Mangan Woods in Franklin

This approximately 200-acre parcel is almost literally a hidden gem. It is officially located within the Root River Parkway in Greendale. But since the entrance is on 92^nd Street, it is more easily associated with Whitnall Park, which is across the street. It is hidden because the sign at the entrance to the small parking lot reads “Ross Lodge” and not Mangan Woods. Also, it is not listed in the Directory of parks on the Milwaukee County Parks website. It is listed as a segment of the Forked Aster Trail System, however, under Root River Parkway. If the small lot is full, there is plenty of parking in the Whitnall Golf Course lot across 92^nd St.

 

There is a two-mile trail loop for foot traffic and an even longer mountain bike trail, the popular Kegel Alpha Trail. While the two trails mostly stay separate, there are short sections of shared trail.

 

It has a distinctive glacial terrain of rolling hills and ravines and some of the largest mature hardwoods in Milwaukee County, including red oaks and sugar maples. A remarkable array of spring ephemerals and a number of rare plant species are present.

 

For a map of the hiking trail click here.

For a map of the Kegel Alpha Mountain Bike Trail click here.

 

Story link:

Mangan Woods: A surprising hidden gem shaped by the glaciers

 

Gallery (click to enlarge)