Yellow River Ice-walled Lake Plain

This 200-acre site is unique as an “Ice-walled lake plain”, a glacial feature with a flat, rich, fertile plateau. The area is a rich, mesic hardwood forest with mature stands of Sugar maple/basswood and hemlock/yellow birch, as well as Tamarack/black spruce swamp forest. Steep erosion ravines cut through the plain, where many fern species abound (including some rare ones). Bird species here include the Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Wood-Pewee, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Directions: From Perkinstown, which is west of Medford, go north on Cty. M to its junction with FR 112. Continue north on FR 112 about 1 mile to its junction with FR 575. Go west on FR 575 about 1.5 miles to its junction with FR 1547. FR 1547 is a gated road; park and walk past the gate, down the road. The site is on both sides of the road for about 1 mile.

Gazetteer: Page 74, C-3.

Note: There are no established trails; but the woods are fairly open and easy to hike (bring a map and compass). There is a heron rookery one mile south; it’s remotely located with no easy access, but worth the hike.

Phone: 715/762-2461 (US Forest Services).

Web site: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Rarities: Cerulean Warbler and Swainson’s Thrush. Rare spring ephemeral plants include dutchman’s breeches, squirrel corn, trillium, trout lily, spring beauty, toothwort, hepatica, bulblet and goldies fern.

Seasonality: Spring is best for bird watching and seeing a stupendous spring wildflower display (best during last two weeks of May).

Nearest food & lodging: Medford, 20 miles southeast.