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7 HIDDEN HIKING GEMS see if you can find these secret Chippewa Valley wonders words by DEZ LEZOTTE
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KEMPER WOODS, LAKE HALLIE
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Sunlit trails wind through upland woods and young pines in this 80-acre preserve, part of the 630 acre Hallie Marsh Wildlife Area. It’s excellent for bird watching, as it is the site of over 50 years of continuous bird-banding records.
SHERMAN CREEK PARK, EAU CLAIRE
With trails that go up and down into the meandering Sherman Creek ravine, crisscrossed with bridges, this smaller 30-acre park makes for an interesting and beautiful hiking spot. It’s perfect for taking pictures or chilling on one of the benches high above the creek.
LOCATION: 5433 50th Avenue, Chippewa Falls, 1⁄2 mile east of Highway 29. There is a well-marked parking area.
LOCATION: GPS will take you to
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HUETTNER PRESERVE, CHIPPEWA FALLS
Hidden on a dead-end road, the trails in this preserve near Chippewa Falls take you through 67 acres of upland oak woods and floodplain low-lands on Paint Creek. Be aware that the trails are not maintained, so this one is a bit more adventurous.
LOCATION: 19900 50th Avenue, Chippewa Falls. The trailhead is marked with a small Chippewa County Land Conservancy sign on the left, halfway down the dead-end road.
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For trails covered by mossy carpets with towering trees overhead, plus 14 structures that look like tiny homes out of an old storybook (Spoiler: they’re well houses!), check out the City Well Field. Hidden right in Eau Claire, you’ll find over three miles of trails swirling through the woods at different elevations for hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing.
PINE HARBOR WOODS PARK, CHIPPEWA FALLS
If you want to get lost in the woods without any chance you’ll be truly lost, head to Pine Harbor Woods. This smaller-sized park has lots of winding trails and is near Lake Wissota State Park for even more hiking adventures.
LOCATION: There are two parking areas on Riverview Drive across from Riverview Park. Coming from the North Crossing, one parking area is right before the water treatment plant and one is a bit past Riverview Park.
LOCATION: Navigate to 77th Avenue, Chippewa Falls. There are multiple entrances to this woods, so note where you park.
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CITY WELL FIELD, EAU CLAIRE
GUETTINGER WOODS, MONDOVI
Expansive oak woods greet you at this hidden gem located between Eau Claire and Mondovi. The woods aren’t dense and brushy, so you may see some wildlife. Go far enough into this 123-acre woods and you’ll reach a pond!
FAIRWAY PARK, ALTOONA
LOCATION: Head to Sandberg Road
For a hike with meadow, creek, and a unique mix of flora including lots of wildflowers, head to this park, right off the beaten path beyond the new builds in Altoona off Highway 12.
off Highway 37. The parking area is on the left side of Highway 37 if you’re heading from Eau Claire, and it is marked by a sign.
LOCATION: The parking lot is on Whistling Straits Drive next door to apartment complexes. Follow the paved path next to the parking lot down past the basketball courts to hike along the creek.
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a residential neighborhood, so instead, navigate to Sherman Elementary School (3110 W Vine St.) and continue down the road just a bit. You’ll see the small parking area marked with a sign on the right if you’re coming from Eau Claire.
