Rib Mountain State Park, A Trail Runner’s Perspective

This morning’s 4 hour run on the mountain was to be solo, without music or books, and in the rain. So I entertained myself by bringing along the GoPro Hero 7 and taking photographs as I ran. Working with a camera designed for ultra wide angles and video, while shooting on the run offered some interesting challenges, but it was fun to put myself into a corner like that, and just see what could be created. What follows is a one off gallery of sorts, from Central Wisconsin’s ultra runner’s training grounds.

First climb, today I chose to head up from Grouse Lane, but took a hard left to the East to get on to the ski slopes for the first climb. The rain hadn’t started yet, and I knew I’d get some wet feet in the weeds going up.
Just before getting really steep, I head to bushwhack through some hip deep weeds.
Quick loop around the Red trail with a heavy fog.
Top of the ski hill, one of many chairlifts running up the big hill these days.
Love this short little grassy field at the end of the yellow trail.
Already on August 7th, the colors of Autumn start to appear, although thankfully sparse.
Without the fog, this lookout point to the South is usually a great spot to stop.
Little bit of the technical terrain on the Quarry trail.
Absolutely love this forest in the fog.
Today’s view from the Quarry walls, could hardly see the bottom.
Running the top edge of the Quarry line, bit of fall to either side that isn’t really visible in this shot.
From within the Quarry.
Circled back to some of the technical Red trail.
Another incredible lookout point when the peak isn’t shrouded in fog. I’m pretty excited about how it look today though, runs are easy when the view are this incredible, especially at a location you frequent.
Queens chair, Kings chair and the observation tower on the top of Rib Mountain. The most visited place on the big hill.
Not a great view of the landscape today, but the tree tops looked good from the top of the observation tower.
Back down the slopes to climb them up once again. Training here can be as difficult or as easy as you want it to be. Glutton for punishment? Stick to heading up and down the slopes. Want the easy path up, Quarry Road or the Yellow trails will get you there on a gradual climb.
Chairs in the Sky
A chairlift and radio broadcasting equipment.

Commercialized, but mostly wild. Rib Mountain has it’s raw points, the obvious artefacts of it’s current use and it’s scars of former commercialization. With future expansion plans currently up for debate, I’d love to see this gem of Central Wisconsin be utilized but not prostituted. Keep it wild, keep it unbroken and add places for the silent sports to flourish. While it’s important to make the best use for the community, it’s just as important to preserve the natural state. In between lies a balance we can identify with and strive to achieve within our own lives.

2 thoughts on “Rib Mountain State Park, A Trail Runner’s Perspective”

  1. Wow! Thank you for taking us on a journey through this beautiful area we’re gifted with in Wausau. Giving me the motivation to get out there again ASAP! 100% agree with the need to keep it raw and untouched!

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