So, Wisconsin gets very little air time here on BPL, so I thought I'd do my part. Here's some pictures from an overnighter this past week up in the Chequemagon-Niclolet National Forest.

I'm camped next to the Peshtigo River, near Blackwell, WI.

















The next morning. It looks warm, but its only 15 F!

Is there any serious wildlife in there?

--B.G.--

Black bear. I've run into them several times, but since Wisconsin allows black bear hunting, they're very afraid of people. Regardless, I practice safe food storage.

There are plenty of deer, some porcupines, bald eagles, coyote and wolf packs, and there was a moose reported in Crandon a few years ago (about 18 miles away). There are also some rare fishers. The picture below is taken from wikipedia. I've only ever seen one, and it was a pretty cool animal. They can apparently kill a porcupine with relative ease--one of the only animals in the forest that bother to do so.

Edited by T.L. on 03/29/2010 19:29:23 MDT.

Wow, a fisher!

They are not extremely rare, but they are certainly elusive. They may be present, but they are seldom seen. I have maybe a half-dozen shots of a fisher, but that took a lot of work.

I would encourage you to get back out there with a good camera, or else get a "trail-cam" that will automatically shoot wildlife photos when the animal walks in front of the camera.
--B.G.--

My family has some property up there, so I get up to the northwoods quite frequently. I was sitting in a tree stand one morning (just observing; I don't hunt) when I saw a black animal in the distance. It was big enough where I initially thought it was a baby bear, but when it got closer, I realized it was a fisher. This thing ran back and forth along a downed tree for about 5 minutes before retreating in the direction it came.

We used to have a trail cam, but got tired of developing the film. Now that the digital ones have come down in price, I think its time for a new one.

Awesome Travis. Were you on the Ice Age? And if I could get the coordinates for that campsite that would be great. lol That is a sweet sweet site.

Also is that a Rainshadow 2 you're using? I guess regardless had any bad issues with condensation on single walls here in the northwoods? I'm thinking about picking one up for the fiance and I. I have a lunar solo but haven't put a two person to the test yet.

Jealous man, I haven't made it out yet. And it's supposed to be almost in the seventies this week!!! Maybe time to slack off on the coding and make a quick overnight run to at least North Kettle Moraine or something.

The only trick of the trail-cam is that you need to cable it onto a solid tree very well, and then camouflage the cable with camo tape so that it will not be seen and stolen.
--B.G.--

Shawn,
No, I wasn't along the IAT. But the coordinates (according to Google Maps) are:

45.570598, -88.511020‎
+45° 34' 14.15", -88° 30' 39.67"

I must admit its sort of a "cheater" campsite. Up where my family has property, there aren't really any hiking trails around long enough to camp on (most are under a mile) so I hike down the forest roads and camp wherever I want. This spot is well known though, and often has tents on it.

There are a few trails I've discovered recently that I have to check out this summer.

I'm using a Squall 2. Yeah, too much for a solo trip, but since I usually go out with the girlfriend, I don't have a solo shelter. We normally use a Double Rainbow, and as long as we leave the vestibules open, there is usually little to no condensation. But, the DR is big enough so rubbing up against the walls is pretty much avoidable.

Ah, Kettle Moraine. Its just a pain having to make reservations every time I go! I might pick up a seasonal pass so some of that hassle is alleviated.



Bob,
thanks for the trail cam tips!

Edited by T.L. on 03/29/2010 20:02:39 MDT.

Rivers are where it's at.

Nice, Travis!

Note to self: add Wisconsin to list.

I've done a lot more research lately on trails in WI. I'm slowly starting to find some places to hike!