Natural History Hikes and Paddles
Inn to Inn Walking
S3
Inn to Inn Walking is akin to the style of walking holidays associated
with England, especially Wordsworth and the Lake 
Country Poets of the
early 19th Century. By day, trekkers walk through pristine, motor-free
wilderness. By night, they enjoy the company of their fellows in unique
country lodgings around tables of good food.
This year we will explore one of Wisconsin's little known treasures,
the North Country National Scenic Trail. Threading its way from Vermont
to North Dakota, the North Country Trail links some of the most
outstanding scenic and wild landscapes of our northern tier states.
Our leader, Dave Phillips, first explored the trails over a decade ago: "In six days of travel I saw some of the most varied and beautiful landscapes I've seen anywhere - pure wilderness, gorges, old growth forest, dramatic overlooks, clear running streams and crystal lakes." This year's walk will include three of Dave's favorite stretches of North Country Trail and one spectacular area near the trail. The Rainbow Lake Wilderness, the Porcupine Lake Wilderness and the Marengo Semi-Primitive, Non-Motorized Area are examples of landscapes that were clear-cut and burned more than 100 years ago but have since returned to achieve wilderness status.
On our last day we will explore one of the most picturesque areas in the Chequamegon National Forest: Morgan Falls. Morgan Falls is a 70-foot high waterfall that has formed a narrow canyon through igneous rock nearly two billion years old. Nearby is St. Peters' Dome (or Old Baldy as it is known locally), a red granite formation that rises to an elevation of 1,565 feet and offers dramatic views of Lake Superior. Lodging reservations have been made at small, cozy inns; transportation is available from Rhinelander. Hikes are at least six miles each day. 60 807 620 00
Dave Phillips/John Bates
Thursday - Sunday, September 18-21, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day
Depart Rhinelander at 9 a.m. first day; return late afternoon last day
Fee: $425 Single Occupancy Class #20400
Fee: $275 Double Occupancy Class #20401
To register, call 715.356.6753 or 1.800.585.9304
Tenderfoot Forest Reserve Paddle and Hike
S4
Half of the nearly 1,000 acres within the Nature Conservancy's Tenderfoot Forest Preserve are comprised of old growth hemlock, sugar maple, basswood, and yellow birch, with a smattering of super-canopy white pines. The only trick to seeing this magnificent forest is that one must first paddle across Palmer Lake, through a portion of the Ontonagon River, and then across Tenderfoot Lake to get there-a relatively easy three-mile paddle. We'll hike at a moderate pace, pausing frequently along a two-mile loop within the preserve to discuss the old-growth, and stopping for lunch at one of the wilderness lakes on the property. This site is arguably one of the three best old-growth stands left in Wisconsin. 60 807 65200
John Bates/Mickey Wurl-Koth
Friday, August 8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Near Presque Isle
Fee: $28 Class #10336
Fee: $38 w/Canoe Rental Class #10337
Little Turtle Flowage Birding by Kayak
S3
One of the stops on the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail, the Little Turtle Flowage encompasses nearly 640 acres of wetlands and supports a remarkable array of nesting bird species including trumpeter swans, sand hill cranes, ospreys, eagles, black terns, sora rails, marsh wrens, and, on occasion, yellow-headed blackbirds. The uplands surrounding the Flowage are burned and planted in tall prairie grasses. The Flowage is an exceptional place to listen to a marsh chorus of birds coming alive at sunrise. However, in deference to later risers, we'll start after the sun is well-up, paddle slowly, and stop frequently to search and listen for the many birds that are still active in later morning. 60 807 65200
John Bates/Mary Burns
Saturday, June 7, 7 - 11 a.m.
West of Minocqua
Fee: $25 Class #10320
Fee: $35 w/Kayak Rental Class #10329
Hidden Lakes Trail, Nicolet National Forest
S4
Hidden Lakes Trail meanders 15 miles through the Nicolet National Forest just east of Eagle River. We've hiked two different portions of it in previous years, and this year we’ll hike another beautiful stretch beginning at FR 2179 and ending at the Franklin Lake Boat Landing, covering about six miles. The hilly trail passes through the Pat Shay Lake State Natural Area, which features Pat Shay Lake, a high quality, 120-acre wild lake, surrounded by beautiful old-growth hemlocks and northern hardwoods and a few super-canopy white pines. We’ll hike at a moderate pace, stopping now and again to observe whatever the natural world offers, and to eat lunch along the shores of Pat Shay Lake. 60 806 615 00 J
John Bates/Mary Burns
Monday, July 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Near Eagle River
Fee: $30 Class #10396 - 15 - To register, call 715.356.6753 or 1.800.585.9304
Hiking the Raven Nature Trail
S3
The rolling two-mile long Raven Nature Trail offers a great introduction to many of the plant communities commonly found in the Northwoods. With large white and red pines, old-growth hemlocks, a bog accessible by a boardwalk, and a path along the edge of Hemlock Lake, a lovely wild lake, the trail is one of the gems of the Northwoods. We will hike the trail at an easygoing pace with numerous stops to enjoy the beauty of the trail and to discuss the natural history of many of the species along it. 60 806 615 00
John Bates/Mary Burns
Sunday, August 10, 1 - 4 p.m.
Near Minocqua
Fee: $20 Class #10402
Spring Hike on the Ice Age Trail in the Harrison Hills
S3
Late April hikes in Wisconsin's Northwoods can take place in a snowstorm or in 70-degree sunshine. Spring flowers may be blooming in profusion with birds chorusing in the trees or sleet may be flying. What we can guarantee is a hike in a beautiful place; a segment of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail within the Harrison Hills, but we won't guarantee the weather! We will hike and explore at a moderate place, stopping frequently to enjoy what nature is willing to provide that day. 60 807 61500
John Bates/Mary Burns
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Harrison Area
Fee: $28 Class #65996
Rock Lake National Recreational Trail
S4
Located in the Chequamegon National Forest just east of Cable, the Rock Lake National Recreational Trail is well known to hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers for its beautiful trail system. With nearly 14 miles of hiking loops through hilly topography, and skirting several wilderness lakes, the Rock Lake trail offers beautiful scenery through mostly older stands of hardwoods with occasional super-canopy white pines. We'll hike six to seven miles at a moderate pace, stopping often to talk and simply enjoy the beauty. Van transportation is available, leaving from Nicolet's Lakeland Campus in Minocqua. 60 806 615 00
John Bates/Mary Burns
Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cable Fee: $35 Class #10395
Hiking in the Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area
S4
Four wilderness lakes - Bittersweet, Oberlin, Smith, and Prong - set within the Northern Highlands State Forest distinguish this beautiful 1,070-acre state natural area that was designated in 1958. An old-growth hemlock/northern hardwoods forest graces the northwest section of the site - that's where we'll focus our hike. We'll cover about six miles over the course of the day, walking at a moderate pace, and stopping frequently to observe and discuss ecological features of the area including a bog and the shorelines of Smith and Oberlin lakes. 60 806 615 00
John Bates/Mary Burns
Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fee: $30 Class #10394