Mascoutin Valley State Trail: Ripon to Berlin (West)

The western section of the Mascoutin Valley State Trail travels 11.1 miles from Ripon to Berlin. There are no facilities at the trailhead in Ripon. It begins on the northern edge of the city on the east side of County Road E (Eureka Street). Parking is available at Elizabeth Murray Park. When starting from there, bike east on Murray Street and around the corner to the north. Turn right (east) on Sunset Avenue, then left (north) on Eureka Street to the start of the trail on the right side of the road (east side). It is 0.3 mile from the Elizabeth Murray Park to Eureka Street, and another 0.2 mile on Eureka Street to the start of the trail.

The obscure trail begins on County Road E (Eureka Street) next to a family residence. It heads east for a short distance and turns north by a large factory. One mile from its origin, a trailhead is located at the trail’s intersection with Locust Road. A picnic shelter and benches are found there. This trailhead is reached by car from County Road E north of Ripon. Turn right (east)) on Locust Road, and drive a short distance to the parking lot.

The trail continues north next to County Highway E. After 2.1 miles, at the junction with Tri-County Road, it passes into Winnebago County from Fond du Lac County. Despite being near the busy county road, the trail remains secluded in a corridor of trees and bushes.

Less than a mile north of Tri-County Road, Vines and Rushes Winery appears to the west. A sign and covered picnic table mark the short spur trail to their building. The winery has a tasting area and fireside room where visitors may enjoy a wide selection of wine or cider. A strawberry and grape wine named Wiskonsan is their most popular. The name comes from an alternate spelling of the state, courtesy of James Doty, the first governor. A dining room featuring an Italian-made brick oven is popular with cyclists who park at the winery, bike on the trail, and return for pizza.

Back on the trail and heading north, Rush Lake appears off in the distance to the east. Vistas of the marshy lake appear amidst clearings in the tree-lined trail for nearly 3 miles. This lake is over 2700 acres, with a maximum depth of only 5 feet. It is part of the largest prairie pothole marsh found east of the Mississippi River. The low wetlands provide magnificent views of vegetation and waterfowl, especially in autumn.

The community of Rush Lake sits on the west side of the trail. A bicycle self-service station, picnic tables, and park benches are found there. Parking is available on a grassy lot. Because the Mascoutin Valley State Trail is open to horseback riding in Winnebago and Fond du Lac Counties, horse trailers frequently park in this lot on weekends. To reach the Rush Lake trailhead by car, turn east on Loop Road at its intersection with County Roads E and V. Drive a short distance to the parking area.

After Rush Lake, the trail turns northwest and crosses County Road E. It heads downhill into the Prellwitz/Hein Glacial Habitat Restoration Area. This area, along with others in Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Winnebago Counties, were created to restore and maintain habitat for waterfowl, pheasants, and songbirds. The trail traverses a causeway through a series of ponds and marshes where waterfowl are seen. An interpretative sign, picnic table, and park bench lure bicyclists into pausing to enjoy the scenery.

Heading up out of the wetlands and crossing Meadow Brook Road, the trail passes through Koro Railroad Prairie State Natural Area. This stretch of prairie along the trail contains many species of native plants and grasses. In the past, the historic railroad line preserved the prairie due to frequent fires sparked by locomotives.

For the next 2.4 miles, the Mascoutin Valley State Trail traverses forests and marshland, with farmland being seen in the distance. Welcome signs greet trail-goers to Green Lake County. They also indicate that horseback riding and electric bikes are prohibited on the trail in Green Lake County.

At the intersection with Willard Road, the Berlin Fen State Natural Area is visible to the north. Noted experts on fens provide this definition of the unique landform, “Fens are peat-forming wetlands that rely on groundwater input and require thousands of years to develop and cannot easily be restored once destroyed. Fens are also hotspots of biodiversity. They often are home to rare plants, insects, and small mammals” (Weixelman & Cooper, 2009). This peat-filled swamp is filled with rivulets, and flooding frequently occurs there.

The fen can easily be missed due the distracting landfill mounds on the south side of the trail at Willard Road. On the west side of the landfill, be prepared for a pungent aroma from a nearby company that converts grease and cooking oil into reusable fuel.

On the approach to Berlin, the trail abruptly re-routes north into a marshy area. The original trail is closed to the public due to firearm use at the nearby Berlin Conservation Club. Two boardwalk sections traverse the wetland, and cyclists are asked to walk their bikes in these segments. Several “bump-outs” allow for the opportunity to take in the view.

After returning to the main trail, it’s 0.5 mile to Berlin. The trail ends on the south side of the city after crossing Wisconsin State Highway 49 (S. Church Street). It passes the Berlin Feed Store and a large grain elevator, then crosses the state highway. A small parking is lot there. Adjacent to the lot is a picnic area. Both are on the west side of the highway.

Berlin was settled in 1845 and named Strong’s Landing, in honor of Nathan Strong. He was one of the city’s founders. In 1848, the name was changed to Berlin. Berlin has several establishments catering to trail-goers, especially in its downtown area. Another noteworthy place to stop is Shepherd’s Drive-In. Located on Highway 49 just north of the trailhead, this drive-in offers burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream treats during warm weather months.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

Ripon was founded in 1849 and named after the city in Yorkshire, England. Ripon was home to the Wisconsin Phalanx, a 19th century socialist commune. Several of their historic buildings still remain. The city is also home to Ripon College, a small liberal arts school founded in 1851. Ripon is reported to be the birthplace of the Republican Party, when 30 adversaries of the Kansas–Nebraska Act met at a schoolhouse in March 1854 to organize a political party opposing slavery. The little schoolhouse where they met is now a local museum, that is worth the visit.

Before or after a ride on the trail, cyclists may want to visit Ripon’s historic downtown district. There are several establishments there worth frequenting. Knuth Brewing Company is set in a beautifully restored building, and features a beer hall and restaurant. J’s BBQ is also in downtown Ripon. This barbecue restaurant offers tasty comfort food, and the wet brisket is highly recommended.

Trail ridden and documented in November, 2020.