FJ Cruiser Forums Trail Review

By David McCormack

August 21 through 22, my 12 year old son and I drove up to Spirit Lake just west of Tomahawk, Wisconsin to check out Wisconsin's only private, fee based wheeling facility (that I've heard of anyway). All I can say is OUTSTANDING.

The place is owned and operated by a nice couple, Jeremy and Ann. Upon arrival, I met with Ann who checked me in and gave me my choice of camp sites. Now I have camped and wheeled before, but never with showers, clean, decent restrooms, a camp store and carefully planned and laid out camp sites. Score one for Northwoods Overland.

We chose a nice, secluded site and set up camp.

Jeremy drove up and introduced himself - and my impression of the place only grew better - he is a careful planner and has been working on the concept for four years. He obtained 9 different permits to set the place up and it is clear that a smart, very well-intentioned and decent guy is behind the whole thing.

On to the wheeling! My son and I were not disappointed. Jeremy has created a three level system - green trails, yellow (more difficult) and red (quite difficult). We started out on the green,

and found that they weave through a mixture of pine forest, field edges and low areas. I found them challenging enough to keep interst level high and was struck by the beauty of the land and the scope of the trail system. There are a lot of trails here!

We found some interesting stretches:

And even found enough gunk to justify some winching. The Green trails were definitely fun, expansive and interesting. But the Yellows required a great deal more attention and finesse:

A common obstacle here are tree stumps. This Yellow course had plenty of them along with some great articulation testing terrain:

Jeremy has also set up some "scramble areas" where he is busy adding obstacles and challenges. He already has a tire pit and some pits and hills and plans to add much more. While we were there he was busy digging additional challenges with a back hoe. The scramble areas are a nice alternative to the trails, where the dense forest makes for tight quarters and tree damage is often just inches away.

Through out all the FJ was a great vehicle. A number of times I found myself in predicaments where I know my old Discovery would have faltered, but time and time again, one push of that locking rear differential made all the difference. I was also glad I installed an after market skid plate. My truck is not lifted and I took some solid hits from both rocks and stumps.
So, if you want a hassle-free place to camp and wheel, that is already well worth the trip and is only going to improve, this is the place. I would definitely recommend it!