White-tailed deer abound in Wis. woodlands

White-tailed deer can run up to 40 miles per hour. Courtesy of Photoree.

Trail marked in alternating red and yellow line.
Map courtesy of Barron County. 

Ice Age Trail segment runs through Barron County forest

Day hikers will have several opportunities to spot the impressive white-tailed deer on a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in a western Wisconsin forest.

The 2.6-miles round trip segment of the Ice Age Trail runs through Waterman Lake Area County Forest in northwest Barron County. The Ice Age Trail runs 1200 miles across the state, mostly marking the farthest advance of the last glacier to touch these parts some 11,000 years ago.

To reach the trailhead, from Cumberland, take U.S. Hwy 63 north. Turn left/west onto 24-1/2 Avenue. The road becomes 4th Street when it begins running along Beaver Dam Lake and gradually curves north. When 4th Street splits, the main road turns west and becomes County Road H/3-1/2 Street, passing several farms, then upon veering north turns to 3rd Street. After the 29-1/2 Street intersection, look for the gravel parking lot on the road's left/west side. Park there.

Take the access trail from the lot's northwest corner for about 0.05 miles to the Ice Age Trail. Go left/southwest onto the Ice Age.

The trail generally heads south through a mixed hardwoods forest. This habitat is perfect for white-tailed deer, which often grazes on agricultural fields at the edge of woodlands.

In about 0.6 miles, you’ll reach a junction to a side trail; continue right/west. In about 0.1 miles, you’ll come to the junction for where the side trail reconnects with the main trail.

Wisconsin’s official wildlife animal, white-tailed deer are quite common across the state. They can grow up to three-feet high at the shoulder and weigh up to 200 pounds.

As heading west, wetlands areas can be found off both sides of the trail. At 0.8 miles from trailhead, you’ll junction a trail heading north; continue left/west on the main trail, though.

Fawns usually are born in May and June, so a great time to hike this trail is late summer when mothers bring out their young. Newborns typically remain low in the grass, and their reddish brown coats with white spots makes for perfect camouflage.

About 1.1 miles in, the trail turns northwest coming along the shoreline of Lake 4-8. This is a good location to spy whitetail taking a drink.

Should you spot a deer, unless it is in the distance or freezes, don’t expect to see it for long. Despite long skinny legs, they can run up to 40 miles per hour, jump nine feet high (allowing them to clear almost any fence), and can swim about 13 miles per hour. When broad jumping, they can leap up to 30 feet in a single bound.

At 1.25 miles from the trailhead, the Ice Age Trail veers away from lake; upon reaching a junction with a trail heading north, turn back. The trail does continue west through the county forest, but the landscape gets significantly swampier for the next mile or so.

Read about nearby trails in Hittin’ the Trail: Day Barron County, Wisconsin.

Hike edge of ancient glacier in Wisconsin

North of Cumberland, Wis, a fairly flat segment of the expansive Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs at the edge of where the glacier last seen in these parts towered some 11,000 years ago. The hike to Grassy Lake and back makes for just under 4 miles round trip.

To reach the trail, from Cumberland drive north on U.S. Hwy. 63 into Washburn County. At Brick Yard Road, go right/east. At the next intersection, turn right/south onto Old Hwy. 63; park off this road across from the Pershing Road intersection.

The trail unofficially heads east alongside Pershing Road. You’ll pass bucolic farm fields at first, but the trail grows increasingly forested as heading east. Typical Northern hardwoods – maples and oaks – with scattered pines line the route.

At about 0.75 miles, the trail turns left/north. This now official segment of the Ice Age Trail runs on public land. If you feel uncomfortable leaving your car along the highway or want to shorten your walk, this is a good alternative for parking (though it’ll still have to be off the road).

A mere 11 millennia, this area was beneath a towering glacier, only miles away from its leading edge to the south. The glacier crushed and flattened the landscape, and remnants of it formed many of the lakes seen across northern Wisconsin by depressing the land and melting.

For the next 1.25 miles, the trail roughly parallels the shoreline of Grassy Lake, though you’re never closer than 200 feet to it. The lake covers 38 acres.

The trail soon curves east, briefly paralleling the Grassy Lake’s north shore. When the trail swerves north again, you’ve reached the turn-back point.

Upon reaching 65th Avenue, you’ve gone 1.5 miles. This marks a good spot to head back.

Learn about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Fourth ‘Hittin’ the Trail’ book, on Barron County, Wisconsin, released

The next book in my Hittin’ the Trail hiking guide series, Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Barron County, Wisconsin, went on sale today. The ebook lists dozens of great family-friendly trails in all of your favorite Barron County communities, including Rice Lake, Cumberland, Chetek, Turtle Lake and Cameron as well as the Blue Hills in neighboring Rusk County. Included is a primer about day hiking essentials, such as gear, clothing, navigation, and how to avoid various trail dangers. Day Hiking Barron County, Wisconsin is available as an ebook on Kindle, Nook, iBook/iPad, Kobo, and other formats.

Find out about other trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Idlewild Outfitters hosts ‘Headin’ to the Cabin’ Meet the Author session

Idlewild Outfitters graciously hosted my Meet the Author session at its downtown Cumberland store Saturday afternoon. I met lots of great local residents and cabin owners, and sold 20 of my hiking books! I'm currently promoting Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin, which lists 100-plus day hiking trails in Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn counties. Idlewild Outfitters offers quality apparel, equipment and unique home accessories at its store in downtown Cumberland. Here are some photos from the event.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.

Idlewild Outfitters hosting ‘Meet the Author’ on June 22 in Wisconsin

Idlewild Outfitters in beautiful Cumberland, Wis., is hosting a “Meet the Author” with yours truly on Saturday, June 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. I’m promoting my spring release of Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin and will be available to sign my books. Headin’ to the Cabin describes more than a 100 day hiking trails in Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn counties, including more than two dozen in the Cumberland area. An independently owned store, Idlewild Outfitters sells outdoors clothing and gear in the Island City. By the way – if you stop by to purchase a book, Idlewild Outfitters will give you a discount on Keen hiking shoes and sandals and hand-made walking sticks purchased that day in the store. Idlewild Outfitters is located at 1414 2nd Ave. in Cumberland.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.

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.

Idlewild Outfitters in Cumberland, Wis., carrying my latest hiking book

Idlewild Outfitters in Cumberland, Wis., is carrying my recent book, Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin. Headin’ to the Cabin describes more than a 100 day hiking trails in Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn counties, including more than two dozen in the Cumberland area. An independently owned store, Idlewild Outfitters primarily sells outdoors clothing and gear. Idlewild is located at 1414 2nd Ave. in Cumberland.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.