WI DNR invites you to one trail, but work around the logging

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites you to several state parks for winter hiking, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing, including Mirror Lake State Park south of the Wisconsin Dells. Sounds good:

• Mirror Lake State Park - Bring snowshoes or winter boots for some fun winter hiking around the park. A trail guide will show some of the beautiful highlights of Mirror Lake and a little its history. The adventure starts at noon from the Winter Recreation Area (aka Beach-Picnic area). Snowshoes are not available at the park but are available for rent through local vendors. Sponsored by the Friends of Mirror Lake. Noon to 2 p.m. For information call 608-254-2333.

But when you click through to the site, you find this downer:

Between December 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015 there will be a timber harvest conducted in the 160-acre portion of the park where the Hastings Trail is located...

...logging contractors will be through this wooded area with heavy equipment cutting trees selected by our DNR Foresters for harvest. Segments of the trail may be temporarily closed during the sale for safety...

Depending on the timeframe of the harvest and trail and snow conditions upon its completion, the Hastings Trail may not be groomed for cross-country skiing this season. We apologize to our skiers for the temporary non-use of this ski trail but we hope you enjoy the many other miles of beautifully groomed trails. 

So maybe not the best choice? (And little wonder that "Business" is now the first tab available on the DNR home page.) How soon until the DNR invites to hike through Terry Andrae State Park south of Sheboygan along Lake Michigan - - but stop at the golf course land it deeded in the park to a wealthy developer/Walker donor?)

Mirror Lake State Park

Photo © Cathryn Scott

Notice of Forestry Cutting on the Hastings Trail: Between December 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015 there will be a timber harvest conducted in the 160-acre portion of the park where the Hastings Trail is located. The Mirror Lake timber harvest will provide a wide variety of benefits, including improved forest health and diversity, additional wildlife habitat, more recreational opportunities and increased local economic benefits.

During this time logging contractors will be through this wooded area with heavy equipment cutting trees selected by our DNR Foresters for harvest. Segments of the trail may be temporarily closed during the sale for safety. Every effort will be made to re-open it as soon as possible once the timber sale is completed.

Depending on the timeframe of the harvest and trail and snow conditions upon its completion, the Hastings Trail may not be groomed for cross-country skiing this season. We apologize to our skiers for the temporary non-use of this ski trail but we hope you enjoy the many other miles of beautifully groomed trails.

For more information read this article from the park newspaper [PDF}.