Fall colors abound at Wisconsin waterfalls

Willow Falls, near Hudson, Wis.

Among the most

beautiful scenes in autumn is a waterfall wreathed in autumn colors. Fortunately for those living in or visiting Wisconsin, there are plenty of great waterfalls that fit he bill and can be easily reached via a day hike.

Ashland County
Hikers can tour Wisconsin’s geological history in some of the most breathtaking scenery this side of the Mississippi on Doughboys’ Nature Trail at Copper Falls State Park. The trail follows the Bad River and Tyler Forks past Copper and Brownstone waterfalls and a series of cascades. From Mellen, take State Hwy. 169 north. Upon passing Loon Lake, enter the park by turning left onto Copper Falls Road. The road leads to a parking lot near the pet area. From there, head northwest to the picnic area. Doughboys’ Nature Trail starts near the concession building.

Douglas County
Just a few miles south of Superior flows the highest waterfall in the Upper Midwest. Short overlook trails in Pattison State Park provide a variety of scenic views of Big Manitou Falls. Summer marks the most comfortable time to visit the falls, but each season delivers a unique experience. Winter offers mist rising off the falls, spring brings thundering water flows, and autumn unveils the fantastic ancient rocks forming the gorge below. To reach the trailhead, take Wis. Hwy. 35 south about 13 miles from Superior. The entrance and parking lot is on the left. Walk to the southwest corner of the parking lot and take the pathway through the park’s grassy picnic area past the nature center toward Interfalls Lake.

Florence County
Yellow-leaved birch and evergreen cedar and pine line a waterfall at the end of the LaSalle Falls Trail. The 1.9-miles round trip partially heads along the Pine River to the 20-foot high waterfalls, which slides down a long rock ledge. LaSalle Falls is the highest waterfall in this part of the state. From Florence, take County Road N south. Turn right/west on County Road C then right/north onto LaSalle Falls Road. After crossing Halls Creek, park in the lot on the right/north side of the road. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.

Iron County
An impressive waterfalls surrounded by a gorge of fall colors awaits on the Potato River Falls Trails. Three paths for a combined 0.5-mile round trip heads to a series of cascades and falls that drop about 90 feet over the Potato River. One trail heads to the 40-foot drop over the Upper Falls, a second trail to the-50 foot Lower Falls, and another to a lookout. Red, yellow and orange leaves line the gorge below the falls, and fallen leaves float and swirl upon the flowing river. From Hurley, take U.S. Hwy. 2 west. Turn left/south on Wis. Hwy. 169. Go right/west on Falls Road. The trail leaves from the Potato River Falls Campground.

Iowa County
Fall colors light up the trail to picturesque Stephens Falls in Governor Dodge State Park. The 0.5-mile round trip Stephens Falls Trail passes beneath a canopy of hardwoods before arriving at the waterfalls, which spills 20 feet over a moss-covered sandstone into a splash pool below. The hike can be extended by continuing past the falls on the Lost Canyon Trail. From Dodgeville, take U.S. Hwy. 23 north. The park entry road is on the right/east. Follow the entry road north to the Stephens Falls parking area on the right/east. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.

St. Croix County
A waterfall that many say is among Wisconsin’s best awaits day hikers on the Willow Falls Hill (Gray) Trail. The trail runs about 0.85-miles round trip on Willow Falls State Park’s eastern side. Trees line the top of 200-foot walls and the base of the 45-foot high falls. Take Exit 4 from Interstate 94, heading north on U.S. Hwy. 12 for about 1.6 miles. Follow County Road U for 0.3 miles to County Road A. Drive north, continuing past the main park entrance for about 0.4 miles. Park in the Willow Falls Parking Lot on the road’s left/west side. The trailhead leaves from the lot’s northwest corner

Top fall trails of northwest Wisconsin, Part I

Copper Falls State Park

There’s no better way

to experience autumn colors around Northwest Wisconsin than a hike.

The brilliant yellows, oranges and red of maples to the scarlet

and russets of oaks

...the crisp, fresh

autumn air and the last warm rays of sunlight before winter arrives...

the crunch of fallen leaves and acorns beneath your boots...stopping to enjoy a warm mug of apple cider or a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon on the trail.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails around Northwest Wisconsin to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Ashland County
A river rapids over billion-year-old red-tinged rock, surrounded by a variety of autumn colors, awaits day hikers on the Red Granite Falls Trail in Copper Falls State Park. The set of two loops, loosely shaped in a figure 8, runs 2.5-miles round trip in the park’s southern corner. During autumn, you’ll find the brilliant yellows of ironwood, paper birch and aspen, the blazing orange of sugar maple, and the scarlet of red oak mixed with the evergreen of hemlock and white pine. From Mellen, take Wis. Hwy. 169 north. Enter the park by turning left onto Copper Falls Road, and park in the Loon Lake Beach lot. Head south to the beach and pick up the trailhead heading west.

