Hiking In The Nicolet National Forest

There are several developed hiking trails in the Eagle River/Florence Ranger District of the Chequamegon/Nicolet National Forest, at the western end of Florence County. The Terrain of the National Forest trails is generally rolling with swamps presenting the only challenge. There are no poisonous snakes, vines, or insects in the area. Bug repellent is recommended in the summer.

Take your trash with you, don't bury it.
Use only dead or downed trees for firewood.
Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving.
Use an established fire ring whenever possible.
Motorized equipment and mechanical transport such as bicycles and wagons are prohibited.
Water from lakes and streams is not necessarily safe to drink unless boiled for at least 10 minutes.

Whisker Lake Wilderness Area, with numerous old logging roads and railroad beds, is a popular hiking area for people who like to explore and use their compass. The 7,500 acre Whisker Lake Wilderness Area was railroad-logged in the 1900's before wildfires swept throughout the area. The pines on the shore of Whisker Lake, which were named "Chin Whiskers" by loggers, somehow escaped being burned. The nickname of the trees became the name of the wilderness area designated as such in 1978. To reach Whisker Lake, take Hwy 70 west 13 miles from the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center to Forest Road 2150 and take a right. There are many maintained and non-maintained trails from the highway to a point six miles back on this forest road. There are also several parking areas adjacent to the trails. Perch Lake offers several walk-in campsites.

Lauterman Trail is a half mile past the Whisker Lake access road. The entrance to the Lauterman National Recreation Trail is on Forest Road 2154. The two areas are connected by trail. The nine mile trail serves as both a hiking and a cross country trail and was built in the late 1970's by the Youth Conservation Corps and the Young Adult Conservation Corps. It features several routes of varying levels of difficulty. Lauterman Lake features five walk-in campsites, including tables, tent pads, fire rings, and wilderness toilets.
Lost Lake Trail can be accessed by walking the Lauterman National Recreation Trail or by driving in on Forest Road 2156 out of either Tipler or Long Lake. The Lost Lake Trail circles the lake. Longer hikes can be taken on the 4.5 mile Ridge Trail Loop. There is also a mile long interpretive nature trail, the Assessor's Trail. Camping is available at either Chipmunk Rapids CG and Lost Lake CG.

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Web Organization of Florence • 4793 Forestry Drive • Florence, WI 54121