Wisconsin
From Nctguide
Heritage Chapter Area
1. The Heritage Chapter area of responsibility runs from the City of Hurley, Wisconsin west to Copper Falls State Park. At that point, the Chequamegon Chapter area of responsibility begins and runs westward. The text below tries to provide a basic guide to where the NCT runs throughout the Heritage area.
Chequamegon Chapter Area
From east to west, the Chequamegon Chapter area of responsibility includes 7 miles of trail in Copper Falls State Park; some road walk through the city of Mellen, Wisconsin; a 2.6 mile westbound road walk along Forest Road 390/ Kornstead from Mellen; and then 61.6 continuous miles of certified trail west to Bayfield County Highway A, 5 miles south of Iron River, Wisconsin. The first 60.4 miles of trail from Forest Road 390/ Kornstead Road are in the vast Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest, where camping is allowed without a permit so long as the camp is more than 100 feet from the trail or water’s edge. Northern Wisconsin has a healthy population of black bears. Because of fall hunting, 99%+ of the bears are extremely shy of humans, and will flee upon the first sight, smell, or hearing of them. Actual observations of black bears on the North Country Trail are rare. But for those who are camping, precautions should be taken to keep all your food in a bag hung in a tree while away from camp or at night. The food bag should be hung 10 feet from the ground and four feet from the tree and any branches. Wolves live in the Chequamegon National Forest. Never in the history of the United States has there been a documented case of a healthy wolf killing a human being. You may hear them, but seeing one in the wild may be a once in a lifetime occurrence. Ticks can crawl on your body and attach from spring through fall, but are in especially huge numbers in May and June. The mostly likely areas to encounter ticks are in tall grass and vegetation and most ticks will climb on your body from your ankle to your knee. Spraying your clothes with permethrin as directed on the label until you get a color change will kill 99% of the ticks before they can attach to your bare skin. DEET on bare skin repels ticks also. Since it usually takes more than 24 hours for a tick to infect its host with Lyme disease, it is imperative that hikers check themselves thoroughly at least once a day before going to bed. Mosquitoes hatch in huge numbers every year between May 12th to the 16th in this part of Wisconsin, and will make life miserable for those outdoors until their numbers diminish, usually around early July. Using DEET on your skin, and wearing light colored, loose fitting long sleeved shirts and long pants will greatly add to the enjoyment of your outdoor experience at the height of mosquito season. Many of the higher elevations along the trail near Mellen and Drummond have cell phone reception of one or two bars. The rest of the trail, and most of the lower elevations are strictly no coverage. While a cell phone can be a lifesaver in an emergency, having one should be your plan B and should not encourage trail users to take risks or push themselves beyond their normal capabilities. While the trail remains open to hikers during the hunting seasons starting in September, it is unwise to hike the trail during hunting season without a blaze orange hat and outerwear. The woods along the North Country Trail get filled with large numbers of rifle carrying deer hunters starting at dawn on the first Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing to the end of daylight on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The large number of hunters in the woods during this time makes it prudent to reschedule any hikes away from this week as most do, or to wear a substantial amount of blaze orange clothing. On line maps can be viewed at: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/che/map1c.htm http://www.northcountrytrail.org/che/map2c.htm http://www.northcountrytrail.org/che/map3c.htm http://www.northcountrytrail.org/explore/guide/c2.htm To order a map of the Chequamegon Chapter segment of the trail, or to report trail maintenance needs, please email: che@northcountrytrail.org . A pdf file will be sent or a paper map by snail mail depending upon availability.
Penokee Mountain Ski Trail Segment
Kornstead Road to Quarry Road 3.1 miles
Forest Road 390 Trailhead (parking for 3 or 4 cars) on Forest Road 390/Kornstead Road 2.6 miles west of Mellen, Wisconsin to Forest Road 604 Trailhead (parking for 4 cars) on Forest Road 604/Quarry Road 1 mile north of County Road GG.
The east half of this segment is a rather flat section twisting through mixed hardwood and softwood forest with a several boggy areas, while the west half utilizes the rather flat Penokee Mountain Cross Country Ski Trails.
Starting out southbound from Forest Road 390, the trail goes though some boggy areas for 1.3 miles before crossing the North Fork of Rock Run Creek. From this wide bridge over flowing water, the trail continues .2 miles west to the next trail head, Penokee Mountain Ski Trailhead (parking for 25 cars) which is located on County Road GG 3.6 miles southeast of center of Mellen, Wisconsin. The town of Mellen has several restaurants, a small grocery store, laundromat, post office and other businesses typical for a town of 845 people.
From the Penokee Mountain Ski Trailhead the next 1.5 mile westbound section utilizes part of the wide 16.9 kilometer of loop ski trails of the Penokee Mountain Ski Trail system for cross country skiers in the wintertime. From the parking lot, go 90 yards north down the trail to the first intersection, then left turn west bound along the 8.6 kilometer/ 5.1 kilometer ski trail loops until the right turn northbound on the 5.1 kilometer loop trail, then left turn westbound following the 5.1 kilometer ski loop to the intersection of the 8.6 kilometer loop, then continue westbound on the 8.6 kilometer ski trail to Forest Road 604/Quarry Road. Several NCT arrow signs and several ski trail maps will assist the hikers through the four intersections of the ski trail system.
Hanson Field Segment
Quarry Road to Hanson Road 4.2 miles
Forest Road 604 Trailhead (parking for 4 cars) on Forest Road 604/Quarry Road 1 mile north of County Road GG to the Forest Road 188 Trailhead on Forest Road 188/Hanson Road (parking for 5 vehicles) near John Frank Lake.
