Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops features two outcrops approximately 6.5 miles apart in southern Dodge County.  The northern outcrop is within the Waterloo Wildlife Area while the southern outcrop is within the Mud Lake Wildlife Area.  Both are within the boundaries of the Glacial Heritage Area.  The northern outcrop is accessible via an access lane from a parking area on Mud Lake Road just south of Reeseville.  The access lane descends a few feet in elevation and is impassible by foot during high water.  The southern outcrop is only accessible via water.  A boat launch is located just southeast of the outcrop, on Hubbleton Avenue.

It took me three tries to be able to reach the nothern outcrop.  The first attempt was foiled by high water.  A couple of hunters cut short my second attempt…better safe than sorry.  Finally, on the third try I was able to walk across the low-lying access lane to reach the outcrops.  On the way there, the gravel lane was quite populated with northern leopard frogs while dragonflies, primarily common whitetails zigged and zagged through the air.  The outcrops themselves are less spectacular than others I have seen since.  Here, the forest is overtaking many with branches overhanging and shrubs growing directly out of the rock.  The flora here were not particularly diverse with wild leek and wild bergamot being the most abundant species observed.  All told, I would not put this site high on my list of natural areas to revisit.  Perhaps in early spring, it may be more interesting.  I would like to explore the southern outcrop at some point, and having my own kayak now makes that quite a bit easier.

Northern Leopard Frog

Path to the Outcrops

Outcrop

Wild Bergamot

Outcrop

Wild Leek

Outcrop

Common Whitetail

Outcrop

Forest

Outcrop

Forest

More of my photos (and full-res) from Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops can be viewed here.

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