Off the Beaten Path…

Each week in July, read about our series of adventures in Clark County to littleknown or forgotten places, explored by Valorie Brecht or Cheyenne Thomas.

Wildcat Mound: One of the Clark County’s oldest and best-kept secrets

A location with stunning views and picturesque rock formations, Wildcat Mound is known by the few who have traveled there to be one of the most obscure Clark County parks. Most days, a person can find themselves to be the only one walking along the sandstone rocks or making the steep climb to the top of the mound. Save for the occasional group of ATV/UTV riders, the mound is quiet, and gives those willing to make the hike a wonderfully unobstructed view of miles of timberland untouched by mankind. It’s a rare view, one that can make the viewer feel they have traveled back in time to the days when the mound was first discovered and surveyed.

Wildcat Mound, located in the heart of Wildcat Park in the town of Mentor, Section 25 near Humbird, was first surveyed by C. Phipps in April 1853. Keeping the name simple, Phipps dubbed the place “Rocky Mound” before it fell into the hands of private owners. The name he gave the mound didn’t seem to stick, as by the 1930s, the site was called Wildcat Mound due to the striping patterns on the rocks bearing a strong similarity to the stripes seen on wildcats.

“The formation of Wildcat Mound is soft sandstone,” reads a 1940 news article on the mound taken from the Clark County Press. “Much of the rock is yellow with peculiar red markings, which are reminiscent of the wildcat. Presumably this is the origin of the name, and not, as related by one of the community’s famous myths, because a large number of wildcats met their doom on this site.”

Ownership of the mound began to change in the 1930s as the Great Depression had its effects on local landowners. The last private landowners of Wildcat Mound were F. Wheaton, who owned the area now used as the entrance to the mound, and Elizabeth Sherman and F. H. Hankerson, who owned the rest. Both parties lost the land due to tax deeds, which, according to Clark County land surveyor Wade Pettit, was the main reason why Clark County gained ownership of most of its forestland.

“A tax deed is that if someone doesn’t pay their taxes for three years, then the county can put it up for auction,” he said. “(In the case of Wildcat Mound), probably nobody bid on it at public auction. No one had any money back then because of the Depression. The county got a vast majority of its 130 acres of county forestland because of tax deeds.”

By February 1940, Clark County had ownership of the entire mound, and Wildcat Mound became the first mound to be owned by the county. In the 1940 Clark County Press article, it was stated that the expectation was for the park to become a popular tourist spot due to its natural beauty.

“With this title perfected, Clark County now owns its first complete mound and has thus the beginning of what is likely to become a public monument of high distinguishing characteristic of esteem,” the article reads. “While there are other mounds in this part of Wisconsin, most of them are in areas privately owned. Clark County owns no other mounds of major importance. The significance of the acquisition of the ‘Wildcat’ is the greater, too, because this is one of the most unique and distinctive of all the mounds in this part of the state. It has varied topography, a peculiarly ornamental rock, interesting spurs, remarkable overhangs, a great cliff along its southern side and a tremendous view from its top. It is no wild prophecy to suppose, with the passing years, Wildcat will become the popular picnic spot of this region and a place famed for its beauty and commanding views.”

Those scenic views written about in the 1940s are mostly unchanged. A long “stairway” made of wooden logs serves as the entrance to the trail leading up to the mound from the nearby Wildcat Park. Once at the top of the stairs, the trail branches off in two directions — one to the northwest and the other to the southeast — each exploring a different spur of the mound. Hikers can follow either trail, with the paths winding along various rock formations, crevices and cliffs.

“Wildcat Mound is much larger and more picturesque than can be appreciated from the road,” continues the description from the 1940s news article. “It has an extent of roughly 80 acres. The ascent has been made easy by the new trails, which lead to all the picturesque parts of the mound. The southern aspect of the mound is one huge cliff, with a precipitous drop of perhaps 300 feet. On the north side there are three spurs, each with its own characteristics. From the top there is a remarkable view to the south and from the northwesterly spur there is a wonderful view north, west and east.”

Hikers can enjoy approximately 1.8 miles of trial. Although the trails are not marked, there is a wellestablished look to the east of the top of the steps and a lookout point to the west. The trails are made for hiking, with the trail alternating between compacted dirt and loose sand, so hiking boots or close-toed shoes with good grip are recommended for the best experience. At the base of the mound, the trail can be pretty level, but certain spots will become steep, especially for the part of the trail needed to make the final ascent to the top of the mound.

Besides the occasional bird or squirrel, the only wildlife a person is certain to encounter are bugs, so use bug spray and check for ticks after returning from the trail. Porcupines are also known to traverse some of the small overhangs on the mound after sunset, but are otherwise not likely to be seen.

At its highest point, Wildcat Mound has an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet, giving anyone who reaches the top a breathtaking view of several miles of forestland. The best views are on the top of the southwestern side of the mound, with plenty of cliffs for a person to sit on and gaze at the view. In the fall, the changing of the colors makes for spectacular viewing and is one of the biggest draws to the mound during the year.

“Based off of what I have seen, it is a great spot for viewing the fall colors,” said Clark County parks and recreation manager Nate Beaver. “It’s a good spot to see the different colors and a lot of people I know go out there to see that.”

In addition to good hiking gear, some other supplies to consider taking along for a hike on Wildcat Mound are a first aid kit in case of any accidents, water to keep hydrated, and some light snacks. Cell phone reception at Wildcat Mound should be good on most days as well, in case of any emergencies at the park. To maintain the natural beauty of the site, visitors are asked to take any garbage they may have with them, keeping Wildcat Mound as picturesque as when they first saw it.

As with other Clark County parks, camping is available at Wildcat Park (not on the mound itself) for $7 per night, with camping registration available at the site. The park near the mound has picnic tables, vault toilets and grills for anyone who wants to enjoy the rest of the site either before or after a hike on the mound. The park is open year-round.

Wildcat Mound is at W9841 County Highway B, Humbird, 54746. A sole sign near the entrance to the park will be the only indicator of the park’s location. If anyone is in further need of direction to Wildcat Mound, call the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department at 715-743-5140.

The view from the top of Wildcat Mound looking toward the southwest.

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTO