SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010 ANNUAL HOLIDAY GET-TOGETHER & 2010 RIDE PLANNING Ted and Sharon Bailey's house Starting at 11 a.m. Please bring a snack/hors d'oeuvres to share and any alcoholic beverages you'd like. We will have barbeque, buns & chips and assorted soda. Be sure to bring your calendars and ideas for ride destinations for the 2010 riding season. The planning session will be held in the now-empty lower level of the house, so please bring yourselves a lawn chair/bag chair for set up there for the planning portion of the party.
See map of how to get to Bailey's place. Contact Sharon with questions. (E-mail: sharon.bailey@deancare.com)
APRIL 16-18
MIDWEST HORSE FAIR, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
APRIL 30 – MAY 2
CASTLE ROCK HORSE TRAILS, Ukarydee Equestrian Campground, 2047 Cumberland Avenue, Arkdale, WI 54613. Phone: 608-564-2233 Website: www.horsecampukarydee.com Coordinators: Dave and Kathy Bleskey Email: kbleskey@wi-net.com Phone: 715-824-3717
Reservations are only made via phone to Mary or Mike Harris at 608-564-2233. However, the NEW POLICY for the 2010 camping season is that all reserved sites need to be prepaid. A non-refundable two-night minimum will hold your site. From the date of your reservation, you will have one week to send a check in the mail to the address listed above.
A registration form is on Ukarydee’s website which is listed above. Click on the registration form tab. If you have trouble printing the form, right click on the registration form, hit “control C” and paste to word to print.
If you choose to come without having reservations, Ukarydee always has room for you if you are willing to picket or set up your own portable corral in the event that all 50 campsites are booked, (which is rare.)
Ukarydee has 50 spacious campsites. Each campsite provides a place to keep your horses. Forty of the sites have a 24' metal round pen. The other ten campsites have a 24' x 36' wide tape electric turnout. All campsites are designed to provide drive through parking and require little or no backing. Ukarydee also provides a large outdoor riding arena and a 60' round pen that are usually available for your convenience.
The campground is designed with three sections. Sites 2-15 are on the hill beyond the house and accommodate smaller rigs. Some larger rigs may not be able to get into these sites. Sites 1 and 16-30 are in the original field beyond the house and barn. Sites 31-47 and A-C are in the front field on the right as you drive in and before you reach the house and barn.
Each section is equipped with modern portable toilets, tools for cleaning your campsite area, and strategically located electric hook-ups which can be reached from any site with some extra cord. Water spigots are also strategically located. A shower is available at the office for a small fee.
Most Midwest Trailgaiters book in the front section as you drive into the campground: Sites 31-47. Many have already reserved their sites in this front section for our Trailgaiter weekend.
The campground is just off Highway 21 and County Z near Necedah, WI. Ukarydee is a private campground that connects to the Castle Rock-Petenwell Trails with approximately 25 miles of trails with 7 loops. The terrain is flat to slightly rolling sandy trails and mostly wooded. Some trails travel along the Wisconsin River. Shoes are not needed on this terrain. If the season is wet, there can be some small water/mud holes to cross with little difficulty.
Be aware that some areas are used for public hunting. Spring Turkey hunting is open during this time. You may encounter turkey hunters just off the trails, but we are not aware of any problems in the past. During duck hunting, there is a lot of gunfire along the river trails and truck and boat trailer traffic on the roads. ATVs do ride on roads; but normally there is very little traffic from them. ATVs are not allowed on the horse trails. It has been our experience that they are very considerate with approach and speed.
Make your reservation asap by phone to the Ukarydee office as sites fill up fast at this time of year. They will try to keep our club members together, so mention you are with TrailGaiters. For driving directions and more information about Ukarydee, visit their website and/or contact us.
Happy Trails !
Dave and Kathy Bleskey, Coordinators
June 4-6
ZUMBRO BOTTOMS, Wabasha, MN Coordinators: Ruth Thompson & Roger Swansen
Directions to Zumbro Bottoms
From I-90 - - Either from the East – LaCrosse, WI. Or from the West – Rochester, MN.
