Parfrey's "Glen" (a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine) is Wisconsin State Natural Area #1 - Wisconsin's first SNA, designated in 1952. It is a spectacular gorge, carved deep, up to 100 feet, into the sandstone of the south flank of the Baraboo Hills, by a small river, with a very small waterfall at the end. It is much like a miniature Grand Canyon, although much greener, with mosses, ferns, and trees, growing from the walls. It's cool, shaded dampness, creates a very unique habitat for Wisconsin, that supports some rare, and state-endangered trees, plants, birds, and insects. My photo below, from 2007, gives a good perspective of size, if you notice the person in the yellow shirt, at the far end of the boardwalk.This boardwalk, including some raised bridges over small valleys, has since been destoyed during the floods of 2008, making hiking a little more challanging. More information about the drastic changes this State Natural Area has experienced over the last 20 years, can be found at this website:
http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/information-center/other-natural-areas/parfreys-glen/
More information about Parfrey's Glen here, at the Wisconsin DNR website...
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=1
Parfrey's Glen is located about four miles East of Devil's Lake State park, on Hwy DL, near the Sauk/Columbia County line. The trail is just less than a mile.
An annual State Park Sticker is required, but I can pile several people, and equipment into my van, after parking other vehicles nearby, if you are willing to ride in the back of my van for a short distance, with no seats or seatbelts. Hopefully, there will be other vehicles with stickers, that we can carpool in.
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