Via the North Country Trail Association’s Brule-St. Croix Chapter, the St. Croix River Association, and the Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters:
Brule Bog Boardwalk, North Country Trail (Photo courtesy North Country Trail Association)
2018 is a landmark year in northwest Wisconsin. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act which created the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, and the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act which created the North Country and Ice Age National Scenic Trails. These national treasures, championed by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, are enjoyed by local residents and bring visitors to the region to enjoy a hike in the forest or a paddle down a pristine river.
Three area organizations are joining to sponsor events on Saturday, June 2nd and Saturday, September 22nd to celebrate the anniversaries. The North Country Trail Association’s Brule-St. Croix Chapter, the St. Croix River Association, and the Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters will partner for hikes, paddling, and picnicking along the trail and river.
Activities on June 2nd, National Trails Day, are at the St. Croix Lake boat landing on Palmer’s Landing Road, begin at 9 am with a guided 5-mile hike on the North Country Trail’s popular Brule Bog Boardwalk through the headwaters of the St. Croix and Bois Brule rivers. At noon, join in a potluck picnic at the trailhead. Beginning at 1 pm, participants can paddle the historic Upper St. Croix Lake, exploring the area where Native Americans, traders and explorers made their way between the Mississippi and Great Lakes watersheds.
The events on September 22nd, Public Lands Day/Nort Country Trail Day, will be based at Gordon Dam County Park, west of Gordon on County Highway Y. A short canoe trip down the St. Croix will be followed by a North Country Trail hike back to the park for a picnic.
For more details on these events, visit www.meetup.com/sscbhikers, or email bsc@northcountrytrail.org.
The partnering organizations are all volunteer groups which support outdoor activities. The North Country Trail Association partners with the National Park Service and state/local agencies to build, maintain, and promote recreation on America’s longest hiking trail. The St. Croix River Association partners with the National Park Service to experience and care for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The Friends of The St. Croix Headwaters celebrates and conserves the St. Croix Headwaters area and works to advance the quality of life of area residents.
For more information about the sponsors, visit www.northcountrytrail.org/bsc, www.stcroixriverassociation.org, and www.fotsch.org.