Prairie Loop
- 0.9 mi
- loop
- 15 ft
- climb
- 1,267 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Apr, Jul–Oct
- best months
Prairie Loop is a short, easy loop hike in Upper Hixon Forest, a city-managed forest in Wisconsin. The trail is about 0.9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 15 feet, so it's a gentle walk that can be done in a single outing. The route starts at roughly 1,245 feet and reaches a high point of about 1,267 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.7 miles in, with a grade of about 6 percent. The climb is minimal, and the loop makes it easy to fit into a longer day on the surrounding trails. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 80°F with lows near 62°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Several other trails sit right next to the loop. Twister and Mr Hide are both about 0.1 miles away, and the OB1 mountain biking route is just as close. Climbers can head to Grandad Bluff, about 1.4 miles off.
Best time to go · Apr, Jul–Oct
Best time to visit Prairie Loop
Best months: April and July–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
24° / 8°
10 wet
Feb
29° / 13°
9 wet
Mar
41° / 24°
10 wet
Apr
55° / 36°
12 wet
May
67° / 48°
14 wet
Jun
76° / 58°
13 wet
Jul
80° / 62°
10 wet
Aug
78° / 60°
10 wet
Sep
71° / 52°
10 wet
Oct
58° / 40°
10 wet
Nov
42° / 28°
9 wet
Dec
29° / 15°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at La Crosse Wfo, WI, 0.4 mi away at 1,307 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
