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Wild Rivers State Trail One of the longest trail systems in the state, the Wild Rivers State Trail traverses three northwestern Wisconsin counties. The 104-mile trail is a former Omaha and Soo Line Railroad grade that parallels US Hwy 53 from Rice Lake to Superior. Located in the Red Cedar Valley of Wisconsin, Rice Lake is a hotbed of outdoor recreation. The southern trailhead is located near Hwy 48 and Cty SS. Three miles north of town, the Wild Rivers State Trail connects with the Tuscobia State Trail. While it might be tempting to take the Tuscobia east, ATV use is prohibited from Rice Lake to near Birchwood (about 10 miles). The Wild Rivers Trail continues north following Cty SS as it crosses to the west side of Highway 53 through the town of Haugen and into Washburn County. It’s an easy ride into Sarona, where you can make a quick pit stop for gas. North of Sarona the trail meanders along Hwy 53 for a few miles before veering northwest into deep forest sections. Riders will enjoy the wide sweeping turns and spectacular views. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of deer and other wildlife. In Spooner you’ll find plenty of food and lodging choices. Off the 4-wheeler, you can tour the Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery (715/635-4147) or the Railroad Memories Museum (715/635-3325, www.spoonerwi.com). If you’re a real railroad buff, you might like a train ride aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Excursion Train (715/635-3200, www.spoonertainride.com). From Spooner, the trail cuts back to the northeast around the northern edge of Spooner Lake. An easy ride brings you to Trego and the Namekagon River, which is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Be sure to stop on the bridge north of town to take in the vista of the rolling, winding waterway. Heading north, the trail winds past Lampson skirting the eastern shore of Leaving Minong, the Wild Rivers Trail continues north past Wascott and Gordon to Solon Springs in Douglas County. Solon Springs marks the north/south watershed between the Lake Superior basin and the Mississippi River basin. From here, the St. Croix River tumbles southwest 200 miles to meet the Mississippi at Prescott. In the marshes just north of town, the Bois Brule River begins its run in the opposite direction – north to Lake Superior through the 48,000 acres of the Brule River State Forest (715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net). In Solon Springs, riders can take a small spur trail that heads east to a gas station and restaurants. The trail terminates at the St. Croix Inn with access to Upper St. Croix Lake. Just to the north, Lucius County Park overlooks the lake with 24 campsites nestled among large white and red pines.
DISTANCE: 104 miles one way from Rice Lake to just south of Superior.
Tri-County Recreational Corridor As the name suggests, the Tri-County Recreational Corridor is a rail trail across three counties in northern Wisconsin connecting the port cities of Superior and Ashland. In the late 1800s, settlers mined the thick pine and hardwood forests along the southern shore of Lake Superior. The railroad took that timber to market along with area farm products. The rail line was, indeed, the lifeblood of frontier commerce. Today, that same rail bed is the lifeblood of area recreation. In 1987, local government purchased the right-of-way and converted it to a recreational trail for all to enjoy. Since then, the 62-mile trail, which follows Hwy. 2, has been a popular route for ATV enthusiasts, snowmobilers and mountain bikers. On the trail’s western end, Superior offers a variety of historic and scenic attractions, (see Wild Rivers State Trail, pages 6-7). Heading east, the trail is lined with the lush green trees that make up northern Wisconsin. With its hard packed surface, the Corridor is an easy ride that allows you to sit back and take in all the beauty the area has to offer. Along the trail, you might see a variety of wildlife including turkeys, deer, bear and even timber wolves. Ten miles east of Superior, the trail travels just south of Amnicon Falls State Park (715/398-3000, www.wiparks.net). While not accessible from the trail on an ATV, the park is a sanctuary well worth a short hike. It holds many clues to the history of northern Wisconsin. In addition, the Amnicon River cascades over the spectacular rock formations at the park’s upper and lower falls. The park has 36 campsites. Fees apply for parking and camping. Heading east, the tree-lined trail opens up just west of Poplar, where you can catch a glimpse of the area’s several farms. Food and fuel are available in Poplar, the hometown of Major Richard Bong, the most decorated pilot of World War II. Bong downed 40 enemy planes in the Pacific and earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center in Superior includes a replica of his P-38 fighter, named for his wife “Marge.” After rolling through farmland, the trail dives into the forest west of Maple, a pleasant crossroads hamlet. From here, the trail parallels the northern edge of Hwy. 2 all the way to Brule, where you’re surrounded by the Brule River State Forest (715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net). This 40,000-acre forest protects the Boise Brule River, famous for its whitewater canoeing and trout fishing. The Brule is known as the “River of Presidents,” having been fished by Ulysses Grant, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower. Just to the east, you cross into Bayfield County and head into Iron River. The former logging town welcomes ATV riders with a full slate of services including lodging, dining, and ATV rental and repair. From here you can connect to the expansive Valhalla Trail system (see pages 8-9). On the last leg of the Tri-County, from Iron River to Ashland, you’ll traverse 25 miles of varied terrain. The first half is heavily wooded, especially through a fourmile lobe of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. As the trail clears the forest, it doglegs north, then east again through more open farmland to Ashland. In Ashland, you’ll find all the amenities and plenty to do. A series of seven giant murals painted on downtown buildings Best of all, from the trailhead on Sanborn Avenue it’s a short walk to Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior. The views of the big lake are a great way to start or end a day’s ride.
DIFFICULTY: Easy TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Trail access and parking is available in Superior, Iron River, Brule, and Ashland. Access only in Poplar and Maple. SEASON: Open year round OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Saunders Grade, Gandy Dancer State Trail, Valhalla Area Trails, Dead Horse Run. CAUTION: Trail is open to other outdoor enthusiasts. Please use caution and good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users. FEES: None. AREA ATTRACTIONS: Amnicon Falls State Park, Brule River State Forest, South Shore Brewery, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center. LEGEND: For a complete listing of all icons, see page 4. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 16:34 |
