Autumn hikes abound on Wis.-Mich. border

Black River Harbor, Michigan

If living in a border

county or traveling near the Wisconsin-Michigan state line, plenty of great autumn trails await.

National and state

forests cover the region of second-growth forest, which is rich in colorful maples, basswood, oaks, aspen, birch and more.

Michigan

Gogebic County
Day hikers can enjoy splendid autumn colors on a Lake Superior beach at Black River Harbor in the Ottawa National Forest. The 0.75-mile round trip hike to and along the beach includes crossing a suspended footbridge over the Black River. The beach stretches between the blue great lake and a forest of basswoods, ash, birch, aspen, sumac, elder, oaks and maple mixed amid stately white pines. Colors range from yellows and golds to scarlet and burgundy, from tans and browns to crimson and orange. From U.S. Hwy. 2 west of Bessemer, take County Road 511/Powderhorn Road north. Turn left/northwest onto Black River Road, which naturally becomes the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway. Park in the lot at the end of the byway. The trail heads northeast from the lot’s center to the bridge.

Iron County
A beautiful fall scene at a rapids awaits in Copper Country State Forest. The 1.2-mile round trip Horse Race Rapids Trail heads to a Paint River canyon boasting 80-foot high rock walls. As gliding through the canyon, the river drops more than 20 feet over several yards. The forest surrounding the river in autumn is a colorful mix of oak, birch, basswood, ash, aspen, sumac, elder, and maple with many evergreens. From Crystal Falls, Michigan, take U.S. Hwy. 2, south. Turn left/east onto Horserace Rapids Road. A parking lot and the trailhead is at the road’s end.

Dickinson County
A pretty autumn setting awaits at Fumee Falls near the Wisconsin-Michigan border. The 0.13-mile round trip Fumee Falls Trail includes a bridge over a creek below the falls and a brief walk to an overlook above it. The falls drops 25 feet over three ledges, with the highest one at 10 feet. Ash, aspen, basswood, birch, elder, oak, sumac and a number of evergreens line the trail and falls. From Quinnesec, take U.S. Hwy. 2 east. Look for the pullout on the road’s left/north side at the edge of town.

Menominee County
Day hikers can head to a stunning rapids over ancient volcanic rock in the Menominee River State Recreation Area. The 0.2-mile round trip Pemene Falls Trail heads to a Menomonee River rapids. The rapids drops 10 feet over a 30 yards and offers plenty of rocky shoreline to walk up and down. It’s particularly pretty in autumn when basswood, ash, birch, aspen, oak and sumac along with evergreens cast the shoreline and river in harvest hues. From Carney, Michigan, take Hwy. G-18 west toward Wisconsin. Before reaching the border, turn right/north onto State Road. In a little more than a mile, a turnoff to the falls is on the left/west; park at the end of the road.

Wisconsin

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.

Forest County
The 1-mile Franklin Nature Trail loops through varied sights that are particularly splendid in autumn. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest trail begins in mixed hardwoods full of yellow and orange leaves then passes stands of towering white pines and huge hemlocks. A boardwalk winds 400 feet over a bog where tamaracks turn the color of brass. From Eagle River, take Wis. Hwy. 70 east. Turn right/south onto Military Road/FR 2178 then left/east onto Butternut Lake Road/FR 2181. Stay on Butternut Lake Road/FR 2181. The parking lot is in 4.4 miles on the right/south.

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.

Marinette County
A walk through a forest in the state’s rare Northeast Sands eco landscape awaits hikers at Governor Thompson State Park. The 3.5-mile Forest View Trail loops through a forest of yellow-leafed aspen, orange and red maples, and marigold scrub oak dotted with evergreen jack pine and hemlock. Less than 3 percent of Wisconsin falls into the sands eco landscape. From Crivitz, take County Road W west. Turn right/north onto Parkway Road then left/west onto Ranch Road. Enter the parking by going right/north on Paust Lane. Park in the lot for Woods Lake and walk north alongside Paust Road to the trailhead.

Vilas County
Among the best spots to enjoy fall colors is a lakeshore, especially deep in a wooded area. The 0.55-mile ADA accessible Tom Roberts Nature Trail in Northern Highland American Legion State Forest fits the bill, heading through a mixed forest of sugar maple, white birch, and large-toothed and trembling aspen, balsam, and red and white pine with great views of Muskellunge Lake. Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, coyote and fisher tracks often are spotted on the trail. From Woodruff, take U.S. Hwy. 51 north. Turn right/northeast onto County Road M and then right/east on County Road N. Go left/northeast on the road to Crystal Lake Campground then left/north on Crystal Lake Road. Park at the Nature Center.

