Blue Mound State Park

IUCN Category V - Protected Landscape / Seascape

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The Blue Mound State Park is a state park near the town Blue Mounds in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

Geography

It is bordered to the north by the valley of the Wisconsin River and the Baraboo Range, to the west and south by the Driftless Area and the city of Madison in the East.

Geology

The state park was named ( 523 m) to the mountain West Blue Mound, consists of dolomite. The mountain island was formed by the erosion of the surrounding softer rock.

Fauna

In addition to the largest living mammal in the State Park, the white -tailed deer, there are also thirteen- stripe ground squirrels, fox, gray and chipmunks and woodchucks and raccoons. Rare, however, are cottontail rabbits, flying squirrels, bats, coyotes, opossums, prairie mole crickets, skunks and weasels and red and gray foxes. Furthermore, various mice species occur ( house mouse, Hüpfmäuse, shrews, Weißfußmäuse, Wiesenwühlmaus and dwarf mouse). Sometimes in a state park also occur badgers.

During the last ice age came before mastodons, which were hunted by Paläoindianer. Before European settlement, there were in this area also bison, fisher marten, lynx Canadian, cougars, bobcats, black bears, elk and wolves

Flora

In the Blue Mound State Park bloom from April to June various flowers such as Arisaema triphyllum, Dodecatheon, strawberry, Geranium maculatum, Buttercup, dogwood, Hooded heart flower, cherries, liverwort, Sanguinaria canadensis, Shield-shaped foot blade, violets and anemones.

In spring, bloom the American White oak, red oak and the Shagbark Hickory. On the north and east side of the park the flowers bloom because of the cooler and more humid microclimate usually two weeks later. In this climate, borage, ferns and blueberries feel at ease.

Furthermore, there are the following plants: Yellow Lady Slipper, forest lilies and wild ginger. From July to autumn, however, flourish in the Hickory - and oak woods on the north side Desmodium, witches herb, burdock, agrimony, Süßdolden. From July to September bloom in addition to various types of grass and asters, Inconsistent Siliphien, goldenrod, compass plant and glory -holes.

Trails

In addition to passing through the State Park Military Ridge State Trail, which runs from Fitchburg to Mineral Point, there are further 20.8 km hiking trails.