Chippewa River State Trail: Meridean to Durand
The Chippewa River State Trail advances 10.7 miles from the little community of Meridean in Dunn County to the city of Durand, county seat of Pepin County. The surface of the trail for the first half is an oil-based asphalt emulsion. The surface changes to black asphalt pavement in the second half of the route. The Chippewa River State Trail also intersects with the end of the Red Cedar State Trail 4.7 miles southwest of Meridean. A ride on this section of the trail is very scenic, and it passes near two different state natural areas.
In the community of Meridean, a small trailhead is provided for bicyclists using the scenic Chippewa River State Trail. A parking lot, picnic table, grill, and information kiosk are there. The trailhead is located at the junction of 730th Street, and accessed by car traveling west on Wisconsin State Highway 85 from Caryville. County Road O intersects the state highway at two places. Turn left (north) on the county road at either intersection. Both routes arrive in Meridean. From the county road, take 730th Street north a short distance to the parking lot.
Before heading out on theChippewa River State Traail in Meridean, trail-goers maay consider reading a nearby historical marker explaining the community’s interesting past. Settled by a fur trader in 1863, the town of Meridean on nearby Happy Island became a bustling lumbering town during the 1880s. It contained sawmills a post office, school, church, store, ferry, and homes for 135 people. Local industry was powered by the Chippewa River. The town is said to have been named after Mary Dean, the daughter of a lumber baron who died while journeying upriver in a steamboat with her mother to join her father.
After the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad built a railway line on the south side of the river, Meridean began to fade away. Businesses, residents, and the post office moved to a new developing town of the same name during the 1890s. It was located on the south bank of the river along the rail line. Soon farming became the main industry. The boat landing at the end of 730th Street is all that remains of where a Chippewa River ferry once carried people to Happy Island’s “Old Meridean.”
Traveling southwest on the Chippewa River State Trail from Meridean takes bicyclists into a vast open oak and pine savanna. Along the way, the trail crosses Cranberry Creek several times. Three miles west of Meridean, a large bend in the Chippewa River comes into view. A walking path leads down the bank to the river’s edge. There, cyclists are treated to a view of Dunnville Barrens State Natural Area on the other side of the river. The preserve features jack pine and black oak on the sandy river terrace, along with various prairie plants.
On the trail at that spot is a historical marker conveying the story of Old Tyrone. Named after a county in Ireland, the village of Tyrone was established by Hamilton Hubbard in 1858 on the high banks overlooking the bend in the Chippewa River. His large house served as a hotel for riverboat passengers. Stagecoach lines connected Tyrone to neighboring villages. The village eventually boasted a school, blacksmith shop, livery stable, and sawmill. Despite the advent of the railroad in the 1880s, Tyrone’s success did not last. By 1888, Hubbard had sold out and left the state. Tyrone eventually withered away to become a ghost town.
Nothing remains of old Tyrone. A small park is located there today. Next to the historical marker are wooden stairs cut into the bank leading up from the trail to a small shelter with a picnic table and benches. The path continues further up the hill to a gravel parking lot.
This location may serve as a trailhead. Bicycles have to be carried down the wooden stairs to the trail, however. To reach the Old Tyrone site by car from Durand, head northeast out of town on Wisconsin State Highway 85. Turn left (north) on 650th Avenue after going seven miles. Drive 2.6 miles to reach the parking area.
About 1.5 miles southwest of the Old Tyrone stop, the surface of the Chippewa River Trail improves greatly. It changes to paved blacktop. This occurs at the trail’s junction with the Red Cedar State Trail. Benches and information signs are located at this junction. Bicyclists may continue on the Chippewa River State Trail to Durand, or head to the right (north) toward Downville and Menomonie on the Red Cedar State Trail.
After this intersection, the Chippewa River State Trail passes through forests, meadows, prairies, and marshes. Wildlife and birds abound. It is not uncommon to see gray and fox squirrels, red foxes, and white-tailed deer from the path. A variety of woodpeckers, along with cardinals, blue jays, and hawks are frequently spotted also. Across the river is Dunnville Barrens State Natural Area situated on a broad, sandy terrace. Dunnville Barrens supports sand barrens community of jack pine with black oak.
Two miles south west from the path’s junction with the Red Cedar State Trail, the Chippewa State Trail crosses County Highway M. The county road leads west to Hubbard’s Landing, a parking lot with canoe and kayak access to the Chippewa River. After four more miles, and crossing County Highway M again, the trail arrives at Tarrant Park at the edge of Durand. In this last section, forests give way to farm fields and pastures.
Tarrant Park in Durand provides a wide assortment of amenities. It has a small campground for recreational vehicles with electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and firepits. It has tent camping sites too. A swimming pool, playground, athletic fields, picnic shelters, and restrooms are available there, as well as a self-registration station for the trail. The park is on the northeast side of Durand off Wisconsin State Highway 85.
Durand is the seat of government for Pepin County. It was settled in 1856 by Miles Durand Prindle, who journeyed up the Chippewa River on a keel boat named the “Dutch Lady.” He had purchased land from the federal government on the site that would eventually become the present city. Durand was originally called “Bear Creek” and was incorporated in 1887.
There are several attractions and places to eat in Durand. In fact, a bike trail continues for a half mile toward Durand’s downtown. Only three miles out of town on Wisconsin State Highway 25 is a popular stop for cheese lovers. The Eau Galle Cheese Factory produces a wide variety of cheeses, but their asiago and parmesan cheeses are internationally acclaimed. Their white cheddar cheese curds are also highly recommended.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
In the city itself, Durand’s 1873 Greek Revival courthouse is the only remaining wood-framed courthouse in Wisconsin. A historical marker outside the building shares the sad history of the lynching of an incarcerated man by an angry mob in 1881. The courthouse and the neighboring jail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s an agreeable ride on the Chippewa River State trail from Meridean to Durand. While the path’s surface improves greatly on the second half of the trip, the ride is not hindered on the section with oil-based asphalt emulsion. All 10.7 miles of the journey are enjoyable and scenic. And Tarrant Park in Durand is a welcomed trailhead at the end of the route.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2020.