Top fall hikes in northeast Wisconsin, Part II

Governor Thompson State Park's Forest View Trail

There’s no better way
to experience autumn colors in northeast 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 across northeast Wisconsin to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Langlade County
Mature maple, birch, oak, aspen and pine near a blue, pristine lake await hikers at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The 1.1-mile loop heads through a wood and then past the undeveloped Jack Lake makes for an pretty walk in autumn. Several other connecting trails lead to nearby Game and High lakes as well as the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. From Antigo, take U.S. Hwy. 45 north. Turn right/east onto County Road J, which becomes Park Road. Go left/east into the park; the trail heads south from the parking lot.

Lincoln County
An old-growth forest with a large stand of white pines that escaped the logger’s ax await at Council Grounds State Park. The 0.9-mile Blue Trail runs through the Krueger Pines State Natural Area in the park. The trees are immense, and so are the number of leaves they produce – the gold of paper birch and bigtooth aspen, the tan to russet of white oak, the yellow to red of black oak, the bronze to purple of hazelnut, and the maroon of downy arrowhead. The park sits on beautiful Lake Alexander, created by the damming of the Wisconsin River. From Wis. Hwy. 64 in Merrill, take Wis. Hwy. 107 north. Turn tight/south onto Council Grounds Drive. Follow the road as it loops through the park. Park in the lot on the loops’ southeast side and walk north alongside the road; the trailhead is on the road’s left/west side.

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Each autumn, gold, orange and russet leaves line the Hiawatha Trail, which crosses the Wisconsin River in Tomahawk, a rail-to-trail route that links to the Bearskin State Trail. This easy to hike segment of the Hiawatha runs 1.3-miles round trip from Sara Park to West Mohawk Drive. Tall oak, aspen, birch and various evergreens rise along the former rail line. From the junction of Wis. Hwy. 86 and West Somo Avenue, take the latter west. Leave your vehicle in the lot for Sara Park on the street’s right/north and walk east along the Wisconsin River to the trailhead.

Marinette County
A walk through a forest in the state’s rare Northeast Sands eco landscape awaits hikers at Governor Thompson State Park. The 3.5-mile Forest View Trail loops through a forest of yellow-leafed aspen, orange and red maples, and marigold scrub oak dotted with evergreen jack pine and hemlock. Less than 3 percent of Wisconsin falls into the sands eco landscape. From Crivitz, take County Road W west. Turn right/north onto Parkway Road then left/west onto Ranch Road. Enter the parking by going right/north on Paust Lane. Park in the lot for Woods Lake and walk north alongside Paust Road to the trailhead.

Menominee County
When they tell you that the outline of Menominee County can be seen from space, they aren’t kidding. Some of the oldest – and hence tallest – stands of hardwood, pine and hemlock grow in a county that is 95 percent forested. There are few spots to hike in the county, which is the Menominee Indian Reservation, but one spot is the first road between Ducknest and Sullivan falls on the Wolf River. From Keshena, take Wis. Hwy. 55 north. Turn left/west on Indian Road 24/Sullivan Falls Road. When the road swerves north at the river, park on the shoulder. Ducknest Falls is directly ahead. During autumn, walk the road, lined with colorful leaves and evergreens, for a 0.75-miles round trip to Lower Sullivan Falls.

Oconto County
Day hikers not bothered by heights can enjoy a spectacular vista of autumn leaves from Mountain Lookout Tower. The 0.26-miles round trip hike sits in the vast Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The tower is at an elevation of 1,254 feet. The road heads through a classic Northwoods setting that is beautiful any time of the year but particularly so in autumn. A September walk takes you past sugar, red and mountain maples, white, red and black oaks, paper, yellow and river birch, aspen, beech, basswood, and sumac. Various green conifers – including pine, spruce, fir, and juniper – dot the hardwood forest. From the village of Mountain on County Road W just east of Wis. Hwy. 32, take National Forest Road 2106 (Old 32) north. In about 2.25 miles, turn right/southeast onto Mountain Tower Road. Pull off to the side of the road so you’re not blocking traffic. Hike the road up to the tower.

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Hikers can head to the county’s highest point for great views of the surrounding forest. The 1.3-mile Butler Rock Trail climbs 160 feet to 1093 feet above sea level. It includes a 0.7-mile spur trail that stays at ground level as circling to the face of Butler Rock in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The newly developed trail crosses a forest whose canopy in autumn turns orange, red and yellow-green. From Wis. Hwy. 64 south of Mountain, take Old Hwy. 64/Forest Road 2308 east. Turn left/north onto Butler Rock Road then left/northwest onto Butler Lookout Lane. The trail starts where the road ends.