Mountain Bay State Trail: Norrie Lake to Bowler

It is 14.3 miles from Norrie Lake to Bowler on the Mountain Bay State Trail. The trail traverses thick forests, and crosses streams and rivers. Wildlife is often seen on this section of the path. While the trail’s elevation drops 200 feet in this section, there are some small inclines. This section of the trail is rural and peaceful; trail-goers encounter few people.

The town park at Norrie Lake is a favorite attraction for area residents on warm summer weekends. The area around the lake is largely undeveloped, and its waters feature a red tint due to the surrounding tamarack swamps. The park has a swimming beach, parking lot, pit toilet, picnic tables, and benches. Since the Mountain Bay Trail passes through the park, it makes a perfect trailhead. Cyclists may want to bring a swimsuit to cool off in the lake.

Norrie Lake is located 3 miles off Wisconsin State Highway 29. Exit the highway onto County Highway D in Marathon County and drive north for 2.9 miles. Turn left (west) on Norrie Road, and drive 0.2 mile to the town park.

The town of Norrie is in Marathon County. It began as a logging town in the late 1800s, and interpretive markers at the park convey its history. Large stands of white pine attracted loggers, and after the forests were depleted, settlers began farming the open land.

The trail surface is in particularly good condition from Norrie Lake to Eland. Cyclists should use caution when passing through the yellow gates at the trail’s intersection with County Road D. It is 2.5 miles to Eland and along the way, the trail crosses Norrie Brook.

Eland sits in western Shawano County. It was originally called Eland Junction when platted by the railroad in 1888. The village was the junction of two railways: the Chicago and Northwestern Railway; and the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway. The latter built a depot at Eland in 1888. In 1893, the two companies merged, and the Chicago and Northwestern Railway gained control of both routes through Eland.

Today, both routes through Eland have been turned into state recreational trails. The Mountain Bay State Trail follows the route of the former Chicago and Northwestern Railway. The Wiouwash State Trail traces the path of the old Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway. A restored depot in Eland now serves as a local museum, and historical interpretive markers are found along the trail and throughout the village.

Vehicle parking for the two trails and museum is located in Eland on Wheeler Avenue. A few covered picnic tables, park benches, and a bicycle tire pump are also found there. This area works well as a trailhead. There is one tavern in Eland. By car, the village may be reached by turning west onto County Highway 00 (Cedar Street) from U.S. Highway 45.

The Mountain Bay State Trail and the Wiouwash State Trail converge by the Eland Museum. The condition of the Wiouwash trail before it merges with the Mountain Bay State Trail is poor. After crossing Cedar Street, the surface of the combined path is in fair condition.

In the section where the two trails travel together, cyclists may notice a red barn to the west with a large quilt pattern graphic on it. Custom-designed quilt squares are found on 360 barns in Shawano Country. The quilt at 7555 Wheeler Avenue in Eland is entitled “Susie’s Choice,” located on the barn of Rich and Susan Onesti.

It is less than a mile from Eland to where the two trails separate. An information kiosk and covered picnic table are at the junction. The condition of the Mountain Bay State Trail improves as it heads east. The Wiouwash State Trail diverges south toward Wittenberg.

For the next 2 miles, the Mountain Bay State Trail passes through a large forest. Wildlife is frequently spotted here. Birds, white-tailed deer, raccoons, and even bear may be seen. On warm days with little breeze, biting horseflies attack when cyclists pause on the trail.

Crossing U.S. Highway 45 should be done cautiously, The intersection is north of Potch-Chee-Nunk. There, a casino managed by the Ho-Chunk Nation is known as Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg. It offers several restaurants, lodging, gaming, and entertainment.

After crossing the highway, the trail traverses forests for 3.2 miles, bridging the Middle Branch of the Embarrass River and Wilson Creek. At the intersection of County Road Q, an interpretive marker conveys the history of Shepley. Like other small northern Wisconsin communities, Shepley was built as a railroad stop. It once featured a depot, sawmills, cheese factory, stores, saloons, and dance halls. Today, little remains of the once bustling town.

The last 5.5 miles of trail travels through lush forests, with an occasional swampy pond seen off in the distance. Rest areas with covered picnic benches are found every few miles. Near Shepley, the trail crosses a small creek.

After crossing Regina Road, look for Strassburg Creek to the south of the trail. This babbling brook runs adjacent to the trail, but is hidden by the bank and cedar trees. Cyclists who venture down the bank will be greeted by the tranquil sights and sounds of a gently flowing forest stream. Eventually, the trail crosses the creek.

Less than a mile from the Strassburg Creek bridge, the trail crosses a covered bridge over the North Branch of the Embarrass River. A rustic staircase next to the bridge leads down to a charming park. There, the little murmuring river may be crossed on two handmade log footbridges. It is a great spot for picture-taking and relaxing in a wooded setting.

This land belongs to the DNR, and is located at their ranger station in Bowler. The parking lot and adjoining village park are reached by turning right (south) from the trail and biking 100 feet on W. Main Street. Then turn right (west) onto W. Rollman Street. The scenic river is accessed from either the village park or the ranger station parking lot.

Early settlers came to the Bowler area in the mid-1870s, and the community continued to grow. Lumbering and farming were the main economies. By 1905, when the Chicago and Northwestern Railway was surveying a new line between Green Bay and Eland Junction, this location was chosen as a stop. A depot was erected a year later.

Bowler may have been named for Colonel J. C. Bowler, who owned land in what would become the village. Another story maintains that Bowler was named after a railroad attorney. Regardless, the little village serves basic needs with two small parks, a few taverns, and a gas station with an expanded convenience store.

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

Bowler is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 29. Take County Highway D in Shawano County north for 6.5 miles. Then turn left (west) on W. Rollman Street. The village park and DNR Ranger station are located there, alongside the Mountain Bay State Trail.

Trail last ridden and documented in June, 2021.