Steve Johnson - Best Lake Hikes Wisconsin: A Guide to the States Greatest Lake and River Hikes

A book like this is a lot of fun to write. Traveling around the state hiking near wildly scenic lakeshore is not too bad a deal. But a book like this also requires the considerable talents of real pros. The aforementioned traveling and ogling is bookended by countless hours of research and editing.

Ive been fortunate to work with the incomparable sta at Falcon for a bunch of years, and they nail it every time. Big thanks go to my editor David Legere for guiding this book from a good idea to a full-on celebration of Wisconsins finest. One look at the maps on the following pages is all it takes to raise a glass to Melissa Baker. Her otherworldly skills turn my geographical scribbles into something you can actually use to find the hikes. All of Falcons copy editors and the graphics gang are hereby granted enthusiastic applause from now until the end of time. Youre all amazing.

Every time I write a where-to book like this, it is filled with priceless intel or anecdotes from an unexpected supporting cast. Thanks to the always-eager sta at our state and local parks, and the humble hiker on the Shattuck Trail who reminded me to veer left at the fork. The bartender at that little tavern with pale red paint and old-time Walters sign hanging askew from a weathered log post knew a back way into that place out yonder. Fellow hikers all over the state who know a thing or two about finding real gems along the trails never hesitated to share their secrets.

Kent Merhar and Denice Breaux helped me stake out some of this books best and captured them all to bring you frame-worthy photos throughout the book. Their work here is nothing short of inspirational, and the book is all the better for it. My heartfelt thanks to both of you.

My wingman and confidante and all-around badass Doug Earnest contributed incomparable photo-editing skills to select pages herein. You da man.

I would also like to pass along sincere gratitude to The Nature Conservancy, whose tireless commitment to conservation has preserved some of the worlds most revered and critical lands. Several hikes in this book exist due to their influence.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for keeping me fueled with rhubarb pie and fresh blueberries.

And special thanks to all of you for joining me in getting Out There.

Northland-bred scribe and self-propelled recreation junkie Steve Johnsongrew up roaming the northern lakes and forest regions of Minnesota and Wisconsin and brings four generations of proud family heritage to this exciting book. An avid hiker and cyclist, Steve can usually be found on a hiking trail in the woods somewhere, or with his bike on a wide open road. With a spare hour or five, he is outdoors and in tune with natures finest.

Author of nearly twenty books and regular contributor to Backpackerand other regional magazines across the country, some of Steves other work includes two editions of Best Bike Rides MinneapolisSt. Paul, Loop Hikes Colorado, Bicycling Wisconsin, Mountain Biking Minnesota, and spin-o sporting events projects. Dont miss his new childrens book, Jack & Lauren in The Big Bog. Steve lives and writes in far north Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.

A native Californian, writer-photographer Denice Breauxis a recent Twin Cities transplant, and what better way to get acquainted with the Midwest than plunging into Wisconsins glorious outdoors? Along the way she has become intimately familiar with chilblains, chiggers, and voracious mosquitoes, a few things not experienced on the West Coast. See more images from this book at Denices website, denice breauxphoto.com . Her portfolio of stock images can be viewed at istockphoto.com/portfolio/DeniceBreaux .

Kent Merharis a semiprofessional photographer with a career in health-care administration. His focus is landscape photography. When hes not outdoors hiking or enjoying a long weekend at the cabin, hes at his Minneapolis home with his partner and dog. See more of his work at facebook.com/unknownlimitsphotography .

Hunt for driftwood, sink your toes in the sand, and rub shoulders with the grand-daddy of the Great Lakes on this easygoing beach hike.

Lake or river:Lake Superior