Mountain Bay State Trail: Pulaski to Howard

It is 12.4 miles on the Mountain Bay State Trail from Pulaski to Howard. Managed by the Wisconsin DNR and Brown County Parks, the crushed limestone path is in excellent condition. The route is well-marked, with signs at intersections indicating the names of crossroads. Other signs indicate the names of creeks and rivers, and nearby community parks. Ample park benches are placed throughout the route.

Except for the occasional gopher hole, the trail’s surface is smooth and wide. Flat stones slightly protruding from the trail are spray-painted silver to alert bicyclists. They pose no problems. The trail is elevated on an embankment with deeply graded slopes throughout much of the route. At places, the trail runs 30 feet higher than adjacent land. While signs at bridges warn of steep slopes, caution should be exercised on these sections of the trail.

In Pulaski, the community park is a perfect place to start a ride. The park is part of the grounds used for Pulaski’s Polka Days. The four-day festival in July attracts thousands of visitors from around the world to hear some of the best polka music.

The Mountain Bay State Trail runs next to the festival grounds. A parking lot is there. An information kiosk, self-registration station, park bench, and bike rack are also there.

The trailhead in Pulaski is located on Wisconsin State Highway 32. In the village, the highway follows S. Wisconsin Street and E. Pulaski Streets. The trailhead and community park are at the northeast corner of the intersection of those two streets.

Pulaski offers a variety of businesses catering to trail-goers. Convenience stores, as well as fast food and sit-down restaurants are available. Consider visiting Smurawa’s Country Bakery on E. Pulaski Street, just west of the trailhead. They are known for their tasty Polish baked goods including the paczki, a unique jelly-filled donut.

Pulaski is named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish military leader who fought and died in the American Revolutionary War. In the early 1880s, John Hoff, agent for a Wisconsin land company encouraged Polish families in Milwaukee to buy land in the area that included the future village of Pulaski. Over 35 families resettled throughout the area, and several small businesses were in operation by 1885.

John Hoff donated 120 acres of land to Brother Augustine Zeytz, a local leader of the Order of Friars Minor. A friary for the Franciscan brothers was built in 1888. The first Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was completed in 1892. The newer, large cathedral-style church is on E. Pulaski Street. Its steeples are visible for miles from the countryside. When it was completed in 1931, the building was one of the largest rural churches in America.

Back on the Mountain Bay State Trail, the route leaves Pulaski Community Park and heads southeast through an industrial area. It passes by warehouses and grain elevators, soon emerging alongside Wisconsin State Highway 32. After crossing County Highway B, the trail leaves Pulaski and ventures into farm country.

The state highway quickly disappears from view as the path continues across low, flat farmland. A corridor of trees (mostly aspen and birch), surround the trail and offer beautiful views of the route. Occasionally a small forest appears, usually where a stream or river crosses under the trail. This first occurs at the intersection with Quarry Drive, where the trail crosses the West Branch of the Suamico River.

The Mountain Bay State Trail turns eastward 3 miles from its intersection with County Highway B. It crosses the South Branch of the Suamico River and heads toward the small community of Anston. Before arriving in Anston, a spur trail is noticeable to the right. This path leads south to the Pittsfield Community Center.

This community center works well as a trailhead. It has a parking lot, and the community center has restrooms. A public park there offers a covered picnic shelter, playground, and recreational trail with park benches.

Another trailhead is 0.6 mile further down the trail in the tiny community of Anston. It has a parking lot, information kiosk, covered picnic shelter, self-registration station, and pit toilet.

The Pittsfield Community Center and Anston trailhead are close to each other. When traveling westbound on Wisconsin State Highways 29-32, turn right (north) onto County Highway U. Travel 2.2 miles to the small community of Kunesh. Turn right (east) on County Road U (Kunesh Road) and drive 0.9 mile to the community center’s entrance. To arrive at the Anston trailhead, continue on Kunesh Road through the intersection with County Highway C for a 0.6 mile. Turn left (north) on County Highway C in Anston. The trailhead entrance is 150 feet north and on the left (west) side of the of the road.

After leaving Anston, the trail again turns southeasterly, passing a large tree nursery and more farm fields. From White Pine Drive to Spring Green Road, the Mountain Bay State Trail traverses beautiful lowland forests. Several marshy ponds are visible on the route and are home to waterfowl. Small spur trails, some with bridges or staircases, lead to private residences throughout the forest.

It is 3 miles from Anston to Spring Green Road. After crossing the road, the trail turns back to the east. Cyclists wanting to visit a local park should take Spring Green Road east at the intersection and bike 400 yards. Managed by the village of Howard, Spring Green Park serves as a potential trailhead. It features a parking lot, arboretum, covered picnic shelter, playground, athletic fields, and portable toilets from May to November.

One mile after Spring Green Road, the trail intersects Pinecrest Road. A short distance north on this road is Nouryon Sport Complex. This large sports complex features an 18-hole disc golf course, which can be seen from the trail.

For 1.2 miles from Pinecrest Road to the Velp Avenue overpass, the Mountain Bay State Trail travels through suburban neighborhoods and by apartment buildings. Homeowner privacy is protected by a line of trees enclosing the trail; the grade also gives a sense of distance. Sometimes the trail looms high above neighborhoods on an embankment. In other places the route cuts through hills and is lined by steep banks.

The trail passes through a large culvert at the junction with Hillcrest Heights. A spur trail leads up to the road. An information kiosk, park bench, and self-registration station are found there, but no parking lot.

Bridges takes bicyclists over Cardinal Drive and Velp Avenue. The trail then passes a small industrial park before crossing Woodale Avenue over another bridge. The trail’s terminus is then seen straight ahead. In this last section, only 0.7 mile from Woodale Avenue, the path ventures through a forest alongside Lancaster Creek.

The Mountain Bay State Trail ends at County Highway J (N. Lakeview Drive) in the village of Howard. An information kiosk and self-registration station are found there. A parking lot, covered picnic area, and bicycle self-service station are on the other side of the road. A paved spur trail leads to the right (south) along the road to nearby Duck Creek Quarry Park. This popular park has walking trails, a swimming beach, a dock for non-motorized boats and catch-and-release fishing, and a dog swimming area.

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

The trailhead is reached by taking exit number 170 from Interstate Highway 41 in Howard. Drive west on Velp Avenue for 0.8 mile to its intersection with County Road J (Glendale Avenue). Take a sharp right (east) onto Glendale Avenue and drive 0.4 mile to the intersection with Lakeview Drive. Continue on County Highway J by turning left (north) onto Lakeview Drive. Proceed 0.2 mile to the trailhead parking lot on the right.

First organized as the Township of Howard in 1835, settlement and business developments grew up along Duck Creek, a large stream emptying into Green Bay. Early on, it was known for lumbering, quarrying, and brick-making industries. By 1959, the township had grown substantially, and the decision was made to incorporate as a village. Today, the village contains many businesses where bikers can find a bite to eat, as well as other amenities.

Trail last ridden and document in May, 2021.