***

Amber-leaved trees and evergreen conifers await hikers at Prentice Park in Ashland. A 1.25-mile round trip paved trail wends through a boreal forest and wetlands as well as crosses, via a bridge, Fish Creek Slough before ending at the Lake Superior beach in Maslowski Park. In all, Prentice Park is nearly 100 acres in size. From downtown Ashland, head west on U.S. Hwy. 2. Turn left/south onto Turner Road then right/southwest onto Park Road, which ends at a parking lot. The trail leaves from the lot’s west side.

Bayfield County
Massive trees from an old growth forest and vibrant autumn colors await day hikers on the Drummond Woods Trail in the Chequamegon National Forest. The 0.75-mile trail runs through the Drummond Woods, where a number of trees survived the 1800s lumberjacking of the Wisconsin Northwoods. Heading through a northern hardwood forest, the trail marks an excellent spot to enjoy fall colors: the yellows of basswood and birch; the oranges of sugar maples; and the scarlet of black ash and red maple. Evergreens dominate the canopy with towering white and red pines and hemlocks. From Drummond, take U.S. Hwy. 63 north. In one mile, turn left/west onto Old 63 N (aka Forest Road 235). About 150 feet from that intersection on the right is a small pull-off for parking.

Burnett County
Day hikers can walk across an old railroad bridge over the St. Croix River at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and St. Croix State Forest on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. The Gandy Dancer Trail, which starts dozens of miles south of the state forest in Polk County, at Danbury crosses the border into Minnesota. The trestle bridge segment is about two miles round trip. You’ll head through a forested area. The mix of trees near the riverfront yields a fantastic multi-colored leaf display in autumn. An added bonus for autumn hikers: You’ll probably spot a number of migrating waterfowl, including sandhill cranes. Also watch for bald eagles, osprey, northern harriers and hawks, all of which reside year-round in the area. In Danbury, parking for trail access is next to the walking route north of Hwy. 77 between and Hwy. 35 and North Glass Street. From the lot, take the trail north.

Douglas County
A walk along a pristine sand beach awaits day hikers of the Lake Superior shoreline in the Bear Beach State Natural Area. The unmarked trail runs for up to 3.4-miles round trip along narrow Bear Beach. Hiking the beach, you’ll get a good sense of what this area of the world looked like before Euro-Americans settled it. A thick woods hugs the sand’s southern side while the lake stretches wide beyond to the north. Though the forest this far north is heavy on the evergreens – especially balsam fir, white pine and white spruce – in autumn the yellowed-colored leaves of paper birch and trembling aspen and the spring green of speckled alder are well-represented. From Brule take U.S. Hwy. 2 west. In Maple, turn north onto County Road F. Next, go left/west onto Wis. Hwy. 13 then right/north onto Beck’s Road. Park in the dirt lot at the end of Beck’s Road near the Lake Superior shore.

***

A boreal forest may not seem like the best place to enjoy autumn leaves. The Superior Municipal Forest, however, delivers, with its extensive growth of gold-leafed white birch and aspen amid evergreen white and red pine, balsam, cedar, and black spruce. A 1.6-mile segment of the Millennium Trail winds through the woods. In Superior, at the 28th Street and Wyoming Avenue intersection, turn south to the municipal parking lot. The trail goes both east and west; skip the eastern side, which leads to multiple railroad tracks in Superior’s industrial section.

Polk County
Day hikers can experience an autumn forest that looks almost like the one Native Americans and pioneers saw during the 1800s. The 2.9-mile Ridge View Trails near Osceola heads beneath a lush forest canopy in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Osceola State Fish Hatchery on a bluff overlooking a St. Croix River back channel. Sugar maple is the dominant tree. Each autumn, its leaves vary from yellow to orange or red. Basswood, whose leaves turn olive in fall, and white ash, which changes to a deep maroon, usually are mixed in the canopy. From Osceola, take Wis. Hwy. 35 north and turn north onto County Road S. The two trailheads are on the road’s left/west. Both trailheads have their own parking areas off of the road. Just beyond 93rd Avenue is the southernmost parking area, which is an excellent trailhead for either loop.

***

The splendor of fall colors combines with a vista of the St. Croix River and fasinating rock formations on the Summit Rock Trail at Interstate State Park. The 1-mile round trip trail heads to a bluff’s highest point. Moss and autumn leaves cover the surrounding rock and ground while maples, basswood and eastern white pines line the trail. At the top, prickly pear cactus can be spotted amid the outcroppings. The highlight of the hike without question is the incredible view of the riverway from the summit. Looking north, the Old Man of the Dalles rock formation is visible. From St. Croix Falls, take Wis. Hwy. 35 south. Turn right/west into the park and follow the entry road to the parking lot across from the Lake O’ the Dalles.

Maps for 5 great Douglas County day hikes

Anyone looking for a good hiking destination ought to try Wisconsin’s Douglas County. The county boasts a number of outdoor attractions perfect for day hikers.

