Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!

Wisconsin
Mtn. Biking Maps & Trails

 Maps & Trails
Chequamegon's Glacier Trail
Chequamegon's Rock Lake Trail
Virtual Namakagon Cluster Trails
Namakagon Cluster Guide
Wisconsin State Parks, Forests, & Trails Guide
The "400" State Trail: Biking Guide
Virtual John Muir & Emma Carlin Trails
Kettle Moraine State Forest: South Unit Trails Guide

Maps & Trails

• Alma, Great River Road North Trail Map, (90K)
• Alma, Great River Road South Trail Map, (93K)
• Baraboo, Baraboo Range Overview Map, (61K)
• Baraboo, Devils Lake State Trails Map, (64K)
• Black Hawks Retreat, Trail Map (124KB)
• Chequamegon, Cable & Seeley Cluster, Trail Map, (300K)
• Chequamegon, Delta & Drummond Cluster, Trail Map, (337K)
• Chequamegon, Drummond Area Trails Map, (271K)
• Chequamegon, Namakagon Cluster Trails Map, (315K)
• Chequamegon, Hayward & Seeley Cluster, Trail Map, (323K)
• Czech Heritage Tour, (140K)
• Dodgeville, Governor Dodge State Trails, (81K)
• Eauclair, Chippewa River Trail, (141K)
• Eagle, Kettle-South, Pinewood Campground Map, (44K)
• "400" State Trail Map, [Elroy-->Reedsburg], (109K)
• Frank Lloyd Wright, (36K)
• Freedom Heritage Trail, (127K)
• Hayward, Chequamegon Bay, (42K)
• Hayward, Chequamegon Area Trails, (111K)
• Juneau, Wild Goose State Trail,(123K)
• Kettle Moraine-South, Regional Overview Map [small], (14K)
• Kettle Moraine-South, Emma Carlin Trail Map, [small], (24K)
• Kettle Moraine-South, Emma Carlin-John Muir Trails Map, (237K)
• Kettle Moraine-South, J. Muir & Nordic Hiking Map, [small], (41K)
• Kettle Moraine-South Unit, Forest and Area Map [Northern half], (214K)
• Kettle Moraine-South Unit, Forest and Area Map [Southern half], (187K)
• Kettle Moraine State Forest, "Ice Age & Horse" Trail Map, (93K)
• La Grange, John Muir Trails, (150K)
• Lead Mining Tour, (120K)
• Medary, LaCrosse River State Trail, (159K)
• Medary, Great River State Trail, Northern Areas(172K)
• Medary, Great River State Trail, Southern Areas(90K)
• Menomonie, Red Cedar State Trail, (134K)
• North Country Scenic Trail Map, '97 (82K)
• Palmyra, Emma Carlin Trails, (103K)
• Palmyra, Ottawa Lake Campgrounds Map, (51K)
• Waukesha, Glacial Drumlin State Trail, (101K)
• Waupaca, Hartman Creek State Trails, (36K)
• Whitewater Lake, (Kettle-South) Campground Map, (31K)
• Whitewater Lake Recreation Area & Camp Map, [Kettle-South], (121K)

• Wisconsin National Forests, Overview Map (13K)

The "400" State Trail: Biking Guide

In June of 1993, the "400" State Trail was officially opened. The "400" State Trail is named for the Chicago-Northwestern passenger train that ran on this grade. The train traveled the 400 miles between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul in 400 minutes. Wetlands, sandstone bluff, rolling croplands, and pastures are just a few of the sights visitors will enjoy on the "400" Trail. This 22-mile trail between Elroy and Reedsburg offers beautiful scenery, bountiful wildlife, and friendly, small town hospitality.
The renovated Reedsburg Depot is the trail headquarters and also the office for the Reedsburg Chamber of Commerce. The depot is used as an information center with interpretive displays and public rest area facilities. Bicycles and child trailers are available for rent at the Depot and various businesses along the trail. A handpowered bicycle is available for loan to mobility impaired persons. For more information contact: 400 State Trail, Trail Headquarters, 240 Railroad St., P.O. Box 142, Reedsburg, WI 53959. Telephone 608-524-2850.
The villages of Union Center, Wonewoc, and LaValle located along the trail invite visitors to explore their shops and recreational facilities. There are grocery stores, restaurants, and stores handling bicycle repair parts. Motels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds can be found in the area. These services are listed on the informational bulletin boards along the trail.
The trail was developed on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern Railroad grade. Packed limestone screenings and bridges with planked floors provide a smooth bike riding surface. A unique feature of the "400" Trail is a 7-mile horse trail which parallels the trail between Wonewoc and LaValle. The Baraboo River parallels the entire length of the trail.
The "400" Trail is one segment of state trail among the 117 miles of linked recreation trails in west central Wisconsin. Recreational opportunities don't stop when the snow flies. Snowmobiles use the trail during the winter months.

