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trips - Hiawatha NF NCT HikeTrip Info
DescriptionThis will be a 57.4 mile NCT section hike, starting at the Lower Falls Campground at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and ending at the H-40/Trout Brook Pond TH. S.S.Trail description shows mileage total at 52.9, my NCT maps show 57.4, which is what I'm basing the new updated trip mileages from. Heres a loose Itinerary: Sat.27th 9:00AM meet at Trout Brook Pond TH, leaving a car or cars here. We also have the option to spot a car at our midpoint. Start: Tahq.Falls State Park/Lower Falls CG (10:00-11:00am?) Sat. night: River-mouth CG Tahq.Falls S.P./ 13.8 miles Sun. night: 1 mile south of the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway / 13 miles Mon. night: Stump Lake, north of M-28 / 9 miles Tues. night: Pine River near FR 3141 crossing /14 miles Weds.: End at the Trout Brook Pond TH (H-40)/ 7.6 miles NCTA Website: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/ Hiawatha S.S. Trail Chapter website: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/hss/index.htm Maps: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/hss/HSSbrochure/HSSmap3_20050203.pdf http://www.northcountrytrail.org/hss/HSSbrochure/HSSmap2_20050203.pdf Pictures from our April 2009 Hiawatha N.F. NCT Hike, starting 39 miles south from the Trout Brook Pond TH(H-40) http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/571497679RpaCfi Trail Head#3 (Trout Brook Pond to Soldier Lake - 18.4 miles) The trail goes along the north side of Trout Brook Pond but can be accessed from the parking loop on the southeast side of the pond. The access trail crosses along the top of the earthen dam on the downstream end of the impoundment (listen for the spillway). The trail winds through red pine and mixed northern hardwoods, crosses the Wisconsin Central RR track and parallels Biscuit Creek crossing at Spur Road. Look for beaver along Biscuit Creek. North of the Biscuit the trail follows two-tracks until the Pine River Bridge. There is a nice primitive camp site at the Pine River though it is also used by car campers, hunters and fisherman in season. The trail parallels the Pine on the north side, crossing Dick Road then Lone Pine Road. It follows the edge of Betchler Lake swamp for 3.5 miles before crossing Dick Road once again and passing through undulating mixed pine forests to Soldier Lake. The small lakes in this area are examples of kettle lakes which were formed by collapsing wedges of glacial ice during the melting of the Wisconsin Epoch (circa 12,000 years ago). Well water and camping are available at Soldier Lake. Filterable water can be obtained from Biscuit C. and the Pine R. This section of trail is also good for hunting Morel mushrooms in spring. Look in cut over aspen groves following warm rains in late May. At M28 it is 4.5 miles west to Strongs where there is a general store, postal services, a bar, a restaurant and lodging. Trail Head #4 (Soldier Lake to the mouth of Naomikong Creek - 13.4 miles) The trail is gentle and rolling through sandy jack pine plains changing to various stands of aspen, mixed pine and northern hardwoods. Board walks have been constructed over wet areas to minimize impact on these soils. The Byway paralleling Lake Superior is known locally as the Curley Lewis Highway. Curley was a Paradise road commissioner who spent many years advocating for lakeshore drive and it finally happened. The parking lot where the trail crosses this road is known as the Shallows Parking Lot and the trail from this point to a 100 foot suspension bridge over Naomikong Creek is ADA approved. This is a very pleasant picnic or day spot with a beautiful beach. Camping is prohibited between the Byway and the beach so look for a place south of the road if you choose to camp in this area. Swimming is pleasant when the water warms up which sometimes is as late as early August. Filterable water is available from Naomikong Creek or Lake Superior. There is a small artesian well located about three miles west of the mouth of Naomikong, at the Bark Dock parking lot. A small general store and a restaurant that specializes in Lake Superior whitefish, menominee and trout is located 13.7 miles east. Trailhead #5 (Naomikong Creek to Lower Tahquemenon Falls - 21.1 miles) Once the trail leaves Hiawatha National Forest, there are several uncertified sections that will probably change as improvements are made. For now, you can walk the trail or the beach from Naomikong Creek [Ojibway - Shoal waters where the trout spawn] to the Bark Dock (about three miles west) by Ankodosh Creek [Ojibway - Translation unknown. May refer to an ancient family name], and then follow the certified trail 3.3 miles to M123 where you enter the lands of Tahquamenon River State Park. Attempting to walk the Lake Superior beach all the way to the mouth of the Tahquamenon River is ill advised. At this time, when you reach M123, the trail is coincident with a snowmobile trail that parallels the east side of the highway and crosses the river at the bridge just upstream from the mouth. The certified trail resumes on the north side of the river, following Tahqua Road for five miles. About 1.6 miles after Cheney Creek, it enters the woods going west, through a remote and beautiful area of large red and white pines. Special places for exploration include Camp Ten Lakes, where the trail meets the Tahquamenon River north of Timber Lost, and near Cabin Lake. This is one of the two areas on the Shore To Shore section of the trail where the quiet hiker may be able to view moose, bear or bald eagles up close. Since this is State Park, camping is only permitted at the Lower Falls Campground where water and shower facilities are available in season. There is a convenience store one mile east of the Lower Falls on M123. Laundry, restaurants, a bar, postal services, a library and rooms are available 9.9 miles east at Paradise.
 = Yes,  = Maybe
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