Here are five top-notch day hiking destinations in Douglas County, as well as trails maps for each:

Amnicon Falls island trails
Hikers can view the results of an earthquake from 500 million years ago while walking the island trails at Amnicon Falls State Park. Known as the Douglas Fault, this split in the earth stretches from Ashland to near the Twin Cities. Much of the bedrock sits at 50-60 degree angles, offering sights reminiscent of those along California’s San Andreas Fault. All of these millennia later, the fault line still effects the course of rivers – which is to hikers’ visual advantage.

Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
Just a few miles south of Superior flows the highest waterfall in the Upper Midwest. Short overlook trails in Pattison State Park provide a variety of scenic views of Big Manitou Falls. Summer marks the most comfortable time to visit the falls, but each season delivers a unique experience. Winter offers mist rising off the falls, spring brings thundering water flows, and autumn unveils the fantastic ancient rocks forming the gorge below.

Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail
Visitors to the Solon Springs area can day hike what feels like the forest primeval on the Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail. Located in southern Douglas County’s Brule River State Forest, the 2.3-mile boardwalk cuts through a wooded bog. Part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, it is entirely handicapped accessible.

Buckley Creek Barrens Trail
Day hikers can truly get back to nature with a walk through a pine barrens near the northern reach of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The Buckley Creek Barrens Trail is an undesignated out-and-back footpath that runs 1.2-miles round trip through the former Buckley Creek Barrens State Natural Area west of Gordon. Late summer and early autumn mark the best time to hike the trail, as spring through June will be wet and buggy.

Gordon Flowage Campground Trail
Day hikers can explore the northernmost reaches of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway on the Gordon Flowage Campground Trail. The roughly 2-mile round trip is a jeep trail running through the woods bordering the river. The trail actually is unnamed, but for convenience’s sake, we’ve christened it here after the campground where it begins in Gordon Dam County Park.

Read more about these and nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County.

SE Douglas County trails access St. Croix

The St. Croix River flows around a rock near the
shoreline at Louise Park near Solon Springs, Wis.

The southeastern corner of Wisconsin’s Douglas County offers an impressive number of quality day hiking trails, most of them centered on the St. Croix River.

The St. Croix begins its long journey to the Mississippi River in southeastern Douglas County, Much of the waterway is in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, but even the unprotected parts, which are exclusively in Douglas County, can be accessed and enjoyed by the public.

Among the great day hiking trails of southeastern Douglas County are:
• Bois-Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail
• Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Buckley Creek Barrens Trail
• Schoen/Louise Parks Jeep Trails

Read more about these and nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County.

Eastern Douglas County offers hiking ops

Brule Boardwalk Trail. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

The eastern side of Wisconsin’s Douglas County offers a diverse array of day hiking trails, most of them centered on the famous Bois Brule River.

The River of Presidents – so named because five U.S. commander-in-chiefs have stayed on or fished it – flows 44 miles through eastern Douglas County on its way to Lake Superior. Most of the river is protected by the Brule River State Forest.

The 4600-mile multistate North Country National Scenic Trail also enters Douglas County at the state forest.

Among the great day hiking trails of eastern Douglas County are:
• Bear Beach Trail
• Stoney Hill Nature Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Bois-Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail
• Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail

Read more about more Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Waterfall, sandy beaches await day hikers

Black River, just before it makes a 160-foot drop at Big Manitou Falls.

The northwest corner of Wisconsin’s Douglas County includes a diverse array of trails, from hikes to the tallest waterfall in the state to walks along sandy beaches.

The majority of the trails can be found within the City of Superior or at Pattison and Amnicon Falls state parks. Three of the routes – the Gandy Dancer, the Wild Rivers, and the Tri-County Corridor trails, are former rail lines turned hiking paths that head to other counties.

Among the great day hiking trails of northwest Douglas County are:
• Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
• Wisconsin Point Trail
• Millennium Trail
• Thimbleberry Nature Trail
• Gandy Dancer State Trail
• Wild Rivers State Trail
• Tri-County Corridor Trail

Read more about more Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Douglas County offers diverse array of trails

Snakepit Falls, Amnicon State Park. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Anyone looking for a good day hike destination ought to try Wisconsin’s Douglas County. The county boasts a number of outdoor attractions perfect for day hikers.

Douglas County’s hiking trails generally are clustered in three areas. Lake Superior Country includes those in the city of Superior and others in the county’s northwest corner. Brule River Country are those in or near the Brule River State Forest in the county’s northeast section. St. Croix River Country generally run along the St. Croix River in a swatch across the county’s southern lands. Much of the southeast and central section of the county, despite being heavily forested, lacks public trails, however.

Several major highways offer access to Douglas County. From Minneapolis-St. Paul area, take Interstate 35 north then cross into Wisconsin on either the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge (aka U.S. Hwy. 2) or the Interstate 535/U.S. Hwy 53 bridge. From northern Minnesota, head east on either Hwy. 2 or Hwy. 53 to Duluth and enter Superior via the aforementioned bridges.