Take the Dover, MN exit off of I-90 and take Olmsted County Hwy 10 to the North (right). Stay on Hwy 10 though Dover and go across US Hwy 14 – still on Hwy 10. Hwy 10 will change to Wabasha County Hwy 4 along the way. You will come to a stop sign…keep going straight, you will come into Plainview, at the stop sign turn right onto Hwy 42. This will take you around Plainview. Just outside of Plainview on the left you will see a large John Deere Equipment dealership, just past this you will take a left onto Hwy 4, and follow Hwy 4 all the way to Theilman. You will be up on the ridge, then drop down into a valley, passing the Whippoorwill Campground. When you cross the Zumbro river you will see Theilman on your right. Take the 2nd street into Theilman, onto Wabasha county Road #86 This will take you past the Catholic Church and out of town. The road turns to a gravel road just as you leave Theilman. Stay on this gravel road. - - be careful as there are NO shoulders on this road and drops off sharply!! Hwy #86 will turn and go up a steep hill - - do not go up the hill, keep going straight onto the township gravel road. There is a brown DNR sign about Zumbro Bottoms at that point. Do not take the farm driveway that goes off to the left, shortly you will be in the campground. Campground is a huge open area; follow the roads around to pick out a spot.
From Wabasha, MN - - (crossing the Mississippi from Wisconsin)
Take Hwy 60 out of Wabasha, go past Kruger Park and through the small village of Dumfries. Just a short distance after Dumfries take Wabasha County Road #86 (gravel road) to the left. It will turn to the right and then to the left and then go down a steep hill. Don’t go too fast…because at the bottom of the steep hill you will take a left turn onto to a township gravel road. There is a brown DNR sign about Zumbro Bottoms at that point. Do not take the farm driveway that goes off to the left, shortly you will be in the campground. Campground is a huge open area; follow the roads around to pick out a
** We usually camp towards the back end, near the hand pump (horse water only) and outhouse. We drive a gray Ford F-350 dually and pull a Cimarron 4 horse live in trailer.
Ruth’s Cell# 507-951-1174 - - Roger’s Cell# 507-459-0956
CELL PHONES DO NOT WORK WELL IN THE CAMPGROUND!
** Park office phone number: 651-345-3401
29223 County 28 Boulevard, Frontenac, Minnesota 55026. FRONTENAC STATE PARK MANAGES THE DNR FORESTRY CAMPGROUNDS at Zumbro Bottoms.
** This is remote camping…NO people water, no electricity, no showers, only outhouses.
** When on the trails…only water your horses at the TWO SAFE areas along the river, as horses have been lost in the river.
** MN horse trail pass is needed.
** Firewood must be purchased from MN DNR authorized dealer due to the emerald ash borer. A close wood source is Doug at cell# 507-273-2483 or home 651-345-5270
** Camping is first-come, first serve. $16.00/night per sleeping unit at Zumbro Bottoms. The horse trails at Zumbro Bottoms are open from May 1-November 1, 2009.
Visitor Alert!
Riders still need to be cautious around the landscaping near the bridge due to the netting that is overlaying the straw. The netting could catch hooves and shoes so it is best if horses and riders stay off.
In order to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive pests such as emerald ash borer (EAB) into state lands, a statute was amended in May, 2007, banning all firewood in state-owned camping facilities unless approved by the DNR (M.S. 89.551, Sec. 2, Approved Firewood Required). In fact, not only EAB but many different forest pests and diseases can be accidentally transported in firewood.
In everyday language, it is now illegal to bring firewood into state parks, state forest campgrounds or day-use areas unless purchased from an approved vendor. Approved firewood is:
Wood that was harvested in Minnesota.
Wood that was harvested not more than 100 miles from the state-administered lands where it will be burned.
Kiln-dried, unpainted, unstained dimensional lumber is also approved for use on state lands.
The Division of Forestry handles the approval process and maintains the DNR website database that lists the vendors. By June 2008, more than 500 vendors throughout Minnesota were approved.
