Rountree Branch Trail: Platteville

Platteville’s David Canny Rountree Branch Trail is one of several paths that journey throughout the city. The 2.7 mile path is both lighted and paved, and follows Rountree Creek. On this short distance, trail-goers are treated to multiple attractions including a playground, exercise area, interpretive markers, sculpture gardens, and several places to eat. Park benches and picnic tables are found along the route.

The Mounds View State Trail, which travels 7 miles west from Belmont, concludes near the start of the Rountree Branch Trail. The two trails merge on the eastern edge of Platteville at a rest area. Together, they are 9.7 miles long and cyclists can easily travel the combined route. Both trails have paved surfaces. The Mounds View Trail has several high hills to ascend.

The Rountree Branch Trail begins on the east side of Platteville off Commercial Drive, by Walmart and Menards. No designated trailhead is available, but there are several large retail parking lots. By car from U.S. Highway 151, the parking lots are accessed by taking exit 21 and going west on U.S. Business Highway 151. Drive for 0.2 mile, and turn left (north) on Commercial Drive into either  parking lot.

From the intersection of Commercial Drive and Progressive Parkway, the trail heads north for 0.3 mile past Walmart and Menards. After crossing Keystone Parkway, it passes a small rest area with an interpretive marker, park bench, and sculpture.

The path continues by meandering down a hill to a larger rest area. This is where the Mounds View State Trail arrives from the east and ends. The rest area has a picnic table under a covered shelter, bike rack, portable toilet, and interpretive markers. One marker memorializes David Canney, a Platteville resident who was instrumental in creating the city’s trail system. Another displays a map of Platteville’s trail network. Rountree Branch creek flows to the north.

Near the rest area is a sculpture titled “Funnel Vision.” These unique masterpieces are located throughout the trail. Each location has a special viewing frame post that provides the best perspective of the artwork. Park benches are found by most of the sculptures.

From the rest area, the Rountree Branch Trail heads west and through a forested corridor adjacent to the creek. After 0.9 mile the trail crosses Rountree Branch and arrives at another rest stop. It has a picnic table, sculpture, and interpretive markers, including one that tells the rich history of area lead and zinc mining operations.

At this rest area, the Prairie View Trail branches off to the north toward Mounds View Park. That path is crushed stone, and ascends about 50 feet over a half mile. The trail crosses Madison Street and ends at Mounds View Park. The gently rolling hills of this city park include restrooms, a playground, picnic facilities, and a mountain bike course. The park also has a campground with showers and 15 reservable campsites, making this trail a good option for cyclists seeking to camp.

Mounds View Park is located on Madison Street. By car from U.S. Highway 151, take exit 21 and go west on U.S. Business Highway 151. After 1 mile, turn right (north) on Mineral Street. The road then turns west. Go 0.8 mile, and take a right (north) onto Broadway Street. Drive 0.7 mile, then turn right (east) onto Madison Street. The park entrance is on the left (north) side of the road.

If cyclists on the Rountree Branch Trail pass by the Prairie View Trail exit, the next rest area is 0.3 mile down the path. The route passes another historical marker and arrives at a rest area on Milwaukee Street. This stop has a bicycle self-service station, park bench, and historical marker about the railroads of  Platteville. Brochures of the city’s trail system are also available.

The trail then crosses Milwaukee Street, and passes under Mineral Street next to Rountree Branch. For the next 0.7 mile the path travels next to the creek. It passes a historical marker about Platteville’s brewery, and journeys past a dog park, outdoor exercise area, and several sculptures. A fascinating piece of art titled “4200 stones” hangs over the flowing creek.

A trail parking lot is located in this section on Valley Road. To reach the lot by car from U.S. Highway 151, take exit 21 and go west on U.S. Business Highway 151. After 1 mile, turn right (north) on Mineral Street. The road then turns west. Go 0.4 mile, then turn left (south) onto Valley Road. The lot is 0.3 mile on the right (north) side of Valley Road.

At the end of this 0.7 mile section, the trail crosses Rountree Branch. The path then circles up to Dubuque Road (U.S. Business Highway 151) and follows next to the road west over the creek again. Before continuing on the path to the left (south), hungry trail-goers may want to divert west onto Dubuque Road. Coffee, ice cream or a quick meal are within  reach; within 350 yards on the same side of the street are Culvers, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins.  

Back on the Rountree Branch Trail, the route departs Dubuque Road to the south and swings west next to the creek. It passes through a forest, and soon crosses busy Wisconsin State Highways 80-81. The trail returns to the edge of the creek, heading another 0.2 mile through a dark forest.

The trail then reaches a junction. Knollwood Trail goes straight. It passes through the woods, turns south, and climbs a hill to arrive at a residential neighborhood. The Rountree Branch Trail turns right (north) and crosses the creek over a bridge. The path continues along the creek, behind Fiesta Cancun Mexican Restaurant and Pizzeria Uno. Both restaurants are local favorites and accessible from the trail.

It is only 350 yards from the bridge over Rountree Branch to the Wisconsin Welcome Center. This location makes a great trailhead with restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, park benches, a parking lot and travel materials. Beautiful gardens surround both the building and trail near the creek, creating an enjoyable rest area.

The Welcome Center is reached by car from U.S. Highway 151. Take exit 18 north on County Highway D/U.S. Business Highway 151 for 0.9 mile. The building is found on the right (north) side of the road.

The Rountree Branch Trail continues past the Wisconsin Welcome Center for another 0.2 mile. It crosses under U.S. Business Highway 151 and ends at County Highway D (Chestnut Street). The route continues west as Pioneer Trail, branching off into various sections that meander through Memorial Park and the campus of UW-Platteville.

European-American settlement in Platteville started in 1820-1850 by early lead miners. John H. Rountree founded the town in 1829, a businessman who came from southern Illinois. By 1850 the town was flourishing as a mining community. When lead production decreased, zinc mining filled the void. After several disastrous fires, Platteville was incorporated as a city in 1876 and new brick buildings arose from the ashes.

Two significant schools – a normal school for teacher training, and a mining college – were established in Platteville. In 1959, the two colleges merged to become Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology. In 1971, this became the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Today the university offers a range of degree programs, and is known for its engineering and criminal justice programs.

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

For the visiting cyclist, Platteville has numerous hotels, dining and shopping opportunities. In addition to Pizzeria Uno and Fiesta Cancun right on the trail, downtown Platteville has several popular restaurants. Steve’s Pizza offers a wide variety of tasty pizzas and sandwiches. Nearby, the Driftless Market has options for snacks or light meals and features fair trade, organic, and locally grown foods.

Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2023.