Friendship State Trail: County Highway M to Menasha
In Winnebago County, the western section of the Friendship State Trail runs 10.7 miles. It starts near Winchester on County Road M, and goes east to Menasha. It ends by Little Lake Butte des Morts at the Fox River canal and lock, on Broad Street.
Trail conditions vary along the route. The surface is crushed limestone from County M to Irish Road. Over this 7.6 mile span, surface conditions improve from west to east. For the remaining 3.1 miles to Menasha, the surface is paved asphalt and in excellent condition. Park benches and covered rest areas are found at various places along the route.
By car, there are two options to reach the trail’s western starting point, which has no parking lot or amenities. When driving west on U.S. Highway 10 from Menasha, exit onto Wisconsin State Highway 76 and turn left (south). Drive 0.2 mile and turn right (west) onto Fairview Road. Drive 5.1 miles, and turn left (south) on County Road M. The trail begins just before the road crosses under U.S. Highway 10.
When driving on U.S. Highway 45, exit onto County Highways II and M. Go east for 1.4 miles through Winchester to where County Highway M turns left and heads north. Follow County M for 0.8 mile under U.S. Highway 10. There is roadside parking under the overpass.
The trail journeys slightly uphill for 0.7 mile from the trailhead to Umland Road. It travels between U.S. highway 10 and farm fields. A trailhead with a parking lot and covered picnic table is at the end of Umland Road. It is reached by car from Fairview Road. For cyclists wanting to leave a vehicle in a parking lot, this trailhead is a good place to start a ride.
Just over half a mile further, the trail crosses Hickory Avenue. Another mile further, it intersects the Wiouwash State Trail, which trail runs from Hortonville to Oshkosh. The trail intersection has park benches and an information kiosk. A nearby trailhead is located 0.2 miles north on the Wiouwash State Trail, off Fairview Road.
The Friendship State Trail continues east, climbing slightly in elevation over the next 2 miles. Along the way, it crosses Pioneer Road, railroad tracks, Center Road, and Fairview Road. A quaint trail wayside named Olson’s Rest at Fairview Road has park benches, picnic tables, and garbage cans.
Four miles from the start of the trail, at the intersection with Oakwood Avenue, the trail passes under U.S. Highway 10. It continues east on the south side of the highway. The next mile is a slow, gradual climb to Wisconsin State Highway 76. The trail passes through a tunnel under the highway and begins a mile-long descent to Clayton Avenue. Approaching Fox Crossing, the landscape changes from fields to neighborhoods and subdivisions.
A rest area with a covered picnic table is located next to the trail near a shady forest, about a half mile east of Clayton Avenue. After crossing Irish Road, the trail surface changes to paved asphalt. Before reaching County Highway CB, it crosses a 175-yard boardwalk bridge through a small forest.
Another rest area is located at County Highway CB. Caution should be exercised when crossing this busy four-lane road. Trail-goers should employ the crossing signals and stay in the crosswalk. Bright colored clothing and headlights/taillights are also recommended.
The trail continues east past Miron Construction Company, where park benches line the path. Also, a children’s storybook walk is found on this section of the path. At the time this trail was ridden, Hooray for Hat! was the featured book.
Two miles after County Highway CB, the Friendship State Trail emerges next to Jacobsen Road. Continuing as a paved path next to the road, it journeys 0.6 mile on a bridge over Interstate Highway 41 and sets of railroad tracks.
After the overpass, the trail divides. Continuing south on the path next to Lake Street takes cyclists on the 2.8-mile Loop-the-Little-Lake Trail. This path follows the bottom section of Little Lake Butte des Morts, through Neenah and Doty Island. It crosses the Fox River over 2 trestle bridges and rejoins the Friendship State Trail near its trailhead in Menasha.
Trail-goers wanting to remain on the Friendship State Trail follow the path east, as it runs through Fritse Park. This scenic, 15-acre park is located next to Little Lake Butte des Morts. Amenities include a boat launch, picnic tables, playground, pavilion, vending machine, and restrooms. Fritse Park makes a nice trailhead, and is located on Lake Street in Fox Crossing.
An information kiosk in Fritse Park tells the history of the area’s railroad bridges and offers a map of local bike routes. The park also provides walking trails in Rydell Conservancy. An interpretive marker has been placed by a reconstruction of an ancient Native American burial mound that once stood there. The marker conveys the history of the mounds by this lake. It has long been known as Little Lake Butte des Morts, French for “hill of the dead.”
A highlight of biking the Friendship State Trail is crossing Little Lake Butte des Morts on the Trestle Trail bridge. This 1,600-foot lighted bridge is the longest trail bridge in Wisconsin and offers amazing views of the lake, Neenah, and Menasha. It has a center pavilion with seating, and several fishing platforms along the way. Cyclists should reduce speed when crossing the long span, due to pedestrian use on the bridge. The Trestle Trail bridge opened in 2005, connecting Fox Crossing to Menasha.
Near the end of the Trestle Trail bridge, a spur trail heads south underneath a metallic sign entitled “Menasha.” This is where the “Loop-the-Little-Lake” path returns to the Friendship State Trail. The main trail, now on dry land, proceeds north on a causeway.
It is less than 350 yards from the Trestle Trail bridge to the trailhead in Menasha. The path trravels by an interpretive marker and welcome sign before crossing the Fox River canal and lock over the Miron Company lift bridge. It’s worth a stop to view the locks there. The interpretive marker spotlights the history of the Fox River canal and lock system. An additional information kiosk at the trailhead has a map of area bike routes.
The Menasha trailhead is located at the end of Broad Street. It has a small parking lot, garbage cans, park bench, and information kiosk. By car, it may be reached from U.S. Highway 10 by exiting onto Racine Street in Menasha. Drive south 0.9 mile and turn right (west) onto 3rd Street. Go 0.3 mile to Tayco Street. Turn left (south) and proceed to Broad Street. Turn right (west) onto Broad Street and drive to the parking lot at the end of the road.
Menasha is located on the Fox River. As the river leaves Lake Winnebago and flows into Little Lake Butte de Morts, it forms an island. Partially in Menasha, the island is named for James Doty, a 19th century Wisconsin politician who lived there. Prior to that time, a band of Ho-Chunk Native Americans lived on the island before ceding land to the U.S. government in the 1830s. Menasha’s name stems from the Ho-Chunk and Menominee nations. In Ho-Chunk, it means “thorn” or “island.” In Menominee, Menāēhsaeh means “little island.”
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Today, Menasha offers many opportunities for visiting cyclists. It is home to the Barlow Planetarium and Weis Earth Science Museum. Menasha’s historic downtown Main Street offers plenty of dining opportunities, including the Tight Barrell Distillery and Bare Bones Brewery. Located not too far from the Friendship State Trail and the Loop-the-Little-Lake Trail, it serves homemade spirits, hand-crafted brews, and a curated food menu.
Trail last ridden and documented in June, 2022.