 |
| Governor Thompson State Park's Forest View Trail |
There’s no better way
to experience autumn colors in northeast Wisconsin than a hike.
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.
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.
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.
***
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.
***
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.