Buckley Falls

This morning marks day 12 of the trip and things were getting a little weird. Woke up and showered before going out to explore because I just couldn’t stand my own smell any longer. Boots were still wet because humidity was high and they just won’t dry out. Lots of fog on the roads early on and the only other vehicle I saw was a biker who disappeared into the mist making me wonder if he was a ghost or if I was dreaming. Anyways, after shaking off my self-induced paranoia, I headed towards Buckley Creek in Wascott, Wisconsin to try and find a falls that I failed in the past.

Foggy views driving towards Wascott, Wisconsin in early October 2021

I started by exploring access from the south on St Croix Drive which runs parallel to the St Croix River (and is all a part of the St Croix National Scenic Riverway). Definitely a nice location and looks like it has some great fishing, but the road ends before getting close enough to start a hike. Instead, I looped all the way around on Buckley Island Road and attempted to gain access from the northeast. I had tried this route in the past but couldn’t pass one particular sandy spot, though today it seems the road has been further improved and I was able to reach the parking turnaround as the road ends.

Buckley Falls – Parking area at the end of Buckley Island Road

There is a visible trail that is not much more than a game trail most times, and a sign that says “FOOT TRAVEL WELCOME NO MOTOR VEHICLES” but you can barely read it due to all the bullet holes and faded paint. I don’t know about you, but I can always spot a classy place when signs are riddled with bullet holes and buckshot. Anyways, I strapped on my wet boots and made my way down the trail with only a vague GPS pin as my destination.

Buckley Falls – A shot-up sign at the trail start

Here’s what the “trail” looks like when things are good – a single track foot path that has clear direction through the woods…

Buckley Falls – Narrow little single track path through the woods

Most times the trail is completely blocked by deadfallen trees or completely obliterated/missing as nature has reclaimed it over the years. I highly doubt many humans come through this way, it’s a real pain to get back here.

Buckley Falls – Trail blocked or destroyed by dead fallen trees in many spots

If you are thinking hunters would be back here you might be right, but I only saw a couple small turds and most looked like turkeys. The stem count is pretty dense back here so it isn’t the most ideal habitat. I did jump a few good sized bucks way towards the end but I can’t imagine you’d ever get back there without spooking them so probably not worth it. Quite a desolate area.

Buckley Falls – Sparse signs of animals/scat; Very desolate area

Not many other photos of the trail, but I did finally reach where Buckley Creek drains into the St Croix River. Not far upstream on Buckley Creek I was able to locate some small rapids/falls but it was quite hard to see most of them again due to deadfall. None of the drops I found were more than a foot. If you do hike back here, just follow your ears and move upstream on the creek to see everything.

Buckley Falls – Multiple small falls/rapids along the creek

Here’s another drop upstream from the last photo. Again, quite small, only a foot or so drop. Water levels seem pretty normal right now due to all the rain so I’m not sure you’d see much more except in spring but that might also be flooded and impassable in that season. Unless I totally missed the destination I think this is what I was searching for. My friend Bob at waterfallswisconsin.com did share an old photo with me of how these used to look – it’s possible all the years of overgrowth has changed the area radically where these don’t exist like they used to be.

Buckley Falls – Multiple small falls/rapids along the creek

One last look up the creek. There is visible drop in the elevation level but no other drops that I could see. At some point the terrain turned a bit swampy and that was as far as I could go. If anyone knows about more falls here leave a comment below or message me on socials, I’d definitely be curious to know for sure as I don’t think many others have been this way.

Buckley Falls – Looking upstream on calmer waters of Buckley Creek

Video

Here’s a short video of the falls and my trek to get there.

Hiking Data

I forgot to record the hiking path on my app, but it really isn’t anything special – just park at the end of Buckley Island Road and follow the short trail to the creek as shown here (screenshot from Gaia GPS base map). Then from there head upstream along Buckley Creek. Overall distance with me fumbling around in the woods is maybe 0.5 miles if I had to guess. Fall is probably a good time to visit – no leaves obscuring the trees and view of the path like in summer, and not muddy like I’d assume it to be in spring.

Gaia GPS – Map of area near Buckley Falls