I rode this trail on October 20th with my Scorpion Fx Recumbent trike. It was a beautiful fall day, and was perfect for biking with a temperature around 65 degrees.
The surface is basically smooth crushed gravel, but it had rained a few days before leaving some areas muddy and rough.
The trail is approximately 12.5 miles between the village of Merton and the town of Menomonee Falls. I parked in Merton since the trail head is much easier to find than in Menomonee Falls. You'll find the trail head, and a small parking area, right on Hwy. VV.
About 2-3 miles down the trail you'll cross over the Bark River on a wooden plank bridge, and arrive at Mill Pond. You might want to stop here, and just enjoy the scenery.
About another mile from the bridge you'll reach the Town Of Lisbon Park. You'll need to ride the asphalt path into the park. You'll find a playground here for the kids, and well kept rest rooms down the road at the second parking area.
As you continue down the trail you'll arrive at Sussex Village Park consisting of many shade trees, and a play ground. When riding through the village of Sussex be careful when crossing Good Hope Road. It's a major four lane highway through town, and the traffic can be quite intense. Just East on the out skirts of Sussex the trail comes to an end, and you'll have to ride on the street for about two blocks to pick up the trail on the other side.,
When the trail ends, cross the road, turn left (North), and cross over the gas pump area at the Citco Station on the corner. Turn right(South), and ride about 1 1/2 blocks down the road. You'll see the bike trail on your left right before the stop & go lights. You'll cross over another road, under an overpass, and then over an old railroad tressel to continue on to the small village of Lannon.
About two miles before Lannon you'll come to Menomonee Park. You'll need to take the half mile spur trail into the park. Here you'll find a playground and swimming beach as well as a nice picnic area.
As you continue on to Lannon you'll pass the hugh open pit Lannon quarry which is still in operation extracting limestone.
A short way down the trail you'll pass through the village of Lannon. Here you'll find a cafe/dairy bar near the trail.
Your last stop will be Menomonee Falls where the trail comes to an abrupt end.
I found this trail very plesant to ride. Through the villages of Sussex and Lannon you'll traverse many residential neighborhoods with only schrubs and trees separating you from there backyards, but still retaining a feeling of isolation. You'll find yourself going through many wooded areas as well.

"We were a little concerned that this trail may be a little too “urban” for our taste but
decided to give it a try. What a pleasant surprise it was to feel so isolated in the
northwestern suburbs of Milwaukee. The quarries were interesting. We stopped on the
bridge over the Canadian National tracks and watched a train go by on the Union Pacific
on the line we would soon go under on our way into Sussex. Then another train came
through on the line below us.

If there was a downside to our trip it was Sussex. It brings one back to the reality of how
close one is to civilization. (If you’re looking to escape it.) The trail ends abruptly and
there are no directions as to how to pick it up again. After finding it, we continued only
about 3/4 mile to find a “Trail Closed Sign” with no directions as to the detour route. We
braved our way past the sign and found the only part of the trail out of service was at
Hillside Road. (County Highway J) We portaged through the construction site and once
again found ourselves in seclusion with nature. The upside of Sussex was finding the
railroad station along the trail and a sign at the old mill giving a nice history lesson on the
railroad.

The remainder of the ride to Merton was pleasant. While my wife, Yvonne, rested at
Fireman’s Park, I explored the asphalt trail through the park. At the west end of that trail
picked up the rail grade again and it looks as if work is in progress to extend the trail to
the end of the line at North Lake. (One can only hope)

Due to the construction at Hillside Road I would suggest waiting until next season to ride
this one, but don’t cross it off the list.

Dan & Yvonne Sylvester"

This is a great trail. Take it heading west from the start. I work near where it began (near 124th and Brown Deer Road). It's a beautiful trail and nature abounds. It's great to travel the old lines where the trains once ran. The trail is especially beautiful in October near the Sussex end of the line.

"We started off a Merton, a small town north of Hartland. Merton has a nice little sandwich shop for refeshments. After starting at the Trail Head, a Church Parking lot, we rode past a lake
on the righthand side of the trail. The Lake eventually gave way to a large swampy area, then a small river. We crossed the river, then came upon a nice park on the righthand side of the trail.
The park has restroom, a very nice playground, sports areas and picnic areas.
On the righthand side of the trail is a railroad tracks about 50 yards away. The highlight of our trip was watching a long freight train go by. We continue to bike in as the trail passed through wetlands.
Then, we arrived at the city of Sussex.
Make sure your young ones ride near you now because there are a couple busy highway crossing. In Sussex there are several shopping areas near the trail.
It started to rain, so we went inside a fast food restaurant. After the rain we decided to head back, so unfortunately we didn't ride the whole trail"