saller woods - rochester, wi
On a recent trip to the Burlington area to explore Case Eagle Park, I noticed, just off Hwy 36, a small parking lot in front of a stone monument and a forest opening. I was intrigued. A search on Google Maps named the site as Saller Woods. I saved the location and two weeks later went back to check it out. It was so worth the trip!
Saller Woods, it turns out, was a gift to Racine County, in 1996, in an effort to preserve the land in its natural state for generations to come.
Frank and Mary Saller purchased the 91 acres of land, which once served as a gravel pit during construction of Hwy 36. Mr. Saller spent years restoring the land, planting hundreds of trees, and developing the walking trails. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending time hunting, and in nature, with his son. Sadly, their son, Frankie, passed away in his early 30's. In the years following, Mr. Saller dedicated his time and efforts into the restoration. When the property was donated, the Sallers requested there be a dedication to their beloved son at the forest entrance.
Nestled along the Fox River, south of Case Eagle Park, the woodlands were to be preserved as a passive natural habitat, providing hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and plenty of wildlife habitat. The county eventually added a connection to the Seven Waters Bike Trail along the outer edge of the forest, which goes from Burlington to the Racine/Waukesha County line.
As I walked the trails here, I passed several ponds, turtles basking on logs in the sun. I saw wetlands and marsh areas. Prairie, too. Some of the trails near the ponds were slightly flooded, but nothing a good pair of hiking boots couldn't handle. A few of the trails were a bit hilly, but nothing extreme. The trails through the forest smelled of pine, and held a peaceful beauty, in spite of the sound of traffic passing by on Hwy 36. You can easily lose yourself in these woods, amid the beauty and the birdsong. I certainly did.
The trails through the forest are not always marked, so I would recommend using GPS, if possible. I didn't hike all the trails, but easily hiked nearly 3 miles, with just a little backtracking here and there.
There are no restroom facilities on site. The parking lot is on the small side, and just off of Hwy 36, as it crosses the Fox River.
Location: 400 Block, N. Milwaukee Avenue (South Hwy 36), Rochester, WI (Racine County)
For more information, click here.
Saller Woods, it turns out, was a gift to Racine County, in 1996, in an effort to preserve the land in its natural state for generations to come.
Frank and Mary Saller purchased the 91 acres of land, which once served as a gravel pit during construction of Hwy 36. Mr. Saller spent years restoring the land, planting hundreds of trees, and developing the walking trails. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending time hunting, and in nature, with his son. Sadly, their son, Frankie, passed away in his early 30's. In the years following, Mr. Saller dedicated his time and efforts into the restoration. When the property was donated, the Sallers requested there be a dedication to their beloved son at the forest entrance.
Nestled along the Fox River, south of Case Eagle Park, the woodlands were to be preserved as a passive natural habitat, providing hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and plenty of wildlife habitat. The county eventually added a connection to the Seven Waters Bike Trail along the outer edge of the forest, which goes from Burlington to the Racine/Waukesha County line.
As I walked the trails here, I passed several ponds, turtles basking on logs in the sun. I saw wetlands and marsh areas. Prairie, too. Some of the trails near the ponds were slightly flooded, but nothing a good pair of hiking boots couldn't handle. A few of the trails were a bit hilly, but nothing extreme. The trails through the forest smelled of pine, and held a peaceful beauty, in spite of the sound of traffic passing by on Hwy 36. You can easily lose yourself in these woods, amid the beauty and the birdsong. I certainly did.
The trails through the forest are not always marked, so I would recommend using GPS, if possible. I didn't hike all the trails, but easily hiked nearly 3 miles, with just a little backtracking here and there.
There are no restroom facilities on site. The parking lot is on the small side, and just off of Hwy 36, as it crosses the Fox River.
Location: 400 Block, N. Milwaukee Avenue (South Hwy 36), Rochester, WI (Racine County)
For more information, click here.