Mountain Bay State Trail: Lyndhurst to Shawano
The Mountain Bay State Trail travels between Lyndhurst and Shawano through lush forests, open farmfields, and cattle pastures. It is 12.7 miles from Lyndhurst to Shawano’s Sturgeon Park on the Wolf River. Another half mile east from the park is a trailhead facility. The old Chicago Norwestern Railway depot in Shawano now serves trail-goers with several amenities. The Mountain Nay State Trail descends in elevation on a crushed stone bed in good condition. But the route travels on town and county roads for slightly over 4 miles. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail in Shawano County.
There is a sparse trailhead to begin a bike ride at the community of Lyndhurst. It has no parking lot, but trail-goers may park there vehicles along the side of Grunwald Street. The trailhead has a park bench, information sign, and self-service pay station by the trail. A tavern is found on the north side of Grunewald Street. The influx of German immigrant farmers and advent of the Chicago Northwestern Railway in the early 20th century contributed to the creation of Lyndhurst.
Trail-goers looking for additional amenities may visit the nearby village of Gresham. It is diners and restaurants, a gas station, and village park. 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 continue on to Lyndhurst, 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.
From Lyndurst, the Mountain May State Trail journeys southeast through forests and a few open fields. Over the first 2 miles, it crosses County Highway A and Highview Road. The trail also bridges Kroenke Creek. For the next mile between Highview Road and Kroenke Creek Road, the stream parallels the trail and crosses it again. A half mile down the path, the creek crosses the trail a third time, before meandering off to the east to join the Wolf River.
It is 4.8 miles from Kroenke Creek Road to Cypress Road in the community of Thornton. The path intesects Hickory Road along the way. The landscape is predominately forested in this segment, both hardwood and conifers. Farm fields become more prevalent closer to Thornton. Trail-goers should be aware of patches of poison ivy growing aside the trail.
In Thornton, a picnic table sits by the path to offer a simple rest area. A small pullout parking area is located where the trail intersects Cypress Road. To reach it from Wisconsin State Highway 29 by car, head north toward Oak Avenue from the highway in Thornton. Turn (east) right onto Oak Avenue and drive for a half mile. Then turn left (north) on Cypress Road and drive 0.2 mile to the trail intersection.
The community of Thornton takes its name from a town in New Hampshire. It was named by three brothers who settled in the area. Other sources claim the name honors Matthew Thornton, an Irish-born founding father of the United States and signer of the Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Hampshire. The community grew to its limit during the early 20th cventury when Chicago and Northwestern Railway trains based through it.
It is one mile on the Mountain Bay State Trail from Thornton to Maple Avenue. The path crosses Oak Avenue on the way and abruptly ends at Maple Avenue. Cyclists are directed to take country roads for 4.3 miles before returning to the trail. There are no bike lanes marked on the pavement of these roads, but signs indicate the route. Other signs remind drivers that state law requires 3 feet of distance between vehicles and bicycles when passing.
The route that follows paved roads turns left (north) onto Maple Avenue and goes for 0.3 mile. It then turns right (east) on Oak Avenue. After 2.2 miles, the route turns right (south) onto Poplar Road and proceeds 1.4 miles. Then it turns right (south) onto County Highway MM. The trail resumes on the left (east) after 0.4 mile south on the county road.
The trail resumes on the east side of County Road MM, and heads east by Shawano’s waterworks and other several industries. After a half mile of a few curces, the trail crosses the Wolf River over a large bridge. The bridge provides an impressive view of the Wolf River and dam. Th hydroelectric dam, managed by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, plays a significant role in the local ecosystem and development of industries in the area. IT maintains the waer level of nearby that raises Shawano Lake.
After crossing the river, Sturgeon Park is located to the north and serves as one possible trailhead. The park is named for the prehistoric fish that swim upriver to spawn every spring. The Wolf River is a 225-mile tributary of the Fox River and is also known for its scenic beauty. Sturgeon Park has a parking lot, covered picnic shelter, park benches, and interpretive markers. No public restrooms are there.
Another trailhead option is to continue biking a half mile east on the trail to the restored 1904 Chicago Northwestern Railroad Depot. This trailhead has a large parking lot, public restrooms, water bottle filling station, bicycle rack, and a bike repair station. Picnic table, park benches, and Adirondack chairs oofer trail-goerss a chance to eat and relax. Racks with local information and maps are alos found there.
Sturgeon Park is at 801 S. Water Street, and the Depot is at 620 S. Main Street. These trailheads are reached by driving north into Shawano on Wisconsin State Highway 22 (S. Main Street) from its intersection with Wisconsin State Highway 29. Drive 1.3 miles to the depot on the right (east) side of the street. On the other side of the street, W. Oshkosh Street leads off to the west. Take that road a half mile, and drive around the corner on S. Water Street to reach Sturgeon Park.
A county seat and a popular tourist destination, the city of Shawano is located on the Wolf River and Shawano Lake. Shawano County Park, Heritage County Park, and the Shawano County Historical Society are found nearby. The city is known for its recreational opportunities and colorful history.
Downtown Shawano offers plenty of places to grab a treat or enjoy a meal. Fannita’s Bakery and Angie’s Main Café, both on S. Main Street, are popular local businesses. The Stubborn Brothers Brewery has repurposed a restored historic theater on S. Main Street, serving craft brews and food. The Wolf River Porter and Shawano Club Pilsner are favorites. Appetizers of brussels sprouts and beer-battered cheese curds pair nicely with these craft brews.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Twig’s Beverages is another fun place to visit in Shawano. The company produces specialty soft drinks, including Sundrop soda. Their bottling plant has been in operation since 1951. Twig’s museum is worth touring, as a wide assortment of free soft drink samples are included. It is found on S. Franklin Street.
The name “Shawano” comes from the Menominee language. In English, Sāwanoh is translated as “south.” The area has been the scene of several waves of emigration, but the first inhabitants were members of the Menominee and Ojibwe nations. They lived there long before contact with Europeans. In the 1840s and 1850s, white American entrepreneurs came to the area looking to capitalize on lumber. During the late 1800s, German settlers arrived in Shawano County to farm. Shawano was organized as a village in 1871, and incorporated as a city in 1874.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2021.