Ashland and Iron Counties, WI
37.6 mi total 4.4 certified 1.9 connecting 11.4 marked 26.2 bare
The NCNST east of Mellen to the Michigan State Line is largely undeveloped, although development efforts got under way in 1997. It is through wonderfully varied countryside and includes the large waterfalls in Copper Falls State Park, and the Penokee Mountians, large, rugged hills. The Heritage Chapter of the NCTA has worked out a tentative route for development, shown on the maps as a dotted line, and hopes to be able to complete much of it in the next few years, so the suggested route given here may become obsolete quickly, and will not be thoroughly detailed. The route given here, though generally different than the route proposed by the Heritage Chapter, was suggested by the NPS' Bill Menke, who hiked it in 1997, and much of this section is based on his notes. It includes a three short bushwhacks. Two of them should be simple; the third (although the first reached, heading eastbound) works better coming from the east, and is not recommended to eastbounders. However, it's also the area that is among the highest priority for development.
WATER: There are no long waterless stretches, but surface water should be treated. SERVICES are available at two locations, at Mellen, toward the western end of the trail, and at Hurley and Ironwood, at the east end. The latter is the most complete supply stop since the Duluth area. CAMPING: at Copper Falls State Park, Weber Lake, and in county forest lands along the Uller Trail. MAPS: Due to the bushwhacking involved, and the unmarked nature of some of the woods roads used, topographic maps are strongly suggested.
0.0 [0.0] CHEQUAMEGON NATIONAL FOREST EAST TRAILHEAD
The trail in the Chequamegon National Forest comes to its eastern trailhead on Kornstead Road, about 2.3 miles west of Mellen. If heading westbound, the trailhead is a little obscure if not paying a lot of attention. The trail, here a marked connecting section, follows the narrow gravel Kornstead Road east. After 1.9 miles, the trail enters the city of Mellen; the road becomes River Street, and the trail joins paralleling city sidewalks for another 0.4 miles, until reaching SR13 (Main Street).
MELLEN WI 54546 (Pop. 1048) is working hard to be thought of as a trail town, and succeeding; it's one of the most trail-friendly stops on the whole NCNST. Though a small town, it has a fairly complete list of services, including medium-sized grocery, hardware/sporting goods store, laundromat, motel, and restaurants -- the doughnuts at the Main Street Cafe, located right on the trail, are famous among Wisconsin NCTA enthusiasts.
2.3 [2.3] TURN NORTH ON MAIN STREET
Marked, certified trail follows sidewalks north (past the Main Street Cafe) for two blocks, until reaching Taylor Street.
2.5 [0.2] TURN EAST ON TAYLOR STREET
Marked, certified trail follows sidewalks east for about 0.3 miles to Three Rivers City Park.
2.8 [0.3] TURN NORTH ON MARKED TRAIL
From Three Rivers City Park, a trail developed by the city, marked with NCNST signs and local signs with "Hike and Bike Trail" on them heads north along Montreal Creek. Near the corner of Butler Street and SR169, it crosses the latter, then turns to parallel it on a separate treadway within the highway right-of-way out to the access road for Copper Falls State Park.
COPPER FALLS STATE PARK. The largest waterfall in the park is 29 feet high, and cuts through a gorge 60 to 100 feet deep. There are 4.4 miles of certified trail in the park, although part of it is on a spur that isn't used here. There are 56 regular campsites, four of which are of a walk-in type; in addition, there are two backpack campsites at the north end of the park. Reservations for campsites are suggested. Showers were constructed in 1997. There is a concession area with soft drinks, snacks, and souvienrs. For more information, contact Copper Falls State Park, RRT1, Box 17AA, Mellen WI 54546. (715) 274-5123.
