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Hiking In Florence County
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Florence County Forestry and Parks Department
maintains about 27 miles of hiking trails. The trails are
designed to help hunters, but they are available for hiking at
any time. During hunting season, including the small game season
(September through January), hikers are advised to wear at least
some blaze orange. Trail Maps are available by calling to the
Florence Wild Rivers Interpretive Center at 1.888.889.0049 or
writing at 5628
Forestry Drive, Florence, WI 54121.
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Lake Emily Trail is located 1/4 mile East of Hwy 101 on
CTH 'D'. It can also be accessed from Elm Road off of Hwy 101.
The trail is 3 miles long, is clover seeded and has 12 wildlife
openings.
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The Bush Lake Trail is located east of Fire Tower Road in
Homestead. Fire Tower Road is located approximately 5 miles east
of Hwy 101 on CTH "C". There are four access points on the east
side of Fire Tower Road and two access points on the north side
of Spur Lake Road. This system has 12 food patches and 8 total
miles of trail.
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Halls Creek Trail can be accessed across from LaSalle
Falls Rd., Halls Lake Rd., or Fire Lane Rd. All of these roads
run north from CTH “C”. Fire Lane Rd. is approximately 5 miles
east of Hwy 101. LaSalle Falls Rd. and Halls Lake Rd. are
approximately 2 and 3 miles respectively from the intersection
of CTH “U” and “N”. Seven to eight miles of these trails are
kept mowed.
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The LaMontage Creek Ruffed Grouse Area, located across
from Bush Lake Trail on Fire Tower Road, has approximately five
miles of trails. Quality multiaged red oak and aspen stands are
along the trail with beautiful white birch areas. It has been
designated a Ruffed Grouse area. Timber types are managed to
improve Ruffed Grouse habitat, which also benefits other
wildlife. The area is bordered on the west by the LaMontage
Creek Several years ago, a half-mile of stream improvement was
completed on LaMontage, a Class 1 trout stream. |
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The Winchester Walking Trail is located at the east end
of Roach's Fire Lane, (3 miles). Roach's Fire Lane intersects
CTH N approximately 7 miles south of Florence. The trail starts
north of the Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area and has
approximately 2 1/4 miles of roads. Several miles of Wisconsin
Electric property roads are also accessible from this trail. |
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The LaSalle Falls Walking Trail is one of the county's
most scenic trails. It is approximately 7 miles south of the
Florence Natural Resource Center. It can be reached from CTH “N”
by turning right at the junction with CTH ‘“C” and Cty “U” and
going west on CTH "C” for two miles. Then travel north on
LaSalle Falls Road for 2 1/2 miles. The parking lot is on the
right side of the road. The walk is about one mile through a
variety of woodland vegetation and diverse topography. When
hearing the falls continue to walk to the left about 1/4 mile
upstream for a view the most scenic waterfall in the county. You
will find a fire ring at the lower end of the gorge if you wish
to cook your lunch. |
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The
Bessie Babbit Trail, is located 4 miles west
of Florence on Hwy 70. There is a parking lot on the south
side of the road. The 3.5 mile trail system is composed of
mostly low land hardwoods with several scenic views. The
terrain is rolling to flat. |
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Grandma's Beaver Pond Trail, is
located south of Florence on Hwy 101. Travel south on Hwy
101 until you reach Forest County Rd. H, turn left, turn left
again on Lake LaFave Dr., 1/2 mile, and turn left on Woods Dr.
to the gate, 1/2 mile. This trail system can be 2 miles in
length. |
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The Kretz Trail,
is located 14 miles south of Florence on Hwy 101. The
access road is 1.5 miles south of E.River Rd on the east side of
Hwy 101. This 1.5 mile trail system has 3 wildlife
openings with the terrain being rolling to flat. |
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The Burma Road
Cross Country Ski Trail can be reached by
traveling south on Hwy N, then go south on Hwy U and turn west
on Burma Rd. for 2 miles. There is a parking lot on the
north side of the road. This 3.25 mile trail loop is
groomed for cross country season, but can be hiked when there is
no snow on the ground. The terrain on this trail system is
rolling to hilly. |
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