North Country Trail heads to Wren Falls

Surrounded by fragrant cedars, Wren Falls tumbles 15 feet into a pool.

North Country National Scenic Trail, Wren Falls segment
topo map. Click for larger version.

Hikers can enjoy scenic Wren Falls atop an old iron range in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

A 6.58-miles round trip hike on the North Country National Scenic Trail heads to the falls. Though Wren Falls drops just 12-15 feet, it does so with a dramatic flourish as a river flows through a deep gorge then spills into a wide, peaceful pool.

To reach the trailhead, from Mellen take Wis. Hwy. 77 east. Go left/north on the gravel Casey Sag Road. Look for the trail access, which is on both sides of the road at the Gold Mine Creek Bridge. Park along the road and head west on the trail.

About 100 feet in, the trail crosses a 34-foot bridge over an unnamed tributary of Gold Mine Creek then crosses yet another bridge.

Gold mine con
The route is a fairly new segment of the North Country Trail. Construction began in 2007 with many of the volunteers driving from the Milwaukee area some 5-6 hours away. The Student Conservation Association, made up of high school students, also spent a month working on 1.2 miles of the trail.

In little more than half-mile from the trailhead is a spur on the left/south side that heads to a campground.

At 0.6 miles, the trail reaches the “gold mine,” the site of a great con job. During the late 1800s, a con man made up a story of a mother lode being found there and then sold shares to investors. So that the investors and anyone else coming by would believe the story, he even had equipment set up there. Today, an old steam boiler and two mine shafts – now filled with water – can be seen on the hike.

After the trail crosses another bridge, it enters a rolling woodlands with glacial erratic boulders all about. These boulders actually are rock from northern Canada that glaciers sheared off and carried to Wisconsin as advancing during the last ice age. When the glaciers melted and retreated, the boulders dropped to the ground and remained behind.

Gogebic Range
There was money to be found in the ground there, through it came in the form of iron rather than gold. The trail heads through the famous Gogebic Range, which also is known as the Penokee Range.

About 2 billion years ago, iron-rich sediments eroded off the land and settled into a shallow seas that covered this region. At 1.7 billion years, a mountains rose in the area, raising the sediment out of the deep earth. Then about 1.1 billion year ago, volcanism morphed the rock to create iron ore. Between 1977 and 1967, miners removed an incredible 325 million tons of iron ore from about 40 individual mines in the range.

The trail next veers north toward a knoll. As reaching its base, the route curves west and approaches another knoll, which you’ll go over at about 2 miles in.

Then the trail briefly heads southwest to a third knoll. After going over it at about 2.75 miles, the trail heads northwest.

Wren Falls
The trail soon approaches Taylor Fork River, a tributary of the Bad River, which in turn flows into Lake Superior to the north. You’ll parallel the small river for about 300 feet.

Take a spur to a campground on a bluff overlooking Wren Falls. Below, the river narrows in a rocky gorge before spilling to a pool. Cedar trees grow in the rock while lichens cling to granite.

The water falling over the falls often is the color of root beer. Decaying leaves and roots spilling into the waterway caused the coloration.

After taking in the sight, head back to main trail and then retrace your steps back to the parking lot. Alternately, you can continue on left/north on the North Country Trail to the intersection of Casey Sag and Vogues roads and Sullivan Fire Lane for pickup; this shaves about a mile off the hike.

Trail heads through quaking bog, old forest

White pine in an old growth forest at Itasca State Park. 

North Country Trail - East Segment trail map

Day hikers can cross a quaking bog and old growth forest on a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail at Minnesota’s Itasca State Park.

The 2.38-miles round trip delivers a representative sample of the park’s southeastern section. As most park visitors head to the Mississippi River’s headwaters, the NCNCT offers some peaceful solitude.

Often simply referred to as the North Country Trail, the footpath runs 4600 miles through seven states, from New York to North Dakota. About 9.4 miles of the North Country Trail runs along the southern edge of the state park, which has been nicknamed “Minnesota’s National Park.” The trail passes 11 park lakes along the way.

