Escanaba Lake Ski Trail
Northern Highlands - American Legion State Forest, Wisconsin Trail Guide

Trail Facts

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Synopsis

Trail Review

LOCATION

Southeast of Boulder Junction, inside the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest.

TRAILS

Grooming: Classic only. Multiple loop trail system.
Snowshoe Trails: No

TRAIL NOTES

The Escanaba Lake Trail is a wonderful blend of fun, challenging terrain and gorgeous northwoods scenery. This is one of the most scenic groomed-classic ski trails in northern Wisconsin.

Intermediate and advanced level, classic skiers will find a trail filled with short hills and plenty of quick, twisting descents, often through dense stands of balsam fir and spruce. The "Blue" and "Red" loops offer the best variety of scenery and terrain, especially the entire eastern loop around Escanaba and Mystery Lakes (be sure to take the inside (right) fork past Mystery Lake!).

The entire loop system winds through a forest of hardwoods and frequent stands of spruce, balsam fir and tall red and white pines. The Red and Blue trails cross several wooden bridges over frozen streams and long boardwalks that wind through frozen spruce and tamarack bogs. All of the trails also offer occasional scenic views of one or more of the following lakes: Pallette, Escanaba, Lost Canoe and/or Mystery Lake. Overall, a very rewarding experience.

LAND OWNERSHIP

The entire trail system lies within the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest.

FEES

Wisconsin State Trail Pass required
Daily: $5
Annual: $25

FACILITIES

Parking, pit toilets, warming shelter on trail (firepit)
On-Site Equipment Rentals: No.

IN THE AREA

Retail sporting goods, equipment rentals (Minocqua), motels, resorts, food, & gas (Boulder Junction, Sayner, Minocqua, Woodruff).

DIRECTIONS

Both directions below are to the main trailhead.

From the Hwy's 51 & 47 intersection in Woodruff; go north on Hwy 51 for 6.0 miles and veer northeast (right) onto County M. Go northeast on County M for 6.7 miles and turn east (right) onto Nebish Lake Road (also Escanaba Lake Road). Go east on Nebish Lake Road for 3.5 miles to the entrance to the Escanaba Lake Ski Trail parking lot on the north (left) side of the road.

From the Hwy 155 & County N intersection in Sayner; The safest route would be to go east on County N for 6.8 miles and turn north (right) onto County M. Go north on County M for 3.0 miles and turn east (right) onto Nebish Lake Road (also Escanaba Lake Road). Go east on Nebish Lake Road for 3.5 miles to the entrance to the Escanaba Lake Ski Trail parking lot on the north (left) side of the road.

TRAIL INFORMATION

Website: Escanaba Lake Ski Trail, WI DNR
Phone: 715.542.3923 (Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest - Trout Lake HQ)