fern dell is a 1/4 mile gorge made in upper cambrian sandstone by dell creek. lots of ferns, yes, amid a red and white pine wood all leading to a precipitous drop over mirror lake. which is in its own gorge.

after a day spent out madison-way for family business, we called in some reinforcements and headed to mirror lake state park. i’ve been going to the baraboo hills area my entire life, but never made it here for some reason or other. we’ll certainly be back. we hiked the upper unit where the creek is hardly visible this time of year and down to the lower portion where it opens out quite a bit from all the springs and seeps.

highlight was all the tiny fruiting teaberry along cliff’s edge. (first id.)

some “living found” lunes for you:

a.

& there’s the rippling

of sandstone

up above dell creek

b.

all of berried life

in an inch:

two-leaved teaberry

c.

cellulose scrollwork

embracing

the vanished heartwood