This segment is dominated by the forested gentle Trout Brook valley in the east and the large Hanson Field with a abandoned farm homestead north of Forest Road 188. A trail re-route completed in 2009 has moved the NCT closer to Hanson Road and away from the field and has elliminated the hard to follow original trail and most of the very rough ground caused by sphagnum hummocks.
From the Forest Road 604 Trailhead, the trail heads west .4 miles to the newly built Penokee Adirondack Shelter with a fire ring and grill in a wooded setting of mature hardwoods and scattered evergreens. The nearest water is west .25 miles at a small tributary to Trout Brook, and 1 mile west of the shelter which is Trout Brook. These two brooks have just a trickle of water flow in normal years but can be dry during the summer drought years.
Continuing westbound from Trout Brook, a third of a mile distance is a small overlook with a limited view to the south. In another .4 miles you cross Forest Road 188/York Road, and continue through the woods until you come to Hanson Field, about 500 feet of sometimes wet, sphagnum hummocks with very rough ground. At the south west end of the field is the foundation and remains of an old farm house adjacent to the current location of the trail. Another 130 yards west bound from the foundation of the farm house, the trail crosses Forest Road 188/Hanson Road again, and quickly enter a mature pine plantation, followed by the mixed forest dominated by mature hardwoods. After a total distance of 4.2 miles from Forest Road 604 trailhead, you come to the Forest Road 188 Trailhead just northwest of John Frank Lake.
Brunsweiler River Segment
Hanson Road to Mineral Lake Road 3.8 miles
Forest Road 188 Trailhead on Forest Road 188/Hanson Road (parking for 5 vehicles) near John Frank Lake to Lake Three Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) on Forest Road 187/Mineral Lake Road.
This trail segment goes through mixed matured forests through the Brunsweiler River Valley in the middle, and passes Lake Three with an adjoining National Forest Campground on the western edge.
From the John Frank Lake Trailhead, the trail goes westbound through mixed hardwood forest slightly downhill, losing about a hundred feet of elevation until turning left to follow an old abandoned railroad bed for 300 yards before turning right to cross the scenic Brunsweiler River Bridge, 2 miles west of the trailhead. In this area in the late 1880’s, a native American Indian known as Old Ice Feathers and later called Chief Namekagon used to collect native rocks of pure silver to trade for goods in Ashland Wisconsin. Many men tried to follow Chief Namekagon to where he obtained the silver without success. He died under suspicious circumstances, taking his secret location of silver to the grave. The mineral rich area of the Brunsweiler River was thought by many to be the most probable location of this native load of silver.
Continuing west from the Brunsweiler River you will find another trail re-route completed in 2009 that changed the trail from a steep climbing grade to a gradual benched trail. From this point the trail then crosses flatter ground over six almost equally spaced foot bridges that span sometimes dry or damp or shallow stagnant water. After 1.8 miles from the Brunsweiler River, the trail turns right north and after 100 yards goes along the banks of Lake Three, then west into the Lake Three Campgrounds. Lake Three Campgrounds has 7 campsites, a dumpster for trash, and requires a small fee payable to the National Forest Service. Dogs must be leashed going through the campground. Leaving the campground, the trail goes another 150 yards to the Lake Three Trailhead parking.
Marengo River Valley Segment
Mineral Lake Road to Forest Road 202 9.8 miles
Lake Three Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) on Forest Road 187/Mineral Lake Road to Forest Road 202 Trailhead (parking for 5 vehicles)
This segment is the Chequamegon section’s most popular and scenic, dominated by many creek crossings in the east, a spur trail to the Swedish Settlement, and then gorgeous vistas on both sides of the wooded Marengo River Valley in the west.
From the Lake Three Trailhead, the trail goes along the south side of Seitz Lake, offering a picturesque view of a classic Wisconsin farm on the north side of the lake, and then crosses the Spring Brook and two more boggy areas north of Beaver Lake. Three miles from the trailhead, an unmarked spur left turn southbound takes you to Beaver Lake which is populated by a few stunted fish and has a small fee National Forest Campground.
From Beaver Lake intersection, go one mile to Whiskey Creek which is normally dry, and another mile to Coffee Creek which may have a trickle of water. After 6.1 miles from the Lake Three Trailhead the trail crosses Forest Road 383 that offers no engineered off road parking. Continuing west, the trail comes to the highest trail altitude in the Chequamegon segment at the overlooks of the Marengo River valley before descending 344 feet into the valley floor. Once in the valley floor, a sign marks the spur trail to the Swedish Settlement, 200 yards south of the trail. This location was once farmed by a rather large Swedish family in the late 1800’s which was abandoned at the start of the Great Depression. What remains are the foundations of the house, barn and other buildings, as well as an intact Spring House covering a spring that flows all year. Several remarkable juice apple trees still bear fruit in the fields below the house foundation despite a lack of care for over 70 years and winters with temperatures down to 45 below zero Fahrenheit. As you visit this historic site, remember that the removal of artifacts is illegal.
Two hundred yards southeast of the Marengo River Bridge is 50 yard spur trail to the small Marengo River Adirondacks Shelter on the bank of the river. The shelter can sleep 4 people and has a fire ring in front. A few small brook trout can be caught in the deeper pools of the Marengo River after the start of trout fishing on the first Saturday in May each year. A trout stamp is required, and the popular spots along this narrow river are quickly fished out.
