Northern Wisconsin Trip?

[tomcat]

Hi,
I posted a couple weeks ago for information about backpacking the UP out of Watersmeet next week. Got to talking with the group today and we're kind of thinking about trying Wisconsin this year beings they have the snow and we've done the UP for the last several years so wouldn't mind a change in scenery. Any suggestions on where to go. Leaving IA next Wednesday and returning Sunday. I prefer to stay away from the Mercer, Minocqua area as I've hit these areas pretty hard years ago. Any suggestions on a good 3 day backpack trip averaging 150 - 200 miles per day? I'm also open to just staying at one place if there are numerous loops, off trail, etc that we could hit over our stay. I've heard Bayfield area is really good and thought someone said something about NE wisconsin having nice trails last year. Your thoughts?

 

[thedoc]

If Ize you, just start riding north until youz tired and find place to stay. Snow covers good from NE IA to North Pole.
BTW anyone seen or heard from AL Gore this winter. I want to thank him for fixing global warming.

 

[harvest1121]

We just back from the weekend and stayed in Mercer and went to Minocqua also. I would not worry about any of the areas to ride. Its just going to depend on the traffic in any of the areas you ride.

 

[Banks93]

Wausau or Shawano and head northeast one day. Head southwest one day and then head north west the other day.

Trails are in great shape all around in the Waupaca, Outagamie, Oconto, Langlade and Marathon counties.

Is what I would do if you are looking to go somewhere different and the trails are great all around.

Coming from IA you may want to just stay in Wausau and you could do the same thing. Just come up HWY 51. You can take the railroad grade to get to Shawano area and move quickly for east west.

 

[groomerdriver]

Is there a particular type of terrain that you'd like to see? or avoid? I think a hidden gem of Wisconsin is the west central part of the state. Generally bordered by Tomah - Sparta (go south from here too) - LaCrosse - River Falls - Eau Claire - Black River Falls. You get a mix of riding that includes "coulee county" (hill/ridges and dale) riding. Just phenomenal IMO! Problem is always lack of snow, but I don't think that it's an issue this year. Traffic is typically light as its usually just the local riding. One thing to keep in mind (being honest here) is that SOMETIMES the trail marking (mainly intersections) isn't always the best when you compare it to a tourist area. But that has never kept me away and it never will!

I could go on and on about this area! Just love it!!!!

Banks93 has a good idea as well. I used to live in Wausau and would highly recommend the Antigo area. Great variety of trails and good access from in-town motels.

And Attackman just gave a great suggestion as well! Don't give up too many of our secrets Attack!!! LOL!!

Heck - come to the Cameron/Rice Lake area! If my wife wasn't working when you are coming I would have offered to guide you around! Cheap/clean motel nearby, right on the trail with a great place for AM breakfast/evening eats and drinks is right across the street.

 

[Attak man]

You could do a nice ride to Bayfield...starting in Southern Price County (Prentice, Phillips areas)...ride north to Park Falls...Glidden...Mellen...Ashland to Bayfield....Nice ride...great scenery...very little traffic compared to the above listed areas.....OR....you can start in Prentice...go south to Taylor County (medford area)...then head east to Marathon County ride through athens...edgar...Marathon areas, and loop back to Price County...good mix of farm fields and forest...very little traffic..even on the weekend (as half of mararthon county riders are usually up north)....when things get rough in my area (Tomahawk, Rhinelander, Minocqua)...I head south...southern Lincoln County...Marathon County...southern Langlade and Taylor County...very little traffic...and usually nice trails...oops....just gave away the secret riding spots of the locals

 

[whitehorse]

My 2 cents would be to stay Medford (Taylor County) and from there you can ride in any direction and find really good snow. There's a couple nice places to stay up that way and just ride!

 

[toby1]

the hayward area is nice lots of places to stay .lots of different kinds of trails fast,twisty,lakes what ever you are looking for .we have a cabin in the winter area and were there this weekend rode towards hayward every thing was nice .cant go wrong up there .there is every thing you should need in the area .

 

[whitedust]

I would stay in Eagle River ride north, south, east, west loops everywhere great groom in the entire area forget about backpacking & just ride. Maybe if you want to ride to Tomahawk then northwest from there you could bag it for 2 days. With next polar votex due on Saturday WI twistys a good choice to keep somewhat warm & with the big lake frozen it is REALLY going to get cold so be prepared & lots of places in WI along trails to warm up..... very important consideration this year. Bring hot paks as well going to need them.

 

[Special K]

I have a cabin on Namekagon and will be doing a trip overnight to Minocqua Friday. Leave from the Pioneer bar in the morning, stay in Minocqua overnight, come back Saturday. I have also done Iron River Wisconsin to Mercer. Hit Bear Chasers on the way for lunch. That one was pretty easy. Plenty of options for lodging, food, gas, beverages, etc....great area.

 

[Banks93]

If he is used to riding big miles then that means 150 miles away from
Minocqua he has probably rode. Plus he is coming from Iowa. He will be taking 51/39 north and there is no reason to send him an hour north of Wausau with good snow conditions.

Heck he may even be able to just stay north of Portage or the Dells and ride north, east and west. They are also having the MS ride this weekend so traffic in the northern area will most likely be heavy this weekend so staying south may give them good riding and areas they have never been before.


I put you in the Wausau area because it is almost centrally located in WI and you can go any direction you want in east, west, north and south and still be able to be on trails you probably have not riden before if you have been in the Minocqua, Eagle River, and Watersmeet area before.

