Old Abe State Trail: County Highway O to Eau Claire
The trailhead at County Highway O is a popular place to begin or end bike rides on the Old Abe State Trail. A parking area along with a self-registration station, covered picnic shelter, restrooms, bike rack, and information kiosk are located there. By car, the trailhead is reached by taking Wisconsin State Highway 178 north into Chippewa Falls, and then turning east on County Highway S. Travel 2.2 miles to the intersection with County Highway O. The trailhead is on the northeast corner of that intersection.
While some tourism literature indicates the Old Abe State Trail goes from Brunet Island State Park to Lake Wissota State Park, there does not currently appear to be a connector trail leading directly to Lake Wissota State Park from this trailhead. The state park is 2 miles furthers east on County Highway O.
An exciting part of the Old Abe State Trail is passing over the Chippewa River and a section of Lake Wissota on a long causeway and bridge. The trail’s route follows the line of the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. It went from Cornell to the hamlet of Norma, north of Chippewa Falls. The original railroad trestle bridge was built in 1916, but a modern structure has replaced the old one. The new trestle bridge is south of the County Highway O trailhead. A DNR-built bird nesting platform is along the trail before the causeway. The trestle bridge has numerous stopping points for taking in scenic views of the lake.
After crossing the lake, the trail passes by farmland for 1.5 miles before entering Chippewa Falls. At this place, it travels alongside the busy four-lane Wisconsin State Highway 178. As the trail heads south along the highway, a large DHL-Fleet Farm distribution center is seen across the road. The trail continues past a housing subdivision.
After the trail crosses Wissota Green Boulevard, bicyclists may take a separate paved path east to Riverview Preserve. A small parking lot and information kiosk is located there 350 yards east of the Old Abe State Trail. This is another possible trailhead. By car, the parking lot is accessed by taking Wissota Green Boulevard to Beach Drive.
At the busy intersection of Wisconsin State Highway 178 and County Highway I (Wissota Green Boulevard), the Old Abe Trail crosses the highway and continues south. The crosswalk signal should be used to enhance safety while crossing the highway. The trail then parallels the highway on the west side of the road, and descends the valley to cross the Chippewa River. It’s worth stopping on the bridge to take a look before biking up the other side of the river valley. Although paved, the trail’s surface in this section is quite rough.
The surface of the Old Abe State Trail improves where it turns west to follow Park Avenue. Two historical markers are along this section. One conveys the history of the Yellowstone Trail- an early national road. The idea of a national road from Massachusetts to Washington state was conceived in 1912. The road was completed in 1917. It traveled through Yellowstone National Park, hence its name. The road also passed through Wisconsin for over 400 miles from Kenosha to Hudson. In Chippewa Falls, the route followed Park Avenue.
The second historical marker features the story of Chippewa Springs water. In 1700, French explorer Pierre LeSueur discovered the spring and noted how he had heard the legend of Hiawatha. Ezra Pound later used the story to write how Chippewa Spring water was used as a love potion by Hiawatha to woo Minnehaha. In 1887, Wisconsin Governor Thaddeus Pound bought land by the spring and developed a health club and spa there. The water was shipped around the country when the Pillsbury family bought the land. Today, the restored historic spring house still stands, and is located across the street from the marker.
Chippewa Falls is named after the river that flows through the heart of the city. “Chippewa” is a deviation of the word “Ojibwa,” the name of the Native American nation who resided in that region. When the area was settled by Europeans and Americans, Chippewa Falls grew in population and industry. This was mainly because of the lumber that was harvested from the area’s vast white pine forests. One popular attraction in the city today is Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, where visitors can sample beer after touring the brewery.
In Chippewa Falls, the Old Abe State Trail passes by a Dairy Queen on Park Avenue before slowly ascending in elevation. It then passes through the village of Lake Hallie. Throughout the village, the trail parallels Wisconsin State Highway 124 and then Joles Road. A descent in elevation is noticeable for the rest of the ride.
The Old Abe State Trail enters Eau Claire slightly before Business U.S. Highway 53 (N. Hastings Way) comes into view to the east. At its intersection with Melby Street, the crosswalk signal failed to produce a “walk” sign when the trail was ridden in September of 2020. If the signal continues to malfunction, use caution when crossing this intersection.
Throughout much of Lake Hallie and Eau Claire, the Old Abe State Trail runs along busy four-lane highways. The trail’s surface makes for comfortable biking. But the environment of loud traffic noise, and countless commercial and industrial businesses creates a less than peaceful recreational experience.
The trail eventually turns west away from the busy highway. The view becomes more scenic as the trail further descends in elevation and travels along the high forested banks of the Eau Claire River. In this section, spur trails lead off to different parts of the city. The Old Abe State Trail continues between the Eau Claire River and Galloway Street. Banbury Place, on the other side of Galloway Street, then comes in sight. This large factory complex is now a multi-use facility with apartments, storage space, and businesses.
It is 16.3 miles from the trailhead at County Highway O to Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. At Phoenix Park, the Old Abe State Trail becomes the Chippewa River State Trail. The park is also where the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers converge. This picturesque park offers a walking labyrinth, amphitheater, seasonal Saturday farm market, restrooms, and street parking. The park is accessed from Riverfront Terrace.
When traveling by car to Phoenix Park in Eau Claire from Interstate Highway 94, take the U.S. Highway 53 exit, and head north. Take Business U.S. Highway 53 (N. Hastings Way) to Main Street and turn left. Turn right on S. Bartow Street, and then left on Riverfront Terrace after crossing the Eau Claire River.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
The river, city, and county all bear the name of Eau Claire. Early French fur traders named the river “Clear Water.” The first permanent European-American settlers arrived in 1845, and the city was incorporated in 1872. Lumber was the city’s main industry in the late 1800s. The city grew at that time with the influx of sawmills, built along the waterfront to process logs floated down the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers from Wisconsin’s northern forests. Today, the city is home to several manufacturing businesses and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. There are numerous establishments throughout the city catering to the interests of visitors. For fast food take-out, Egg Roll Hmong Restaurant on Bellinger Street is highly recommended.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2020.
