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Post by trinity on May 28, 2021 14:53:05 GMT -8
Towards the end of June, my wife and I will be driving up to central Wisconsin to pick up our son, who is at an adventure therapy camp in Medford, near Eau Claire, WI. We're planning to go up a few days early and camp/hike/explore. Probably no backpacking. We're looking for a destination within 3 hours or so of Medford. Seems like the Porcupine Mountains might be a good option. Any other areas we should explore in the area? Nice forest and easy access to hiking trails are probably our primary criteria. We'll do a lot of birding and, if I have time, some fishing as well.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on May 29, 2021 3:48:06 GMT -8
The Porkies are great. Scenic highlights include trails along the Escarpment in both directions from Lake of the Clouds Overlook, and the waterfalls along the Presque Isle River at the west end of the park.
If you're coming from the southwest, I recommend checking out Wyalusing State Park on the Mississippi near Praire du Chein.
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Post by trinity on May 30, 2021 4:02:19 GMT -8
Thanks, driftwoody , that's really helpful. The Porkies sound great, and I appreciate having some specific areas to explore. I'll also see if it might be possible for us to stop by Wyalusing SP. Many thanks. |
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on May 30, 2021 5:38:19 GMT -8
trinity, if you go to the Porkies I suggest arranging for a shuttle from the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking lot to the east end of the Escarpment Trail. Do not take in the view from the Overlook first. Instead, hike the 4 miles (uphill at first) to the Overlook with spectacular views along the way hundreds of feet above the river as Lake of the Clouds becomes less distant each time the vista opens up from the many exposed rock outcrops. That's what my wife and I did 20+ years ago the first time we visited, and it was magical. You should be able to find a service to give you a lift, or you can bring a bike and coast down to the TH from LotC parking lot. A 2 mile loop is the best way to see the waterfalls at the west end of the park. The terraced river bed is really cool, and be sure to follow the river to its outlet into Lake Superior at a very nice beach.
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Post by cweston on May 30, 2021 13:26:15 GMT -8
The terraced river bed is really cool, and be sure to follow the river to its outlet into Lake Superior at a very nice beach. When I was a child, my family camped at that campground (near the mouth of the Presque Isle river) and visited that beach. We found a rock terrace where one could jump into the river, and entertained ourselves for hours. We went back the next day, and had not noticed the wind shift. We leapt in from that terrace, only to discover that we were now jumping into the far-colder Lake Superior water, driven up the river mouth by the wind. Brr. |
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Post by trinity on Jul 3, 2021 10:54:20 GMT -8
Many thanks, driftwoody , for the great suggestions. I was able to take them both. We were camped at Presque Isle, so we spent our first full day hiking the waterfall loop. Short and heavily traveled, but really amazing. The second day my wife dropped me off at the east end of the Escarpment Trail, then she went and did a short hike, then drove around to the south side of the park and hiked in to meet me at Mirror Lake. So I hiked up to Lake of the Clouds, then over to Mirror Lake, met my wife, and we hiked back out together. I was really glad I took your suggestion, the Escarpment Trail is spectacular, and it is also relatively xeric, so the bugs weren't too bad. As soon as I crossed the bridge by Lake of the Clouds, I encountered swarms of mosquitos, which pursued me the remainder of my hike. I pretty much sprinted that last 6 miles or so without a rest. A beautiful stretch of trail, but not terribly enjoyable, under the circumstances. I also got in a couple of swims in Lake Superior. It was a great trip.    |
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 3, 2021 13:04:43 GMT -8
trinity, I am SO pleased you took my suggestions and had a great time! I've most often gone first weekend in October with fall color and little or no bugs, but your trip had to be timed for picking up your son. I hope the experience enriched him.
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Post by trinity on Jul 3, 2021 14:46:47 GMT -8
I've most often gone first weekend in October with fall color and little or no bugs Sounds amazing! Between the maples and the birches, the color must be incredible. I hope the experience enriched him. Thank you! It certainly seems to have, but time will tell. |
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Post by Outdoor Union on Jul 7, 2021 8:58:20 GMT -8
We're looking for a destination within 3 hours or so of Medford. Little late to the party here. If you ever get back up that way. Here are a few more ideas. Porkies would have been my choice also for hiking. Great recommendation Timms Hill - 20 min north of Medford. WI highest point. Small county park but does has some hiking. Copper Falls - 1.75 Mellen Chequamegon NF has endless campsites, hiking, ect. Ottawa NF has a lot of cool things. Many great waterfalls and a lot of good trout streams. Since you mentioned fishing.... Brule River. 3hrs north Great trout stream that flows into Lake Superior. Has a lot of history Chippewa Flowage - 1.45hrs north Rent canoes or boat, many island campsites. Flambeau River - 1hr north rent canoes and campsites along the way. Bayfield - 2.5hrs north Apostle Islands. Sea kayaks, sea caves, camp sites on different islands. Sylvania Wilderness - 2.25hrs northeast canoe/camp Great pics of the Porkies. Need to get back up that way. The UP is a hidden treasure. |
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Post by trinity on Jul 8, 2021 11:11:55 GMT -8
Thanks, Outdoor Union , that's great info to have if we get back up that way, especially the fishing info. And I definitely hope to make it to the Apostles one day. I agree, the UP is pretty amazing. |
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jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
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Post by jazzmom on Jul 9, 2021 5:05:27 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing, trinity . Your photos made me nostalgic and made me dig up old photos from 10 years ago. My son would have been 12 and my old dog still in his prime. Another great day hike in the area is the Black River area southwest of the Porkies, in the Ottawa National Forest. The North Country Trail runs through there and we followed a combination of the NCT and the river itself to Lake Superior. Five nice waterfalls along the way. (My son and I were really into chasing waterfalls.) I recall having underestimated the distance, didn't count on spending so much time playing around in the river and scrambling around the falls. I think I estimated 4 miles that would take us 2 hours... but it was closer, I think, to 6-7 miles and double the time. (My ex, the "shuttle driver", wasn't pleased.) I remember a rustic NF campground close to the mouth of the river (but, like you, we were camping at Presque Isle.)  |
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