NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN - Wisconsin - page 410

Finally, you can witness how the U.S. Forest Service manages timber resources on the
Argonne Experimental Forest Trail, a so-called living laboratory of less than a mile with
more than a dozen markers explaining (or justifying) in some detail how the forest is used.
The road is east of Three Lakes via WIS 32.
TheEagleRiverDistrict's Natural History Auto Tour isan80-milemélangeofnatural
history, topographical sights, and the historical museum in Three Lakes.
For those without much time, just take a spin through the forest nine miles east of Eagle
RiveroffWIS70viatheold Military Road, ForestRoad2178,and Butternut Lake Road,
a nice forest-in-a-nutshell trip through splendid scenery. Old Military Road, once called the
Lake Superior Trail, is the modern result of a trail that's been in use for millennia—first
by the nomadic early Native American tribes, then by explorers, trappers, and miners, and,
finally, of course, by the U.S. military.
Most of the Pine River is tranquil from the put-in site along Pine River Road, but there
are some notable rapids after WIS 55, and a few portages are mandatory. The Eagle River
District section offers a few looks at the remnants of old sawmills on the banks.
Camping
FLORENCE AREA
The carry-in Brule River (May-Sept., $10) campground, on the Wisconsin-Michigan bor-
der north of Alvin via WIS 55 and set in a lovely red pine and balsam grove, is super.
Contiguous Chipmunk Rapids Campground (May-Nov., $10) and Lost Lake Camp-
ground (May-mid-Oct., $12) off WIS 70 via Forest Road 2450 are 18 miles southwest of
Florence. Tiny Chipmunk is adjacent to Lauterman National Recreation Trail and offers its
own legendary artesian drinking well at a carry-in site along the Pine River. The latter has
a 150-year-old stand of hemlock and pine. No motors allowed, so it is quiet.
EAGLE RIVER AREA
Popular but mediocre Anvil Lake (May-mid-Oct., $12) is nine miles east of Eagle River
right atop WIS 70; at least there are the grand Anvil Lake trail systems here.
Franklin Lake (May-Sept., $15), along the Heritage Drive Scenic Byway (Forest Rd.
2181),ishuge,withtonsofdiversionsforkids;trailsalsoconnectthistoAnvilLakeCamp-
ground and to the nearby Luna-White Deer Lake Campground (May-mid.-Oct., $15),
with sites sandwiched between the motorless lakes.
The largest lake in the Nicolet, Lac Vieux Desert's 2,853 acres were fished by the Ojib-
wabeforeEuropeans foundthese headwaters oftheWisconsin River.You'llseelotsofrus-