Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Chequamegon Hardwoods (No. 292)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County. T44N-R3W, Section 6, N½NW¼. 80 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 13 and County Highway GG in Mellen, go southwest on GG about 8 miles, then northwest on FR 187 (Mineral Lake Road) 0.7 miles, then north on FR 188 (Hanson Road) 1.6 miles to where the North Country Trail crosses the road. Park along the road and walk due north 0.25 mile to the southern boundary of the site. The North Country Trail just skirts the southeastern tip of the natural area as it heads in a northeasterly direction.

Description

Description

Chequamegon Hardwoods is an old second-growth northern mesic hardwood forest with an undisturbed understory. Scattered throughout the site are several very large exposures of gabbro bedrock, some up to 50 feet in height. Although the stand was logged in the 1930's, it still retains patches of old-growth hemlock, various hardwoods and some very large big-tooth aspen. Sugar maple, basswood, and yellow birch dominate most of the stand with canopy associates of red oak and white ash. Other areas feature hemlock and large big-tooth aspen. The midstory includes such characteristic species such as leather-leaf, mountain maple, beaked hazelnut, and alternate-leaved dogwood. The herbaceous layer has never been grazed and is diverse with over 80 plant species including spikenard, blue cohosh, green adders-mouth, nodding trillium, maidenhair fern, and bloodroot. Three orchids, purple fringed, spotted coral, and early coral root are also present. Low areas of wet-mesic forest are dominated by black ash with white cedar, red maple, yellow birch, and hemlocks with an understory of speckled alder, swamp aster, and spotted Joe-Pye-weed. The stream running through the site contains a good population of Fontinalis, an aquatic moss, and an abundant larval caddisfly fauna. Numerous forest interior birds are present such as Nashville, black and white, and black-throated green warblers, ovenbird, and wood pewee. Amphibians include wood frog and red-backed salamander. Chequamegon Hardwoods is owned by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 1996.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 54 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 173 KB]

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)