4.3 [1.5] TURN NORTHWEST ON STATE PARK DRIVE
Eastbounders uncomfortable with bushwhacking on a compass course should continue to follow SR169 until rejoining the suggested route after about 3.5 miles. However, they should take the time to check out the waterfalls and rapids in Copper Falls State Park. It's necessary to follow the access road for a short distance -- about 0.1 mile -- to the visitor's entry area. From here, follow a short spur trail south of the access road westbound to the beach parking lot, then follow marked North Country Trail northbound, generally paralleling but usually separate from the park access road past the shower area, through the north campground and picnic area to the concession stand, then following the gorge north past copper falls, then southeast to a bridge leading northeast across Tyler's Fork. The trail turns back to the northwest, then west for a short distance, then turns north to cross Little Creek, then, about 0.5 mile past the crossing, a spur trail leads to the backpack campsites. The trail continues north for a short distance, then turns west to follow the river gorge, to where a powerline cut crosses the trail. NOTE: the 4.4 miles given for this segment, while taken from Menke's notes, seems high, as it apparently includes some trail to the southwest of the beach parking area. A map wheel comes up with a shorter figure.
8.7 [4.4] BUSHWHACK NORTHEAST FROM POWERLINE CUT
Replacement of this bushwhack with marked trail is of high priority for the NCTA's Heritage Chapter; at this time, this route is not recommended, but it has been done; a topographic map is highly suggested, for this, and for the section between SR 169 and SR122. If uncomfortable with following a compass course, follow SR169, as suggested above. From this point, a compass course of 40 degrees true takes you through the woods for about 1.3 miles to a two-rut lane leading west from where Wells Road turns north.If the bushwhack has gone correctly, the woods lane should be reached after about 1.3 miles, where it heads north and south. Follow it north, then northeast, then east for about 0.8 miles, until reaching Wells Rd. If this lane is missed, continue on the same course for up to another mile before intersecting Wells Road. Westbounders should follow the lane southwest from the point where Wells Road turns north, until the lane bears to the south, then bushwhack southwest on a compass course of 220 degrees true until reaching the river bluff.
10.4 [0.4] CONTINUE EAST ON WELLS RD.
After about 0.4 miles, Wells Rd. turns back to the south. Follow it for 1.0 miles, until rejoining SR169. The alternate route suggested above rejoins here.
11.8 [1.4] TURN EAST ON SR 169
Follow SR169 eastward. After 1.5 miles, it turns to the north, and so does the suggested route. After 1.3 miles, reach a gravel pit access road leading to the east.
14.5 [2.8] TURN EAST ON GRAVEL PIT ACCESS ROAD
The road at this point is gated, and on private property, although Menke indicates that access is permitted. Follow this road easterly, then northeasterly for about 1.0 mile, until passing the gravel pit. At this point, the road bends back to the east and joins an old railroad grade, heading to the northeast; after about 0.2 mile, enter Iron County. Once into Iron County, the route here is entirely on Iron County Forest Lands until reaching SR122. The old rail grade continues northeast for about another 0.3 miles, then turns east on a dirt two-rut road. The route continues easterly for about 1.5 miles, then dips down to ford Tyler's Fork, usually not difficult. About 0.2 miles past the ford, a 3-way fork is reached; continue straight through. The route continues straight east for another 0.8 miles, then bends somewhat to the east-northeast. After about a mile, a somewhat better road forks off to the right; continue straight on the left fork. About 0.6 miles further, the Potato River is reached. The bridge here has been removed, and it's necessary to wade the stream, no problem except in times of high water. From this point on, the road is the Sullivan Fire Lane, partly graveled. It's about 3.0 miles of straightforward walking east, then northeast, to SR122, which crosses.
23.4 [8.9] TURN SOUTH ON SR 122
The suggested route follow SR122 south for 1.1 miles, until reaching the point where it turns west at the north shore of Weber Lake.
24.5 [1.1] BUSHWHACK EAST ALONG LAKESHORE
This is the second bushwhack in this section suggested by Menke, and it's an easy one, paralleling the shoreline within sight of the lake for about a quarter mile, until reaching a resort cottage road also paralleling the lakeshore. Follow this road southeast for about another 0.3 miles, until reaching Weber Lake Campground and the Uller Trailhead.
