Chequamegon-Nicolet Backpacking

"Last weekend, we had 16 Hoofer backpackers ready to drive down to the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois. An hour before departure, we decided a weekend forecast of rain and storms didn't sound so fun. So we changed plans and headed up to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to hike the Hidden Lakes loop! There was night-hiking, pancakes, sunshine, old-growth hemlock, missing tents, swamp crossings, a fabulous dog and lots of pretty lakes! On the drive back, we were looking forward to home-made donuts from Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty, but they were closed for the season, so we settled for a very dog-enthusiastic cafe."- Jacob Ng, Trip Leader