JULY 9-11
END OF THE TRAIL CAMPGROUND, Ontario, WI
(Wildcat Mountain & Kickapoo Valley Reserve trails) Coordinators: Dan and Linda Catherman
The Trailgaiter ride scheduled for July 9 – 11 is at End of the Trail Equine Campground in Ontario, WI. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling Jan Tassler at 608-337-4738 or email at equineexpress@centurytel.net . The address is for the camp is E13722 Cass Valley Road, Ontario, WI 54651. In general, the campground is off Hwy F south of Hwy 33 near Ontario. For directions, it is advised to call the campground or to visit their website http://www.endofthetrailcampground.com/ . Some folks have reported trouble with direction services taking them on routes that are less than desirable for horse trailers.
From the campground, riders can access the trails at either Wildcat Mountain State Park, or Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Both sets of trails are hilly and rocky. Shoes are recommended. For a small fee, the campground will trailer riders and horses to various locations in either trail system. A favorite is to trailer to the dam near LaFarge, ride to the bar in Rockton for lunch, then ride back to camp.
Electric and non-electric sites are available, although the electric sites fill up fast. There is a shower house available for campers. Ice and ice cream bars can also be found. Firewood is provided, although donations are encouraged to offset the cost.
AUGUST 6-8
YELLOW RIVER STATE FOREST-- south of Waukon, north of Marquette, Iowa. Coordinator: Joan Bartz
Directions:
The entrance to Yellow River State Forest is located on Hwy 76. The forest is located 15 miles north of Marquette, Iowa on Hwy. 76. The entrance will be on the right side of the road. This road is called State Forest Road or B25. If traveling from the north the entrance is located 10 miles south of Waukon, Iowa on Hwy 76. The entrance of the forest from Waukon will be on the left. There is also an alternative entrance located west of Harpers Ferry, Iowa approx. 2 miles from town on county road X42, again look for State Forest Road or B25 on the left side of X42. DO NOT TAKE THE DONAHUE ROAD ENTRANCE THIS ROAD IS A LEVEL B ROAD
This is primitive camping, no electric or water supplied but there are pit toilets available. Horses can be watered at the creek within walking distance of the campsites. There are 2 campsites, Creekside and Frontier. We are camping at the Frontier camp which is the second campground. There are campsites by reservation and first-come-first-serve. If you do not have reservations, you may not get a campsite. The website states that a health certificate is required but I have never been checked, but I always carry a negative coggins certificate on my horses. The decision is yours to bring health papers or not.
E-mail: joan_bartz@yahoo.com
SEPTEMBER 10-12 Hay Meadow Flowage, Chippewa County Forest - Coordinators: Jeanne & Mike Fox
Hay Meadow horse trails are located in Chippewa County Forest. From Highway 53 take Highway 64 east until you reach County Road E. Take a left on E and then take the first left on Bob Lake Road. Follow Bob Lake Road for approximately 4 miles and turn right onto Hay Meadow Trail forest road. Follow forest road for 1.5 miles to Hay Meadow Flowage #3. Caution - do not turn into Hay Meadow Flowage #1 which would be the first right off the forest road; there is not enough room to turn around. Hay Meadow Flowage #3 includes a parking area with primitive camping, ties lines and a portapotty. There is a flowage close by for watering your animals, but it is recommended that you bring water for yourself and your animals. Tie lines are available on a first come first serve basis, you may also contain your animals with portable fencing or by bringing along your own picket lines. Please picket or fence your animals away from the parking areas. We will have a community campfires - no need to bring firewood as we will provide it. There are a variety of trails in the forest from wide fire lanes to narrow single-track trails with three bridge crossings. Trails are marked and trail maps will be provided. Please stay on the designated horse trails. Please practice the pack it in pack it out rules so that others may enjoy the area. Manure may be scattered into the forest.
There are no camping or trail fees, but donations are appreciated.
There is a restaurant/bar at nearby Rock Lake Resort about 4 miles by road serving lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Meals include pizza and basket type menu items. During the summer/fall there are nightly specials.
Cell phone coverage is spotty in this area.
