Events

This hike is the third 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 NCNST spur trailhead in the USFS Beaver Lake Campground off Beaver Lake Road (FR 198), GPS coordinates 46.301838, -90.897359 at 9am. This is the endpoint for the hike. The hikers will leave most of the vehicles at Beaver Lake Campground and shuttle hikers in the remaining cars about 12 miles to the beginning of the hike at FR378/Wisco Road. For those who wish to only do ½ of the hike, you will take your car to Snake Trail Road (FR383) and get a shuttle ride to FR378/Wisco Road (but meet at Beaver Lake Campground 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 will be a moderately strenuous 8.5 mile hike (with option for a shorter hike) through some of the highest and lowest sections of the NCNST in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and will include multiple stream crossings (bridges provided) and three overlooks. The hike begins with about three easy miles, then we take a steep ascent to a spur trail that leads to Juniper Rock, a rock outcropping that provides a fantastic panoramic view of the Marengo River Valley. Hikers will visit the Marengo River Shelter (pit toilet available by the shelter) and view the remains of a pioneering homestead now known as the Swedish Settlement. Along the way, we will also see outcroppings of ancient volcanic and granitic rocks. Before we get back to our vehicles, we will cross several streams, including Stream Brook, Whiskey Creek, and Coffee Creek.

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 and a pit toilet by the Marengo River shelter.

The rain date for this hike will be Thursday, June 26, at 9am.