Bearskin State Trail: Lakewood Road County Highway K
Nature abounds on the section of the Bearskin State Trail from Lakewood Road to County Highway K. The distance is 4.8 miles, but there’s plenty to see along the route. The trail traverses thick forests and crosses over wetlands on long wooden trestle bridges. The path’s surface is crushed stone and in good condition. The trail’s gradient is fairly level.
In the ghost town of Goodnow, the trailhead is located at Lakewood Road. Other than a parking lot, only an interpretive marker is found there. The marker tells the story of how the little town sprung up in 1887 after the old “Milwaukee Road” rail line was built. It once featured a tavern and dance hall, but today little remains of the town.
The Goodnow 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.
After Lakewood Road, the trail crosses Bearskin Creek and skirts Pinewood Country Club’s golf course. The trail takes several turns as it runs adjacent to the golf course. The trail’s surface is sandy in this section, so cyclists should use caution.
In the 2.5 miles from Goodnow to Harshaw, the trail travels through thick forests and over boggy marshes. It crosses 4 different trestles. Horsehead Trestle is 36 feet long and passes over Horsehead Creek. Alder, cedar, and spruce trees surround the trail at the 156-foot long Cedar Trestle. Bearskin Creek passes under the trail at the 238 foot-long Tamarack Trestle.
Before arriving at Harshaw, the trail crosses the longest trestle. The Harshaw Trestle is 746 feet long and curves past Bearskin Creek over an open spruce and tamarack bog. Mitchell Springs lies to the east. The path then travels through a narrow valley surrounded by stands of spruce, tamarack, white pine, and red pine. Sphagnum moss and patches of ferns cover the forest floor. The Harshaw Trestle offers a picturesque view of this natural area.
A trailhead parking lot is located at the path’s junction with Harshaw and Church Road. No other facilities are there. It may be reached by car from U.S. Highway 51 by going east on Fernwood Road for 1.8 miles. Turn left (north) on Lakewood Road. After 0.2 mile, turn right (east) on Church Road. Drive 1.1 mile to the trail intersection at Harshaw Road.
From Harshaw, it is 2.2 miles to the County Highway K trailhead. In this section, the trail runs through thick forests. It crosses Bearskin Creek three times at Brandy Trestle, Bearskin Rapids Trestle, and Lakewood Trestle.
The County Highway K trailhead is not located directly on the Bearskin State Trail. A feeder trail to the left (south) leads to the parking lot. Toilets, picnic tables, a hand operated water pump, and grill are located at the junction of the feeder trail and Bearskin State Trail. An information kiosk and a self-registration station are next to the parking lot. To access the trailhead by car from U.S. Highway 51, turn east onto County Highway K north of Tomahawk, and drive 0.8 mile to the trailhead parking area.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
From Harshaw, it is 2.2 miles to the County Highway K trailhead. In this section, the trail runs through thick forests. The scenery is magnificent. The path crosses Bearskin Creek three times at Brandy Trestle, Bearskin Rapids Trestle, and Lakewood Trestle.
The County Highway K trailhead is not located directly on the Bearskin State Trail. A feeder trail to the left (south) leads to the parking lot. Toilets, picnic tables, a hand operated water pump, and grill are located at the junction of the feeder trail and Bearskin State Trail. An information kiosk and a self-registration station are next to the parking lot. To access the trailhead by car from U.S. Highway 51, turn east onto County Highway K north of Tomahawk, and drive 0.8 mile to the trailhead parking area.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2021.