Mississippi Valley Conservancy is pleased to offer the public a guided snowshoe hike at Kickapoo Bottoms on February 14.  This hike is part of the 2015 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse.

A snowshoe hike along the Kickapoo River is a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Bring your loved-ones and come explore what Kickapoo Bottoms has to offer, including 84 acres of scenic wetlands, grasslands, and forest habitat as well as 4,700 feet of frontage on the Kickapoo River.  The property protects numerous endangered communities and the 80 known animal species located in this area. 

Enjoy a break part way through the hike with a small bonfire and hot cocoa. Please arrive early to try a pair of traditional snowshoes or a pair of modern snowshoes to use on the hike. No experience necessary.

This Sweetheart Snowshoe hike is an excellent opportunity to experience a one of the unique properties that Mississippi Valley Conservancy has open for public use.  With the help of many generous donors, MVC has made thousands of acres of scenic land available for hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing and similar activities.

The hike begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at approximately noon.

Please RSVP to kfrise@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 784-3606 ext. 6 by Thursday, February 12.

Thanks to generous grants from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and Alliant Energy Foundation, we have loaner snowshoes available for free. Please call ahead if you need to reserve a pair, so that we can bring a sufficient quantity. Snowshoe size is based on weight, please indicate your approximate weight when you R.S.V.P.

Directions to event are:

From Gays Mills, head south on Highway 131. Turn into the fairgrounds on the west side of the road.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy, a nationally accredited land trust, works in nine counties in southwestern Wisconsin—a service area encompassing 4.3 million acres of land. The mission of MVC is to conserve native and working landscapes that enrich our communities through private, voluntary action, for the health and wellbeing of current and future generations.