Chequamegon National Forest
Bayfield and Ashland Counties, WI
61.6 mi total 61.6 certified 0.0 connecting 61.6 marked 0.0 bare
THE CHEQUAMEGON NATIONAL FOREST encompasses 860,000 acres of land, in an area rich in both geological and human history. Terrain runs the gamut from gently rolling toward the western end, to rocky and mountainous toward the eastern end. Ice age glaciers left their mark on the land, along with ancient volcanos and earthquakes. Indian battles were fought here. Several locations are designated as national archeological sites, and others as part of a historic district. Remainers of the area's logging past are found in abandoned logging roads and railroad grades. The North Country Trail in the Chequamegon is one of the longer-established sections of trail; in fact, the Chequamegon lent the name of the North Country Trail in the forest to the whole seven-state project. The trail in the forest penetrates two designated Wilderness Areas, the Rainbow Lake and Porcupine.
The sixty miles of trail in the Chequamegon National Forest is generally marked with gray diamonds, as opposed to common practice; blue diamonds denote ski trails. Trail marking is very limited in the two wilderness areas. CAMPING, as in all national forest, is permitted anywhere, except within 50 feet of the trail. Three Adirondack shelters are located on or near the trail, toward the eastern end; these are first come, first served. There are several other good spots for backpack camping. s may or may not be permitted due to forest fire conditions; check with the forest headquarters to find out the current restrictions. As anywhere else in Wisconsin's north woods, late spring through mid-summer is bug season. BEARS are not unknown, but the forest makes no special warning in their literature about them. There are also a handful of wolves in the forest. WATER: There are no long waterless stretches, but surface water should be treated. MAPS AND INFORMATION: The Chequamegon has a reprint of the 1992 NCNST map available, and it is useful. It, and other information are available from Glidden Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, PO Box 126, Glidden WI 54527 (715) 264-2511; Hayward Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, Rt. 10, Box 508, Hayward WI 54843 (715) 634-4821; or Washburn Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, PO Box 578, Washburn WI 54891 (715) 373-2667. The Hutchins Guide, available from the North Country Trail Shop, also has a section on the NCNST in the Chequamegon, giving a detailed trail log and its own sketch maps; it's highly recommended. Hutchins' guide distances are used here, giving a mileage a mile longer than NPS certified figures. SERVICES are available at two locations, at Drummond, toward the western end of the trail, and at Mellen, at the east end.
0.0 [0.0] COUNTY ROAD A TRAILHEAD
The trailhead is located directly east of the intersection with Gravel Pit Road, along Bayfield County Road A, 4.5 miles north of Iron River. The first 0.6 miles of the trail in this section are actually located on an old logging road in Bayfield County Forest lands. The trail soon leaves the old road, and descends eastward across an old clearcut, joining an old logging railroad grade for a short distance before leaving it, crossing a forest road that accesses the south side of Lake Ruth, then soon rejoins it, bending to the southeast and following it until reaching FR 411.
2.1 [2.1] CROSS FR 411
There is no parking at the FR411 crossing. The Trail continues to follow the old railroad grade southeasterly for a short distance, but soon leaves the grade and bends to the south through mixed forest country; after a short distance, it bends back to the southeast, reaching FR412 2.3 miles after leaving FR 411.
4.4 [2.3] CROSS FR 412
FR412 is a forest two-rut, with no parking. The trail continues in a southeasterly direction until near tiny Square Deal Lake, then joins an old railroad grade and bears to the east, then northeast, before turning back to the southeast, until reaching FR228, also known as West Delta Rd. There is parking at this road crossing.
7.1 [2.7] CROSS FR228; ENTER RAINBOW LAKE WILDERNESS
The Rainbow Lake Wilderness is located south from FR228, until crossing FR293, 6.4 trail miles to the south. There is a good treadway, but few trail makers except for a handful of posts, so trailfinding care is called for. The 6,600 acre Rainbow Lake Wilderness is characterized by glaciated terrain, mixed hardwoods, aspen, and mixed conifers. The trail descends gradually, then climbs along a bluff to an old railroad grade, continuing to the southeast, past Tower Lake, where the trail turns to the south. After 3.1 miles, Rainbow Lake is reached; a small backpack campsite is located along the trail.
10.2 [3.1] PASS RAINBOW LAKE
The trail continues southerly; after about a mile, it crosses an old, closed forest road. near Bufo Lake. South of the lake, it bends to the southeast and joins another old railroad grade for a distance, then turns south to pass between Reynaud and Wishbone Lakes, reaching FR392 3.3 miles after leaving Rainbow Lake. There is a campsite near Reynaud Lake, and a parking area at this trail crossing.
13.5 [3.3] CROSS FR392; LEAVE RAINBOW LAKE WILDERNESS
The trail heads south out of the trailhead, passing Stratton Pond. South of the pond, it again joins an old railroad grade, which it follows part of the time southeast for about a mile, before the trail leaves the grade, and turns east for a distance, before reaching paved FR223. There is a small parking area at this trail crossing.
15.0 [1.5] CROSS FR223
After crossing FR 223, the trail heads in an easterly direction out of the trailhead, jogging a little to cross a stream, and continues to the east, following a bluff overlooking Mirror Lake. The trail bends somewhat to the southeast; somewhat farther, at Esox Lake, is a small campsite. The trail continues southeasterly, jogging around a little, until reaching FR397, a forest two-rut with no parking available.
