Hiking High Cliff State Park and Lake Winnebago

To usher in the month of April, I ventured off to High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin, which is located on the northeast tip of Lake Winnebago, to satisfy my urge to do something outside on a sunny 50 degree day. Hiking the various trails in High Cliff seemed appropriate especially since it was cool and the bugs are not out in force yet. I hiked the Red Bird Trail and a portion of the Lime Kiln Trail, approximately 5 miles. These trails take you through woods that traverse the Niagara Escarpment and provides you with panoramic views of Lake Winnebago as well as challenging steep climbs and descents. 

Panoramic view of Lake Winnebago

I also went off trail a little bit and climbed large boulders that exist along the escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment is a long limestone cliff or ridge that spans from Illinois to Wisconsin to Michigan to Ontario and to New York/Niagara Falls. Specific to Wisconsin, it can be predominately enjoyed and witnessed at High Cliff State Park and in Door County. In High Cliff State Park, you can see old lime kiln ruins and quarries.

Lime Kiln Ruins

In addition to hiking the limestone cliffs and woods, you can hike along the shore of Lake Winnebago on a stretch of the Lime Kiln Trail or walk down to the beach. While I was walking along the shoreline/beach, I saw a sailboat floating on the water and a jet ski racing around the shore. Everyone who was in High Cliff State Park or near Lake Winnebago was definitely ready for a warm spring and summer!

 Speaking of Lake Winnebago, there are three more lighthouses I need to share. Several weeks ago I wrote about my day trip with Tanner and Bailey around Lake Winnebago. I started with the Fond du Lac Lighthouse. The next stop on our journey that day was Oshkosh and the Rockwell Lighthouse, a.k.a. Bray’s Lighthouse. This lighthouse is located in a residential neighborhood that backs onto the lake and is privately owned. It looks like it is located in someone’s backyard so I took my pictures from the street. This ornate lighthouse was built in 1909 and stands 42 feet high, which marks the nearby reefs and shallow area. According to Wisconsin’s Lighthouses: A Photographic and Historical Guide, George A. Rockwell designed the lighthouse; while William Bray, a Wisconsin senator, built the lighthouse using Rockwell’s designs and his own funds.

Rockwell Lighthouse

Considering this was a private, residential lighthouse, our stop at the Rockwell Lighthouse was a quick one, just enough time for me to snap a few photographs and back on the road we went. Next stop was the Asylum Bay Lighthouse, also located on the Oshkosh shoreline of Lake Winnebago, marking Asylum Bay. This lighthouse stands on a small island known as Lighthouse Island and Picnic Point, with a wooden bridge connecting the parking lot area to the island. The cream bricked tower stands 24 feet high and has a 7-foot wooden cupola that sits on top. Its purpose was to guide the local fishermen and boats.

Asylum Bay Lighthouse

I found the journey to this lighthouse rather intriguing…a mix of peace and eeriness. As you drive down Sherman Road, you wind through open fields, brush and woods. Off in the distance you see the Winnebago Mental Health Institute and a cemetery, you approach the Asylum Bay Boat Launch, you see families fishing, and then you see the non-operational lighthouse standing tall with an old wooden bridge. I was not sure if I felt relaxed or anxious to leave the area because of the mix of feelings I had…felt like I was going to be visited by a ghost or felt relaxed and at peace. After I finished snapping my pictures, I walked back to my car, and the feeling I had was happiness because I had two cute puppy faces starring at me…see how excited Tanner looks about being on the car ride.

This stop was also a quick stop since there wasn’t a significant area to walk around and sightsee. The next, and last, stop was Neenah and Kimberly Point Park. This time I parked the car, put the leashes on the dogs, and walked with them throughout the park. While walking in the park, playing on the swing set or being dragged by two dogs who are excited to make new friends, a beautiful white lighthouse with two open-air pavilions on either side of it stands as the focal point for the park. The lantern room is showcased with a black iron fence, glass windows and a sailboat weathervane. This 39 ½-foot tall lighthouse was the vision and gift from Helen Kimberly Stuart, one of Neenah’s prominent citizen’s in the 1930s-1940s. It was built in 1945 on the land she preserved for Neenah’s park system. Today it still serves as an active navigation aid with an automatic timed beacon to boaters.

My picture taking of the Neenah Lighthouse was cut a smidge short because Tanner and Bailey were more interested in chasing squirrels or saying hi to everyone who walked by. With this stop as our last, the three of us broke for a little snack and drink. Then we piled back into the car and rode back home. Surprisingly I had two sleepy puppies on my ride back. All in all, a fun afternoon we had on a day trip around Lake Winnebago. So if you are looking for an adventurous day trip, take a cruise around the lake because there are plenty of beaches, parks and fun little stops along the way. Until next time, take care and talk to you soon!