Top fall trails of central Wisconsin, Part II

Rib Mountain, Wausau, Wisconsin

There’s no better way

to experience autumn colors around central 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 around central Wisconsin to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Green Lake County
Beautiful fall colors abound on a former Native American trail that runs on an slightly elevated shoreline over scenic Green lake. The 0.9-mile Winnebago Trail rambles through a southern oak forest and remnant prairie on land that used to be part of the Green Lake Conference Center. The 7 acres of protected land borders 1500-plus feet of the lake’s northern shore. From Green Lake, take Wis. Hwy. 23 west. Turn left/south on Lawson Drive, which eventually becomes Hillside Road. The trailhead is near the historic Lawson water tower and ends at the stone arch beneath Hillside Road.

Marathon County
As September comes to a close, trees for miles around Rib Mountain turn brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. The 1.2-mile Gray Trail at Rib Mountain State Park traverses the hill’s north and south slopes to the observation tower, from which you can view the world around at 722 feet above the surrounding countryside. For a bird’s eye view of the harvest colors across the hillside, consider taking a ski lift ride (at Granite Peak Ski Area) to the top then hiking around the summit and to the 60-foot tower before coming back down. From Interstate 39 in Wausau, exit onto Rib Mountain Drive, heading southwest. Go straight-right/west onto Park Road and ascend the hill. Park in the first lot on the road’s left/south side; the trail leaves from the lot’s southwest corner.

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Vibrant fall colors and fantastic, Rocky Mountain-style rock formations await at Dells of the Eau Claire County Park. A 1.5-mile trail loops around the river, crossing it at a high bridge and dam. The north side of the river is the Ice Age National Scenic Trail while the south side is a county park trail. Among the fall colors are yellow-orange-red sugar maples, amber yellow birch, orange-red mountain maples, and the evergreens hemlock and Canada yew. From Wausau, take County Road Z/Franklin Street east 14 miles. Turn left/north onto County Road Y. The park is in 1.5 miles. Cross the bridge over the river and take the first left/west into the park; follow the road to its end, where there’s a parking lot. A connector to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail heads south from the lot.

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Day hikers can enjoy a walk along the wooded shores of the Big Eau Pleine River at Cherokee County Park near Abbotsford. During autumn, tree leaves turn orange and several shades of yellow on the 1.5-mile round trip Indian Trail. Part of the trail also passes a rapids. From Abbotsford, take Wis. Hwy. 13 south. Go left/east onto County Road N. The park entrance is on the road’s left/north.

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An array of autumn colors can be seen along the Heritage Trail segment in Stratford’s Klemme Park. A little more than a mile of trails arranged in four stacked loops with a couple of stems head through the reserve. Along the way are the russets and oranges of oak, the gold through red of sugar maple, and the amber of yellow birch. Look for the bronze-leafed Kentucky coffeetree and sunburst honey locust planted there in 2017. From the junctions of Wis. Hwy. 152 and 97 in Stratford, take the latter north. Turn right/east onto East North Street. The park entry is on the street’s left/north.

Portage County
A tree house, pond and swing await on the Trail of Reflections at the Schmeeckle Reserve. The 0.5-mile loop on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus is particularly beautiful in autumn when a stand of sugar maples turns yellow, orange and red and their leaves first settle on the trail’s boardwalks. From Division Street in Stevens Point, head east on Northpoint Drive. After Michigan Avenue, turn right/south into the reserve’s parking area. The trail can be accessed by connectors either from the Bird Viewing Area or through the Zimmerman Prairie.

Shawano County
Hikers can enjoy the fall colors of prairie grasses and hardwood leaves on the sand hills at Navarino Wildlife Area. From late September through early October, the wildlife area looks like it’s ablaze as bluestem turns a fiery red while on the sand hills maples turn yellow and orange, the birch gold, and the oak scarlet. The 1-mile lollipop Blue Trail heads along the sand hills. From Shawano, take County Road K south. Turn left/east on South Townline Road then right/south on McDonald Road and left/east onto Lindstein Road. The entry road and parking lot is on the next left/north.

