Lake Wissota Rapids

Lake Wissota Rapids

Today was a bit less eventful due to the long drive & strong thunderstorms but I still squeezed in a few neat places.  First one was at Lake Wissota Rapids in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Access is quite easy through the Chippewa County Riverview Reserve / Area 178 nature park trails. Alongside the trail are some … Read more

Madeline Island

Madeline Island - Sunset at the La Pointe ferry docks

Due to some trails being closed at Big Bay State Park I was left extra time to explore La Pointe, Wisconsin on Madeline Island.  Sharing everything in one post for lack of a better place to put these odds & ends.  First step to visiting the island is actually getting there via the ferry that … Read more

Big Bay State Park – Bay View + Point Trail Loop

Big Bay State Park - Lake Superior Coastal Views

Bit of a late start this morning (had to move campsites, was the only way I could get a last minute reservation) but sometime around 10am I was on the trail.  Agenda for the morning was to hike Bay View and Point Trails looping back to the campground.  I started from camp towards the Bay … Read more

Big Bay State Park – Boardwalk Trail

Big Bay State Park - Boardwalk Trail

Shifting gears during the midpoint of this road trip and floating my car & camping gear to Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island.  I was getting cranky from all the driving so my first action item was to stretch out my legs and hike the Boardwalk Trail.  Originally I was going to make a … Read more

Foster Falls

Foster Falls

After spending lots of time driving & hiking to Copper Creek Falls my day was nearly over.  Still, I found just enough time to reach Foster Falls near Upson/Gurney, Wisconsin.  Overall this is fairly easy to reach via county forest roads and the hike is relatively short. The biggest challenge is jumping across several small … Read more

Pattison State Park – Copper Creek Falls

Pattison State Park - Copper Creek Falls upper section from side

Intermittent storms for the past several days washed away my best laid plans.  Today (Jul-6) the stars aligned giving me blue skies, 72 degres, and a gentle breeze.  Just about the perfect day to attempt a mysterious and unpublished waterfall called Copper Creek Falls at Pattison State Park.  Access is through the northern park section … Read more

Rouse Falls

Rouse Falls - View below falls

Chasing another waterfall on Iron County Forest lands, this time at Rouse Falls.  Due to heavy overnight rains the tracks here are mostly mud so I opted for the mountain bike.  Pay close attention at the first fork in the road and STAY LEFT if you don’t like mud. I did not pay attention and … Read more

Wren Falls

Wren Falls

My first two stops this morning took considerable amounts of time.  For the afternoon I planned to circle back through Iron County and try some remote destinations.  First up is Wren Falls near Anderson/Saxon, Wisconsin.  You can drive up via fairly well graded forest roads and park several hundred yards down the hill.  There is … Read more

Morgan Falls / St Peters Dome

St Peter's Dome - Amazing view across the forest

One of the most popular destinations in the entire state (and for good reason) is a 2-for-1 waterfall and panoramic view found at Morgan Falls & St. Peter’s Dome.  I stopped here last year but it was still closed due to storm damage – this year everything has been restored. Several new wooden bridges at … Read more

Second & Third Trestle Falls

Second Trestles Falls

Morning of the 5th now and it’s another rainy day but I’m not stopping.  Next attempt is at Second & Third Trestle Falls in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest just south of Mellen, Wisconsin. Lots of smaller rapids along the Bad River in this location.  Access is very difficult and I am not providing details – … Read more