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| The Yellow-Orange-White Trails at Jones Spring passes several lakes. |
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| Jones Spring area map. Click map for larger version. |
The 6.1-miles Yellow Trail – with two side trails, the Orange and White – loops through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This trail is best done in early spring as parts of it can be overgrown in summer or underwater.
To reach the trailhead, from Townsend, take County Road T south. Turn right/southwest onto Fanny Lake Road. A parking lot sits at the end of the road.
A wide stem trail runs southwest. At 0.2 miles, it reaches a trail heading right/north that goes around the east and north sides of Fanny Lake. A few feet west of it, at 0.3 miles, the loop for the Yellow Trail begins. Continue straight-right/southwest.
Fanny Lake
The trail passes Fanny Lake’s south shore. Birch trees line the small lake.
At the lake’s southwest corner, about 0.4 miles in, the Yellow Trail meets the looping Red Trail. Continue left/southwest onto the Yellow-Red Trail; the two trails share this leg to make their loops.
The trail crosses Mary Creek then heads through a wetlands. Mud can be deep in sections – be forewarned that at times of the year it can be impassable, at least not without sinking up to your knees into the mud. Because of that, you may need to turn back here and then do the trail in reverse from how it is described here, as well as treat it as an out-and-back hike.
On the other side of the wetlands, the Red and Yellow trails split at 1 mile. Go left/south onto the Yellow Trail.
Orange Trail
The route next comes to a side trail, the Orange Trail, at 1.1 miles. Take it right/southwest.
The Orange Trail heads between Upper Jones Lake and Lower Jones Lake. About half-way between them, a three-sided shelter sits on a knoll, nestled in pine and birch, to the left.
On the other side of the isthmus, the Orange Trail rejoins the Yellow Trail at 2.1 miles. Go right/south onto it.
After crossing Mary Creek, the trail comes to a four-way junction, at 2.8 miles, where the White Trail loop connects with the Yellow Trail. Turn right/southwest onto the White Trail.
Pine groves and open fields dominate the White Trail.
Wildflowers
Several wildflowers also can be seen along the trail. Among them are butterfly milkweed, Indian pipe, Northern blue iris (usually in June or July), and partridge berry.
Upon completing the White Trail loop, you’re back to the four-way junction at 4.5 miles. Go right/northeast onto the Yellow Trail.
Pine and birch dominate this part of the trail. A wetlands appears on the trail’s left/west.
The next junction, at 5.7 miles, brings you to the stem trail on Fanny Lake’s south shore. Go right/northeast onto it back to the parking lot
Dogs are allowed to use the trail but must be leashed. Be sure to bring insect repellent.
