Towering Pines Loop

Towering Pines Loop is a 0.6-mile cross-country ski route in northern Wisconsin, about 3 miles from Rhinelander. It is a short, moderate outing that fits easily into a day of skiing in the area, with a round-trip length of about 1.2 miles and a total climb of about 122 feet. The route is an out-and-back that starts at roughly 1,665 feet and reaches a high point of about 1,684 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.44 miles, with a grade of about 7 percent. The climb is gentle overall, and the route is short enough to pair with other trails in the area. Winter is the natural season for this ski loop. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rhinelander show January highs around 21°F with lows near 2°F, while March runs warmer, with highs around 38°F. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the loop, so temperatures on the trail may run slightly cooler. Several other cross-country ski routes lie within a short distance. Glacial Crossover and Otter Slide are each about 0.2 miles away, and B's Hollow and Spruce Hollow are about 0.3 miles off.