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A gravel trail alongside the Wolf River offers an array of autumn colors at Waukechon Riverside Park south of Shawano. A 1.25-mile round trip trail rambles through the 68-acre site between the two county roads. On sunlit days, the floodplain forest’s leaves glow yellow, orange, tan and russet and reflect off the scenic river. From Shawano, head south on County Road K. Turn right/west onto County Road CCC. The park entry is on the road’s left/south side just before the Wolf River.

Waupaca County
Yellow birch, orange and red maples, and tan and brown oaks line Deer Path Trail, a 1-mile hike through Hartman Creek State Park. The trail circles spring-fed Allen Lake. On sunny days, the autumn leaves reflect off the crystal clear lake waters. From Waupaca, take Wis. Hwy. 54 west. Turn left/south onto Hartman Creek Road. Once in the park, take the first right/west to a parking lot for Allen Lake.

Trail heads to Wisconsin’s third highest hill

Autumn view from Rib Mountain.

Gray Trail map. Click for larger version.

Day hikers can see the world from 741 feet above the surrounding countryside at Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain State Park.

The 1.8-mile round trip Gray Trail traverses Rib Mountains’ north and south slopes. A brief side trip on the Blue Trail leads to the observation tower.

To reach the trailhead, from Interstate 39 in Wausau, exit onto Rib Mountain Drive, heading southwest. Go straight-right/west onto Park Road and ascend the hill. Park in the first lot on the road’s left/south side. The trail leaves from the lot’s southwest corner.

The first junction is at 0.1 miles. The Yellow Trail splits left/south. Continue right/west. You’re at 1700 feet above sea level.

Ancient volcanoes
About 1.45 billion years ago, a string of volcanoes stretched along what is now the west side of Interstate 39. Rib Mountain’s current location was at about the center of the volcanic region, known as the Wolf River Batholith.

The trail gradually climbs until reaching Cobler’s Nob. The Yellow and Gray trails split here at 1750 feet elevation and then rejoin. Stay on the Gray Trail be going left/west.

Deep below the volcanoes, magma that fed them cooled and hardened into rock. Over time, erosion reduced these craters to just their roots, which is what remains today between Rib Mountain south to Mosinee. Those roots are still impressive – Rib Mountain is a four mile-long ridge of ancient, hard quartzite that at 1924 feet is Wisconsin’s third highest point.

The trail rejoins at 0.41 miles and 1840 feet elevation and then splits. Go left/southwest. Along the way, you pass Sunrise Lookout.

Autumn glory
As September comes to a close, trees for miles around and on Rib Mountain turn brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. For a bird’s eye view of the harvest colors across the mountainside, consider taking a ski lift ride (at Granite Peak Ski Area) to the top then hiking around the summit and to the 60-foot tower before coming back down.

At the next junction, the trail meets the Lower West Yellow Trail from the left/southeast. Continue right/northwest. The CCC Gazebo is to the trail’s left/west.

The mountain got its name from the Ojibwe, who called the nearby Rib River O-pic-wun-a-se-be. The first part of the word means rib.

The Gray Trail crosses the park road at 0.68 miles and 1880 feet elevation. From there, leave the Gray Trail and walk straight-northwest alongside the road.

Observation tower
On the left side, pick up the Blue Trail at about 0.78 miles and go west. This leads to directly to the observation tower, which sits at 0.88 miles and 1920 feet elevation.

From the 60-foot tower’s top, you can see about 30 miles on a clear day. To the northeast is Wausau and the Wisconsin River, the latter of which runs to the southeast. Big Rib River is immediately north. Marathon City and a vast patchwork of farmland and tiny woods is to the west and Mosinee to the south.

Spend some time as well enjoying and scrambling over the ancient rocks at the summit. One of them – the Queen’s Chair – is perfect for a selfie.

After taking in the sights, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.