Sunny day, snowy trail

“...here in the Northwoods. Sunny and in the 60s, so Reino and I packed up the pups and went hiking. Got a chance to try out my new Mountainsmith "Day" lumbar pack (carries fine with about 12# of basic gear and water bottles) and to pick a trail from the new Hiking Wisconsin guidebook.

Settled on Ed's Lake Trail in the Nicolet National Forest, 8 miles SE of Crandon, or about 35 miles east of our home in Rhinelander. Just one of the many trails that surround us, but which we overlook. By combining the outer parts of the two loops, we did about 4 miles through woods still filled with snow, but us in shirtsleeves and sunglasses. The trail was a mix of rotten snow/ice and soggy forest duff, rolling and snaking through the forest. Wisely we had settled on our high-topped rubber-bottomed canoeing boots to get us through the mix of slop, post-holing, and slush.

The hooting of a large owl greated us at the trailhead and a chorus of songbirds serenaded us during the last mile. Max and Keksi had plenty of aromas to inhale and got plenty pooped out by the end. First big exercise outing of the year for a couple of house dogs.

Toasted our little trek with a couple cold drafts and a game of 8-ball at Duck's Bar in Crandon.

All in all, a splendid day. Hope others had it as nice as we did up here.”

“I wish we could get snow down here. I think the cold days are done here for the season. *sigh*”

“Well we're glad to see it go. It came late this winter, but it came hard when it did. Normally I would have waited until the trails were truly open to hiking -- this is a short "shoulder" season at the moment where there isn't enough snow for skiing or snowshoeing the trails, but enough snow in sections to make walking difficult, and soggy soft soil elsewhere that made for slippery footing on ups and down. But the day was just too glorious to not take advantage. I credit Reino for announcing that the day's duty was a hike in the woods on a trail we'd never walked, biked or skied.

Another fine omen for our hike was the beautiful, shiny new fritillary butterfly that fluttered around us as we filled out the trailhead registration fee envelope. When the butterflies start hatching, it's got to be spring.

The brevity of "perfect" spring hiking conditions was hinted at by the two blackflies we noted, one Reino saw on a water bottle at a break, the other on our windshield as we drove out of the parking area. Not the harbinger we would prefer.”

“Black flys suck!!!!!

8\”

“At the warming shelter along the trail I found a golden anodized Easton aluminum tent stake. One can always use an extra fancy stake.”

“Its always a good deal when you find something cool and useful.

8)”