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This week’s weekly:

• Water trail seeks National Parks recognition 🛶 

• Harmful blue-green algae 🦠 

• Ruffed grouse population growing 🐦

Great Pinery Heritage Trail Seeks National Park Recognition

In the year 2020, a few things happened:

1. The world's population reached 8 billion

2. The world's largest active volcano—Mauna Loa—erupted

3. The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway was recognized as a state waterway. Bingo!

This waterway, which has provided tens of thousands of folks excellent views of the Wisconsin River via paddling, is now being thrust back into the limelight for another accolade:

A National Parks Service’s national water trail designation.

Great Pinery Heritage Waterway:

• 108 miles long, starting at Hat Rapids dam south of Rhinelander and terminating at Lake DuBay dam in northern Portage County

• Highlights our important logging history

• Organizers plan to add campsites and extend the trail

What is it?

Of all 12,600 rivers and streams in Wisconsin, only 20 boast the title of state waterway. “Ooo, ahhh!”

At 108 miles long, the Great Pinery Heritage Trail earned the moniker due to its rich paddling access, fishing opportunities, and views of the Wisconsin River.

Its name is derived from our rich logging history.

In the 1800s, white pine was floated down the Wisconsin River to be processed at factories.

“That is a defining moment in Wisconsin that opened up the Northwoods to the cutting of the pine, and really made northern Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River the superhighway that it would become,” said Bill Bertram, board president of the Wausau and Marathon County Parks Foundation.

The trail passes through Tomahawk, Merrill, and Wausau, though it’s not just those communities utilizing this gem.

GIS data shows that 11,000 paddlers visited in 2023, a 14 percent uptick from 2022.

And though there are plenty of access points (35 landings to be exact, many equipped for elderly and those with disabilities), what stops folks from paddling the whole trail is… campsite availability.

National Parks Service recognition

The plan: Federal grants received in 2023 and 2024 will help achieve national designation in 2025, further supporting the development of this trail.

With these additional funds, organizers hope to add at least 20 new campsites, encouraging more “overnighters.”

Only about 3% of paddlers spend the night on the trail’s beautiful shores—a majority of users are just day-paddling.

New digital tools are also being implemented to help paddlers plan out their trips based on river flow.

Per the National Water Trail System, we can expect “signage, technical assistance and resources will be provided to build on and promote the development of quality water trails” on The Great Pinery Heritage Trail.

Bill Bertram hopes to one day expand the water trail to 430 miles, connecting with the lower sections of the Wisconsin River.

How to get out ‘der

If you’re ready to soak up all The Great Pinery Heritage Trail has to offer, start with this start-to-finish map and the website.

Interested in the National Water Trail System? Check out the White House press release from 2012.

And for those keen on other National Water Trail Systems in Wisconsin, you can’t miss the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail adopted in 2023.

Now forward this email to friend, and get out ‘der!

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Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🐟 Deadline for sturgeon spearing: The Winnebago system upriver sturgeon spearing license application deadline (say that 3x fast) is August 1st. This year, only 500 spearers will be allowed to spear a sturgeon from lakes Poygan, Winneconne or Butte des Morts in February. The season starts Feb. 8th, and will last for a max of 16 days or until any harvest caps are reached. Read more here.

🐦 Ruffed grouse population grows: The Roadside Ruffed Grouse Drumming survey (literally listening for grouse “drumming” alongside roadways) saw a 57% increase in drumming statewide compared to 2023. Ruffed grouse typically enter into a more populous phase every 10 years, with peaks on years that end in 9, 0, or 1. The next “boom” is expected 2029, 2030 or 2031.

🚨 Watch out for blue-green algae: The DNR advises beachgoers, swimmers, and paddlers to be cautious of blue-green algae this summer. These algae can pose health risks to humans and pets, causing illness if ingested or inhaled, and skin irritation upon contact. Blooms typically appear from mid-June to late September, peaking in July and August, and manifest as scums or “pea soup” water. For details on symptoms and environmental concerns, visit the DNR Blue-Green Algae webpage.

Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Well cripes, we appreciate your support, Mike!