Elroy

Elroy is a city of 1600 people situated in the unglaciated southwest comer of Juneau County. Once a prominent railroad center, it is now the hub of three bike trails-Elroy-Sparta, "400," and Omaha. The trails meet at the Commons, a downtown park, which serves both trail users and residents. Built in 1991, the Commons provides parking, restrooms, lockers, showers, pay phone, area information, picnic facilities, and Tot Lot. Close by are restaurants, grocery stores, and other shops. The new Elroy Area Historical Society Museum, the Carnegie Library, and Juneau County's only movie theater are also nearby. Elroy is on the west fork of the Baraboo River, which offers fine trout fishing. A city park on the south edge of town has facilities for tenting and RV electrical hookups, picnics, and a swimming pool with showers available to campers. Within five miles of Elroy are two motels, a bed and breakfast, a golf course, and an airport.
Dairy Days is in early June and the Elroy Fair is on the fourth weekend of July. Elroy is the birthplace and home of Governor Tommy Thompson.

Union Center

The quiet village of Union Center, population 206, is located at the junction of State Highways 80-82 and 33, conveniently situated between the cities of Elroy, Wonewoc, and Hillsboro.
The village and its surrounding locale harbor unique habitat and a variety of services.
Beaver dams and protected wetlands will greet trail users approaching Union Center from the north (Elroy) direction. When reaching town, the following services are available to serve you: nine-hole golf course graced with the beauty of two mute swans and a supper club that serves nightly specials. A motel with unique dome apartments, liquidation store, convenience store, natural foods store, and several bar and grills welcome trail users.

Wonewoc

Situated midway on the "400" Trail, Wonewoc is a village of 830 people located in a picturesque valley within the geological "driftless area" of Wisconsin. The only Interpretive Nature Trail is located on the northern boundary of the Wonewoc portion of the "400" Trail.
Wonewoc is unique as it is the apex for recreational enthusiasts. The "400" Trail for bikers, hikers, and horse riders, and a canoe trail on the Baraboo River all meet at one point within the Village of Wonewoc. Bike repair and rentals and canoe rentals are available within the village.
Two parks are located within the village. Baker Field, which is located directly off the "400" Trail, has a covered shelter, restrooms, lighted tennis courts and ball field. The American Legion park offers a large, fenced, in-ground swimming pool, shower facilities, and is located within an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere of tall pines, oak and maple trees and many species of wild flowers. Wonewoc has the only public campground on the trail between Elroy and Reedsburg and is located in the American Legion park.
Overlooking this beautiful village is the Wisconsin Spiritualist's Camp located on forty acres of woodland west of town.
Directly accessible to the trail is a laundromat, medical clinic, and five eating establishments. The business district is adjacent to the trail and enthusiastically meets the many needs of the trail users. Three churches are also located within the city limits. A new eight unit motel is available for "400" Trail users.
Local annual celebrations include June Dairy Days, July 4th Celebration, and Woney-Wacky Days in August.

