3124. Hike Sugar Loaf Bluff in Winona

Knowing Stacy and I usually get an early start, I noticed that we would have some time to kill before any museums or sites opened for the day. Being on the Mississippi there are plenty of bluffs and overlooks to hike. After some google mapping, I found Sugar Loaf Bluff in Winona. It was a moderate hike that gave us good views and wasn't very long.

Sugar Loaf Bluff is an 1.2 mile out and back trail just as you come into the city. Parking is interesting as you literally park on the side of the road. The trailhead is behind the reality office. 

The trail is a typical trail though the woods.. dirt, leaves, and roots. It is not paved or chipped so it's what I call real hiking versus these little nature walks through the nature preserve. It takes about 20 minutes or so to get to the top. You are hiking up hill most of the way but it is not overly steep. It is much easier than the Three Dune Challenge or even Tonto National Monument.  The last part of the trial is sand as Sugar Loaf Bluff is a sandstone outcropping.

Sugar Loaf Bluff soars 85 feet in the sky. The views of Winona and the Mississippi are stunning.

Once you get to the base of Sugar Loaf Bluff, you can take a narrower, rocky path around the back and actually reach to the top. We started this journey and decided to turn around when the path became too narrow.

There is a small ledge you can sit on for pictures at the base. 

The walk down isn't so bad but it is down hill so it does require a little skill. 

If you are ever in the La Crosse area or headed across Minnesota, take a quick detour to Winona and climb Sugar Loaf Bluff. It is well worth the hour of exercise you'll get. 

I'm glad I planned on a morning hike. The motto of the day became "We hiked so we can eat fatty foods and consume large quantities of alcohol."