Climbing up out of the Marengo River Valley, the trail comes to the 50 yard spur trail to the south to the most scenic section of the Chequamegon Segment, the Juniper Rock overlook. The overlook has a grand unobstructed view in three directions over the Marengo River valley. From the spur trail intersection it is another .6 miles east to the Forest Road 202 Trailhead parking.
Long Mile Lookout Segment
Forest Road 202 to Bayfield County Highway D 6 miles
Forest Road 202 Trailhead (parking for 5 vehicles) to County Highway D Trailhead (parking for 5 vehicles) 3.9 miles south of Grand View, Wisconsin
This segment is dominated by mature mixed hardwood forest and well drained kettle moraine hills of various heights up to 260 feet of elevation gain along the trail.
From the Forest Road 202 Trailhead, the trail goes east for 1.6 miles before crossing a creek shown on the topographical maps as Twenty Mile Creek and shown on the trail maps as Pearl Creek. This creek has water in most years. From the creek it is another 150 yards to Forest Road 378/Wisco Road which has no engineered off road parking. Near the middle of this segment, 3.5 miles from the Forest Road 202 parking, is the decommissioned Long Mile Lookout fire tower with the bottom rungs of the ladder removed. Little view can be had through the trees to the south.
Westbound from the fire tower, the trail continues through pine and hardwood forests, crossing Forest Road 201/Club Lake Road and then another .5 miles skirting the north end of East Davis Lake until the County Highway D Trailhead.
Porcupine Wilderness Segment
Bayfield County Highway D to Porcupine Lake Road 4.3 miles
County Highway D Trailhead (parking for 5 vehicles) to Porcupine Lake Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) on Forest Road 213/Porcupine Lake Road.
This segment is dominated by a relatively flat forested wilderness walk with no blue blazes, going by West Davis Lake, a large beaver pond, and Porcupine Lake.
Westbound from County Highway D, the trail enters the Porcupine Wilderness where painted blue blazes are prohibited. At first the trail skirts very shallow West Davis Lake. This lake is surrounded by bog and contains no fish due to winter kills caused by the thick ice. The trail is flat, and skirts a rather large beaver pond. Between the beaver pond and Porcupine Lake, the trail is sometimes hard to distinguish, so hikers have to pay attention and look carefully for the trail tread way. Near the western edge of this segment is Porcupine Lake, an excellent pan fish lake teaming with easy to catch sunfish and bluegills. The Porcupine Wilderness is home to the Porcupine Lake wolf pack estimated in 2009 to consist of 6 wolves. The wolves are rarely seen but can be heard howling on some nights. Flowing north out of this lake is Eighteen Mile Creek. The lower sections are sometimes stocked with Brook and Brown Trout which can be caught on worms in the deeper holes. Along the east edge of Porcupine Lake are two idyllic campsites overlooking the lake 80 yards and 200 yards south of the trail. North of the trail and the lake is a rather large hill that offers a good campsite at the top with a high view of the lake through the trees. Westbound from the lake, the trail crosses a well built rustic bridge, then immediately goes to an intersection. The North Country Trail continues to the left westbound, and a short but wide quarter mile spur trail turns right northbound goes to the Porcupine Lake Trailhead parking.
Lake Owen Segment
Porcupine Lake Road to North Lake Owen Drive 7.3 miles
Porcupine Lake Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicle) on Forest Road 213/Porcupine Lake Road to Lake Owen Picnic Grounds Trailhead (fee parking for up to 11 vehicles)
This segment is dominated by views along the wooded shores of clear spring fed Eighteen Mile Springs Pond and Lake Owen, the largest lake in the Chequamegon section of trail.
From the Porcupine Lake Trailhead, go south .25 miles on the spur to the North Country Trail just west of the Eighteen Mile Creek rustic bridge, then follow the trail generally south and west climbing up to a high ridge surrounding Eighteen Mile Springs Pond, 1.3 miles from the trailhead. The pond has always held native brook trout and was dredged out by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the 1970’s to improve the habitat for trout. One or two brook trout can sometimes be caught on worms in the spring months after the opener on the first Saturday in May each year.
From Eighteen Mile Springs Pond, the trail goes northwest through an area of trees blown down by a severe storm in 2006. Many downed trees are cut up alongside the trail. At a distance of 3.1 miles, a half mile spur trail heads off west to the Two Lakes Campground, which has hundreds of fee campsites, a dumpster, and water pumps.
Following the North Country Trail 400 yards north from the intersection you cross Forest Road 213/Porcupine Lake Road leaving the wilderness area. The trail continues through generally flat, well drained mixed hardwoods for 1.5 miles before crossing Forest Road 213/ North Lake Owen Drive. Within a hundred yards the trail passes to the west of a large unnamed pond, then crosses Horseshoe Road before descending to the shores of Lake Owen and a bench offering a close view of the lake. From the bench the trail goes through one of the three remaining areas of virgin forests in the entire state of Wisconsin. From the logging era beginning in the 1880’s to the great depression, the entire state of Wisconsin was clear cut save for 7 acres of virgin pine in three small areas. From these several acres of virgin red pine, white pine and rarer hemlock, the trail turns northbound following the shores of Lake Owen. Recent archeological diggings along Lake Owen have documented that this shore was the site of Archaic Tradition Indian occupation as early as 2,000 B.C. and Terminal Woodland Indian occupation up to 1500’s B.C., and an Initial Woodland Indian village occupied continuously between 120 A.D. to 610 A.D.