From western Wisconsin, take either Wis. Hwy. 35 or Hwy. 53 north; both enter southern Douglas County. From eastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, drive Hwy. 2 to the county’s eastern side. From central and southern Wisconsin, take either Wis. Hwy. 13 or U.S. Hwy 51 north then Hwy. 2 west to Poplar.

Among the great Douglas County day hiking trails are:
• Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
• Wisconsin Point Trail
• Amnicon Falls island trails
• Brule River Outlet Trail
• Schoen/Louise Parks Jeep Trails
• Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail

Read more about more these and nearby day hiking trails in Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County.

Superior, Wis., boasts variety of great hikes

Little Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park.

With the exception of the city of Superior, Wisconsin’s Douglas County is sparsely populated, dotted by small villages and several four-corner towns, making for a variety of great hiking opportunities.

Though sporting a population of just under 30,000, Superior is an international harbor on the largest of the Great Lakes. The city might have been far larger and even more important if not for a pre-Civil War economic downturn. Though the first log cabin here was erected in 1853, within four years the population had risen to 2500 as excitement rose over a Lake Superior to Pacific Coast railroad, but the Panic of 1857 dashed those plans for a quarter century. Today, a number of multi-county trails that used to be rail lines start (or terminate, depending on your perspective) in Superior. In addition, the city’s municipal forest offers a number of wooded hiking trails.

The hamlets of Brule, Maple and Poplar sit in the county’s northeast corner. Each village sports a population of around 600 people. Brule is the gateway to the Brule River State Forest, a kayaking, fishing and hiking destination.

In the southeast, visitors to Douglas County first come across the village of Gordon and then Solon Springs. Both towns have a population of about 600 and offer access to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the St. Croix River’s headwaters.

Some great Douglas County day hiking trails include:
• Osaugie Trail
• Millennium Trail
• Brule River Outlet Trail
• Buckley Creek Barrens Trail
• Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail
• Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail
• Amnicon Falls island trails

Read more about more Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Excellent trails crisscross Douglas County

The Black River drops 16 stories down Big Manitou Falls. 

Imagine a place where you can hike miles of shoreline along the world’s largest freshwater lake or stand at the base of a 16-story waterfall, where you can retrace the steps of ancient portages or hike trails beside a scenic river popular with American presidents, where the beaches you traipse yield up bear tracks or the woods you cross take you past rare, delicious berries. The place is real: It’s called Douglas County, Wisconsin.

Tucked in Wisconsin’s northwest corner, most of Douglas County’s population is concentrated in the city of Superior, leaving lots of open space for outdoor recreation.

Recent geological history largely accounts for the county’s layout. Glaciers during the last ice age scoured the landscape of topsoil and left behind plenty of sand that once sat under meltwater as the earth warmed. Because of this, pioneer farmers were slow to settle the area during the 1800s. The glaciers did leave behind a massive freshwater lake and river system that made for an ideal harbor, though, giving rise to the cities of Superior and neighboring Duluth, Minn.; they often are referred to as the Twin Ports.

Two of those riverways – the Brule and the St. Croix – offered key transportation routes linking the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River that Native Americans and later European traders took advantage of in pre-railroad days. Today, both of those riverways are almost entirely protected, offering a plethora of recreational activities from fishing and canoeing to camping and hiking.

Some great Douglas County day hiking trails include:
• Wisconsin Point Trail
• Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
• Bois-Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail
• Stoney Hill Nature Trail
• Bear Beach Trail
• Thimbleberry Nature Trail
• Schoen/Louise Parks Jeep Trails

Read more about more Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Hiking trails abound in Douglas County, Wis.

St. Croix River at Louise Park.

Wisconsin’s Douglas County boasts a number of outdoor attractions perfect for day hikers: two state parks – Amnicon Falls State Park and Pattison State Park – both with waterfalls; long stretches of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway; and the Brule River State Forest that spills into Lake Superior. All offer several scenic hikes. Many excellent routes, including those that meander along Lake Superior, also can be found in Superior and just across the state line in Duluth.

Four major hiking trails popular with backpackers ramble through Douglas County. Among the most famous of them is the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs 4600 miles from New York state to North Dakota. The Gandy Dancer Trail terminates 98 miles to the south in St. Croix Falls, Wis., and heads through Minnesota for about a third of its route. Another old railbed turned hiking-bicycle path, the Wild Rivers State Trail, ends 104 miles to the southeast near Rice Lake, Wis. The Tri-County Corridor Trail links Superior to Ashland over the course of nearly 62 miles.

The best months to day hike Douglas County are May through September. Depending on the year, April and October also can be pleasant.

As with the rest of Wisconsin, summers are humid, especially July and August. Rain can occur during the afternoon even when the morning is sunny, so always check the weather forecast before heading out.

November through March usually is too cold for day hiking. Once snow falls, trails typically are used for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing. Early spring often means muddy trails thanks to snowmelt and rainfall.

Some great Douglas County day hiking trails include:
• Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
• Amnicon Falls island trails
• Schoen/Louise Parks Jeep Trails
• Stoney Hill Nature Trail
• Osaugie Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Gandy State Dancer Trail
• Wild Rivers State Trail
• Tri-County Corridor Trail

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Hiking author’s newest guidebook released

My 22nd book – Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County – went on sale Monday.

