Trail Description
The 60-mile trail in the Chequamegon National Forest was designed for backpackers, and was built and named the Northern Country Trail years before the concept of the seven-state trail arose. The trail begins in Copper Falls State Park and turns south through Mellen (one of only two trail towns in Wisconsin). Beginning in Mellen, 1.8 miles of roadwalk lead to a trailhead on Forest Road 390 about two miles west of Mellen. The trail section ends on Bayfield County Road A, about four miles south of Iron River. The trail is open to hiking and backpacking and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Four developed campgrounds with water, tables, fireplaces, etc., are located along or very near the trail. Three Adirondack shelters, a rarity along the NCT, are located along the trail.
Trail Description
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 Northern 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.
Regulated Uses
Camping Regulations
Trailside camping is permitted, but campsites must be kept 50 feet away from the trail or any water.