Kickapoo Weekend Trip

“This weekend 03/22 -03/23”

“The only Kickapoo's i know live in Eagle Pass, TX. They just set up a reservation and casino.”

“Tell us more!!! Kickapoo Preserve in Wisconsin?????

I'm interested... well mebbeee... who the heck ARE YOU??? (prolly a troll!!!)”

“Crazy Mike, if this is where I think it might be, you might be interested. Am guessing it might be at Kickapoo Valley (or River??) Preserve, I think near LaFarge, WI. It's a new preserve I've been itching to visit, prolly 1.5 hours from me.

Course, I have to cover a newspaper event Sunday and think I have plans Sat. night. Hmmmm.... that doesn't look good for these trip dates. DANG!

(well ** IF ** it is in WI and ** IF ** this is a real person... always have to add the disclaimer and not be duped by a potential troll!! lol)”

“I havn't though abut Kickapoo Wi in thirty years.... I think the last time I went there I was still a Boy Scout in Illinois.... Man did we get some trouble that weekend.....(Girl Scouts ya know)”

“Hey, c'mon back!!! Kickapoo where??

Big Wave Dave, where were you on the Kickapoo? I've been in Kickapoo Cave, near Wauzeka, and it's cool, but run by a crazy old broad.

The Kickapoo Preserve is quite a ways up the river from there.

Think I've heard the Kickapoo River is one of the crookedest in the world”

“Why am I having Al Capp flashbacks?”

“Finally, the real scoop on the Kickapoo River Valley. It is a valley not a town or city. The state park is called Wildcat Mountain and the "preserve" is called the Kickapoo Valley RESERVE. 8000+ acres adjoining the park. The Valley itself is defined by the Kickapoo River, the crookedest river in the world; it travels over 120 miles in its 70 mile long valley. One of the best canoe and kayak rivers you can float. Crooked River Resort, my very own place, can offer you a base from which to explore the whole valley. We offer 6 cabins, from rustic to deluxe, Rv and tent sites. We are located in the heart of the valley so you are no more than 30 miles everything: from the park, to bike trails, to Amish settlements, to organics to the Wisconsin river, to trout fishing. Come see the Kickapoo Valley and judge for yourself. Please check out our website: www.crookedriverresort.com.”

“spam is not welcome here. Go away. We are backpackers, not Kabin Kampers! >:(”

“If you guys want a real scoop on the Kickapoo, perk up & ask. I'm in La Crosse and have haunted Wilcat Mountain a dozen times. Good little trails, but the horses have the rule of the day here (with the own campsites, trail network, etc.)

As for canoeing, well, I need to buy a new paddle first...then I'll post what's up.”

“Wapiti, you missed the Upper Iowa River canoe trip the first weekend of July... a two-night trip in Black River State Forest in April or May... and a two-night trip in Yellow River State Forest in NE Iowa in early April.

Keep an eye out for trips. I'm about an hour west of you and I like La Crosse. Have you done the Experimental Forest? I just recently saw that listed east of LAX.”

“Sure have,

The X Forest (called Coulee forest by the DNR, I think) is more of a XC skiing setup, but the trails are usually in good shape. Put the three loops (N, S & W) together & you could easily haul off 7-8 miles.

South trail's the nicest, with a vista overlooking Russian coulee. West trail dead-ends without even a break in the trees. North trail's the longest and easiest to get turned around on (there's a six-point trail intersection at the far end--with only 2 vague signs).

Not drop-dead gorgeous, but a great lil' hike only a quick drive from La Crosse. The ridgeline itself is open cornfields in narrow plots the trails wrap around. Ugly to me, but prime territory for the coyote pack I found there last time...”