Lodde's Mill Bluff
No. 52
Photo by Joshua Mayer
Lodde's Mill Bluff rises some 300 feet above Honey Creek at its base and contains a shaded cliff community harboring rare and uncommon plants. The bluff is capped with Prairie du Chien dolomite, with cliffs of Cambrian sandstone. Soils are thin but rich in humus. The cool damp cliffs with a north exposure contain significant flora including Sullivant's cool-wort, slender cliff brake, and bulblet fern. Sunnier, more exposed, cliffs have cliff goldenrod, smooth cliff brake, white camas, and slender lip-fern. On the droughty bluff is an area of dry prairie, which is becoming very brushy and is being shaded out by red cedar. The young forest is dominated by white birch, white oak, bur oak, shagbark hickory, and basswood. The moist north slopes harbor a moderately rich spring flora. Lodde's Mill Bluff is owned by the University of Wisconsin and was designated a State Natural Area in 1967.
Location
Sauk County.
Driving directions
Please contact the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum at (608)263-7344 for access permission.
The DNR's state natural areas program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities.
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Lodde's Mill Bluff is owned by: The UW Board of Regents and the Wisconsin Department of Transporation