Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Anvil Lake Trail (No. 449)

Overview

Location

Located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Vilas and Forest Counties. T40N-R11E, Sections 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 36; T40N-R12E, 19, 30. 980 acres.

Access

From the intersection of US Highway 45 and State Highway 70 in Eagle River, go east on Highway 70 7.6 miles, then south on FR 2178 (Military Road) 0.5 miles. Walk east into the complex.

Description

Description

Anvil Lake Trail features a large, mature contiguous block of northern hardwood forest with inclusions of hemlock and scattered mature hemlock nearly throughout. Other natural communities are northern wet forest and soft-water springs. Hemlock regeneration is significant. On nearly level topography to hummocky with steep slopes, a large majority of forest is dominated by sugar maple with sizable stands dominated by white pine, hemlock, red oak, or older aspen. The pines date from 1888 and some hemlock is older. The best stands have many large hardwoods and hemlock in the 22-28 inch diameter range. Super-canopy white pine is also present through much of the site. Yellow birch and basswood are also common. The understory varies from open and park-like to dense hazelnut thickets. A number of large snags and tip-ups are common and coarse woody debris is occasional. The groundlayer supports Canada mayflower, intermediate wood fern, lycopods, and rough-leaved rice cut grass. Birds include veery, pine siskin, evening grosbeak, ruby-crowned kinglet, Nashville warbler, black-throated blue warbler, and yellow-bellied flycatcher. Numerous trees of all types and size classes, large snags, and the open character of the understory contribute to the developing old growth structure of this site. Anvil Lake Trail is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)