Anvil Lake Trail represents my first visit to an SNA “up north”.  I visited this site with my then-girlfriend (now-wife) and my mother, which precluded much off-trail exploration here.  Located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, use of the property requires at least a day-pass which can be purchased by leaving money in an envelope in the parking area, of which there are three, one off of Hwy 70, one a bit south on the west side of the SNA on FR2178, and one on the east side of the SNA on FR2460.  Numerous trails loop through the site and are generally easy, level terrain (trail map, PDF).  The trail connects to the Nicolet North trails as well as to the Franklin Campground trail, which goes through another SNA, Franklin & Butternut Lakes.  Though sharing a name with nearby Anvil Lake, the SNA does not encompass or abut the aforementioned lake, which is located across Highway 70 from the SNA.  Anvil Lake Trail is the name of the trail network as given by the US Forest Service.  The SNA does border Upper Ninemile Lake to the south and the trail approaches reasonably close.  One could spend most of the day here exploring the various trails.  The forest is a mixture of all types of trees in all manner of ages, shapes, and general dispositions.  My favorite was a tree that took two 90-degree turns, yet was still growing upward.  I wouldn’t mind a revisit here to do a little more off-trail exploration.

Trail

Trail

Fern

Shelf Fungus

Up, Over, and Up

Amanita Fungus

More of my photos from Anvil Lake Trail can be viewed here.

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