Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
North Country Trail Hardwoods (No. 422)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Bayfield County. T44N-R5W, Sections 1, 2, 3, 9-12, 15. 371 acres.

Access

The site is located 12 miles west of Mellen, Wisconsin. Access is via Forest Roads 198 and 383. From the intersection of Highway 13 and County GG in Mellen, go west on GG 7.5 miles, then north and west on FR 187 3 miles, then continue west on FR 198 5 miles to the junction of FR 383. Go north on FR 383 0.5 mile. The site lies east and west of the road.

Description

Description

North Country Trail includes good examples of most of the major community types known from the Penokee/Gogebic Iron Range Landtype. In particular, there are several significant pockets of older sugar maple-basswood forest with a rich, mesic understory. One of these stands had a large component of American elm which died in the late 1970's and was not salvaged, making it a unique site with large amounts of coarse woody debris and standing snags. This site also contains two high quality hemlock hardwood stands, which is a relatively uncommon on this landtype. Another important ecological feature is a steep sided ravine containing Hawkin's Creek, a small cold water trout stream. This ravine includes vertical shaded cliffs, upland hemlock and white cedar, Canada yew and Braun's holly fern (Polystichium braunii). Other unnamed streams run through small bedrock ravines and contain uncommon/rare plants. The Marengo River with its associated steep cliffs, dry talus, and open bedrock glades runs through the westernmost portion of the site. Of note are the ruins from The Swedish Settlement, a well known historical site. North Country Trail Hardwoods is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)