Bearskin State Trail: Hazelhurst to Lakewood Road

The scenery along this 8.5 mile section of the Bearskin State Trail is absolutely spectacular. As the path journeys south from Hazelhurst to Lakewood Road, it leaves the urban world behind and enters into the quiet and beautiful realm of pristine pine forests. The trail also takes bicyclists through low marshland, where Bearskin Creek begins. The rustic landscape is enchanting. Wildlife is frequently spotted from the trail. The crushed stone path is in good condition, but there are a few moderate hills to ascend.

In Hazelhurst, the trailhead is located at its junction with Oneida Street and Leigh Road. To reach it by car, take either road west from U.S. Highway 51 in Hazelhurst. There are no amenities at the trailhead there, just a parking lot, and an interpretive marker.  The marker is near the trailhead and provides the story of Hazelhurst, which developed during the logging era in the late 1800s.

Heading south, the first mile is a slow uphill climb, as the trail passes the factory of County Materials Corporation, and heads through forests. Where the trail enters the Yawkey Forest Reserve, a small part of Katharine Lake is visible on the left, through the trees. A little over 1.5 miles south of Oneida Street, the trail crosses U.S. Highway 51 on an overhead pass. This bridge is 6.7 miles from the start of the trail.

The next feature on the trail is crossing Rocky Run Creek. The creek passes through a culvert under the trail 1.3 miles beyond the overpass over U.S. Highway 51. The creek begins in a nearby spring and flows through a carpet of sphagnum moss. Spruce and tamarack trees border the marshy area.

It is less than a mile to South Blue Lake wayside from Rocky Run Creek. The rest area was made exclusively for trail-goers and isn’t accessible by vehicle. Situated on South Blue Lake, it is a great place to relax. The wayside has restrooms, picnic tables, grill, hand operated water pump, and interpretive signs. The lake offers the chance for a refreshing swim.

A half mile down the trail from the wayside sits an interpretive marker that conveys the history of railway passenger service to Minocqua. Next comes the 680-foot Scott Trestle; the trail’s second-longest bridge. It crosses an open spruce and tamarack bog surrounded by white pine, cedar, and oak trees. Bald eagles may be seen fishing here.

It is 1.5 miles on a slight downhill grade to the hill at Pollnow Bypass. A small wooden shack is noticeable off the path along the way. It is an 1888 line shed that was used to store railway repair equipment. Note that poison ivy grows near the interpretive sign and shack. A rest area is also found in this section of the trail.

At Pollnow Bypass, the trail detours from the level grade to climb a hill and descend the other side. It is the steepest gradient on the Bearskin State Trail. The trail’s surface is paved on both sides of the hill. An interpretive marker offers historical background on the pass.

The next trestle is one mile from Pollnow Bypass. The trail descends into a low marsh surrounding Bearskin Creek, and crosses it on a 48-foot long trestle. Bearskin Creek meanders adjacent to the path for six miles. Less than a mile down the trail, wooden stairs lead to an observation platform stationed over the wetlands. An interpretive marker about beavers is found where Bearskin Creek crosses back under the trail.

Two more trestles are found on the trail in the 0.8 mile distance between the observation platform and community of Goodnow. At Bearskin Springs Trestle, the creek passes through a buried culvert. A sign there indicates the area as the headwaters of Bearskin Creek. The trail crosses the creek again over the 292-foot Goodnow Trestle.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

In Goodnow, the trailhead is located at Lakewood Road. There is only a parking lot there, and an interpretive marker. The marker conveys how the little town sprung up in 1887 after the old “Milwaukee Road” rail line was built. A mill was constructed there, and it once featured a tavern and dance hall. Today, little remains of the town.

The trailhead is accessed by car from U.S. Highway 51. Turn east on Rocky Run Road and drive 1.7 miles. Turn left (north) onto Lakewood Road and go 1.2 mile. The trail intersects Lakewood Road, and the parking lot is on the left (north) side of the road.

Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2021.