Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area
Goose Lake–Nessie's Pond, 4 lakes
6.3 mi · ▲ 85 ft · 2 hr 9 min
Goose Lake–Nessie's Pond, 4 lakes is a 6.3-mile out-and-back in Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area near Verona, WI. The route passes The Pond Across the Way, Nessie's Pond, Fireman's Beach and 2 more before reaching Fireman's Beach at the turnaround, 3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 85 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Goose Lake–Nessie's Pond, 4 lakes
6.3 mi · ▲ 85 ft · 2 hr 9 min
Elevation 925–995 ft
Out & Back · Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area
Trailhead: Military Ridge State Trail · 42.99061, -89.57295
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:44 AM · sunset 7:01 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Military Ridge State Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftPass The Pond Across the Way.
- 0.3 miPass Nessie's Pond.
- 2.1 miSharp right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 150 ftBear left, heading S.
- 350 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.2 miPass Fireman's Beach.
- 450 ftPass Goose Lake.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miPass Fireman's Beach.
- 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miReach Goose Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading NE.
- 350 ftBear right, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 2.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~35 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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