The trail continues along the shore of Lake Owen until Melland Pond and the intersection to the spur trail that goes west 250 yards to the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds Trailhead with its ample fee parking, shelter and water pump. North of this intersection, the North Country Trail crosses Forest Road 213/North Lake Owen Drive. There are is engineered off road parking on North Lake Owen Drive but the wider shoulders will accommodate short term parking for high clearance vehicles.
Drummond Ski Trail Segment
North Lake Owen Drive to Old Highway 63 3.8 miles
Lake Owen Picnic Grounds Trailhead (fee parking for up to 11 vehicles) to Old 63 Trailhead on Forest Road 235/Old 63 (parking for 5 vehicles) which is 80 yards west of the current location of U.S. 63.
This segment is dominated by mature hardwoods and evergreens in gently rolling kettle moraine hills through a maze of ski trails and old logging roads.
From the Lake Owens Picnic Grounds Trailhead, take the 250 yard spur trail east to the North Country Trail, then turn left northbound and go .2 miles until it crosses Forest Road 213/ North Lake Owen Drive. From the road 250 yards up the hill, the trail meets up with the many looped Drummond Ski Trail system. This section was extensively marked in 2009 with carsonite posts to differentiate the North Country Trail from the Drummond Ski Trails. Follow the emblems on the carsonite posts and the blue blazes through this network of ski trail north bound for 3.4 miles until you cross U.S. 63, and then another 80 yards north to the Old 63 Trailhead.
Hikers will find a several restaurants and the Bear Country general store on U.S. 63 just 1.1 miles southwest of the Old 63 Trailhead, The general store has basic camping supplies, groceries, canoe, kayak, and boat rentals as well as shuttle services for hikers and backpackers. (715-739-6645). Summertime hours are normally 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. http://www.bearcountrysportinggoods.com/store.htm
Drummond Area Segment
Old Highway 63 to Reynard Lake Road 6.1 miles
Old 63 (parking for 5 vehicles) which is 80 yards west of the current location of U.S. 63 to Forest Road 382/Reynard Lake Road Trailhead (parking for 3 cars) which is .7 miles west of highway 35/Delta Drummond Road
This segment is dominated by gently rolling low hills in deep woods skirting the shores of Overby Lake, Esox Lake, Mirror Lake, Bullhead Lake, Nelson Lake and Stratton Ponds.
From the Old 63 Trailhead, the trail goes north 300 yards to the largest of the last three remaining tracts of virgin forests in Wisconsin. Towering pines averaging three feet in diameter abound for acres, shading out the under story and leaving mostly pine needle covered bare ground underneath., just as it existed for thousands of years before the logging era from the 1880’s to the 1930’s. The trail continues north, crossing an abandoned railroad grade .8 miles north from the Old 63 Trailhead, then over some gentle hills before descending into the Long Lake Branch river valley 1.9 miles from the Trailhead. The Long Lake Branch River used to support a population of native brook trout until successive drought years stopped the water flowing out of Drummond Lake into the river. In 2007 and 2008 the river from dam 2 miles upstream to well downstream of the North Country Trail Bridge was bone dry. An often used campsite exists at the southwest side of the river at this bridge. This is the lowest trail altitude in the Chequamegon segment of the North County Trail.
From the bridge over Long Lake Branch River, the trail turns northwest and goes .8 of a mile to Forest Road 397/Cisco Lake Road which has no engineered off road parking. The trail from this forest road enters a relatively flat area going first by Overby Lake which has excellent trout fishing from stocked fish, then by Esox Lake which holds large bass, then smaller Mirror Lake and Bullhead Lake. Often used campsites are visible on the east shore of Esox Lake and the northeast shore of Mirror Lake. At 4.5 miles from the Old 63 Trailhead, the trail crosses the paved road of highway 35/Delta Drummond Road that has 3 engineered parking spots off the west shoulder of the highway. Continuing west bound, the trail goes 1.5 miles through mixed forest with puncheons over several wet areas before coming to the Reynard Lake Road Trailhead.
Rainbow Lake Wilderness
Reynard Lake Road to West Delta Road 6.4 miles
Reynard Lake Road Trailhead (parking for 3 cars) which is .7 miles west of Highway 35/Delta Drummond Road to Forest Road 228 Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) which is on Forest Road 228/West Delta Road at the northwest corner of the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness.
This trail segment skirts five medium sized lakes in a remote, relatively flat forested wilderness. The Rainbow Lake Wilderness is best known for its picturesque lakes and its wolf pack which on some nights can be heard howling.
Going from the Reynard Lake Trailhead, the trail goes past the south corner of scenic Wishbone Lake, then runs along north the east shore of Reynard Lake which holds some panfish. Continuing northwest for 1.9 miles from the trailhead, the trail runs 200 feet west of Bufo Lake which has some bass fishing and a primitive campsite on the peninsula on the north end. Two tenths of a mile further, the trail crosses the wide Anderson Grade, an old railroad bed traversing the wilderness from an east to west direction. If you want an excellent campsite with excellent bass fishing, go west on the trail 1 mile to Anderson Lake. The campsite is on the northwest shore where beavers have cleared the trees from the shore. The North Country Trail continues generally northwest from the Anderson Grade going past Rainbow Lake 3.3 miles from the Reynard Lake Trailhead and going past Tower Lake 4.2 miles from the Trailhead. Easy to find campsites can be found along the trail at each lake. The last 2.2 miles is through relatively mature forests.
