Bearskin State Park Trail |
|
|
|
The Bearskin State Park Trail consists of 18 miles of abandoned railroad grade. It stretches between Minocqua and County Highway K in Oneida County, with plans to connect with the Lincoln County Hiawatha Trail The Department of Natural Resources purchased the old grade in 1973 for public hiking, biking, and snowmobile use. Development and designated access points have been kept to a minimum to preserve aesthetic qualities the trail provides. The route winds through oak, maple and evergreen forests- which are home to eagles, osprey, deer, raccoons and other wildlife. The trail is named after the Bearskin Creek, a tributary of the Tomahawk River it traverses. |
| Hiking and Biking The trail is surfaced with compacted granite to provide suitable tread for hiking and biking. All vehicular traffic (except snowmobiles in winter months) and horses are prohibited to allow for safe and enjoyable public use. Due to the expense of shipping limestone screenings all the way to northern Wisconsin, rotten granite was used as an alternative trail surfacing. While it does not compact as well as the screenings, it is still suitable for biking. |
| Trail Use Cautious operation of snowmobiles is encouraged. Traffic on the trail is two-way. Also, there are several well-marked sharp curves and caution areas along the trail. Several private trails intersect the Bearskin. This permits access for users to more remote areas of the county. Users are asked to stay on the trail to protect the rights of adjacent landowners. |