The guidebook describes more than a hundred in and around Wisconsin’s northwestern most county. Among the great trails featured:
• Miles of shoreline along the world’s largest freshwater lake
• A 16-story waterfall that is fourth highest east of the Rockies
• Paths that retrace the steps of ancient portages
• Routes beside a scenic river popular with American presidents
• Hikes through woods full of rare, delicious berries

Most of the trails are clustered around Superior, Poplar/Brule and Solon Springs/Gordon. The book is available in paperback and on Kindle ebook.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Wisconsin’s NE corner offers excellent hikes

Big Manitou Falls, the fourth highest waterfall east of the
Rocky Mountains.

Day hikers visiting or staying in Wisconsin’s northwest corner – Douglas County – will find themselves at the center of an outdoors mecca. A number of excellent hiking trails can be found in and around Douglas County.

Douglas County is home to two state parks, one of which boasts the fourth highest highest waterfall east of the Rockies and the other a set of falls visible from a covered bridge. Another trail heads along part of the world’s longest freshwater sand spit.

Six counties surround Douglas County, each providing a variety of hiking trails that are easy to reach. The longest shared border is to the east with Bayfield County, where several walking paths, including the North Country National Scenic Trail, run through the Chequamegon National Forest.

To the southeast, Douglas County has a tangental border with Sawyer County, which offers both the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Birkebeiner Trail system.

Washburn County, with the scenic riverway and Wild Rivers Trail, is to the southeast. Burnett County, where the scenic river splits into its St. Croix and Namekagon sections, is to the southwest.

Across the state line in Minnesota, Carlton County sits to the southwest and boasts the scenic Jay Cooke State Park.

Most people coming to or from Douglas County do so via the bridges leading to St. Louis County in the northwest, where the city of Duluth offers a plethora of great hikes, including segments for the Superior Hiking Trail and the Willard Munger State Trail.

Read more about more Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

North Country Trail passes waterfalls, historic portages in Douglas County, Wis.

The North Country Trail offers hikers several
delights in Douglas County, Wis. 
Photo courtesy of douglascountywi.org.

National route crosses
Wisconsin's northwest corner

Day hikers can walk several segments of what is considered one of the nation’s premier long-distance trails when visiting Douglas County, Wis.

Running 4600 miles from New York state to North Dakota, when completed the North Country Trail will be twice the length of the Appalachian Trail and the longest hiking trail in the United States. Though the National Park Service studied the concept of a North Country Trail during the late 1960s, not until 1980 did Congress approve the route’s creation.

New segments are added almost every year; at one time, the parking lot on County Road A in neighboring Bayfield County marked the trail’s western terminus.

Brule River State Forest
The trail enters Douglas County from neighboring Bayfield County at S. County Line Road, which is the Brule River State Forest's eastern boundary. In the forest, the trail follows high bluffs overlooking the Little Bois Brule River. A spur trail heads down the cliffside to the waterway just east of Winneboujou.

A peaceful segment to walk in the state forest is from Wis. Hwy. 27 (north of Radio Station Road) south to County Road S for a 6-mile round trip, taking the trail north for about two miles to Rush River Road. Another option is from the same parking lot off of Hwy. 27; turn left onto Rush Road River, crossing Hwy. 27, for views of Big Lake.

Perhaps the best day hiking segments in the county can be found after the trail shifts south through the state forest and veers west, utilizing a famous historic portage connecting the Brule River (which flows north into Lake Superior) to the St. Croix River (which flows south into the Mississippi River). This section is known as the Bois-Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail. It then jogs north through a rare unique, cedar bog ecosystem that can be crossed via almost 4000 feet of wooden planks on the Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail.

Next, the North Country heads through the town of Solon Springs. The trail generally is in good condition here with easy access from village streets.

Remote forest, waterfalls
Southwest of Solon Springs, the trail runs for six-miles through the Douglas County Wildlife Area, a managed pine barrens. At the St. Croix Flowage, it briefly enters the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

The trail then heads into some remote country as it crosses a long stretch of the Douglas County Forest. Much of this section is swampy or makes use of roads as it runs in a generally northwestern direction.

In Pattison State Park, the trail offers a double treat of first Little Manitou Falls then Big Manitou Falls, the latter of which is the Wisconsin's highest waterfall.

From the state park, the trail sticks to road routes as it exits Douglas County, entering Minnesota just south of Jay Cooke State Park.

Read about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County.

Great trails crisscross Douglas County, Wis.

Wild Rivers Trail, southeast of Superior, Wis.

Wisconsin’s Douglas County, tucked into the state’s northwest corner, offer a variety of excellent day hiking options.

With the exception of the city of Superior, Douglas County is sparsely populated, dotted by small villages and several four-corner towns.