Ruth Lake Segment
West Delta Road to Bayfield County Highway A 7.1 miles
Forest Road 228 Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) which is on Forest Road 228/West Delta Road at the northwest corner of the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness to County Highway A Trailhead (parking for 5 or 6 vehicles) on the east side of County Highway A 4.5 miles south of Iron River, Wisconsin.
This segment primary follows old logging roads through flat to gently rolling forested hills with two moderately steep climbs.
From the Forest Road 228 Trailhead, the trail first heads west for a mile before turning northwest and going past a small unnamed pond which is the only source of water visible from the trail in this segment. After 2.6 miles, the trail crosses Forest Road 412 which is a narrow two track road with no parking availability. After another 2.3 miles the trail crosses a more used Forest Road 411, but with no engineered parking spots. With a mile to go, the trail goes through several small clearings until leaving the National Forest and entering the Bayfield County Forest lands for the last .6 of a mile in this segment.
Brule-St.Croix Chapter Area
The Brule-St.Croix Chapter area of responsibility runs from Bayfield County Highway A, south of Iron River, Wisconsin, to the Minnesota border. Continuous trail, with two short road walks, runs from Bayfield County Highway A to Stuckey Road near Gordon. The segments below have been certified by the National Park Service, and all except the two miles of the Brule-St. Croix Portage have received Gold Star certification.
Please report trail maintenance needs to chapter trail maintenance coordinator Peter Nason, phlpnason@gmail.com or 715-378-4412.
Ahmeek Lake Moraine Segment
Bayfield County Highway A to Pero Road 4.4 miles
East Trailhead: Lake Ruth Trailhead, 5 miles south of Iron River on County Highway A. This is the western end of the original North Country Trail. Offroad parking available for many cars.
West Trailhead: on Pero Road near Erick Lake, 3/4 mile north of Banana Belt Rd. and 3 1/3 mile south of US Highway 2. You can park offroad along the woods road that branches east at the trail crossing.
Campsite: Erick Lake Campsite, 4.2 miles from east trailhead or 0.2 miles from west trailhead, has two tent sites and latrine, overlooks the south shore of Erick Lake.
West from the Lake Ruth Trailhead on County A, you leave the sandy country of the Bayfield Sand Plains that lies to the southeast and move onto the Ahmeek Lake moraine, following hardwood ridges west and north into the Bayfield County Forest. About 1 mile into the segment, you climb to the top of the moraine in a cutover area for a sweeping view of the wild country to the north. The distance from County A to Banana Belt Rd. is 2.2 miles. After crossing Banana Belt, the trail is on old woods roads which form the Ahmeek Lake hunter walking trail network. The trail veers northwest to the south shore of Erick Lake, with nice overlooks and a campsite featuring two tent areas. The trailhead off Pero Road is just a short walk from the campsite.
Morris Pond Segment
Pero Road to Wills Road 2.9 miles
East Trailhead: on Pero Road near Erick Lake, 3/4 mile north of Banana Belt Rd. and 3 1/3 mile south of US Highway 2. You can park offroad along the woods road that branches east at the trail crossing.
West Trailhead: Wills Rd. at the intersection of Troy Pit Rd. The trail crosses this intersection southeast to northwest. Park along the road.
Campsite: Morris Pond Campsite, 0.5 miles from east trailhead or 2.4 miles from west trailhead, has one tent site and latrine, overlooking the east shore of Morris Pond. The campsite is set in an open meadow which was once the Morris farm. Foundations and a concrete root cellar are on the slope above the lake.
The trail in this segment continues across the Ahmeek Lake moraine through maple and oak hardwoods. After leaving Pero Rd., the trail turns southward and downhill through hardwoods toward Morris Pond. After passing the pond, campsite, and farm site, the trail swings west, then northwest through an area of small kettle lakes and ridges. Two woods roads are crossed before reaching Wills Rd. at its intersection with Troy Pit Rd. at 2.9 miles.
South Shore Grade Segment
Pero Road to Samples Road 3.9 miles
East Trailhead: Wills Rd. at the intersection of Troy Pit Rd. The trail crosses this intersection southeast to northwest. Park along the road.
West Trailhead: Samples Rd. trailhead, off Wisconsin 27 2 miles south of Brule. Follow the North Country Trail parking signs to the trailhead parking area.
Alternate Access: South Shore Grade Rd., about 3/4 mi. north of the intersection with Troy Pit Rd. Park along the road or turn off on the track just south of the trail crossing, on the east side, to park in a small field.
The first half of the segment, between Wills Rd. and South Shore Grade Rd., crosses the Ahmeek Lake moraine and features knob-and-kettle terrain. The trail passes through a spruce plantation, turns northwest, follows a narrow hogback, then descends west and joins a woods road through fairly level terrain for most of the way to South Shore Grade Rd. Just before reaching the road, the trail leaves the Ahmeek Lake moraine and re-enters the Bayfield Sand Plains. It passes through this sandy glacial outwash terrain for the next 40 miles to near Gordon Dam County Park.
At South Shore Grade Road you leave the Bayfield County Forest, entering Douglas County and the Brule River State Forest on the west side of the road. The trail descends through a red pine plantation through a hollow which contains a swampy, lily-covered pond about 1/4 mile north of the trail. It climbs onto level, sandy wooded terrain as it approaches the Brule Valley and starts to turn south. About 1 1/4 mile west of South Shore Grade or 1/2 mile north of Troy Pit Rd, a spur trail leads 1 1/2 miles west to the Bois Brule Campground. Continuing on the NCT, Troy Pit Rd. is crossed in a glacial outwash channel, then the trail climbs up a substantial hill to cross Samples Rd. and reach the trailhead.
