Tunnel #3
On Wisconsin's Sparta-McElroy Trail
August 16, 2005
Participants in my workshop, upon learning that I enjoy hiking, suggest that I go see this tunnel about eight miles outside Sparta. On a good day, they told me, I could see all the way to the other end—about two-thirds of a mile, straight ahead. They recommend taking a flashlight. I figure, ahhh, it's a well-maintained and smooth rail-to-trail surface, I'll just do it anyhow. How dark can it get? |
The west (eastbound) entrance. I could in fact clearly see the exit, 3810 feet straight ahead, but this exposure doesn't render it visible. |
Vaguely reminiscent of the the wall on King Kong's island.
Hmmm.
Maybe 75-100 ft. into the tunnel, already the temps have dropped maybe 8-10 degrees. This exposure does clearly show the light at the far end, but I could see very little around me, and nothing at all more than 15-20 feet ahead of me. Only some Photoshop tweaking brought out this detail. |
The middle third feels refreshingly cool, maybe 50ish. How dark can it get? Pretty darn dark. I grow somewhat more anxious, because even though I can see to both ends of the tunnel (completely obscured by dust and moisture in the photo below), now I can't see anything directly around me. I don't worry about stumbling on the the even, well-maintained, and frequently-traveled surface, but it does occur to me: "Hmm, suppose a squirrel or something else has wandered in here and is just sitting in the middle of the trail—and if I step on it— "I do NOT have my luggage in the car, with clean underwear to change into—" So I feel awkward and uncomfortable, and still tremendously intrigued. This is fun. |
As I near the east end, I see two westbound cyclists dismounting as they enter (below), as required by trail etiquette for safety. After all, some idiots walk through this entire tunnel with no flashlight. |
I exit the east end and turn around to make my return.
With flash (above) and no flash (below)
Walk toward the light — walk toward the light —