La Valle

The village of La Valle is located at the crossroads of Highways 33 and 58, seven miles west of Reedsburg and nine miles southeast of Wonewoc. The village lies in a valley with the Baraboo River running directly through it.
To the west of town is Hemlock Park with beautiful sandstone bluffs just beckoning to be explored.
Also available at Hemlock are fishing, restrooms, grills, children's park, shelter, and picnic areas.
The small town bills itself as "The Crossroads to the Lakes" as it lies between Dutch Hollow and Lake Redstone, two man-made lakes offering excellent water sports and fishing. Just a stone's throw from the trail is a beach, children's park, and picnic area on Lake Redstone.
Within the village is the community park featuring a baseball diamond, tennis and basketball courts, restrooms, and a large shelter. The annual La Valle Celebration takes place in this park on the second Sunday in August. Events of the day include a parade, horse show, Fun Run, variety show, chicken barbecue, and assorted children's games.
The La Valle section of the "400" Trail is unique in that a horse trail runs adjacent to the bike trail. Ample horse trailer parking and hitching posts are available within village limits.
Canoeing is another enjoyable sport which can be accessed from the La Valle-Wonewoc section of the "400" Trail. Wildlife enthusiasts will find nesting Sandhill cranes, beavers, badgers, and many other types of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Biking, hiking, and snowmobiling are all available on the trail as well.
The services available in the village include two restaurants, two bar and grills, gas, grocery, hardware, laundromat, bed and breakfast, and five churches.

Reedsburg

Reedsburg, a city of 5,000 people, is located on the south end of the "400" Trail. It lies directly on the 90th meridian, making it the only city in the state where the sun and the clock both have correct time. Its small-town hospitality is like a breath of fresh air in the center of Wisconsin's busiest tourist area on Highways 23 and 33. It is within 30 miles of major attractions, such as Wisconsin Dells, Circus World Museum, Devil's Lake State Park, Mid-Continent Railway Museum, and the House On the Rock, and 15 miles from Interstate I90-94.
In the city you can see the following attractions: Pioneer Village and the Museum of Norman Rockwell Art. The downtown area and many homes are on the Federal Register of Historic Places.
Reedsburg is part of the Wisconsin Bikeway, a 300-mile route leading from La Crosse to Kenosha, which was the first statewide bicycle route in the U.S.
The city offers a fine public park system. It has large and small parks scattered throughout various sections of the city, many offering picnic shelters, a municipal swimming pool, and several ball diamonds. Also, the city has 15 churches of various denominations with regular worship services.
You will find restaurants of your choice ranging from specialty hot dogs and other sandwiches, family price meals, pizza, to steak and supper clubs. Most of them are found on Main Street (Highways 23 and 33) through the city. There are three motels, two bed and breakfasts, and a campground to satisfy your overnight needs. South Park offers some limited camping facilities.
Shopping at a variety of stores can be found in the downtown area or on the east side of the city at the mail. If you like antiques, you can find them in the mall downtown.
The Reedsburg Area Medical Center has a 24hour emergency room.
Annual events are Little Britches Rodeo in May, Sunday-Memorial Day weekend chicken barbecue, Fly-in Drive-In Breakfast first Sunday of June, Butter Festival third weekend of June, Reedikulas Day last Friday of June, and the Harvest Festival first Saturday of October.

Trail passes are required for bikers 16 years of age and older.

Daily and seasonal passes can be purchased at designated outlets along the trail and from trail personnel.

For further information:
WILDCAT MTN. STATE PARK
Box 99
Ontario, Wi. 54651
(608) 337-4775

OR

The "400" State Trail
Reedsburg Chamber
P.O. Box 142
Reedsburg, Wi. 53959
(608) 524-2850

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST:

SOUTHERN UNIT MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

Mountain Biking - off-road bicycling (often called mountain biking) is only allowed on trails designated for mountain biking John Muir, Emma Carlin and The Connector trail.

Hiking - Be aware that trails may vary in difficulty. Share the trails with bikers! Make your presence known in blind turn areas; or where appropriate. Not all trails are surfaced. Steep climbs or descents may be encountered. Use caution when on steep bluffs or near cliffs. Stay away from cliffs which are not protected by a barricade or barrier. Stay behind barricade and barriers where they are provided and watch small children closely. Trail surfaces can become slippery when wet, leaf covered, or where loose gravel may be encountered.

Emma Carlin Trails

Red Loop - 2.0 Miles (3.2KM)

Hardwood forest with a steep hogback ridge accent this short trail. Note the view of the glacial sand plain as all three loops return on the same spur trail back to the parking lot.

