25 in 2025 -- Explore At Least One New Park or Trail -- Lakeshore Nature Preserve

 After we ate our donuts, we headed over to Goodman Softball Complex for the hubby's softball game. Because we were there ridicously early in my opinion, I decided to get some steps in and go for a walk. Like usual we exploring a new place, I just kind of follow the sidewalk and see what I find. I discovered Lakeshore Nature Preserve which is part of University of Wisconsin.

Lakeshore Nature Preserve protects the undeveloped lands around Lake Mendota. It is open daily from 4 am to 10 pm. There is a parking lot across the road that they were using for State Softball. 

Lakeshore Nature Preserve covers about 300 acres along the southern shore of Lake Mendota which is roughly 4 miles. 

There is a nice wide walking path that takes through the nature preserve. If I actually looked at the map, I would have seen the trail is a there and back trail ending at the point. I actually walked almost to the end of the point. It was probably a good thing I didn't, I had blisters from my flip flops by the time I got back to the softball field. I am sure they would have been worse if I walked the extra .25 or so.

Along the path are several short paths leading to the lake. Here you sit and fish or just enjoy the beauty of the lake. 

                                        

                                        

On a clear day, you can see the capitol building. As you can see it was quite hazy due to wildfire smoke that the capitol wasn't all that clear.

There are also several picnic spots complete with fire rings along the point. This surprised me for having fire pits in a nature preserve but it is a great idea. Plus they supply fire work for you too.

A  path will lead you down to a small beach.

I only explored a small portion of the Nature Preserve. If the hubby ever gets back to State Softball, I will have to explore more... and I will wear proper footwear. 

Lakeshore Nature Preserve is a great nature preserve that if you ever find yourself on the edge of UW-Wisconsin with time on your hands, go check it out. Maybe pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Mendota. Best of all it's free. 

5341. Go to the Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve in Grafton

 Everyone always talked about what a nice place Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve was. I have always wanted to check it out. Lil' Bro and I tried to check it out a number of years ago and could find parking. We ended up at Lime Kiln Park instead. 

Since Lion's Den has been on my short list every year for the last couple of years, I decided to add to my adventure when the hubby was away. I was initially going to go on my way down to Stacy's but just couldn't get moving. Then I asked Lil' Bro if he wanted to join me on Sunday morning before going to see Andrea. He agreed.

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve is in the town of Grafton on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM (or dawn to dusk). There is no cost to visit. Parking seemed to be better than last time we tried to visit. We both found spots to park.

There are several trails you can take. Some of them are boardwalks. Some are a paved road. Others are wood chips. 

We started out on the Lion's Den Trail which gave us views of Lake Michigan. You can walked down to the beach using a set of steep stairs. We did not not venture down to the beach.

Because the trail is on the edge of a bluff, you have to be careful not to get to close. They have been many rescue calls for people falling over the ledge.

We really just wandered a few trails. Eventually we turned around and headed back to our cars. If it was just me, I would have explored more. But with little legs of my niece, we had to go at her pace. I never made it to the gorge or the bridge over the gorge. There's always next trip

It was definitely a perfect morning for a hike. There were people but it was not overly crowded. Sunday mornings must be the time to go.

If you are in the Milwaukee area, this is definitely a place you want to check out. Just be careful.