Northwoods Day 14 - Marion Park, Glidden WI to Hayward,WI



Dans Big Adventure - Northwoods loop - Fall 2020
Northwoods Day 14 - Marion Park, Glidden WI to Hayward,WI
October 11, 2020
Northwoods Day 14 - Marion Park, Glidden WI to Hayward,WI

Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Miles 59.5
Total time 5:45
Ride time 5:11


Today is a day of change. 
Cloudy overcast skies greet me in my sheltered camp spot, then it cleared and was sunny, then the clouds moved in midafternoon, a harbinger of shift in the weather.
This weather change will change my plans as well.
I was planning on starting my dirt backcountry route today, with 4 -5 days of dirt roads and trails between here and Superior. But with 2 heavy rain storms followed by cold days for another week+, dirt doesn't sound to enticing after a couple of storms. Snow flakes predicted Thursday right where my dirt route is headed!

So I am going to use this last nice day to divert to close the loop and get back to my truck in a couple of days of riding. I will explore the northwood truck camping some over the following week.

Brisk and sunny again as I start my long day.
I retrace my outbound route for over 25 miles on Wi Hwy 77. On Sunday the traffic picks up with pickups pulling boats and OHVs, but not to bad.
See a group of touring bikes in Clam Lake heading west, we wave as we pass, all the closer we can get in our pandemic times, plus I am on a mission to get to Hayward.

It is yellow on my way to Clam Lake, and beyond. The tamaracks are changing, all their needles turing pale yellow, along with the aspens. Many other species have dropped already, leaving golden bright spots in the sunny and warming day.
I leave 77, and a few miles in, I miss a turn, so I get a few extra scenic miles. As I approach the lakes east of Hayward, the color return with oaks dominant but maples holding their own.


I roll into Hayward and there is a godzilla sized muskellunge lunging out of the trees at the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
I can almost imagine the fight for king kong trying to land that monster.

I hear good reports about the local brewpub, the Angry Minnow. Alas it is closed today and tomorrow.

I am moteling it tonight, as an inch of rain predicted tonight and tomorrow morning.
After that storm, I hope for a relatively dryish 30+ mile ride back to my brother's cabin and truck. More rain predicted a bit on Tuesday and another inch on Wednesday.

Disappointed to not do more of Northwest WI, but that will be a nice loop some other time


Here are today's political signs

 


Comments

  1. wOwOctober 12, 2020 at 5:47 AM

    Bummer on weather, but another time as you say, perhaps sans the political signs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OuttaDoorsDanOctober 12, 2020 at 7:48 AM

      Yeah, heard it will be 15-20 degrees colder than average by end of the week. When it's that cold, I can't get my riding clothes dry.
      Next time, a little earlier in year

      Delete
  2. DonOctober 12, 2020 at 8:17 AM

    Did you get to explore the insides of the giant Muskie and stand in its mouth or was it closed due to Covid?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. wOwOctober 12, 2020 at 5:29 PM

      That would have made for a great photo op

      Delete
    2. OuttaDoorsDanOctober 13, 2020 at 6:47 PM

      Alas, I did not avail myself to that tourist destination, mostly thinking about getting to motel room and getting warm and dry

      Delete

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