Trails explore Washburn County geography

Trego Nature Trail in Wisconsin's Northwoods.

Local tourism officials long have touted Wisconsin's Washburn County as the Gateway to the Northwoods and for good reason. Geographically, two distinct landscapes are found in the county – one that matches well with the ecological area known as the Northwoods and the other that is the transitional, border zone for the northern forests.

The county consists of two distinct geographical regions. The southern portion – including Shell Lake and Birchwood – as well as much of the county’s northeast quarter, largely consists of highlands, sitting at an elevation of 1200-1400 feet. While not significant compared to the Appalachians or the Rockies, for Wisconsin, this is a good 200-400 feet higher than much of the southern part of the state. This forested region sports a great diversity of trees that typically can be found across the state. Some great trails found in this region include:
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail
• Bear Trail
• Wild Rivers State Trail (Spooner segment)

The county’s center, including Spooner, Trego and Minong, sits at a lower 1000-1200 feet elevation. This is the dried, sandy bed of Glacial Lake Grantsburg, which existed near the end of the last Ice Age when a glacier in Minnesota dammed the flow of meltwater. Some of the county’s northwest quadrant, which is closer to the center of the extinct lake, is at an even lower elevation of 800-1200 feet. The sandier soil tends to nurture forests of pine, aspen-birch and oak. Today, the Namekagon River flows through this county’s center. A few good trails found in this region include:
• Trego Nature Trail
• Trego Lake Trail
• Totagatic Ski Trails

Learn more about these and other nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Rail line turned hiking trail passes museum

The Wild Rivers State Trail as it approaches the Railroad Memories Museum.

Day hikers can learn about railroading on an old rail line turned hiking trail in northwest Wisconsin.

The Wild Rivers State Trail runs for 104 miles across three counties 

on a former Omaha 

and Soo Line Railroads route. The trail 

connects Rice Lake, Wis., in the south with Superior, Wis., to the northwest.

In Spooner, Wis., the trail marks the eastern edge of downtown. A 1.9-mile round trip segment of the trail makes for a pleasant urban hike.

Start at the city’s Railroad Memories Museum on Front Street. Parking is free but admission is charged for the museum.

The museum is located in a former Chicago & Northwestern Railway depot. Between the depot, and the parked train cars, and the locomotives are 12 different rooms that hikers can go through to explore the area’s rich railroad history.

At one time, Spooner was major railroad hub as lines for the Omaha and Soo Line Railroads and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway met in town. Passenger service existed until the early 1960s.

From the museum, head south on the trail. There’s one major road crossing, of Wis. Hwy. 70, as the trail leaves the downtown area.

The trail next crosses the Yellow River flowage. The river is so named because of the bright yellow sand at the bottom of the lake it flows through. Today, the flowage, created to prevent flooding, covers about 85 acres and is a prime fishing destination. More shoreline of the flowage appears on the right/west a couple of blocks up the trail.

Once the Wild Rivers approaches Lois Lane, Randall Lake comes into view. A bit smaller than the flowage at 40 acres, it’s also not quite as deep but still as scenic. Northern pike are common in the lake.

As Randall Lake fades in the distance, the route comes to an intersection with a spur line. This marks a good spot to turn back. Alternately, you can continue on for a 3.8-mile one-way walk to the Beaver Brook Wildlife Area.

Learn about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

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.

Trail crosses peaceful Wis. woodlands, river

Wild Rivers Trail bridge over Namekago River.

Wild Rivers Trail segment
runs along former rail line

A tranquil stroll through the woods with a bridge view of the Namekagon River awaits day hikers on a segment of the Wild Rivers Trail in Trego, Wis.

At a little under 2.2-miles round trip, the segment is just a small portion of a trail that runs for 104 miles across three counties on an old Omaha and Soo Line Railroads rail line. The trail connects Rice Lake, Wis., in the south with Superior, Wis., to the northwest.

To pick up the trail in Trego, when U.S. Hwy. 53 enters the village from the south, turn right/east onto Oak Hill Road. Turn left/north onto Park Street. When Park Street curves west, you’ll notice a large open gravel parking lot. Leave your vehicle there. The trail runs alongside the lot’s eastern side.

Take the trail northeast. Nicely forested with typical northern hardwoods, the trail is fairly isolated from built-up areas.

This section of the trail also is part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The 1200-mile Ice Age Trail essentially follows the edge of where the glacier last seen in these parts towered some 10,000 years ago.

In about a quarter mile, the trail begins to skirt the backside of the Namekagon Visitor Center grounds, which offers displays about the riverway. Unfortunately, there’s no path leading from the Wild Rivers Trail to the center; when finished with the hike, consider a drive to it (take Hwy. 53 north and turn right onto U.S. Hwy. 63), especially if children are with you.

