Old Abe State Trail: Brunet Island State Park to Jim Falls
Old Abe State Trail travels south through the beautiful countryside of northern Wisconsin. For much of the route, it journeys alongside the Chippewa River. The trail begins at the park headquarters of Brunet Island State Park near Cornell. To reach the state park by car, take Wisconsin State Highway 64 through Cornell, and turn north on Park Road. Facilities are located throughout the state park, but none exist at the trailhead parking area. Trail usage fees are paid at the park office.
Old Abe State Trail heads south out of the park into Cornell. Mill Yard Park, off Wisconsin State Highway 64, is another location that may serve as a trailhead. It has a visitor center, playground, restrooms, running water, pavilion, and picnic tables. The park is hard to miss, with its historic pulp wood stacker towering above the town. An industrial relict of the lumbering industry, the impressive 175-foot structure was used to stack logs before being processed at a nearby paper mill.
Old Abe State Trail is accessed from Mill Yard Park by traveling east on Main Street to the trail intersection. A trail marker and information kiosk mark the junction. Continuing east on Main Street, bicyclists discover several businesses that cater to those looking for a treat, including taverns, eateries, and ice cream shops.
Cornell was named for Ezra Cornell, a founder of Western Union and the namesake of the Ivy League university in New York. Cornell owned a large amount of timber land in this area. The city was originally named Brunet Falls after Jean Brunet. He had opened an inn and trading post in the area in 1843. The nearby state park now bears his name.
The Old Abe State Trail follows the route of an old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line. Heading south on the paved trail, bicyclists cross over Wisconsin State Highways 27 and 64 (Bridge Street) on a trestle bridge. Before long, the city gives way to forests of pine, oak, maple, and white birch. High above its banks, the trail travels close to the Chippewa River at times. The canopy of the forest provide ample shade, but biting flies may be an issue if there isn’t a substantial breeze. They seem to only pose a problem when stopping on the trail.
There’s plenty to observe while bicycling through the forests and wetlands on the trail’s smooth paved surface. In mid-July, the border of the trail is filled with the purple blooms of bee balm. Birds, waterfowl, squirrels, and deer are easily spotted from the trail.
At the junction of County Highways T and K, 6.5 miles from the trail’s start, cyclists may digress west on the road down to the Chippewa River. Doing so provides a great view of the historic Cobban Bridge. This two-span Pennsylvania overhead truss bridge was built in 1908, and is the oldest of its kind in Wisconsin. Originally, it crossed the Chippewa River several miles upstream. To save the structure, in the winter of 1916-1917 the bridge was dismantled, and reassembled at the present location. A historical marker about the bridge is located on the west bank of the river (not directly on the Old Abe State Trail).
Three miles from Cobban Bridge, the trail parallels closely next to the Chippewa River. Along this section, the path runs by Old Abe Lake. This lake was created by a dam downstream at Jim Falls. Here, the trail offers beautiful panoramic views of the lake and countryside.
Twelve miles from Brunet Island State Park, the unincorporated community of Jim Falls appears. This small town offers a few amenities. There is a gas station and convenience store, along with several restaurants and taverns. A trailhead with a parking lot, information kiosk, and picnic table is located off County Highway S in Jim Falls. To reach the trailhead by car, take Wisconsin State Highway 178 to Jim Falls. Turn east on County Highway Y and cross the Chippewa River. Continue south on County Highway S to the trailhead. It is 0.4 miles from the intersection of County Highways Y and S to the trailhead.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Jim Falls takes its name from James Ermatinger, who established a nearby trading post in 1840. At the time, the place was called Vermillion Falls. Ermatinger’s prestige grew over time, as he involved himself in civil service. He first served in public office for the village. Then he became a member of the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors in 1854. In 1855, he was named Justice of the Peace for the county. Jim Falls is also known as the place where the famous bald eagle “Old Abe” was sold to a local resident, who sold it to soldiers of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The bird served as their regimental mascot throughout the Civil War, and a statue of Old Abe is located in Jim Falls by the dam.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2020.