Haskell Noyes Memorial Woods protects a typical southern dry-mesic forest on rolling terrain within the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, one of 11 SNA’s found there.  It is easy to find this SNA, with a glorified gravel pull-off from CTH GGG.  A large SNA sign is noticeable from the road and a few steps lead down from the parking area to the trail.  A Wisconsin historical marker is present as well, describing Mr. Noyes as “one of Wisconsin’s foremost conservationists” who was involved in the protection of this site and the surrounding Mauthe Lake area and its eventual inclusion into the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

As I would have expected, the spring ephemeral scene here was very similar to that of Johnson Hill Kame, though with less dominance by the large-flowered trilliums.  Large-flowered bellwort, violets, wood anemone, mayapple, and two-leaved mittewort were the abundant species on this day.  The trail winds up, down, and around the hilly topography with increased elevation as you work your way south.  I would imagine that this site would look fantastic during fall colors season with the yellows of the sugar maples and the earthy tones of the red oaks putting on a nice show and I wouldn’t mind returning then and perhaps at a slightly different spring date to catch the ever-changing ephemeral landscape.

Mayapples on Forest Floor

Large-flowered Trillium & Large-flowered Bellwort

Large-flowered Trillium

Yellow Forest Violet

Signage

Two-leaved Mitterwort

Forest

More of my photos (and full-res) from Haskell Noyes Memorial Woods can be viewed here.

Additional Information