David Michael Miller
The new Zeloski Marsh trail is located off the Glacial Drumlin Trail in western Jefferson County.
The low-flying hawk circled above us, round and round so many times I wondered if it was getting dizzy. My wife, Lisa, and I were intruders on its territory -- a previously untouched-by-the-march-of-progress stretch of new trail in the Zeloski Marsh Unit of the Lake Mills Wildlife Area in Jefferson County, about 40 miles from Madison.
Lisa and I were among the first travelers along the 2.5-mile trail. Developed to connect a planned bicycle route on Jefferson County's London Road with the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, it is part of a master plan approved by the Natural Resources Board in 2009 for the Glacial Heritage Area -- a coordinated series of parks, preserves, wildlife and natural areas linked together and to nearby cities and villages via different types of trails.
"It's quite rare for trails to go through a wildlife area," says Mark Witecha, a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, who oversees management of the marsh. "This will provide great wildlife viewing opportunities for cyclists and hikers."
Spectacular panoramic views spread out in all directions on this clear day, as cicadas hum, crickets chirp, and playful frogs and grasshoppers make frequent trail crossings. Good birding opportunities abound, too.
"Spring and fall migrations are the best times to view birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds," Witecha says. "Because this is a restored wetland, the vegetation community is largely pioneer species, which are the first to come back on a disturbed site, such as giant ragweed and stinging nettle. The trail also passes near two restored prairies, which are laden with native grasses and wildflowers."
Originally slated to open in early September, the new trail underwent its final inspection on Sept. 22 after heavy rains on the marshy landscape delayed the laying of gravel. I recommend a visit before the snow flies; the trail will not be groomed for cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling is prohibited.
Zeloski Marsh also offers nearly 12 miles of walking trails, which are gravel-topped dikes among the marsh.
The new trail can be accessed at three entry points: the Glacial Drumlin Trail itself, a parking area on London Road, and a parking area on Alley Road, off County Highway S, all southwest of Lake Mills.
Although a state trail pass is not required, cyclists do need one to travel the Glacial Drumlin Trail, which stretches 52 miles between Cottage Grove and Waukesha through farmland and glacial topography. More info can be found in a Lake Mills Wildlife Area map (PDF).
