Mountain Bay State Trail: Shawano to Pulaski

There are several places to begin a ride on the Mountain Bay State Trail in the city of Shawano. Sturgeon Park works well as a trailhead. It is named for the prehistoric fish that swim up the Wolf River to spawn every spring. The park is adjacent to the bike trail, making it easily accessible. It also offers a scenic view of the Wolf River and dam. Amenities include a parking lot, covered picnic shelter, park benches, and interpretive markers. There are no public restrooms at the park.

Another trailhead option is the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad depot. The restored 1904 building is a popular stop for cyclists. It houses Mountain Bay Outfitters, but also has public restrooms, picnic tables, and park benches. A large parking lot is next to the depot.

Sturgeon Park is located at 801 S. Water Street, and the depot is at 620 S. Main Street. The trailheads may be reached by driving north into Shawano on Wisconsin State Highway 22 (S. Main Street) from Wisconsin State Highway 29. Drive 1.3 miles to the depot on the east side of the street. On the other side of the street, W. Oshkosh Street leads off to the west. Take that road 0.5 mile, and around the corner on S. Water Street to reach Sturgeon Park.

Shawano is more than just the county seat. Its location on the Wolf River and proximity to Shawano Lake make it a popular tourist destination. Shawano County Park, Heritage County Park, and the Shawano County Historical Society are found nearby.

Downtown Shawano offers several snack and meal options, including Fannita’s Bakery and Angie’s Main Café, both on S. Main Street. Stubborn Brothers Brewery is housed in a restored historic theater on S. Main Street, offering craft brews and tasty food. The Wolf River Porter and Shawano Club Pilsner are local favorites, and their Brussel sprouts and beer-battered cheese curd appetizers are delicious.

The name “Shawano” is derived from the Menominee language. Sāwanoh is translated into English as “south.” The area was first inhabited by Menominee and Ojibwe, long before contact with Europeans. In the 1840s and 1850s, white American entrepreneurs came to the area looking to build sawmills for lumber. During the late 1800s, a large influx of German settlers came to Shawano County to farm. The village of Shawano was organized in 1871 and incorporated as a city in 1874.

Back on the Mountain Bay State Trail, the path travels through the city of Shawano for about 3 miles, from Sturgeon Park to the eastern city limits. Where the trail crosses S. Franklin Street, a treasured local gem is only a half-block away to the right (south). Twig’s Beverage produces a wide variety of specialty drinks; Sundrop soda is the most famous. Their soda bottling plant has been in operation since 1951, near a free museum that includes a wide assortment of soft drink.

When biking on the trail through the city, be sure to stop at all intersections. The trail is paved to the junction with Wisconsin State Highways 22, 47, and 55. This road is extremely busy. Cyclists should employ the flashing crosswalk lights before entering the intersection.

As the trail heads east out of Shawano, it passes quiet forests before crossing busy Airport Road. Cyclists looking for lodging or restaurants may turn north for a variety of services. 4.2 miles from Sturgeon Park, the path crosses Wisconsin State Highway 22 again. Traffic here travels fast, so use care when crossing.

After leaving Shawano, the Mountain Bay State Trail traverses thick, serene forests intermingled with farm fields. It is 4.7 miles from Wisconsin State Highway 22 to the trailhead near Bonduel. The trail throughout Shawano County is in fair condition. Horseback riding is allowed on the trail in this county. Horseback riders often use the grassy center, while cyclists and hikers use the two outside lanes. This synergistic system prevents cyclists and hikers from encountering any horse droppings or ruts on the trail.

Shortly before arriving at the Bonduel trailhead, cyclists pass The Lumberyard Bar and Grill. The trail does not travel through Bonduel, so this is a good place to stop for food and beverages. The trailhead is at the junction of 3 rural roads: North Street, Depot Street, and Flambeau Road. It has a parking lot, picnic tables, and garbage cans. It is reached from Wisconsin State Highway 29 by taking the Wisconsin State Highway 117 exit (Cecil Street) north into Bonduel. Drive 1.5 miles through Bonduel. Turn left (west) on North Street, and proceed 0.6 mile to the trailhead.

The Mountain Bay State Trail continues east toward Bonduel from the trailhead. It passes a cedar swamp to the south, and after 0.6 mile, crosses over Wisconsin State Highway 117 on a trestle bridge. From the bridge, Bonduel is visible to the south. The village cannot be access from the bridge or trail. Cyclists who want to go into town need to take North Street east from the trailhead, and turn right (south) on the state highway.

Bonduel was incorporated as a village in 1916, but the community dates to the 1860s. Known as Hartland Corners, the name switched to Bonduel when the application for a post office was made in 1864. The village is named after Jesuit missionary Florimond Bonduel, who served local parishes and worked with the Menominee Indians in the 1840s and 1850s.

East of Bonduel, the land becomes more agricultural. A corridor of trees lines the trail, but vast open farm fields span the countryside. It is 3.5 miles from Bonduel to the small community of Zachow. There are no facilities there. The trail crosses the tiny Pensaukee River, and moves past grain elevators, Graf Creamery, and other historic-looking buildings.

A mile southwest of Zachow, St. Paul Lutheran Church comes into view. A mile further, the trail crosses the Pensaukee River again. The next big landmark is 6 miles down the trail. Cyclists may sense a strange aroma before noticing large grain elevators to the left (north) of the trail. This plant belongs to Nutrition Service Company, which produces feed for livestock.

Less than 0.5 mile from the large grain elevators, the Mountain Bay State Trail crosses Wisconsin State Highway 32 and moves into Brown County. The trail conditions noticeably improve. In Brown County, blue gates are installed at roads intersections, and horseback riding is not permitted. The broad crushed limestone path has no grassy center.

The trail meanders around the village of Pulaski for a mile before arriving at a trailhead. From Sturgeon Park in Shawano, it 21.8 miles to the Pulaski trailhead. It is located by the community park and Polka Days fairgrounds. This four-day festival in July brings in thousands of visitors from around the world to hear some of the best polka music.

Parking is available at the trailhead. There is also an information kiosk, self-registration station, park bench, and bike rack. It is located in Pulaski 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 features a variety of services for trail-goers, including convenience stores, fast food, and sit-down restaurants. Smurawa’s Country Bakery on E. Pulaski Street is a local favorite. It features tasty Polish baked goods including the paczki, a unique jelly-filled donut.

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

Named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish military leader who fought and died in the American Revolutionary War, Pulaski developed in the 1880s. During that decade, land agent John Hoff encouraged Polish families in Milwaukee to buy his land in the area that would eventually include Pulaski. By 1885, over 35 families had settled there.

Hoff donated land to the local leader of the Order of Friars Minor. A friary for Franciscan brothers was built in 1888, and the first Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was completed in 1892. It is a short trip from the trailhead down Pulaski Street, for an awe-inspiring view of the cathedral-style church. It ranked as one of the largest rural churches in America when it was completed in 1931 and continues to dominate the landscape.

Trail last ridden and documented in May, 2021.