To reach the trailhead for the eastern segment, from Park Rapids take U.S. Hwy. 71. Turn left/west onto County Road 22. Look for the South Entrance trailhead; parking is available there.

A spur trail goes south across the park entry roads into the woods. In 0.1 miles south, the spur reaches the main trail; once there, go right/west.

The trail heads downhill through a red pine, white pine, birch and oak forest. It passes an eutrophic pond – one that is so rich with minerals and nutrients that plants grow densely there. Bacteria eating up the decomposing plants suck all of the oxygen out of the waterbody, preventing fish or other higher animal life from being able to live there.

Next the trail passes Sibilant Lake’s north shore. An overlook in a grove of red pines offers a beautiful view, especially on a sunny day when the water catches the sky’s brilliant blue with the thick greenery of the lakeside trees perfectly complementing it.

Next the trail passes a quaking bog, which is soft land that shakes underfoot. Though the ground looks like solid grass, it’s actually sphagnum moss floating over water, often anchored by trees, usually tamarack in this part of Minnesota. Step on the moss, and it will quiver.

A bog forms atop soil that is permanently saturated with water. Above this wet soil, dead plant matter – also known as peat – is accumulating, and over that is the floating mass of moss, which is about 19 inches thick.

The trail then moves through an old growth forest. The majority of the trees here are at least 120 years old, having avoided the ravages of logging, fire and windstorms. You’ll notice their trunks are large in diameter with a number of massive dead trees on the ground. Dirt mounds and holes where dead trees have fallen and uprooted themselves are common in such forests.

Only about 4 percent of Minnesota’s pre-settler forests remain. Itasca State Park has the largest stand of old growth red pines in Minnesota.

At 1.19 miles from the south entrances, the footpath reaches the Ozawindib Trail junction, 1.19 miles from south entrance. Originally named the Lind Saddle Trail after a former governor, the Ozawindib was built in 1899. There is a certain sublimity in standing where one of the state’s newest trails meeting one of its oldest here.

The trail junction marks a good spot to turn back.

Be sure to bring plenty of bug repellent for the trail. As a primitive footpath, it is mostly shaded, though, so you probably can dispense with the sunscreen.

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

North Country segment passes hemlocks

Lesser purple fringed orchid grows in wet, shaded woods, like those
found along the North Country Trail in Wisconsin.

Map of Chequamegon Hardwoods State Natural Area, courtesy WI DNR.
Click for larger version.

Day hikers can explore a northern Wisconsin forest with massive old growth hemlock trees and wildflowers galore below them on a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The segment runs 2.2-mile round trip through the contiguous Chequamegon National Forest and the Chequamegon Hardwoods State Natural Area. Stretching from New York to North Dakota, the North Country Trail crosses seven states over a 4600-mile course.

To reach the trail segment, from Mellen, Wis., drive west on County Road GG. Once inside the Chequamegon National Forest, turn right/north onto Forest Road 187. Then turn right/northeast onto Forest Road 188, which as veering east becomes Hanson Road. After passing the Beaver Dam Lake Road intersection, watch for where the North Country National Scenic Trail crosses the road. At the crossing, park off the side of the road and take the trail northeast.

Basswood forest
The trail heads through a northern mesic forest in which basswood, red oak, sugar maple, white ash and yellow birch dominate. Below it grow alternate-leaved dogwood, beaked hazelnut, and mountain maple. Beneath that shrub layer, more than 80 plant species can be found, including bloodroot, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bellwort, blue cohosh, nodding trillium, lesser purple fringed orchid, spikenard, spotted coralroot orchid, and green adders’-mouth.

Among the first of the wildflowers to bloom here in spring is bloodroot. Sometimes it pops up from soil that has just thawed. It sports a large white flower, about 1.5 inches wide, with 8-10 petals and a yellow center. The red orange juice in its stem has been used over the centuries as a dye and an insect repellent. It grows all across Wisconsin.

Jack-in-the-pulpit also blooms in spring. Its erect 2- to 3-inch long flower sits inside a green or purple hood at the top of a single stalk. American Indians cooked its below ground stem as food, so it's sometimes referred to as Indian turnip. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, however, so no part of it above ground is edible, as it causes a burning sensation in the mouth.

