Tuesday, August 13, 2013

See trees from 1800s in Gov. Knowles forest

Norway Point Bottomlands
Photo courtesy of WI DNR.
Day hikers can explore tree stands dating to the 1800s, the pristine St. Croix River, and rare plant communities at Governor Knowles State Forest in Burnett County, Wis.

Among the trails in the state forest are:
g Benson Brook Hiking Trail – A lengthy St. Croix River trail at seven miles, the path can be accessed at three points: its terminus at the Rush City Ferry Landing off of County Road O in the south; its terminus at West River Road in the north; or close to its center at the northern tip of Pleasant Prairie Road.
g Brandt Pines Interpretive Trail – The 2.5-mile trail heads through a 130-year-old stand of red and white pines near the St. Croix River in the Brandt Pines State Natural Area. To reach the trail, from Wis. Hwy. 70 west of Grantsburg, take Larson Road north; it becomes Gile Road. Where the road angles right/east at the junction with Hardwood Ridge Trial, go left/west into the parking lot.
g Cedar Interpretive Trail – Hikers can see eastern white cedars and walk through five plant communities that are more than 200 years old on the half-mile Cedar Interpretive Trail. The trailhead begins at the end of Norway Point Landing Road north of County Road F.
g Foxes Landing Trail – From the parking lot at Norway Point Road, the first two miles of this 9-mile trail along the St. Croix River are particularly scenic. Watch the skies for soaring bald eagles.
g Kohler Peet Hiking Trail – The 6-mile trail opens with the Cedar Interpretive Trail on its way to the Clam Flowage. The jeep trail parallels an old rail bed.
g Lagoo Creek Hiking Trail – The trail runs for seven miles alongside the St. Croix River between Evergreen Avenue in Polk County to County Road O at the Rush City Ferry Landing. Parking is available at both terminal points.
g Raspberry Hiking Trail – The 3-mile trail rambles alongside the St. Croix River. Park in a lot at the northwestern corner of West River Road. It passes the Raspberry Landing on the St. Croix north to the Wood River.
g Sioux Portage Trail – The 6-mile trail heads from the Sioux Portage Group Campground south to the Clam River flowage. It parallels the St. Croix River, crossing a stream and a couple of roads along the way.
g Wood River Interpretive Trail – The 0.8-mile trail runs from the St. Croix Campground to near the Wood River, a tributary of the St. Croix River. Reach the trailhead by taking River Road south of Hwy. 70 to the campground.

Learn about nearby trails in Hittin’ the Trail: Day Burnett County, Wisconsin.