This small, clear stream originates from intermittent tributaries that are fed by subsurface water flowing from the outwash plain to the north. Originally, small braided streams flowed across the plain, which is now productive farmland. These braided streams merged into the creeks and rivers we have today, cutting into the glacial till deposited by the glaciers. The outwash here was flowing south, away from the Superior Lobe.
The till here is from the late Wisconsin age, but the Emerald advance of the Superior Lobe deposited it here. The soil in the creekbed today is Fm - Fordum silt loam, 0-2% slopes, and it develops on at the base of hills in floodplains. The uplands of the valley here are ClD—Chetek-Rosholt complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes, and originate from outwash plains and stream terraces. The lowlands here have been carved out and foster hydric (water-loving) soils, while the uplands are excessively drained and have steep slopes to encourage runoff.
The longest railroad trestle on the mostly flat Tuscobia line once stood here, with the steep topography of the Tuscobia Creek channel below it. This structure carried thousands of carloads of timber products over its 64 year life-span. Tuscobia Creek flows to Tuscobia Lake located about one-half mile south. The lake was an important source of wild rice for native people.
The wooden bench here is a tribute to Hulda Hilfiker, who found solace and peace at this favorite spot; and to her family, who purchased and donated two acres here to the State for the public to enjov. Their goal was to assure protection of a unique plant community, Tuscobia Creek, and this remnant stand of old-growth white pines. Horsetail rush (Equisetum sp.) is found in abundance here. This ancient plant, with a high silica content, was used by many as a pan scrubber.
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Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT): The Ice Age Trail, a 1,100 plus-mile footpath across Wisconsin, traces the terminal edge of the last great Wisconsin glacier of the Ice Age. The glacial features found along its length offer an educational showplace of worldwide significance illustrating how the massive glaciers shaped the landscape. That, the beauty found along its entire length, and the unique opportunities for outdoor recreation, led to its establishment in 1980. The Ice Age Trail, managed by the National Park Service, is one of just eleven trails with such a designation in the nation.
Rail & Trail History: The 14.5-mile route of the Ice Age Trail between Haugen and Birchwood is on or next to three abandoned railroad corridors: 1) the main Spooner-Altoona Line of the Omaha; 2) the Omaha's Tuscobia Line; and, 3) the Soo Line Railroad's Blueberry Line. When the Tuscobia was abandoned in 1965, Hulda Hilfiker, who owned and operated a cheese factory south of Haugen with her husband Ernest, organized a group of citizens and urged then Governor Warren Knowles to give . . ." .. approval for a very worthwhile project. . . to be used as a scenic and historic trail, which could be enjoyed by nature-loving hikers, horse-back riders, snow-sledders and bicyclists, and would be a definite asset to the area." The State of Wisconsin acquired the 74-mile rail corridor, from Haugen to Park Falls, in November, 1966 for $20,000.
Tuscobia - The Name: The term 'Tuscobia' has a somewhat uncertain origin. Earlier spellings from the 1888 and 1903 Barron County Platbooks include tescobial and tescobia. The Ojibwa language uses the root 'tess'or 'tessa' as part of a larger word or phrase, all pertaining to being level' or 'flat.' This relates well to the terrain of the outwash plain here and the accepted meaning of Tuscobia: 'a flat or level place'.
Superior Lobe Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance: The local Superior Lobe Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is an all-volunteer organization whose members are dedicated to maintaining, promoting, building, signing, protecting, and hiking along this trail segment.
Trail Management: Management of the trail is shared by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. National Park Service, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Inc. For a fuller explanation of the roles and responsibilities, see www.iceagetrail.org.
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Source: Geology of the Ice Age National Scenic Rrail by David M. Mickelson, Louis J. Maher Jr., and Susan L. Simpson AND the Intperetive Guide to the Tuscobia Segment of the Ice Age Trail from the Superior Lobe of the Ice Age Trail. Permission to use content and pictures from the interpretive guide from Sue Greenway, Chapter President.
Permission for this earthcache has been granted by Roy Kenast at the WI DNR.
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1. What is the elevation at the upper edge of the valley (either to the east or west on the trail) for the creek?
2. What is the elevation at the creek?
3. What direction is the creek flowing today?
4. Why do you think that the creek has cut so deeply into the surrounding terrain?
5. Which lobe was the outwash flowing away from?
Optional: A photo at the site!