L I K E R I DI N G A B I K E Afraid of tackling Wisconsin’s hilly terrain? An e-bike can give you a boost. words and photo by RON DAVIS
IN THE SPRING OF 1972, my college roommate Craig Miller and I hitched to our parents’ homes in Wisconsin Rapids to pick up our bicycles stored there for the winter. Two days later we set out at dawn and covered the 98 miles back to UWEC in about 14 hours. Yeah, I’m not that person anymore. However, I do still like to bike, and upon moving back to the city of my alma mater after a 50-year absence, I was delighted to see what a bicycle-friendly town Eau Claire had become. The only problem was that just about anywhere I wanted to go from my Putnam Heights driveway on my ancient Mercier 10 speed, especially to those lovely bike paths along the Chip, meant HILLS … steep, get-off-and-walkyour-bike-up hills. And I ain’t that person, either. But I found there was hope: an e-bike. If you’re not familiar with e-bikes, the first thing to recognize is that most aren’t like scooters or motorcycles. The majority of e-bikes are “pedal-assist,” which means you still have to burn some calories to get around, but a battery and a cunning little motor can give you the boost you need to climb hills and extend your riding time. Is an e-bike “cheating?” I don’t think so, at least no more than using a five-pound, carbon fiber 18 speed with pencil-thin tires is cheating. Riding an e-bike in a mid-range boost setting vs. a conventional bike has been compared to running vs. brisk walking. Yes, riding an e-bike is still work, but most importantly, e-bikes enable decrepitude-battling people like me to become or continue to be bicycle riders. A couple of boomers I know who bought e-bikes said they literally giggle their way up hills. And I’m not alone. Market research indicates
TONY MONPAS OF EAU CLAIRE ON HIS E-BIKE
crowd – if you get them on one, when they come back you will not find anybody who has something negative to say,” Rolbiecki said. Jon Lavelle, manager of Erik’s Bike Shop in Eau Claire, said more and more road racers are using e-bikes for training because of their lower impact on knees and hips. He added some also buy e-bikes so they can keep up with a faster biking partner. The increasing demand for e-bikes has of course spawned a bunch of brands, with prices for a decent bike starting around $1,500. Prices depend on the
Is an e-bike “cheating”? I don’t think so, at least no more than using a five-pound carbon fiber 18 speed with pencil-thin tires is cheating. Riding an e-bike in a mid-range boost setting vs. a conventional bike has been compared to running vs. brisk walking. e-bike sales rose more than 90% in the last few years, and in the Netherlands, probably the most bike-happy country in the world, sales of e-bikes came close to surpassing those of conventional bikes in 2019. Wisconsin-based Trek claims e-bikes now make up more than a third of their sales. Who’s buying them? As you’d expect, e-bikes are popular with the 40-plus segment. In fact, last year the L.E. Phillips Senior Center in Eau Claire began loaning out e-bike recumbent trikes. But as Pat Rolbiecki, owner of Riverside Bike and Skate, points out, who’s buying e-bikes may be more a reflection of who has the most disposable income than of who’s just looking for a less taxing ride. “I’ve yet to find a person – even the purest of purists, the race
options you want and the style: mountain, street, cargo, folding, recumbent, trike, etc. I chose a $2,300 Class I e-bike from Trek, basically because it had gotten good marks and because I like the company’s philosophy and Wisconsin roots, but there are a host of brands available in the Chippewa Valley. For someone deliberating the purchase of an e-bike, prime features to consider would be battery range and recharge time. Many different brands use the same battery and motor, and distance before charging depends on which of usually five levels of boost you select. (E-bikes typically can go 35 to 100 miles without recharging.) The most popular (and bike-path legal) e-bikes will stop assisting at 20 mph, W W W.VO L U M E O N E .O R G
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but since e-bikes can be fast, good brakes are essential, and a bit wider tire width is usually recommended. Class 2 e-bikes can have a throttle, which allows a rider to maintain a speed without pedaling and can go up to 28 mph; however, they are not legal on most bike paths. So far, mountain style e-bikes are not allowed on Eau Claire County bike trails. Class 3 e-bikes also do not require peddling and can go faster than 30 mph; however, the jury is out on what makes them different than scooters, so licensing and regulations may be in their future. One drawback to e-bikes is weight. Because of the battery and motor, an e-bike can weigh 50 pounds or more, which not only means they’re heavy to lift, but also means a regular bike rack won’t do. I found a hitch mount rack I’m happy with for about $230. Many riders will also want to “spring” for a better seat, since most stock ones are typically poor, and of course a good helmet is essential. To make my bike a grocery hauler I added a rear rack, a trunk and some saddle bags. I’m now thinking about an extended trip, maybe camping; with pedal-assist you can carry a lot of stuff! A couple of summers ago, after the taunting from another e-biker, I finally summoned the courage to try the UW-Eau Claire campus hill. Selecting “Turbo” for maximum assist and gearing down to one of my lowest gears, I was able to steadily climb to the summit without even standing on the pedals. Breathing hard but bursting with pride, I expected a round of applause or at least a nod of approval from the pajama-ed students heading to breakfast at Hilltop, but they seemed unimpressed. Next was State Street, then Harding Avenue. Who knows what could be next? Now that I have an e-bike, apart from the need for the occasional charge, there are no limits.
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T H E B ES T O F T H E O U T D O O R S We asked our readers the best places to be active. Here’s what they said. words by V1 CONTRIBUTORS • photo by ANDREA PAULSETH
WHEN WE CREATE VOLUME ONE’S ANNUAL BEST OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY READER POLL, we not only ask our readers (that’s you!) to vote for their favorite bands, bars, cheese curds but also their favorite bodies of water, hiking trails, and beaches. The Chippewa Valley is blessed with some awesome outdoor recreational areas and opportunities, and here’s what voters said were the best of them all.
