Yesterday afternoon we tried to visit Fern Dell Gorge, a narrow sandstone gorge in nearby Mirror Lake State Park. One description says, "The red oak-basswood forest of the valley floor gives way to pines on the cliffs and oaks along the upper edge. The rich flora includes many ferns" -- hence, the name. Tom remembers it from when he was a kid around here, and it is listed on the DNR website. The road to the park is even named Fern Dell Road. But try to find this thing!
The website has a nice description and even picture of the place, but they tell you to stop at the park ranger station to get a map. We did this and discovered that the first two people weren't sure what we needed. The ranger herself wandered in and pointed it out on a map -- NOT a map to the place -- noting that the map was not to scale, that the road didn't look like it was depicted on the map and that the gorge was between two unmarked roads. One did have a gate, so that was a hint. Also, there was no sign indicating the gorge itself. For something that was important enough to get the road named for it, it was sure hiding out.
We got back in the truck and set off again. We found the two roads, parked alongside the road -- no parking area and, as warned, no signs. We walked up a winding path through sandy sand and a beautiful pine forest for a ways, and we saw what had to be the gorge -- but no way to reach it. We assumed when we reached the point where it emptied into the lake, there would be access.
Wrong! A view down into the gorge, but no way down without ropes and climbing gear. Tom was convinced I was going to fall in when I went over for a closer look, which did not happen, I am glad to say. It is a beautiful thing, but no way to reach it. There had been no indication that you could not go down into it, but there was also no sign of a trail at the bottom.
We walked back to the road, keeping our eyes peeled for a path off to the gorge. Then we walked back up the road towards the other gate, looking for access. Nothing.
We were expecting a guest for dinner, so we didn't want to spend more time wandering around semi-lost in the woods. Next time we plan to take the gated road and see if there is a path to the gorge that way.
You'd think it they tell you about this thing, there would be a way to get there.
At least, I would.
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I tried to get a photo for this, but the DNR site is not loading this morning. Just more evidence that the thing is in hiding. What do you suppose they are hiding? UFOs?
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