A tale of 3 types of lines - an old rail line, 2 trail lines, and a line separating 2 counties.
This geocache is placed just off the beautiful Bearskin Trail, at the border line between Lincoln County and Oneida County.
The Milwaukee Railroad Hiawatha line originally ran from Chicago to the Twin Cities. In 1936, a new spur route called the Northwoods Hiawatha branched off in New Lisbon and ran up to Minoqua. The Hiawatha monicker ended in 1956, with rail service discontinued altogether in 1970. In addition to travel, it also provided a way to get the product of the white pine forests of Wisconsin to the cities of the midwest.
This local part of the old railroad trail beds are now converted into the beautiful Hiawatha Trail and Bearskin State Trail for biking, hiking and snowmobiling. The Hiawatha Trail begins at Sara Park in Tomahawk and changes to the Bearkin State Trail at Heafford Junction. The Bearskin State Trail runs from Torpy Park in Minoqua to Heafford Junction. Both trailheads have beautiful sandy beaches and playground areas.
Our geocache is located near one of the many trestles on the trailbed, named Schaeffers Wharf Trestle on the DNR map. The local establishment that the trestle was named for is now under a new name. It is also located near a yummy stop that locals love to patronize by boat, car or hiking.
So, have fun and enjoy