Join our summer hiking challenge. Here’s how it works:
1.) Hit the trail, take some pictures and tag us on social media #solsticehikechallenge and tag us @solsticeoutdoors
2.) Complete all 6 hikes by August 31st
3.) Stop in the shop and claim your freebie and register to win the Summer Hike Challenge GRAND PRIZE! The winner will be drawn on September 1st.
Solstice Summer HIKE CHALLENGE: 6 Northern Wisconsin HIKES
Meyers Beach Sea Caves Trail, hike to the Sea Caves
Location: The trail is located 4 Miles East of Cornucopia. Turn north off of US Hwy 2 onto Meyers Road. 30.4 miles from Ashland
Hike Distance: 4.8 Miles out and back. Plan for a half day adventure with beautiful vistas and plenty of time to take it all in.
Trail Tips: New bridges have made the hike much easier but expect many stairs and ups and downs throughout the hike. Bring water and enjoy the view from above the Lake Superior Sea Caves.
Copper Falls State Park, Doughboys Nature Trail
Location: 36764 Copper Falls Road, 25 miles south of Ashland in Mellen
Hike Distance: 1.7 miles Waterfalls, 100+ foot canyon walls and unique geological features dominate the landscape. This is also part of the North Country Trail.
Trail Tips: Take your time and take many photos as you hike above the Bad River Gorge, Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls. Many stairs make this 1.7 mile loop a bit challenging.
Photo op: Take photos at Copper Falls or Brownstone Falls.
Tyler Forks Community Forest
Location: 37475 Highway 169 Mellen This is located near Copper Falls State Park, and 34 minutes from Ashland. This hike can be combined with the Doughboy loop at Copper Falls for a full day of hiking.
Hike Distance: Various loops ranging from 0.35 to 1.3 miles
Trail Tips: Various loops and lots of wildlife. Switchbacks and elevation gains make these hikes challenging.
Photo op: Take photos on the trail or near the trailhead.
Rainbow Lakes Wilderness part of the North Country Trail
Location: Reynard Lake Road Trailhead (parking for 3 cars) which is . 7 miles west of Highway 35/Delta Drummond Road to Forest Road 228 Trailhead (parking for 2 vehicles) which is on Forest Road 228/West Delta Road at the northwest corner of the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness.
Parking coordinates: latitude 46.38842 longitude -91.28382
This section of the Rainbow Lake Wilderness is best known for its picturesque lakes and the wolf pack that can sometimes be heard howling at night. The hike will begin along Anderson Grade Trail, an old railroad bed, and then will hook into the NCT in the Wilderness and head south toward Reynard Lake Road. On the way you will pass by Clay Lake, Flakefjord Lake, with a short hike into Bufo Lake to take a peak, and then on to Reynard Lake and Wishbone Lake. The route is relatively flat and forested.
Hike Distance: roughly 3.8 miles one way. Check out the NCT pocket map
Potato River Falls
Location: 21 Miles East of Ashland. Turn Right on Hwy 169 toward Gurney, travel 2.8 miles and take a right on Falls Rd.
Distance: Short distance of around .8 Miles but with a total of around 335 steps it will get your heart rate up.
Trail Tips: From the parking lot you can choose from the upper or lower trail to the falls. You must hike both trails to complete this challenge.
Ashland Historic Oredock Park to Prentice Park
Location: Start at Oredock Park built in 1916 and now the base remains and jets out into Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay. Prentice Park is nearly 100 acres and is located on the western edge of Ashland. It is a natural habitat for migrating birds and a nesting ground for mute swans.
Trail Tips: This is urban hike. Start at the Oredock and follow the lakefront trail past the Blue Wave and cross US Hwy 2 via the crosswalk at Maslowski Beach. This will take you into Prentice Park. Explore the park, waters of Fish Creek and fill your water bottle at the artesian well by the pavilion.
To access the Oredock lakefront trail: Take US Hwy East. Take a left on Willis Street and follow past Water Street. There’s a single parking spot on the west side of the Oredock. Take the trail west to check out the Oredock then backtrack and head west on the lakefront trail.
Hike Distance: 2+Miles one way or 4+ miles round trip.
