Nine Springs E-Way Trail is a prairie and marsh preservation area along Spring Creek south of Madison’s Beltline. In the western part of the observation area, water levels are manipulated to provide ideal conditions for migratory shorebirds. During the spring and falls migratory seasons, water is pumped out of the ponds and returned to the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District wastewater treatment facility, which opens the mudflats and their rich food supply.
Nine Springs E-Way Trail
Bordering parts of the Capital City State Trail, Lake Farm Park, and Capital Springs Centennial State Park and Recreation Area, Nine Springs E-Way Trail offers 5.4 miles of small or large loop configurations through wetlands, sedge meadows, creek bottoms, native forest, springs, farmland, and prairie. Along the pretty corridor of one of the south side of Madison’s less visited gems, a series of easy hikes wend through sunflowers, bergamot, coneflowers, and Queen Anne’s lace. Apple trees adorn sections of the trail. Easy out-and-back options allow walkers to pick their stopping point, and to return along the same well-maintained, simple to follow, path of cattails, tall trees, and wooden bridges.
More than 200 different species of bird have been documented at Nine Springs, including owls, pheasants, hawks, songbirds and shorebirds. Many of these birds are sparse in the Midwest. The area is also home to healthy populations of deer, fox, turtles, raccoon, muskrats, wild turkeys, and other animals. Upland birds include the Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, and Northern Cardinal. Waterfowl include the Blue-Winged Teal, Canadian goose, and Wood duck. Marsh Birds commonly spotted include the Sandpiper Crane, Yellow Warbler, American Coot, and Swamp Sparrow. Shorebirds common to area include the Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpiper.
The trail structure at Nine Springs provides enjoyable chances for a wide variety of civic uses: walking, birding, jogging, hiking, biking, nature observation, photography, picnicking, and cross-country skiing. A widened system of trails that includes the Capital City Trail and incorporates Nine Springs E-Way Trail is being planned. Boardwalk viewing areas will eventually be extended. Hiking is not permitted when trails are groomed for skiing. Daily fees exist for dogs ($3) and cross-country skiers ($5).
Nine Springs E-Way Directions
Take the Beltline Highway (US 12/18) to South Towne Drive and head south. This road shortly becomes Raywood Road. Turn left less than a mile later on Moorland Road, continuing 0.2 miles to the trail parking lot on the right. The trailhead and information sign is located at the southwestern edge of the lot. The boardwalk to view the wetlands starts opposite the parking lot. An elevated viewing area supplies attractive views of waterfowl.
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