25.0 [0.5] TURN NORTHEAST ON ULLER TRAIL
The trailhead is located at the corner of the Access Road and an apparently unnamed county road that comes in from the southeast and leads to the southwest, at the east end of Weber Lake. The Uller Trail is a hiking and cross-country ski trail that was initially certified during the 1993 NCNST certification, then was allowed to fall into disuse and was de-certified. Work in recent years has reopened and improved the trail, and it's awaiting re-certification. Once leaving the trailhead, it's entirely on Iron County Forest Lands. The route heads northeast through some fairly rugged, beautiful terrain. After about 0.6 miles, a shelter is passed. Past the shelter, the trail continues northeastward, generally winding through valleys among steep, rugged hills; Menke notes a nice potential campsite at a bridge, about 0.6 miles past the shelter. After about another 2.0 miles, the trail heads northerly down a long steep slope; at the bottom, where the trail turns easterly, is another shelter. A third shelter is located about 1.3 miles to the east, where the east Uller Trail trailhead is reached.
30.1 [5.1] CONTINUE EAST ON SNOWMOBILE TRAIL #6
The suggested route follow s a two-rut forest road with muddy potholes, marked as Iron County Snowmobile Trail #6, which leads eastward from the Uller Trailhead for 1.2 miles, until reaching Hoyt Road.
31.3 [1.2] TURN NORTH ON HOYT ROAD.
The suggested route follows Hoyt Road to the north for 1.5 miles, to where a maintained road leads to the east. This road will lead to the third and last bushwhack on this section, although it's an easy one, except during wet periods. The alternate route is to continue north half a mile to where Hoyt Road intersects with Kimball Drive, then follow the latter eastward, then southeastward on Harma Drive, for about 1.7 miles until rejoining the suggested route. The alternate route is about 1.3 miles longer than the suggested route, and should be followed during wet conditions.
32.8 [1.2] TURN EAST ON SIDE ROAD
The suggested route starts out as a fairly well-maintained road, but after half a mile it peters out to a dirt track, then to a faint lane. When it fades out completely, bushwhack northeast for a short distance (less than 100 yards) to where an overhead telephone cable heads east and west. Follow the telephone cable eastward through a marshy area. The marshy area soon ends, and follow the cable, then an old farm lane, eastward until reaching paved Center Road at the corner of Harma Road, where the alternate route rejoins.
34.2 [1.4] CONTINUE EAST ON CENTER ROAD
Follow paved Center Road eastward for 3.0 miles, until reaching Highway US2.
37.2 [3.0] TURN SOUTHEAST ON US2
US2 is wide and four-laned in this area. Use is heavy; stay well back from the traffic. After 0.4 miles, US51 leads south approximately 1.5 miles to downtown Hurley. After another 0.2 miles, US2 reaches the Montreal River, and the Michigan State Line. Ironwood, Michigan, is just across the river; the downtown area is to the south of the trail route.
HURLEY, WI 54534 (Pop 2015). The old lumbermen of a century ago used to say, "The four hottest places on a Saturday night are Cumberland, Hayward, Hurley and Hell." Hurley's Central Avenue is rare in that it retains at least a ghost of its fame from a century ago, not as a planned and reconstructed tourist attraction, but just because it does. The gambling has moved to Indian reservations; the wide-open prostitution has been closed down, or at least driven underground, although girly shows remain; the bars are just as rough and seedy as ever. It's the real thing, not designed by Disney. Hurley has motels, a supermarket, hardware store, laundromat, and other hiker necessities, although Ironwood, Michigan, across the river, generally has these sort of things in greater abundance.
37.6 [0.6] REACH MICHIGAN STATE LINE
Segment ends at this point, ending 182.1 miles of suggested NCNST route in Wisconsin.