Trail Overview
Loop Road - FS 3903 runs from its intersection with Experimental Road - FS 2184 to its intersection with the southern section of 2184. This is a fun trail that navigates through a section of the Argonne Experimental Forest. The views offered by the quick, rolling elevation changes as well as long sweeping corners keep this trail interesting. This trail has moderate to good sight lines, also meaning that it can be ridden at a good pace. This section of the Argonne Experimental Forest has lots of elevation changes, which allows for good views both on the trail and beyond the trail. If looking for the best view, it can be found roughly 1/4 mile east of the trail's northern trailhead. Looking west, the hilly terrain gives way to a very picturesque view of the forest. The trail itself is just under 2 vehicles wide for all of its length and will require vehicles to slow down in order to safely pass. This trail is open to road-legal vehicles as well as ATV's and SxS, so be sure to remain aware of all vehicle types. Cell service in this area is generally acceptable, and downloaded maps are not needed but should still be considered if traveling elsewhere in the region.
History
Argonne Experimental Forest features the largest contiguous tract of old-growth hemlock hardwood forest on drumlinized ground moraine. These types of protected rich mesic hardwood forests are very scarce in northern Wisconsin and on this land type (Argonne Outwash Plains). A northern hardwood forest dominated by sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch, and basswood is located on a gently sloping, unpitted outwash fan. Shrubs include leatherwood and elderberry. Understory plants include oak fern, ground pine, wood ferns, rosy twisted stalk, Canada mayflower, running club-moss, lady fern, and sweet cicely. This area is surrounded by a conifer swamp, which has several rare species. The conifer swamp is dominated by black spruce, tamarack, and white cedar. Understory species include Labrador tea, leather-leaf, balsam fir, yellow bluebead lily, false mayflower, creeping snowberry, Canada blueberry, and sphagnum. Rare species include small round-leaved orchis, sparse-flowered sedge, and northern bog sedge. The extensive habitat of Argonne Experimental Forest supports uncommon boreal bird species such as boreal chickadee and gray jay. In addition, the rare three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) has been seen in the conifer swamp. Other birds include broad-winged hawk, blackburnian warbler, and scarlet tanager.
