and there was the scent of spring. As my poet husband says, “It smells like worms.” Instead of walking uptown to the local coffee house we decided to drive to Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in the Town of Grafton. The 79 acres located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan includes 90 foot bluffs and a gorge filled with white cedar trees leading to a stretch of beach. It is less than 10 miles from our home and I am embarrassed to say that this would be our first visit.
When Buz and I left the house it was 57 degrees- sunny and warm for Wisconsin's spring- so we grabbed our light jackets and donned our shoes reserved for muddy treks. As we approached the lake the temperature began to drop and by the time we arrived at the park it had dropped 12 degrees. Hmmm… should have worn warmer gear but we were not going to abandon our walk. The park consists of trails skirting the bluffs with occasional benches placed so you can enjoy the expanse of Lake Michigan. However, with the nippy temperature we did not linger.








Erosion is an obvious problem along the bluffs.


There are also woodland and wetland trails and stairs descending into the gorge that lead to the beach.


Boardwalk through wetland area.




The Lions Den Trail that leads to the stairs in the gorge is handicap/stroller accessible.
It's a great place to bird watch.





If you go down the stairway at the end of this trail.....




through the cedar filled gorge...


and over the creek...


you will be rewarded with this view.


The park was beautiful even in this season between white and green but I can’t wait to go back when the gentians are in bloom and the trees have leaved out. We had timed our first visit just right because the clouds and wind raced toward us as we were leaving and the rain soon returned.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous17.8.10

    This is a great park and trail. The pictorial tour reminded me of how much I need to return to it. Though I do prefer it in it's summer bloom. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete