Events

The Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and the Lake Owen Association are co-sponsoring a presentation at the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds on August 2, 2024 from 10:00am to 11:30am:

Introduction to Backpacking for Beginners: backpacking tips, what gear works best, backpacking cooking, purifying drinking water, clothing, rain gear, boots, mosquito and tick repellants, and safety protocols.

Three weeks later on August 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. the participants of the class and experienced backpackers will meet at the NCT Parking lot on Old 63/ Forest Road 235 at the junction of Old 63 and U.S. 63 at the North Country Trail 1.2 miles northeast of Drummond, Wisconsin, with their own gear, food, cookware, tent, sleeping bag and necessary accessories.

We will caravan and stage cars at the North Country Trail where is crosses County Highway D at the east edge of the Porcupine Lake Wilderness. All drivers will carpool back to the Drummond Trailhead and hike 4.7 miles on the North Country Trail, hiking eastbound to an an abandoned road some 200 yards to a large clearing near the shores of Lake Owen for camping the first night.

On the second day, we’ll hike 6 miles eastbound on the North Country Trail to Porcupine Lake.

On the morning of the third day, we’ll continue eastbound on the North Country Trail thru the Porcupine Lake Wilderness to where cars are staged with some participants getting rides back to the Drummond trailhead parking lot.

You will pass through several sections of virgin pine forests with towering trees, clear lakes to fish from shore, and swim. Expect to see beaver ponds and smaller bodies of water.

There are no bathrooms or faucet water.

There is a maximum limit of 12 participants. Registration is necessary. Participants under the age of 18 would have to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

For questions or to register, please contact Ed Ronkowski at eronkowski@hotmail.com or by text or phone at (708) 227-5372.