Chequamegon Chapter
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Chequamegon Chapter
The Wonders of Nature Right Out Your Door!
The North Country National Scenic Trail traverses 61.4 miles in the Chequamegon National Forest and also goes through Copper Falls State Park and the City of Mellen. Maintenance of these sections of North Country Trail (NCT) are primarily the responsibility of dedicated volunteers of the Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. The exception would be Copper Falls State Park NCT which is primarily maintained by the dedicated staff of Copper Falls State Park. The name "North Country National Scenic Trail" is derived from the section of trail already previously built by the US Forest Service through the Chequamegon National Forest here in Northern Wisconsin and called the North Country Trail.
The Chequamegon Chapter's sections of the NCT are great examples of natures mix that truly makes the NCT a premier
hiking trail. Enjoy the beauty of a quiet peaceful lake or the gurgling sound of a river or the babbling of a small
creek or the roaring of water falls. The North Country Trail crosses or passes by many of these on it's journey
through the Chequamegon National Forest and Copper Falls State Park. There are some beautiful overlooks to pause
and enjoy and history to explore including abandoned logging camps and an old Swedish settlement. And then there
is the chance meeting with wildlife, the sounds of natures woodland creatures and the wondrous smells unique to
a woodland setting. We have two designated "Wilderness" areas within the Chequamegon Forest for an exceptional
natural experience, the Porcupine Lake Wilderness (4,446 acres) and Rainbow Lake Wilderness (6,583 acres). What
better way to enjoy these great natural resources than with a hike! In the winter you can enjoy snowshoeing, cross
country skiing, exploring animal tracks, winter camping or just inhale the unique quietness that only winter offers.
For camping enthusiasts, there are several semi-primitive forest campgrounds near the North Country Trail or enjoy the more modern amenities that Copper Falls State Park (with showers) has to offer or put on your backpack and experience camping in the middle of the wilderness or the backpack sites offered at Copper Falls State Park.
A great place to start your exploration of the Chequamegon Chapter's sections of the NCT is the Great Lakes Visitor
Center just West of Ashland on US Highway 2. A trip to the Great Lakes Visitor Center (GLVC) will contribute to
your NCT hiking experience by helping you to identify the remnants of mans impact on the forest and the natural
history along the trail such as old burnt stumps left over by widespread fires from the early clear-cut logging
days and glacial rock deposits. Also, the GLVC has available an easy to read North Country National Scenic Trail
- Chequamegon National Forest map recently printed by the Chequamegon Chapter that makes finding trail-head parking
easy and highlights some of the main attractions of sections of the NCT .The GLVC is also an excellent resource
for campsite information in the National Forest and backpacking rules. If you are interested in the Chequamegon
Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and our contribution to the North Country National Scenic Trail,
our chapter has a DVD at the GLVC that can be played on demand.
For further information on the opportunities for hiking or camping along the Chequamegon Chapter's NCTA trail contact:
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Forest Supervisor's Office
1170 4th Ave. South
Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-2461 - 715-762-5701 (TTY) - 715-762-5179 (FAX)
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
29270 County Hwy. G
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-9983 - 715-682-2680 (FAX)
Copper Falls State Park
Route 1, Box 17AA
Mellen,WI 54548
(715) 274-5123
Officers and Contacts
Chairperson - Marty Swank
715-682-2254
Vice Chairperson - Mike Trieschmann
715-274-3838
Chapter Poster (PDF Reader Needed)
Trail Maps - Certified Sections of the North Country Trail in west central Chapter Area
Trail Links
North Country Trail Association - Our parent organization, linking people across the 4200 mile trail
Superior Hiking Trail Association - Our neighbors to the west of the Wisconsin trail segments in Minnesota.
Bears - Northern Wisconsin
has much remote back country through which the North Country Trail passes. Naturally the bear population is much
higher than other parts of the country. Hikers and overnight campers should take special precautions with food.
No food should be eaten or kept in tents. If possible, meals should be prepared well away from tent areas. Food
should be placed in suspended packs where bears cannot reach them away from the tent area.
Please register your intent to participate in any of
the listed scheduled events by calling Marty Swank.
Those registered will receive notification of alternate dates
for events cancelled due to inclement weather.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2009:
May 12th thru 14th - Trail work with Mark Bruhy (USFS Heritage Program Manager) - Restoration of historic Swedish
Settlement.
Saturday, May 16th - Trail re-route - Overby Lake and Rainbow Lake W ilderness (both?) Would need a big turnout!
Saturday, June 6th - Hwy. 63 to Lake Owen Picnic Grounds - Carsonite posts at ski trail intersections, downed tree
removal, brush mowing if needed - This may change to do possible logging in the area - stay tuned!
Saturday, July 25th - Trail Relocation Hanson Field (If approved by then)
July 30th-August 2nd - Annual NCTA National Conference in North Dakota
Saturday, August 22rd - Joint Work Day with Heritage Chapter - Trail relocation above Brunsweiler River - Benching.
Trail Building Training provided by Bill Menke.
Saturday, September 19th - Trail Maintenance - decided at later date.
Saturday, October 3rd - Annual "Discover the NCT" hike followed by pot luck.
Saturday, October 17th - Trail Maintenance - decided at later date? (Early Deer Hunting Season again?)
Saturday, November 7th - Annual Chapter Business/Planning Meeting.
*Previously have not had trail maintenance in this month.
Other Events of Interest
Iron River Hiking Club
Hikes most Tuesday mornings/afternoons - contact Bob Norlin for more information of the planned event/date/time.
Bob Norlin contact information: rnorlin@cheqnet.net Cell phone 218-428-0271
Social events may be added to the Calendar of Events. If you have an event suggestion, please contact Marty Swank
as
noted below.
There will be opportunities to help trail adopters on their sections
and other unscheduled trail maintenance
events. As always help is always appreciated. Email works best for short notice events. If you wish to be put on
a "short
notice" list for these volunteer opportunities please let us know. If you are planning on attending an event,
and have
email, please watch your email for last minute changes to event plans.
For more detailed information contact:
Marty Swank, Chairperson
Chequamegon Chapter
North Country Trail Association
808 14th Ave. West
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-2254 (evenings), 715-682-2313 (days)
marty808@centurytel.net
On Saturday, May 17th, 2008 the Chequamegon Chapter held their first North Country Trail maintenance of the season. North Country Trail between Kornstead Road and the Penokee Ski Trail Parking area was fully maintained at this time. Also the chapter built it's first two earthen puncheon/open culverts in the wettest sections of the trail. Pictured left to right: Ken Reader, Kay Reader, Bob Norlin, Cheryl Trieschmann, John Prusila, Sue Kranz, Mike Ryan, Derrick Passe, Laura Nitsche (& Chase the Dog), Bob Erickson, Mike Trieschmann. Not pictured Pat Prusila and Marty Swank. Photo by Pat Prusila
On Saturday, July 19, 2008 the Chapter installed it's first Wilderness Toilet near the Marengo River shelter! Pictured left to right: Marty Swank, John Prusila, Pat Prusila, Mike Trieschmann, Leonard Burton, Bob Norlin, Steve Sorenson. Photo by Pat Prusila (camera on timer).
A few of the Chequamegon Chapter Members did a unscheduled fun hike on September 15, 2008. Pictured hiking a section of NCT along Lake Owen are from back to front, Bob Erickson, Bob Norlin and Marty Swank. Photo by Vickie Swank
This picture was taken while doing a trail assessment above the Brunsweiler River in the fall of 2008. This is one of the many beautiful pictures taken of the Brunsweiler River that day and was taken from the bridge that the NCT crosses over.
