Day trails abound in Cumberland, Wis., area

Waterman Lake Area County Forest trail

Visitors to the Cumberland, Wis., area will find a number of great day hiking trails awaiting them. Among the pickings:
• Bear Lake Area County Forest trails – A large number of trails crisscross this Barron County forest. Entering from the north side on Narrow Gauge Road, take the first gated trail on the left for a half-mile round trip to Lake 6.
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail – North of town, a segment of this expansive trail runs at the edge of where the glacier last seen in these parts towered some 10,000 years ago. At Old Hwy. 63, head east to Grassy Lake for a hike just under 4 miles round trip.
• Kirby Lake Area County Forest – On Fifth Street just before the road curves toward Kirby Lake, turn east onto a gated jeep trail. The path heads to Tamarack Lake; at the T-intersection, turn back for a 1.4-mile round trip.
• Maple Plain Area County Forest – From 29-1/2 Avenue, take the gated jeep trail heading south. The trail crosses an unnamed creek flowing into Upper Waterman Lake. At the T-intersection, turn back for a half-mile round trip.
• Waterman Lake Area County Forest – In County Road H south of 29th Avenue, take the gated jeep trail heading west. You’ll walk past Lake 9-8A (It’s more of a pond, really.) and end at scenic Black Duck Lake for a 2-mile round trip. Wear pants as the frog-laden grass can be high in summer.

Read more about day hiking Barron County in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Barron County, Wisconsin guidebook.