Most likely you would rather ride the sled then drive the vehicle so you can still hit all of those areas people are talking about from Wausau that everyone is talking about on sled if you ride big miles. Plus I am sure there are plenty of hotels open in Wausau area.

 

[GTL]

We have parked our rigs in the Police Dept. parking lot in St. Croix Falls and taken the Gandy Dancer north. The Gandy goes all the way to Superior where you can take trail 2 east to Iron River and then north up to Bayfield. On the way back take alternate routes south. If you get up to Bayfield try to get to the ice caves. This is the first year in many that sledders are able to drive right up to them as the Lake is frozen over in that area. (google "madeline island ice caves) Iron River is about a 6 hour ride north and plenty of places to stay.

 

[tomcat]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Wausau may be an option. We used to stay in Minocqua but didn't travel much south of there on the sleds. I have been to Black River Falls area a few times and it is awesome when the snow is good. I can get up to Sparta in a couple hours from my house so kind of saving that area for maybe a weekend trip later this winter if the snow is still good. Recommendations on where to stay in wausau area. Preferably on trail and walking distance to a good nightly watering hole. Also, we are coming up next wednesday so hopefully the cold is gone by then. Tom

 

[Hoosier]

We're heading up for a week in a couple weeks and I think we're going to mostly stay in northern WI also. We ride mostly in the UP since they always have snow but plan to try out some new areas in WI this year. All these suggestions are helpful.

 

[packerlandrider]

If you are willing to drive to Wausau I would suggest driving a little bit more and staying in Antigo. Antigo has a much better trail system through the actual town, plus in Wausau the Wisconsin River is acting as a pretty large barrier to heading in any direction. Staying in Antigo allows you to travel in all four directions without really having to worry about barriers. Also, it is right on the transition of fields and forest - can ride south one day and north the next and have absolutely completely different environments.

Here is the link to the Langlade County Trail map:http://www.antigochamber.com/resources/snowmobile1.pdf With a blow up of the city of Antigo in the upper right hand corner. The Super 8 has a great location of being right next to everything (gas, bars, trail), but there are other hotels in Antigo as well (google).

Same suggestion holds for Hoosier, although if you are looking for more "Northern WI" I would suggest Forest County. Lots of low traffic areas (especially to the east in Florence or Marinette Counties), while still having that up north woods feel.

 

[Banks93]

I sent both tomcat and Hoosier a private message.

 

[groomerdriver]

I lived in Weston for 10 years and groomed trails for a club on the NE side of Wausau. If you stay in "Wausau" your options are limited for getting across Hwy. 51. Stay at the hotel right next to Weston Lanes (in Weston which is on the SE side of Wausau and will be your nightly watering hole) and you can easily go north, east and south. Forget about going west of Hwy 51 (IMO) unless all you want to do is ride farm fields (90% of the riding). The Wisconsin River is a challenge to get across in many areas along the Hwy 51 corridor.

I also recommended Antigo...great choice!

The OP said that they go to the UP all the time so IMO the Eagle River, Hayward and Phillips (Price Cty) areas are out.

There are so many choices this year other than "north of Hwy 8". The OP can PM me for my thoughts if he wants. Not too many trails in good ole' Wisco that I haven't left a track on at least 1X.

 

[whitedust]

I lived in Weston for 10 years and groomed trails for a club on the NE side of Wausau. If you stay in "Wausau" your options are limited for getting across Hwy. 51. Stay at the hotel right next to Weston Lanes (in Weston which is on the SE side of Wausau and will be your nightly watering hole) and you can easily go north, east and south. Forget about going west of Hwy 51 (IMO) unless all you want to do is ride farm fields (90% of the riding). The Wisconsin River is a challenge to get across in many areas along the Hwy 51 corridor.

I also recommended Antigo...great choice!

The OP said that they go to the UP all the time so IMO the Eagle River, Hayward and Phillips (Price Cty) areas are out.

There are so many choices this year other than "north of Hwy 8". The OP can PM me for my thoughts if he wants. Not too many trails in good ole' Wisco that I haven't left a track on at least 1X.

X2 If staying south is priority at least get above Wausau @ Antigo or Merrill get into the forest & out of farmland.

 

[tomcat]

Talked to some of the guys and they want to backpack. Already bought saddlebags, etc. for the trip. What about leaving from the tomahawk area the first day? Easy trail accessibility? What would be a good 3 day loop out of that area. I've never riden by hayward but have only heard good things. would NW not be a good ride out of antigo area? If its nothing but farm fields to hayward I'll pass. Plenty of those in IA. Also, I know some in the group have already mentioned Hurley for a night so if anyone has a good way of incorporating that into a loop I'm all ears. Especially if we could find a good way in and out avoiding alot of the beat up areas. Not a necessity, at least at this point anyway!

 

[groomerdriver]

You said you wanted something different than the UP. Pretty much anything in Wisco north of Hwy 8 is forested and is in essence "just like the UP with lots of CURVE AHEAD signs". When we go on bag trips, we drive the least we have to and sled the most. You're in NE IA and want to go on a 3 day pack trip and see all sorts of "different than the UP riding"?....start in Galesville, WI and make day 1 in a general NW direction and end up somewhere around River Falls. Day 2 head north for a while, then loop east towards Bloomer'ish then back to the south on the east side of Eau Claire. Day 3 head back to Galesville. I PROMISE that you will run into almost every type of trail imaginable with the exception of pure mountain riding. Shouldn't have too much of a problem finding places to stay along the way as well.

Like MANY others who have done the same trip (me included) you will wonder "why have we driven by this area so often?" God I wish I could go with you guys!!!