Please RSVP to either Jeanne or Mike at 715-288-6751 or email foxy54748@yahoo.com so we can have some idea of the number attending. If there are several large rigs we will need to organize the parking. If attendance is small the parking will be on your own.
Just for Fun -- Poker Run event during Saturday of the trail ride . Participants will be provided with a map of the trails and clues on where to find the buckets with tokens (five buckets total). Each participant will need to get a token from each bucket during the course of the day and turn those in for 5 cards. No cheating as each bucket contains a different colored chip! After the potluck supper we'll determine the player with the best poker hand. Participation fee is $10. The pot will be divided with 1/2 of the going to the Chippewa Valley Trailriders; the equestrian group that maintains the trail system in the forest; and 1/2 being payback to the poker run participants. So for instance if there are 20 participants @ $10 each: $100 will go to the CVT and $100 will be divided among the top three poker hands @ $50: $30: $20.
OCTOBER 1-3
HAPPY BARN, Hollandale, WI Coordinators: Sharon Darrow and Karla Hurd
Directions: Take Hwy F south of 39. Second right road is McKenna Rd. it is hard to see as it is right over a hill. There is a farm on the corner, white farm house with 3 big pines. A few miles down McKenna you cross a bridge over a river and the first left is Taylor Rd. Campground is up Taylor Rd. on the left.
APRIL 19
MIDWEST HORSE FAIR, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
A TrailGaiter Saturday afternoon get-together may be planned.
Check back for updates.
APRIL 25-27
CASTLE ROCK HORSE TRAILS, Ukarydee Campground, Arkdale, WI Coordinators: Ted and Sharon Bailey
In April 2008 the TrailGaiters rode at Ukarydee on this same weekend which coincided with the Castle Rock Horse Trails Club Trail Clean-Up weekend. The trail work day will again be held on this weekend in April. The Castle Rock Trails are privately owned and the maintenance for the trails falls on a small group of dedicated local people that spend a lot of time keeping the trail in good shape. They don't have the state or county to count on like many other properties. We are suggesting that those attending our ride might want to give a half day or so of labor to help clean-up the trails on Saturday morning. It is not required, but for those that want to help, there will be an opportunity. Ukarydee Campground has graciously offered volunteers a price break on their camping for those that work 5 or more hours. Please drop us an email if you can help out on Saturday (sharon.bailey@deancare.com) so we can get an accurate count for the work crew. Information on Ukarydee campground is below.
The campground is just off Highway 21 and County Z near Necedah, WI. Portable toilets, electricity, and water are available to all sites. A shower is available at the office for a small fee. Ukarydee connects to the Castle Rock-Petenwell Trails with approximately 40 miles of trails with 7 loops. The terrain is flat to slightly rolling sandy trails and mostly wooded. Some trails travel along the Wisconsin River. Shoes are not needed on this terrain. If the season is wet, there can be some small water/mud holes to cross with little difficulty. Be aware that some areas are used for public hunting. During duck hunting, there is a lot of gunfire along the river trails and more trucks and boat trailer traffic on roads. Turkey hunting and possibly duck hunting may be during this time. It doesn't appear that there will be any deer gun-season during this weekend per the DNR website. Please check the WI DNR site for any updates. ATVs do ride on roads; but normally there is very little traffic from them. ATVs are not allowed on the horse trails. It has been our experience that they are very considerate with approach and speed. Ukarydee has 49 sites and additional expansion area for camping. 15 sites are spread out on a hill in the woods and accommodate smaller rigs. 15 original sites are on the flat in a field and 19 new sites adjoin the original field sites. Some sites on the hill do not allow for bigger rigs to get in and out, so be aware when making reservations. Make your reservation at the Ukarydee office as sites fill up fast at this time of year. They will try to keep our club members together, so mention you are with TrailGaiters. A few sites are already reserved for TG members, and we have been assigned Site 41. Call Mary Harris, phone 608-564-2233, to reserve.