Large-leaved bellwort, also called merrybells, blooms in spring as well. Its drooping bell-shaped yellow flower is about 1-2 inches long with up to six petals. The long-leaved is one of two bellworts that grow in Wisconsin; four other species grow in eastern North America. Its found throughout the state.

Nodding trillium, purple fringed orchid
Blue cohosh, a 1-3-foot high bush, also flowers in spring. A cluster of yellow-green flowers with six petals sits atop the plant, which grows throughout Wisconsin. Don’t eat its blue berries, which are poisonous.

Blooming from spring into summer is the nodding trillium. The flower is a whorl of three wavy white petals that droops beneath the plant’s leaves. Don’t pick any part of this plant as the leaves then may not be able to produce enough sugar and starch for a bloom to appear the following year. It’s one of seven trillium species that grows throughout Wisconsin.

Among the sweetly fragrant flowers is the lesser purple fringed orchid. The lavender to rose six-parted flower is about three-quarters of an inch long. They forma dense, spike-like cluster. The flower blooms from June to August. It is found in most Wisconsin counties.

Spikenard blooms June to August. Though the plant can grow 2-4 feet tall, its greenish-white flowers are tiny and form parasol-shaped clusters. The plant really stands out in autumn when the pollinated flowers transform into dense groups of rich burgundy fruits. Birds enjoy these fruits, but for humans they are inedible. Spikenard is found throughout Wisconsin.

Coralroot orchid, maidenhair fern
Spotted coralroot orchid blooms from mid-June to mid-August. Each white flower sports purple spots and is not quite a half-inch long. Several of the flowers grow on a single stalk Though the plant reaches up to 31 inches high, it has no leaves. It is found in a majority of Wisconsin counties, mainly those in the Northwoods and along Lake Michigan.

Green adders’-mouth flowers from July to mid-August. A small orchid, its teensy green blooms are only millimeters wide and long. Each plant produces about 20 to 50 flowers. Exactly which insect pollinates it is unknown, but scientists suspect small flies, like fungus gnats, play a role.

The blue-green maidenhair fern often provides cover for and around these many wildflowers in this part of the forest.

At about 0.4 miles, the trail unceremoniously enters the state natural area’s southeast corner. Though originally logged off in the 1930s, large old-growth hemlock and big-tooth aspen both still can be found here; some old-growth hemlocks boast a diameter of five feet. Scattered gabbro rock outcroppings, some of which are up to 50 feet high, also can be found in the state natural area.

The trail departs the state natural area in little more than 0.1 miles. You’ll know you’ve left, as the route passes a wet area once you’ve re-entered the national forest.

Second-growth forest
Black ash, red maple, and white cedar are common on this wet-mesic forest portion of the route. Amphibians, including the red-backed salamander and wood frog, are here as well.

The rest of the trail is dry as it runs east through the northern mesic forest. The variety of trees in this second-growth forest makes for a colorful walk in autumn.

About 0.3 miles from the wetlands are a pair of knolls that mark the two high points along the trail. They top out at 1535 (the westernmost knoll) and 1538 feet (the easternmost) above sea level.

The trail’s crossing of North York Road marks a good spot to turn back. Alternately, this makes a great point-to-point hike if you have a driver disinterested in hiking.

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.

Five best hikes for exploring Ashland WI

Copper Falls State Park/ Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Located along Lake Superior in northcentral Wisconsin, Ashland County is an outdoor recreational paradise. During summers, bicyclists and off-road vehicle enthusiasts explore a number of wooded trails while fishermen cast lines on freshwater lakes and campers set up tents across a sprawling national forest. Come autumn, the roads turn busy with drivers enjoying the colorful blaze of autumn leaves lining the countryside. Throughout winter, snowshoers, cross country skiers and snowmobilers sail across white paths while ice fishing shacks pop up on frozen lakes. And, of course, day and backcountry hikers alike during three seasons enjoy the county’s hundreds of miles of trails, some routes well-groomed and others primitive, but all rambling through fabulous scenery.

