!0-20-2010

I took Timbee's advice and tried the Chippewa River State Park Trail with a background of Fall colors, although I probably missed the peak by a week. The trail is pleasant and varied in scenery. The big thing to be aware of, however, is the severe damage from the summer 2010 storms. One section is technically closed, but you can get past it by carrying your bike through the washout. Repairs are in process.

I enjoyed riding the Chippewa the day before I did the Red Cedar (trails join at southern end of RC); very peaceful & quiet, few others on it during the week. The in-between towns are very small with limited amenities. Both Durand & Eau Claire have many restaurant choices and pleasant parks.

The surface was quite variable; it's paved all the way from Durand to Eau Claire. The two ends are the best with Durand having very nice, smooth asphalt. The middle sections aren't so hot--many rough places even with weeds growing up in the middle of the pavement. The scenery along the Chippewa is very nice & it's not at all hilly. I'm sure a fall ride would have spectacular color.

My husband and I rode from Eau Claire to Caryville in June, 2008, and had a wonderful ride. I don't have a lot to add to Dennis's excellent and thorough review, but here are a few random notes.

This is a good summertime trip because there is quite a bit of shade, plus the cooling effects of the river. Even the section of trail that runs through Eau Claire is shady and pleasant, tracking right along the river near the college. There is an amazing variety of scenery on this trail, ranging from city to wetland to rolling prairie to the occasional soybean field. We were charmed to come upon a pair of enormous Sandhill Cranes spearing frogs in one of the swampy areas. We were also amused by what seemed to be hundreds of baby bunnies scampering frantically back and forth across the trail. And if you like bridges, this is your trail! I looked back at pictures I took on the trip and they seem to be one arty bridge shot after another.

Having read Dennis's description of the rest of the trail, I look forward to seeing more of it next year.

I Rode this trail in early October with my Scorpion Fx recumbent trike. It was a beautiful fall day, and the trees were just beginning to paint the landscape with brilliant colors of red and gold.

You can either begin your ride at Carson Park or Owens Park in Eau Claire. I started at Owens Park which is on the Eastern end of Eau Claire just off of Menomonie Street. The trail takes you across the campus of the University of Eau Claire, down a steep hill, and then along the Chippewa River. After approximately a mile the trail ends on the streets of Eau Claire. You'll need to ride on the street for about two blocks, before the trail reconnects. You'll cross a steel railroad trestle just North of Grand Ave. at which point the trail takes you through some of the older neighborhoods of Eau Claire, and then winds along the wooded banks of the Chippewa River as you leave Eau Claire going West.

At around mile marker 7 you'll reach a rest area with a view of the Chippewa River. It's beyond this point that the trail turns from a smooth asphalt to a course asphalt giving you somewhat of a bumpier ride.

In approximately another 5 miles you'll reach the small village of Carryville. Here you'll find another rest area with picnic tables as well as a grocery store, for stocking up on supplies.

6 miles beyond Carryville you'll reach the quiet little town of Meridean with it's vistas of the Chippewa River.

In approximatley another 7-8 miles you'll reach the Dunnville nature preserve and the 860 foot railroad trestle crossing the Chippewa River, and the start of the Red cedar Trail going North to the town of Menomonie. This is a good place to rest, and just enjoy the Spectacula view of the Chippewa River. At this point you can decide whether you would like to cross the trestle to ride the 14.5 mile Cedar River Trail, or continue on another 6 miles to the village of Durand.

This 24 mile trail has a lot to offer with it's beautifull vistas of the Chippewa River, and numerous wooded areas and praries you'll encounter.

This trail is an easy trail to ride with virtually no hills, or steep grades, and plenty of solitude.

I would highly reccommend this trail to anyone who loves being among the beauty of nature.

"The extension to Durand is completed with a smooth asphalt finish. This adds 6.5 miles or so to this trail.
The two things I didn't care for about this section were the lack of a sign for available services when you get to Durand. Not knowing the town how do you go about finding food, etc.? Not even a near by gas station to ask at.
The other thing about this trail is the 12 stop signs on this section. Only 3 are necessary I feel. The rest you stop for driveways, farm field driveways and even an ATV path. So you won't make any good time on this path, but it'll give you alot of practice unclipping from your pedals. "

"We started our ride in Caryville and rode west to the junction with the Red Cedar Trail, then up to Downsville. The trail often runs adjacent to the River-far from any roads or highway noise. The only sounds are the birds singing in the trees.
The asphalt black top, while not as smooth as some trails, is nowhere near bone- jarring as stated in your ""Mixed Bag"" review in 2002. In fact, it seems to be well maintained, which contributes to making it a great trail to ride."

"This trail is now open all the way to Durand, about 8 more miles than the trail used to be. The trail is paved with smooth asphalt until about mp 10. After that it's rough asphalt until the junction with the Red Cedar state trail. After that the surface for about a half mile is crushed limestone, then it becomes hard packed gravel. About two miles from Durand the surface again is paved.

The packed gravel section isn't for every bike. Even though the surface is packed hard the trail is best ridden with a larger width tire. Hopefully, they'll pave this someday.

Between the rest area on Wis. 85 and Caryville the trail doesn't have much scenery, since it runs though mainly farm fields. There's not much shade either.

West of Caryville the trail stays fairly close to the Chippewa River. Here you get plenty of views of the river and a lot of shade. Also Caryville is the last place to get water until Durand which is about 17 miles. So be sure to fill your bottles up."

"There are a number of scenic spots along this trail, and it certainly takes advantage of the Chippewa River, but after the smooth limestone of the Red Cedar River Trail, the rough asphalt of this trail is a bit bone-jarring. Because of its connections, it's a nice trail for overnighters. "