It helps accommodate traffic to the scenic Copper Falls State Park just northeast of its termination in Mellen.

The highway turns eastward to leave the vicinity of the park before alternating east and northward through rural Ashland County.

WIS 169 crosses the Tyler Forks on one of these northbound sections before turning east to run along the border of the Bad River Reservation.

The highway curves northeasterly and clips the southeastern corner of the reservation before crossing into Iron County.

In 1956, the second STH-169 was commissioned, replacing the original County Trunk Highway K that went from Mellen to US 2 outside of Cedar and also giving easier access to Copper Falls State Park.