National Trails Day: Guided Hike on the Niagara Escarpment (Fond Du Lac Co)

322 Deer Trail Ln,Oakfield WI 53065

04 June, 2022

Description

Niagara Escarpment National Trails Day Hikes: Oakfield Ledges SNA (Fond du Lac County) w/State Geologist, Ken Bradbury Get out on National Trails Day with the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network as we host four simultaneous, geologist-led hikes through some of Wisconsin’s most fascinating geologic landscapes. Learn about the wonders of this 1,000-mile long, 430-million-year-old cliff face environment with an expert guide as you hike along some of Northeastern Wisconsin’s most beloved trails. Come help us celebrate the Ledge and kickoff NERN's new WI-LEDGE Geotourism Program and on-line WI-LEDGE Rambler Map Guide. Proceeds support the WI-LEDGE Educational Signage Program. Limited to 15 persons for each hike so sign up soon! Other hike locations include: Bayshore Blufflands SNA (Door County) w/ Bob BultmanBayshore County Park (Brown County) w/ John LuczajHigh Cliff State Park (Calumet County) w/ Don MikulicLearn more about NERN Learn more about LNRP Supported in part by the David L. & Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Oakfield Ledge SNA (Ken Bradbury/Susan Kennedy) Oakfield Ledge is one of the most significant exposures of the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin. Located along Horicon Marsh, the hard, erosion resistant Niagara dolomite walls form a series of prominent rock cliffs 40' high - what locals call "the ledge". Deep crevices have formed along fractures in the bedrock. The vegetation of the shaded cliff and boulder strewn steep slope is the most undisturbed and consists of basswood, sugar maple, slippery elm, rock elm, mountain maple, and shagbark hickory. Groundcover includes extensive patches of Canada yew and the shaded cliffs provide habitat for walking, cliff brake, and fragile ferns. Spring seeps provide a moist forest floor habitat for interrupted fern, wild sarsaparilla and pale-flowered leafcup. A diverse snail fauna inhabits the base of the ledge. Oakfield Ledge is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1983. (Source: WDNR) Directions: Oakfield Ledges SNA From the intersection of County Highways B and Y on the south side of of Oakfield, go south on CTH B 3.2 miles, then east on Breakneck Road 0.6 mile to a parking area just past the top of hill. Tour will start from this parking area.