Happy Trails ! Sharon and Ted Bailey, Coordinators (E-mail: sharon.bailey@deancare.com)
MAY 15-17
POPPLE RIDGE, NINE MILE RESORT, Antigo, WI Coordinator: Jackie Moore
We will be staying at the 9 Mile All Sport Resort, N5751 Hwy. 55, White Lake, WI 54491. Call 715-484-8908 for reservations. The campground is located north of Langlade on Highway 55, at the corner of Highway 55 and Sawyer Lake Road. This is a multi-use campground (may have fisherman, ATV, hikers, bike riders, etc.) there there is a separate area for horse camping - - portable pens or picket lines are OK. Let them know you are with the TrailGaiters, they will group us together. Dogs must be leashed or tied. Must clean up after your horses and dispose of manure in skidster. You must provide proof of Coggins. Register at the bar prior to parking. Cost is $22 per night for a full hook-up. Ask about other fee options when you reserve. Amenities include: convenience store, cabin rentals, bait shop, laundry, showers, small bar. There is a short private trail to get to the Popple Ridge Horse trail There are 26 miles of marked trails, plus lots of logging roads. The Popple Ridge Horse trail is mainly dirt and grass, and includes some gentle hills. This trail is located in the Nicolet National Forest and there are no fees or trail passes required. Please e-mail Jackie at kmoorja@wolfnet.net and let her know if you will be coming.
JUNE 5-7
ZUMBRO BOTTOMS, Wabasha, MN Coordinators: Ruth Thompson & Roger Swansen
JUNE 26-28
HAPPY BARN, Hollandale, WI Coordinator: Rhonda Riedner
Happy Barn is a privately owned facility, between Blanchardville and Hollandale which is open to trail riders. Permission is needed to ride there, and everyone must sign a release (donations for trail maintenance are appreciated). The Pecatonia River runs through the property. The terrain is varied with a little of everything. There are pretty good maps of the perimeter trails, but not of all the spur trails. There are 20-25 miles of trails, but a lot of them are not on the map because they criss-cross back and forth of the main perimeter trails.
There are two places to camp, one is the campground and a big parking lot by the Happy Barn. The weekend of June 26-28, 2009 is reserved for the Trailgaiters. Nettie from Happy Barn says that during that time of year she asks that people be conservative about running there air conditioners, and not have them plugged in all day. There are four spots with electric, and you can run a couple of extension cords per spot, but don't over do it to the point where you blow the circuits. Camping fees for 2009 are undecided as of this time. There may be a fee per trailer, or the owner may accept a club donation for the weekend. We will have this worked out by the time of the ride. There is a hydrant with a split with water that goes to the flush toilets. (I wanted to mention that when I rode there last year, the water that came out of the hydrant was brown. I don't know if it was rust or what, but it didn't look good to me. I’d suggest bringing your own horse & people water.)
If portable fencing is put up, it must be put up behind the rigs, not between them, or the room for rigs will get too limited
As always we will have a Saturday night potluck. If the Happy Barn is not reserved for that night, we may be able to arrange to rent it for a Saturday night get together. The barn is a quarter of a mile from the camping area.
Directions: Take Hwy F south of 39. Second right road is McKenna Rd. it is hard to see as it is right over a hill. There is a farm on the corner, white farm house with 3 big pines. A few miles down McKenna you cross a bridge over a river and the first left is Taylor Rd. Campground is up Taylor Rd. on the left.
JULY 17-19
WILDCAT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, Ontario, WI Coordinators: Dan & Linda Catherman
Wildcat Mountain has 15 miles of trails going through rolling to steep hills, along high bluffs and through narrow valleys. The four color-coded loops are well marked. There are 25 horse sites, some having electricity. Showers are available at the "people camp". The horse camp has pit toilets and a water hydrant. Shoes are recommended. Check back for further details.
For reservations call 1-888-947-2757 or www.reserveamerica.com, and be sure to specify "horse camp".
