Hiking Parfrey's Glen in Wisconsin

I recently hiked Parfrey's Glen in Wisconsin. Designated in 1952, this natural treasure was Wisconsin's first State Natural Area. Round-trip, the hike is 1.4 miles. The trail starts on a paved trail which becomes a level dirt trail through woodland. For much of the hike you follow Parfrey's Glen Creek, crossing at several places. The trail passes through a dramatic deep gorge carved into sandstone conglomerate. At the uppermost portion of the glen there is a jumble of large boulders to clamber over which is a bit of a challenge for some hikers, but on the day I hiked all explorers, young and old, were making the trek to the end where they are rewarded by a lovely small waterfall. The Glen's uniue microclimate enables some rare plant and insect species to survive. I drove north from Madison on RTE 113, avoiding the interstate, to Merrimac where I drove onto the free ferry across Lake Wisconsin. Once in Merrimac, the parking lot at the trailhead in only a few miles further. There are restrooms and an information kiosk at the parking lot, in addition to a trailhead for the Sauk Point section of the Ice Age Trail.