AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Nessie's Pond & Fireman's Beach via Military Ridge State Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 1 hr 40 min

Nessie's Pond & Fireman's Beach via Military Ridge State Trail is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area near Verona, WI. The route passes Fireman's Beach before reaching Nessie's Pond at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 54 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi925 – 994 ft5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.98129, -89.53471
Nearest town Verona, WI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Nessie's Pond & Fireman's Beach via Military Ridge State Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 1 hr 40 min

Elevation 925–995 ft

Out & Back · Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

Trailhead: 42.98129, -89.53471

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:44 AM · sunset 7:01 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass Fireman's Beach.
  3. 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
  4. 400 ftBear right, heading NE.
  5. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  6. 50 ftSharp left onto Military Ridge State Trail, heading N.
  7. 2.1 miReach Nessie's Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 2.1 miSharp right, heading SE.
  9. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  10. 150 ftBear left, heading SE.
  11. 350 ftBear left, heading S.
  12. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/nessies-pond-firemans-beach-out-back-8-km

Trail surface

81% gravel1% paved18% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:44 AMSunset 7:01 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Verona, Wisconsin