AUGUST 7-9
FORESTVILLE / MYSTERY CAVE, Forestville, MN Coordinators: Karla & Klaus Perkins
If you haven’t been there in a while, you’ll find that the equestrian campground has been greatly improved. There are more electric sites and the individual sites are more clearly defined. Of the 55 sites there are 23 that have electric. (At the last check there was only 1 electric site left for this weekend, but plenty of non-electrics still open.) Some of the sites are non-reservable and available on a first come – first served basis. Camping fee for non-electric is $16. To reserve a site and see a map of the campground go to www.stayatmnparks.com. That site and the Minnesota State Parks site (www.dnr.state.mn.us) will give you all the info you need on the park and camping. The website tells you the size of the corral you can put up, which is probably just the area around the hitching posts. Check at the office when you register.
Shoes are recommended for your horse; showers are available at the main campground; you probably won’t get cell service. The park is located in SE Minnesota about halfway between Spring Valley and Preston, about 6 miles south of Wykoff. The entrance to the park is 4 miles south of State Hwy. 16 on Fillmore County Hwy. 5 and 2 miles east on Fillmore County 118. You will need an annual MN trail pass which is available at the park office when you check in.
Some members may arrive as early as Thursday. Not sure what sites our members have already reserved, but Ted & Sharon are in Site H38. SEE YOU THERE!
Sharon B. (sharon.bailey@deancare.com)
on behalf of ride Coordinators Karla & Klaus (kperkins@uniontel.net)
AUGUST 28-30
SO. KETTLE MORAINE, Horseriders’ Campground, Palmyra, WI Coordinators: Kim & Steve Jaye
Check the Horse Council Trail Guide for details on Horseriders' Campground and trails outside of Palmyra, WI. The traditional Potluck will be held on Saturday night. I reserved the group camping area in the back area of the non-reserved sites. this area is set for I believe 6 rigs... I can also make sure to get as many of the non reserved sites closest to us as we need them... I will just need to get a idea how many more to get when I get there. I am sure it won't be a issue... There are pull threw site close by there also. I thought this would be a great place to be cause it is away from the road and more private. Contact KIM to let her know you'll be attending.
SEPTEMBER 11-13
OUTBACK RANCH, Houston, MN Coordinators: Dan & Linda Catherman
Outback Ranch has a nice website that really tells you all about their facilities. Shows a map for directions and also a map of the campground. http://www.outbackranch.net
At the main ranch they have a number of campsites (electric and primitive) along with two very nice lodging rooms. Campsites come with tie lines, but for an additional charge you can have a stall, pen or even a pasture for your horse! They also have another camping area (3/4 mile by trail, or 10 miles by road) this area is up on top of a hill, has 3 electrical sites and some primitive, also a very nice log cabin. When you make your reservation be sure you mention that you are with the Midwest Trail Gaiters.
SEPTEMBER 25-27 Hay Meadow Flowage, Chippewa County Forest - Coordinators: Jeanne & Mike Fox Hay Meadow horse trails are located in Chippewa County Forest. From Highway 53 take Highway 64 east until you reach County Road E. Take a left on E and then take the first left on Bob Lake Road. Follow Bob Lake Road for approximately 4 miles and turn right onto Hay Meadow Trail forest road. Follow forest road for 1.5 miles to Hay Meadow Flowage #3. Caution - do not turn into Hay Meadow Flowage #1 which would be the first right off the forest road; there is not enough room to turn around. Hay Meadow Flowage #3 includes a parking area with primitive camping, ties lines and a portapotty. There is a flowage close by for watering your animals, but it is recommended that you bring water for yourself and your animals. Tie lines are available on a first come first serve basis, you may also contain your animals with portable fencing or by bringing along your own picket lines. Please picket or fence your animals away from the parking areas. Campfires are allowed; bring your own firewood. The terrain is somewhat rocky so shoes or hoof boots are recommended. There are a variety of trails in the forest from wide fire lanes to narrow single-track trails with three bridge crossings. Trails are marked and trail maps will be provided. Please stay on the designated horse trails. Please practice the pack it in pack it out rules so that others may enjoy the area. Manure may be scattered into the forest.
There are no camping or trail fees, but donations are appreciated.
There is a restaurant/bar at nearby Rock Lake Resort about 4 miles by road serving lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Meals include pizza and basket type menu items. During the summer/fall there are nightly specials.
Cell phone coverage is spotty in this area.
