Wisconsin's Driftless Area - Unique Region the Ice Age Missed

There is a relatively small area of Southern Wisconsin that few sightseers know of and fewer yet who know the unique geologic history of the region. This picturesque rural section of the country was left exposed by the belt of glaciers from the last Ice Age that consumed the Northern Hemisphere more than 12,500 years ago. It roughly encompasses a zone between the Chippewa and Wisconsin River valleys and holds some of the most ancient rocks in all of the United States.

The tract is one of the most geologically and topographically unique in Wisconsin. Deeply carved river valleys are surrounded by high bluffs of eroded sandstone that can rise to heights of more than 600 feet. One of the most well-known of these etched canyons is the Wisconsin Dells. The Dells are listed as one of the wonders of the world because of the stone formations caused by the lack of heavy glacial compression, followed by flooding and erosion by the ice dams collapsing as the Ice Age came to a close.

The area surrounding the tiny village of Lone Rock, Wisconsin, in Richland County is of particular interest. The fertile farmland is pock-marked by small spans of sand dunes, cactus and sandburs. In a state that is thousands of miles from anything resembling an arid wasteland, the dunes are a geologic oddity that have existed for thousands of years. The sand is commonly mixed amongst evergreen trees and prairie grasses and is a boon to ATV enthusiasts who enjoy a diverse riding challenge.

Caves, primarily limestone in composition, are abundant in this Driftless area. While most are small and unknown to the public, as they are usually hidden on a hillside on private property, Cave of the Mounds outside of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin is a spectacular exception. As a National Natural Landmark, its two million year old formation holds countless beautiful formations that would have been lost to time had the glaciers not passed by this part of the continent.

The mostly rural Driftless region is crossed by the Ice Age Trail in multiple counties. This outstanding 1,100 mile path is one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the United States. The hiking route is completely contained within the state of Wisconsin and closely follows the border of where the massive glacier flows once extended in the region.

The bluffs and rivers of the Southwestern Wisconsin Driftless Area are some of the most scenic and geologically unique features in all of the Midwest. The region holds an endless chance to experience the power of the last Ice Age close up, and even hold a bit of the Earth's history right in your hand.