| About Chequamegon National Forest |
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| Morgan Falls & St. Peter's Dome |
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Length:
4.8 Miles
Point of Interest:
Falls, Dome
Elevation Gain:
N/A
Elevation:
1,565 Feet
Difficulty:
Moderate to Difficult
Reservation:
No
Season:
Spring - Fall
From Ashland, WI, Drive south on Hwy. 13 about 13 miles to County C (about 1 mile south of Marengo). Turn right (west) on C and follow it 4.8 miles to Midway Road. Continue Straight on Midway Road 1.2 miles to County Line Road (FR 199). Turn left (south) on County Line Road and drive 3.9 miles to the parking lot on the left (east) side of the road.
Location Information
Morgan Falls and St. Peter's Dome are located n the western end of the Penokee Range. The range was formed 1.8 billion years ago. A period of igneous intrusions about 1.1 billion years ago formed the granite dome. The mountains were worn away by millions of years of erosion. St. Peter's Dome is a red granite formation that rises to an elevation of 1,565 feet. There is a brass US Geological Survey marker embedded in rock at the top of the dome.Morgan Falls is a 1.2 mile round trip hike from the parking lot on FR 199. From the southeast corner of the lot follow the path that leads east over a small stream. The first part of the trail is relatively flat. Shortly after crossing Morgan Creek, you'll come upon a 1930s Civilian Conservation Camp (CCC). The old stone fireplaces, an artesian well and a round cistern are all that remain of the campground. The trail to Morgan Falls bends south and the fork to St. Peter's Dome continues east from the old CCC Campground. The hike to St. Peter's Dome is 3.6 miles round trip. The trail has moderately steep climbs. Carrying drinking water is recommended. To reach St. Peter's Dome (locally known as Old Baldy) hike east to the CCC camp and continue east up the gradually climbing trail. The trail to the dome becomes narrower as you walk across much steeper slopes. There is a lake sized beaver pond on your left. As you continue east, the trail drops in elevation and crosses a rocky stream bed. Beyond the stream the trail becomes steeper and rockier. After a short distance the grade becomes more gentle; you cross a snowmobile trail. At the base of the granite outcrop you will find a jumble of large broken rock from a quarry. The trail follows the old road for a hundred feet and then turns left off the road and begins to climb in earnest. After two switch backs, the trail reaches a grassy opening. Continue on the trail and climb to the overlook and shear drop on the north face of St. Peter's Dome. On a clear day, you can see Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.
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