Events

This hike is the first in a series of nine that will traverse most of the section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) maintained by the North Country Trail Association’s Chequamegon Chapter. The trail here was built by U.S. Forest Service personnel and Job Corps employees in 1967 and 1968; it is the original “North Country Trail.”

Meet up with the Chequamegon Chapter at 9:00 am. GPS coordinates 46.327719, -90.707548. In Mellen, take Hillcrest Drive west, and this street becomes Kornstead Road/FR390. The trailhead is located 2.5 miles west of State Highway 13. This is the endpoint of the hike. Most of the vehicles will be left here, and several will be used to shuttle hikers to the start of the hike on Hanson Road; this shuttle will take approximately 20 minutes. For those who wish to only do ½ of the hike, you will take your car to Quarry Road/FR604 and get a shuttle ride to Hanson Road (but meet at the Kornstead Road first to check in).

Please register for any hike you plan to attend by sending the hike number(s), your name, and email address to che@northcountrytrail.org. There is no fee for his hike.

This is a 7.3-mile hike through rolling terrain. The trail passes through a mix of hardwood and pine forest and passes through the Penokee Mountain Ski Trail area. Highlights of the hike include several small streams, a large beaver dam system, and a small overlook. There is also an option for a shorter hike.

Expect mosquitos, blackflies, and ticks. A brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants treated with insect repellant are recommended. Bring plenty of water and your own snacks & lunch. We will take a short break every hour and take a 30 minute break for lunch. The hiking speed will be moderate (about 2 miles per hour) depending on the terrain, will be on dirt tread over roots and rocks, and is not accessible for people with mobility impairments.

Cell phone coverage will be spotty. There will be a Forest Service pit toilet about 6 miles into the hike but none at the trailhead.

The rain date for this hike will be Sunday, June 1, at 9:00 am.