The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Path is a 5 sea mile long pathway along the ridge trace of a loss stone cliff that has been sculpted into a ocular masterpiece of sea caves by Great Lake Superior.The first base parcel of this linear hike lead is a single track boardwalk way. It becomes a soil pathway after 1 nautical mile and includes a few flow crossings. But, the lead is good defined up to the overlooks of the park ‘s most celebrated sea caves.Most hikers turn back at this point to make a 4 mile out-and-back which takes about one and one half hour round trip. But, some hikers and backpackers continue on for more sights. The trail eventfully leads to a secluded beach and a distant backpacker ‘s campsite which can be reserved for an overnight .
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| Sea Cave from the Lakeshore Trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
The small town charm of Bayfield, La Pointe, and Washburn is the main draw to this region, but a major expectation of going Up North is to connect with nature. It verges on disappointment that much of the National Lakeshore (which is as big an area as Rocky Mountain National Park) is so difficult to access. This five mile trail from Meyers Beach is the only hiking trail in the park that is on the mainland. It is a can’t-miss hiking experience in Northern Wisconsin.
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| The Lakeshore Trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
The trailhead is located at Meyer’s Beach which is a hub of activity on any given weekend throughout the year. Meyer’s Beach is the staging point for the most popular kayaking route in the world. Three local outfitters meet up with paddlers at the beach with kayaks and wet suits and lead guided tours of the Apostle Island sea caves.
In winter, this is also the gathering place for the world famous ice cave hike. From late January to Early march the lake is frozen to a thickness that is safe for hiking. This allows hikers to walk on the ice to the sea caves which are decorated in a glimmering display of icicles.
The lakeshore path is high above the lake, and does not go down to the sea caves, but there are a few overlooks that provide very good views of a few of the most popular caves. The trail begins at Meyers Beach parking lot and travels through a transitional boreal forest along a single track boardwalk for one mile.
After the first mile, hikers cross a dirt road and engage in a moderately difficult dirt footpath for the rest of the journey to the sea cave overlooks. there are a few easy stream crossings. The forest is dripping wet even in its driest months. The pine and birch forest is thick overhead and the forest floor is covered with ferns and moss.
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| Sea Cave from the Lakeshore Trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
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At about 1.75 miles in hikers encounter the first view of a sea cave. It is a large gash cut into the stone escarpment. A natural stone arch bridges over the gap while 100 feet below the waves of Lake Superior crash into the gap. The echoing of the waves in the cave are unmistakable and atmospheric. You will want to get up close to the edge to see into the gash, but be careful to stay behind the fence line – these perches have little solid material beneath them and could give way in an instant.
Most hikers will turn back after viewing this first sight. But, only a tenth of a mile further up the trail there is a second good overlook of another sea cave. While the dense forest and angle of view prevents good photography of the sea caves – in person they are actually astounding views of a unique landscape.
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| Sea Cave from the Lakeshore Trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
Beyond this second overlook the trail becomes faint and difficult to find. For a while you may believe that you are following a deer trail. This trail continues along the top of the escarpment for a while and then turns back into the woodlands. There are a few ravines which this trail meanders into and out of with healthy climbs. Eventually the trail turns back to the lake and ends at a long stretch of natural beach. At the far end of this beach is the hiker’s campsite.
In all, this is an epic trail in Wisconsin and is a must-hike for any day adventurer or Wisconsin explorer.
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| The Lakeshore Trail at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
The Apostle Islands host more than 50 miles of hike trails through pristine protected wilderness. But, without a boat, most visitors to this tourist area on the Bayfield Peninsula are unable to reach these big trails. Yet, tens of thousands of travelers find their way to the Bayfield area each peak temper day with an expectation of adventuring into the great wilds of Up North Wisconsin.The small township charm of Bayfield, La Pointe, and Washburn is the main draw to this region, but a major expectation of going Up North is to connect with nature. It verges on disappointment that a lot of the National Lakeshore ( which is as adult an sphere as Rocky Mountain National Park ) is sol difficult to access. This five mile trail from Meyers Beach is the alone hike lead in the park that is on the mainland. It is a can’t-miss hike have in Northern Wisconsin.The trail head is located at Meyer ‘s Beach which is a hub of activity on any given weekend throughout the year. Meyer ‘s Beach is the staging bespeak for the most popular kayaking path in the world. Three local anesthetic outfitters meet up with paddlers at the beach with kayaks and wet suits and lead guided tours of the Apostle Island sea caves.In winter, this is besides the accumulate place for the global celebrated methamphetamine cave raise. From former January to Early march the lake is frozen to a thickness that is safe for hiking. This allows hikers to walk on the ice to the sea caves which are decorated in a inkling expose of icicles.The lakeside path is high above the lake, and does not go down to the ocean caves, but there are a few overlooks that provide identical estimable views of a few of the most popular caves. The trail begins at Meyers Beach park fortune and travels through a transitional boreal forest along a single track boardwalk for one mile.After the first mile, hikers cross a scandal road and absorb in a moderately difficult crap pathway for the rest of the travel to the sea cave overlooks. there are a few comfortable pour crossings. The afforest is dripping wet even in its dry months. The pine and birch forest is dense overhead and the forest floor is covered with ferns and moss.At about 1.75 miles in hikers encounter the first view of a sea cave. It is a large cut cut into the stone escarpment. A natural rock arch bridges over the gap while 100 feet below the waves of Lake Superior crash into the col. The echoing of the waves in the cave are apparent and atmospheric. You will want to get up near to the edge to see into the slash, but be careful to stay behind the argue line – these perches have little solid material below them and could give way in an instant.Most hikers will turn back after viewing this first gear batch. But, merely a one-tenth of a nautical mile further up the trail there is a second good overlook of another sea cave. While the dense forest and angle of scene prevents dependable photography of the sea caves – in person they are actually astounding views of a alone landscape.Beyond this second base overlook the trail becomes faint and difficult to find. For a while you may believe that you are following a deer trail. This trail continues along the top of the escarpment for a while and then turns back into the woodlands. There are a few ravines which this trail meanders into and out of with healthy climbs. finally the trail turns back to the lake and ends at a long stretch of natural beach. At the far end of this beach is the hiker ‘s campsite.In wholly, this is an epic chase in Wisconsin and is a must-hike for any day adventurer or Wisconsin internet explorer .