Location:Corner of Salo Rd and Wildwood Rd
Acres:40
Year Conserved:2018
County:Houghton
Category:Public Nature Area

Activities

Birding
Hiking on trails
Hunting
Nature viewing
Snowshoeing

Amenities

Marked Trails

Highlights

Lily Creek was previously used for farming, with clearings in some parts of the property. Much of Lily Creek is now a young forest, dominated by maple, paper birch, and balsam fir. This forested area has thick undergrowth in some spots, and no undergrowth in other spots. Along side the banks of Lily Creek, old cedars hang over the rocky creek which is good habitat for brook trout. A new trail was installed December 2019 with orange and pink flagging leading you down to the creek and back for a nice 0.8 mile journey. Snowshoe it in the winter for follow it in late summer to the thimbleberry patches grow throughout the property.

Planning your visit

A sign posted on a stand of birches on Wildwood Road marks the start of the hiking trail. The property is found at the corner of Salo and Wildwood roads. Park along the right side of Wildwood and look for a new KLT trail sign on the south side. A new hiking trail will lead you down to the river and loop back to the same exit point for a 0.8 mile fairly easy hike with some steep down and ups as you go into the flood plain and back again.

Why this place is special

This land was previously owned by Paul and Ann Kemppainen, and when Paul passed away in 2018, it was donated to the KLT. It was relatively undisturbed for decades as part of the Conservation Forest program. It is a peaceful location with a dark and comtemplative hemlock and cedar forest along the banks of the creek.