Houghton Falls Nature Preserve

Hiking Douglass Houghton Nature Preserve

Today we visit the Douglass Houghton Nature Preserve north of Washburn, Wisconsin. We see the trail, the gorge and the point that projects into Lake Superior.

Houghton Falls

Houghton Falls, outside of Washburn in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.

entering the cave

Houghton Falls Nature Preserve, Washburn WI

Episode 10: Bayfield County Wild Talks with Kevin Schram about Backpacking Wisconsin's Portion...

On this episode of Bayfield County Wild Co-hosts Nancy Christopher and Mary Motiff, director of Bayfield County Tourism, speak with Kevin Schram, president of the Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. They discuss how Kevin’s subchapter handles the maintenance and promotion of their portion of the trail running through Bayfield and Ashland counties, as well as other upcoming area events throughout June. 

Waterfalls and Hiking Trails in Bayfield County 

Bayfield County is rich in natural wonders, so we invite everyone to get out and enjoy nature to its fullest this summer! 

Houghton Falls – A popular location for visitors for its beauty and natural resources, Houghton Falls’ eco system is delicate. Visitors are encouraged to adhere to the signage and stay on the designated trails to avoid additional damage to the area. As part of the Bayfield Regional Conservancy, helps the Town of Bayview to manage and preserve the falls and surrounding land for the future. 

At Lost Creek Falls near Cornucopia, the Forestry and Parks Department has made some improvements to the trail, including the addition of a boardwalk. It's approximately 1.5 miles to the falls, Stay tuned for more developments at Lost Creek Falls later this year, with the addition of a bridge that leads to a picnic area and steps to get down to the falls. 

Hiking Trails – Bayfield County has over 35 different hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. From three-quarters-of-a-mile on the Gil Larson Nature Trail around the Old Iron Bridge in Bayfield, to a much longer hike on the North Country Trail, hikes are noted as easy to moderate for both rookie and experienced hikers. 

Interactive Map – Did you know Bayfield County Tourism offers an online interactive map – usable on mobile devices or computers – that can assist you in planning your next hike? Click our link, then click on “Play,” followed by “Non-Motorized Trails.” You can then zoom in and see trail details throughout Bayfield County! If you’d prefer a printed brochure, please contact our office and we’ll be happy to send one your way. 

North Country Trail 

America’s longest among 14 national scenic trails, the North Country Trail runs through seven states, from the plains to the east coast. The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) is a national organization based in Michigan. Its various subchapters in each state are responsible for maintaining and promoting its particular section of the trail. Kevin Schram and the volunteer members of the NCTA’s Chequamegon Chapter handle the section of the trail that runs through both Bayfield and Ashland counties. The Wisconsin portion of the North Country Trail offers continuous wilderness hiking for over 130 miles. 

To get a sense of the depth of the 4,600-mile-long North Country Trail, if you headed west from Bayfield County you could hike about halfway into North Dakota. Heading east, the trail stretches as far as New York. Kevin hopes that in the future, the trail will link up with the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. Only a dozen people have hiked the entire trail, with half accomplishing this journey over different periods of time. These individuals are referred to as section hikers. The other six are considered through-hikers, who start at one end and walk continuously to the other. There are plenty of day hikes on the North Country Trail in Bayfield County for those who want to do a more casual hike, though. 

The work Kevin and his team accomplish includes re-routes around wet areas, removal of fallen trees on the trail and maintenance on bridges and other structures to ensure safety for all hikers. He speaks highly of the Wisconsin portion of the trail for backpacking, as two different wilderness areas allow camping anywhere you desire, if the location is at least 200 feet from a fresh water source.  

Currently, the Chequamegon Chapter of the NCTA is working with the National Forest Service to construct some back country campsites, which will help to make the North Country Trail in Wisconsin a premiere backpacking destination. Kevin hopes to have a campsite every seven miles, but it will be a slow process. The National Forest Service will hopefully approve at least two sites in 2018, and Kevin’s group could have them built by fall. He says that ideally, all campsites would be listed on maps so visitors can better...

Insane Washburn, Wisconsin Horror!

viewer discretion advised

Washburn, wi run through town

Side by side run through town

Video: Exploring Houghton Falls with LCO Ojibwa College Extension

Published on Sep 11, 2016

Professor Michael Heim leads another field trip for LCO Ojibwa Community College-Extension to Houghton Falls, north of the City of Washburn, Bayfield County, on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. haywardwi.com

Washburn School Walkout 3 14 18, Washburn wi

Brown trout spawning up Sioux River of Lake Superior

This a short clip of Brown trout running past the big rock just outside of Washburn, Wi

Video: LCO Extension trip to Morgan Falls, Saint Peter's Dome

LCO Extension offered a field trip to Morgan Falls and Saint Peter's Dome in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County, on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Led by Extension Agent Michael Heim, the field trip was an excellent opportunity to learn about local fauna and view beautiful natural features. The Sawyer County Record is a newspaper serving Sawyer County, Wisconsin. haywardwi.com

Lake Superior at Cornucopia, WI - August 29, 2011

Twin sisters visiting Cornucopia, Bayfield County, Wisconsin on Lake Superior.