Not exactly fishing ~ Red Wing's Barn Bluff

After tooling around Red Wing for the last 10 or so years, I made it up top that BIG hill I see people walking around on while fishing. They call it Barn Bluff if you haven’t heard.

Back when Tom Sawvell was just a young pup, 10 to 15 million years ago, the glaciers were melting carving out the Mississippi River Valley. Barn Bluff was actually an island back then.

After the waters receded to the comparatively speaking trickle the Miss is now, the local natives used the bluff to watch for enemies. Later on the settlers used it to watch for the first steam boat of spring working it’s way up river.

But if you want to know it’s history more accurately, just google “Barn Bluff” There’s plenty written about it along with the limestone mining and burial grounds.

Today’s point is about walking to the top and looking at the view which makes the walk worth while. If Everts was on the other side of the river, it would be view-able from the West end of the bluff. By taking a short almost flat walk to the East end, you’ll see an awesome view of 3rd and 4th cut along with the head of the lake in the distance.

The walk isn’t that hard if you’re in relatively good shape. Take your time and rest along the way if you needed to. I took the FW up there twice so far this year and have lost count of the trips up for the spectacular sun rises from the East end and sun sets on the West end.

I’m not a big walker/hiker but it’s a place I would recommend to anyone that’s been going to Red Wing fishing. PS Stay on the marked trails. The FW said she’s not a ____ goat.

Here’s a video of the West end to give you a flavor of the view.

Brian’s right, it’s worth the walk and staying on marked trails is good advice.

One request, please don’t throw things when you’re up there. It’s a little hard on the people below.

And in the last 10-15 million years I have managed to hobble up there myself a couple of times. Ma wants to go there, but anymore I’m not sure if I can make it. Probably can with rest stops as Brian mentioned. Has anyone mentioned staying on the trails? I knew one young man who decided to take a short cut and it ended his life….just so ya’ll know up front that accidents can happen and seldom end well.

The view from there is just short of awesome. Buena Vista Park in Alma is another breath-taker. Winona’s Sugar Loaf is a nice viewpoint. La Crosse has a great bluff for a view but the name escapes me.

Has anyone mentioned staying on the trails?

A number of times. But can’t be said enough. The North trail (river side) is closed. I believe it was two years ago when a fella climbed over the “Trail Close” gate and ended up falling to his death.

It’s a very safe walk by staying on the South Trail and with rest stops if needed, amazingly worth the trip. I don’t know if I’ll get up there again this winter, but I do want to spend some time up there next summer.

How hard of a climb is Alma and Winona Tom?

Both have drive-to parking areas and maintained paths, both are parks. The Sugar Loaf bluff will be open to some ice climbing this winter for the gutsy and I think climbing the bluff is allowed during warm weather, again by the gutsy. I’m real comfortable with about 34″ of air under my a$$ while my feet ore on terra firma so ropes and I are not anywhere close to the same page. Dangling from one is not an option.

Traveling from north to south thru Alma you’ll see the sign on the right side of the road indicating the turn for the park. Its almost like driving in the mountains on switchbacks. Alma’s park has a couple of steep bluffs for the brave to step out on to take in the sights but I stay back on a park bench and enjoy things. The path from the lot at Alma’s park to the bluff to view is blacktopped. I see wheelchairs out there. It is a downhill grade to the viewing are so remember that what goes down has to go up to leave. Its not a serious grade but still its uphill.

Just a short distance further up the high on the county road from the park’s turn-off is a great winery if you like to do those things. Carole and I along with some friends were down there just before deer season started, both the park and the winery. The girls really enjoyed the sampling….left as giggling fools. Alma has a couple really good places to eat too….interesting river town with some history along with the sights.

I can’t recall if it is Marquette or McGregor Iowa, but just south of one of those towns there is a county park up in the bluffs that has extensive hiking trails and the view from up there is something else.

BK, one of the neat things about the walk up are the concrete steps with the names of folks who sponsored the construction of the stairs. On the now closed north side near to the top is an “Everts”. I’m guessing they could have been related to the founders of Everts Resort.

Hey Tom, its McGregor at Pike Peak State Park. Awesome views there and lots of trails. Good camping as well.

Both of those are on the list for next summer.
It’s amazing what’s right under a persons nose once they take time to look!

I believe the bluff in LaCrosse, Wisconsin is called Grandad’s Bluff.

fish-them-all wrote:

Hey Tom, its McGregor at Pike Peak State Park. Awesome views there and lots of trails. Good camping as well.

That’s it! Thanks bud!

Check this out lover’s of Red Wing! (I’ll be starting another thread also)

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