Reaching New Heights: Timm's Hill

I decided it was time to check out what all the hype is about... so we took a road trip to Timm's Hill on Saturday. I wanted to see how the view from Wisconsin's Highest Natural Point (Timm's Hill) compared to Rib Mountain in Wausau (the second highest point). Since Charlie and I do a lot of hiking on Rib Mountain, I figured we'd be pretty good judges of how good the view from Timm's Hill compared.

We took Highway 51 north from Wausau to Tomahawk and then west along Highway 86, with a quick stop at Spirit Falls to check out this geographic feature along the way. A short turn off Highway 86 onto Spirit River Ave. leads to a small grassy parking area where you'll find a wide trail back to the falls. Large rock outcroppings spill into the flowing water of Spirit River which create a pretty waterfall; it's a nice place to have a picnic or just sit and listen to the water flowing over the rocks. The multitude of rocks made it challenging for Charlie to swim since she kept stumbling over them in the water and when she slid down the rock-formed waterfall, there was nowhere for her to climb back up; she had to backtrack through the little tributary stream to the trail in order to meet back up with us at the car.

My Google directions were a little bit wrong so instead of continuing along County Road RR (which happens to be a Rustic Road!) to the entrance of Timm's Hill County Park, we turned onto Ring School Rd. If you have extra time, I highly recommend taking this "wrong turn" because it offers a stunning view of Timm's Hill from across Timms Lake - seriously, you'll feel like you're in a different country, like the Swiss Alps only smaller. Also, the road winds along rolling hills and past Ring School, which is so rustic and quaint you'll feel like you stepped back in time.

The entrance to the park, off County Road RR, is a narrow one-way road that winds through dark woods covering steep hills. There are cross-country ski trails and other hiking trails intersecting the road but keep going until you get to the designated parking area. There you will find restrooms, a playground, picnic shelter and a kiosk with map information. A short, but steep, hike takes you to the observation tower and Wisconsin's Highest Natural Point.

Unlike our recent outing to the observation tower at Roche-A-Cri State Park, this tower did not specify whether dogs were allowed or not, so I decided they are. And since no one else was currently using the tower, I figured I wasn't going to be bothering anyone by taking my dog up there. I felt completely sure that she would be safe since there was chicken-wire lining the handrails and top deck. But about halfway up, Charlie realized that we were pretty far from the ground and began to get a little nervous, so I took the lead and let her follow behind me.



We signed the register for Highpointers Summits of the States.

The view from the top is pretty and you can see really far, but the treeline obscures the view of the lakes at the base of the hill, so all that can be seen of them is a tiny bit of shoreline and only if you look really hard. Honestly, after having been at the top of Rib Mountain and now here, I'd have to say that the view from Rib Mountain is much more scenic and feels as though you can see farther than on Timm's Hill... but that's just my opinion and you should probably check it out for yourself. I suppose on a crisp, autumn day when the sky is cobalt blue and the leaves are on fire with color, the view from up here might win over Rib Mountain.

After quickly descending the stairs and returning to solid ground, Charlie and I signed the register for the Highpointers Summits of the States; Charlie was happy to be back on the ground!

The red trail is the Ice Age Trail!

Back at the parking lot, while studying the trail maps at the kiosk, I was surprised to see the Ice Age Trail listed in the legend; I hadn't realized the IAT was near Timm's Hill. Could I possibly have happened across another segment of the Ice Age Trail - by accident - for the second weekend in a row?!

Yep.

Unbelievable.

Without even trying, this trail seems to find me. But because we had spent so much time getting lost and taking the scenic route, we didn't have time to tackle this segment today; you can bet we'll be back though!

Leash Hike: White Water Park

Barker-Stewart Island

Due to Charlie's blatant disregard for recall commands during yesterday's hike, I decided we would do a leash-walk along the Wisconsin River's River Edge Parkway today. We headed out toward downtown Wausau around 11:30am, merged onto the River Edge Parkway behind the Eye Clinic and went across the foot bridge to Barker-Stewart Island to do a lap around the trail and take a moment to watch the river as it lazily flowed past.

