City Times Staff

Active Portage County brings a return to the Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge on Sept. 30.

The third annual challenge is scheduled for Saturday at 8 AM at Standing Rocks County Park, 7695 Standing Rocks Road.

The challenge includes a rolling hike of 8.3K (approximately 5 miles) and a hilly hike of 13K (approximately 8.2 miles). There will be two rest/nature stops along the way, and a finish line pancake brunch. All participants will receive a waist pack and bottle.

John Jury, Active Portage County board president, called Standing Rocks one of the county’s “best kept secrets”.

“Many people think that Portage County is flat and it is for the most part but Standing Rocks is quite hilly,” Jury said. “There are miles of trails through a variety of hardwood and pine species — the scenery will take your breath away.”

The 11th annual Moon Walk Wisconsin, also sponsored by Active Portage County, comes to the Tomorrow River State Trail on Oct. 7. The non-competitive four, eight or 12-mile walk will be held under the moonlight and amidst lit pumpkins.

The 12-mile event will begin at 6 PM, and the four and eight-mile events begin at 7 PM. Onsite registration and check-in will be held at Copps Market in Plover at 5:30 PM, as the trail begins behind the store.

Copps is located at1850 Plover Road.

For more information, or to register, go to activeportagecounty.com or call (715) 344-2556.