The trail then crosses busy Hwy. 63 and in another 100 feet spans the Namekagon. From the river bridge looking west, the Namekagon breaks into a couple of back channels.

After the river, the trail re-enters the peaceful woods. You’re likely to spot white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks along the way. Songbirds are plentiful, providing a sweet soundtrack to the hike. In 0.75 miles, the trail reaches Ross Road, which is a good spot to turn back; by this point, you’ve actually left the scenic riverway.

During spring and early summer, be sure to carry insect repellent when near the river. And while the trail cuts through woodlands, it is wide and mostly open, so also be sure to don sunscreen.

Learn about nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Washburn County.

Several superb day hiking trails await visitors to Superior, Wis., area

Big Manitou Falls

Superior stands among one of the few challengers in northwest Wisconsin to St. Croix Falls as “the city of trails.” In addition to scenic municipal trails, no less than four state trails find their terminus here. Among the Wisconsin offerings:
g Big Manitou Falls overlook trails – Just a few miles south of the largest metro area of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin flows the highest waterfall in either state. Short overlook trails in Pattison State Park offer a variety of impressive views of Big Manitou Falls.
g Gandy Dancer State Trail – This interstate trail re-enters Wisconsin from Minnesota south of Superior and runs for 15 minutes until joining the Saunders State Trail. A pleasant 2.85-mile stretch runs from South Foxboro-Chaffey Road over Balsam Creek to Drolson Road.
g Millennium Trail – The 1.6-mile trail runs from Billings Drive to Elmira Avenue in the Superior Municipal Forest on the city’s southwest side. The trailhead is at the 28th Street and Wyoming Avenue intersection.
g Osaugie Trail – Beautiful views of Superior Bay, a marina and city piers abound on this urban trail, which runs for five miles from Marina Drive at the U.S. Hwy 2/53 junction south to Moccasin Mike Road. It is wheelchair accessible.
g Pokegama Trail – Also in the municipal forest, this 6.14-mile trail is popular with cyclists (a local cycling club actually maintains the trail). The trailhead is north of Central Avenues east of the Cemetery Access Road intersection.
g Saunders State Trail segment – The 8-mile trail runs southwest of town through several small communities. Try the 3.3-mile segment from County Road W north of Dewey to the bridge at Clear Creek; the route crosses the Pokegama River.
g Tri-County Corridor Trail segment – The well-maintained trail with a crushed limestone surface links Superior to Ashland. Pick up the trail on 57th Avenue at the Osaugie Trail terminus and turn around at the second stream crossing for a 2.3-mile round trip.
g Wild Rivers State Trail-Amnicon River segment – The 104-mile trail from Rice Lake finds its terminus here (or depending on your perspective, it’s beginning). Head southeast of the city to Swamp Road for a 5.4-mile out-and-back hike across the Amnicon River and two other waterways to Mikrot Road.

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

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.

Quaint country walk awaits on Wild Rivers

A walk through pleasant woodlands and scenic farmland await users of the Wild Rivers State Trail near Rice Lake, Wis. The trail runs for around 100 miles across three counties on an old Omaha and Soo Line Railroads rail line connecting the city to Superior.

A good place to experience the trail is at its southern end. Park north of the Rice Lake city limits at the Tuscobia State Trail junction on County Road SS, near its intersection with U.S. Hwy. 53. You can head south for about four miles into Rice Lake at West Knapp Street. Arrange to have someone bring you back to where you parked, or turn around at any time on the trail.

Great autumn walk
The parking lot sits east of County Road SS, and you’ll need to take the Tuscobia Trail west across the highway to reach the Wild Rivers Trail. Turn left or south onto the Wild Rivers Trail, which parallels County Road SS into Rice Lake. Turn right, and the trail heads to Haugen, Spooner, Trego, Minong, Gordon, Solon Springs and ends in Superior.

In addition to plenty of parking and its proximity to a major town for an enjoyable meal or shopping afterward, the part of the trail heading south is in excellent shape with compacted gravel making up the surface.

The first half mile or so heads through a typical deciduous forest that Wisconsin is famous for. In autumn, the trail’s varied trees alight in an array of crimson, amber and burnt orange leaves. Upon crossing County Road BB, however, the woods gives way to pretty farm fields that look best when green in August.

Bridge over stream
A little more than two miles later, you can glimpse through the deepening treeline a tributary that ultimately flows into nearby Stump Lake. As the region becomes more wooded, you’ll actually cross the serpentine waterway over a quaint bridge.

Expect to spot white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks – and if lucky, fox – along the way. Songbirds are plentiful, and hawks soar overhead.

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

The trail grows increasingly urban as reaching 22-1/2 Street with a good end spot at Knapp Street, where you can park your vehicle. Pit toilets are available at the trailhead.

Read more about day hiking Barron County in my Hittin’ the Trail: Day Barron County, Wisconsin guidebook.