Seven Waters Trail: Rochester to Burlington
Between Rochester and Burlington, Seven Waters Trail passes through the most beautiful scenery of its entire route. Here the trail passes through two natural areas, Case Eagle Park and Saller Woods. Both areas are enveloped by forests surrounding the Fox River.
From Case Eagle Park in Rochester, it’s 5.9 miles to Wehmhoff Jucker Park in Burlington. The trail runs on a paved path for 1.2 miles in Case Eagle Park, thenfollows a bike lane on Browns Lake Road for 0.3 mile. The trail surface for the next 3.4 miles is screened limestone. The last mile is paved with an asphalt emulsion, and then blacktop asphalt.
There are several boulevards to cross in this trail section. Most intersections have crosswalk signals and designated lanes. However, the trail’s junction with Milwaukee Avenue has no signals, warning lights, or crosswalk lanes. Traffic is heavy and quick-moving on the four-lane highway. Cyclists are encouraged to wear fluorescent or bright clothes and use headlights/taillights on their bikes.
In Rochester, Case Eagle Park makes an excellent trailhead. The 239-acre park has a picnic pavilion, restrooms, playground, athletic fields and courts, ball diamonds, and kayak/canoe launch on the Fox River. It is also home to the Jean Jacobson Dog Park. At the park, it’s worth a short walk to the banks of the Fox River. The river views by the dam are beautiful.
To reach Case Eagle Park by car, turn west from Wisconsin Highway 36 (Milwaukee Avenue) onto County Highway J (Rochester Street). Drive 0.2 mile to the park entrance on the left (west). Go a half mile past the dog park to reach the pavilion, restrooms, and parking lot.
Members of the Potawatomi nation once lived on lands surrounding Rochester. In the early 1800s five families from Rochester, Vermont were the first white Americans to settle there. Rochester’s Union House hotel supposedly was part of the Underground Railroad, and today stands as a testament to the abolitionists who lived there. Rochester was incorporated in 1912, and today has a coffeehouse and restaurants not far from the trail.
The Seven Waters Trail departs Case Eagle Park to the south. At the end of the park road, the paved trail journeys uphill. For a half mile it travels between the edge of a forest and farm fields. A park bench marks where the path turns right (west) into the woods. More park benches are found by the trail over the next half mile, the only area of the trail with benches.
The next half mile is very scenic, as the path meanders through the forest and heads downhill to cross the Fox River. It is definitely worth pausing on the large bridge spanning the river. The scenery is beautiful, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Bald eagles, egrets, herons, Canadian geese, and ducks may be seen from the bridge.
The trail then winds its way uphill to Browns Lake Drive, which has bike lanes on both sides of the road. The route turns left (south) and travels 0.3 mile before turning left (east) on a path entering Saller Woods. A sign indicates entry into this natural area.
In Saller Woods, the trail surface returns to screened limestone. The path rambles through the forest of the natural preserve past scenic meadows, marshes, and ponds. Hiking trails lead off into the woods from the main path. This 0.6-mile section has some low hills to climb, before emerging from the forest by a parking lot.
A possible trailhead location, theparking lot is off Wisconsin State Highway 36. The parking area has a picnic table and commemorative marker. Saller Woods was created through a gift from Frank and Mary Saller, who owned the 91 acres of land. The property was donated in memory of their son, and today is a sanctuary for many animals and plants.
Seven Waters Trail continues south side from the parking lot. It travels aside the bending intersection of the state highway and Milwaukee Avenue. After 0.7 mile, the trail crosses the four lanes of Milwaukee Avenue. Traffic moves rapidly, and there are no crosswalk signals or flashing lights to assist trail-goers. Extreme caution should be used at this intersection.
Now on the south side of Milwaukee Avenue, Seven Waters Trail continues southwest 2 miles. It crosses Browns Lake Drive and Buckley Street, passing several businesses. At the end of this segment, the Fox River comes into view to the left (south). On the right (north,) a paved spur trail follows Milwaukee Avenue into Burlington.
The path’s surface turns to asphalt emulsion and the route continues further south along a corridor of power lines. On the left (east) is Browns Lake Golf Course, hidden from view by trees and bushes. After a mile, the trail turns right (west) onto Congress Street and arrives in downtown Burlington. Across the street, a paved path takes trail-goers through Riverside Dive along the Fox River. This park has restrooms, a picnic pavilion, playground, walking trails, athletic courts, and water access.
The trail bridges the Fox River to arrive at Wehmhoff Jucker Park. This trailhead park has restrooms, a picnic pavilion, bike rack, playground, and basketball court. The parking lot is at the end of N. Spring Street. From downtown Burlington, take Jefferson Street east across the Fox River. Turn left (north) on Spring Street, and drive into the park.
Long ago, ancient Native American mound builders lived in this area. As late as 1830, a village belonging to the Potawatomi nation was located in modern Burlington. In the autumn of 1799, a troupe of French explorers and missionaries led by Francis Morgan de Vereceones passed through while traveling on the Fox River.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
In 1835 Moses Smith and William Whiting came to this area. Other Yankees arrived a year later and named the community “Foxville.” It was later renamed “Burlington” after the city in Vermont. Most of the settlers came from Vermont and other New England states. Burlington was incorporated as a village in 1886; in 1900 it became a city.
Today, Burlington offers trail-goers several options for a meal or treat. Not far from Wehmhoff Jucker Park is Adrian’s Frozen Custard. This old-fashioned stand serves fresh-made custard in cones, sundaes, and shakes. Part of a regional restaurant chain, the Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie is also near the trail and park. Their riverside patio overlooks the Fox River, and they serve BBQ ribs, burgers, and wood-fired pizzas.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2023.