In the last third of winter we snowshoed the upper end of the Lac du Bois Grasslands Conservancy.    The goal was to go on a known route to the end of Clay Lake, then continue east over to Meadow Pond and back, following some known tracks, some user-made snowshoe tracks, and breaking trail to connect them. 

Grasslands Conservancy

There are some old double tracks that wind to the southeast of Clay Lake and there are some older-yet tracks that continue to Meadow Pond, but windfall, fencelines and the snow pack makes setting a new track in the snow a better choice.    We wound our way through the forest to the west end of Clay Lake. 

Beyond Clay Lake we aimed for the fence crossing to the Grasslands Community Trail.   Some previously-stomped in tracks helped the traverse. 

Clay Lake

Our route looped back on the border of the McQueen Lake site with some exploration of ponds, paths, and trees along the way.

Clay Lake Ramble

This informal route includes old forest tracks, grassland slopes, ponds, two old homesteads, aspen groves, some older trees, forest glades, and quiet, scenic spots to enjoy.