Blue Hills Trail

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The Blue Hills Trail

The Blue Hills Trail of northern Wisconsin's Rusk County began as an eleven-mile complex of loops nestled within a rolling deciduous forest cut by small streams and sprinkled with red and white pines, balsam, and hemlock.  It has since been expanded to a 20-mile system that is considered one of the most scenic cross-country ski trails in the Midwest.  The trail's many loops and intersections allow skiers to make their outings as long and challenging or as short and easy as desired.

A 12K core loop receives priority grooming attention.  It is shown as a bold black line on the new intersection maps.  Taken in a counterclockwise direction, the loop follows 3 kilometers of easy terrain before climbing to the top.  Tight corners on both ends of the loop have been widened and banked to make them more skier friendly.

The trail system is groomed for both skating and striding by two new Super Wide Track Skandic snowmobiles (4-stroke machines – model years 2007 and 2008) pulling a variety of high-tech implements including: Tidd Tech Trail Tenderizers, a G2 (Generation 2 Tidd Tech Product), a Ginzugroomer w/Track Setter, or a Yellowstone Track Systems roller/compactor.  All but the roller have electric actuators for adjusting teeth "on the fly" while the Ginzugroomer's tracksetter may also adjust pressure plus elevation while moving.  The club has worked hard to make the trail an enjoyable experience for skiers of all ability levels.  In addition to skiing, the trail is open to snowshoers (skating lane or off trail only, please).  Hiking and biking are encouraged during the non-winter seasons; mountain bikers may find the west side of the trail system more user friendly.  Hunters have always been welcome in the fall.  Pit toilets are available at the trailhead.  A log warming house was built during the fall of 1998.

The trailhead is located on the east side of Fire Lane Road, 2.5 miles north of the road's intersection with County Highway O.  This junction is 8 miles northwest of Bruce and 0.5 miles east of Christie Mountain Downhill Snow Area.  The east side of the trail system, which includes the original, heavily wooded part of the system, is non-motorized and closed to horses.  The more open west side features large beaver ponds and sweeping vistas.  Both sides may be accessed from the trailhead.  During the winter months the west side is also non-motorized and closed to horses.

The original trail and subsequent extensions were developed with the cooperation and assistance of the Rusk County Forestry Department.  Major funding and donations in kind for startup and development were provided by Wildlife Restoration Association and Bruce Jaycees as well as many other area groups and individuals.  Additional donations have been provided by a large and diverse number of local organizations and individuals.  Perennial expenses include trail grooming costs, the purchase and maintenance of grooming equipment, fuel for the warming house's propane furnace, and the cost of signage, bridgework and culverting.  Club members maintain the warming house and pit toilets year round.  They also pick rocks, clear downed trees, repair washouts, replace signs, and brush the trail margins annually.

Organizational History

The Blue Hills Trail was established in 1987 by a group of local x-country skiers.  Originally incorporated as the Rusk County Trail Association, the organization reincorporated as the Blue Hills Trail Association (BHTA) in the fall of 2006 to reflect the increasingly regional nature of the operation and to facilitate the attainment of 501c3 status.  The group remains dependent on annual membership dues, donations, and the cooperation of the Rusk County Forestry Department for its continued existence.  New members, suggestions and financial support are all greatly appreciated.