Four major attractions await day hikers and backpackers in the loosely L-shaped Ashland County. The massive Chequamegon National Forest covers about a third of the county, filling up the southwest corner. A number of campsites can be found in the forest, which boasts the granite rock formation St. Peter’s Dome and Wisconsin’s second highest waterfalls, Morgan Falls. Just slightly above above the county’s center sits Copper Falls State Park, which offers dramatic waterfalls and cascades over ancient lava flows. The 4600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail winds its way through the county, primarily in the national forest with a spur running through the state park. Lastly, the county’s northern portion includes the Lake Superior shoreline and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the latter of which consists of 21 protected islands that only can be reached by boat in the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Among the best trails to see these attractions and experience Ashland County are:
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
• Morgan Falls St. Peter’s Dome Trail
• Black Lake Trail
Copper Falls State Park
• Doughboys’ Nature Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail
• Copper Falls State Park segments
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Michigan Island Trail
• Stockton Island Trails

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

Wisconsin hike passes four peaceful lakes

Anderson Grade topo map

Anderson Grade
follows logging
era railroad bed

Day hikers can enjoy four lakes on an old railroad grade in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon National Forest.

The 5.8-miles round trip Anderson Grade is a fairly level trail. It sits in the Rainbow Lake Wilderness, a federal unit within the Chequamegon National Forest. The wilderness area is home to a pack of timber wolves, but the reclusive creatures are rarely seen.

To reach the trailhead, from Drummond, travel north on Forest Road 35. In 5.5 miles, turn left/west into the parking area. The trail heads west from the lot.

The Anderson Grade, a logging-era rail bed, also is referred to as Forest Service Trail 502 on some maps. There are no rails or ties today, but the area cut for the train remains and is maintained as a walking path.

North Country Trail intersection
You won’t have to walk far to see the first lake. Within a hundred yards of the lot, Clay Lake appears on the trail’s south side. At 28 acres in size, the lake reaches a maximum depth of 45 feet. Panfish are common in the lake, but largemouth bass also can found in it.

A mere 0.26 miles from the trailhead, Flakefjord Lake is on the trail’s north side. Though containing the same fish as Clay Lake, Flakefjord is much smaller at 10 acres with a maximum depth of 17 feet.

The terrain begins to roll a little from there, but it’s nothing significant that children can’t handle.

About 1.25 miles from Flakefjord Lake, an unmarked spur heads to Bufo Lake’s north shore. The spur dead ends on a pine-covered peninsula jutting into the lake and is well worth the few extra steps. At 20 acres in size, from the peninsula the lake stretches into the distance.

At 1.7 miles from the trailhead, the North Country National Scenic Trail intersects from the south. It briefly joins the Anderson Grade then in 100 yards splits right/north. Continue west on the Anderson Grade, however.

Largest of four lakes
The trail next passes around a long wetlands. Then, at 2.8 miles from the trailhead, take the spur trail that heads east for Anderson Lake.

In another 0.1 miles, you’ll reach Anderson Lake’s the northwest shore. A footpath heads to the lake’s north side, which marks a good spot for a picnic. The lake covers 31 acres with a maximum depth of 46 feet. Largemouth bass are common in it.

After taking on the lake views, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

You can extend the hike and see a fifth lake by adding 2.4-miles round trip to the walk. Between Bufo and Anderson lakes, take the North Country Trail intersection north to Rainbow Lake. The lake covers 14 acres with a maximum depth of 21 feet. You’ll likely hear loons there.

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

Great scenery found among Cloquet-Carlton area day hiking trails

St. Louis River Pedestrian Trail

Several excellent day hiking trails can be found in and around Cloquet and Carlton, two neighboring communities in southeastern St. Louis County, Minnesota. Among the sites that can be seen – the rough and tumble St. Louis River, beautiful fall leaves, and two of northern Minnesota’s rapidly disappearing ski jumps.

