Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area
The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers many miles of hiking trails and old logging roads that are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; these trails are not groomed but do offer opportunities to explore the backcountry. Hidden Rivers Nature Trail, although not groomed, is a great place to enjoy winter scenery and wildlife on skis or snowshoes.
The MECCA Cross-Country Ski Club maintains a groomed cross-country trail on the property. This club trail is open to cross-country skiing, skijoring and snowshoeing.
Cross-country ski trail conditions.
MECCA Trails
The MECCA Cross-Country Ski Club grooms 28 kilometers for skating and classical skiing. Snowshoeing and skijoring are allowed only on untracked (skating) portions of the trail.
The Little Turtle trailhead is located off Popko Circle East in the Little Turtle Waterfowl Management area. The Cabin trailhead is located south of Mercer on the town of Mercer lands off Beachway Drive. The heated log cabin at this trailhead offers a changing room, sitting area and wood stove. Hot beverages, cookies and water are available for purchase. Portable toilets are located at both trailheads. A warming shack sits at the midway point along the Little Turtle River.
To Little Turtle parking: Take Highway 51 north through Mercer to County Highway FF (about 1 mile north of town). Turn left onto Popko Circle East Road. At about 2 miles, turn left onto Joe's Shack Road. At about ¾ mile on the right will be the road into the parking area.
To Cabin parking: On Highway 51 at the south end of Mercer, turn onto Beachway Drive (across from Subway). Stay to the left of the cemetery and follow signs to the MECCA trailhead.
Volunteers perform all the trail maintenance and grooming. All funds to purchase and maintain grooming equipment, maintain the cabin, the warming shack and toilets are obtained through donations. Donation boxes and trail maps are located at both trailheads.
For more information, including a trail map [exit DNR], see the MECCA Cross-Country Ski Club website [exit DNR].