Raven Trail near Woodruff

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:53 pm

Raven Trail

Parking coords:
N45.52.123
W89.39.079

Current caches out there include:

GCC607 Treasure Point
GC13AD8 It's So Raven
GC13RDA Native & Invasive | Forest Art
GC173XV Back to Nature

The Raven Trail is a wonderful place for hiking, biking or cross country skiing. The trail system is nestled between Hemlock Lake to the north and Clear Lake to the south, and features a dense forest, a marshy area, and a variety of trails. The Raven Trail is located near Woodruff and features 5 miles of trails provide a challenging mix of intermediate and expert loops through wild and untouched forest land.

For hikers, the best bet is the one mile nature trail, that is off limits to bikes, and which is a quiet place to walk in a hemlock forest, where the trees are so dense that sunlight never reaches the forest floor and the sounds of the abundant wild life are amplified. The interpretive nature trail forms a loop that goes across a boardwalk thru a marsh to the shores of Hemlock Lake, before looping back to the parking area.

Fat tire bikers will find some of the best single track riding available in Wisconsin, and challenging trails. The outer loop features the greatest elevation changes and great views of the lakes. The outer loop is marred only by the water bars that the DNR has placed in the trail, which are many.

Cross country skiers will find a groomed trail and a winter wonderland. The trail system is old, and features four loops from 2K to 8K enclosed by Hemlock and Clear Lake. A big attraction is the Adirondack shelter which faces south to catch the low winter sun. There is also an elevated fire pit that looks like a stone cairn and a stash of firewood which is a great place to warm up at the half way point of the trail.

To get to the parking area, take Highway 47 east from Woodruff about a mile and then head north on Woodruff Road.

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:16 pm

Should have been there when all the art projects were there, it was awesome!
TE

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:52 pm

Timberline Echoes wrote:

Should have been there when all the art projects were there, it was awesome!
TE

There are still quite a number of art works along the trail, though some have not aged well. Very cool place to visit.

z