Trails in the Cloquet-Carlton area include:
g Carlton Trail – About 4.3-miles round trip, the Carlton runs along the St. Louis River's south side between trail Junctions 27 and 28 in Jay Cooke State Park. Park at the lot for the swinging bridge and upon crossing it, turn right/west at trail Junction 32 then continue straight at Junction 28.
g High Trail – This often overlooked 3.75-mile round trip out-and-back trail in Jay Cooke State Park sits close to the Wisconsin border on the St. Louis River’s south side. Park off the road on Minn. Hwy. 23 about a mile from the border. The trail climbs up in elevation to a lookout over the river.
g Mountain Goat Forest Road – A small segment of the Fond du Lac State Forest sits between Jay Cook State Park and the Wisconsin border. The jeep trail runs about 3.6-miles round trip up and down a hill. From Minn. Hwy. 23, go south on Mountain Goat Forest Road (sometimes labeled on maps as Bandle Road) into the forest, parking at a turnout about 1500 feet from the highway.
g North Country National Scenic Trail – This seven-state trail enters Minnesota from Wisconsin at Jay Cooke State Park. Park in the lot for the swinging bridge and head north across Minn. Hwy. 210 to Forbay Lake for a scenic 1-mile (2-miles round trip) segment of it within the state park, via the White Pine and C.C.C. trails.
g Organtz Trail – The 2-mile loop in Jay Cooke State Park heads through a forest of aspen, birch and maple, which makes for a great autumn hike; along the St. Louis River are heavy deposits of red clay left here by retreating glaciers some 10,000 years ago. Park in the lot for the picnic area east of the swinging bridging.
g Pine Valley Trails – Cloquet’s Pine Valley Park offers several miles of ski trails in two loops that can be hiked when the snow is gone. The northern 2.5-mile loop goes around the ski jump and begins at the chalet; park in ski jump lot at 1202 Olympic Drive.
g St. Louis River Pedestrian Trail – The paved, interpretive trail area in Cloquet runs along the north side of the St. Louis River. Park at the Cloquet Chamber of Commerce offices off of County Road 33/Sunnyside Drive. A connecting bridge crosses the river to Spafford Park.

Related blog entries:
g Hike across swinging bridge on Minnesota’s East Ridge Trail 
g Willard Munger Trail accessible in number of Minnesota cities

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Day hike one of Wisconsin’s oldest trails

Jonathan Carver's map of the Upper Midwest Region,
published in 1778. Carver is among the explorers with
a historic stone on the Bois Brule-St. Croix River Historic
Portage Trail. Photo courtesy of National Park Service.

French explorers used
route as early as 1680 

Day hikers can walk upon what ranks among Wisconsin’s oldest hiking trails – dating to 1680 but probably used as far back as prehistoric times – at the St. Croix River’s headwaters.

The Bois-Brule-St. Croix River Historic Portage Trail runs 4.4-miles round trip from Upper St. Croix Lake to the Brule River. It is part of Wisconsin’s Brule River State Forest.

The trail can be a difficult hike through swampy territory so is best done by only adults or families with older teens. May through October mark the best time to hit the trail, but you’ll need to bring bug spray for mosquitoes in spring and summer.

Quick link
To reach the trailhead, from downtown Solon Springs, Wis., take County Road A north for about three miles, rounding the northern side of Upper St. Croix Lake. Watch for signs saying the North Country Trail is “1000 Feet Ahead”, then turn into the boat landing where you can park. Across the road from the parking lot, take the trail heading right/northeast. The Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail heads left or directly north.

The historic portage trail is the same route crossed centuries ago by Daniel Greysolon Sieur duLhut (a French explorer who opened the way for fur traders in the 1680s), Pierre Lesueur (who established French stockades across this region in the 1690s), and Henry Schoolcraft (who found the source of the Mississippi River in the 1830s). Historical markers on moss-lined boulders along the trail tell their stories as well as other significant white explorers.

They selected this portage because it was a quick link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Upper St. Croix Lake is the St. Croix River’s headwaters while the spring-generated Brule River flows north into Lake Superior. It was the easiest way to traverse the continent from the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico…though for the marshy 2.2 miles between the Brule and Upper St. Croix, they would have to portage – or carry on foot – their boats and supplies.

