Events

This hike is the fifth in a series of nine that will traverse the section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) maintained by the NCTA Chequamegon Chapter. The Trail here was built by U.S. Forest Service personnel and Job Corp employees in 1967 and 1968. It is the original “North Country Trail.” These weekly hikes, on Wednesdays, from June 15 through August 17. (There was no hike scheduled for July 6.)

Please register for any hikes you plan to attend by sending the hike number(s), your name, and email address to che@northcountrytrail.org.

This nine-mile, one-way hike on a dirt tread will pass through the Congressionally designated Porcupine Lake Wilderness in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest where no trees have been harvested for over 50 years. Scenic Porcupine Lake fills a large basin in the rolling terrain which also features rock outcrops and scenic views from Longmile Fire Tower. We may walk through short wet or muddy spots. Our average hiking speed will be about two miles per hour. We will take a five- to 10-minute break every hour, and a 30-minute lunch break. The hike is limited to 18 participants.

Hike leader Mel Baughman is a retired forester. While this hike is primarily for recreation and not intended to be an interpretive walk, Mel can absolutely provide information about the natural landscape and forest.

In July, the average low temperature here is 55° F and the average high is 78° F. July is the second wettest month of the year with rain on an average of 24 days. Expect mosquitos and ticks. A brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants treated with insect repellent are recommended. Bring plenty of water and lunch.

This section of Trail is not accessible for people with mobility impairments. There are no restrooms at trailheads or along the Trail. Cell phone access is unlikely. There is no fee for this hike.

Meet at a small parking lot where the NCNST crosses Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest Road 378 (Wisco Road), southeast of Grand View. After assembling at the parking lot, we will carpool and drive west to the beginning of our hike at the Porcupine Lake access trail on Forest Road 213 (Porcupine Lake Road). At the end of our hike, one or two cars will need to transport shuttle drivers back to our hike’s starting point on Forest Road 213.