Wisconsin · Cross-country skiing

Morningside Trail

0.4 mi
round trip
7 ft
climb
866 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Morningside Trail is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Governor Nelson State Park in Wisconsin, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The nearest town is Mendota, about 2.3 miles away. The trail is an out-and-back of about 0.8 miles, with a flat profile and almost no elevation change. The high point is 866 feet, and the low point is 856 feet, so the total climb and descent are each about 7 feet. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Madison show January highs around 27°F with about 10 snow days, while March brings highs near 44°F and fewer snow days. Snow days drop to zero from May through September. Woodland Trail, another cross-country ski route, lies about 0.6 miles away. Lake Mendota, a fishing spot, is about 1.9 miles off. Dudley Davis Quarry Park and the UW Madison Campus climbing areas are both within about 4.3 miles.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Morningside Trail

    Best months: June–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.

    1. Jan

      27° / 12°

      10 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 15°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      44° / 25°

      11 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 36°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      69° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 62°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 60°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 51°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 40°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      45° / 29°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      32° / 18°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, WI, 4.7 mi away at 866 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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