Trout Lake Conifer Swamp is a small, northern wet-mesic forest on a carpet of sphagnum moss found northeast of Woodruff in Vilas County. It is part of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and can be reached via CTH N to Perch Lane, just northeast of the intersection of CTH M and CTH N.
A general wariness of bears is a good thing to maintain when exploring Wisconsin, particularly, though not exclusively in the northern half of the state. When the description of a natural area you are visiting explicity mentions bears, a more palpable nervousness is revealed. Being alone on this adventure, I did not feel comfortable spending as much time as I would have liked here. The forest had a very Jurassic Park-feel to it with a mossy green carpet, bountiful ferns, and seemingly a myriad of vibrant green hues. This natural area is high on my revisit list, potentially in the next couple of weeks. Bears beware!
More of my photos (and full-res) from Trout Lake Conifer Swamp can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 21 |
| County | Vilas |
| Natural Communities / Geology | Northern Wet-Mesic Forest |
| Size (Acres) | 22 |
| Parking | Roadside |
| Trails | No |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within | |
| Dates Visited | 7.3.11 |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 