Street, Menomonie) where you can explore 700 acres of wetlands and prairie, or the 60-foot-high observation tower, which is currently closed for the winter. Don’t miss Beaver Creek Reserve (S1 County Highway K, Fall Creek) with more than 9 miles of trail traversing 400 acres of diverse habitat. –Will Seward
BEST TRAIL FOR BIKING
1st Place: Big Falls County Park 2nd Place: Ray’s Beach on Lake Wissota 3rd Place: Lake Wazee
1st Place: Chippewa River State Trail 2nd Place: Lowes Creek County Park 3rd Place: Red Cedar State Trail Biking is not only a beloved pastime in the area, but something we were actually still able to do in the past year year! Readers voted the Chippewa BIG FALLS River State COUNTY PARK Trail at the top, which is no surprise with its beautiful views of the Confluence, peaceful prairies, and sandstone bluffs. Lowes Creek County Park, located 1.5 miles south of Eau Claire, also provides a trout stream and Parcourse Fitness Course. Running 14.5 miles, the Red Cedar State Trail begins in Menomonie and runs through marshland bottoms, forests, and farmlands before connecting with the Chippewa River State Trail. Bike on! –Ashly Curtis
BEST TRAIL FOR HIKING 1st Place: Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail 2nd Place: Hoffman Hills State Rec. Area 3rd Place: Beaver Creek Reserve So, you got sweet hiking boots for Christmas, or maybe you’ve had them forever. The Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail (13394 County Highway M, New Auburn) can get you and your boots out on trails to see kettle lakes, hummocks, and wildlife. There’s also the Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area (740th
BEST BEACH
sand ready for all. –Cullen Ryan
BEST CAMPGROUND 1st Place: Coon Fork County Park 2nd Place: O’Neil Creek Campground 3rd Place: Brunet Island State Park If you spent a night under the stars in the past year, you ought to see the stars at these three local campgrounds. Coon Fork County Park in
Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek) tops the list for best beach yet again! After a short walk through the trees, time seems to stand still. The beauty is so big, it’s hard to look away. Generations of Valley residents know it’s hard to beat Ray’s Beach on the south side of Lake Wissota (18124 County Highway X, Chippewa Falls), where fun memories can be made that last a lifetime. Lake Wazee (N6302 Brockway Road, River Falls) boasts wide-open sandy bottoms and water so blue you’d better not forget shades. –Cullen Ryan
BEST BODY OF WATER FOR RECREATION 1st Place: Lake Wissota 2nd Place: Chippewa River 3rd Place: Lake Altoona Volume One readers made the most of this challenging year, and they made it clear that the best place to make the best of the year was Lake Wissota, where you can cast a line for everything from panfish to sturgeon, or just stare at the horizon while enjoying warm days and nights. The Chippewa River comes in next, with 183 miles of kayaking and canoeing paradise, with slow-moving waters perfect for tubing with your best buds. Lake Altoona also made our list, with public access and warm
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Augusta is where the nature trails and camping are unmatched; it’s the little slice of heaven we all needed this year. O’Neil Creek Campground is an RV owner’s dream, with a general store, mini golf, train rides, and fun for the whole family. Our readers also loved Brunet Island State Park, complete with picnic areas, playgrounds, swimming, hiking, and plenty of campsites. –Cullen Ryan
GO ON AN ADVENTURE HIKING & BIKING TRAILS
foot in some sections. Directions: From downtown Eau Claire or from Hastings Way, take Main Street and turn north on Summer Street. Park near the pavilion in Boyd Park.
Chippewa County Chippewa County Riverview Reserve Trail Trails
Dunn County
go through woods and meadows. Some pass by small ponds as well as Lake Wissota. Take Hwy 178 north to Wissota Green Blvd (east of St. Joseph’s Hospital) and then on Beach Drive. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead. Parking also available near the Chippewa River bridge on 178.
Bjornsen Recreation Center Trail Trail loop
options through woods with creeks and several footbridges as well. From I-94 take the Hwy Q exit and drive north to 700 Avenue. Turn right and head to 160th Street. Look for signs. You might have to park at the gate and walk to the center. Otherwise, there is ample parking at the center.
Cadott School Forest Several loops go through
woods past two creeks and a covered bridge as well. From Hwy 29, take the Cty Rd X exit and drive to Cty Rd XX. Head north to 80th Street. Head east for 1 ½ miles and look for a gravel dead-end road. You might have to park at the gate and walk into the educational building area. Otherwise, there is parking at the building.
Chippewa River State Trail This former railroad
corridor parallels the Chippewa River and including river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs, wetlands, and more. Trailruns from Phoenix Park in Eau Claire to Caryville. Joins the Red Cedar Trail in the Dunnville Bottoms near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa rivers.
