Enjoy Northwoods day hike on Ice Age Trail

Only a few miles of the 1200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail cross Burnett County, Wisconsin, and then only in its very remote southeast corner. Still, it’s worth the drive, especially for those seeking a walk among Northwoods autumn leaves.

An accessible Burnett County section for a day hike runs south of the Clam River State Fishery Area from Horseshoe Lake to just north of Offers Lake. This segment can shortened into a roughly 3-mile round-trip day hike, though.

To reach the trailhead, from Siren, Wis., take County Road B east. After driving several miles, turn right/south onto County Road H. Then turn left/east onto Boyd Road. In about a mile, you'll come to the trail, which is on either side of the road. Park well off the shoulder; there is no parking lot, but the road is little traveled.

Head north onto a mixed hardwoods forest, which makes for a pretty walk in autumn. The trail gradually descends a couple of hundred feet over a half-mile.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail essentially follows the edge of where the glacier last seen in these parts towered some 10,000 years ago. Much of Burnett County's terrain – from kettle lakes caused by melted glacier chunks to the flat sandy soil that is the remnant of Glacial Lake Grantsburg – were created during the last ice age.

After rounding a ridgeline, you'll begin traveling southeast on fairly level terrain.

In a little more than a half-mile from there, you’ll reach the South Fork Clam River, a Class I trout stream. This marks a good spot to turn back.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, as there are marshy areas along the way, especially near the river.

Read more about Wisconsin's family friendly day hiking trails in Headin' to the Cabin.

Fifth ‘Hittin’ the Trail’ book, on Burnett County, Wisconsin, released

The next book in my Hittin’ the Trail hiking guide series, Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Burnett County, Wisconsin, went on sale this weekend. The ebook lists dozens of great family-friendly trails in all of your favorite Burnett County communities, including Grantsburg, Siren, Webster and Danbury as well along the St. Croix River in neighboring Minnesota. Included is a primer about day hiking essentials, such as gear, clothing, navigation, and how to avoid various trail dangers. Day Hiking Burnett County, Wisconsin is available as an ebook on Kindle, Nook, iBook/iPad, Kobo, and other formats.

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

Northwoods venues host 'Hikes' author at meet-the-author event

Special thanks to In a New Light Gallery of Northwest Passages and to the Bookstore at Fitger's for hosting my Headin' to the Cabin meet-the-author event, the former on Friday, Aug. 2, and the latter on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Northwest Passages, in Siren, Wis., offers treatment facilities and centers for teen boys who are at-risk or suffering from mental illness in Northwest Wisconsin (Siren, Spooner and Frederic). The Bookstore at Fitger's, in Duluth, Minn., is located in the former Fitger's Brewery, which has been converted into a retail-entertainment complex on Duluth's Lakewalk.

There's one last stop in the summer book tour for "Headin' to the Cabin": I'll be at the City of Lakes Book Fair on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Annz’s Books in at the Chetek, Wis. The fair runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hope to see you there!

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

Escape to small town America on Wis. trail

Gandy Dancer State Trail in Siren, Wis.

For a pleasant return to small town America, day hike the Gandy Dancer State Trail, which runs north-south through the village of Siren. Start downtown and head north to the airport for a four-mile round trip hike.

To reach the trail, park downtown in the northwest quadrant of the State Hwys. 35 and 70 intersection. The trail parallels Hwy. 35 so can be accessed by simply taking any street west.

The village portion of the trail takes you back to Mayberry, to those long lost days when more of America lived in small rural towns than large cities. The trail here is fairly open, so be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen.

While in Siren, the trail crosses West Main Street, so exercise caution at this intersection, especially if children are with you.

Though Siren’s population just tops 800, it’s the Burnett County seat. The village’s name is a misspelling of the Swedish word “syren,” which means “lilac.” The fragrant bush was common in the village when Swedish settlers established the town in the 1890s and still can be found aplenty more than 110 years later. Depending on how early spring arrives, the lilac blossoming makes May to June an excellent time to hike the trail.

After about two-thirds of a mile, you’ll reach the edge of town. Though trees line the trail the entire way, they begin to grow thicker here.

To the right across the highway, you’ll catch glimpses of Crooked Lake. You’ll also hike past some lower-lying marshy stretches; as an old railroad bed, the trail is raised and wide, so there’s no need to worry about wet feet.

After about 1.2 miles, forest entirely surrounds the trial. The trials are an excellent mix of red and sugar maples, oak, birch, basswood and pine.

You’ll reach Airport Road after 2 miles; if lucky, you may catch a small prop plane taking off or landing at the Burnett County Airport. While the trail continues north to Webster, the road marks a good spot to turn around.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Excellent hiking trails located in Siren area

Gandy Dancer Trail in Siren, Wis.

Visitors to the Siren, Wis., area will find some great trails to day hike. Among them:
g Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area trails – Located northwest of town, a jeep trail heads north into the wildlife area from Olsen Road, just west of Daniel Johnson Road. Turn back after reaching the pond for a 3.75-mile round trip.
g Gandy Dancer Trail segment – This extensive trail runs north-south through the village. Start downtown and head north for a four-mile round trip hike to the airport.
g Ice Age National Scenic Trail – Southeast of town at the end of 60th Street, follow a segment of this state-wide trail over the Clam River past Dinger Lake to McKenzie Creek. The 2.25-mile round trip cuts through mixed hardwood forests and meadows.
g Timberland Hills trails – Southeast of town, Timberland Hills is in the Burnett County Forest off of County Road H. Mainly used as a ski trail in winter, during summer the connecting loops offer several miles of hiking trails.

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

Gandy Dancer Trail heads thru Northwoods

Old railroad line converted

to 98-mile hiking route

The Gandy Dancer State Trail runs roughly north-south for 98 miles with a number of accessible points in Wisconsin cabin country, making it ideal for a day hike. 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.

Paralleling Wis. Hwy. 35, one of the easiest places to get on the trail is in St. Croix Falls at the Polk County Information Center, located at the junction of U.S. Hwy. 8 and Hwy. 35. Plenty of parking is available at the info center.

The trail begins as paved asphalt then turns to packed crushed limestone, which makes for easy walking. As trains once needed to make their way where you’ll walk, grade changes always are gradual.

A variety of trees often form a long canopy over the trail, offering plenty of shade and a real escape back to nature experience. This is especially so in autumn, when leaves change to form red, orange and golden roofs over hikers. In grassy areas, lupines, phlox and columbine flower during June.

When passing waterways, dragonflies frequently can be spotted during summer. Songbirds light most of the route with their melodies while squirrels scamper along the ground and up trees. Watch for white tail deer springing back into the woods when rounding curves.

The first segment of the trail runs 4.5 miles from the information center to the village of Centuria. If you have young children, you certainly don’t have to walk the entire trail; mile posts signs along the way tell how far you’ve walked so you know when to turn around.

If your cabin is a little farther north, no worries. Running through nine villages and connecting with city parks, you can find a trailhead at several locations, including: Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Lewis, Siren, Webster and Danbury. Those trail sections pass farmland, lakes and forests. Bicyclists also are allowed to use the trial; be sure to keep an eye on children so they don’t get in the way.

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