Note that the trail does not cross the actual South Shore Grade, a historic railroad bed which once carried rail traffic through the Lake Superior South Shore area. Two good places to see the grade are at the north end of South Shore Grade Rd., about 3/4 mile north of the trail crossing, and on the Winneboujou Bluff water spur trail, which follows the old grade at the base of the bluff to the Little Brule River.
Brule Valley Overlooks Segment
Samples Road to Gaylord Nelson Trailhead on Wisconsin Highway 27 8.3 miles
East Trailhead: Where the trail crosses Samples Road. To reach this location, take Troy Pit Road off Wisconsin Highway 27, about 2 miles south of Brule. After turning off 27, immediately take the right fork, which is Samples Road. The trailhead is marked with an entry sign. A map kiosk and signs direct you down a short spur to the trail.
West Trailhead: Gaylord Nelson Portal off Wisconsin Highway 27, about 8 miles south of Brule. Walk west along the marked spur to the trail.
Alternate Access: Rush Lake Road, about 6 miles south of Brule. Off-road parking for one or two cars near the NCT sign on the south side of the road.
Campsites: Winneboujou Bluff campsite, 4 miles north of Rush Lake Road and 1.1 mile south of Samples Road, has five tent sites and latrine. A 1/3 mile trail leads to the base of the bluff and along the South Shore Grade to the Little Brule River. Filter or boil water from this source. Paul Schoch campsite, 1 mile south of Rush Lake Road, three tent sites and latrine. Water available from a small dammed spring pool below the campsite. Filter or boil.
In this trail section, you'll hike along the eastern rim of the Brule River Valley, overlooking the glacial channel of a once-mighty river which drained the Great Lakes area. You'll pass through open forests of stately red pine and crooked scrub oak.
About two miles south of the campsite, the trail approaches the edge of the bluff where you'll find several overlooks. Great views across the valley, and glimpses of Big Lake on the Brule River. Rest at the benches which Atley Oswald has placed along the trail for your comfort while enjoying the overlooks.
After crossing Rush Lake Road, you'll pass through a large frost pocket. This glacial pit once held ice, and now holds colder air which prevents growth of brush and larger trees. You'll then cross two cutover areas. These were logged after insects killed the dominant trees in the area. The Paul Schoch Campsite is on a small ridge overlooking a ravine between the two cutover areas. The campsite is named for a longtime Brule-St. Croix Chapter member from Lake Nebagamon who disappeared while camping and hiking in Alaska.
After crossing Highway 27, you pass through a red pine plantation before reaching the spur trail to the portal. The portal honors Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day and the creator of the North Country National Scenic Trail through the National Trails System Act.
Mott's Ravine Segment
Gaylord Nelson Portal on Wisconsin Highway 27 to Douglas County Highway S at Highland Town Hall 5.2 Miles
East Trailhead: Gaylord Nelson Portal off Wisconsin Highway 27, about 8 miles south of Brule. Walk west along the marked spur to the trail.
West Trailhead: at the Highland Town Hall off County Highway S, about five miles west of Wisconsin Highway 27, and about two miles south of Stone's Bridge Canoe Landing on the Brule River.
Campsite: Highland campsite, 1/4 mile northeast of Highway S, has two tent pads and latrine. Water is available at the nearby Highland Town Hall.
Leaving the Gaylord Nelson Portal, you pass through a jackpine plantation, then into an open area where logging has been done on private lands to the west. Soon you join a short section of snowmobile trail, then take a sharp turn westward and across another cutover area. As you do, you enter the Mott's Ravine State Natural Area #400. You'll be in the Natural Area until you leave Mott's Ravine. Watch for prairie plants such as big bluestem, prairie brome, blazing star, bird’s-foot violet, puccoon, and wood lily.
Crossing another cutover, you reach the corner of Mott's Ravine Road, then turn west through a red pine plantation (look for pink lady's slipper here in spring or early summer) and descend into Mott's Ravine, a glacial spillway. You'll cross the ravine floor, then climb up to the north side for overlooks. After descending and crossing the ravine floor again as it curves away northward toward the Brule, you climb up and turn south on a short section of two-track that is the Gordon Trail, a historic wagon road that connected the Brule Valley with Gordon beginning in the 1870s. Turning westward again, you pass through sections of red pine plantation interspersed with pine-popple woods and cross a snowmobile trail twice as you approach the Highland Town Hall and County S. The Highland campsite is between the two snowmobile trail crossings. Drinking water is available from a faucet marked on the outside of the new town hall.
Brule-St. Croix Historic Portage Segment
Douglas County Highway S to Douglas County Highway A at St. Croix Lake 7.2 miles
East Trailhead: at the Highland Town Hall off County Highway S, about five miles west of Wisconsin Highway 27, and about two miles south of Stone's Bridge Canoe Landing on the Brule River. Look for a NCT destination sign along the highway, and a sign reading "To North Country Trail" along the town hall drive.
West Trailhead: at the boat landing and picnic area off County Highway A, about four miles northeast of Solon Springs, Wisconsin. Locally this is called "Palmer's Landing." Watch for signs about the historic portage. Follow a spur trail off the entry drive, across Highway A to an intersection with the NCT at the base of the hill.
Campsite: Jersett Creek, 2.7 miles southwest of Highway S and 4.5 miles northeast of Highway A, has two tent sites and latrine. Water from the creek - filter or boil.
Leaving the Highland Town Hall, you'll hike through red pine plantations and popple groves. As you approach the lip of the Brule Valley, you'll enter bigger woods, with overlooks of the Brule River Bog.