Deer Fly Trail A hiking trail located in the County Forest in Northern Chippewa County. From the north, the trail entrance is located two miles west of junction of County Roads M and E.
Duncan Creek Parkway Trail 5 miles - This trail
winds through the city of Chippewa Falls. Trail begins at the parking lot off 225th Avenue. Ideal for biking, hiking, and inline skating. Connects to Old Abe State Trail.
Evergreen Ski Trail 2.2 miles of trail loops are
open for hikers in the spring, summer, and fall. The westernmost trail follows Coon Fork Creek. $3 fee. Located 5 miles north of Augusta on Cty Rd CF (across the road from Coon Forks County Park). Park at a small dirt lot.
Hickory Ridge Trail 9 miles - This trail winds
through the quiet and scenic oak and aspen forest. It consists of three challenging loops. Located in northern Chippewa County in the County Forest the trail begins in a parking lot off of 225th Ave.
Irvine Park Trail Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa
Falls • chippewafalls-wi.gov Woods trails above the zoo area double as ski trails. Loop back down and visit the zoo afterwards. Trails also go past Glen Loch Lake. Trails can also be accessed from small parking lot on Cty Rd S or on the parking lot above the zoo off Erma-Tinger Drive.
Kemper’s Woods A few trail loops go through
a small woods surrounded by farmland. From Business 29, drive south on Chippewa Crossing Blvd and turn left on Stilson (50th Ave) past the dog park, over Hwy 29, and look for a small loopshaped parking lot on the right side of the road.
Lafayette Town Hall Trail A short loop goes
through woods. The trail overlooks Paint Creek. From Cty Road X south of Lake Wissota, turn south on 197th Street to the Lafayette Town Hall. Park near the food stand at the ball fields and walk through the brush site area to find the somewhat-hidden trailhead.
Lake Wissota State Park 18127 County Hwy 0,
Chippewa Falls Several trail options go through woods, meadows, lowlands, marshes, and Lake Wissota’s shoreline. Many double as ski trails. Bikes are permitted on all but 3 trails. One-mile Beaver Meadow nature trail loop for families with small children. Scenic lake trail is also a highlight.
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area 730th Ave., TRAIL RUNNING AT LOWE’S CREEK PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH
Daily and annual state park vehicle admission passes vary in price. Located on the northeast section of Lake Wissota.
Golf Road and park in the Fairfax Pool lot, or go down Fairfax Street and park near the ball fields south of South Middle School.
Old Abe Trail 711 North Bridge Street, Chippewa
Geuttinger Woods + Wildlife Area Semi-
Falls Popular bike trail goes from Chippewa Falls to Cornell. One scenic spot is just north of Jim Falls where the trail follows the Chippewa River on one side and small fields and ponds (some full of turtles) on the other. Head north of Chippewa Falls on Hwy 178 to the Jim Falls exit. In town, there is a trailhead sign with a parking lot. Walk north through town before getting to the scenic spots.
groomed trails wander through dense woodland. Head south from Eau Claire on Hwy 37. Look for a sign on the left shortly after passing Cty Rd HH. Short drive up a hill takes you to a small parking lot and trailhead.
Red Cedar State Trail 921 Brickyard Road,
Eau Claire County
Northwest Community Park Trail Several loop
trail options double as mountain bike and ski trails. Some are narrow and steep. From the North Crossing (Hwy 312) head north on Jeffers and turn right away on E. Prairie Lane to Arrowhead Drive to Van Es Parkway. Drive to the end of the street to the small parking lot.
Pinehurst Park - Trails Wooded trails along the
far side of the sledding hill double as mountain bike trails. Trails end at the top of the sledding hill. From Hwy 53, turn right on Eddy Lane to Darryl Lane to Dale Road. From the parking lot, look for the trailhead on the left facing the hill.
Big Falls County Park Located in the town of
Seymour, the trails at Big Falls cut through mixed coniferous/ hardwood forest on either side of County Highways Q and K.
Putnam Trail Dirt road goes through a wooded
City Wells Trail Three-mile loop trail begins near
the city wells and heads into the woods. Directions: From the North Crossing (Hwy 312) head north on Riverview Drive. Park in the dirt lot near the wells buildings off Riverview Drive.
area that follows Little Niagara Creek. Deer and wild turkeys often seen. Marshy woods with a beautiful canopy of branches and leaves. From campus heading west, the trail follows the Chippewa River.
