Mountain Bay State Trail: Bowler to Lyndhust
The Mountain Bay State Trail travels between Bowler and Lyndhurst through secluded forests and hidden farm fields. This segment of the path sees few trail-goers. The 9-mile route has limited trailheads. Its surface is in good condition, composed of crushed stone. This trail segment is perfect for bicyclists who enjoy a solitude ride through picturesque countryside. The riding is fairly easy, as the elevation in this segment drops over 100 feet.
Two separate trailhead locations are located on the west side of Bowler. One is at the DNR Ranger Station, and the other is at Bowler’s adjacent village park. Both sites are suitable to start a ride, although no facilities are available except a covered picnic shelter at the park. However, the ranger station offers a charming view of the North Branch of the Embarrass River. The little river flows behind the ranger station, babbling over rocks. It passes under a covered bridge and two small log footbridges. It is a perfect spot to enjoy nature.
Bowler is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 29. Take County Highway D in Shawano County north for 6.5 miles. In Bowler, turn left (west) on W. Rollman Street. The village park and DNR Ranger Station are located there, next to the Mountain Bay State Trail.
The village of Bowler first developed in the mid-1870s. The main economies were lumbering and farming. When the Chicago and Northwestern Railway was surveying for a new line between Green Bay and Eland Junction, this location was chosen as a stop. A depot was soon erected and by 1905, a small community had sprung up.
Bowler’s name may have come from an attorney for the railroad or Colonel J. C. Bowler (who owned land nearby). Today, the village serves basic needs with two small parks, some taverns, and a gas station with an expanded convenience store.
It is 9 miles on the Mountain Bay State Trail from Bowler to the small community of Lyndhurst. Heading east from Bowler, the trail crosses County Highway D (W. Main Street) and proceeds through the little town. It then enters a large forest and crosses the North Branch of the Embarrass River.
Two miles east of Bowler, the trail again crosses the Embarrass River. It is much wider at this location due to the confluence with Henning Creek and a dam downriver in the community of Tilleda. The Embarrass River is considered a premium trout fishing stream because of its clear water, sandy bottom, and quick current.
The Mountain Bay State Trail continues east through thick forest for another 4.5 miles. Along the way, it passes through a section of land belonging to the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American community. Near the tribal land, the trail crosses Mill Creek. Further down the trail, it weaves four times over the winding Kroenke Creek.
The Stockbridge–Munsee Community is also known as the Mohican Nation Stockbridge–Munsee Band. The descendants of these tribes historically lived in the Hudson River valley, New England, and mid-Atlantic region. They began settling in Wisconsin in the 1820s, along the Fox River near Kaukauna and the east shore of Lake Winnebago. A treaty in 1856 led to their relocation to Shawano County. Today, they have about 22,000 acres there.
Returning to the Mountain Bay State Trail, wildlife is commonly seen in its forested section. White-tail deer, black beer, raccoon, and other animals may be spotted. Owls, hawks, and sandhill cranes are often heard. While the outlying countryside is not always visible due to the dense forest surrounding the trail, it runs between two large moraines about 3.5 miles east of Mill Creek. These moraines are long ridges, formed by ancient glaciers.
About 7 miles east from the Bowler trailhead, between Town Line and Schmidt Roads, a historical marker is found on the north side of the trail. It marks the site and tells the story of a deadly train wreck. An eastbound Chicago and Northwestern Railway train, traveling too fast for rainy conditions, hit a washout and left the tracks in the early hours of September 1, 1912. Six people lost their lives. An open space by the sign marks the site of the tragedy.
Nine miles from Bowler, the trail arrives at the community of Lyndhurst. A modest trailhead is there with parking along the side of Grunwald Street. A park bench, information sign, and self-service pay station are found by the trail. A tavern sits to the north off the trail, across Grunewald Street. Lyndhurst was created by German immigrant farmers and the coming of the Chicago Northwestern Railway in the early 20th century.
Lyndhurst is near the village of Gresham. It has several amenities to offer trail-goers. Gresham is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 29 by taking County Highway U north for 2 miles. Continue onto County Highway A for 1.9 miles. To go to Lyndhurst, then turn left (west) on County Highway A (Schabow Street) and drive 0.7 mile to Lyndhurst Road. Turn left (south) and follow it for 0.8 mile to the intersection with Grunewald Street.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
It is a pleasant and quiet ride on the Mountain Bay State Trail in this section. Trail-goers often experience a sense of solitude when traveling this section. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail in Shawano County. While there are limited facilities along the route, covered picnic tables are located alongside the trail every few miles. On warm days, biting flies may be bothersome when stopping on the trail, especially when the wind is calm.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2021.