Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Great day trails run through Iron River area

Flag River is a popular trout stream in the Poplar-Brule area.
Photo courtesy of UW-Superior.
An impressive number of day hiking trails await visitors to the Iron River, Wis., region in Bayfield County.
g Ahmeek Lake Walking Trail – Southeast of town off Luke Hughes/Pero Road, a 4.4-mile trail runs to County Road A past ponds through a new growth forest. The route is part of the North Country Scenic Trail.
g Anderson Grade Trail – The 4-mile trail crosses the Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area from east to west over rolling terrain. Balsam fir, Northern hardwoods, paper birch and pines line the trail.
g Flag River Walking Trail – North off town on Flag Road a half-mile from Battle Axe Road, the trail meanders west near the Flag River. Groves of Northern hardwoods and evergreens shade the path.
g Iron River National Fish Hatchery trails – North of town off of Fairview Road, three miles of trails cut through 1,200 acres of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facility. A visitor center helps explain the important role of national fish hatcheries.
g Long Lake Picnic Area Trail – This 1.2-mile trail in the Chequamegon National Forest circles Long Lake and includes a boardwalk into a marsh. A picnic area is on the grounds; a parking fee is required.
g North Country National Scenic Trail segment – West of town, a segment of this multi-state trails runs through the Brule River State Forest. From the parking lot off of Wis. Hwy. 27 near Radio Station Road, take the trail north for about 2 miles to Rush River Road; turn left onto Rush Road River, crossing Hwy. 27, for views of Big Lake.
g Ruth Lake walking trails – On Ruth Lake Road, a half-mile from the County Road A intersection, trails begin both sides of the highway. Go west to skirt the wooded southern end of Lake Ruth in the Chequamegon National Forest.
g Tomahawk Lake trails – Off of Moore Road about 1.5 miles from the Island lake Road intersection, walking paths run through wooded areas. Trails begin on either side of the road.
g Tri-County Corridor Trail segment – The trail connecting Superior and Ashland runs through Iron River. East of town, take the segment east from Topside Road past Wentzel Lake and a pond to Forest Road 417 for a 3.8-mile one-way hike.

Read more about day hiking Bayfield County, Wisconsin, in my Day Hiking Trails of Bayfield County guidebook.