Though sporting a population of just under 30,000, Superior is an international harbor on the largest of the Great Lakes. The city might have been far larger and even more important if not for a pre-Civil War economic downturn. Though the first log cabin here was erected in 1853, within four years the population had risen to 2500 as excitement rose over a Lake Superior to Pacific Coast railroad, but the Panic of 1857 dashed those plans for a quarter century.

Today, a number of multi-county trails that used to be rail lines start (or terminate, depending on your perspective) at the county’s northwestern limit. In addition, the city’s municipal forest offers a number of wooded hiking trails. Among the Superior area’s top trails are:
•Big Manitou Falls Trail
•Millennium Trail
•Osaugie Trail
•Tri-County Trail
•Wild Rivers Trail
•Wisconsin Point Trail

The hamlets of Brule, Maple and Poplar sit in the county’s northeast corner. Each village sports a population of around 600 people. Brule is the gateway to the Brule River State Forest, a kayaking, fishing and hiking destination. Some popular trails near those communities include:
•Amnicon Falls Island Trails
•Stoney Hill Nature Trail

In the southeast, visitors to Douglas County first come across the villages of Gordon and then Solon Springs. Both towns have a population of about 600 and offer access to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the St. Croix River’s headwaters. Popular trails include:
•Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail
•Bois Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail

Read more about Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Woods, ponds await Superior, Wis., hikers

A pond off the Gandy Dancer Trail in Douglas County.
Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Trail segment
rambles to
Gandy Dancer's
northern end

A rustic walk on a former rail line awaits day hikers on the Gandy Dancer State Trail near Superior, Wis.

The Gandy Dancer heads roughly north-south for 98 miles with a number of accessible points in Wisconsin and Minnesota cabin country, making it ideal for a day hike. It runs from St. Croix Falls, Wis., and enters Minnesota via a picturesque crossing of the St. Croix River in Danbury. It then re-enters Wisconsin in Douglas County south of Superior. The northernmost 15 miles of the trail (if including a connector with the Saunders State Trail) runs through Douglas County.

Accessible
In Douglas County and Minnesota, the route sometimes is referred to as the North Gandy Dancer Trail, and for good reason. The northern section possesses a distinct sense of remoteness that the southern section, which passes through farmland and several small towns, sometimes lacks.

Still, access to the trail in Douglas County is plentiful. A 1.7-miles round trip section of the trail makes for a great day hike, taking walkers to the northern terminus.

To reach this segment’s trailhead, drive Wis. Hwy. 35 south from the Superior. At Interfalls Lake, turn right/east onto County Road B. Shortly after Point of Rocks Road, the trail crosses the rural highway. Park well off the side of County Road B.

Take the trail north. Though in farm country, a thick band of trees lines the wide path’s western side. Fields are visible through tree breaks on the eastern side.

Long pond
About 0.4 miles into the walk, the Gandy Dancer passes a long, narrow pond on its east side. The route shortly thereafter enters a small woodlands.

Built atop an old Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie railroad grade, the trail is named for the Gandy Tool Company workers who built the route back in the 1880s. Grade changes always are gradual, a necessity to accommodate the heavy trains.

As the pond gives out, the trail exits the woods and reaches a working rail line. This marks the northern terminus of the Gandy Dancer. Turn back here and retrace your steps back to your vehicle.

If interested in day hiking a more remote section of the trail in Douglas County, to the south a pleasant 2.85-mile stretch runs from South Foxboro-Chaffey Road over Balsam Creek to Drolson Road.

Read more about Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Old rail line turned country trail offers pastoral getaway in Wisconsin

King Creek along Saunders State Trail. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

A pleasant stroll through the country awaits hikers on a segment of the Saunders State Trail in northwest Wisconsin.

The Saunders State Trail runs more than 8 miles long but need not be hiked in its entirety to be enjoyed. A 4.2-miles round trip segment between the unincorporated towns of Borea and Boylston works well for day hiking.

To reach this segment’s trailhead, from Superior take Wis. Hwy. 35 south. Go west on County Road C. In Borea, turn right/north onto Irondale Road. After crossing the railroad tracks, you’ll come to the trail. Park off the side of the road, and go west on the trail, as if heading back to Superior.

A former Soo Line rail bed, the trail is flat and wide. The first section of the trail heads past farmland, but just enough trees line the route to offer a sense of walking down a wooded country lane.

In late summer, wild raspberries grow alongside the trail. A number of wildflowers also can be spotted from spring through summer.

At 2.1 miles, the trail reaches the gravel Mertes Road. This marks a good spot to turn back.

If you’ve got the energy, continue another 0.7 miles to Boylston, where the trail curves north and then another 1.4 miles to its terminus just beyond Boylston Junction. Between these two communities, the trail borders a county forest.

Alternately, rather than head east from the trailhead, you can walk up to 5.7 miles west to the trail’s terminus in Minnesota. Along the way, the trail crosses first the Pokegama River and then Clear Creek. The 3.3-mile segment from County Road W north of Dewey to the bridge at Clear Creek is particularly scenic and includes a bridge over the Pokegama.