As with so many of the early white explorers, Native Americans showed them the route. Local tribes had used the portage for millennia. Today, the Portage Trail is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

Glacial river valley
The portage was possible only because at the end of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, a river flowed here from Glacial Lake Duluth, carving out a gorge and then the steep-sided valley. As the heavy glaciers retreated, the land rose in elevation, causing the river to dry up between the Brule and Upper St. Croix. The section that became the Brule reversed its course and now drops 420 feet over 44 miles from the portage to Lake Superior.

The trail is fairly narrow and at spots only shoulder-wide. It's heavily forested with leaves covering much of the path. Wild blueberries grow alongside the trail.

There are some up and down climbs during the first mile as the trail parallels St. Croix Creek, which is on the left. Where the creek pools marks the St. Croix River’s northernmost reach.

The out-and-back trail remains fairly flat to the Brule. After passing the Lesueur Stone, look on your left for the spring-fed creek that flows into the Brule. Upon reaching the river, turn back. The route is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail and continues north along the river.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

National trail, state park deliver great hiking options to Mellen, Wisconsin, visitors

Mellen sits at the northeast corner of the Chequamegon National Forest.

With the North Country National Scenic Trail and Copper Falls State Park nearby, Mellen, Wis., offers a number of great day hiking options. Among the selections:
g Doughboys’ Nature Trail – Hikers can tour Wisconsin’s geological history in some of the most breathtaking scenery this side of the Mississippi on this Copper Falls State Park trail. The route follows the Bad River and Tyler Forks past Copper and Brownstone waterfalls and a series of cascades.
g Juniper Rock Overlook segment – West of town, pick up the North Country National Scenic Trial off of Forest Road 202. Walk east for a little more than a half-mile to the overlook of the Marengo River. You can extend the hike for another mile to old Swedish settlements and additional overlooks.
g Penokee Mountain Trail – A cross country ski trail in winter, a day hiking trail in summer, these walking loops are part of the North Country National Scenic Trail running through the Chequamegon National Forest. It consists of three loops, which depending on your time and energy levels, can be done separately for as short as a 2 mile hike to one up to 5.3 miles.
g Red Granite Trail – The 2.5-mile round trip trail runs to Red Granite Falls in the southern portion of Copper Falls State Park. Dogs are welcomed on the walking path.
g Takesson Trail loops - An inner loops runs for 1.6 miles and an outer loop for 2.5 miles, offering picturesque views of the Bad River in Copper Falls State Park. Both loops ramble through a mature hardwood forest, but the outer loop is hillier.

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

Great trails abound in Drummond WI area

Drummond Woods Trail

Several picturesque day hiking trails await visitors to the Drummond, Wis. Among the routes:
g Anderson Grade Trail – The 4-mile trail crosses the Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area from east to west over rolling terrain. Balsam fir, Northern hardwoods, paper birch and pines line the trail.
g Antler Trail – Six trails make up the Drummond Ski Trail system southeast of town. This 2-mile route heads over gentle terrain through a Northern hardwood forest.
g Drummond Woods Trail – Northeast of town in the Chequamegon National Forest, this 0.75-mile trial offers interpretive stops for those wishing to learn about the local forest. A segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, it’s a great route for seeing fall colors.
g Lake Owen Loop – Also a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Chequamegon, the Lake Owen Loop is about 5 miles long. It's best done in autumn when the bug count is down and the trees ablaze with color.
g North Country Scenic Trail segment in Porcupine Lake Wilderness – Over a mix of rolling hills and fairly flat terrain, the trail cuts through a forest of hemlock, maple, oak and white pine. Expect to see whitetail deer, loons, and songbirds galore, as well as signs of bear, coyote and fox.
g North Country Scenic Trail segment in Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area – Six miles of the trail crosses the wilderness area from northwest to southwest. Built on an old narrow gauge logging bed, it passes four lakes.
g Two Lakes Campground Trail – A 1.5-mile trail loops around Bass Lake near the campground in the national forest. Northern hardwoods and pines tower over the trail.

