Wisconsin trail heads through dells cut out of billion-year-old rock

Echo Dells on Houghton Falls Trail. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Houghton Falls
Trail leads to
Lake Superior

Day hikers can walk across an ancient riverbed and see fascinating rock formations north of Washburn, Wis., at the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve.

The 1.34-mile round trip trail is packed dirt and fairly flat. Because it follows a stream, it can be muddy following rainfalls.

To reach the trail, from Washburn take Wis. Hwy. 13 north. Turn right/east onto Houghton Falls Road. In a half-mile, the road reaches the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve parking lot on the right/south.

The trail heads roughly south for about a quarter mile through a thick forest of majestic, old growth white and red pine.

Echo Dells
It then comes to an ancient riverbed known as Echo Dells, where an intermittent stream flows southeast for about 0.4 miles to Lake Superior.

Wind and water have smoothed and rounded the dells’ pink sandstone canyon walls. Pools at the stream’s deepest points, small caves, and cascades line the gorge. The sandstone, set down a billion years ago in the pre-Cambrian era, offers cathedral-like acoustics.

At spots, tall and thick trees have fallen across the canyon’s rim. The walls are high enough that hikers can walk beneath the massive trunks.

Old growth hemlock as well as yellow birch and mountain maple form the gorge’s canopy. Hemlock rarely grows much farther west than Wisconsin.

Between the shade and stream, the understory remains lush with various ferns, small enchanter’s nightshade, thimbleberry, and wood sorrel. In mid-August, watch for blooming Indian Pipe; a plethora of mushrooms also are present.

As the trail turns southwest, look up at the canyon rim, where you may be lucky enough to spot white-tailed deer. The cliff shelves support Canada yew, one of the deer’s favorite shrubs.

Sculpted cliffs
Once the narrow but well-marked path reaches Lake Superior, you’ll stand atop weather-sculpted cliffs on the southern portion of Houghton Point. About 15 feet above Chequamegon Bay, the overlook provides great views of the Apostle Islands. Also keep an eye out for a variety of resident and migratory birds. The rocky shoreline is home to bald eagle, Canada warbler, least flycatcher, merlin, veery, and wood thrush.

Inset from the point, Houghton Falls drops into a rippled sandy cove. The falls are best seen during spring. They’re typically just a trickle during late summer and autumn, but the tradeoff is few if any mosquitoes at that time of the year.

Another fun highlight of the trail, especially for kids, is a 25-foot arched wooden bridge crossing the creek.

The preserve is 76-acres in size and lacks facilities. Sometimes maps refer to it as the “Houghton Falls State Natural Area” or the “Houghton Falls Natural Area.”

Read more about day hiking Bayfield County, Wisconsin, in my Day Hiking Trails of Bayfield County guidebook.

Variety of great day hiking trails await visitors to Washburn, Wis., area

Washburn Lakefront Walking Trail

Several excellent day hiking trails are located near and in this cozy village on the shores of Lake Superior. Among those worth checking out:
g Big Rock County Park trails – Trails ramble through the park, split in half by a first-class steelhead trout stream, the Sioux River. Wildlife sightings are a certainty for hikers.
g Birch Grove Campground Trail – Located at the Chequamegon National Forest at the campground, the trail circles East Twin Lake for a 1-mile loop. Trailheads are located at both boat landings.
g Henkens Road walking trails – Two trails can be found off Henkins Road about 1.5 miles from the Star Route Road intersection northwest of town. A trailhead is located on each side of the road.
g Houghton Falls Trail – You can walk across an ancient riverbed and see fascinating rock formations up close north of town at the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve. Parts of the narrow trail can be muddy at times.
g Mt. Valhalla trails – West of Washburn, several loops on the Teuton Ski Trail and the Valkyrie Ski Trail make for scenic hiking trails the other three seasons. The Teuton’s loops head through an oak forest while the Valkyrie’s loops wind through a red pine grove.
g Washburn Lakefront Walking Trail – In town, the 1.34-mile trail runs along Lake Superior, passing three beaches, the picturesque marina, and several historical sites. The trail connects Thompson West End Park and Memorial Park.
g Washburn School Forest and Environmental Education Center trails – Nordic ski trails can be used as hiking trails in summer in this heavily wooded center. The facility is located at the north end of Eighth Avenue West.

Read more about day hiking Bayfield County, Wisconsin, in my Day Hiking Trails of Bayfield County guidebook.