Lake of the Falls LbNA #16584 (ARCHIVED)

Welcome to Mercer, Wisconsin, "Loon Capital of the World"

Mercer is in the heart of a vast, open country located in Iron County. No other area in Wisconsin provides more authentic wilderness, or geater abundance of virgin vacation land, than the lake area of Mercer. Much of Wisconsin has been invaded by traffic and tourists, but this area remains unspoiled. It offers you a clean, fresh world, renewed with every change of season, here at the top of the state. Enjoy the area and if you happen to visit during the first Wednesday in August, visit the Loon Day Art and Craft Fair. You will even be able to take part in an authentic "Loon Calling Contest." Here you will hear the best Loon calls around.

Difficulty: Easy and family-friendly

Start your hunt by traveling north on route 51 through the town of Mercer. Practice your loon call when you pass the "bird" on your right. Take FF west at the Inn where the little red berry made popular by Ocean Spray. Take the winding road and at 2.1 mi. you don't have to be "in shape" to pass this resort. Staying on FF west at 3.4 mi. stay to your left at the fork in the road. You will cross a creek at 5.0 mi. Turn left on County Park Road, "Lake of the Falls". At L.O.F. #1, you will find a pavillion. Park in front of the shelter and take time to read about the "Roddis Line" and how the Turtle River helped logging businesses. Take the trail to the left of the pavillion with the bubbling water on your right. Continue to the railroad tie stairs (11). At the top, turn right and cross the wood bridge. Enjoy the view! After the gate, go 55 paces until you come to 5 big boulders on your left. Go around the back of the 4th boulder and look at the bottom, you will find our letterbox in a little "cave" with a small rock in front of it.

This is our first placement of a letterbox. We only vacation in this area. Please let us know in what condition you find our box. Be sure to return the box in it's "cave", so that it is kept safe from the weather elements. Hope you had fun looking for our box. Make sure you bring your camera, as there are many opportunities for pictures!



Hike length: 8+ miles