The M (Platte Mound)
Wisconsin
> South
Description
Welcome to the largest hillside M in the world. Yep - it's bigger than Colorado's in Golden, which was the initial source of inspiration for a couple of Platteville miner majors to create a larger one in the snow back in the late '30's. Soon thereafter, the M was properly built with limestone from around the mound and is whitewashed every spring.
The hill is fairly popular for stair-climbing enthusiasts, sunset observers, and littering delinquents, along the occasional hiker/dog. The benches and picnic tables at the top are typically the goal of most, although some venture a few minutes to the right to check out Ol' Stoney Lookout and the surrounding areas (Tagged Slab, Pride Rock). Keep an eye out for broken glass in these areas, courtesy of those delinquents previously mentioned. The trail to the left leads to the other areas where few people are encountered, as the approach for us climbers is 15-20 minutes from the top. Please be respectful of the resident back here, although I've never actually seen them...
Overall, the limestone here is in poor condition, but most of the boulders listed here possess decent rock. Further development is possible, but bring brushes, and maybe a small crowbar. Please pack out your trash, and consider picking up existing litter even though it may be a losing battle.
Getting There
The coolest thing about this place is that you can see the big white M from a good distance away. The mound itself is prominent, although the Belmont mound is nearby but smaller, so watch out.
There are two good ways to get there from downtown Platteville. Option one is to take Broadway St. past Mound View Park, which turns into County B and takes you there. If you need to stop at Walmart, McDonald's, or Goodwill on the way, option two takes Business 151 under Hwy 151 and turns left onto W Mound Rd.
Either way you'll see the parking lot right under the M, which is the best parking for most of the climbing, although the Pelo del Perro boulder is easier to find if you drive down the road a little farther.
[Hide Photo] Aerial shot showing the general locations of the areas
[Hide Photo] The high point of the Pelo del Perro boulder.
Montello, WI
New London, WI