NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN - Wisconsin - page 408

Whatever you do, don't miss the Lac Vieux Desert, the Wisconsin River's headwaters,
north on Highway E. Muskie anglers go berserk in these waters, haunted by the most fero-
cious of lunkers.
Florence and Spread Eagle
Spread Eagle sits at the tip of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the state—one of the
few remaining plains areas. There is also a small chain of nine lakes, reportedly frequen-
ted by Al Capone and other nefarious underworld figures during Prohibition. Florence, the
underpopulated-county's seat, has one of the smallest, oldest, and not-to-be-messed-with
county jails in Wisconsin—a scant 24 by 30 feet—built like a tomb in 1889.
Florence's Wild Rivers Interpretive Center (corner of U.S. 2/141 and Hwy. 101/70,
888/889-0049, www.florencewisconsin.com ) is also the best source of information in the
region, shared by federal, state, and county offices. Stop by just to see the albino buck dis-
play.
Scenic Drives
The officially designated Wisconsin Rustic Road 34 departs Alvin and traverses parts of
LakeviewDrive,CareyDamRoad,andFishelRoad.It'ssecludedandanicenorthernforest
experience on the whole, but it is unpaved and extremely narrow.
Recreation
FLORENCE AREA
ApersonalfavoriteforcanoeingistheBruleRiver,whichalsoformsthenorthernborderof
the Whisker Lake Wilderness, the district's mammoth spread of almost primeval wilder-
ness. The tract covers about 7,500 acres, and there is a stand of virgin pine and hardwood.
Whisker Lake is the area for dispersed camping.
The district's highlight, the grand Lauterman National Recreational Trail, offers nine
totalmilesforhikers,bikers,andskiers,connectingLautermanLakewithPerchLakeinthe
north. Lauterman Lake has five walk-in campsites available and an Adirondack shelter.
The aptly named Ridge Trail west of Florence winds along an aspen ridge and the Pine
River. Assessor's Trail plunges deep into hemlock stands so thick you'll feel the light fad-
ing.
Not to be confused with the Bois Brule River in far northwestern Wisconsin is the sed-
ate, comfy Brule River.Doubling as the Wisconsin-Michigan border,the river runsthrough
splendid wilderness areas and offers killer trout fishing. The Brule is decidedly lazy for