After 2.7 miles you reach the Jersett Creek campsite with a long view to the southwest over the Brule Headwaters. As you pass the campsite, you'll enter and cross the valley of Jersett Creek, a fast-flowing stream surrounded by towering red pines. Short boardwalks take you across an ash bog on the north side of the creek, then you'll cross the creek bridge. Lake Superior salmon spawn here in the fall. The trail then follows a woods road for two miles along the edge of the Brule River Bog.
After five miles, you come to the Brule-St. Croix Portage, perhaps the oldest trail in Wisconsin, in use since prehistoric times to cross the watershed from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. Watch for a side trail that leads out into the marshy area to the canoe landing at the Brule end of the portage. Then return to the trail and read the metal markers on stones along the trail, each naming a European explorer who used the trail. Some of the more familiar names are Duluth, Carver, and Schoolcraft. The terrain rises as you approach a high point overlooking St. Croix Lake. After descending the hill, you'll see Highway A ahead. The NCT turns north (right) just a few feet before you reach the highway. Follow the portage trail straight ahead and across County A to the trailhead; be sure to read the historical marker and the plaque noting that local Daughters of the American Revolution provided the explorer's markers in 1936.
Brule-St.Croix Headwaters Segment
Douglas County Highway A to Crowshaw Road 2.2 miles
East Trailhead: at the boat landing and picnic area off County Highway A, about four miles northeast of Solon Springs, Wisconsin. Locally this is called "Palmer's Landing." Watch for signs about the historic portage. Follow a spur trail off the entry drive, across Highway A to an intersection with the NCT at the base of the hill.
West Trailhead: off Crowshaw Road. Take County Highway A 2 miles northeast of downtown Solon Springs to Sjoberg Road. Follow Sjoberg Road 1 mile north to Crowshaw Road. Turn right on Crowshaw Road. At the next stop sign, turn right again. Crowshaw Road descends a small hill; the trail crossing is about halfway down this hill. Watch for the NCT emblem.
Campsite: Catlin Creek, 1/4 mile east of Crowshaw Road. Two tent sites and latrine. Water from the creek; filter or boil.
From the intersection a few feet north of Highway A, turn left and follow the trail west and north, curving around the base of the bluff. You are entering the Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area. After about 1/3 mile, you'll reach the first section of the boardwalk which carries the trail across the bog and St. Croix Creek, the source of the St. Croix River. You'll turn right on a hunter walking trail for 1/4 mile, then cross another section of boardwalk to reach Highway P. Across P the boardwalk continues another 1/3 mile. Shortly afterward you'll cross Porcupine Creek on a bridge, then follow an old beaver dam to the west edge of the glacial spillway. The trail turns southwest and crosses an area forested with aspen and balsam, then passes the campsite just before crossing Catlin Creek on a bridge. At the campsite you leave the Brule River State Forest and finish your hike on land owned by the Town of Solon Springs. The final 1/4 mile before Crowshaw Road circles a muskeg-spruce bog though balsam woods.
Thru hikers will turn right (west) at Crowshaw Road, left at the next intersection, then left again at paved Sjoberg Road. Follow Sjoberg Road one mile south to Douglas County Highway A. Turn right (west) and follow County A two miles to the intersection with Third St. in Solon Springs and the next certified trail segment.
== Suggested Day Hike - Historic Brule-St.Croix Portage ==
The Brule-St.Croix Portage has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans, European explorers, fur traders, and settlers. See nine stones commemorating some of these people. Along the way, see an artesian well, a classic white cedar bog, and views of the valley separating the direction of water flow between the Mississippi River watershed and the St. Lawrence watershed.
From the Upper St. Croix Lake Trailhead, Park in the boat landing/trailhead parking lot, follow the white blazed spur trail a short distance to the NCT.
From the junction of the spur trail with the main NCT, go uphill following the historic Portage. In 1.9 miles a sign will direct you to the end of the portage. Walk out to look at the river where early explorers began their water journey. Retrace your steps to the trailhead for lunch and ice cold water from an artesian well. After lunch, return to the main NCT but this time turn left and follow the trail across the Brule Bog on the lengthy board walk sections. Continue past the Catlin Creek Campsite and sparking Catlin Creek to Crowshaw Road—then turn around and head back to the trailhead.
Solon Springs - Lucius Woods Park Segment
Douglas County Highway A to US Highway 53 3.0 miles
East Trailhead: At the corner of Douglas County A and E. Third St. on the north side of the Village of Solon Springs. No off-street parking provided.
West Trailhead: West side of US Highway 53, just north of Holly Lucius Road, at the Solon Springs Wastewater Treatment facility. Plenty of parking space, a kiosk with map, and a restroom.
Optional Trailhead: At Lucius Woods County Park in the center of Solon Springs. Park in the first parking lot to your left as you enter the park, and follow any of the paths leading north or west out of the lot a few yards to the trail.
Camping: in Lucius Woods County Park campground.
This segment includes two portions of certified trail on streets of the Village of Solon Springs, and a hiking trail through Lucius Woods County Park. The street sections, while different from most North Country Trail hiking, give you an intimate look at a northern Wisconsin resort village.
You'll follow the blue blazes along Third St. in Solon Springs, until it reaches a "T" intersection with Lake Ave. Turn left (east) a short distance on Lake Ave. to a gravel drive leading to the left, marked with an NCT sign. Follow the gravel drive into Lucius Woods County Park. The park trail is especially scenic, winding along Park Creek through mature red and white pine timber. Near the beach on St. Croix Lake, you'll pass through an area that was nearly leveled by a tornado in the summer of 1998.
