Lake Owen Guided History Hike

On Thursday, July 25, 2024 starting at 8:45 a.m., the Lake Owen Association is sponsoring a 4-mile guided hike along the shores of Lake Owen on the North Country Trail.  The hike starts from the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds parking lot and ends at North Lake Owen Drive with either cars staged for rides back to the Picnic Grounds or a 18 minute road walk back.  There will be brief stops for highlights about the geological history, human history, and the large Indian village that existed on the shores of Lake Owen.

The details of the hike are as follows.  Hikers will meet at the Lake Owen Picnic Ground parking lot at or shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2024, GPS coordinates 46.306600, -91.217048.  This parking lot is currently free parking.  Hikers will be allowed to stage their cars at the end of the hike on North Lake Owen Drive just west of East Horseshoe Drive and be driven back to the start or opt for an 18 minute road walk back.

The hike will proceed on the access trail that starts at the far end of the parking lot. The hike joins the North Country Trail and for the first two miles follows along the shore of Lake Owen going past 4 N.F.S. Kiosks and through one of the last areas of Wisconsin’s virgin pines.  The hike continues through the Lake Owen Hardwoods State Natural Area and comes out at North Lake Owen Drive. Total distance of the hike is 3 miles.  Add another mile if you opt for the road walk back.  The Trail is easy to follow and winds through gently rolling wooded terrain that provides shade.

The only bathroom is a vault toilet at the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds parking lot.  The only clean drinking water is from a hand pump at the Lake Owen Picnic grounds.  Remember to wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bring mosquito repellant, a camera, water bottle and a raincoat if rain is in the forecast.  In the event of severe weather, you will be emailed as to the postponement and the rain date.. The average low temperature is typically 56° F and the average high is 77° F.  Ticks are present, but the vast majority of ticks can be avoided by spraying your pants and socks with Permethrin the night before.

To ask questions, either TEXT hike leader Ed Ronkowski at 708 227-5372 or email him at eronkowski@hotmail.com