Remnants of original saw mill on island.

 

Train bridge on West side of island.

View of pedestrian bridge and downtown Wausau from East side of island.

After our lap around the island, we headed back to the River Edge Parkway and continued under the Scott St. bridge and behind the Marathon County Public Library where the dam for the White Water Park is located.

 

River Edge Parkway under Scott St. - hydro dam to the right.

Once we got behind the library, there's a short set of stairs that take you below the dam where kayakers enter the water at the top of the course.

 

Descending the stairs to the kayak launch platform below dam.

 

On the kayak launch platform looking upriver towards dam.

Charlie especially enjoys this spot to take a break, get a drink and explore along the shore. From here we crossed the street and headed down towards the White Water Park.

 

 



The River Edge Parkway continues along behind the seating area for the White Water Park and all the way down to Isle of Ferns Park. The picture below shows the beginning of the white water course as well as distant Rib Mountain and Granite Peak Ski Area in the background - with snow still on the slopes!

 

 

Ground seating along white water course.



Newly remodeled viewing area along course.

Here's a short video of the babbling water flowing over the boulders, followed by an impatient *BARK* from Charlie:

 



 

We got a little further down the trail when "nature called" and apparently the bathrooms are not open for the season yet, so we turned back and headed towards home, taking the Parkway through the undeveloped gap where it reconnects under Bridge Street. I had to steer Charlie around piles of broken glass, garbage and boards with nails sticking out of them... tempted to let her off-leash to run but too worried that she'd hurt herself on something.

 

Abandoned buildings along future expansion of parkway trail.

Once back on the trail, I started watching for river otters. I had spotted a pair of otters in this part of the river last year and am always on the lookout for them. Instead, I saw a dead deer in the water. What is it with finding death on all our walks?! Just a part of nature, I guess.

 

 

Charlie was really tired after two hours of walking. I was ready to go longer and just might go out again this evening by myself. It's been awhile since I've been on a solo walk (without dog) and think it might do me some good to have time to myself, untethered.





Shopping Break: Bluegill Bay Park

Less than half a mile from the hustle and bustle of Rib Mountain's shopping district you'll find Bluegill Bay Park. Most people use this park for its boat ramp and access to Lake Wausau, but there's a scenic gravel path looping around the water inlets with occasional picnic tables and benches, which make this a wonderful spot to take a break from shopping. Next time you head out to Wal-Mart, pack the dog and your boots so you can go for a quick hike around the bay! Enjoy the great view of Rib Mountain from across the lake and catch a picture-perfect sunset in the summer.

A lot of people fish along the banks of Lake Wausau and Bluegill Bay in warmer months. There are even a couple fishing piers bobbing in the bay... although they are buried in snow and ice for now.

With the longer daylight, we were able to enjoy a hike today and take in the crystal clear blue sky. The wind, however, was howling and gusting at up to 30 miles per hour sandblasting my face with snow-powder. The winds had drifted the snow into pretty sculptures on the path, which apparently had not been walked on for some time; if you weren't familiar with the park, you'd have no idea where the path was.

Snow depths have reached the bottom of the picnic table benches, practically burying them.

But if you continue on to the end of the peninsula, there's a quiet spot in the pines where hardly anyone goes.

And if you keep going all the way out to the tip, there's a bench overlooking Lake Wausau, where you can sit in the sun, listening to the wind in the pine branches and the waves breaking on shore.

This park is a great place for bird-watching, picnicking, hiking, water-sports, fishing and just plain lounging around. There are picnic shelters to provide shade, bathrooms, and plenty of parking. This is a perfect destination for anyone looking for a break from shopping or just a quiet place to get away on your lunch break.

*Insider Tip:  If you're like me, and prefer to avoid crowds but still like to participate in fun events, this park is a great place to watch the annual Balloon Rally and Glow since the Wausau Airport (where the event is held) is right across the lake!