Events

This hike is the seventh 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 is 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 will be a seven-mile, one-way hike on a dirt tread and will pass through a large block of primarily northern hardwood forest on rolling terrain. The hike will begin at the NCNST trailhead in the USFS Beaver Lake Campground. It will proceed east along the uplands above Spring Brook, pass by Seitz Lake, then cross Mineral Lake Road (FR 187) at about the halfway point. There is a small parking area on Mineral Lake Road. The hike will continue east past Lake Three (there is a short connector trail to Lake Three), cross the Brunsweiler River (there is a bridge here), 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. We may hike through some 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 leaders Colleen Matula and Tom Piikkila are both forestry professionals. Colleen is a forest silviculturist/ecologist and Tom is a retired forest ranger. While this is not intended to be an interpretive hike, Colleen and Tom can provide information about the landscape, forest cover, flora and fauna found along the Trail.

Hiking speed will vary, depending on terrain. This section of Trail is not accessible for people with mobility impairments. There are vault toilets and a water pump at the Beaver Lake Campground. There are no restrooms at trailheads or along the Trail. Cell phone access is unlikely. There is no fee for this hike. 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.

Meet at the small parking area on Hanson Road (FR 188), (GPS coordinates: 46.316658, -90.805340). This will be the end point of the hike. The hikers will leave most of the vehicles at the parking area and shuttle hikers in the remaining cars about five miles to the beginning of the hike at the NCNST trailhead in the USFS Beaver Lake Campground off Beaver Lake Road (FR 198), (GPS coordinates: 46.301811, -90.896407).

The easiest way to get to the meeting place is to travel to the City of Mellen. From Mellen, head west on County Highway GG for approximately seven miles. Turn right on Mineral Lake Road (FR 187). Travel approximately 0.75 miles to a fork in the road. Take the right fork onto Hanson Road. Travel approximately 0.75 miles on Hanson Road to the parking area.