Veteran's Walking Trail and Wetland Walkway to the Island

Milepost: 
2.6
Byway site marker indicates location of the Veterans Walking Trail along CSAH 16
The Veterans Walking Trail is dedicated to those veterans who served from this a
Island Lake Woods & Veterans Walking Trail Interpretive Panel.
The Veterans Walking Trail is wide and welcoming.
Veteran's Walking Trail
A pedestrian bridge over Hay Creek at Veteran's Walking Trail
Veteran's Walking Trail has a pedestrian bridge that crosses Hay Creek.
Volunteers put in many hours lining the walkway with landscape fabric to keep th
Benches on the Walkway give a view of the marshes and trail path to Whiskey Isla
A resting bench at the Vets Trail kiosk provides a place to relax.
Volunteers from Sons of the American Legion, Post 49 in Pequot Lakes worked tire
Trailhead map indicates paths, walkways as well as the flora and fauna.

On the north side, a hiking trail and parking area lend themselves to a longer woods experience. A perfect spot for some photos. Be sure to read the Paul Bunyan Interpretive panel for Paul's story of Island Lake Woods and how the red and white pines rejuvenated after a blazing forest fire burned hundreds of acres. On a lighter side, you'll also learn how Horseshoe Lake got its shape.

Look for the map posted at the trailhead to orient yourself and follow the paths. Enjoy the solitude and beauty of the wetland walkway area. As you follow the walkway across the shrub swamp to the island, stop along the way to read the interpretive panels highlighting native wildflowers and wildlife.

Follow the path from the trailhead to the bridge over Hay Creek to access the north loop.

Pequot Lakes Legion members Dave Badger, Bob Jones and Darrel Skallet volunteered many hours to build and maintain the Wetlands Walkway and install the interpretive panels along the walkway. The Sons of the American Legion-Pequot Lakes provide support for this memorial dedicated to area veterans.

In November 2011, the Sons of the American Legion-Pequot Lakes, stepped forward to provide not only the funding to replace damaged interpretive panels, but also maintenance funding should other damage occur to the panels at this site in the future. Brandon Christle, Ideal Corners, volunteered his time to remove the damaged panels and put up the new ones. Mike Holst of Crosslake built and installed the interpretive panel kiosk at the parking area. The PBSBA’s kiosk maintenance work had previously been provided by Mike who notified the Association this fall that he was retiring. The Byway Association is deeply grateful to Brandon for taking over this work.