Please RSVP to either Jeanne or Mike at 715-288-6751 or email foxy54748@yahoo.com so we can have some idea of the number attending. If there are several large rigs we will need to organize the parking. If attendance is small the parking will be on your own. Just for Fun -- Poker Run event during Saturday of the trail ride . Participants will be provided with a map of the trails and clues on where to find the buckets with tokens (five buckets total). Each participant will need to get a token from each bucket during the course of the day and turn those in for 5 cards. No cheating as each bucket contains various colored chips! After the potluck supper we'll determine the player with the best poker hand. Participation fee is $10. The pot will be divided with 1/2 of the going to the Chippewa Valley Trailriders; the equistrian group that maintains the trail system in the forest; and 1/2 being payback to the poker run participants. So for instance if there are 20 participants @ $10 each: $100 will go to the CVT and $100 will be divided among the top three poker hands @ $50: $30: $20.
OCTOBER 9-11
UNDERDOWN RECREATION AREA, Merrill, WI Coordinator: Gail Seasor
Directions: Underdown Horse Trail is located just East of Irma, WI (North of Merrill) on Interstate 39/51N. Turn East on County J at Irma. Go about 1/2 mile up a steep hill and just over the top of the hill. Turn Right onto County H. Go about 2 miles on County H until Copper Lake Road. Turn East onto Copper Lake Road. Stay on Copper Lake Road for about 2 miles. Underdown Campground is on the Right. Trails: Use of the horse trails requires a $3 Daily Use Fee or a $10 Summer/Fall Season Pass for anyone 16 years of age & older. Purchase pass at campground via self-pay envelope or from the Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Department office. Self-pay envelopes are on site. Keep payment stub. Season pass is mailed upon payment receipt. Questions? Call park office 715-536-0327.
21 miles of marked/signed trails, loops & short cuts (Brown 18.4mi, Blue 12.7mi, Green 3.5mi.) Trails are double wide, range from rolling to flat and are in the county forest. No water available along the trail except for lake north of campground. Camping: No reservations. No camping fee. Please use donation box to show appreciation for trails & campsites. MWTG takes up a collection during Sat evening campfire to show our support. 11 individual back into primitive campsites, a large group campsite, plus a day use parking lot which can be used for over night camping. No electricity. Here is a map (pdf). Restrooms. No showers. Hand pump well water (100’ deep & requires a lot of hand pumping). Horse watering also is available in Lake ¼ mile north of campground.
Coordinator Gail (E-mail: tseasor@att.net)
OCTOBER 23-25
ENDLESS VALLEY STABLES, Spring Green, WI Coordinator: Sharon Darrow
NOVEMBER 6-8
LA RIVIERE HORSE PARK, Prairie du Chien, WI Coordinator: Joanie Bartz
Located on the southeast side of Prairie du Chien, 1 mile east of Hwys. 18 & 35 on Vineyard Coulee Road across from the Riverside Square shopping mall where Tractor Supply & Dick's Supermarket are located, turn east at the stop lights.
Facilities include approximately 18 electric sites with 30 amp hookup, shelter, new pit toilets, and manure pits, picnic tables and fire rings available. The upper end of the campground is primitive with pit toilets, shelter, some corrals and a manure pit. There are no shower facilities in either of these campgrounds. No reservations are taken, it's first-come-first-serve but there also are no specified fees, this is by donation only and you can park pretty much where ever you wish. All of the donations are used to maintain and improve this facility. There are hitching rails, you can run a picket lines, or portable fencing is also allowed. Not many rules here, just be courteous and considerate of others and stay on the trails. The trails have some markings but no accurate maps are available, however, I've never gotten lost, it may have taken me a little longer to get back to camp than I planned, but I always get there, eventually. There is a well in the center area of the 2 campgrounds and an automatic waterer if you wish to let your horse drink from it. If you are going to need water for your trailer and horses, you will want to fill your tanks prior to parking and unhooking, there's no water at the individual sites. It's relatively flat and easy to park any size rig in the first campground.
Coordinator Joan Bartz (E-mail: joan_bartz@yahoo.com)