Orange Loop - 2.4 Miles (3.9KM)

This loop takes you a little further into the hardwood forest. A short segment of the loop takes you through a big dip in the terrain. The route served as a logging road about 1977 when this area was clear-cut during a hardwood timber harvest.

Green Loop - 4.0 Miles (6.5KM)

The north side of this loop is a mixture of open and wooded areas that will treat you to the dramatic scent of walnuts and apples. The vista at Lower Spring Lake (where on a clear day, you can see Holy Hill) marks the point where the terrain and cover make a dramatic change. Deep, mature, hardwood forests lead you back to the parking lot.

John Muir Trails

Red Loop - 1.5 Miles (2.4KM)

This is a good short loop through open fields, scattered pines, and hardwoods. Don't miss resting on the bend in the spruce tree's at the bottom of this loop's only difficult downhill.

White Loop - 4.0 Miles (6.5KM)

The first 2 miles of this loop winds through open areas with scattered mature pines. The return trip zigzags in and out of oak woodlands and pine plantations. Don't miss the bird's eye view of the forest's largest leatherleaf bog. Some mountain bikers rate this a beginners-intermediate loop.

Orange Loop - 5.3 Miles (8.5KM)

Bikers won't forget the narrow, steep trail overlooking the largest of three leather leaf bogs.

Green Loop - 6.8 Miles (11KM)

This loop takes you over some of the roughest, most diverse sections of the forest. In spring watch for some of the most spectacular displays of pasque flowers on the south end of the loop.

Blue Loop - 10 Miles (16KM)

Some of the greatest biking trails around. Our new south loops were designed for just this purpose. The blue loop that looks like a squirrel on a map, takes you 3.2 miles deep into an old growth forest. Don't miss the spring display of Jack-in-the-pulpits.

Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

S91 W39091 Hwy 59

Eagle, Wisconsin 53119

(414) 594-6200

Namakagon Cluster Guide

Namakagon Trail

• 11 miles
• 60% single track, 40% two track
• Intermediate degree of difficulty

The Namakagon Cluster includes a diverse assortment of trails, from easy gravel roads to very challenging, hilly singletrack trails in the Rock Lake area, but the majority of the riding is moderately difficult. The trails traverse areas of second growth hardwood forest, stands of old growth pine, and young aspen. The trails are primarily hard packed, but there are areas in which the surface is very sandy. Most sections of this cluster are generally ridable quite early in the season.

The Namakagon Cluster consists of four principal trails with numerous opportunities to combine trails, take shorter rides within the larger trails, or separate side trips. Namakagon Trail = 11 miles, Rock Lake Trail - 9.9 miles, Glacier Trail - 8.8 miles, and Patsy Lake Trail - 12.5 miles or 8.6 miles starting at the intersection of FR 203 and FR 203B. All of the trails can be interconnected to add considerable mileage. The Rock Lake Trail primarily follows the Rock Lake 16K Ski Trail. It is undulating glacial terrain at its best. This trail is moderate to difficult, with very little flat riding and many short, steep climbs and descents. The area which this trail traverses is unsurpassed in tranquillity, scenic beauty, and athletic challenge. It is a section of the north woods not to be missed.

Glacier Trail

• 8.8 miles
• 62% single track 35% two track, 3% gravel road
• Intermediate degree of difficulty

