This year at Devil’s Lake, the annual First Day hike will be a twilight hike/snowshoe…
While our peak fall colors may not show up for another week, there is still a lot of color out there, and it’s scheduled to be a busy weekend full of events all around the Devil’s Lake State Park region. So let’s have a look at this weekend, just click a “drop-down” for details!
Weekend Weather
So here’s the hitch in the weekend, it’s going to get pretty chilly by Saturday with overnight temps on Friday and Saturday near freezing. Saturday is expected to be cool with clouds coming in, a high temp just under 50f and Sunday, well, about 45f and just cloudy and cold. Here’s one area forecast.
Fall Color Report
We’re expecting “peak” weekend in the Devil’s Lake State Park area to be closer to October 20th. Right now, you can still find a lot of color out there, but there’s a lot of green hanging on as well. Here’s our full report for this week.
Go here for suggestions and tips on where to enjoy the colors in our area.
Trail Conditions
Sections of the Uplands Trail and Steinke Basin at Devil’s Lake State Park are very wet, rutted and muddy. Otherwise, trails around the area are looking pretty good with just an occasional wet area. We do offer a more detailed trail report here. You can also submit your reports as well.
Birds & Wildlife
Over the last few warm, sunny days we’ve watched the vultures gathering at Devil’s Lake State Park, sandhill cranes out in area farm fields and even discovered a few Great Egrets still hanging around. On the trails, there have been lots of woolly bear caterpillars, (But we can’t decide what they are telling us.) and snakes are out moving toward their winter dens. This weekend’s cold weather may keep most wildlife down and out of site, however.
Devil’s Lake State Park Events & Activities
October 11-13, 2019 – Devil’s Lake Craggin’ Classic
Join The American Alpine Club and CAMP Technical Adventure Equipment in Baraboo, WI this October 11-13 for the fifth annual Midwest climbing extravaganza, the Devil’s Lake Craggin’ Classic! Details: https://americanalpineclub.org/devils-lake-cc
Mirror Lake State Park Activites & Events
Saturday, October 12, 2019 – Universe In The Park
6 pm to 10 pm – Dusk Blue Water Bay Shelter and Open Field – A typical UitP session begins just after sunset with a 30-40 minute talk and slide show about astronomy. At the conclusion of the talk, weather permitting, we set up a moderate aperture (8-10 inch) telescope and provide park visitors the opportunity to view available astronomical objects.
Saturday’s Fall Kayak Tour on Mirror Lake was canceled.
Nearby Events & Activities
Friday, October 11, 2019
7 pm to 10 pm Carnival of Horrors Haunted House
The Ringling House Bed & Breakfast and Baraboo Tours will present an all new “Carnival of Horrors” Haunted House this year! Be transported to the most frightening carnival in the Baraboo bluffs. This house of horrors will get your adrenaline going, trigger your wildest fears, recall your worst nightmares, and produce blood-curdling screams. Do you dare to —step into our lair? There is no escape…
Full Horror Event Dates: October 11-12, 18-19, 24-26.
Full Horror Event times: 7pm-10pm
Full Horror Cost: $10.00 pre-event sales through October 10th, 2019. Tickets available at the Al. Ringling Theater Box office and Con Amici Wine Bar (cash only). After October 10th ticket prices go up to 12.00 online, $15.00 at the door, so purchase your tickets now! Online tickets at: https://ringlinghousebnb.com/events
Saturday, October 12, 2019
7:30 am to 1:00 pm – Farmer’s Market
The Baraboo Farmers’ Market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm on the Courthouse Square on Oak Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. The market runs from May through October. More: Baraboo Farmer’s Market
9 am to 4 pm – Sauk County Indigenous Peoples’ Days
Saturday, Day of Restoration Prairie Restoration – Healing our Mother Earth and ourselves through hands-on activities. Events such as prairie restoration and mural painting will be taking place around Sauk County: White Mound Park, Yellow Thunder Memorial, and Maa Wakacak (Formerly known as Badger Army Ammunition Plant). Badger Property (Maa Wakacak) 9:00 – 12:00 – Community Mural Painting – Yellow Thunder Park 11:00 – 2:00 – Oak Savanna Restoration – White Mound Park 2:00 – 4:00 – Facebook Page
9 am to 4 pm – Fall Fair on the Square – Downtown Baraboo
Downtown Baraboo Hosts a semi-annual arts and crafts show in May and October that fill the street of Downtown Baraboo. The craft fair includes 150+ artists and crafters from around the Midwest, 13-16 specialty food vendors, a bountiful farmer’s market, interactive children’s activities and performances, a variety live music and a full day of family entertainment.
9 am to 5 pm – 1st Annual Fall Color Paddle
Come paddle with us during our peak fall colors event on October 12th, 2019! Starting from North Freedom Fireman’s Park and ending at Giese Park, you will be sure to enjoy the beautiful sights along the 3 hour trip. We will be sending people out on the river until about 2 P.M. and there will be some festivities at the park! Rentals Available. Hosted by Baraboo River Canoe & Kayak Rentals, LLC.
10 am to 5 pm – Rogues & Ruffians at Circus World
A small faire — perfect for a day trip for adults and kids! Here you will find performers of all kinds waiting for you. Singers, musicians, jugglers, thespians and others that defy description. Military and other reenactors will show off their great weaponry and the joys of living during the enlightened Renaissance times. There is so much to do, no one will leave disappointed! Affordable daily ticket prices for this event and now, by popular demand, a pass for the entire weekend is available. More Info: http://www.agatheringofroguesandruffians.com/
10 am to 4 pm – Fall Festival at Durward’s Glen
Enjoy the fall colors and goods of the art vendors located throughout the grounds. Arts & crafts, commercial vendors, flea market, guided tours, fall colors and chocolates. Free event. Donations warmly welcomed. Learn more at: http://durwardsglen.org
All Day – Fermentation Fest
A Live Culture Convergence is an annual celebration of live culture in all its forms, from dance to yogurt, poetry to sauerkraut. Presented by Reedsburg, WI-based Wormfarm Institute. To learn more about this year’s event visit: fermentationfest.com or wormfarminstitute.org.
Sunday, October 13th, 2019
10 am to 5 pm – Rogues & Ruffians at Circus World Continues
10:30 to 5:00 pm – Sauk County Indigenous Peoples’ Days Continues
Day of Celebration, October 13 – Experience the culture and traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Indigenous Peoples at the Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo. Highlights include basket weaving, traditional food and a lacrosse showcase featuring clinics and an exhibition game. Ho-Chunk Color Guard cultural arts presentation and Interactive Friendship Dance 10:30 – 11:30.
All Day – Fermentation Fest
A Live Culture Convergence is an annual celebration of live culture in all its forms, from dance to yogurt, poetry to sauerkraut. Presented by Reedsburg, WI-based Wormfarm Institute. To learn more about this year’s event visit: fermentationfest.com or wormfarminstitute.org.
Monday, October 14th, 2019
10 am – Sauk County Indigenous Peoples’ Days Continues
Day of Commemoration, October 14 – The festivities will culminate on October 14th with a flag ceremony at the Sauk County Courthouse. The event will be live-streamed and will include a reading of the Sauk County Resolution establishing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
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