Blackjack Springs Wilderness
Encyclopedia
The Blackjack Springs Wilderness is a 5800 acres (23 km²) wilderness area northeast of Eagle River, Wisconsin
. It is located within the Nicolet unit of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
and is administered by the US Forest Service. The area protects four large, crystal-clear springs at the headwaters of Blackjack Creek, part of the Eagle River
and Wisconsin River
drainage. The area was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System
by Congress in 1978.
The area displays the rolling, uneven landscape caused by the Wisconsin Glacial Episode, typical of the Lake Superior
highlands. The wilderness area itself contains one lake, Whispering Lake, and a number of other streams, ponds, and wetland areas. A majority of the forest is new-growth secondary forest
, a result of extensive logging during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Logging roads and railroad grades are still evident in the area.
Wildlife found in the wilderness area include American black bear
, white-tailed deer
, ruffed grouse
, various songbirds, and fisher
.
The Blackjack Springs area provides opportunities for camping, hunting, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching, and fishing.
Eagle River, Wisconsin
Eagle River is a city in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vilas County. The city is known for being a popular "Northwoods" vacation town...
. It is located within the Nicolet unit of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a 1,530,647 acre U.S. National Forest in northern Wisconsin in the United States. Much of the old growth forest in this region was destroyed by logging in the early part of the 20th century...
and is administered by the US Forest Service. The area protects four large, crystal-clear springs at the headwaters of Blackjack Creek, part of the Eagle River
Eagle River (Wisconsin)
The Eagle River is a tributary of the Wisconsin River in northeastern Wisconsin in the United States. Via the Wisconsin River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 181.7 square miles in the state's Northern Highland region...
and Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
drainage. The area was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System
National Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
by Congress in 1978.
The area displays the rolling, uneven landscape caused by the Wisconsin Glacial Episode, typical of the Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
highlands. The wilderness area itself contains one lake, Whispering Lake, and a number of other streams, ponds, and wetland areas. A majority of the forest is new-growth secondary forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
, a result of extensive logging during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Logging roads and railroad grades are still evident in the area.
Wildlife found in the wilderness area include American black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, ruffed grouse
Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. It is non-migratory.The Ruffed Grouse is frequently referred to as a "partridge"...
, various songbirds, and fisher
Fisher (animal)
The fisher is a medium-size mammal native to North America. It is a member of the mustelid family, commonly referred to as the weasel family. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American Marten...
.
The Blackjack Springs area provides opportunities for camping, hunting, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching, and fishing.
See also
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestChequamegon-Nicolet National ForestThe Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a 1,530,647 acre U.S. National Forest in northern Wisconsin in the United States. Much of the old growth forest in this region was destroyed by logging in the early part of the 20th century...
- List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
- Wilderness ActWilderness ActThe Wilderness Act of 1964 was written by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society. It created the legal definition of wilderness in the United States, and protected some 9 million acres of federal land. The result of a long effort to protect federal wilderness, the Wilderness Act was signed...
External links
- http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110913&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003693&navid=100000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=27891&ttype=recarea&pname=Blackjack%20Springs%20Wilderness - US Forest Service
- http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&WID=61&tab=General - Wilderness.net