Begin at the Rock Lake Trail Head. You may encounter hikers on this trail. Be courteous, yield the right of way, and announce your presence so as to not alarm hikers. This is a moderately difficult trail with several good climbs and one very challenging climb in the later part of the trail. Ride east and south from the parking lot on the Rock Lake Ski Trail which is a rolling single track with occasional steeper hills. Bear right (southwest) at the intersection with the 2 Km ski trail at 0.6 mile. Ride for 0.2 mile and continue straight on the grass woods road where the ski trail forks to the left [N7]. Continue on the leaf and grass covered single track for another 0.3 mile until you reach a gate. Go around the gate and turn left (east) on to a dirt double track. In 0.2 mile turn right (south) onto the ski trail. Ride for 0.6 miles to the intersection with the Rock Lake Loop of the ski trail. Make a very hard left (east) [N8] onto a single track. In 0.6 miles turn right off the old road onto a technical single track and ride 0.15 miles to FR 207 [N1O]. Continue across FR 207 (south) onto the single track [N1O] and ride 0.3 miles to the intersection with the Rock Lake Trail [N11]. Continue straight (south) 0.4 miles to the intersection with a double track [NI2]. Bear left (southeast) in 0.3 mile there is a very pretty bog area on the right. Continue through similar open young growth pine and aspen for 0.9 mile to the intersection with a grass single track which is the Patsy Lake Trail [N13]. Continue northeast on the double track 0.1 mile to an intersection with a grass single track [N22]. Turn left (north) on this two-way trail and ride 1.3 miles north to the intersection with Snowmobile Trail 8 [N3]. Turn left (northwest) onto the Snowmobile Trail, which is well defined and climbs gradually for another 0.8 mile. Shortly after the trail begins a slight descent turn left (west) at [N4] on to a narrow single track. The trail traverses a ridge overlooking a very steep, deep wooded bowl. The trail rejoins the snowmobile trail in about 0.4 mile. Turn left (southwest) and continue 0.5 mile to the junction with FR 207 [N5] Turn left (south) on FR 207 and ride 0.2 miles to the Rock Lake Ski Trail

Rock Lake Trail Head

From Cable drive east 7 miles on Highway M. Turn right (south) at the Rock Lake Trail sign and park in the parking lot. The trail head has parking and a vault toilet. The Forest Service charges for parking at the trail head, (~$3). The parking fees are used to improve the trail system.

Rock Lake Loop, trail split

Rock Lake Trail

• 9.9 miles
• Single track
• Intermediate - Difficult

The Rock Lake Trail follows the 16 Km loop of the ski trail system. Ride the ski trail avoiding the cutoff at [N7] and continue straight (south) at the Glacier Trail and Rock Lake ski trail intersection [N8]. Just past this is a road out to FR 207. Turn right (south) past a small clearing to continue on the single track. In 0.5 miles the Rock Lake ski trail loop forks off to the right. A possible side trip at this point is to ride the narrow, roller coaster-single track around Rock Lake. This trail can be wet in a couple of places. To continue the bike route bear left (south) at the Rock Lake ski trail loop intersection and continue south past the 11.5 Km ski trail loop which bears to the left. The ski trail which you are following crosses several woods roads.

Frel's Lake, looking back from the top of a long climb

Pass Frels Lake on the left and shortly thereafter Hildebrandt Lake on the right. Bear left off of the double track along Hildebrandt Lake onto single track. Follow the ski trail to FR 207 [N291. Cross the road and continue on the single track. In 0.3 miles you reach a wooded double track which brings you to Spring Lake. (It is a dead end trail and makes a nice side trip). Shortly past Spring Lake you intersect a short connector trail to the Glacier Trail [N30]. Continue on the ski trail to the intersection with the 11.5 Km ski trail. Turn right (east) and continue on the single track. The ski trail signs at intersections from here direct you back to the trail head.

To learn more about the area please contact:

Cable Area Chamber of Commerce 1-800-533-745
Hayward Lakes Resort Association 1-800-724-2992

On-line, contact:

gocable@win.bright.net

http://www.cable4fun.com/camba

* We at Trailmonkey applaud the incredible efforts of organizations like CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association), who: do solid trail work, organize a cool Fat Tire Fest/Races, and sell in-depth trailmaps in complete sets, (ALL area trails) for only $5 everywhere in the Chequamegon area. And if you only ride one trail/cluster, or just show up trailside, they usually provide free maps at each cluster trailhead/tail. The trails are very well maintained, and quite ingeniously thought out. We had a great time riding quite a few of the cluster trails, and met some cool CAMBA members to boot! Although each cluster is different, and fun to ride,…we at Trailmonkey, (and some of the CAMBA lads too), found the Namakagon Cluster to be the most challenging physically and technically.

Patsy Lake Trail

• 12.5 miles - 8.6 miles from alternate start
• 28% single track, 68% two track, 4% gravel road
• Good choice when wet
• Intermediate degree of difficulty

BIG THANKS go out to Lucas Paruch for his expertise and inspiration in helping expand our Wisconsin database. He is a serious authority on the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  For more information please visit: http://vms.www.uwplatt.edu/~paruch  (He does virtual trails too!)

 

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