Winter adventures in Schroeder

This is a grand year to be outside in the west, in Schroeder. We are having the winter we have waited for, the reason we live here. I am going to share three hiking destinations in the west end of Cook County, places that may not be well known, places we have enjoyed in the past weeks.

But first: a caution! Be careful by the rivers. Don’t venture out on the ice. The rivers change year to year. This year with deep snow creates new dangers. Our friend Tim Lamb, who grew up by the Cross River, made sure he had our attention with this warning. A smooth snow track over a river might be a thin crust above a rapid current. Into the river and under the ice, you are gone until spring. But just getting a wet leg and you risk hypothermia. Stay safe.

And a choice: hiking boots or snowshoes, a personal decision that can change with each outing. The trails are compacted by this time of year. The raised track is a solid base to walk on, but that track is high above the ground. One step off the track and you are knee deep in soft snow. With boots or Steger mukluks find a way to keep snow out of your footwear. Yaktrax can help on down slopes which can be tricky. A hiking pole offers a surprise when it sinks three feet into the snow beside the trail. Each outing can be a surprise.

Three Schroeder destinations

Many folks are heading to the popular peaks, Oberg, Leveaux, Carlton, this year and they are all worth the trip with their views of the big lake and the forests. But we have trails on the west end that are great experiences and less known: Dyers Creek, Cross River and Temperance River west bank. All are sections of the Superior Hiking Trail.

Dyer’s Creek. This is a serine route of about half a mile along the Two Island River. Watch for otter slides. The trail goes up, over and down a ridge before reaching the Dyer’s Creek camp site, vacant this time of year with even the bench hidden under snow. But sit on the wooden bridge above Dyer’s Creek at this junction point and enjoy the remote stillness. The trail starts by the railroad track a very short distance up Dyer’s Lake Road off the Cramer Road north of 61. Park at the plowed turn off just over the tracks. The road continues for half a mile to the lake, a winter fishing destination.

Cross River Spur. This hike is a mile and a half route high above the Cross River hidden in its deep canyon. The long steady climb offers occasional views of the gorge with hints of a remote high waterfalls in its depth. The trail reaches the main SHT route, and a bench buried in snow. That main trail extends miles in each direction but is not that easy a winter journey. The spur trail starts at the Skou Road parking area north of 61 just east of the Cross River wayside. After a short walk on a snow mobile trail route, the trail heads north by a shelter. Notice a clearing in the woods as you start the climb, the site of an early farmstead with piles of cleared, picked rocks a sign of hard work in the past.

Temperance River Trail and Spur. The trail up the west side of the river is away from the main state park trails, a one-mile ramble. There are inviting views of a snow-covered river. Don’t venture out, because the next turn shows an open river surging around a curve and over a ledge. This is what the caution is about. The trail continues to the Temperance River Road, at this time an unplowed snowmobile route. You can make this excursion a loop trip by walking the road down to the Gitchi Gami Trail, turning left and following it to your track to 61. Get on the trail at the opening from the parking area just west of the highway 61 bridge. A short first section brings you to the Gitchi Gami and a jog to the right before the trail continues up. Be sure to turn before crossing the river on the viewing bridge.

The three trails are traveled enough to form a firm base but remote enough, so you feel alone in the woods. Winter hiking, especially on snowshoes, builds up the body heat and you soon start de-layering. Also, time passes rapidly. Remember that you need to turn back at some point.

And another choice. You are hiking on a narrow tread more than a foot above the ground surrounded by deep fluffy snow that can be waste deep. A tumble into that fluff is a soft landing but getting up again is interesting. After wallowing a bit, you make the choice of trying to regain your footing or lying there in the snow and waiting for spring. Here a hiking pole may be the only thing to help you. If you decide to wait it out, at least you won’t be thirsty with all that snow around.