Multiple uses for trail, including off-road vehicles, mountain bicyclists, and horses, are allowed.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Day hiking trail heads to 31-foot twin waterfall in northern Wisconsin

Little Manitou Falls. Photo courtesy of TravelWisconsin.com.

Little Manitou
Falls tumbles
over volcanic rock

Day hikers can enjoy one of Wisconsin’s highest waterfalls on the Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail in Pattison State Park.

The 2.2-mile round trip trail heads to the smaller of the state park’s two waterfalls. Only part of the hike described here is the Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail, as the Beaver Slide Trail must be taken to arrive at the trailhead.

To reach the park, from Superior, head south on Wis. Hwy. 35. The park road for Pattison is on the left/east. Park in the lot and take the walking paths to the beach on Interfalls Lake. At the beach, head left/south to pick up the Beaver Slide Trail.

Black River shoreline
This section of the trail is an easy route for families with children, as the trail surface consists of packed gravel and dirt and averages about 3 to 5 feet wide. The exception is a section running along a marsh, in which boardwalks make up the surface. Seasonal creeks flow into the river, so there also are several small wooden bridges along the way. And while there are plenty of dips and rises, the trail avoids any hills.

The best views of Interfalls Lake are on the segment of the trail heading south from the beach. About 23 acres in size with a maximum depth of 13 feet, Interfalls Lake is home to largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and trout.

Along the way, the trail intersects the Logging Camp Trail. Continue straight/right as the Beaver Slide begins to parallel the Black River.

The river in this stretch is about 30 feet wide and offers a number of rapids that provide a backing track of rushing water. Cedar, a variety of pines, and spruce hug the river’s rocky banks.

At about a half-mile into the hike, cross the bridge over the Black River. Continue straight/south along the river. You’re now technically on the Little Falls Hiking Trail.

Glacial Lake Duluth
At one time, this part of the park was the southeastern shore of ancient Glacial Lake Duluth. About 11,000 years ago during the last ice age as the Superior Lobe glacier advanced westward, it blocked the outlets of rivers flowing eastward. The water collected between the ice wall and the basin, resulting in several lakes.

As the lobe retreated, those lakes coalesced to form a larger one called Glacial Lake Duluth. Located in modern Lake Superior’s southwestern corner, it stretched as far east as Marquette, Mich., and north of Grand Portage, Minn. It also covered what is now dry land in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, as Glacial Lake Duluth was 500 feet higher than modern Lake Superior.

In 0.6 miles from the bridge, the trail reaches Little Manitou Falls. Wisconsin’s eighth highest waterfall at 31 feet, the Black River rushes in twin torrents over basalt. Known among the Ojibwe Indians who preceded the pioneers as Cacabeeca Bunghee (or Little Waterfalls), this falls is less than a fifth the height of Big Manitou Falls downstream.

For those in your party who may not be able to handle the hike, a parking lot with picnic tables and toilets can be found near the waterfall at the trail’s south end. This lot can be reached via Hwy. 35 south of the park’s main entrance.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Day hiking trail heads along edge of ancient Glacial Lake Duluth

Brule River Outlet Trail

Ice Age lake
once covered
northern
Wisconsin

Day hikers can wander among the remains of an ancient glacial lake that significantly shaped the Upper Midwest.

The Brule River Outlet Trail runs about 3-miles round trip in Wisconsin’s Brule River State Forest. An unnamed trail, it has been christened here for the major geological event that occurred in the region about 9000-8500 BC.

To reach the trailhead, from Brule, head west on U.S. Hwy 2. Turn left/west onto Afterhours Road. In about 2000 feet, as the road curves southwest, watch for unmarked trailheads on the left/southeast. Should the road curve straight west, you’ve gone too far. Park off the side of the road and take the trail southeast into the woodlands.

Lake bottom
Upon hitting the trail, you’re walking at the edge of ancient Glacial Lake Duluth near its outlet to the Bois-Brule River. About 11,000 years ago during the last ice age as the Superior Lobe glacier advanced westward, it blocked the outlets of rivers flowing eastward. The water collected between the ice wall and the basin, resulting in several lakes.

When the lobe retreated, those lakes coalesced to form a larger one called Glacial Lake Duluth. Located in modern Lake Superior’s southwestern corner, it stretched as far east as Marquette, Mich., and as far north as Grand Portage, Minn. It also covered what is now dry land in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, as the waterbody was 500 feet higher than modern Lake Superior.

After walking about 400 feet, the trail comes to its first major intersection; go right/west. The trail then zig zags for the next 1400 feet until cutting a straight line that heads southeast toward the Brule River.

In its day, Glacial Lake Duluth drained through the Bois-Brule River south to the St. Croix River on its way to the Mississippi River. The hills to the trail’s west – which reach 1100 feet elevation – marked the lake’s shoreline. The trail itself would have been about a hundred feet below the lake’s surface.

