Prairie Loop (Lower)
- 1.1 mi
- loop
- 64 ft
- climb
- 1,284 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Apr, Jul–Oct
- best months
Prairie Loop (Lower) is an easy hike of about 1.1 miles in Upper Hixon Forest, on city-managed land in Wisconsin. It starts at roughly 1,238 feet and reaches a high point of about 1,284 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 64 feet and a little more loss on the way back. The route is short and low, with a steep spot of about 4% at around 0.23 miles, but the climb is gentle enough to fit easily into a longer visit. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station put July highs around 80°F with lows near 62°F, and September cools to highs around 71°F. The trail sits right alongside other spots, so it pairs well with more time on foot or on two wheels. Stinky's and the Prairie Loop mountain biking route are each about 0.1 miles away, and Grandad Bluff offers climbing about a mile off. Paddlers can head to the Goose Island Canoe Trail, roughly 6.9 miles away.
Best time to go · Apr, Jul–Oct
Best time to visit Prairie Loop (Lower)
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, 0.1 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