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

Superb trails abound in Poplar-Brule, Wis.

The ancient Douglas Fault cuts through Amnicon Falls State
Park. Photo courtesy of UW-Green Bay.

A variety of impressive hiking trails await visitors to the Popular-Brule, Wis., area this summer. Among them:
g Amnicon Falls island trails – Hikers can view the results of an earthquake from 500 million years ago while walking the island trails past waterfalls at Amnicon Falls State Park. Known as the Douglas Fault, this split in the earth stretches from Ashland to near the Twin Cities and is readily visible at the state park.
g Bayfield Road Trail – The 2.25-mile loop trail in the Brule River State Forest passes through red oak stands that recently came under attack by the two-lined chestnut borer, offering insights into woodlands and a tree species man is trying to rescue. A connecting trail leads to the Copper Range Campground.
g North Country National Scenic Trail – The scenic trail runs roughly north-south through the lower half of the Brule River State Forest. A peaceful segment to walk is from State Hwy. 27 (north of Radio Station Road) south to County Road S for a 6-mile round trip.
g Stoney Hill Nature Trail – The 1.7-mile loop offers fantastic views of the Brule River Valley. Sections can be steep, but there is a rest stop and overlook at the hill’s top.
g Tri-County Corridor Trail – Connecting Superior to Ashland, the trail heads through Poplar. To get away from the highway noise, try the roughly 2.25-mile one-way segment between Midway Road and County Road F.

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

Several trails run in Solon Springs region

Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Outstanding day hiking trails await cabin-goers to the Solon Springs, Wis., region. Among them:
g Brule Bog Boardwalk trail – A boardwalk wends its way north of Lake St. Croix through the Brule Bog across a continental divide in which rivers on one side flow into Lake Superior while rivers on the other side flow into the mighty Mississippi. The trail is 4.6 miles round trip and fairly flat.
g Brule-St. Croix Portage Trail – People have used this trail for hundreds of years, most notably beginning in 1680 when French explorer Daniel Greysolon Sieur duLhut first noted the route linking the Brule and St. Croix rivers. The route is an easy 4.4-mile out-and-back trail with minimal elevation gain.
g North Country National Scenic Trail-Douglas County Forest segment – South of town, the seven-state North Country Trail crosses the Douglas County Forest for roughly three miles. Along the way, it passes several idyllic ponds.
g North Country National Scenic Trail-segment through town – Before reaching the county forest, the trail cuts through the village. A pleasant 2-mile route runs south of town to the county forest from South Holly Lucius Road/U.S. Hwy. 53 to Bird Sanctuary Road at the forest’s edge.
g Wild Rivers State Trail segment – The rail line turned hiking path also runs through the village on its way between Gordon and Superior. To avoid highway noise, take the roughly 4-mile route heading north from the municipal airport to County Road L.

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

Hike remnants of ancient mountain range

Penokee Mountain Trail, near Mellen, Wis.

Cabin-goers to northern Wisconsin can hike across the remnants of an ancient mountain range that once soared as high as the Alps.

The Penokee Mountain Trail – a cross country ski trail in winter, a day hiking trail in summer – also is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. It actually consists of three loops, which depending on your time and energy levels, can be done separately for as short as a 2 mile hike to one up to 5.3 miles.

Autumn makes for a lovely time to hike the trail, as the rugged uplands offer superb views of the multi-colored trees in the valley below.

To reach the trail, from Mellen drive about 3.5 miles on County GG. You’ll turn right into a parking lot. A fee is required to park. The trailhead sits at the parking lots north end. Follow the trail counterclockwise.

Range once as tall as the Alps
As you’re in the Chequamegon National Forest, walking paths are in good shape, but you will be going up and down some hills if you take the longest route.

The first loop runs for 2 miles along the area’s eastern side. You’ll head through a hemlock forest that provides home to whitetail deer, bears and ruffed grouse.

Reaching the north side, you’ll get a spectacular view of the valley below, which maples, oaks and basswood with an understory of balsam fir and white pine dominate. You actually are walking along one of the highest ridges in Wisconsin; the surface of Lake Superior, which sits 19 miles to the north, is 850 feet below your elevation.