A major flashflood when an ice dam broke on Glacial Lake Duluth carved out the St. Croix River Valley to the southwest; many of the impressive geological features of Wisconsin and Minnesota Interstate Parks occurred during that flood. The lake also left a flat plain of red clay and sediment that sits on the modern Lake Superior shoreline of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

New river course
After about 500 years, the glacial lake disappeared. As the Superior Lobe retreated, it left a gouge in the landscape that became Lake Superior and freed the local rivers’ outlet to the other Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Since then, with the heavy glaciers’ disappearance, the land has rebounded upward. The Bois Brule now flows northward into Lake Superior with the space between the Bois Brule and the St. Croix becoming a wetlands that sits at a higher elevation than either river.

Back on the trail, upon reaching the ridge overlooking the Brule, the route curves southwest and descends the bluffs to the river valley. In this area, the basin narrowed enough that the only place for the glacial lake to flow was an outlet into the Bois-Brule about where modern Hoodoo Lake is.

The trail next reaches a jeep road just north of Little Joe Rapids. This marks a good spot to turn back.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Wild Rivers State Trail delivers great hiking

Wild Rivers State Trail' northern terminus segment.

Route heads through forests, crosses rivers

Day hikers can enjoy a quiet stroll in the country on a former Wisconsin railbed turned multipurpose trail.

The 104-mile Wild Rivers State Trail stretches across three counties between Superior and Rice Lake. A fairly wooded 1.33-miles round trip section of the former C&NW Rail route runs at the trail’s northern terminus, southeast of Superior.

Woodlands
Start the hike at the trail’s intersection with County Road A, south of County Road Z and just north of County Road C. From the small parking lot at the trailhead, go southeast on the trail.

The route quickly enters a forested area and angles away from the highway for a peaceful walk. Along the way, it crosses Brandt Road, so be sure to look both ways.

A good spot to turn back is at the Valley Brook Road intersection. You can continue onward, but while trees line the trail, you’ll in quick order enter farmland.

Some of this segment can be swampy, so hike it in late summer or autumn when water levels and bug populations are low.

Other Douglas County routes
A couple of other segments of the trail in Douglas County also make for good day hikes.

Farther down the line, start at Swamp Road for a 5.4-mile out-and-back hike across the Amnicon River and two other waterways to Mikrot Road.

In Solon Springs, the path runs through the village on its way between the Amnicon River and Gordon. To avoid highway noise, take the roughly four-mile route heading north from the municipal airport to County Road L.

On weekends, anticipate a variety of other users. Mountain bikers, horseback riders and ATVers also frequent the trail. In winter, you’ll share the route with snowmobilers, cross country skiers and snowshoers.

Most of the trail surface consists of highway-grade compacted gravel and railroad ballast. ATV use has beat up the trail in some sections, but the entire stretch is traversable by foot with some segments at the southern end good for mountain bikes.

Read more about Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

Lake Superior beach walk offers true get back to nature experience

Bear Beach. Photo courtesy
of Wisconsin DNR.

Bear Creek Trail rambles for 3.4 miles

A walk along a pristine sand beach awaits day hikers of the Lake Superior shoreline in Wisconsin’s Bear Beach State Natural Area.

The unmarked trail runs for up to 3.4-miles round trip along narrow Bear Beach. While the Brule River State Forest begins with the woodline bordering the sand, the beach itself is set aside as a state natural area.

Wading creeks
June through September mark the best time to hike the trail, but be sure to bring a sweatshirt or windbreaker. In addition, always check the weather and tide schedule; storm surges and high tide will inundate most of the beach with water.

To reach the trailhead, from Brule take U.S. Hwy. 2 west. In Maple, turn north onto County Road F. Next, go left/west onto Wis. Hwy. 13 then right/north onto Beck’s Road. Park in the dirt lot at the end of Beck’s Road near the Lake Superior shore.

From the lot, head northeast to the mouth of Pearson Creek. You’ll need to wade the creek, which can reach about knee high, so always wear sandals and shorts, or be prepared to take off and put back on your hiking boots and socks.

Shorebirds and driftwood
Hiking the beach, you’ll get a good sense of what this area of the world looked like before Euro-Americans settled it. A thick woods of paper birch, balsam fir, speckled alder, trembling aspen, white pine and white spruce hugs the beach’s southern side while the lake stretches wide beyond to the north. Cobblestone and driftwood gardens also can be found.

Don’t be surprised to see paw prints for bears in the sand and osprey flying overhead. Sometimes otters will play a game of hide and seek as they follow you from the safety of the lake’s waters.

During migration season, the beach is a favorite of several bird species, especially gulls, shorebirds, snow buntings, terns and water pipits. They particularly congregate around the estuarine lagoons where the creeks flow into Lake Superior.

A number of small streams flow into Lake Superior, and as each needs to be waded, any one of them mark a good spot to turn back based on your energy levels. Haukkala Creek is a half-mile from the trailhead, and Nelson Creek is in 1.7 miles. Several smaller streams can be found between Pearson and Nelson creeks. You also can double the length of the hike by walking another three miles until the beach runs out near the Bois Brule River mouth.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.