Before highways and snowmobiles, the Northwoods was nearly inaccessible for much of the year. That changed in the late 1800s when railroads pushed north, forever transforming the region. The logging industry was the driving force behind railroad expansion. Tracks were laid deep into the forests, allowing timber to be hauled south to sawmills and shipping yards. Small towns sprang up along the rail lines, serving as outposts for workers and their families. Though most of the old rail lines are gone, their impact remains. Many of today's snowmobile and hiking trails follow the paths of these long abandoned tracks.