Seek Adventure Seek Adventure

listings by James Johonnott

Adventure is out there! The Chippewa Valley has no shortage of hidden gems for you to discover – whether that’s on the luscious local hiking and biking paths, cozy campgrounds, or great getaways. Find your footing in the great outdoors, soaking in the sun and local wildlife, the greenery and the scenery. Get climbing, skydiving, river rafting, hammocking, traveling, or – maybe most extraordinarily – trying something new. You never know! You might like it.

HIKING & BIKING TRAILS

Lace up your boots and grease up your chain for these beautiful trails

Chippewa County

CHIPPEWA COUNTY RIVERVIEW

RESERVE TRAIL Trails 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.

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 loop-shaped 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. Daily and annual state park vehicle admission passes vary in price. Located on the northeast section of Lake Wissota.

OLD ABE TRAIL Popular bike trail goes from Eau Claire to 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.

STAGE COACH BICYCLE ROUTE Trailhead located in 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

Off The Chain

Get route that follows along a lightly traveled road and is perfect for a family bicycle outing. Available year round and no pass is required.

Eau Claire County

BEAVER CREEK RESERVE S1 County Road K, Fall 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.

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.

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.

EAU CLAIRE RIVER ROUTE Start at the paved trailhead 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.

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 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.

GEUTTINGER WOODS + WILDLIFE

AREA Semi-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.

OTTER CREEK TRAIL 2333 Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona 3 miles - Located next to the Hillcrest Golf Course.

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.

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.

PUTNAM TRAIL Dirt road goes through a wooded 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.

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).

TRAIL FROM BOYD PARK TO ARCHERY PARK This small 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 underfoot 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.

Dunn County

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.

HOFFMAN HILLS STATE RECREATION AREA 730th Ave., 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.

LAKE MENOMIN PARK TRAIL Walk through the 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.

MENOMONIE LIONS GAME PARK

TRAILS Very short 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.

RED CEDAR STATE TRAIL 921 Brickyard Road, 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.

Futher Out

400 STATE TRAIL 22 MILES E13660 State Highway 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.

Garden Centers

Find a newy leafy friend

BLAINE’S FARM AND FLEET 2583 S Prairie View Rd., Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-1806

• farmandfleet.com A hardy selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, and hanging baskets, all grown locally with nursery quality so you know they will survive and prosper in your lawn and garden. While you’re there, you can pick up garden maintenance supplies, lawn decor, and more.

BOBOLINK NURSERY LLC N6548 429th

St., Menomonie • (715) 231-3901 • bobolinknursery. com Bobolink’s barn-style garden center and three large growing ranges are packed with perennials, vegetables, annuals, shrubs, and trees. Owners Dan and Amy Dopkins have been in the plant growing business for essentially their entire lives and are very happy to pass their vast stores of knowledge on to you. They also offer services such as landscaping design and installation.

CHIPPEWA VALLEY GROWERS 7825

Prill Road, Eau Claire • (715) 839-8448 • chippewavalleygrowers.com Carries a wide variety of stock, specializing in bedding plants, flowers, and vegetables. Work with gardeners to create custom baskets and containers and check out growing ideas and tips in their spring newsletter.

CHRISTENSEN FLORIST & GREENHOUSES 1210 Mansfield St, Chippewa Falls

• christensenflorist.com Greenhouses full of beautiful hanging baskets & patio pots and full assortments of annuals, vegetables, perennials, & herbs. Daily specials available. All plants grown on site.

CURVUE HIDEAWAY & TREES 6760

Curvue Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 878-4366 • info@ ctreesonc.com • ctreesonc.com Curvue Hideaway & Trees now has a garden center and nursery stock that includes vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowering annuals, perennials, and more. Gift shop featuring the handiwork of local consignors and artisans.

DOWN TO EARTH GARDEN CENTER

6025 Arndt Ln., Eau Claire • (715) 833-1234 • downtoearthgardencenter.com A relaxing and spacious environment in which potential planters can find greeneries of every kind. The garden center sells bulk materials, tools, decor, seasonal and lush plants, and much more. They host classes and events all year long and even have a cafe on-site for if you get a little hungry. They offer landscaping and lawncare services.

GREEN OASIS GARDEN CENTER 1403 122nd St., Lake Hallie • (715) 832-0800 • greenoasis.co This garden center offers lawn art and accessories, plus various trees, ornamental grasses, perennials, mulch, dirt, compost, and patio block. Also offers lawn care, landscaping, irrigation, window cleaning, pest control, christmas lightning, and

GREEN THUMB LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATING + GARDEN CENTER

6700 Hwy 12 East, Eau Claire • (715) 832-4553 • greenthumbwi.com Green Thumb Landscaping and Excavating provides garden care and maintenance. Their garden center has a wide selection of perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, mulch, decorative rock, and more.

HALFEN GARDEN CENTER AND HOSTA HEAVEN 19130 72nd Ave, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-3414 • terrencehalfen@ yahoo.com • halfengardencenter.com Halfen Garden Center is a family run business that offers a wide array of hostas, vines, annuals, vegetables, fruits, trees, and shrubs. They offer garden layouts to help you know the best place to plant around your home.

KLINGER FARM MARKET 12756 132nd St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket@yahoo.com • klingerfarmmarket.com In addition to 18 greenhouses full of flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, water plants, and house plants, Klinger offers a swath of freshly grown produce, home and garden ornaments, bird baths, jams, honeys, and organic gardening products. They are open year round.

LOWES CREEK TREE FARM S9475 Lowes Creek Rd., Eleva • (888) 878-4166 • christmas@ lowescreektreefarm.com • lowescreek-treefarm. com Lowes Creek Tree Farm’s retail nursery market includes a full line of potted shade trees (over 50 varieties), flowering trees, fruit trees, shrubs, and perennials, plus landscape consultation, design services, and delivery and planting services.

THE MARIA’S COUNTRY GARDENS LLC N1956 State Road 85, Caryville • facebook. com/themariascountrygardensllc 12 minutes southwest of Eau Claire and offers a wide variety of unique and colorful annuals, perennials, grasses, herbs and vegetables.

MAY’S FLORAL GARDEN 3424 Jeffers Road, Eau Claire • (715) 836-8220 • maysfloralgarden.comMay’s Floral Garden Center has an ever-changing selection, so be sure to check often to see what they have in stock. They also host garden classes, and a garden club.