How to get there: 

You can find Grandad Bluff by following Main Street east which becomes Bliss Road as you ascend the bluff. When you are about half-way to the top (by The Alpine Inn), turn right on Grandad Bluff Road, that will lead you to the entrance of the park where there are several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a viewing area at the top of the bluff. The 600-ft high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. This Midwest wonder boasts some of the most scenic views in the state of Wisconsin. 

My boyfriend and I went exploring on Grandad Bluff this past Saturday. We tried snowshoeing for the first time on the trails winding around the bluff. It was absolutely spectacular. The views were amazing, and the city of La Crosse was beautifully covered in snow. It was a perfect day; 40 degrees and very little wind. I was very comfortable wearing a base layer under jeans, long sleeves, and a winter jacket. I would recommend wearing two pairs of socks while snowshoeing for extra dry protection for your feet, as my shoes were pretty wet after about 2 hours of snowshoeing. I wore 2 pairs of Smartwool socks, and was comfortable for the rest of the day.

For a perfect ending to a fun day, stop at the local watering hole, The Alpine Inn, half way up the bluff. They make a killer bloody mary, and have some great local beers on tap. My boyfriend tried the downtown brown, and it was delicious. Another favorite was the spotted cow.

*Tips: If you don't own snowshoes, they are available to the public for $6 a day or $15 for the weekend at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Recreational Eagle Center. The Center is open every day and they have a large inventory of rental gear! Check out reviews of UW-L's Recreational Eagle Center for more information.
                                

We used these trails the first time we ever went snowshoeing.  What a fun afternoon, the trails winds down the bluff and through the trees so even on a day with a little wind it's great.  We had a good 10" of new snow on the ground so it was perfect for a track through the bluffs.  We rented shoes from the UW La Crosse recreational center, they were very helpful.

Looking forward to doing this again, very soon.