Lucius Woods is an attractive park with a campground, beach, and ampitheater. It's the home of the Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center. Saturday evening concerts are scheduled from late June to mid-August.
You'll leave Lucius Woods Park near the entry gate. The trail then follows the frontage road south along the east side of Business 53 to Valley Park Avenue. At Valley Park, the trail continues straight ahead south, then west across the Canadian National railroad tracks and south to the intersection of Business 53 and Holly Lucius Road. The trail enters the woods southwest from this intersection and climbs a maple-forested knoll before approaching four lane US 53 and its intersection with Holly Lucius Road.
Bird Sanctuary North Segment
US Highway 53 to Bird Road 3.1 miles
East Trailhead: West side of US Highway 53, just north of Holly Lucius Road, at the Solon Springs Wastewater Treatment facility. Plenty of parking space, a kiosk with map, and a restroom. == As of November 2009 until further notice, this trailhead and the nearby portion of the trail is closed due to Village of Solon Springs sewage treatment pond expansion. A temporary route has been blazed and signed. From US-53, follow Holly Lucius Road west to the intersection with an ATV trail on the right. Follow the ATV trail to its intersection with the NCT and turn left (west bound). Short duration parking is possible at the junction of Holly Lucius Road and US-53. Bill Menke-Regional Trail Coordinator==''''
West Trailhead: Bird Road, 1/2 mile NW of its intersection with Douglas County Highway M. Parking area on east side of road with a large kiosk.
Alternate Access: Bird Sanctuary Road where the trail crosses. Park alongside the road or just off it on a track near the trail crossing.
Campsite: Leo Creek, 0.8 miles south of US 53 Trailhead. Three tent sites and latrine. Water available from creek; filter or boil.
As you leave the trailhead heading southwest, you'll pass a small pond on its west side, then enter woods with large white and red pines. After 0.8 miles, you'll see the old railroad grade to the west that now is the Wild Rivers State Trail, an ATV/snowmobile route. The Leo Creek campsite with two separate tent sites is on either side of the trail near the grade and just before crossing Leo Creek.
As you climb the south side of Leo Creek and cross the Wild Rivers State Trail, you are moving up onto the large glacial sand plain that makes up the Douglas County Wildlife Area, commonly known as the Bird Sanctuary. This oak savanna prairie is managed for sharptail grouse, and is home to other uncommon birds, wolves, coyotes, and assorted wildlife. You'll circle a prairie pothole, then re-enter popple/pine woods on the south side of Bird Sanctuary Road. Just before you approach Bird Road, you pass a kennel area used during hunting dog trials, held here since the 1920s. Watch for a spur trail leading out of the red pine plantation south to the trailhead.
Bird Sanctuary South Segment
Bird Road to Spring Creek 4.5 miles
East Trailhead: Bird Road, 0.5 mile NW of its intersection with Douglas County Highway M. Parking area on east side of road with a large kiosk.
West Trailhead: Stuckey Road where the trail crosses, just north of the intersection with Prairie View Drive.
Alternate Access: County Highway M at the intersection with Bird Center Road. Park along Bird Center Road.
Campsite: Rovers Lake, 0.7 miles southwest of County Highway M.
Follow the spur trail northwest from the parking area into the red pine plantation and the intersection with the NCT. You'll then cross Bird Road heading southwest, then County Highway M. You'll leave the open prairies of the Bird Sanctuary and enter a brushy area with jackpine and aspen. Soon you'll emerge on the hillside above Rovers Lake, a sand country pothole that features a tiny island that has a "Boundary Waters" look due to its dense spruce and tamarack. Follow the trail west above the Rovers Lake shoreline to a campsite on a knoll overlooking the lake, with three tent sites and room for more.
Leaving the campsite, you'll circle to the southwest corner of the lake, then climb up and away onto open prairie again. In another mile, you'll reach Stuckey Road and the last road access of this segment. The trail continues westward through prairie, then into pine-aspen as it passes by wetlands on its way to Spring Creek. The trail currently ends at Spring Creek, where construction is underway to complete the route to Gordon Dam County Park and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Thru hikers can follow a woods road north from Spring Creek about a mile to Douglas County Highway M. The road walk to Pattison State Park then is 0.5 mile west on M to Roos Road, north (right) 4.5 miles on Roos Road to Douglas County Highway A, left (west) 19 miles to Douglas County Highway B, west (left) on B 2.5 miles to Pattison State Park.
Pattison State Park Segment
2.6 miles
Trailhead: near the entry gate of Pattison State Park (Entry fee required), on Wisconsin Highway 35 about 12 miles south of Superior, Wisconsin. Look for NCT emblems.
Campsites: in the state park campground.
This segment is on the hiking trails of Pattison State Park, and follows the Black River southward toward Little Manitou Falls. It's currently a single-ended segment, but you can loop your way back to the trailhead by following other parts of the Pattison trails.
Thru hikers take the following route to Minnesota. From the park entrance, follow the tunnel under Wisconsin 35 and be sure to see Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Follow Douglas County Highway B west 3.75 miles to Dedham Road. Take Dedham Road north (right) 4 miles to Douglas County Highway C at Borea. Turn west (left) on C and follow it 6.5 miles to the Minnesota border at State Line, Wisconsin.
Continue west on this highway 2.5 miles to Minnesota Highway 23. Turn north (right) and follow 23 two miles to Jay Cooke State Park.