The ridge with its granite ledges are all that remain of an ancient mountain range that once towered more than 10,000 feet high. Rock folds suggest what this range must have looked like some 500-600 million years ago: lofty peaks and deep valleys, similar to the Alps. These mountains are among some of the oldest in the world, predating animal life on land.

What remains 200 million years later...
For the past 200 million years, the mountains have been slowly eroding into a low, slightly undulating flat area called a peneplain. The Penokee range, which stretches about 80 miles long and is up to a mile wide, is known as a monadnock because its resistant rocks leave them standing about this plain.

The three trail loops upon this monadnock are fairly easy to follow, as several signs indicate the North Country Trail’s route. In addition, ski maps of the trail can be downloaded or picked up at area establishments.

Should you be up for a longer walk, staying to the right rather than looping back by going left at trail junctions, will allow you to can extend the walk to 3.2 miles on the ridge’s northern side. That loop in turn can be extended to 5.3 miles, which covers the trail’s western portion. If opting for this longer route, you will twice cross a quarry road. The approaches at these roads are abrupt declines. You’ll also come across an Adirondack shelter, a great place for taking a rest break.

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

Hike segment of national North Country trail

Lake Owen

Multi-state trail runs through
Chequamegon National Forest

Visitors to Drummond, Wis., can hike a segment of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail in a nifty route I’ve christened the “Lake Owen Loop.” 

The North Country trail stretches from North Dakota to New York, cutting through four Wisconsin counties along the way. The Badger state boasts the highest percentage of completed and the longest continuous stretch of the trail in the country. In Bayfield County, the trail cuts through the popular Chequamegon National Forest. 

About 5 miles long, the Lake Owen Loop is best done in autumn when the bug count is down and the trees are ablaze with color. Early spring is good for avoiding mosquitoes but may force you to cross two intermittent streams flush that time of year with snowmelt.

To reach the trail, from US Hwy. 63 in Drummond, take N. Lake Owen Drive (aka Forest Road 213, south). You’ll pass Roger Lake. When you come to Lake Owen, look for the intersection with Forest Road 216 (aka as Lake Owen Station Road). Stay on FR 213 and round the northern tip of Lake Owen. Turn right into the picnic grounds, where you’ll park. A swimming beach also is on site.

Mixed hardwoods and pines
From the picnic area, look east and pick up the trail where it intersects the forest road. The North Country trail is fairly flat with elevation shifting about 50 feet during the hike.

Walk south, cutting between the northern tip of Lake Owen and a 35-foot deep pond. An intermittent stream connects it to the lake.

The trail follows the north shore of Lake Owen, which forms a U. Mixed hardwoods and pines line the lake. Hemlock, oak, maple and white pine often tower over the dirt path.

As reaching the bottom of the U’s western side, you’ll cross a road. You’re unlikely to see many people, though, as this side of Lake Owen is little used compared to the other shores, which sport camps and boat ramps.

At 1,323 acres with a maximum depth of 95 feet, Lake Owen boasts very clear water, making it an ideal habitat for largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie (Wisconsin’s state fish), northern pike, walleye and panfish.

Call of nesting loons
About midway at the U’s bottom, there’s a second intermittent stream to cross. You’ll then spot Twin Lakes Campgrounds on the opposite shore.

As coming up the U’s eastern side, the trail veers away from lake. Watch for the wildlife that makes this area home. Whitetail deer, squirrels, chipmunks and frogs are certain to be seen, but also keep an eye out for other animals’ tracks, especially those of raccoons. Keep your ears peeled for the call of loons, which nest on the area’s lakes.

After crossing a forest road, you’ll walk past a pond to the right and then one to the left. Finally, you’ll head past yet another pond, this one up to 14 feet deep, on the right.

Rejoining Forest Road 213, you can walk alongside it back to your vehicle. On the way you will first pass Forest Road 217, aka Cutacross Road, which goes north, and then Horseshoe Road, which goes south.

Upon reaching your start point, end the day with a picnic and swim.

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