17.0 [2.0] CROSS FR 397
The trail continues southeast out of the trailhead, but soon bends to the south, then to the southwest, then back to the south. Continuing south, the trail joins the Durmmond Woods Interpretive Trail for a distance. This woods contains an area that escaped the great clearcut, and contains 220-400 year old white pines; there is a basswood tree with a 36-foot diameter base, and a giant hemlock tree. Continuing south, the trail first crosses old US63, where there is a parking area available, then US63 shortly afterward. Drummond, WI is located about 1.1 miles southwest along either of the two roads.
DRUMMOND, WI 54832. Limited services; two small motel/restaurants, small general store.
19.8 [2.8] CROSS US63
The trail heads southerly out of the US63 crossing, passing through field and forest sections, and crossing two small roads until reaching paved FR213 after 3.4 miles.
23.2 [3.4] CROSS FR213
Forest literature calls the Lake Owen area "especially scenic." The trail winds through stands of large white and red pines and hemlocks. The trail is basically sandwiched between an access road and the lake for the next three miles, crossing the road twice more. Shortly south of the first FR213 crossing, pass picnic pavilion, where there is parking. The trail continues south, occasionally on bluffs overlooking the lake; after about a mile, it turns east, still occasionally in sight of the lake, and, after about another mile, bears to the west, crosses the access road, then turns north to cross FR213 a second time.
26.2 [3.0] CROSS FR213 (SECOND TIME)
The trail heads northeast, then east, for about a mile, then turns south, reaching a parking area on FR213 after 1.5 miles. Two Lakes Campgrounds, developed, is about 0.2 miles west, then 0.3 miles south. Fee.
27.7 [1.5] CROSS FR213 (THIRD TIME); ENTER PORCUPINE WILDERNESS AREA
The 6.8 miles between here and CR D are in the Porcupine Wilderness Area; again, marking is thin, but the treadway is generally adequate to follow. The trail starts out south, jogs around a bit, then settles down on a southeasterly heading, then turns south to cross 18-Mile Creek on log. The trail then bears to the east, then northeast, arriving at the north end of Porcupine Lake, where there are several potential campsites.
30.6 [2.9] PASS PORCUPINE LAKE
Porcupine Creek, flowing out of the lake, must be waded, or a crossing on a log found. The trail continues easterly, curving around considerably; at one place, a tricky beaver dam must be used to get across a wet area. After 3.9 miles, the trail emerges on CR D, where there is a good parking area.
34.5 [3.9] CROSS CR D
The trail east of this point is generally more rugged than to the west, as the topography is getting a little steeper and more rocky. The trail starts northeasterly out of the CR D trailhead, passing Davis Lake, but soon bends back to the southeast, crossing FR1780 after 1.5 miles (No parking). The trail continues easterly, past an old fire tower on a high bluff to the nouth of the trail, turns northeasterly, and reaches gravel FR378 after another 2.6 miles; again, no parking.
38.8 [4.3] CROSS FR 378
The trail starts out northeasterly, crosses a small creek, and shortly afterwards bears to the east, reaching FR 202 after 1.7 miles. There is a small parking area at the crossing.
40.5 [1.7] CROSS FR 202
The trail continues east. After 1.2 miles, the Marengo River is reached. There is a nice campsite at the crossing on the east side of the bridge. Also, a shelter is located a few hundred yards to the east of the river crossing, and about fifty yards south of the trail. The trail continues easterly for another 2.2 miles, twisting around a little, and climbing and descending past some overlooks, before reaching FR383 (no parking).
43.9 [3.4] CROSS FR 383.
The trail continues eastward. After 1.1 miles, cross FR 493, a small forest road with no parking. After about another 0.5 miles, enter Ashland County. After about another 1.5 miles, pass a spur trail that leads south to a developed campground at Beaver Lake (Fee). The trail continues northeastward; after 1.7 miles, near Seitz Lake, an Adirondack shelter is passed. About another 1.5 miles further, reach FR187 near the Lake Three Campground. There is parking at the campground.
50.1 [6.2] CROSS FR 187
Lake Three Campground, northeast of the road crossing is also a developed fee campground The trail goes by the south side of the lake, and over the earth fill dam, then continues in a generally easterly direction over several small streams. After about 1.8 miles, cross a large bridge over the Brusnweiler River; potential campsites in this area. The trail bends northeasterly, passing the south shore of Beaverdam Lake, then continues east, and bends south to cross FR188.
53.1 [3.0] CROSS FR 188The trail continues south for about 0.4 mile, then, at John Frank Lake, bends to the east, then northeast; after about another 1.1 mile, it recrosses FR188. The trail continues northeasterly; after about another 1.5 mile, it reaches and crosses FR188 for the third time.
56.1 [3.0] CROSS FR 188 [THIRD TIME]Just past the last FR188 crossing, the trail bends back to the southeast, and continues easterly for 2.3 miles, until reaching FR604. There is a parking area at the crossing. A shelter is located about 0.4 mile west of this crossing.
58.4 [2.3] CROSS FR 604
The trail is now entering a network of cross-country ski trails, so care in trail following is called for. The trail heads generally easterly, winding around a lot, but with only relatively gentle grades. After 1.9 miles, it emerges at a large, developed parking lot on CR GG.
60.3 [1.9] PASS CR GG TRAILHEAD PARKING AREA
This parking area serves at the trailhead for the Penokee Mountian Cross-Country Ski trails. The trail heads north, following ski trails and a stream for 1.3 miles, until emerging on FR390 about 2.3 miles west of Mellen, WI.
61.6 [1.3] REACH FR 390 TRAILHEAD
Description of this segment ends at this point. Mellen, WI, 2.3 miles east, will be discussed in the next section.