Eau Claire River Route Start at the paved trail-
Tower Ridge Recreation Area Trail 1230 S 82nd
Ave, Eau Claire Wide trails double as ski and horseback riding trails. Some trails are very hilly. Offers spectacular views of the Eau Claire River Valley. $3 daily pass/seasonal. Drive east from Eau Claire on Cty Rd Q and then south on L. Go past first parking lot (for disc golf players) to the second lot (road to it on left side of L).
head hidden across from the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library’s underground parking entrance. The trail brings you across to the north side of the river on an old railroad trestle S bridge that offers spectacular views of the quarter-mile long Banbury Place industrial complex and of course, the valley. The trails in Phoenix Park and Boyd Park now connect and are ready for downtown cyclists.
Trail From Boyd Park to Archery Park This small
Fairfax Park 4200 Fairfax St., Eau Claire Small woods trail that doubles as ski trail goes into small prairie area past a few ponds and re-enters woods. Directions: Access Fairfax Park Drive from either W W W.VO L U M E O N E .O R G
short trail winds along a small bluff bordering Eau Claire’s east side neighborhood. Nice scenic spots where you look straight down to the Eau Claire River. Trail starts in a meadow. It is rocky under54
Menomonie Lions Game Park Trails Very short
Lowes Creek County Park Trail Most trails double as mountain bike or ski trails. One short trail is devoted to hiking only. Nice sights of Lowes Creek. Requires $3 daily pass with seasonal passes available. Drive south of Eau Claire and I-94 on Lowes Creek Road. Park entrance will be on the left. Or drive south of Eau Claire and I-94 on 93. Turn right on Lorch Avenue and left on Fairview Drive. Ample parking at both entrances.
Creek • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve. org There are several trail loop options. Scenic, winding trails on two separate sections of the reserve, offer views of two creeks and the Eau Claire River. A local favorite $3 for adults, $1 for children (15 and under), free for members of Beaver Creek.
woods, emerge next to Lake Menomin, and then through meadow before re-entering woods. From I-94 head south on Cty Rd B, turn right at 3M Drive, turn left at Stokke Parkway, turn right at Red Cedar Street/Domain Drive.
miles - Located next to the Hillcrest Golf Course.
Augusta just off Hwy 12/27 on Stone St. 21 miles - Approximately 21 miles roundtrip with alternate loops. Mostly easy but a few steep hills. It’s a scenic route that follows along a lightly traveled road and is perfect for a family bicycle outing. Available year round and no pass is required.
Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall
Lake Menomin Park Trail Walk through the
trail starts near animal exhibits and features a little boardwalk. Fun stroll for families with little kids. From I-94 head south on North Broadway Street, turn left on Pine Avenue E to Game Park Rd. Plenty of parking spaces on paved lot.
Otter Creek Trail 2333 Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona 3
Stage Coach Bicycle Route Trailhead located in
Colfax Several different trail options from easy to moderate to difficult. Very hilly in the woods section of the park, most leading to a 60-foot tower with a wonderful view of the area and worth the climb. The grass-prairie and wetlands section of the park is easy and passes by ponds hidden from view of most of the trail.
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Menomonie Small bluffs with a waterfall will be on one side and the Red Cedar River on the other side. Bald eagles frequently sighted. Going other direction from Dunnville takes you through the Dunnville State Wildlife Area across a trestle near the confluence of the Chippewa River and the Red Cedar River. This meets up with the Chippewa River Trail.
Further Out 400 State Trail 22 miles E13660 State High-
way 33, Reedsburg • dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/ name/400/ The 400 State Trail is located between Reedsburg and Elroy with 5 communities conveniently spaced along the trail to provide small town hospitality. Part of the 101-mile State Trail System. A mostly level trail. Trail is used for bicycling, walking, and snowmobiling. There is also a 7-mile horse trail parallel to the bike trail between Wonewoc and LaValle.
Buffalo River State Park Trail dnr.wi.gov 36 miles - This is a multi-purpose trail that parallels Hwy 10 passing through the communities of Mondovi, Eleva, Strum, Osseo and Fairchild connecting to Eau Claire County operated ATV trails.
Levis Mound Trail Neilsville • levismound.
com The Levis Mound and Trow Mound rec trail in Southern Clark County features 25 miles of mountain bike singletrack trails offering riders a variety of terrain, from easy meandering wooded singletrack to technical pitches and outstanding views of the surrounding 133,000 acre county forest.
Wildwood Trail 200 Main St., Woodville •
co.saint-croix.wi.us The Wildwood Trail is a seven-mile off-road hiking, biking and snowmobiling trail on a former railroad right-of-way, which runs from the Village of Woodville south to the St. Croix/Pierce County line, through the Town of Eau Galle.
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