NORTHWEST REGION

Canoe Routes Trace Historic Paths of Fur Traders

Canoeing two special waterways in Washburn County will set you back in time – about 200 years ago when Native Americans and the fur traders used the routes to access more than 30 lakes as they traded goods and furs. Known today as the Loyhead and Sawmill Lake Primitive Canoe Routes, the historic routes offer splendid canoeing and camping opportunities. The Sawmill Lake Primitive Canoe Route: This canoe route begins at the Sawmill Lake campground, 16 miles east of Spooner on Hwy. 70, 2 miles south on Hwy. B, 5 miles east on Birchwood Fire Lane. The portage trail accesses nine separate lakes, with most portages less than 100 yards. The campground has 20 primitive campsites with tables and fire rings, but no electricity. The lakes along this route are relatively deep, with maximum depths of up to 40 feet. Bass and panfish are abundant, however many of these lakes are prone to winterkill. Of particular interest is the presence of Green Sunfish. Loyhead lake Primitive Canoe Route: This canoe route is located 7 miles north of Birchwood. The route begins at Loyhead Lake at the boat landing on the Birchwood fire lane. The portage trail accesses 7 separate lakes with most portages less than 200 yards. Marked canoe routes lead you along the Yellow River in the southern

Calendar

Oct. 1-3 Cable – Tour de Chequamegon Oct. 1-3 Hayward – Muskies Inc. Fall Tournament Oct. 1-3 Bayfield – Bayfield Apple Festival Oct. 2 Stone Lake – Cranberry Festival Oct. 2-3 St. Croix Falls – October Festival Oct. 7-9 Hayward – Treeland Musky Fly Fishing Championship Oct. 9 Ashland – Cruisin’ the Corridor 5K & 10K Oct. 9 Amery – Changing Colors Bike Ride Oct. 9 Iron River – WhistleStop Marathon Oct. 9 Luck – Gandy Dancer Trail Marathon Oct. 9-10 Webster – Mixed Sampler Quilt Guild Show Oct. 10 Turtle Lake – Toy Tractor Show Oct. 10 Iron River – Oulu October Fest Oct. 15-17 Osceola – Pumpkin Express Train Ride Oct. 15-17 Hayward – Ladies’ Musky Fishing School Oct. 16 Madeline Island – Fall Festival Oct. 16-17 St. Croix Falls – Oktorber Festival Oct. 16 La Pointe – Madeline Island Family Fall Fest Oct. 22-24 St. Croix Falls – AutumnFest & Craft Fair Oct. 23 Milltown – Pumpkin Fest Nov. 3-6 Ashland – Big Water Film Festival Nov. 13 Cushing – Venison Feed Dec. 4 Shell Lake – Holiday Saturday Dec. 4 Amery – Amery Holiday Stroll Dec. 4 Birchwood – Christmas Fest Dec. 4 Turtle Lake – Chamber Christmas Dec. 4 Centuria – Cozy Country Christmas Dec. 4 Dresser – Vintage Sled Extravaganza Dec. 4-5 St. Croix Falls – Rivertown Holiday

part of Washburn County and the Totogatic River in the north, as well as the Namekagon National Scenic Riverway. The Namekagon District Visitor Center provides maps, field guides and information about camping and river conditions. Located on Hwy. 63 just north of Trego, the center features exhibits on local history, as well as an aquarium, slide show and children’s touch table. Call 715-635-8346 for hours.

Discover Mt. Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area

BAYFIELD – Fall colors and an excellent mountain bike system will be your introduction to Mt. Ashwabay, a family-centered recreation complex located just south of Bayfield. These trails were masterfully crafted by CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association). With views of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands, this is a very scenic area to enjoy, especially now when fall colors are on display. Come winter, though, our thoughts will turn to the alpine ski slope with 12 runs, 2 terrain parks, a tubing hill and the amazing cross-country ski trail system found there. Bring your snowshoes and fat bikes as there are trails for these sports also. The non-profit Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation is in charge of the facility. Operations manager Doug Olson reports that this winter season will see the introduction of five Lenko Sweden snow guns, as well as improved signage for the trail system. The hill is comfortable for families with a vertical drop of 317 feet. The longest run is 1,500 feet with two beginner runs, four intermediate ones and six advanced. They have one double chairlift and one surface lift. The lifts run Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-7 pm, Fridays from 4-7 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There’s an impressive 40 plus kilometers of XC trails that will take you through adjoining county and state forests with towering maples, oaks and evergreens. (There is a hidden gem along trail – a 1920s-eara log structure that once housed a sugar bush operation.) There are about 25 kilometers of combined skating and classic trails and another 15 kilometers of classic only. Trails are groomed and tracked as needed. Their ratings range from beginner to expert. The Nordic trails are open seven days a week. Purchase a season pass, pay for a daily ticket in the chalet, or put the daily trail fee in the tube of the trailhead if the chalet is closed. The chalet at entrance of the complex offers rentals of classic ski equipment, food and a lounge with bar. There is also a changing room adjacent to the chalet. Instructors also are available for ski lessons. NASTAR racing takes place on Sundays at 1 p.m. For more information, visit mtashwabay.org or call 715-7793227. Mt. Ashwabay is located at 32525 Ski Hill Rd., Bayfield.

HAYWARD – Muskies are the apex predator in northern Wisconsin waters and for good reason. Half alligator and half bulldog, they can put up a fight on the end of your line like no other fish. Most anglers go to battle with them armed with a broomstick of a rod and bait-casting lures that would be considered keepers if they were certain fish species. Yet, there are other resourceful anglers who have adopted fly tackle to handle muskies as a legitimate fly-rod target. They’re using gear better suited for big saltwater fish: heavy 10- to 12-weight rods and weighted fly lines. The flies can range from seven inches to over a foot long. A number of those die-hard, fly-casting muskie hunters will be gathering at Treeland Resorts in Hayward for their sixth annual Treeland Premier Musky Fly Fishing Championships set for Oct. 7-9, Entry fee is $150 per person with the field capped at 100 entries. Team (up to 3 members) and individual trophies will be awarded, along with largest muskie recognition. A trio of dinners is covered by your entry fee. There will be daily door prizes and one grand daily door prize. Thursday’s schedule includes a casting contest. Fishing takes place Friday and Saturday. For more information, e-mail or call: reservations@treelandresorts.com or 715-4623874 or visit treelandresorts.com.

By Feet or by Pedals, Pick Your Trail

LUCK – The annual Gandy Dancer Marathon and Half Marathon will be Saturday, Oct. 9 during the peak of the fall color season. It will be held on the Gandy Dancer State Trail in Luck with the start at West Street and 3rd Avenue. The full marathon will start at 8 a.m. with the half marathon to follow at 9 a.m. Also offered are a four-person marathon relay and a 5km run/walk. The trail is a flat and fast limestone surface that should allow runners to post a PR. Both the full and half marathons are chipped time, but the full is not a Boston qualifier. Medals will be given to finishers, with a finish line party waiting for all. For more information visit gandymarathon.net. AMERY -- If you prefer putting the feet to the bike pedals, then you’ll want to go for the Changing Colors bike ride set for the same day. The event will be headquartered at Soo Line Park in Amery starting at 1 p.m. with games for all ages. There will also be international booths and vendor demonstrations. The group bike ride (or hike) begins at 3 p.m. on Stower 7 Lakes Trail. Live music is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. There will be free hot dogs for bikers at 5 p.m. Friends of Stower Lakes is sponsoring this annual event.