Events

This hike is the second 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 the small parking area on Hanson Road (FR188), GPS coordinates 46.316577, -90.80546 at 9am. This will be the endpoint of the hike. The hikers will leave most of the vehicles at the Hanson Road parking area and shuttle hikers in the remaining cars about 5 miles to the beginning of the hike at the NCNST spur trailhead in the USFS Beaver Lake Campground off Beaver Lake Road (FR 198). There are vault toilets and a water pump at the Beaver Lake Campground, but no other restrooms along the trail. For those who wish to only do ½ of the hike, you will take your car to Lake Three Trailhead/Mineral lake Road FR 187 and get a shuttle ride to Beaver Lake Campground (but meet at Hanson Road first to check in).

The easiest way to get to the Hanson Road meeting place is to travel to the City of Mellen. From Mellen head west on County Hwy GG for approximately 7 miles. Turn right on Mineral Lake Road (FR 187). Travel approximately ¾ to a fork in the road; take the right fork onto Hanson Road. Travel approximately ¾ miles on Hanson Road to the parking area.

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 will be a 7.0-mile hike (with option for a shorter hike) passing through primarily northern hardwood forest on rolling terrain. We may hike through some short wet or muddy spots. The hike will begin at the NCNST spur trail at the USFS Beaver lake Campground and proceed east along the uplands above Spring Brook, pass by Seitz Lake, then cross Mineral Lake Road. The hike will continue east past Lake Three, cross the Brunsweiler River (there is a bridge), then follow the uplands above Beaverdam Lake, ending at the small parking area on Hanson Road (FR 188) where most of our vehicles will be parked.

Expect mosquitos, blackflies, and ticks. A brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants treated with insect repellent 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, and the hike 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 are vault toilets and a water pump at the Beaver Lake Campground, but no other restrooms along the trail.

The rain date for this hike is Thursday, June 19, at 9am.