INDIANHEAD COUNTRY - Wisconsin - page 534

Eight or nine resorts and lodges are found along the riverway. The Oxbo Resort (6275
NOxboDr.,715/762-4786, www.oxboresort.com , $75-150)offerscabinsandawholeslew
of canoe and ski rentals, along with a shuttle service.
Two primary trails wend through the forest. The Oxbo begins east of Oxbo on WIS 70
and is eight miles long. Larger Flambeau Hills trail is nearby and stretches for 13 miles.
Trails also connect with country trails and the Tuscobia State Trail.
The forest headquarters is at the Highway W crossing of the Flambeau River.
A BADGER BIGFOOT?
There are those who believe, passionately, that the dense forests in these parts are
home to a Sasquatch, or family thereof. A hunter reported the first one in 2002 and
sightings continued right up to the time of writing; in fact, a Bigfoot research organ-
ization ( www.bfro.com ) struck out on not one, but two expeditions (2006 and 2007),
andoneresearcherclaimedtohaveheardotherworldlyhowlsnotofanycaninethroat
from deep within the forest (I'm hoping to hear tapes on the website at some point).
The little A-frame information kiosk in Phillips (summer only) is getting somewhat
used to jokesters inquiring about it.
MM Timm's Hill
For most of its early statehood, Wisconsin's highest spot was believed to be Rib Mountain,
near Wausau. Eventually, someone got around to the nitty-gritty surveying work and dis-
covered that Timm's Hill, 25 miles south of Phillips, was actually higher. Along WIS 13
andWIS86andthendownlovelyrusticHighwayRRandsurroundedbyacountypark,the
hillsportsa45-footobservationtowerand,afterthewobblyclimb,abouttheonlytrulyver-
tiginous heights in the state. Not Rocky Mountain majesty, but your spine will feel shivers.
Just under 2,000 feet above sea level, the platform at the top at times attracts enough day-
trippers to warrant a numbering system. Hiking and ski trails wend around the base of the
hill. Camping is not allowed.
Rib Lake
DuesouthofTimm'sHillisasmattering oflakes,thenucleusofwhichis Rib Lake, avery
northern European busy-as-a-beaver place.
In the village itself you'll find a campground at Lakeview Park.