Old Abe State Trail: County Highway O to Eau Claire

The 16.3-mile section of the Old Abe State Trail is longest of the three segments. The route sees the most traffic, as it goes through Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, and ends in Eau Claire. Different from other trail sections is the lack of an adjacent path for horseback riding. The landscape along the route changes from rural to urban. Yet, there are places of natural beauty. Several major highways and intersections are crossed along the way. Nevertheless, the surface of the paved ashalt path is in excellent condition and offers a smooth ride.

The trailhead at County Highway O is a popular place to begin or end bike rides on the Old Abe State Trail. It is well-equipped. A parking area along with a self-registration station, covered picnic shelter, restrooms, bike rack, and information kiosk are located there. By car, the trailhead is reached by taking Wisconsin State Highway 178 north into Chippewa Falls, and then turning east on County Highway S. Travel 2.2 miles to the intersection with County Highway O. The trailhead is on the northeast corner of that intersection.

While some tourism literature indicates the Old Abe State Trail goes from Brunet Island State Park to Lake Wissota State Park, there is not currently a connector trail leading directly to Lake Wissota State Park from this trailhead. The state park is two miles furthers east on County Highway O. The park is very popular and may be worht the diversion.

After leaving the trailhead and heading south over County Highway O, the Old Abe State Trail proceeds 350 yard to a spectacular sight. The path ventures out on a causeway and bridge over the widening Chippewa River. This is where the river enters Lake Wissota. Crossing over the 1600-foot long expanse is an exciting part of the Old Abe State Trail.

The trail over the bridge follows a line of the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. It went from Cornell to the hamlet of Norma, north of Chippewa Falls. The original railroad trestle bridge was built in 1916, but a modern structure has replaced it. The trestle bridge has numerous stopping points for taking in scenic views the Chippewa River and Lake Wissota. A DNR-built bird nesting platform is sits on a high pole along the trail before the causeway.

After crossing the lake, the trail passes by farmland for a mile before intersecting County Highway S. Here, the trail enters Chippewa Falls. It continues south for 1.5 miles alongside the busy four-laned Wisconsin State Highway 178. As the trail moves along the highway, it passes by a large DHL-Fleet Farm distribution center and housing subdivision.

After the trail crosses Wissota Green Boulevard, bicyclists may take a separate paved path left (east) to Riverview Preserve. A small parking lot and information kiosk is located there 350 yards east of the Old Abe State Trail. This is another possible trailhead. By car, the parking lot is accessed by taking Wissota Green Boulevard to Beach Drive.

At the intersection of Wisconsin State Highway 178 and County Highway I (Wissota Green Boulevard), Old Abe State Trail crosses the highway and continues south. The self-employed crosswalk signal should be activated to enhance safety while crossing the highway.

The trail continues south, parallel to the highway on its west side. It descends the valley to cross the broad Chippewa River. It’s worth stopping on the bridge to take a look at the amazzing river before biking up the other side of the river valley. Although paved, the trail’s surface in this section was quite rough at the time it was ridden in September of 2020.

It is nearly a mile to the next intersection. The surface of Old Abe State Trail improves after it turns right (west) to follow Park Avenue. Two historical markers are found along the next mile. One conveys the history of the Yellowstone Trail- an early national road. The idea of a national road from Massachusetts to Washington state was conceived in 1912. The road was completed in 1917. It traveled through Yellowstone National Park, hence its name. The road also passed through Wisconsin for over 400 miles from Kenosha to Hudson. In Chippewa Falls, the route followed Park Avenue.

The second historical marker features the story of Chippewa Springs water. In 1700, French explorer Pierre LeSueur discovered the spring and noted how he had heard the legend of Hiawatha. Ezra Pound later used the story to write how Chippewa Spring water was used as a love potion by Hiawatha to woo Minnehaha. In 1887, Wisconsin Governor Thaddeus Pound bought land by the spring and developed a health club and spa there. The water was shipped around the country when the Pillsbury family bought the land. Today, the restored historic spring house still stands, and is located across the street from the marker.

Chippewa Falls is named after the river that flows through the heart of the city. “Chippewa” is a deviation of the word “Ojibwa,” the name of the Native American nation who resided in that region. When the area was settled by Europeans and Americans, Chippewa Falls grew in population and industry. This was mainly because of the lumber that was harvested from the area’s vast white pine forests. One popular attraction in the city today is Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, where visitors can sample beer after touring the brewery.

Returning to the Old Abe State Trail, the route travels under Wisconsin State Highway 124 and turns southwest next to Park Avenue. It passes by a Dairy Queen before slowly ascending in elevation. A mile past the DQ, the trail enters Lake Hallie. Throughout the village, the trail parallels Wisconsin State Highway 124 and then Joles Road. It also travels adjacent to an active railway line. A descent in elevation is noticeable for the rest of the ride.

After traveling 3.5 miles through Lake Hallie, Old Abe State Trail enters Eau Claire. This is before it reaches the bridges of U.S. Highway 53 and Wisconsin State Highway 29. The trail goes under the overpasses and continues southwest aside the railroad tracks and Joles Road. After 2.5 miles, it crosses Melby Street and travels next to Business U.S. Highway 53.

While the trail’s paved surface makes for comfortable biking, the 3.7 miles of trail next to industries, commercial businesses, and a four-laned highway creat an environment of loud noise and scenery that is anything but scenic or serene peaceful. This section of the trail is more about making distance than having a pleasant recreational experience.

The trail eventually turns west away from Business Highway 53. The view becomes more scenic as the path descends in elevation and travels along the high forested banks of the Eau Claire River. In this section, spur trails lead off to different parts of the city. The Old Abe State Trail continues between the Eau Claire River and Galloway Street. Banbury Place, on the other side of Galloway Street, comes in sight. This large factory complex is now a multi-use facility with apartments, storage space, and businesses.

It is 16.3 miles from the trailhead at County Highway O to Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. At Phoenix Park, the Old Abe State Trail becomes the Chippewa River State Trail. The park is also where the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers converge. This picturesque park offers a walking labyrinth, amphitheater, seasonal Saturday farm market, restrooms, and street parking. The park is accessed from Riverfront Terrace.

When traveling by car to Phoenix Park in Eau Claire from Interstate Highway 94, take the U.S. Highway 53 exit, and head north. Take Business U.S. Highway 53 (N. Hastings Way) to Main Street and turn left. Turn right on S. Bartow Street, and then left on Riverfront Terrace after crossing the Eau Claire River.

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

The river, city, and county all bear the name of Eau Claire. Early French fur traders named the river “Clear Water.” The first permanent white American settlers arrived in 1845, and the city was incorporated in 1872. Lumber was the city’s main industry in the late 1800s. The city grew at that time with the influx of sawmills, built along the waterfront to process logs floated down the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers from Wisconsin’s northern forests.

Today, the city is home to several manufacturing businesses, hospitals, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. There are numerous establishments throughout the city catering to the needs of its residents and visitors. For fast food take-out, Egg Roll Hmong Restaurant on Bellinger Street is highly recommended aand popular.

The scenery on the 16.3-mile section of the Old Abe Trail is quite diverse. It passes through an urban setting in Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, and Eau Claire. Yet, there are places of natural beauty where it crosses the Chippewa River and travels next to the Eau Claire River. The point of land on which Phoenix park stands is also picturesque. And both trailheads, on opposite sides of the path, are fully-equipped and assist in having a pleasant ride.

Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2020.